I can’t even remember what that quote is from, but I can hear it in my head in a Japanese accent, “You lack discipline!”.
Whenever I hear someone begin to speak of discipline, that line runs through my head. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about that. I, like most Americans, when pressed, would have to admit that I lack discipline in many areas. It’s not that I am a lazy slob who never gets anything done, but when it comes to personal discipline, such as exercise, it’s a struggle. Up until now I’ve been able to rely on my young metabolism to get me through life, but now that I’m closer to 30 than 20, I’m beginning to notice age catching up with me. I’ve always been in, what appears to be, reasonably good shape. However, the last couple of years I’ve noticed my pants fitting just a little tighter, and my belly looking a little more rounded than it’s ever been. It’s certainly no surprise; I work a job that has me at a desk in my office most days of the week. Then on Sundays and Wednesdays I’m usually leading worship, but that’s been just about the extent of my physical activity.
Well, that’s all started to change, since about two weeks ago. My wife and I started doing P90x. You know, that workout system that you see on infomercials late at night (and now in the middle of the day, too). I’m not usually one to get suckered into buying anything from an infomercial, and to my credit, I didn’t. I did what any truly clever person would do; I bought it off of eBay. Then, I proceeded to seek out the proper tools to use it. You need to have a decent collection of free-weights, and a chin-up bar (also available on an infomercial). It took me a few months, but I eventually managed to accumulate the tools I needed. Mostly from borrowing them from other people. (Hey, weights aren’t cheap! they’re like a dollar a pound!)
My wife and I, knowing that we would probably start slacking off if it were only the two of us, got some friends to commit to working out with us, too. Now, here we are, almost two weeks later, and feeling great (Actually, the girls are three weeks into it). But I have to tell you, the first week is pretty miserable. Especially if you haven’t done anything to prepare yourself for it. We were all pretty darn sore. I could barely stand up straight. But that’s where discipline began to come into play. I knew that if I could just press through it, the pain would begin to lessen, and I’d start seeing results. Believe it or not, P90x is such a good workout, I can already see results. Instead of being a miracle diet or an exercise equipment gimmick targeted at the lazy, P90x is for those who are serious about getting into shape, even though it’s going to be hard work.
Beyond just getting into physical shape, my wife and I are getting our finances into shape as well. Our church has been hosting Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, and I’ve been the one coordinating the class. We started with about 80 people, and I think we’ve lost a few, but we’re still going strong. We just finished week five. That’s been amazing as well, especially in this time of economic distress that is sweeping the country. We are currently just a few months away from paying off the last of our debt and beginning to save. It makes so much more sense to save your money and let it earn interest, rather than borrowing it from someone at an exorbitant percentage rate. I’m glad we weren’t very far into debt in the first place. It’s made it much easier to get out of debt.
What is better than both of those things, though? Jesus. Jesus makes it worth doing any of that stuff. It would all be pretty meaningless without Him. Maybe that sound strange to you. Jesus is better than all of those things, absolutely! But when you are in fellowship with him, it makes all of those things far more enjoyable, too. Because then I’m not just a guy whose whole purpose in life is to be in shape or to make lots of money, but I’m a guy who loves Jesus and gets to worship Him in all that I do. That includes exercise and managing my finances. I get to use those things as they were created to be; for the purpose of disciplining myself to be a good steward with what God has given me.
My name is Stewart White. I lead worship for Calvary Chapel of Crook County, in Prineville, Oregon. I'm married to my lovely wife Alycia, and we had a baby girl on April 22, 2010 
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I like your outlook Stewart. P90X is best to look at with conservative eyes for the first 30 days. Don’t push it too hard. The goal is to stay consistent through the entire program. The results are really to be measured at the end, so make sure not to burn out in the middle.
Interesting to note your approach to income/saving as well. You might be interested in speaking with a Beachbody Coach who transformed his ministry into a mission to help people get healthy and fiscally fit. His wife and he have a website at http://www.fitzgeraldfitness.com/.
Anyway — thanks for inspiring people, and thanks for doing P90X (even though you bought it from eBay!)
Carl Daikeler
CEO – Beachbody
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Hey Carl, thank you so much for the advice. I certainly want to do everything I can do finish the program strong. I know I can already feel the results in my body. I’m not nearly as sore as I was in the first week. My wife even noticed my abs having enough definition in them now that she has dubbed me as having a “four-pack”. I’d like to finish that up with two more cans to make it a full six pack!
I’ve been telling myself that this is the season of my learning and my discipline. I’m seeking to take better care of my body; I’m taking control of my finances; I’m learning Spanish; and I’m also applying myself to get better at web design. It’s like I’m in college again, only, it’s my choice to be disciplined enough to put in the work that is needed. Like I was saying in my post, I really feel that taking an approach that covers the major areas of our existence, spirit, body, and finances, is a great way to get your life into shape. I could just gain discipline in my spiritual life, and leave my health and finances alone, but it might disqualify me from ministering to someone because they see me talk a good spiritual talk, but then areas like my personal care and financial wisdom are down the toilet. “To quote the Apostle Paul: but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:27
Thanks again for your comment. I have to admit I was a little surprised that the CEO of Beachbody could take time out to comment on my little blog, even though I bought P90X on eBay! I’ll check out that website you mentioned, too. You know, ever since my wife and some friends and I have committed to doing P90X, we’ve had numerous people asking about it, and some are even asking us to teach a class at the gym when we’re through. I don’t really think that will be happening, but it’s funny to see how people will get excited when they see you getting excited about something that works. We’re slowly becoming walking testimonies.
Now I just have to get disciplined about writing music and I’ll be on fire!
BLESSINGS!
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Yep, Stewart, if you’re pushing 30, age is certainly sneeking up on you! You are nearly OLD!.
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Speaking of discipline…I should be spending time with Jesus right now, as it’s about the only time of day I have available to chat with Him. But I stumbled on your blog through Twitter and was intrigued by this post.
I’m glad you and Alicia are doing so well! I hear the P90X gives awesome results, and oh, to be out of debt! I think it may be a while before we learn what that feels like, still God continues to bless us as well. We’re praying about buying a house in the next few months and thinking about kids…and just NOW we’re learning to save our money? And don’t even get me started on feeling old.
I’ll catch up on the rest of your blog later, but Jesus is calling! Keep in touch, eh!
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I know what you mean; spending time with Jesus is probably my greatest weakness, if I’m really being honest.
I certainly thing about the Lord and stuff pertaining to Him throughout the day, but taking the time to really sit down and be still is still a discipline I am learning.
Even P90X was going great for just about 2 months, but stuff started getting really busy the last couple of weeks and I haven’t been able to work out more than a couple of times.
It feels like I should just start over again.
It’s good to hear from you, Hilary! I miss seeing you and Mike, but I’m glad to hear that you’re doing well.
Alycia and I are talking about maybe trying to have kids later this year, or at the beginning of the next.
We’re wating through the summer anyway because she has a job that will require her to do a lot of horseback riding and various other tasks, so we don’t want her to be unable to do that.
I hear riding a horse while you’re pregnant can be an unpleasant experience, to say the least.
Blessings,
Stew