i am second

Hi everyone and Happy New Year! I kind of fell off the face of the blogging earth over the last week but am now back with some fun snippets of the past little while and some reflections to share. It was great to unplug for a while in every way – unplug from the computer, my phone, and responsibilities, really, and just enjoy being with friends and family.

I did do a bit of writing, however, and jotted down some thoughts to share with my FitFluential family on the FitFluential blog (I’m an ambassador!). Feel free to check my post about enjoying the New Year out and join in on the comments.

As I was preparing to write that post, I was reflecting on the year past and thinking about my normal practices for each New Year. As I wrote about in the article, I’m not a big resolution setter; I can’t remember ever having made one, actually. Continuing with that train of thought, I’m also not much of a goal setter, which might be surprising given that I’m a personal trainer. Truth be told, with most my clients I have them share goals in the beginning of our sessions together and then proceed toward them focusing on bigger life changes (namely: move more and eat real foods!). Although it’s more generic, it helps me and them to stay consistent and make broader lifestyle changes.

 

This year, rather than set broad goals to stay consistent with my workouts and drink more water (which are mini daily goals for me), I was struck with a truth that hit me hard about my heart. Lately I’ve been nailing my workouts, eating pretty clean (even over the holidays), and taking good care of my body but have been neglecting my heart. I have given less attention to my relationship with God and I know that other things have suffered in my life because of it: my relationships with Mikey, family, and friends; my intentionality throughout my days; my business. Impressed with these thoughts, I realized how much less I have been praying and seeking God in all things, instead focusing on trying to get my business going again on my own and have found myself putting me first above God and others.

So this year, it seems so clear that my theme should be i am second. This phrase is from the organization I Am Second but it’s also based on a verse I have read and known for many years from John 3:30: “He must increase, I must decrease.” It is so simple and yet so hard to practice, to put Jesus first and others’ above myself. I am so excited about embracing grace, fresh starts, and forgiveness from Jesus as I focus this year towards becoming a stronger second to Him! To help me keep this phrase in my mind, I signed up for the I Am Second 22 Day Challenge – please feel free to join me if you’d like to journey along a similar path in your own life and faith!

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It’s been a great last week, and today I’m back to the “grind:” woke up, read my Bible (reading through Isaiah and really enjoying it!), watched my I Am Second video, and did this workout (just subbed the squats for pull ups each time to get more back work in) thanks to Naomi! Then I trained a client and now have errands to run before the return of Fat Tuesday! But I thought I’d leave you a glimpse of the fun over the last week…There were:

Workout sessions!

 

Struggling to finish our ab moves; looks like Jacque decided to be done! GYMBOSS loving!

 

Always smiling post-workout!

Great food!

  

 

 

Canadian winter fun!

 

Great times with good friends!

  

Rather than splatter more photos of the last week and our fun New Year’s Eve weekend away across the page, why not show you a video? It’s a little long but captures more of the fun we had, the beauty we were surrounded by, and the great moments shared with one another.

Do you make resolutions?

What was a highlight of the 2011 year for you?

Anything fun to report for your New Year’s festivities or so far in Jan.?

Here’s to a healthy & happy New Year, friends…live well & be well,

Bonnie (and Mikey)