Today's Overview:

Yesterday, I went on and on about running this path with your loved ones in mind. And yes, love is a compelling motivator. But sometimes, we also need to be angry about where we are in life -- the place we have allowed ourselves to get to. We should have some level of indignance that we have been made in the image of our Creator, yet we have let ourselves go (not just in fitness, but in any area of life). Today, I want to talk about running your path with a chip on your shoulder.

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Excess weight is a thief

Mindset: Think with a Chip

The phrase "chip on your shoulder" is defined as: "Being angry about something that happened in the past, holding a grudge." Although it is not a good idea to hold on to anger, I think it is good to be angry at what our excess weight has done emotionally and physically in our relationships and even economically.

What are some of the opportunities you have been robbed of because of the weight you are endeavoring to lose? Maybe 15 pounds is ALL you have to lose, and it is just something that is "nice to have." Even if that is the case, it bothered you enough for you to enroll in this course. In what ways was your life hindered because of the weight. Did it sap your energy? Did you feel emotionally uncomfortable when looking at younger, more fit photos of yourself? Has it stolen you of some of your confidence? If you have more than 15 pounds you need to lose, what has that robbed you of? Has it taken away some of your belief in your ability to do other things in life? What about promotions on the job. A Human Resources professional told me that this is factored into employment opportunities (albeit not spoken). There are likely many ways in which this 15 pound has impacted you. Let this be part of the motivation you take into the last 11 days as you run your path toward the finish!

Key Takeaway:Remember the extra 15 pounds' toll on your quality of life.

Keep distractions out

Lifestyle: Running to the Finish: Live with a Chip

You are just ten days out from the end of the Journey Jumpstart course. How focused are you right now? I recommend that you allow this chip to keep you from being distracted from taking care of this most critical area of your life. Anything or anyone that interferes with you doing what you need to do to finish this race, I say to you that you need to remember all the ways that the 15 pounds have robbed your quality of life. Cast the distractions off to the side and stay focused.

Key Takeaway:Don't let yourself be distracted.

What are your food choices costing you?

Nutrition: Running to the Finish: Eat with a Chip

Remember what eating the wrong foods has caused in your life. When tempted to eat what you know you shouldn’t, count the cost. Go back and review the toll it has taken on you emotionally, physically, in your relationships, and economically. It would help if you had some anger at what eating that food has done to you. Let this motivate you to make the right food choices.

Key Takeaway:Be motivated by the consequences of your food choices.

Redline YOUR engine

Exercise: Train with a Chip

I heard someone say that one particular professional football player runs as if he is "mad at the grass." I think this is a perfect way to describe the way we should approach our physical training at this point. With these last few days in the program, you need to give it all. Allow your indignance to drive you beyond what you have been doing in your workouts up to this point. Yesterday, I said to "run!!" Today I say, "Run with a chip on your shoulder."

Key Takeaway:Give it all you've got!!

In Conclusion:

Emotions could be called the spice of life. Love and inspiration are likely the core emotions that are driving your desire to lose weight. But don't forget that sometimes anger (in the short-term) can drive us to do the most loving thing for ourselves and others.

Complete the Following Sentences:

• "Carrying excess weight has affected me [how]."• "[Distraction] is most likely to distract me."• "The toll poor food choices has taken on me: [list]"• "[This] will motivate me to train harder."

Day 46: Run Your Path (​with a Chip)

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Day 46: Run Your Path (with a Chip)