Beast Mode: How to Defeat "Gaston"

It's hard to believe that Chris and I are already on our third week of Piyo. We're nearly finished with our first month, but you can still workout right along with us at any time (in fact, Piyo is on sale this month!). It hasn't been easy, but we are feeling stronger and more flexible. It's so worth it and I highly recommend it! Chris says he already has more room around the waistline of his pants and frequently likes to flex his growing arm muscles. ;) I do not mind this at all lol! I'm so proud of him/us and very grateful to God for getting us through it!

There have been many days where I have felt so tired and sore that I have wanted to just skip a workout or abandon this workout program. I pretty much feel like this every time I start a new routine but I stick with it because I refuse to give up on myself. Yes, there are times where I barely get through it, but I say my prayers and push on through!

This may sound odd, but for quite some time, there is a particular scene that plays out in my mind every morning when I wake up (and a lot of times when I'm struggling to get through a workout). In case you didn't know, I struggle with chronic pain; the doctor thinks I likely have fibromyalgia. I usually feel terrible when my alarm goes off in the morning and I often battle with finding the will to get out of bed. That's when I hear the words of Gaston, from Beauty & the Beast, mocking me: "Get up! Get UP! What's the matter Beast?! Too kind and gentle to fight BACK?!" There I am; lying there trying to convince myself to start the day. I know that I have a "beast mode" deep inside, but it would just be so much easier to lie there and give up. However, while I am a kind and gentle person, I am not a sissy that is going to just stay lying down and refuse to get up and fight for myself. Like the Beast, I always find my reason for living again and rise up strong; taking my enemy (Satan) aback. I find my "beast mode" by praying for God's strength and motivation. I remember that He is my reason for living and that He has given me responsibilities that I must fulfill for my family, my job, and everyone I encounter each day. Unless I am ridiculously sick, I get my booty out of bed and "Gaston" has to shut up for one more day lol. Satan is relentless, but my God is stronger! Jesus is the only reason I keep getting out of bed (or get up off the floor when I have done one too many reps). Beast mode.....HEAR ME ROAR!!

Grace and peace to you, my friends! I hope this encourages you to engage your inner beast and that these fairy tale parallels can help you relate in a way that is beneficial to you (this isn't the first time God has brought Beauty & the Beast to my mind)! Ask yourself, "What is my focus? What makes me rise up courageously and ferociously to accomplish what I need to do?" Share your thoughts and comments about these questions in the comment section below this post! :) I encourage you to pursue your passion and purpose ! Ask God to reveal it to you if you don't already know. Rely on Him to be your strength and motivation and you too will defeat "Gaston" every day no matter how much he taunts you or tries to lead the charge chanting "kill the Beast"! No one can kill that Beast inside you because if God is for you, no one can be against you! ;) God bless you!