My husband rarely checks the downstairs refrigerator. It has become a barren wasteland since the children moved out of the house. But for some unknown reason he opened the door and discovered the Thanksgiving turkey thawing. We have a unique history with our T.Birds and most of it is tragic. He announced “There’s a turkey thawing in the refrigerator?”To which I proudly responded “For once I’m ahead of the game with the Thanksgiving bird!”“Honey that’s really great having the turkey already thawing and everything but I thought Thanksgiving is late this year?” carefully and delicately questioning. “It is, but why do you ask?” He promptly explained how careful you must be with poultry and to not leave the bird thawing in the refrigerator over five days. “How long has it been in there?” he asked. “Well, let’s see… about five days plus a week or so?”
Even with all the planning and preparation, we bought our second turkey for the third year in a row. But all is not lost; it did provide an idea for an excellent article on health tips for the holiday. And once the turkey was re-frozen it turned out to be a challenging exercise partner for some turkey front lunges, turkey sit ups, turkey wall sit and bicep curl before finally, the turkey trash-can throw.
Here are some really simple healthy tips to help you stay engaged during the holidays. Please feel free to pass them along.
1. Before you rise in the morning, thank God for waking you up! Bring your prayers requests before Him (turn worries into prayers) and then ask Him to plan and direct your day. Keep your eyes open and heart available, God is working everywhere! If you say yes to God, get ready for an exciting and busy day.
2. Scoop you belly (navel to the spine). This is an exercise! By engaging your core all of your internal organs will begin to be strengthened. The spine will be supported by a stronger core and the better posture will improve breathing and your mood.
3. A little bit of exercise goes a long way! Even if you have trouble fitting in thirty minutes, try splitting up the time. Walking, cycling, or jumping rope for ten minutes will give you an intense workout. Make sure you are pushing hard for the full ten minutes. Try to fit another ten minutes at work, or when you return home, jogging in place or climbing the stairs. Knee lifts while moving arms overhead and jumping jacks require no equipment and can seriously work up a sweat. Schedule your mini-workouts like a meeting, this really helps. Remember; take care of yourself so you can take care of the work God has for you each day.
4. Breathe! Breathing deeply will help you stay calm. The good news; breathing is an exercise you can do anywhere. Deep abdominal breathing can slow the heartbeat and lower or stabilize blood pressure. Try to find a quiet place and practice deep breathing. But if you are like most of us just work with it. Quiet place or crazy noisy place, just breathe!
5. Rest. Get seven to eight hours of sleep. You can actually lose weight and be in a better mood by getting enough sleep each night. Chronic sleep deprivation may cause weight gain by effecting the way our bodies process and store carbohydrates, and by altering levels of hormones that effect our appetite. Sleep loss may result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate and moodiness. Try to go to bed at the same time each night and for goodness sake, turn off the computer, television and other electronic devices, we are trying to sleep here!
6. Drink water. Carry water with you wherever you go. Re-fill your water bottle all day long. For added health benefits put a slice of lemon in your water. When mixed with hot water lemons will help with nausea, heartburn and parasites. By drinking lemon juice regularly, your stomach is able to filter dirt more efficiently. Did you know that the routine drinking of lemon water can speed up weight loss and drinking lemon juice can cure constipation? Finally, lemon juice mixed with warm water and honey can also help you lose weight.
7. Incorporate the words of Colossians 3:17 The Message into your daily life. “Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the word of Christ-the Message-have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives-words, actions, whatever-be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.”
Lately, I have been experiencing thankfulness from a whole new perspective. Recently I have seen an increase of personal testimonies by my fitness students in my classes and on my Face Book page. Their testimonies have given the glory to God for both their weight loss success, and the total transformation of the spirit, mind and body. I am in awe with how God is using their testimonies to help impact so many other lives. They are living out Isaiah 12:4 which says, “Thank the LORD! Praise his name! Tell the nations what he has done. Let them know how mighty he is!” Because of their faith and willingness, God is using them to share His love to those searching for the truth about whole person wellness and the spirit-mind-body connection.
Thirteen years ago this week God opened the door for my first article in the Messenger-Inquirer. I want to thank the editors and staff of the paper for allowing me the freedom to share my faith, fitness and life stories with the readers. They have been very generous with the stress- free environment to which I write. I look forward to many future years of writing Shaped by Faith articles for our paper. Most of all, thank you for reading and passing the articles along to others. May the Lord himself, who is our source of peace, give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all and Happy Thanksgiving!
Visit Theresa Rowe at https://www.shapedbyfaith.com/, Facebook, twitter account @TheresaLRowe or contact theresa@shapedbyfaith.com.