Inspiration

Here are a few HAPPY THOUGHTS for your day!

Dr. Seuss did something right when he wrote this. 

So true!

Pondering point!

1 Corinthians 6:9 "... Don't you realize your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you & was given to you by God?..."

Are you getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, surrounding yourself with people and things that uplift you and make you better?

“Me Gift” IDEA #1: Spice Up Your Workout Wardrobe

This may seem trivial but have you ever thought about how different you feel when your wearing your favorite blouse or a pair of fabulous shoes? Maybe you have a little more swag in your step, feel a little bit more confident, everything seems a bit better? Translate that to when your working out…This is definetly personal preference but think about it…All you want to do is through on sloppy sweat pants and lay on the couch but you feel like you HAVE to make it to the gym. Or maybe you want to cover up because of the donuts you ate earlier in the day or the cheese burger you slammed at lunch?

I have experienced all the above. I cover every inch of my body with oversized clothes, throw on a hat and pray that I don’t see anyone I know…Then I find myself hiding from the weights where most people are. Anxious to get my lifts/cardio over with I rush through everything just so I can get out of the crowded gym unnoticed…My workouts reduce themselves to a total of, hmmm maybe, 15mins. I smile and make eye contact less and spend more time feeling gross about how I look…but why?

It’s a simple solution. Pick out an outfit like you would to go to work or get dressed for the day. Find workout clothes that fit and flatter your body. Get a new pair of tennis shoes and swap out your 5 year old yard work shoes. Put your hair up. Now, just to be clear I am not endorsing putting on a full face of make up, but spend sometime so that you can feel good about you how you look and in turn how you feel. Place your best foot forward and see how much better you feel about yourself and your abilities. You are a hard worker, a beautiful woman and motivated to improve your health.

So this year if you are asked what you want for Christmas, think about your “Me Gift.” Ask for some new gym shoes you’ve been eying, some workout pants that make you feel slim or a well fitting dry fit top or jacket that give you a little of jazz.

SHOP.LULULEMON.COM

Here are some of my favorites and ideas for all body sizes.

LuLuLemon Athletica: My all time favorite workout clothing…overpriced? slightly but extremely high quality. These are perfect for yoga or lifting. They fit extremely well with lots of sizes, including my personal favorite, lots of Tall sizes!!

TARGET.COM

Target: Convenient and a ton to chose from! These are very reasonably priced, a lot of bright and vibrant colors. Different fits from loose to tight great for all ages.

Nike.com

Nike: I have been a fan of Nike since high school. From my volleyball shoes and soccer cleats to running and cross training, these are great! You can even design your own at the Nike website.

Looks for all sizes:

Remember: Fitted clothing does not mean they have to be tight. Make sure you try the clothes on first. Avoid pants or shorts that are tight around the waste and tops that might be too short and accentuate your stomach. You need to be able to move comfortably in everything to wear to the gym…avoid low wasted pants to prevent that lovely plumber crack and keep cleavage to a minimum.

Tis' The Season

Around the holidays so many true reasons for celebrating the season get lost in the hustle and bustle. We are expected to be jolly, generous, loving and energetic. And on top of decking the halls and baking goodies, we hold ourselves to an even higher standard.

There are wonderful things about this time of year. Celebrating the birth of our savor, seeing family after too much time apart, reminiscing our childhood memories, honoring old traditions and creating new ones. So why is it that the holidays can be the hardest time of the year for so many people? As for me I am reminded that time has flown by so quickly, I am flooded with thoughts of my family that has past. I spend time stressing about money, cooking for hours on in and am bothered that the joy I had as a child with an endless imagination is no longer…

It has taken 25 years but it has finally started sinking in that there are very few things I have any control over… One area I do have control over, however, is how I am feeling physically. Am I working out? Eating clean? Taking time for myself?

The weather with its gloomy skies, rain or snow can take a toll. Surprise! I have not control over that. But, the post holiday guilt that sets in from months of indulging in my favorite treats? I can control that…Instead of saying to myself year after year, “ok after Thanksgiving!”….”ok after Christmas!”…. “ok, but seriously, my New Years resolution  will be…”

Why not take some time to better yourself this season? Consider it your “me” gift! Come out of the holidays with renewed energy, peace, joy and confidence.

Instead of a New Years solution I encourage you to join me in setting some “holiday guidelines” I have listed a few of mine!

1. Minimize my portions
1. Enjoy a favorite treat or two but use self control
2. Set myself a smaller plate at dinner
3. Drink plenty of water as opposed to wine, spiced cider and cocoa
2. Take some time for myself
1. Sneak away to the gym
2. Go on a nice evening walk after a big meal
3. Get plenty of rest
3. Learn to appreciate the here and now:
1. Stop sweating the small stuff
2. Appreciate the time I have with each and every person…regardless of any family tension (because everyone has some of that good ole’ drama).
4. Don’t waste time on regrets, like:
1. Who I miss or what my last interaction was with someone I have lost
2. How eager I was to grow up
3. Feeling sad or lonely at times when I “should” be joyful.

Stay tuned and I will post ideas for your “me” gift!

Prayfit.com

I have shared my struggle with the fitness industry and representing my faith on this blog and have recently learned about a new book/ministry, PrayFit. It is great to see how we can be using biblical concepts to encourage an active and healthy lifestyle. Fellowship in Christ is crucial and this is a perfect example of how we can use faith to encourage our friends and family to put God first in reaching there health goals...we aren't meant to fight the fight alone.

I encourage everyone to check it out...here's a blurb about the mission from their sight:

'Though still in its infancy, the goal of PrayFit is to be a place where fitness-minded believers can read and memorize God’s word while pursuing a healthier lifestyle.


“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” -1 Corinthians 6:19


At PrayFit, we believe that the Lord has mandated a dedication to our health. In a nation gone mad with super-sized meal deals, even the most devout believers tend to over-indulge, as evidenced by the church’s ever-widening collective waistline. It’s not just detrimental to your wardrobe – each passing day of inactivity or nutritional indiscretion is a missed opportunity at living a longer, healthier, more fruitful life.


For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” -1 Timothy 4:8


The Lord wants you to absorb scripture daily, but He also wants you to enjoy the blessed gift of abundant health. That’s why keeping our bodies healthy should always be high on our priority lists.'

To learn more check out their website, at prayfit.com and while you're at it check out body http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jimmy-pena.html there are links to some workouts from there as well!

ENJOY!!!