The writer writes that “time and chance happen to them all.” And that truth cannot be denied. But that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t do everything possible to prevent those things that can be prevented. You know things like heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc….

You and I cannot predict whether our lives will end as the result of a fatal accident or if a virus will enter our bodies with the intent on destroying us. Those things are left up to time and chance.

But we can take a look at our family history to determine whether or not we are at risk for those diseases that can be prevented through diet, exercise, and a good night’s sleep. We can decide to control our stress levels instead of allowing circumstances and situations to throw us into a frenzy.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately because two of my friends are currently in the hospital fighting for their lives. I’m not sure that Susie Bee*  could have prevented her illness since the doctors are not even sure what caused her to wake up one morning “broke.” (Her word not mine.) She went to bed one night strong in body and will and woke up the next morning with no memory and unable to wipe her mouth with the cloth in her hand. My heart breaks for this woman who had always impressed me with her physical strength, physique, and determination to work hard to achieve the things she wanted in life.

My other  friend, Lilly Lee*, made the sad mistake of thinking that her body would always work well for her and failed to take of herself. Like Susie Bee she found herself “broke” one day and is now fighting to regain her health and strength.

Let’s take a moment and think about Paul’s writing:

 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?  For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

We only have one body! There are no upgrades or trade-ins. As Christians, we were never supposed to believe that if we take care of our spirits then God will take care of the body. Sorry to say this but you can’t eat the Standard American Diet, sit on your tail all day, and live in divine health! It just can’t happen! It’s when we return to eating the way God planned in Genesis and moving our bodies like He created us to move that we will begin to glorify God in our bodies!

What is the Genesis  plan? Eating Seed bearing plants, fish,  fowl, and livestock.  Long walks.  And gardening.

Let’s you and I commit to taking care of our bodies with diet and exercise and let God take care of the time and chance stuff.

 

*Names have been changed to protect their privacy.

I just finished “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg. This was a great book that can pinpoint what habits are determining whether you eat well, exercise, get enough sleep, save money, go to church….. If you’ve got some bad habits you want to change or desire to create new habits that will positively affect your daily life then I think you’ll find this to be a useful book. Be sure to let me know if you like it as much as I did.

Correction and Instruction

How do you perceive correction? How do you feel when correction is followed by instructions to do whatever it is that you’re doing differently? If I were to ask myself these questions, I’d have to say that correction and instruction are more often than not perceived as criticism. 

Perceived as criticism. That’s because I hear what it is that I’m not doing right instead of what can be done better. 

I’ve been thinking about this quite a bit lately because Wowie (the gym owner and cross-fit instructor) tells me what I’m doing wrong and then goes on to instruct me in how to correct my form. Now is he being critical? Absolutely not! He’s a really nice guy who produces great competitors who go on to be first-place winners in body building and power-lifting contests. He truly wants me to do the exercises correctly so that I can see reap the benefits of cross-fit training. He’s doing his absolute best to help me!

I’m the one who must learn to perceive correction and instruction as a gift instead of as criticism. I have to take a moment, hear what he’s saying, listen to how he’s saying it, and then process those words into action. 

Sure, I could choose to be offended. I could get frustrated and storm out of the class. But if I do that, who am I really hurting? Not only will I fail to reap all the benefits that cross-fit can offer but I also won’t find that mental and emotional healing I need to be all that I can and am meant to be! 

It’s up to me. And it’s up to you! Like me, you must  choose how you will respond to well-meaning, truth-filled correction and instruction.  Will you accept it as the gift it is or will you reject the one who gives you this gift?

 

About a week or so ago, I decided to try a gluten-free diet. I’m not trying to lose more weight (although that’s always a plus). I’m just trying to get healthier and this seemed as if it might be the next step in my pursuit of health and fitness.  

For me, going gluten-free is proving to be that difficult as I rarely eat lots of bread and pastas anyway. The hardest part that I’m having is discovering the hidden wheat in various products like soy sauce and peanuts. 

Beyond avoiding wheat products and gluten, I’m also learning that every meal does not require a starch! I don’t need to add rice, pasta, or potatoes to everything I make. Great flavors satisfy me far more than quantity.  

