As we’ve been talking about community this month at (in)courage, inspirational stories have been shared that remind us of the beauty of living life together…in precious koinonia.  When I shared last month about Creative Friendship Building Ideas, I would have never imagined what was about to explode. Sometimes community occurs when you least expect it.

Two weeks ago, I put words to my struggle with the Weight Loss Roller Coaster over at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam. It was a topic about which I hesitated to post because regardless of how sensitively one approaches the issue of women, weight and healthy living choices, it’s bound to hit too close to home for someone.  Ending the post, I shared that I had had enough with my lack of discipline and I was challenging myself to 30 Days of Healthy Living. For me, that meant beginning an exercise program called the 30 Day Shred – 20 minutes a day of sheer torture. An amazing metamorphosis happened through that first post. Women from around the world embraced and committed to the opportunity of banding together for 30 days of accountability. Community occurred virtually through a shared goal.  Excited for the challenge, hundreds of women realized the fact that because we were going through this experience together, maybe they could do it too. Instantly, tangible excitement permeated through this on line forum.

Truthfully, the palatable energy quickly dissolved when the novelty wore off. The novelty being that first day’s twenty minute workout. Reality set in and after two days, many wanted to give up. Our legs were sore, our bodies ached in places we didn’t even know muscles existed, and the enemy saw a new avenue through which to attack.  Most of us quickly realized that is was going to be a long month, but past discouragement was being dealt with by a day to day check in either on my blog or on my facebook page. Some have given up, but I pray this serves as a jumping point for many to focus on just one aspect of healthy living. I enjoy breaking my goals into “bite sized pieces,” and starting with this aspect is the first step.

Yesterday, Day 11 was completed, but many are just finding our challenge and joining in at the beginning. The beauty of the internet is that the posts are there to go back and read, regardless of the day. I chuckle that community has been created through pain…literally. I dread my work out every day, I really do, but I know that my temple is being treated how it deserves, and I have neglected it for too long. I love that women are encouraging me through this, and that together, we’re not giving up.

Hebrew 12:11 reminds us that “No discipline is pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. “

Now, in no way do I claim that my pain is equal to that of the persecuted Christians during this time, but I just adore how the Lord gently gives us verses that speak truth so specifically to the area in which we struggle.

It’s it exciting to observe how  He creatively allows diverse avenues to bring women together. Who would have thought that such a unique sense of community could occur through exercise, and not just a regular exercise class, but one where the accountability occurs on line?

Maybe you’re in a time period of your life where the weight loss roller coaster has gotten the best of you as well. I’d love for you to join us…just twenty minutes a day for thirty days. I am one third of the way to creating a healthy new habit, and I can’t wait to see this through to completion. It’s been awhile…

Feel free to jump on in, and literally, you will jump a whole bunch. 🙂

By Jen Schmidt, Balancing Beauty & Bedlam

Leave a Comment