Since 2009
THE PRAYFIT DEVOTION
Ripened Fruit
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." --Galatians 5:22
Read: Galatians 5
There aren’t many things that make me as happy and content as perfectly ripened fresh fruit. I love to walk into the market and smell the fresh peaches as I pass, see the bananas yellow to perfection. Perfectly ripened fruit doesn’t just "happen." It is a process that takes time, patience, and growth. There are many factors that come into play when I ultimately choose the perfect Gala apple to put in my basket and take home.
I often wonder if God sees us as His ripened fruit. Sometimes we end up the best of the bunch and other times we are a more banged-up version of ourselves. But, the awesome part is that even when we have bumps and bruises, He still picks us. To Him, we're keepers. We don’t have to be perfectly ripened. We're in His basket and He proudly takes us home.
--Allison Earnst
PrayFit's contributing writer, Allison Earnst, is a fitness expert, motivator, competitor and mother of three. She's been featured in numerous magazines including FitParent, Natural Muscle and Oxygen magazine. She has shared her fitness story on Good Morning America, Extra TV and Lifetime's "The Balancing Act." You can visit her blog by clicking here.
DID YOU KNOW?
High blood sugar can sour your mood. In a recent study, researchers found that people who drink two and a half cans of soda daily are three times more likely to be depressed and anxious than those drinking less pop. What's more, the depressed have a heightened risk for Type II diabetes. The reverse also holds true: Diabetics are twice as likely as others to suffer depression.
Say Something
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations." --Matthew 28:19
Read: Matthew 28
A recent conference call took an interesting turn. See, I was blessed to be the link between my friend (the reason for the call) and a potential group of investors. Compared to the names on the line, I was definitely the little man.
Well, things seemed to be going just fine, but as the meeting was coming to a close, my friend did the unexpected. In his closing remarks to everyone he said, "Jimmy speaks for me." And then he hung up. (Cue the crickets) In one sentence, my role changed. Four little words converted me from little man to middle man. The reason for the call was gone, but I was his voice. Eyes wide, heart pumping. "Say something" I thought to myself. (Cue the life lesson)
Friends, you and I represent the Reason for our call; in how we speak, work, live...and move.
Say something.
--Jimmy Peña
FAST FACT
47 Percentage reduction in symptoms of depression for those who walked 30 minutes, 3-5 times per week.
Source: MedicineNet.com
THE REASON FOR THE CALL
November 2, 2011 Read: Matthew 28
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations." --Matthew 28:19
Yesterday's conference call took an interesting turn. See, I was blessed to be the link between my friend (the reason for the call) and a potential group of investors. Compared to the names on the line, I was definitely the little man.
Well, things seemed to be going just fine, but as the meeting was coming to a close, my friend did the unexpected. In his closing remarks to everyone he said, "Jimmy speaks for me." And then he hung up. (Cue the crickets) In one sentence, my role changed. Four little words converted me from little man to middle man. The reason for the call was gone, but I was his voice. Eyes wide, heart pumping. "Say something" I thought to myself. (Cue the life lesson)
Friends, you and I represent the Reason for our call; in how we speak, work, live...and move...
Say something.
--J.P.
FAST FACT
47 Percentage reduction in symptoms of depression for those who walked 30 minutes, 3-5 times per week.
Source: MedicineNet.com
GRACE FOR IMPACT
August 18, 2011Read: Matthew 18
"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." -- Matthew 18:20
Yesterday, my friend Allison King Earnst -- in just a few words -- wrote a novel's worth of wisdom. She alluded to the fact that God will often plot a course for believers to meet and team-up for the cause of Christ. She called it a "spiritual collision." The expression (appropriately) knocked me back on my heels.
Friends, in the area of health, we need each other. If we're gonna to live abundantly like God intended, we need moms and dads, brothers, sisters, spouses and friends, to help us hit life head on. And when we do, God is more than near, He's here. So let's do more than just meet. Let's collide! With a running start, let's push our faith into the battle. God Himself designed these bodies of ours and the world won't take them without a fight. So...I'll see you in the middle? Remember, it's not the battles we lose that should bother us, it's the ones we don't suit-up for. Thankfully, in the times we break through, and when we ultimately break down, God promises grace for impact.
-JP
DID YOU KNOW? High blood sugar can sour your mood. In a recent study, researchers found that people who drink two and a half cans of soda daily are three times more likely to be depressed and anxious than those drinking less pop. What's more, the depressed have a heightened risk for Type II diabetes. The reverse also holds true: Diabetics are twice as likely as others to suffer depression.
VACANT HEART
January 13, 2011Read: 1 Corinthians 3
"...the spirit of God lives in you." --1 Corinthians 3:16
Image is everything, right? Just ask those who worked at the Ritz-Carlton during the depression. After the crash of 1929, when neighboring store fronts were closed and out-of-business signs were in full view, it was business as usual at the Ritz (or so it seemed). Management asked the few remaining staff to turn on all the guest room and ballroom lights, so it would appear from the streets that the hotel was unaffected by the economic tragedy when, in truth, the heart of the hotel was empty.
Can you relate? I know I can. If you're like me, you sometimes turn on your smile and muster up that charm in order to hide what's really going on inside...or what's not. We don't want anyone to know when we're low on energy, short on answers and slow to joy. No matter what, we're open for business!
But God knows our hearts and loves us despite them. He understands when we feel empty, and filling that vacancy is His specialty.
--J.P.
