15/365 Doctor's orders

I need to move, every day
doctor's orders
and not at sloth or snail or turtle speed,
but fast enough my heart rate is elevated for 30 minutes 5 days out of 7
or whatever it takes to get in 150 minutes a week 
it's called aerobic exercise 
something new in my vocabulary when talking about my habits

I know from experience good intentions will not get it done
neither will meandering 
this kind of walking is actual work
it will do all kinds of good things for my body
I bought a Fitbit Charge 3 so I can monitor my heart rate in real time
because using the right tools make a big difference when doing a job well
Monday I took my first 30+ minute exercise walk wearing it

It wasn't long before I was slightly out of breath and sweating more than a little 
I looked, my heart rate was above my goal (100-105)
I kept up the pace and pushed through the last 10 of my 35 purposeful walk
I was proud of myself
determination allowed me my first victory
I was encouraged
until I looked at the end of the day 
my heart rate was elevated for only 16 minutes

I quickly reined in the discouraging thoughts
16 is better than 5 or 10 or none, right?
I planned to do better Tuesday
I was busy with necessary tasks for most of the day
suddenly it was 4:30, I had to go NOW or it would be too late to walk
My belly had not been happy all day
I only walked about 15 minutes with a rest in the middle, 5 minutes cardio

Today dawned gray and rainy
not conducive to a positive mindset for outdoor walking
remembering I am downsizing excuses was my motivation 
I laced up my walking shoes and set out
continually checking my heart rate
I made it!
31 minutes of cardio

making sure my mental, emotional and spiritual health is good comes easy
because I have made them a priority
I have practiced taking care of them 
I have developed habits to support, sustain and strengthen them
I don't know why it has been difficult to the same with my physical heart
now I am "at that age" where I can't put if off any longer
I wish it hadn't taken doctors orders to motivate me honor the Lord with my strength...

"And you shall love the Lord your God 

with all your heart 

and with all your soul 

and with all your mind 

and with all your strength." Mark 12:30

downsizing excuses for not exercising will lead to more than a healthy heart:
there may end up being less of me to love by this time next year, which would be good,
replacing my passive concern with disciplined purpose is better
and exercising regularly is a step toward living in more complete obedience, which is the best!