Since 2009
THE PRAYFIT DEVOTION
Pick A Food Fight
"And everyone who is striving, has self-control in all things." --1 Corinthians 9:25
Read: 1 Corinthians 9
At PrayFit, we place a great deal of emphasis on healthy eating habits in order that you might live more abundant lives. Of course, we believe that this life is vapor-quick and that no matter how many good foods we eat or bad foods we avoid, our days are numbered. Let's face it, food can't save us.
And many say, "Since life is so quick, why not eat up?" We say "Since life is so brief, why not stay the course?" Think about it: Where does God live? He lives inside of us. Our bodies are His dwelling place. How much respect are we showing if we have a willful disregard for what certain foods -- not to mention what certain amounts of foods -- can do to our bodies? Again, this won't translate into long-lasting change unless you see healthy eating as an act of obedience.
Now, we're not saying we can't enjoy food -- even the cheat kind -- but too many of our friends and siblings, parents and kids are struggling in a battle against food-related illness...A battle we were never meant to fight, and one we're sure to lose unless we:
--push away from the table sooner --shop smarter --teach our kids portion control --put up a fight
Besides, God didn't design us to be at the mercy of food. Let's bless His heart by taking care of ours.
--Jimmy Peña
DANA'S HEALTH FOOD QUIZ
PrayFit nutritional consultant Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, is the best in the business when it comes to helping people develop healthy eating habits. A stickler for education, Dana came up with this simple quiz to gauge just how much you know about the difference between processed foods and fresh foods.
1. Which typically contains the most additives and preservatives?
A. Frozen dinners B. Sugary cereals C. Canned tuna
2. Which is lowest in sodium?
A. Frozen pizza B. Frozen vegetables C. Canned soup
3. Which preservative is typically used to add color to hot dogs and lunch meats?
A. Xanthan Gum B. Sodium Nitrite C. Citric Acid
4. On food packaging, "natural" means...
A. Nothing B. The ingredients meet federal requirements C. The ingredients come from nature
RESULTS
Add up your score based on the following points system: 1. A: 5 points; B: 3 points; C: 1 point 2: A: 3 points; B: 5 points; C: 1 point 3: A: 1 point; B: 5 points: C: 3 points 4: A: 5 points; B: 3 points; C: 1 point
Your Score:
15-20 Points: All About Fresh You know better than to mess with frozen pizzas and breakfast sandwiches and instead opt for mostly fresh ingredients and the healthiest of processed foods like frozen veggies, canned tomatoes, dried fruit and whole grain crackers.
10-14 Points: On the Fresh Track While you may not always be making it to farmers’ market or produce aisle, your diet has a healthy balance of fresh and packaged foods.
4-9 Points: Packing in the Preservatives A quick lesson in fresh foods 101 would do you some good. Pay closer attention to those labels and tally up the sodium count, are you getting way more than you need?
Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition.
For Heaven's Sake
"You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." --1 Corinthians 6:20
Read: 1 Corinthians 6
C.S. Lewis once said, "Aim at Heaven, and you get earth thrown in. Aim at earth, and you get neither." Since we know God looks at the heart, what does that mean in terms of our physical health? Truth is, somewhere between vanity and gluttony lies abundant living. And ironically, the mirror exposes that dual reality; that our reflection doesn't matter for Heaven, but our precious care for it can point others there. Our balanced approach to physical fitness can be an indicator to others of not only our gratitude, but also of how serious we take God's commands.
So, whether you're too focused on what the mirror reveals, or you haven't given it enough thought, it's time to pursue abundant health.
For Heaven's sake, it's time.
--Jimmy Peña
PRAYFIT: A WEEK IN REVIEW FAITH
>> PRICELESS: Take joy in working on something that the Lord gave you...
>> TO THE PRAYFIT FAITHFUL: Building a fitter, more faithful nation, one share at a time
>> A SEA OF OBSTACLES: No matter how you got to the water's edge, it is crossable
FITNESS
>> WORKOUT: Looking for a new challenge? Try this weight-based DVD from the PrayFit team
>> SHARING: Tools to get your friends and family healthier and stronger
>> HEALTH NEWS: How much weight do you have to lose to improve your blood sugar control?
>> COMMITMENT: How small changes can add up to big results
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS: Health as a means of praise. Do you think your church could benefit from this message? Write us today to find out how to bring PrayFit founder Jimmy Pena to your next Sunday service!
STANDING UP STRAIGHT
November 28, 2011 Read: Psalm 84
"No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly." --Psalm 84:11
Isn't it interesting that at the mere mention of the words 'good posture', we automatically pull our shoulders back? (Admit it, you just sat up a little taller in your chair as you read that sentence.) Well, if it helps, I sat up as I wrote it. Many of you don't know, but a little over a year ago, I had spine surgery; a couple of fusions and an artificial disk were all my neck needed. Okay, basically I have a brand new neck. And of the many rehab mandatories, a lifetime of maintaining good posture is at the top of the list. That's why I'm constantly asking my wife to remind me of it.
Good posture. Physically and spiritually. Isn't that the goal each day? Am I eating right? Am I reading my Bible? Am I walking uprightly in my pursuit of abundant living? When it comes to my very small, brief life, there's a lot I think I need, but I want nothing more than a backbone for Christ, while protecting the frame He designed around it.
I just want to stand up straight.
Have a good week everyone. In Jesus' name, we train.
--Jimmy Peña
WORKOUT OF THE WEEK: BACK ISSUES
Speaking of good posture, a strong back can help. Next time you're at your gym, try this workout. It'll help target all the major muscles of your back.
