So why am I talking about joy during our week of physical health? Mmmm...well they do kind of go together. Your joy is probably effected more by your physical health than you realize.
Think with me for a moment. When you are tired, you are more irritable. When you eat too much junk, you feel guilty and crash when the sugar wears off. When you look in the mirror, well we all know how we get sometimes. And when you let stress build up...should I even say how we get?
Now lets think about it the other way. When you are getting the rest you need, you start your day more refreshed. When you choose to eat healthy foods, you feel better about yourself and have more energy. When you exercise, you not only burn off calories, but stress too. When you make all these choices, you enjoy seeing the changes to your skin and appearance in the mirror.
Ultimately, we need to seek Christ and find joy in Him. But how we take care of ourselves will influence our mood and how we respond to situations. Between giving our burdens to Christ and a good workout, a bad mood can turn into a much more peaceful, happy mood. By getting a good nights rest and starting the day with God, we start our day much more happy. By eating the nutrients throughout out the day and having communication with God, we handle things a lot better.
It is simple. God created you. God created you to need Him. God created your body to need different things. So choose God and choose to provide your body, heart and soul with what it needs. It is much easier to be joyful when you do.
(Side note. I know some of you are thinking how the bible does not mention exercise routines. But remember, they walked even when they traveled. Their work was physical labor even getting water for the house. If we had to do their daily routines, we would be in much better shape.)
February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.
Week 2 Action Plan
Choose to find a way to get your fruits and veggies and memorize Psalm 139:13-14.
Week 2 Day 2
Choose to seek God and find joy in him.
Choose to read Isaiah 40:28-31
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2040:28-31&version=NIV
Choose to have fun exercising.
Choose to do a quick vacuum.
Choose to go to bed on time.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Feb. Week 2 Day 4: Choosing Your Exercise Routine
I hope you are just having fun exercising this week. It is a great start to getting healthy!
There are some other choices that need to be made in your exercise routine. Since they vary so much from person to person, it is really hard for me to cover it in a blog. I am going to give you a couple of suggestions, but please contact me individually to get the best routine for you. (I taught fitness classes for 6 years and stay current on fitness programs.)
Everyone needs to choose to get at minimum 30 minutes of cardio six days a week. Cardio can include playing with your kids, cleaning your house (vacuuming), or just a going for a good walk.
Another choice is toning and strengthening three times a week. The more muscle on your body means the more calories you burn even when you sleep. What type you do really depends on your ultimate goal.
I wish I could go into more detail, but it needs to be done on an individual basis. The choices above help you stay healthy not necessarily lose weight. Depending on the amount you may need to lose to be healthy, different workouts are required.
If you have any medical conditions, please seek a doctor about the best exercise program for you. If you are overweight and have not been working out, please see your doctor so they can set up up on a program and monitor your health. But please choose not to put it off any longer. Your health and life are important to many people. It is also very important to your Creator.
February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.
Week 2 Action Plan
Choose to find a way to get your fruits and veggies and memorize Psalm 139:13-14.
Week 2 Day 2
Choose to ask God to remind you how important you are to Him and His purpose for you.
Choose to read Genesis 1:26-28
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1:26-28&version=NIV
Choose to have fun exercising.
Choose to do wipe down the bathrooms.
Choose to go to bed on time.
There are some other choices that need to be made in your exercise routine. Since they vary so much from person to person, it is really hard for me to cover it in a blog. I am going to give you a couple of suggestions, but please contact me individually to get the best routine for you. (I taught fitness classes for 6 years and stay current on fitness programs.)
Everyone needs to choose to get at minimum 30 minutes of cardio six days a week. Cardio can include playing with your kids, cleaning your house (vacuuming), or just a going for a good walk.
Another choice is toning and strengthening three times a week. The more muscle on your body means the more calories you burn even when you sleep. What type you do really depends on your ultimate goal.
I wish I could go into more detail, but it needs to be done on an individual basis. The choices above help you stay healthy not necessarily lose weight. Depending on the amount you may need to lose to be healthy, different workouts are required.
If you have any medical conditions, please seek a doctor about the best exercise program for you. If you are overweight and have not been working out, please see your doctor so they can set up up on a program and monitor your health. But please choose not to put it off any longer. Your health and life are important to many people. It is also very important to your Creator.
February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.
