I'm weird…I know it

Tuesday, February 12th, 2008

Within the last 10 years, I have discovered another one of my passions to be weight training and nutrition. I was into fitness even before joining the Marine Corps. I have become more serious about it within the last few years. I have always dreamed about competing in a bodybuilding show but never thought I had the discipline. Before the end of the New Year, I decided one of my goals was to compete in my first bodybuilding show. I decided that I needed someone with a lot more expertise so I have been working with a trainer at the Lexington Athletic Club. The trainer provides the workouts and nutrition and my job is to follow…easy, huh? not so fast! I have made some drastic life changes in the past 9 weeks. I have given up caffeine, refined sugar, and fast food. Instead, you will see me carrying around Tupperware of chicken and tuna…yum:-) The awesome thing about it is that I have lost 26lbs without doing an ounce of cardio, which is one thing that I hate doing! The weird thing about this bodybuilding pursuit is that it has helped me significantly in my spiritual life. If I can say no to refined sugar, caffeine, and fast food, then I can say no to areas of sin through the power of the Holy Spirit. As I have dedicated myself to working out and eating right, I have seen myself more dedicated to prayer and Bible reading than in my whole life.

I know many of my friends think I am strange for doing this, but if Aaron Mansfield can make cheese as a hobby than I can do bodybuilding!