The Tough Get Going! WK2

Yeah, it's getting tough to keep going with the newly started plans. I  planned to exercise 5 days a week, running on Tuesday and Thursday, gym on Monday and Wednesday and possible bike ride or run on the weekend.

My HEP is NO whites! No white sugar (right now no added sugars) No white flour (focusing on sprouted grains in small portions) No white salt.

All has been going very well, but I took a free day yesterday. It's not even the weekend yet. We just finished entering our third quarter grades, and I wanted to celebrate a little! However, it was just an excuse that I can not use again! I chose to do 30 minutes of yoga instead of run. This is totally acceptable, but I  just know I need to run tonight now.

What are your plans? What struggles are you feeling? Let's share here or by email to encourage one another. We all need the encouragement.

We had a speaker today who hit the nail on the head. I want to share the main points here, because I feel it is so essential for any one's journey.

HALF TIME HUDDLE!!

Here we are! It's the middle of the challenge!

Do you need a HALF TIME HUDDLE?

It's that time of year when there is a chilly breeze through the air and the daylight is gone way too soon.  It's that time of year when hot chocolate and warm, snuggly pj's call my name much more loudly than my running shoes do. It's that time of year when friends and family gather around special foods.

Does Satan have the ball? Does he have you playing defense? Is he whispering little lies and discouragement in your ear?

I need that HALFTIME HUDDLE!  A little pep talk, motivation, encouragement, pick-me-up....

Let's all huddle in and talk sports' slogans.  Yes, sports' slogans.  As I was praying about what to write and asking The Lord to direct me, He led me to sports' slogans.

They are motivating.  They are just what I needed.

First, I went to the Adidas slogan: "Impossible Is Nothing."

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phillipians 4:13

The impossible is nothing to Christ.  With Him ALL things are possible-- even helping us to get healthy and fit--even helping us through this holiday season--even helping us when we listen to Satan's discouragement.

Second, I went to the Nike slogan: "Just Do It."

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God through Christ Jesus." Phillipians 3:14

Just keep going.  Don't give in.  Pray and ask God to help you to press toward the mark.  Is it His will for you to be healthy?  Do you see the prize before you?  Do you see the better you?  Just do it! Be determined!

Third, I went to the Under Armour slogan: "Protect This House."

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." I Corinthians 6:19-20

This is the most important one.  Remember WHY you are doing this. We are doing this to protect our house, to protect our temple for The Lord, to glorify God with our bodies.  The healthier we are, the better we can serve Him.

Now, yell CHRISTMAS CRUNCH as loud as you can, get that ball back from Satan, and stop his whispers of discouragement. The impossible is nothing! Just do it! Protect this house!  Get back on the offense and get that ball over the goal line! GO TEAM!

 

Crunching with you,



 

Rachel Smith

 

Consistency Not Perfection!

This is our goal. 

Consistency! 

We may have a bad day, that´s normal. We may have a bad week. Especially as women, we almost have an entirely bad week. Last week was a tough week for almost all of us on the Christmas Crunch Challenge.

I love the verse in Proverbs that says a righteous man gets back up! We must rally around each other and keep getting back up. We can´t undo all the hard work we have done. 

Some may think that they have messed up too much to get back on that "wagon". Believe me, you want to get back on now rather than later! If you wait any longer, it will get harder. 

Just keep plugging away to your goal. We will have less and less mess - up days. I know, I feel a bit heavy today. I feel a bit lathargic, but if we don´t get back at it, we will feel worse tomorrow. 

Let´s commit to consistency. Let´s commit together to get out and exercise at least 20 minutes. We can do it! Let´s commit to not putting anything in our mouths that would compromise that consistency. 

How are you working towards your consistent fitness journey for life? 

Next week, on October 22, we begin the second phase. All points start over and anyone who wants to join in may do so now. It´s a low $5.00 sign- up fee on the side bar to join. There is an extra prize every month, as well. Come and join the Crunch! 