5-STEP FRIDGE MAKEOVER
Body makeovers start in the kitchen. So for 2011, it’s out with the old and in with the new for your fridge and freezer. We’ve got five things to scratch off your shopping list and five fresher, healthier, and more affordable things to put in their place.
OUT 1. Sugar-sweetened soda 2. Yogurt with artificial sweeteners 3. Imported, out-of-season produce 4. Mayo, soy sauce and ketchup 5. Frozen entrees
IN 1. Sparkling water 2. Nonfat plain Greek yogurt 3. Domestic (or local), seasonal fruits and veggies 4. Hummus, lite soy sauce, salsa 5. Homemade frozen chili, soup or casseroles
Soda You can save 100 calories per serving by swapping out soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages for sparkling water or seltzer. If you typically drink one can per day, the switch can lead to 10 pounds lost in 2011!
Yogurt You’d be shocked how many low-calorie yogurts use artificial sweeteners to keep the calories down. Plain Greek yogurt doesn’t have any added sweeteners (artificial or otherwise) and it’s higher in protein. Sweeten it up yourself with fresh fruit or a drizzle of honey.
Produce Just because you can buy things like blueberries, asparagus and tomatoes in the dead of winter doesn’t mean you should. Buying produce in season and as locally as possible ensures that it’s fresh and nutritious. Eating with the seasons also helps you get in a wide variety of fruits and veggies throughout the year.
Condiments Folks tend to forget that condiments count! They can add gobs of fat and sodium to your day. There’s nothing wrong with a little mayo, regular soy and ketchup on occasion but for daily use get more nutrients. Spread hummus on sandwiches, make stir-fry with 40 percent less sodium, and kick up the flavor of chicken, eggs, or rice dishes for only a few calories with salsa.
Frozen Entrees Take a look at the sodium content on a typical frozen meal – even the lowest-sodium varieties contain over 25 percent of your daily needs. How about real home cooking instead of preservatives? Sure, it takes some extra time to prepare, but the health benefits are a huge reward. It’s undeniably time well spent!
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.
SELF MADE?
November 4, 2010Read: John 19 "Do you not know I have the power to have you crucified?" --John 19:10
You can't pick up a newspaper, click on a website, or in many cases, look in the mirror without seeing someone claiming to be "self-made." Look to any industry, and there's someone who claims they got to the top on their own; the Captain of a solo flight from rags to riches. Well, thinking we've made it to the top of anything alone is not only tough to swallow, it's dangerous to digest. Like someone once said, "A self-made man runs the risk of worshiping their creator."
Pilate took that risk. He raised his resume in the face of Jesus and beat his own chest. "Don't you know?...I have the power? ...To have you crucified? And yet Jesus answered without saying a word. After all, He 1) was all-knowing 2) gave power to the sun and 3) willingly climbed on the cross.
So really, Pilate had no grounds to question, no room to boast and no evidence to presume. And neither do we.
--J.P.
FIGHT THE FOG Reduce your risk of depression with exercise
Everyone knows that a good sweat is good medicine but new research is showing that it may actually combat actual depression. Scientists at King's College (London) found that those who exercise regularly are far less likely to be depressed. They did cite a condition for this finding, however: exercising as a leisure activity, rather than as part of your work day.
Read the full story here: Exercise vs. Depression
DEFINE YOURSELF
August 23, 2010Read: 1 Corinthians 3
"...the spirit of God lives in you." --1 Corinthians 3:16
Image is everything, right? Just ask those who worked at the Ritz-Carlton during the depression. After the crash of 1929, when neighboring store fronts were closed and out-of-business signs were in full view, it was business as usual at the Ritz (or so it seemed). Management asked the few remaining staff to turn on all the guest room and ballroom lights, so it would appear from the streets that the hotel was unaffected by the economic tragedy when, in truth, the heart of the hotel was empty.
Can you relate? I know I can. If you're like me, you sometimes turn on your smile and muster up that charm in order to hide what's really going on inside...or what's not. We don't want anyone to know when we're low on energy, short on answers and slow to joy. No matter what, we're open for business.
But God knows our hearts and loves us despite them. He understands when we feel empty, and filling that vacancy is His specialty. Once He checks in, He never checks out.
>> Do you feel His presence daily? Share your thoughts, experiences and comments below.
--J.P.
PRAYFIT WORKOUT OF THE WEEK: THE GIDEON Make room for this week's holiday feast with this fitness gauntlet
Today and each Monday we'll post a sample workout routine for you to try. On any given week, it could be a run, a resistance workout or a boxing-inspired bout. Whatever it is, we hope you try it and enjoy. Give it your best, log your workout in the forums and encourage others to do the same. You'll need your stopwatch or a nearby clock and a notebook to journal your numbers.
Your workout today is one we like to call, The Gideon. Anyone can try it because it's all relative to your own fitness level.
>> For complete exercise descriptions, click here.
>> New to PrayFit? Click here to learn how to get started.
Exercise Warm Up: Jog in place or use a treadmill for 5 minutes.
Jump squats for 30 seconds | Record total jumps Bodyweight squats for 30 seconds | Record total squats Wall squats for as long as possible | Record total time
>> After reaching failure -- the point at which you can no longer hold this position -- on wall squats, stand and rest for 1-2 minutes. >> Complete the entire workout five times total.
>> NETWORK: Sign in to the PrayFit forum to log your workouts, post questions for the trainer and to see how you're stacking up against friends and family with the Gideon.
>> FRIEND US: If you haven't made the move already, click here to visit our official Facebook page, then click "like" to start receiving updates.