Day 331

Feeling serene after a workout and sauna session

I had an interesting development at the gym yesterday. I was short on time, but I was determined to get even a small workout in. So I speed walked to the Max and then speed walked to the gym. I figured I got my cardio in for the day. In fact, I walk at least a mile a day. Sometimes more. But I recalled the advice from my doctor about strength training. I also was thinking back to my early adult life, when I discovered weight lifitng. I have not been as achy lately. I attribute it to increased water intake, and calmer mental and emotional state.  I am still stretching too.  

So I just lifted weights. I went first to the lat pull down machine. I thought I set it for 50 pounds, but could only do three reps. Puzzled, and thinking perhaps I was more tired than I had thought, I went to lower the weights. But I was shocked to see I had set it at 80 pounds! It is an old machine, and the numbers had been rubbed off. So I set it to 60 pounds and easily did 12 reps! I also increased my weights for bench press to 60 and shoulder press to 50. Then I did 50 crunches and some yoga. 

That was all I had time for, aside from a nice smug sauna session. I stretched a bit more in the sauna, smiling about my workout!  

So now I am going to focus a bit more on strength training.  I feel more alert, and energetic. I will still continue the cardio, but I think I get stuck in a rut and move too slowly when I walk. Not quite ready for running...will I ever be? No worries, this 54 year-old is going to go into her senior years with strength!

I downloaded a book on my kindle about the Psalms. Fascinating! It is called David and the Psalms by Michael Ruszala.
http://www.amazon.com/David-Psalms-Michael-J-Ruszala-ebook/dp/B018TOPVQG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1459831608&sr=1-1&keywords=David+and+the+psalms+ruszala

Fascinating book. It is filling in the gaps in my brain. And reaffirming my desire to study the psalms.

My psalm of the day is Psalm 25. It is an "acrostic" psalm. Each verse begins with the succeeding letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Some scholars say this way of writing is an aid to memorization. Kind of like  the mnemonics I used in school. This psalm is really speaking to my heart this morning. I had another sleepless, troubled night. I have many worries about my family. But for today, all is well. And I am very grateful. I wrote this psalm in my prayer journal.  Happy Tuesday!

Psalm 25

1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

2 I trust you, let me not be disappointed;

do not let my enemies triumph.

3 Those who hope in you shall not be disappointed,

but only those who wantonly break faith.

4 Lord, make me know your ways.

Lord, teach me your paths.

5 Make me walk in your truth, and teach me:

for you are God my savior.

In you I hope all day long

7c because of your goodness, O Lord.

6 Remember your mercy, Lord,

and the love you have shown from of old.

7 Do not remember the sins of my youth.

In your love remember me.

8 The Lord is good and upright.

He shows the path to those who stray,

9 He guides the humble in the right path,

He teaches his way to the poor.

10 His ways are faithfulness and love 

for those who keep his covenant and law.

11 Lord, for the sake of your name

forgive my guilt, for it is great.

12 If anyone fears the Lord

he will show him the path he should choose.

13 His soul shall live in happiness

and his children shall possess the land.

14 The Lord's friendship is for those who revere him;

to them he reveals his covenant.

15 My eyes are always on the Lord;

for he rescues my feet from the snare.

16 Turn to me and have mercy

for I am lonely and poor.

17 Relieve the anguish of my heart

and set me free from my distress.

18 See my affliction and my toil

and take all my sins away.

19 See how many are my foes;

how violent their hatred for me.

20 Preserve my life and rescue me.

Do not disappoint me, you are my refuge.

21 May innocence and uprightness protect me:

for my hope is in you, O Lord.

22 Redeem Israel, O God, from all its distress.