Dani Joy

Be Strong!

One of my favorite verses and motivation in life is 

"Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." 

Of course, I know the Bible isn´t speaking of exercise here. It isn´t even talking about physical strength at all. It is all spiritual. Really, there is an energy force out there that is very strong. It is to be respected and combated.

This force is called "principalities..darkness of this world". It is the reason we must get strong.

How do we get spiritually strong? It´s all mapped out for you in Ephesians 6:11- 18. First, we must put on the whole armor of God. This is the truth of God´s Word, righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of Salvation, the sword of the Spirit, and prayer.

So where does health and fitness come in? I apply it as a reminder that all these areas must be in tact, and working together in order for me to be healthy and strong. I also must care for my body and do my best for Jesus in every area.

 I believe, that fitness and health is often forgotten about or even looked down upon. We do have to be careful not to allow our fitness and health goals to take first place in our lives. These are just a tool to helping us to be more disciplined and more able to serve to our fullest capacity. Each one of us before the Lord, asking what areas He would have us to concentrate on. I realize that not everyone will workout an hour a day nor will they cut out all sugar and carbs. Maybe this would not even be healthy for some. We all must evaluate ourselves.

Reading other passages in scripture help me to also stay balanced. If you think that maybe your perspective on fitness and health is becoming obsessive, find a check and balance partner. For me, this is my husband. I ask him often if I am taking it too far, if I am not focusing on the main thing. Here at Faith Fitness and Fun, we should also keep each other in check and encourage each other.

So, for me "being strong" is asking God to make me strong in every area. It is much broader than just working out and eating healthy. It is first, spending time in God´s word,and in prayer. Then having time with family, time with fellow Christians, and also planning in time to take care of myself.

It is not easy.  I know. That is why I have started Faith Fitness and Fun, to find friends who will rally around each other.

We have made it two weeks! How have you been becoming stronger in every area? Share some of your spiritual moments, too! These pick us all up!

Praying and Crunching,
Dani Joy

Run Your Race

I was walking on the high-school track the other night feeling pretty darn good about my three miles.
Heck, I even pumped an arm or two during my imaginary race around the circle.

That is, until Granny showed up.

This woman, who is considerably older, heavier, and more wrinkly than I, moved faster than the speed of my first car.

Huh?

Every time I think I'm doing all I possibly can in regards to health and fitness, I look around and find an older person who can run laps around me.

It pushes me to do more and reminds me that I can do hard things.  And, so can you!

You see, if left to my own devices, I’m just not a cardiovascular overachiever.  I’m more of a buy a cute pair of yoga pants and stroll around the block type of gal.  Sure I’d love the legs of a runner, I just don’t want to have to run to get them.

Osmosis anyone?

Maybe if I fall asleep to Chariots of Fire, I’ll wake up with legs of steel.

Ah, fugettaboutit.

I know the Lord is calling me to more, to do more and be more.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 ~Hebrews 12:1-2

I'm not confused, I know this is a faith verse and not a run around the track verse, but isn't this life just like a race?  

God calls us to run with patience or endurance, all the while looking to Jesus.  If we're going to run our race of life well, we need faith.  Most definitely!  In fact, I wrote a 31 Day series on Living by Faith last fall; however, if we're going to run well, we need bodies fit enough to keep us moving forward.

That's what we're trying to do here - to bring our bodies into subjection, so we can be in subjection to the Lord in order to run our race well.

So, girls, let's get running!  (Literally or figuratively, you decide.)

 

Discipline and Strength!

This is exactly what it means to be on a fitness journey for life. We must discipline ourselves even in pain, even in laziness, even in sickness, even in doubt. The Bible says if we allow Christ to discipline us then we will be righteous, and have peace. We will be trained! 

But in order to attain these we must strengthen our weak arms and knees. We must allow the Lord to strengthen us! We must seek His strength. We can´t do it on our own, as many would like to lead us to believe. We must cry out to Him in prayer. 

