Recipe for Success

Success takes a lot of hard work and determination.  When it comes to health & fitness, I want to see changes overnight.  I want to reach my goals without going through the work of reaching.  I don't want failure in any part of the equation, but none of those desires are practical.

In real life, we need to set ourselves up for success.

The Recipe for Success

• Planning
• Practice
• Prayer

Plan. 
Success doesn't happen by accident.  If you want to eat well and exercise, you need to plan for it.  Preparation is key. 

Counting Calories?  Low-Carb Diet?  No sugar?  Gluten Free?  Vegetarian?

Whatever journey your healthy eating plan takes you on, nutritious meals aren't going to happen by accident.  You need to meal plan, budget, shop, and food prep.  You'll only make good choices if you plan on it long before the time of decision.

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.  Daniel 1:8 h

Purpose in your heart that you will make good food choices and then plan for them.

Practice
We have no qualms about telling our kids, "Practice makes perfect."  Or the updated version, "Practice makes permanent."  Unfortunately, we don't take our own advice.

Good things take hard work, practice, and time.  Sometimes they take moving from failure to failure, so one day success can be yours.

If the end result is worth it, practice.  Be diligent.  Set your heart on success and your mind and body won't be far behind.

Prayer
Pray for physical strength, as well as mental.  Pray for sticktoitiveness.  Sure that's a made-up word, but it's got a lot of meaning.  We don't often stick to things.  We're wishy-washy and we tend to flounder in mind, body, and spirit.  Pray that God will set your heart on this good thing and keep it from being moved.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:6-7

Pray for learning and understanding.  Pray for opportunity to use the lesson you're learning to help someone else.  Pray for growth.

Success doesn't happen on accident and it's not easy.  I know that more than anyone.  I'm too often the first one to jump ship when things become difficult, so I need to take my own advice.  If we want to reach our goals in this health and fitness journey, we must set ourselves up for that success through planning, practice, and prayer.