A few weeks ago, a friend of mine and I began working out together. He was wanting a workout partner to help keep him accountable, and I was just wanting to get back to doing something so that I didn't feel quite as sluggish, slow and blah! So, after going over some possibilities, we came up with an agreeable solution. We would meet early in the morning at our church gym, and begin working out with the Power 90 videos my wife and I had purchased a few years back. It has saved us both the cost of a gym membership, and surprisingly, we've able to hook up about 4-5 times a week consistently.
Even though I'm only acquainted with Tony Horton vicariously, through his workout videos, I got to thinking that there are several profound, spiritual, applicable truths in his sagely advice and expertise. Let me give you a few to chew on.
Even though I'm only acquainted with Tony Horton vicariously, through his workout videos, I got to thinking that there are several profound, spiritual, applicable truths in his sagely advice and expertise. Let me give you a few to chew on.
Sage Advice #1: "If you're feeling exhausted...hit the pause button."
Sometimes when life is getting to be too hot to handle, a well-timed, strategic break in the action is more helpful than having more time in your day. A pause, even in music, helps us, um, pause! Even the writer of Psalms understood this. Throughout the Psalms there's the ancient Hebrew word, selah, which is "a technical musical term probably showing accentuation, pause, interruption." Every now and then, we need to hit the pause button, and interrupt our busy life for reflection, accentuation and rest. Good grief, even God didn't work seven days a week! Shouldn't we take a cue from Him? Not trying to meddle. Just a thought.
Sage Advice #2: "Remember this is level 1-2...listen to your body."
One of the things Tony Horton excels at is teaching. Throughout the upper body and cardio workouts he's taped, he is constantly encouraging, instructing, coaching, and challenging. But he prefaces all of it with the standard disclaimers before you even see his chiseled face and wise instruction to "don't overdo it...listen to your body...if you're feeling a stitch...exhausted...parched...hit the pause button. We'll still be here when you return." Wow! How many times do I wish I had heard that before I opened my big mouth, or over committed myself, or over extended my finances. Oops. Borderline meddling.
But this idea is right. Especially spiritually. The great missionary apostle Paul reminded followers of Christ in the ancient Roman city of Corinth, that, "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ." We are all at different places in our journey through life, and have a unique purpose, unique calling and unique position. So we need to pay attention to what the Savior is speaking to us, and appropriate it according to our level of purposefulness, understanding and influence. And be careful not to overextend ourselves.
Sage Advice #3: "Keep moving...it's better to move a little, than to stop all together."
That tells me that it's more important to develop endurance and finish strong than it is to get out to a fast start and burn out! Again, the tremendous example of the apostle Paul comes to mind. During the latter part of his life, he was imprisoned, confined to an existence in a dank, dark Roman dungeon; his date with a martyr's destiny to look forward to. But astoundingly, he's not succumbing to despair, discouragement or depression. Instead, he is still concerned with learning and growing. In a correspondence to his colleague Timothy, he writes, "When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers." Amazing! Here's a man who's struggling to survive in prison, and he still wants to expand his mind, and pen his thoughts! He wants to keep moving, and finish strong! That's such a terrific alternative to coasting into our eternal destiny in neutral.
I'm not able to ascertain Tony Horton's spiritual disposition, nor am I qualified to give a definitive assessment to such. However, while getting in better shape, and listening to the various comments he makes throughout the 35-45 minutes me and my buddy spend with him regularly, his advice strikes much deeper than just sculpting a lean body. It's good life advice too!