Lat Pulldown: 3 sets x 10-15 The lat pulldown is great as a warm-up as well as the start of your working sets. Do a few light warm-up sets with very light weight before reaching failure at the designated rep range. The lat pulldown targets the upper part of the lats, the wide, wing-shaped muscles that extend from your armpit down to your lower back.
Wide-Grip Seated Row: 3 sets of 8-12 Close-Grip Seated Row: 3 sets x 8-12 The wide-grip seated row will zero-in on your upper lats, while also hitting your middle back (rhomboids, middle traps). When you switch to the narrow grip, you shift the focus to the lower lats.
Pull-Up: 4 sets x To Failure Close-Grip Pull-Up: 4 sets x To Failure Finish your quick yet effective back workout with pull-ups and chin-ups, to failure, four sets each. Do as many wide-grip pull-ups as possible then finish with the underhand chin. Your biceps, which come into play more with this grip, will help you tax every remaining fiber in your back.
--Rest 60-90 seconds between sets and exercises. --Perform this workout once per week, preferably as one of the first in your schedule of workouts. --Do 5-10 minutes of general warm-up work, such as jogging or jumping jacks, in order to increase blood flow and elevate your core temperature. Follow each workout with a few minutes of back stretches to maintain flexibility in these crucial postural muscles.
COMING SOON!: December 6 marks the official release of PrayFit's first DVD, now available for pre-order on Amazon and other retail websites.
FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE
September 6, 2011Read: 1 Corinthians 6
"...you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." --1 Corinthians 6:20
C.S. Lewis once said, "Aim at Heaven, and you get earth thrown in. Aim at earth, and you get neither." This week, our focus is our focus. Since we know God looks at the heart, what does that mean in terms of our physical health? Truth is, somewhere between vanity and gluttony lies abundant living. And ironically, the mirror exposes that dual reality; that our reflection doesn't matter for Heaven, but it can point to it. Our balanced approach to physical fitness can be an indicator to others of not only our gratitude, but also of how serious we take God's commands.
So, whether you're too focused on what the mirror reveals, or you haven't given it enough thought, it's time to pursue abundant health. For Heaven's sake, it's time.
--J.P.
Do you need prayer for physical needs? Let us know in the comments section below so we, and the PrayFit community, can lift you up.
>> READ: To order PrayFit: Your Guide to a Healthy Body and a Stronger Faith in 28 Days, click here.
>> WEAR: To set yourself or a friend up with some cool PrayFit gear, click here.
>> PRAY: To pray with other members of the PrayFit community, click here.
Please also be sure to use our social networking features — Recommend, Tweet, Share and E-Mail — at the top of each page if you see something you like or want to share with others.
LION AND THE LAMB
March 24, 2011Read: Psalm 122
"I was so glad when they said unto me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'" --Psalm 122:1
Today, Team PrayFit begins work on its first line of DVDs with Lionsgate Entertainment. We're so excited, blessed and thankful to have been invited to partner with such an incredible company and to be able to share health as a means of praise in a whole new way.
If you're new to PrayFit or you've been with us from the beginning, we first ask that you would remember us in prayer. Nothing is more important. Secondly, we hope you'll stop here often, and if it's easier for us to come to you via e-mail, please sign up for our PrayFit Daily, your morning dose of delivered faith and fitness. And third, we hope you'll encourage others to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. We love our life's work -- helping you and your family get closer to Jesus and each other, while living abundant, healthy lives; exactly how we were designed to live.
In Jesus' name, we train.
Team PrayFit
>> READ: To order PrayFit: Your Guide to a Healthy Body and a Stronger Faith in 28 Days, click here.
>> WEAR: To set yourself or a friend up with some cool PrayFit gear, click here.
>> PRAY: To pray with other members of the PrayFit community, click here.
Please also be sure to use our social networking features -- Recommend, Tweet, Share and E-Mail -- at the top of each page if you see something you like or want to share with others.
HOPE FOR HEALTH
July 6, 2011Read: 3 John 1
"I hope all is well with you, and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit." --3 John 1:2
If you missed it like I did, read the verse again. Yep, that's it. In one verse, God has woven permission for a healthy concern of the body. Never at the expense of what's most important, but when was the last time you and I hoped the same for someone? Oh, we often ask how the kids are, how the job is going, and the progress of one's golf game -- but what about their health? Not the casual, "So how you been" or "How you doin?," but rather a real longing to see your friends and family as healthy on the outside as they are on the inside.
Truth is, we may be as timid to ask as we are to be asked. But either way, it's okay. Because we have both permission and an obligation to hope for health.
--J.P.
PERMISSION, OBLIGATION
Sometimes we as believers hide behind the truth that "God looks upon the heart" when it comes to our physical self. But not caring for the body, or disregarding our health because it won't last, is in fact a "heart problem." Do you believe that somewhere between vanity and gluttony lies healthy, abundant living? And whenever possible, should believers be the example of that middle ground? Leave us your comments below.
>> HEALTHY READING: If you're looking to get fitter as you progress in your faith, the suggested reading is just a click away. "PrayFit: Your Guide to a Healthy Body and a Stronger Faith in 28 Days," one of the hottest selling healthy living books on the shelf today, has been endorsed by actor/producer Tyler Perry, actor LL Cool J, TV host Mario Lopez, 2010 American League MVP Josh Hamilton, five-time NFL Pro Bowler Curtis Martin, actress Rachel Cannon and two-time boxing champ Robert Guerrero. This total-person book contains two, 28-day programs, each complete with daily inspiration, progressive, at-home workout programs (no equipment required) and complete meal plans to tie it all together. Find out what all the buzz is about -- get yours today at your local bookstore or by going to Amazon!