I don’t know about you amigas, but it seems that there are so many magazines out there telling us the best way to lose weight is………………..! All of us tend to have a different answer from the counsel that is out there.
When I write my weekly blog on health, habits, and exercise, which all is a journey in itself, I try to give to you what worked for me and will be working for me, Lord willing, until He comes for us!
I have noticed that every week in the supermarket lines there are magazines concerning health, diet, and exercise. They all have something different to say and then some agree on different things. It is a smorgasbord of ideas!
What works? What doesn’t? Who to listen to? Should I really exercise? Should I have breakfast and if I do, what do I eat? Should I take diet pills? Should… The list goes on.
I have to admit that I have, and still do, pick up a few magazines concerning health and fitness. They helped me in my journey but I read them with discernment and ask the Lord to guide my every move.
Let’s say I open “Fitness Magazine,” and I read, “only 20 minutes a day will give you abs that look like”, and they show the model of that section of the magazine. I have to use discernment and know that I also have to change my eating habits. Most probable, I not only have to change my eating habits, but if I am just beginning I have to increase my exercise routine.
If we don’t read these magazines with discernment we will end up discouraged! Discouragement will creep in when we don’t understand why we are not there yet or why it didn’t work for us as the magazine said.
There are so many different bodies out there and metabolisms that it can’t all be the same. Remember, that He made us all different. I encourage you to read Psalms 139!
A few things I have learned and still apply to my lifestyle….
1. Don’t skip breakfast and if you can eat most of your calories in the morning. That is if you can!
2. Peanut Butter is good for you, in moderation of course. Try it on your toast in the morning and you will see it increase your energy!
3. What you drink can make you gain weight. Water is an amazing solution and it helps you keep a clear mind! Juices can actually make you gain weight as well as diet drinks!
4. Salads are great for you! Make sure you watch what you put on them. Try dipping your lettuce in your dressing instead of pouring it on your salads.
Being strict at the beginning of getting healthy pays off! That means leaving the starches, fried foods, heavy sauces, including butter, at the beginning of your journey. In doing this at the beginning will make you realize later on that you really don’t need or want them anymore.
When you have the foods you gave up you will be okay with simply a taste!
Most magazine’s all agree on one particular thing and that is exercising is needed to reach whatever goal you have set before you! Amigas, whether you like to admit it or not exercise is necessary!
My daily exercise routine changes most everyday for now I don’t have a gym membership as I did when I began getting back to being healthy.
When I made the change in lifestyle it allowed me to build up my energy and endurance therefore I have added bicycling to my exercise routine!
This past Saturday my son and I did ten miles!
I have decided to ride my bicycle every other day. My goal now is to eventually ride 10 to 20 miles on those days.
Amigas, I want to leave this encouraging verse with you as you are working on your lifestyle change! “I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, Marvelous are Your works. And that my soul knows very well.”
We have as a family decided to dedicate Saturdays to my husband who is hiking the Appalachian Trail. We will be doing outdoor activities on that day even when it is uncomfortable.
My husband is towards the end of New Hampshire. He will be in Vermont by next Tuesday Lord willing. He has finished all of the highest elevations on the Appalachian Trail! More updates at his web site www.hike4fathers.com
Hasta Luego, amigas!
Thanks for the encouragement.
What a cool way to encourage your husband! Keep up the biking, too! It’s nice to have someone to do it with you
Blessings,
Tammy ~@~
What an encouraging post, thank you.
I am finally back on track with my eating and it feels so good.
Blessings,
Sue
I just came back form vaction and while trying to watch what I ate it was really hard. But thanks for the encoruaging post I am a member of a gym and need to start back up again. I usually do the tredmills since I fine the classes too hared any advice? thanks
blesing in Christ.
marina