The weights on my shoulders were so heavy I thought I was going to have to fall over to get them off!
 

That was me last week in my first Body Pump class in over 3 years. I am always adding new workouts to improve my arms. I want the 30-year-old look and without the waving. So, every week I was doing 3 days of weights at home, but this was not making the transformation I needed. 
 

This led to joining the Y and signing up for the Body Pump class.

Sounded innocent enough. I had done this class in the past.

Well, that 'innocent' idea changed quickly as I was half-way through the class and my thoughts were "what was I thinking?".

Tell me if you are this way.  Sign up for a class - any topic, and then try to mimic the teacher.

The leader of the Body Pump class said to add three weights to each side of the bar. So I added every weight she did. 
She put on a 15#, so did I, 
then she added a 10#, so did I, 
and then she added a 5#, so did I.

When you total that up it is 30# per side! 60# total!

What was I thinking?

I lifted the bar on my shoulders and kept up with her for half of the routine until my whole body felt like it was in the burning bush! 

My body was stuck!  In pain. After over 20 reps, I was burning! I was hurting!

 I know burning is a good sign for muscles to become stronger. And if that is 100% true all the time, I would have amazing arms after one class.

I looked around the room and realized only 4 of 20 people had the same weights as the leader or more. And 2 were guys.

What was I thinking? I don't need to mimic the leader in everything I do!

So, I just froze and prayed, 'Lord help me get these weights off my shoulders without an embarrassing moment.'

Do I just drop, crash, and run out?
Do I fall over sideways?
Do I fall forward?

Do I pray for 2 strong people to lift them from my shoulders?

Well, after taking a pause in the reps, and praying hard, I tipped over sideways and then, with the last of my strength, lifted the bars off my shoulders and let them land on the floor. Several heads turned to the back of the room, where I was trying to act innocent and nonchalant. 
 

Lesson learned - I don't have to be as strong as the leader every time.

Going forward, I have been back to the Body Pump class twice in the last week. I learned what is a good lift weight and how to keep improving.

My takeaway - The leader sets the example but may not be a starting point.

The leader sees the struggles and adjusts.

I can be as strong as the leader with practice, perseverance, and patience.

What about you?

This episode made me do a self-awareness review. Was I a leader for you to follow?

Was I a leader that leads by example yet sees the struggles of others and helps?

My prayer is to always lead by example of Jesus - Yeshua. Yet, I will always fall short until heaven of this example.

Yeshua will never fall short of leadership. But, I can lead. I can share with you the struggles that can be overcome. The trials that are not meant to be a total setback.

In the last 2 weeks we have shared the Inner Circle because it is only open a couple times per year.

Let me give you an Inner Circle moment here.

Beliefs --> Behavior --> Blessings.

In the Body Pump class, I saw my overconfidence held me in a struggle. Yet, I can do this by building up to it.

When we are struggling and trying to look like other people, it can cause a crisis of belief.

The crises is "why can't I?"
"Why does God do this for that person and not me?"

"why was Carol or Ginny healed of cancer and not me?"

The crisis of belief leads to behavioral changes. This should be our self-awareness moment, wake up moment.

"Wait a minute, I am not thinking or acting in agreement with God's Word."

HALT - stop the wrong belief and change it quickly.

"I can." 

I will continue to build my strength with the barbell and adding weights and reps till I too can be strong like the leader at Body Pump. It may not happen in 2 weeks but I know by the end of the year if I keep going to class twice a week, it will happen.

That is how we challenge our beliefs, behavior, and therefore, the blessings will flow.

So instead of "Lord I need to stop the wave in 2 weeks " I can pray "Lord thank you for letting me see how weak my arms are and how I can build strength over time."
 

The same is true of memorizing Scripture. 
Eating according to your plan. 
Exercising daily. 
Being mindful of thoughts --> beliefs.

We had many people email us and say our Inner Circle sign up pages were not working.

We had issues with our provider and had to make DNS changes. When that happened, our pages looked weird.

Those changes are fixed and if you still want to take advantage of the Inner Circle, we have extended the sign up through Sunday October 2 at noon EST.

I don't want you to miss this.

I would be delighted to join you in the transformation of your mindset to see God  - Yahweh - at work in your life and growing stronger.

This past week we had new family members at our table discussions and to see the radiance on their face with new beliefs - is amazing.

Joining the Inner Circle NOW will help you be strong in the season to come. Season of weight challenges, holidays, political unrest, family drama, health challenges,  - 

What is the struggle you are ready to overcome?

Join the Inner Circle and let's tackle it together.

If this is not the time for you, I totally understand. 
Take these steps with thoughts and beliefs that are not bringing you results:
 

1. Write down the thought or belief on paper.

2. Then ask Yahweh - our Lord, to show you the wrong interpretation in your mind about this thought or belief.

As you are more aware of thoughts interfering with your relationship with God and family, every time you read God's Word, the words will jump out at you to the answer. It amazes me every time.

3. Then write the thought or belief again in agreement with God's Word.

As in the Body Pump class, I thought I could do what the leader was doing. Not true. Yet, with time and practice, I can work to be strong.

In my marriage. If not being in control of my thoughts, I can linger in the faults of myself or my spouse. Those thoughts are not in agreement with God's Word.

So, I change my thoughts and start listing how I see God at work with me and my spouse.

Then the emotion of love flows more freely. No more clogged arteries in my marriage thoughts.

I hope to see you on the coaching calls, in the gym, at the Feast of Tabernacles, and any opportunity that comes along.

I love having you in the family. Stay tuned to these emails as we have some fun, exciting things coming up soon.