This workout is a total of 200 exercises that you can do in about ten minutes. 25 squats (keep the range of motion comfortable, avoid deep knee bends) 20 jumping jacks (full or half—using just arms, not jumping) 25 lunges (left leg back) 20 jumping jacks 25 lunges (right leg back) 20 jumping jacks 25 pushups (against a wall, on knees, or full) 20 jumping jacks 20 abdominal crunches This is a quick round of exercises you can fit anywhere in your day.
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As a man was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at any time, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not. He saw a trainer nearby and asked why these animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away. “Well,” the trainer said, “when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and at that age it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.” The man was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds
Read more →How big is your purse? It seems that the fashion is to carry bigger and bigger purses. And I am guilty of following this fashion. Recently when buying a new purse for fall I had to make sure that I could fit in a water bottle (which I must have with me at all times), a reusable bag for groceries (so I can protect the environment), my energy bar for a healthy snack (so I am not lured in to any fast food restaurants) etc. etc.—and that doesn’t even include the necessities like my wallet and huge key chain. Are you laughing? Can you relate? So why am I talking about purses? Because, I am really talking about posture, strength, and avoiding injury and bad habits that will progress if we are not careful. Whether you are carrying a big purse, a small child, a suitcase, or groceries, remember the following:
Read more →In the beginning, GOD.” Before our “New Beginnings,” God is already there. A FP4H member once said, “That is the story of my life. No finishes, just beginning again and again.” I was about to get caught up in the moment of sadness when the Spirit of the Lord stopped me and allowed me to view all of the diets and exercise programs I had begun. I had so many new beginnings, I couldn’t count or remember them all. I could have viewed each “new beginning” as a failure, but realized that each one was actually a learning experience, a stepping-stone to where I am today. God has a purpose in placing us on the starting line. In each one of my new beginnings, God was already there. He has a purpose in placing us on the starting line of our beginnings. His purpose is that His children are successful in all that
Read more →Happy Valentine’s Day! This Valentine’s Day, what better gift can you give yourself than a healthy heart. You don’t need to go all out. If the thought of exercise makes you groan, there are lots of activities that will help your heart. The goal is to get your heart rate up 30 minutes a day, but you don’t have to do it all at once. Here are eight tips for becoming active and getting your heart into shape. Walk, Don’t Drive. Walk instead of jumping in the car. If you were to walk to the grocery store instead of making all of those trips for one or two items, you’d be well on your way to meeting your goal. If you live somewhere it’s not possible to drive, park as far away from the door as you can. Take the stairs. Don’t take the elevator or escalator. If you can’t
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There was a time I could not understand someone wanting to run a race and was determined not to, but the Lord had a different plan. I asked Joyce Ainsworth, author of Food, Freedom and Finish Lines, about racing. She encouraged me to start with a 5K. Thanksgiving seemed like a good day to burn off extra calories, so I entered a 5K Turkey Trot. I survived, I finished and I was thankful. The Lord sent another encourager, Sherry, who asked to arrive late to a training meeting, because she was competing in a triathlon. When she arrived at our meeting, we asked about the race. As she shared, I started thinking, “I swim. I bike. I run.” Sherry, a brand new friend, encouraged me, and something happened after I signed up for the Triathlon Sprint. I actually wanted to swim, bike and run. Not only that, but I looked forward to
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Of all God’s blessings in life, the gift of friendship, especially fitness buddies, should not be overlooked. During an eight-week study, research found that people who exercised with a partner did more exercise during the brief study. Other research has found that if you find a partner, you will stick with the exercise routine, even six months later. What if you could double your chances for fitness success, and exercise would be more enjoyable, fit into your schedule, and pull you through the fitness rut? Proverbs 18:24 states, “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Reliable friends can be the difference between your exercise habit success and failure. Over the years, I have not limited myself to one fitness partnership—walking and meetings with a colleague, running with a group, or taking a group exercise class. Here are
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What’s your greatest motivation? Are you a natural-born competitor? Are you striving to keep up with your children or grandchildren? Are you working to fit into that special spring outfit this year? Are you hoping to outrun your DNA? Or are you simply trying to live a more healthy life all the way around? What I’m really asking all of us is this: When you want to give up, what stops you? I have a competitive streak that’s pretty wide. My motivation originates in the challenge of being a little bit better (healthier, smarter, kinder) than I was yesterday. For this miraculous growth to occur, I must choose to make one good decision at a time. All of us are one decision away from moving in a positive direction or a negative one. I apply this principle to my physical lifestyle as well as my spiritual life, and I’d like you to consider
Read more →“May I tell you a secret?” Does this question take you back to the schoolyard where your best friend runs to you at recess to share some sweet morsel of information that’s to be held tightly just between the two of you? Or does it pique your interest because you’re a learner and you want to know and implement the latest health tip so you can get a jump start on your New Year’s resolution? Either way, I’ll share with you my top 3 secrets to a better workout…on two conditions. You must implement these secrets into your fitness program to the best of your ability, and then share them with those you are inspiring to better health. These secrets are too good to keep to yourself! Assuming you agreed to my conditions, read on. STAY BALANCED as it relates to muscle compensation and adaptation. We must fight muscle imbalance by keeping
Read more →Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, I have given unto you… Joshua 1:3 Let’s take a walk and claim your Promised Land. Good health and a sense of well-being is part of your inheritance and your claim to abundant life through the blood of Jesus Christ. Our Father deeply cares about every part of your life, right down to the very soles of your feet. Walking in YOUR Promised Land requires the correct equipment to aid in making your possession a positive experience. The shoe matters. After I became a Personal Trainer, I became aware that most people don’t have a clue what shoes to buy for their workout. Good shoes are a vital part to success in your workout program. You get what you pay for. Shoes will wear out and break down if worn regularly, so they need to be replaced every 500
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