Tips for a Healthy Lifestyle

Are you ready to make a change? Let's do it! Stop putting yourself on the back burner. Your health is important, so make it a priority. It will take a commitment from you but with motivation, encouragement and results it will be easy to continue!

We don't have to strive or try to have discipline to do this. It's already in you! 1st John 4:17 says "...As He is, so are you in this world". This means as Jesus is so are we today in this world! How exciting is that?! Do you think Jesus strives? No. Was He discipline and strong when he was here on earth? Yes he was! He spent 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by satan. I would say he was pretty discipline.

When the Pharisees came looking for him to arrest him, Jesus stepped forward and said "I AM". Today He is YOUR I AM! He is your strength, discipline, motivation, momentum, desire and more to be healthy. Don't burden yourself with striving to be healthier. Know you already have what it takes because of Jesus and he is what ever you need him to be! That is exciting and will change your life when you realize this is how he works in you.

I encourage you to start each day thanking him for being your "I AM" in your new start to a healthier lifestyle and for the Grace that He GAVE us.

Below are some tips for healthy changes in your life!

Change Your Thinking

This can sometimes be the hardest but realizing who you already are you have the power to change your future.

Clean Out: Get rid of all the junk in the house! I've already thrown out all the goodies laying around from Christmas at my house.

Emotions: Recognize how your emotions affect your health. Surround yourself with encouraging friends and family that will lift you up and eliminate the negative words you speak over yourself. Positive thinking will help you reach your goals.

Better Choices

Fill your kitchen with good choices. Get rid of all the junk food so it's not there to tempt you. Keep fresh fruits and veggies stocked. Load up on fresh greens and veggies with dinner. Stick with whole grains and complex carbs. Keep each meal balanced with lean proteins, whole grains, fat and fiber.

Be sure to have healthy snacks to grab when you're on the go like almonds, greek yogurt, carrots, celery and all natural nut butter, protein balls or fruit.

Set Attainable Goals

Write down your goals. It's best to have short-term and long-term goals. Set realistic goals so you can see results. Whether you are starting a completely new daily regimen, adding in more challenging exercises each week or cooking healthier meals for you and your family writing these things down and seeing results will keep you motivated.

Have a reward waiting for you! After each goal is met allow yourself to do a little something special that is encouraging to you. Buy a new outfit for the gym or for a night out. A massage is a great reward and good for the muscles as well. Get a facial, manicure, pedicure or something that can remind you that you reached your goal and now you're celebrating. Try to stay away from rewarding yourself with food.

Friends who Encourage

Let your friends and family know the changes you have decided to take. Share with them your new exercise routines and eating habits. You'll find that you will be encouraged from people all around you and don't be surprised if you encourage and motivate someone to join you!

Have a few close friends you can call on when you're having a rough day so they can encourage you. Thank God for his strength in you on the days you are strong and for his grace on the days you mess up. Celebrate with your friends when you reach a goal.

Get Started

It's time to start exercising! We make appointments for everything else in our busy lives so put it on the calendar and don't cancel! Start with an attainable goal. If you say you are going to workout 7 days and fail you will be more likely to quit before you can even get started. Start with 2 or 3 days and when you have conquered that, you will feel good that you have already reached a goal. You will also physically feel better and be motivated to continue.

Try different things. It may take some time to figure out what you enjoy. Take a spin class or a kickboxing class. Get a trainer to help you get started and learn more about lifting weights the correct way. Go for a walk/run on a pretty day. Challenge yourself! My personal favorite type of workout is HIIT or circuit training. You burn a ton of calories and it boosts your metabolism to continue to burn throughout the day as well as increasing your cardiovascular system.

Stick with it and know you can do it!

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20