Just Before the Call
"Simon answered, 'Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." --Luke 5:5
Read: Luke 5
Smelly, dirty, grimy -- these are just a few of the ways to describe Peter and his buddies. After all, they spent their days baiting hooks and cleaning fish. I'm smiling as I picture Jesus 'the Recruiter' walking up to this motley crew. Did He pause and grin, crouching down to watch and listen to them work? Maybe after a few minutes, He looked skyward with a smile as if to say, "I found them."
I'm not sure, but I like to wonder what happened in that moment just before the call. What we do know is that of all the fishermen that came off the water, this bunch caught God's attention. And not long after Christ borrowed Peter's boat, the two were catching fish in water too deep for the nets to reach; Peter's preview to the depths of His love.
Friends, remember. You have God's attention. So as we start our cars this week, open our offices, enter our cubicles or prepare for housework, let's do what Peter did and abandon control. Let's just imagine Him saying with a grin, "I found them," and this is that moment just before the call.
--Jimmy Peña
WORKOUT OF THE WEEK: Abs Alas, the quest for "six-minute abs" continues. While we won't tell you that great abdominals are a six-minute pursuit, we can tell you that it's possible to get a great workout without spending all day in the gym. The following routine is short but intense and can be added to any existing training program, 2-3 times per week. No prescription for sets -- simply perform as many segments of work as it takes to reach the number listed, resting as little as possible, then move on to the next exercise. The key, as ever, is insisting on progression. Each week for 6-8 weeks, add 10 reps to each abdominal exercise (add 10 seconds to the plank).
Double Crunch - 50 Reverse Crunch - 50 Crunch - 50 Plank - 50 seconds
>> For video demonstrations, click here. BONUS TIPS 1 Never train abs before performing weight training. This can reduce core stability, reduce strength and put you at risk for injury. Save abs for after weights, or do them in a single, dedicated session. 2 Follow this routine with a good cardio session to maximize your body's ability to burn fat locally from that area. Studies have shown that higher-rep abs training followed by cardio can lend itself to "spot reducing," which was previously thought to be a myth. 3 Add in two consecutive low-carb days each week. Recent research has shown this to be more effective for burning fat than extended low-carb dieting or not going low-carb at all. 4 Try tapering your carb consumption in the evening. Your body's metabolism slows as the day wears on, making carbs consumed later in the day more likely (although not certain) to be stored as bodyfat. (Note: If you train in the evening, this is not as important.)