That being said, I wanted to share our lunch recipe with you — it was another of Michael Symon’s Five in Five recipes and it was quick, easy, and delicious. I did make one change to it by serving it on a bed of arugula which Symon says goes well with pork. Again, it was delicious and there was no need for bread, rice, or pasta which automatically lowers the calorie count!

Onto another topic…. I’ve been doing the cross fit class at Wowies for a little more than a week now. Yesterday, we did the Filthy-Fifty (which seems fitting since everyone in the class is 50 years old) and it kicked my rear-end. But i’m working more than my body with these classes.  I’m also learning new moves which are stretching my brain! This class is good for me physically and mentally. Along with that I’ve had to do some healing to feel comfortable with the class and accepting the instruction and correction that goes with it. 

I don’t know what you’re doing physically but if it’s the same-old, same-old then maybe it’s time for you to try something new! 

God bless —- and be strong to the finish! 

In the past,  I’ve been challenged to spend the first 21 days of January fasting. I’ve done the Daniel Fast. I’ve given up television. I’ve tried to drink only water. I’ve tried several fasts in the past but this last one has proven particularly beneficial for me.

You see, I decided to fast Pinterest for the first 21 days of January. I challenged myself to do more and browse less.

This is what I’ve accomplished so far:

• I’ve read the Wheat Belly Book by William Davis
• I’ve read Inside the Box by T.J. Murphy
• I’ve made several little outfits for Liberty (see pictures below)
• I’ve made a pair of pajama bottoms for Hannah
• I began a new exercise program called Crossfit
• I’ve gone on my first mountain bike ride of the year.
• I’ve taken the dogs for a walk.
• I’ve taken three naps!
• I’ve been in bed and asleep by 10:30 and awake by 6:00

I’m living life instead of browsing through other people’s accomplishments and wish-lists  and this makes me feel good about myself! I feel productive! Also, I’ve found that I’m not comparing my perceived lack of talent with what others can or want to do. Like a child, I’m learning all over again to do the best I can with what I’ve got.

I’m happier. More creative. And am loving making clothes for my baby girl.

What about you? Are you browsing through life instead of living it?

Do you remember how you felt in high school? You might have been a jock that was uncomfortable in your required foreign language class. Or you might have been like me. I was very comfortable with the academics but despised the P.E. classes. Put me in an advanced class and I knew that I would not only adapt but excel.  But please don’t ask me to run a mile around the basketball court. I was uncoordinated, out-of-shape, and felt like everyone around me knew it.

P.E. taught me that I didn’t like to work out with other people and since then I’ve never wanted to take a Zumba class, spinning class, aerobics class, or anything else that the gym offered. I’d prefer that you’d assign me a workout and then leave me ALONE!

Until today. I participated in my first crossfit class. It was horrible and wonderful. Horrible because I felt just like I did in high school and wonderful because I can’t wait to do it again because it was FUN. I wasn’t able to keep up with the others in the class. And I looked like a total dork doing burpees. But I did them and overcame a fear that has held me back for years!

And another good thing about today’s workout —– I didn’t have to wear those horrible P.E. uniforms that we wore in the 70’s!

Do you remember that old Bill Murray movie titled, “Groundhog Day?” That’s what New Year’s Day was like for me.

 In 2013, I woke up on New Year’s Day and genuinely thanked God that 2012 was over! 

And then again this year, I woke up and genuinely thanked God that 2013 was over and  I had actually  survived what seemed to be the worst two years of my adult life.

 You may be wondering what made these last two years so hard and the answer would be that a lot of changes took place in my life that I had absolutely no control over. All I could do was learn how to accept the change along with the ones making these changes and move on. 

 There were times that I was hurt, lonely, disappointed, and downright frustrated. I went through a long period of mourning unmet expectations.  I had to tap into the lessons of my past and not to let disappointment and discouragement lead to depression. 

 But you know what? I made it. Not only did I made it through these difficult changes but I came through them with that peace that passes understanding and have found myself in a happier place than I’ve been in a very long time.

You may be going through life changes or you may be trying to make changes in your diet and fitness routines. I’m here to tell you that change is difficult and often you may not feel as if you’ll survive the changes. But if you stick it out – you may come our not only happier but also healthier than you’ve been in a very long time!