Baggage Handler

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." --Matthew 6:34

Read: Matthew 6

We sure do like our baggage. Ever notice the reluctancy of airline passengers to part with their carry-ons? My chocolate lab Josey is more likely to give up a fresh t-bone. When it comes to personal property, we growl "mine", no matter how short the flight. Separate us from what's rightfully ours and somehow the sky is falling (even at 30,000 feet).

When you think about it, the purpose of the flight is not the flight, but a safe landing. The pilot doesn't need anything we lug on board to get us where we need to go. (You know where I'm going with this.)

If you're like me, you'd be better off to check some of life's luggage. Worry weighs us down and fear fogs our vision; good thing God doesn't need a co-pilot. In fact, I think I'll take my plastic pilot wings back to my seat. We still have a ways to go.

--Jimmy Peña

Question: Isn't it amazing that the only One who is capable of handling our baggage is the one who navigates our destiny? What carry-ons do you need to leave behind this week? Could be in the area of finances, relationships, and of course, health.

WORKOUT OF THE WEEK: CALVES

One popular bodybuilder once quipped that the only people who train calves are people who already have them. However exaggerated the claim, there is some truth to the fact that calves are an oft-neglected bodypart in our training schedules. While so many are unlikely to skip workouts for their arms, you're not likely to find anyone rearranging their social schedules for calf day. We understand. Calves are a frustrating bodypart to train and even tougher to grow. These muscles are worked exhaustively over the course of a day and can become highly resistant to traditional training (unless you already have calves, that is!). And while there is no one routine to achieve stronger-looking calves, this basic, once-per-week, five-week cycle can provide just the type of challenging stimulus that can set you on the right path.

After these five weeks, you can move your calf training into the gym where machines and additional equipment can provide a new spark for progress. We'll take your before and after pics at [email protected] but you're on your own for finding a reliable masseuse!

Week 1: Standing calf raise No fancy physiology. From a standing position anywhere, simply press up onto the balls of your feet and return your heels to the floor. Repeat this for 5 sets of 20 reps.

Week 2: Standing calf raise Same as week one, only change the pace slightly. "Power" up onto the balls of your feet, hold the contraction for two seconds, and take 2-3 seconds to lower your heels back to the floor. Repeat for 5 sets of 12-15 reps.

Week 3: Single-leg calf raise Repeat your Week 1 protocols, only doing one leg at a time.

Week 4: Single-leg calf raise Repeat your Week 2 protocols, only doing one leg at a time.

Week 5: Single-leg calf raise (on step) Place the ball of one foot on the edge of an elevated surface like a step or the curb. This allows your heel to fall below the level of your toes, placing an additional stretch on the calves. Perform five sets on each leg to failure, or the point at which you can no longer complete reps without bouncing.

--Perform these workouts on "off" days or on your regularly scheduled leg day, after your other exercises. More advanced trainers can try doing these routines twice per week. >> FITNESS: Click here for more workouts, fitness tips and exercise descriptions!

MIRACLE GROW

June 23, 2011Read: Luke 19

"'I tell you,' he replied, 'If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." --Luke 19:40

I know I'm getting older and much more sentimental, because few things in life nowadays are as great as overhearing my wife talking to her plants. Can you relate? Her voice changes in pitch as she compliments and encourages. She apologizes to those not getting enough sun and to those getting too much. Supplying all that love simply brings her pleasure.

I like to think about how sentimental God must be. He cares for us, talks to us, feeds us and protects us. We're alive simply for His pleasure, and He loves to watch us grow. But the cool thing is, we're the part of His creation designed to thank and praise Him in return. And friends, the way we care for our health is one way to do just that. After all, if we find fulfillment when the things we love respond, just imagine God, seeing us do the same.

--J.P.

TIP OF THE DAY: Visualize to Maximize

Monday, our workout of the week targeted your back. But a few of the moves are easy to get wrong if you don't make one simple adjustment.

Pulling exercises are multijoint moves, meaning that movement occurs at more than one joint. In the case of rows, pulldowns and pull-ups, your elbows and shoulders are both working to execute each rep. But the tendency with many back movements is to let your biceps dominate -- flexion at the elbow takes center stage, giving your back a bit of a break and thereby minimizing the effectiveness of the exercise.

One way you can reduce -- not eliminate -- the assistance provided by your biceps is to use your imagination. On movements such as the lat pulldown, imagine you have strings attached to your elbows that pull them straight down toward the ground. This will help you initiate the pull with your elbows instead of your biceps, which will engage your lats harder. The concept is similar with seated rows, only your elbows should pull straight back to start each rep.

By making this simple mental adjustment, you'll be able to get your brain to "speak" more effectively to the muscles in your back during each workout.

Bonus Tip: To work your back muscles even more thoroughly, allow your shoulder blades to spread fully at the "top" of every movement. This will provide a longer stretch on each rep. Then, be sure to squeeze your shoulder blades together for a count at the bottom of each rep. This extends your range of motion on both ends, providing greater stimulus for strength and tone in these hard-to-reach muscles.