In the fall of 2009 I got a not so great report from my Doctor – borderline Adult diabetes. I needed to change my eating habits if I wanted to prevent the onset of adult diabetes. I did begin to change my eating habits.

In December, 2009, I read Mark Batterson’s incredible book PRIMAL. As I read this book over the holidays, I was convicted in a major way about my health. The book is about fulfilling the Great Commandment – loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and STRENGTH. I was in terrible shape physically and that was affecting everything else. I certainly wasn’t loving God with all my strength; I didn’t have much to love Him with.

In January 2010, Janet and I committed to a hardcore training program with JROBS Performance Training. It was one of the best choices we’d ever made. By following JROBS nutritional and exercise regimen, we lost a nearly 100 pounds together in 5 months, and felt great. We had more stamina, strength, flexibility and endurance than we’d had in years. We continued to work out with JROBS through Oct. 2010 but dropped off during the holidays because of crazy schedules.

I gained some of my weight back during the holidays, but John Robinson and I made an agreement that I’d lose 5 pounds a week for several weeks when we returned in January 2011. I followed John’s directions and lost 5 pounds the first week. I was on my way to repeat this and got hurt the 2nd week (not while training with JROB – but outside of that). This injury was back related as I’ve had back issues since college (several skiing accidents).

I was off and on with John – not being able to do much for several weeks and the Tuesday after Easter took a bad fall in Southlake and really hurt my back and shoulder. Training was over for a while. I went through a series of Physical Therapy, doctors visits, medicines, X-rays, and an MRI. I eventually sought the advice of a Neurosurgeon in Dallas and was very excited about his recommendation – no surgery, but spinal injections.

I started the series of injections in August, 2011, over a period of a couple of months with the word from my Doctor – no training for a while.

In the process of all this, I allowed my frustration with the events get the best of me and quit eating clean. I started eating some of the old foods I’d enjoyed – and too much of them. With a poor diet again and almost no exercise – I gained back all the weight I’d lost —- which just added to the frustration.

In January 2010, I shared with many of you my conviction of needing to be in better health – in light of The Great Commandment – and in light of the fact that I needed to take care of my health. I was a great example of this for over a year, but 2011 was a year I regret. I don’t regret the injuries etc – I regret the fact that I made unwise choices in the midst of them with the way I ate and responded to the frustration of a year long bout with back issues/leg issues/shoulder issues. That’s why I said “Forgive Me” in the title of this blog – because I’ve not been a great example over the past 15 months.

I started back with JROBS in Feb, and it was great, but I had to take time off because of the ear surgery (skin cancer) and being gone for two weeks – one on church related business and one for vacation.

We are back now, and I start back at JROBS tomorrow. Please pray for me as I get back on track with my health.

Here’s how you can pray specifically: 1) that my personal disciplines will be what God desires and I’ll depend on the power of the HS to empower those disciplines; 2) that I’ll be protected from injury, 3) that I’ll make healthy choices with my eating, 4) that Janet and I will encourage one another with clean eating and regular exercise, 5) that I can be an example to others of someone who takes care of his body & health so I’ll be better able to fulfill the Great Commandment and become all God desires.

Thanks – I wrote this to ask you to pray for me and for personal accountability.
BJ