This is the first step of our fitness journey. 

Have you asked God for help to say "NO" to that doughnut and "YES" to 20 minutes of walking? He will give you that strength you need. You just have to ask. 

Do you sometimes feel like Peter the fisherman? 

"We have fished all night but haven´t caught anything!" He said to Jesus, after Jesus had told him to go back out to fish again. 

We can then read Peter´s testimony and learn from him. He said, 

"yet, at your word, Lord, I will throw out the nets again." And he caught more fish than he had ever caught in his life!

Persistence and consistence are key! We must continue on! 

However, the most important journey of all is our spiritual one . We can not succeed if we miss the most important key of all!

JESUS!

 He died for us so that we might have life eternal. He gave His life so that we could be forgiven. We must live for Him, because He gave His life for us!

Then and only then can we achieve discipline, righteousness, peace, training, strength and be healed! 

Inspiration Sweating!

"Therefore, my beloved sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 

1 Corinthians 15:58 

This is our theme verse for this week! I needed this encouragement today. It seems that no matter how hard I try, come the weekend, the pounds just come right back on. I know, that the increase in exercise and weight training will jump start my metabolism, so I will keep on!

 I will try to increase my exercise to a full hour each day this week.

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, running and abs at home, Tues, Thurs and Saturday weight training and running if I can on Saturday. 

We need to keep cutting out those excess carbohydrates. I think that even the whole wheat bread is keeping me from losing weight. 

Let´s encourage each other on our journey! It is so important to have this support in order to have success. We must rally around each other, empathize with each other and cheer each other on. Check out what each one is doing on our facebook page and please leave encouraging comments! 

Be Strong and Consistent and you will reach your goals! 

Sweatin´it with ya, 
Dani

Getting Exercise Inspite of It All

Ok... so we can´t go outside, it´s raining, snowing, hailing, whatever  you can imagine, but you don´t have to miss your exercise points! You can march in place watching your favorite show. You can even do some sit-ups. Don´t forget to stretch the last 5 minutes and bingo--- you have 1 point! 

Even if you are under the weather yourself, you can Walk this Way with Leslie Sansone or just move for 20 minutes doing something. It truly is amazing how little you can do in 20 minutes. 

Then, challenge yourself! Once you have the 20 minutes down pat, go for 40! You can do it! It doesn´t have to be a sweating, hurting workout to burn some extra calories, but the more you eat the more you need to burn. Remember balance is key. 

Ladies, so often I can´t even get changed into my workout clothes, I feel so cold and tired, but I think of you all, and go for it. My boys watched some of the Rocky movie the other night and I had the IPAD playing Jillian´s 30 day shred on mute. It worked as quite a motivational workout. 

Inspite of it all, we can take a few minutes to move and burn some fat. I remember this fact, so often, when I get up late in the morning, thinking I don´t have time to read my devotions or pray. My day is always worse when I don´t make time in the morning to read and pray! These are all disciplines that we make sure we incorporate, inspite of it all. 

Springing and Praying with you all,

Dani Joy

I remember everyday that it isn´t enough just to exercise and be disciplined, I must exercise spiritually first and walk in the Spirit daily. Meditating on his Word is an exercise, but more than that it is the most essencial! www.goodmorninggirls.org

 is a great devotional site. My sisters here and my exercise buddies are going to be reading and studing Ephesians together. Join us and post treasures about your spiritual journey, too. God has given me a desire to be the best I can be for His Glory. Praying for gentleness, meekness, diligence, discipline, and flexibility when needed. Keep on, ladies! For His Glory! - Dani

Go Sporting!