Week 2 Action Plan
Choose to find a way to get your fruits and veggies and memorize Psalm 139:13-14.
Week 2 Day 2
Choose to ask God to remind you how important you are to Him and His purpose for you.
Choose to read Genesis 1:26-28
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1:26-28&version=NIV
Choose to have fun exercising.
Choose to do wipe down the bathrooms.
Choose to go to bed on time.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Feb. Week 2 Day 2: Choose Fun Exercise
You and I like to have fun. We are more likely to do something that is fun more than we are to work. If you have struggled with exercising it is because you make it a chore. It is time to have fun getting healthy.
Establishing an exercise routine will be easier if you make it something you enjoy or fun. There are so many options out there. You just need to find what you enjoy.
I used to love kickboxing because I worked out a lot of stress. I also enjoy dancing. I will just dance or use a ballet or Dancing with the Stars workout DVD. Last night my workout ended up being a wrestling match with both my boys (By the way they still cannot take me.) When it is pretty, I want to be outside. I take the kids to the park and play with them. I swing, slide and even try the obstacle course. And a game of tag is a great workout, too. I just pick my exercise for the day depending on my mood. I pick something I will enjoy.
So the rest of the week, try different things that are fun to you. Check the stores for workout DVDs of things you enjoy. There are plenty out there under $10. If you have a baby, crawl around with them. You will wear out faster. If you have kids or a spouse, dance around the living room. Getting healthy is not boring, it is fun.
Your reason to exercise is you are God's. It is your choice to enjoy it. So go have some fun and get in shape!!!
February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.
Week 2 Action Plan
Choose to find a way to get your fruits and veggies and memorize Psalm 139:13-14.
Week 2 Day 2
Choose to thank God for creating you and making you so unique.
Choose to read Psalm 139 again. Do you really get believe? Do you mean it?
Choose to have fun exercising.
Choose to do a Family 15 and pick up.
Choose to go to bed on time.
Establishing an exercise routine will be easier if you make it something you enjoy or fun. There are so many options out there. You just need to find what you enjoy.
I used to love kickboxing because I worked out a lot of stress. I also enjoy dancing. I will just dance or use a ballet or Dancing with the Stars workout DVD. Last night my workout ended up being a wrestling match with both my boys (By the way they still cannot take me.) When it is pretty, I want to be outside. I take the kids to the park and play with them. I swing, slide and even try the obstacle course. And a game of tag is a great workout, too. I just pick my exercise for the day depending on my mood. I pick something I will enjoy.
So the rest of the week, try different things that are fun to you. Check the stores for workout DVDs of things you enjoy. There are plenty out there under $10. If you have a baby, crawl around with them. You will wear out faster. If you have kids or a spouse, dance around the living room. Getting healthy is not boring, it is fun.
Your reason to exercise is you are God's. It is your choice to enjoy it. So go have some fun and get in shape!!!
February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.
Week 2 Action Plan
Choose to find a way to get your fruits and veggies and memorize Psalm 139:13-14.
Week 2 Day 2
Choose to thank God for creating you and making you so unique.
Choose to read Psalm 139 again. Do you really get believe? Do you mean it?
Choose to have fun exercising.
Choose to do a Family 15 and pick up.
Choose to go to bed on time.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Feb. Week 2 Day 1: Choosing To Remember Your Reason
I hope you took time to get some rest this weekend. It is a new week with new choices to discuss.
We are going to continue discussing choices about our physical health. I know this is a sensitive subject for many of us. So I would like for us first to choose to remember why we should make better choices about our health and weight.
First of all remember, we are not making this choice to lose weight to meet the world"s standard (too thin is not healthy either).
Today, you and I are going to choose to be healthy. Our focus for being healthy will be because we our God's. As David said we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. God created these amazing bodies. Isn't it time we treat them like His creation? It is not just the trees we need to save, but ourselves too.
I am keeping this short so you can talk to God. Please spend time giving God your struggle with weight, eating habits, smoking, laziness etc. If God has even numbered the hairs on your head and created you in your mother's womb, He cares about your health.
February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.
Week 2 Action Plan
Choose to find a way to get your fruits and veggies and memorize Psalm 139:13-14.
Week 2 Day 1
Choose to lift your burdens that effect your health to God.
Choose to read Psalm 139:1-18. Read it aloud to God.
