What happened to my obsessive long bike rides? I think I figured out what the metoprolol has been doing to me. It doesn't reduce my metabolism directly; it makes my heart more efficient. On a really long ride I noticed I never got hungry. It was as if my stomach shut down. On those long rides, my system would switch over to high efficiency. I still got sore muscles, but no significant extra calorie burn. So to trigger the extra calorie burn, I have to do something the shocks my system, something with an extra punch during a 20-30 minute period of exercise. I don't just ride any more; I stop and do something strenuous in the middle of shorter rides now. And when I walk, I stop to do some kind of workout on the way. Seems to be working.

It puzzled me why my heart was telling me that the long rides were not important any more.

I no longer have much interest in spending time with military folks. Instead, it's something totally different. It's almost as if I am expecting to see more people in that same kind of distress as troops face when far away from home. They are out of their comfort zone and life seems to be asking much bigger questions for them than before. So I'm trying to understand how that could be here in America, because I'm pretty sure I'm not leaving the country. It's more like the country is leaving us, if you can make sense of that.

Somehow I have peace about waiting for this thing. Last night I awoke sometime after midnight and never did get back to sleep. Instead, I lay in the bed just worshiping and thanking the Lord for everything under the sun. Stuff is happening, but I'm not feeling antsy any more.

I had a vision the other day. I had bought a farm with 50+ acres surrounded by forest most of which was state park.  A big pond, acres of fields for produce, hay and field corn were already planted.  A few dairy cows, a big chicken coop and farm equipment.  A big windmill that pumped water from the same undergroung spring that fed the pond.  A big old farm house and several barns and small sheds.  I envisioned a place to live, share, learn, teach with plenty of room for families to work, grow, worship.  I saw a barn turned into a lodge for gatherings. 

I dont have that kind of money, so how all that could happen is out of my hands if it was indeed a vision of what's to come.

Of course, later i started living it, planning it, expounding  on all the possibilities and it went on for hours, or so it seemed.  Lots of people, a big family, working together, eating together  and on and on.

Then it just became a mystery and I sighed and tucked it away until it springs into my consciousness again.

It was fun and exciting.

I know that doesn't have anything to do with exercising.  I just had to spit it out right here, right now.  

The subject was not exercising the body, but the spiritual gifts. Those visions and dreams help to shape our understanding of how God leads us. You are probably the only person to know what your vision means to you, but it's fascinating to watch God at work.

(05-13-2019, 08:04 PM)forrealone Wrote: I had a vision the other day. I had bought a farm with 50+ acres surrounded by forest most of which was state park.  A big pond, acres of fields for produce, hay and field corn were already planted.  A few dairy cows, a big chicken coop and farm equipment.  A big windmill that pumped water from the same undergroung spring that fed the pond.  A big old farm house and several barns and small sheds.  I envisioned a place to live, share, learn, teach with plenty of room for families to work, grow, worship.  I saw a barn turned into a lodge for gatherings. 

I dont have that kind of money, so how all that could happen is out of my hands if it was indeed a vision of what's to come.

Of course, later i started living it, planning it, expounding  on all the possibilities and it went on for hours, or so it seemed.  Lots of people, a big family, working together, eating together  and on and on.

Then it just became a mystery and I sighed and tucked it away until it springs into my consciousness again.

It was fun and exciting.

I know that doesn't have anything to do with exercising.  I just had to spit it out right here, right now.  

ooh ooh ooh, can I join your colony. I can work the land and I have an antique Allis Chalmers model B tractor (needs work but, still sound to be 70 years old).

Yes!   This is one of those dreams where I believe my "oh, if only!" thoughts dwell.  We have an old '49 Farmall Cub that still runs.  One day.........

I'll join if Iain does, but you'll have to keep him away from my computer Maybe we should get him his own.

(05-15-2019, 11:00 PM)jaybreak Wrote: I'll join if Iain does, but you'll have to keep him away from my computer Maybe we should get him his own.

Yes, it's a good idea to keep me away from computers, I am a practitioner of the bigger hammer theory. 
"This computer is acting up"
"Let me take a look...mmm, hand me a hammer out of my tool box"
" uh...this one?"
"No, that's a ball peen, it's for smart phones. This needs the 2lb mini sledge...thanks, now stand back"

I've been trying to get my hands on one for him.

Now, back to my original post: I've experienced a miracle. It's more than just figuring out how the medication affects my digestion; my energy level has shot up. Just a few weeks ago anything like squatting down for exercise would immediately hurt both knees and it felt like a very heavy weariness in my whole body. A few days ago, when I began changing my fitness routine, there was a shift in how everything felt, as if something had breathed fresh life into my joints and muscles. It's not just that I am able, but I really have a drive to get out there and work out.

That in itself is a wonderful gift from God, but my heart tells me it's also a signal of something to come. I can't wait to see what might be...

He manifests Himself in wondrous ways to each of us. I am thrilled in my heart as He works in/through you. The main blessing is that He gives us the awareness of His works in us. Praise Him from Whom all blessings flow!