These are my two sons Cristofer and Nicolas. They made a lightening trip up to Gijon 3 weeks ago to see a soccer game of Sporting and Bilbao. Since my oldest son Critofer was born there, he is a great fan of Sporting Gijon. Sorry Dani that they couldn't stop and say" hi" but they only had time to visit their Grandma after the game and come home:)

They are my inspiration to keep on doing exercise as they are very athletic as I was when I was younger. I keep them inspired also as they see their 50 year old mother still trying to stay fit and healthy. Nicki always says, "If mom can do this, then I surely can".

Cristofer has always been in soccer and has had two operations on both of his knees but that does not stop him from doing sports and staying fit. My Nicki was born with a severe case of cleft palate and has had 9 operations in his 16 years, but that has not kept him from doing sports and staying healthy. The Lord has given him health to be able to do sports. Being good at sports has given him a lot of self esteem.

In my opinion I think it is good to put your children in some kind of sport or at least have them do some kind of exercise for their total well being. Starting good healthy habits when they are young help them to continue doing so as they get older.

Many blessings to all,

Sharla G.

Encouragement.....

Hello Ladies!

I hope you are all having a good week. I keep meaning to post more on this, but I am not so good in the blogging department. I think many years of maintaining a blog have left me a bit blogged out. :) However I do want to share a few things that I have learned this year as I started making my way through Lysa Terkeurst's book "Made to Crave". I got my hands on this book at the beginning of this year and it's changed my life! If it's one thing I have learned it's that sometimes we have to change whats going on in our hearts and minds, before we can change what is going on in the outward. I remember having a conversation with the Lord a few months ago when I was complaining (okay..whining) about having this issue with my weight. I was seeing all these changes on the inside but still not seeing changes on the scale or in my clothes. He gently reminded me (isn't He good like that? :)) that what was taking place on the inside of me was the most important! Because when pressure comes......it's our center, our cores, our hearts that need to withstand the pressure. In essence, we need to have baked centers. :) So I am seeing that the Lord is cooking my center and let me tell you......there have been some pressures that have come these last few months. Most would have normally lead me down the path of self soothing over some chocolate cakes and salty chips! But ladies, I have learned to draw my strength from Him. Just now, am I starting to see those outward changes coming....just 10 months after changing my thinking. Our minds are very powerful. The enemy knows if he can get in our minds.....well it's all over.

I just just want to encourage you with something from the book......

"Whatever it is, if we are really going to stop circling the mountain and head north towards lasting changes, we have to empty ourselves of the lie that other people or things can ever fill our hearts to the full. Then we have to deliberately and intentionally fill up on God's truths and stand secure in His love."

We were made for more. Take those lies and put His truths around them. Once we do that.....when those lies come into our minds, we have His Word and His Truth to take them down. I even had to write a few of those down so I had them ready! :) I hope this encouraged someone today. I know there are so many who struggle with issues of food and emotional eating. I lived in silence and shame for a long time. I am still learning, but each day I feel a bit stronger and more victorious.

Don't Quit!

I saw this on Pintrest the other day and really loved it! It's so true and a good reminder for us all to keep going. I know so many days I think, "What's the point? I am just destined to be this way." I know that's a lie that the enemy wants me to grab hold of. We are made for so much more. Keep it up....don't quit!

Hola!Yo soy Cornelia, soy de Rumania y ahora vivo en España.No puedo hablar bien en ingles, por eso tengo que escribir en español.Quero compartir con vosotros un versiculo de la Biblia que me da un animo.
Ps.27:14 ESPERA EN JEHOVA ESFUERZATE Y ALIENTESE TU CORAZON!                             
SI ,ESPERA EN JEHOVA!


HI, I´m Cornelia. I´m from Romania and now I live in Spain.  I can´t speak English very well so I have to write in Spanish. I want to share this verse with you that has given me encouragement. 
Psalm 27:14. 

Verse for Week 3

Psalms 5:11 

"But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them that love thy name be joyful in thee."

This verse was a huge blessing for me on furlough and I got to it again today. What a needed encouragement!
I have been sad, because we are going through things in our church, and God really lifted me up through this. Also, I know that when I am in Him, He will keep me going strong!

