for improvement

Mike and I have been terribly inconsistent with our weight training for the past few months, probably because our weight bench is in our unairconditioned Arizona room. But now that the weather is nice again, I have been lifting weights twice a week. I love the way it makes me feel. It is not something I ever thought I would enjoy, and I am grateful that Mike got us started on it a couple of years ago. Now that I think about it, most of our good habits originate with Mike and I am thankful for his constant desire for improvement. He is a problem solver and he is always looking for ways to do things better. I am the total opposite! I would happily practice mediocrity for the rest of my life, and so I am grateful for the way he inspires me to try harder and be better.

(We use the StrongLifts 5x5 app. It is simple and straightforward and only takes about 30 minutes.)

weights + scriptures

When Mike brought home a humongous weight bench (that takes up almost our entire Arizona room and can be seen from the front door!) a few years ago, I thought he was nuts. But now it's part of my favorite morning routine.

Two mornings a week, in between the time that I send my big kids and my little kids to school, I lift weights and read my scriptures. Mike and I use the StrongLifts 5x5 app. I love that it is simple (just five sets of five reps for three exercises). The app keeps track of how much weight I am supposed to lift and counts down my rest time in between sets. I love that I don't have to think about it, and in between my sets, I can step into the kitchen and think about my scriptures instead.

Combining my scripture study with my weight training gives me time to focus and think about what I am reading. It forces me to slow down. I feel like I get more out of my reading, and lifting weights (something I thought I would hate) makes me feel stronger, have better posture, and feel more confident.

I look forward to these mornings almost more than any others.