Monday, July 25, 2011

the importance of taking it easy...


I think it is funny that one of my first posts will NOT be about nutrition or working out. 

Tommy and I just returned from a week in Seaside, FL.  It was wonderful, beautiful, relaxing...we had one little mishap in which Tommy dropped a knife on his foot. Long story short, we were really concerned that he had cut his tendon so we ended up going to two doctors, he had to get 3 stitches, and an antibiotic prescription, but the tendon is ok.  We came up with a really creative contraption to get him down to the beach and in the water, so our week was not a loss (he did it on the first day!). 
Because of the accident, we were alot less active than we anticipated.  I worked out once at a local crossfit gym, 30a Crossfit, and then did nothing else.  We had plans to ride bikes, play tennis, etc, but none of that ended up happening.  And that was ok.  In a way, maybe we NEEDED not to be active. 

Being super focused and intentional with the way you live is WONDERFUL, but can take alot of energy, especially when you are creating the habits  That's why so many diets fail, so many workout resolutions go unfulfilled, those quiet times with God get skipped.  It's hard to be disciplined.  This week, Tommy and I rested, ate whatever we want (ice cream EVERY night!), stared out into the ocean, read, napped, and just enjoyed one another.  It was so refreshing.  Our time with God was refreshing, wasn't PLANNED, it just happened and the conversations about Him came naturally.  And it was GOOD. 

Being disciplined is essential to growing and achieving goals--but taking it easy is VITAL to not going bonkers!!

Be aggressive and passionate and disciplined with how you live.  BUT take time to be refreshed, rest, play, drink, and THEN get right back into your routine.  Don't mindlessly eat whatever, watch whatever, do whatever.  If you are going to take time for yourself, do it WELL.  Eat REALLY REALLY yummy stuff.  Do things that are WORTH it.  Have FUN. 

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Staying Strong

Welcome to the Byrd family's new blog.

My hopes for this blog are to share inspiring experiences, thoughts, etc on the Byrd's journey of staying strong.  The Byrd family has really committed to the idea of "staying strong" in all aspects of our lives.

This blog will cover three specific aspects of strength and how they exist and coexist.
1. Faith
2. Nutrition
3. Physical fitness

While all three are important, Tommy and I have found such a dynamic relationship between the three.  The ideas of endurance, discipline, self-control, contentment, leaning on the true source of strength, all play a part in each of these areas. Just a quick thought- we can (on our own) achieve such strength in certain areas of our lives.  We can get really fit, eat really well, work really hard...but how much STRONGER will all those areas be when we learn to find and rely on the TRUE source of strength?  How many better food choices can I make on a daily basis when I lean on HIM for comfort, and not my favorite foods?  How much more motivated am I to staying fit when I look at it in the context of viewing my body as a vessel to be used by HIM?  We will expand on this and more in future posts.

Look forward to more from "Staying Strong"!  (And don't worry, we will add in some fun, random, life-updating posts as well!)


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Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 18:32
It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.