Why Ditch the Flab?

by Julie Ferwerda

What’s the big deal about munching on your favorite food groups, such as chips and cookies, whenever you feel the urge? Does it really matter to God? Doesn’t He just care about what’s inside?

Sure, God loves you and approves of you just the way you are, but there are some great reasons to take care of the outside of the package, too:

• Many times when people overeat or eat a steady diet of junk food, they use food to make them feel better (comfort) or because they’re bored. Isaiah 55:2 says, “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.”

God is jealous for your affections. He wants to be you’re A-1 priority and to be the one to bring you comfort before anything else. Binging on food will never give you the kind of satisfaction and meaning in life that He will.

• Jesus came to set people free from things that control them. Galatians 5:13 (The Message paraphrase) says, “It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows.”

The kids you go to school with have all kinds of things controlling their lives—food, gossip, social life, smoking, pornography, alcohol, drugs, sex. But when your friends see you taking such good care of yourself and being healthy about the way you eat, exercise and live, they’ll want to know how you do it. It will be a great opportunity to explain that yielding to the Holy Spirit empowers you to exercise the discipline of self-control.

• When you don’t take care of your body, you miss out on opportunities. Maybe you don’t have the motivation to go on a really cool missions trip that you once would have loved, or you can’t do your best at your favorite sport or activity, one that God gifted you for. In John 10:10, Jesus reminds us that He came to give us an abundant life full of great opportunities. Remember, too, that someday you’ll want to be your very best for the godly guy God is saving for you.

• When you’re physically fit, you have more energy, feel better about yourself, look better in your favorite clothes, and your healthy habits will keep you grooving for years to come.

• God created us as physical beings. Therefore, when He commands us to be good stewards of His creation, our bodies are included. Getting a good night’s sleep, eating nutritious foods and keeping your body in shape are all effective ways to stay healthy and care for His finest creation—YOU!

4 Easy Tips to Getting Fit
Here’s the bod-acious news! If you want take care of yourself and get in top form, you need not starve yourself or search for the latest fad diet. In fact, there’s a great yet simple plan that will get you fit and keep you fit with no more yo-yo dieting. You can follow it anytime, anywhere, and it will help you maintain a healthy weight by setting good habits for life, without starvation or a bunch of impossible restrictions. The best part is that within just a few days, you’ll already look and feel better!

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Diet Alternative

Recently, I finished reading The Diet Alternative by Diane Hampton.  In this easy-to-read book, Diane suggests eating only when you are hunger-not because it’s lunchtime.  God gave us the feelings of hunger and fullness for a reason.

Before reading this book, I thought being hunger was a terrible thing and should be avoided at all costs-meaning if I knew I wouldn’t have a chance to eat for a while I’d stock up.  But it’s okay to be hunger; in fact, food is so much more satisfying if you are hunger.

Throughout this year (and with the help of this book) I have been convicted of gluttony-getting more than I need and therefore making food an idol.  To some, (okay to a lot of people) this sounds like no big deal.  So I eat more than one dessert becuase it tastes good… what’s wrong with that?

Well, I now know that healthy eating requires balance and self-control.  I struggle with this all the time.  Still, slowly but surely the Lord is healing me.  I am learning to surrender all.

Summer in November

If you live in Minnesota you know what I mean when I say spontaneous Minnesota weather.  Last week it snowed… Today the temperature outside is 66 degrees! It’s amazingly beautiful out! A day to enjoy the great outdoors.

3rd 5K Tomorrow!

Just wanted to let you guys know that tomorrow is my 3rd 5K!!! I’m so excited!! I hope to beat my PR, but if I don’t that’s okay…

Keep ya posted:)

Olympics=Inspiring

Have you had a chance to watch the Olympics yet?

It is truly inspiring to watch Michael Phelps beat world records as if it was a piece of cake. I wonder if he’s getting bored of all those metal ceremonies;)

Gymnastics-both men and women-is fun to watch too. Those competitors are so strong!

Well, I hope the Olympics inspires you to go out and take a walk (right before you watch the Olympics:)

Carob Hits the Spot!

by Pollyanna Covert

Do you love chocolate but worry about fitting into your favorite jeans? What if you could snack on something that has fewer calories and is natural, plus it tastes like chocolate?

Seem too good to be true?

Let me introduce you to carob! Carob is a great-tasting substitute for chocolate with a history of its own.

To read more click here

Summer Suggestions: Run the Race

by Suzanne Hadley

I am not a runner.

Or at least I didn’t used to be. But since I moved to Colorado 5 years ago, I’ve run half a dozen races.

“Why?” you ask. For the competition? Definitely not (10-year-olds outrun me). For the exercise? Well, I need it, but that’s not enough to make me pound the pavement. For the challenge? Nope. (I don’t need to prove myself to anyone, particularly myself).

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The Faith to Lose

They ate when they were stressed. They ate when they were lonely or frustrated. Then the guilt set in–for breaking the latest attempt at a diet, for losing the power struggle with a craving. It’s an unhealthy pattern familiar to the women on these pages, and one to which many of us can relate.

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Who says 92nd place isn’t a Success?

Today I ran my second 5K (I ran my first last month). It started at 8:30am and was at a beautiful park right next to the Mississippi River. The tall trees made a green canopy above but left enough space for the brilliant sun to seep through. The wind was blowing at the perfect speed and the temperature was very pleasant.

I did reach (and surpass my goals) of beating my time and having fun. At this race I got to see the results right there. I took 92nd place at a time of 29 min. 38 sec. and a pace of 9min 33sec. I ran the first mile in 9min. 15sec. I shaved 3 minutes and 4 seconds off my last 5K!! I’m gettin’ faster!

I left the race looking forward to the next.

5K tomorrow

Just wanted to write a quick note. Tomorrow I’m running my 2nd 5K! My goals are to: beat my 1st 5K time, run the whole race, and just have fun!!!