Choose to jog, dance, kickbox and/or jump rope.
Choose to clean up the kitchen.
Choose to go to bed on time.
We are going to continue discussing choices about our physical health. I know this is a sensitive subject for many of us. So I would like for us first to choose to remember why we should make better choices about our health and weight.
First of all remember, we are not making this choice to lose weight to meet the world"s standard (too thin is not healthy either).
Today, you and I are going to choose to be healthy. Our focus for being healthy will be because we our God's. As David said we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. God created these amazing bodies. Isn't it time we treat them like His creation? It is not just the trees we need to save, but ourselves too.
I am keeping this short so you can talk to God. Please spend time giving God your struggle with weight, eating habits, smoking, laziness etc. If God has even numbered the hairs on your head and created you in your mother's womb, He cares about your health.
February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.
Week 2 Action Plan
Choose to find a way to get your fruits and veggies and memorize Psalm 139:13-14.
Week 2 Day 1
Choose to lift your burdens that effect your health to God.
Choose to read Psalm 139:1-18. Read it aloud to God.
Choose to jog, dance, kickbox and/or jump rope.
Choose to clean up the kitchen.
Choose to go to bed on time.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Feb. Week 1 Day 5: Choose to Rest in Him
Today, just stop and come before God. Find rest in His arms. Renew yourself in His Word.
Psalm 63
A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.
1 O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.
9 They who seek my life will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.
10 They will be given over to the sword
and become food for jackals.
11 But the king will rejoice in God;
all who swear by God's name will praise him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced.
A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.
1 O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.
9 They who seek my life will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.
10 They will be given over to the sword
and become food for jackals.
11 But the king will rejoice in God;
all who swear by God's name will praise him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced.
February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.
Week 1 Action Plan
Choose to rearrange your schedule to get 7-8 hours of sleep and memorize Luke 12:7.
Week 1 Day 5
Choose to sit in God's presence and refresh your spirit.
Choose to read Psalm above or any scripture that encourages you.
Choose to jog, dance, kickbox and/or jump rope.
Choose to put up laundry laying around.
Choose to go to bed on time.
Feb. Week 1 Day 4: Choose A Day of Rest
Have you noticed how our weeks seem to get longer and longer, but go by too fast? I know this may be surprising, but there is still the same amount of hours and days in a week. No extra time has been added over the years even though we keep trying to add it. So, I am thinking that may be the reason you are so tired and worn out. But, besides a good night's sleep, there is another choice you can make...have a sabbath, a day of rest.
I hear you already telling me why you cannot take a day of rest. As I tell my son, please don't interrupt. Please just give me your complete attention with an open mind.
You start your day with a cup of coffee sitting on your porch or in your room. You turn on some wonderful worship music and just sit in the presence of God. You take a few moments to sit in awe of a loving Father. (If you choose your day of rest to be a Sunday, you get up a few minutes earlier to enjoy this time and keep the music going while you get ready.)
You take this day to eat sandwiches or eat off the dollar menu for lunch. You plan ahead so you do not have to cook today. And it is ok if you use paper plates.
You go to the park to play or for a walk. If it is cold, you stay inside and read a book, watch a movie or play a game with the kids.
You take a nap with your child or everyone has quiet time in their room.
And if your day of rest is a Sunday, you go to worship and fellowship with other believers. But if you are working the whole time at church and spend 6 hours there, you might want to find another day of rest or reevaluate your Sunday.
You choose to do all these things from when you get up and at least until 5 pm. You do not check emails or do any work. You let your mind and body rest. You refresh your spirit by being with God. I want you to realize the importance of recharging your batteries.
Now for all of you rolling your eyes because you have little ones at home. You and your spouse need to decide how you can both take that time in the morning once a week. Maybe you alternate and the other one can feed the kids breakfast. And the rest of the day, they are resting and playing with you. Most kids do not act up when they have your undivided attention. If this becomes part of your routine then they will fall into it.
Just please give it a chance. We were created to take this day. God himself took a day. Choose to have a day of rest. You have all week to be busy, it can wait until the next day.
February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.
Week 1 Action Plan
Choose to rearrange your schedule to get 7-8 hours of sleep and memorize Luke 12:7.
Week 1 Day 4 Action Plan
Choose to seek God.