Dani Joy

Inspiration and Encouragement!

So for two years I've had Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred and for two years I've been too scared to attempt it! :) You see I made the mistake of watching it first and well it was all over after that! Well this Challenge inspired me to give it a try. I've done it twice now and haven't died! Although I'll admit I might not have felt my legs for a good hour after I finished! :) ha!

All that to say......don't be afraid to challenge yourself, you might be surprised at what you find out! I am actually excited to see what Jillian does to me in the next 8 weeks! :)

Anyone else try something that you've never done before on these challenges?

Just a little inspiration!

The temperatures have really plummeted here in Germany this week. Woke up to -3°C this morning and we had to scrap the car before heading off the Church. Even so, the skies are clear so that means some lovely winter sunshine!

I've put that to good use these last 2 days going for an hour walk along the river Main with a friend on Friday and another hour's walk yesterday with Matt in a local park.

I read the following link this week and thought I'd share it with you all.

Kathy <><

http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20111015/NEWS01/110150303/Blind-Lexington-athlete-making-history-dog

Verse of Encouragement for the Day

I would like to share a verse God gave me today.

"Jehová está en medio de ti, poderoso, él salvará se gozará sobre ti con alegría, callará de amor, se rogocijará sobre ti con cánticos." Sofonías 3:17

"The Lord thy God is the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." 

This gave me a lot of courage and strength today. And I hope that it can also be of great encouragement for you all, too.

Hugs,

Cornelia

"Animo!" Spanish for "Encouragement"

It is not uncommon to hear friends and even strangers call out to athletes, "ANIMO" to give them encouragement in their workouts here in Spain.

One such example is in cycling. A cyclist going up a hill will have people drive by and call out "Animo" as he is pushing it at the roughest part of the climb. I experienced this as I was climbing up one of our mountains here in Gijón on bike. It is a 45 minute steady climb to the top. I burn on an average 1,000 calories doing this climb. I have done it only on two occations, but the rush of getting to the top makes me want to do it again. Also, right when you think you will fall over, you hear, "Animo" from your fellow cyclists and those coming up the hill. This makes the trip worth it all.

This is how we should be in our spiritual lives as well, as in our fitness journeys. We need to pull up along side of our fellow sisters and lovingly encourage them to keep on, to fight the good fight, to crunch it (in our case). What a blessing to read your comments already encouraging one another to push for more, to be our best for Jesus. This is what these fitness challenges are all about.

Here is a my verse for the week from my hubby´s message this morning,

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us...BE Glory!" Ephesians 3:20,21

May you feel His power today!

Dani Joy

Encouragement from Cornelia

God gave me this verse this week. It has given me a lot of encouragement.

"For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved forever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off."

When I read this verse, I know God will never leave me. That I am not alone. That He is with me every minute. I am in His protection.

Often when we have problems ( over weight, health ect..), we think that we are alone, but this verse helps me to realize that He will take care of me forever.

I hope the Lord will help each one of you on the Crunch.

Cornelia

Made To Crave......

Hello Ladies!

I figured I would do my first little journal. I wasn't quite sure if this fell under inspiration, but that's where I put it. You'll probably see me type a lot on my Made to Crave stuff as that is really what the Lord has been doing with me for this year. I came to the hard realization this year that I struggled with food issues. Food controlled so much of my life....it was sad. I emotional eat all the time......when it's stress related, it's worse. Through this book though, I've learned to really tap into what His Word has to say about me. Let me just tell you....if you struggle with emotional eating like I do.....check out this book! It will really change your thinking. I've had a really hard week and normally I would turn to food to drown my sorrows! :) I've not caved....I've used His word to speak into my cravings and also this challenge has really help keep me on track! His Word is so powerful....it really does cover every challenge. Again....this will be the first of many, but I just want to encourage you to check out the book and the devotional. It's really life changing!

Have a great weekend everyone!!!!