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Months ago I made a decision to be in better shape at 50 than I was at 40.  Having just turned 49 on Jan. 2 that gives me a year to make good on my threat.  I’ve made attempts at losing weight before – funny thing is that weight always finds me again!  But there are a number of significant motivators for me that have come together that I believe will make the difference this time.

Reason #1 – My family

My two best buds!

God has blessed me with the most amazing family a man could ask for. An absolutely beautiful bride who loves God and loves me more than I deserve. Two handsome young men who are the delight of my heart.  And a little princess I love more than life itself. I will be 60 when she graduates from high school. I’ve got to be in good shape for that! And then there are all those grandkids I will someday need to wrestle and play with!  And, of course, I expect to be enjoying life with my beautiful bride for a long – long time to come.

Reason #2 – My health

Believe it or not I used to be a pretty fit guy!  Although I never ate really well I did exercise regularly.  Krista says I weighed about 155 lbs. and had a 32 waist when we married 21 years ago.  I can’t even remember that!  I do know that I used to regularly workout, ride long distances on the bike, and walk, walk, walk.  Slowly my activity began to decrease as I got older and more engaged in other things – and the metabolism began to slow down about the same time…the perfect storm.  At the start of my 50 by 50 journey I tip the scales at 220 lbs.  Ouch!  It hurts just to admit that.  But I know that quality of life is not determined by what the scales say.  This is more than just a desire to feel better and like what I see in the mirror and in pictures.  This past year my inattention to my health resulted in dangerously high blood pressure – which led to hospitalization – which led to a stress test – which found me lying on the operating table in the hands of a cardiologist.  An abnormality on the test warranted immediate action.  Depending on what was found I would either have a stint or bypass – or it could turn out to be nothing.  Thankfully the later was my diagnosis, but the high blood pressure remained.  I don’t want to rely on medication for the rest of my life to counter the effects of my poor life choices.

Reason #3 – My purpose

I have a call on my life.  At 50 I feel as though I’m just now reaching my prime for the task God has been preparing me.  After 30 years of full-time ministry I have a passion to make more of an impact now than ever before.  As my friend, Chuck Stecker, is fond of saying, “There is no baton!”  This means there is no time when we pass the mantle of leadership to the next generation and fade away.  We are desperate in this hour for spiritual mothers and fathers who will help lead the way, equip, encourage and empower next generation leaders – and run with them until God waves the checkered flag when our time on earth is done.  I cannot fulfill that destiny if I am not a good steward of the vehicle God has entrusted me to run the race with.

Reality check

I know this won’t be easy.  I love my Dr. Pepper too much!  But honestly, I’ve come to the point where I love the three reasons listed above MORE.  And that’s really what it takes to make this more than just another empty promise or a tissue paper resolution.  As another friend, Dan Erickson, puts it – life is all about discovering your “greater yes.”  Once you have that higher purpose in mind – whether it’s one I’ve listed or another reason to live for – you are positioned to make a decision based on something other than good intentions.  Good intentions never accomplished anything worthwhile – only good decisions when acted upon.

I’m also going “public” with this goal because I know there’s one important ingredient for my success that YOU can provide – accountability. By sharing my journey I’m hoping that my friends can help me keep on track with my goals. Maybe you have some helpful tips to share. And maybe you’ll decide to join me in this effort and we can encourage each other on the journey.

So here we go! I’ll keep you posted on my progress. I appreciate any encouragement or prayer support you can lend. It’s going to be a difficult task and I know what I’m getting myself in for. But I’m ready – and it’s time.

There are greater things to live for.

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