Choose to read Exodus 20:8-11
Choose to exercise by doing squats and lunges during commercials and jog during the show.
Choose to pick up your room.
Choose what day will be your day of rest.
I hear you already telling me why you cannot take a day of rest. As I tell my son, please don't interrupt. Please just give me your complete attention with an open mind.
You start your day with a cup of coffee sitting on your porch or in your room. You turn on some wonderful worship music and just sit in the presence of God. You take a few moments to sit in awe of a loving Father. (If you choose your day of rest to be a Sunday, you get up a few minutes earlier to enjoy this time and keep the music going while you get ready.)
You take this day to eat sandwiches or eat off the dollar menu for lunch. You plan ahead so you do not have to cook today. And it is ok if you use paper plates.
You go to the park to play or for a walk. If it is cold, you stay inside and read a book, watch a movie or play a game with the kids.
You take a nap with your child or everyone has quiet time in their room.
And if your day of rest is a Sunday, you go to worship and fellowship with other believers. But if you are working the whole time at church and spend 6 hours there, you might want to find another day of rest or reevaluate your Sunday.
You choose to do all these things from when you get up and at least until 5 pm. You do not check emails or do any work. You let your mind and body rest. You refresh your spirit by being with God. I want you to realize the importance of recharging your batteries.
Now for all of you rolling your eyes because you have little ones at home. You and your spouse need to decide how you can both take that time in the morning once a week. Maybe you alternate and the other one can feed the kids breakfast. And the rest of the day, they are resting and playing with you. Most kids do not act up when they have your undivided attention. If this becomes part of your routine then they will fall into it.
Just please give it a chance. We were created to take this day. God himself took a day. Choose to have a day of rest. You have all week to be busy, it can wait until the next day.
February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.
Week 1 Action Plan
Choose to rearrange your schedule to get 7-8 hours of sleep and memorize Luke 12:7.
Week 1 Day 4 Action Plan
Choose to seek God.
Choose to read Exodus 20:8-11
Choose to exercise by doing squats and lunges during commercials and jog during the show.
Choose to pick up your room.
Choose what day will be your day of rest.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Feb. Week 1 Day 3: Choose Rest for the Rest
Short tempered...Little patience...Grouchy...Irritated...Sound familiar?
If you have ever been a new mommy or been around one, you know that new mommies can be very cranky and irritable because the poor things get little sleep. A new mommy does not have a choice. It is part of being a new mommy. But the rest of us (unless it is due to a medical condition) have no excuse not to get rest so we are not cranky.
For the sake of your loved ones, coworkers and friends, please choose to get the rest you need. Yes there may be times that due to sickness or emergency keep you from a good night sleep. But most nights you just have to choose to get rest.
Please choose to get rest for all those others you may interact with today. It is hard to reflect Christ when you are snapping at everyone you meet.
Tonight choose to go to bed and get a full night rest for the sake of others. And we will say thank you when you do.
February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.
Week 1 Action Plan
Choose to rearrange your schedule to get 7-8 hours of sleep and memorize Luke 12:7.
Week 1 Day 3
Choose to sit in God's presence and refresh your spirit.
Choose to read Matthew 11:25-30
Choose to get up and move. Play a Wii game with the kids or dance around the living room.
Choose to wipe down the bathrooms.
Choose to go to bed on time.
If you have ever been a new mommy or been around one, you know that new mommies can be very cranky and irritable because the poor things get little sleep. A new mommy does not have a choice. It is part of being a new mommy. But the rest of us (unless it is due to a medical condition) have no excuse not to get rest so we are not cranky.
For the sake of your loved ones, coworkers and friends, please choose to get the rest you need. Yes there may be times that due to sickness or emergency keep you from a good night sleep. But most nights you just have to choose to get rest.
Please choose to get rest for all those others you may interact with today. It is hard to reflect Christ when you are snapping at everyone you meet.
Tonight choose to go to bed and get a full night rest for the sake of others. And we will say thank you when you do.
February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.
Week 1 Action Plan
Choose to rearrange your schedule to get 7-8 hours of sleep and memorize Luke 12:7.
Week 1 Day 3
Choose to sit in God's presence and refresh your spirit.
Choose to read Matthew 11:25-30
Choose to get up and move. Play a Wii game with the kids or dance around the living room.
Choose to wipe down the bathrooms.
Choose to go to bed on time.
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