How can I slim down my belly, thighs or back end?
People always ask me questions like, “How can I lose my belly fat” “What exercises will make my thighs thinner” The truth is there is no way to lose fat in one certain spot of your body (sorry!!) Body fat appears and disappears from where it wants to.
Does this mean it’s worthless to exercise – absolutely not!!! We need to remember that exercise is about getting our bodies healthier. We need to take the focus off exercising only because we want to look better. Exercise burns calories, increases your metabolism and so much more. In order to lose body fat you need to have your caloric intake less than your caloric output – you need to take in less calories then you burn off.
Exercise burns calories so it will speed the process of losing fat. Exercising vigorously on a specific body part will not have any influence on local fat in that area. You can tone the muscle in that area but it won’t have any effect on the fat.
This is important to know because too often people will focus their exercise efforts on one area which can produce muscle imbalance. Try and exercise your entire body with a mixture of cardio and strength training and eat healthy and you are doing the best you can to get your body to a healthy place!
One of the Healthiest Foods
Black Beans:
Some of you have heard me mention how I like to eat Black Bean Burgers for breakfast. Well, here’s why I love my black beans.
They are high in fiber, loaded with antioxidants, may lower the risk of cancer and heart disease, stabilize blood sugar levels, 1 cup contains 20% of your iron and 30% of your protein needs. Try some on top of your next baked potato or salad, add them to your favorite soup with all that they supply add them everything!
Sometimes I buy the Morning Star Spicy Black Bean Burgers but another way is to make your own. Here’s a simple recipe:
- 1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
- 1/2 onion, cut into wedges
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs or rice
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and lightly oil a baking sheet.
- Put all ingredients except bread crumbs in a food processor and process until mixed together but still slightly chunky
- Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.
- Place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.
Lean on God
I was listening to a song the other day when I was teaching a class. It’s a song I’ve heard many times before. This time some of the words really jumped out at me. The name of the song is “Lean on Me”
Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there’s always tomorrow
Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
I don’t know if the writer of the song was thinking about God but I know the beginning words reminded me that God is the one I need to lean on through all the challenges I face.
Matthew 11: 28 – 30 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
When you are overwhelmed, tired, heavy-hearted, sad, confused, depressed spend some time with God and allow Him to give you rest.
Coincidence??? – I don’t think
When I was writing about how Faithful Workouts began it made me start thinking of all the ways I have felt God’s presence. Here is just one.
Right after I received the call from NRB that they wanted to run the program my husband and I had to figure out how we could come up with the funds to produce all the programs. At this same time we were refinancing our home and planning on closing in a few days. I called our mortgage broker and asked if there was any way we could get cash back at closing. He came back and said we could get cash back at closing and gave me a maximum amount we could take. This amount was just what we needed to fund the production of our first round of programs.
I then asked the mortgage broker if the rates were the same as when we first signed up to refinance. He responded that they had actually gone down. I understand the rules of the mortgage world and once you lock in you typically can’t get a lower rate if the rates go down. I asked my broker if he would just check and see if they would allow us to refinance at the lower rate. He said it was very doubtful but I encouraged him to ask.
He returned my call and said he was shocked they allowed us to refinance at the lower rate. When all was said and done because we needed cash to fund the ministry it allowed us to get a lower rate on our loan which saved us money.
So here’s my take on it – In Philippians 4:19 it says, “ And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
There’s a great song by Chris Tomlin called, “On Our Side” and one of the verses says
If God is on our side Who can be against us?
If God is on our side We won’t be afraid
Though the mountains may fall And the sky will crumble
There ain’t nothin’ gonna stand in our way
Remember, if you are taking on a challenge that seems too big for you, when God is on your side you can’t lose!!
How Faithful Workouts Began
Some of you have asked me to tell how Faithful Workouts began. I believe God planned it long ago but I became aware of His plan about a year and a half ago. I guess for me the process began in 2007. My husband started working for a company called Halftime. Halftime’s mission is to help you discover the inspiration, clarity and connections to build a second half of significance. I wanted to learn more about what his new job entailed so I read the book “Halftime”. The book completely energized me to find God’s calling for my life.
The summer of 2007 I began to focus my prayers around what God had planned for my future. I also listened to sermons and talked to others. A year after I began praying for His direction I felt God’s plans for me were in the fitness arena. It’s funny when I think back I really fought the idea that God would use me in this way. I loved teaching classes, felt His presence in the workout room but didn’t realize that this would become my ministry. I was already playing Christian music in my classes and reading a verse or quote during the stretching time but God was encouraging me to take it to the next level.
I started putting together plans to make an exercise DVD. There were definitely times when I would think “you’re 46 your too old to make an exercise video or who are you to make a video” God would reassure me to stay focused on His plan and the rest would fall into place.
I got connected with two people who were in Christian media and they both suggested I go to the NRB Convention (national religious broadcasting). In February of 2009 I arrived at the convention not quite sure why I was there. It seemed everyone at the convention knew each other and I was all alone. I didn’t know where to start. In fact, I remember laughing as I talked to God, “Ok you owe me for this one. This is way out of my comfort zone.” I pressed on and continued to walk around talking to the different Christian networks about my idea for a Christian exercise program.
I left the convention wondering did I hear God wrong was that really where He wanted me to go. I was home about 2 weeks when the NRB network called. She told me she was interested in airing the Faithful Workouts program 5 mornings a week on their network on Direct TV. I hung up the phone and can remember thinking, “Doesn’t she know I’m a nobody” God responded to this, “Don’t you dare say that, you are mine”. I had a sense of peace come over me that this was God’s calling for me.
Since then it’s been an exciting adventure. The program is also playing on Angel 2 network on SkyAngel and Dish Network.
The most exciting thing about this process comes from the emails you send in. When I hear that the program is making a difference in your lives I am so thankful that I chose to pray for God’s direction and that he lead me to Faithful Workouts!!! (promise other blog posts won’t be this long)
Eat what God created
I believe the best thing you can do to keep your weight at a healthy place is to eat foods as close to the way God created them. He created us and He knows what our bodies need. Try to fill your bodies with fruits and vegetables. The recommendation now is that we have 9 servings a day! Try some new vegetables. Getting variety into your diet will help you meet more of your nutritional needs. If you haven’t had kale or fresh beets, give them a go. They are both easy to cook, great tasting and good for you.
Here’s two quick cooking ideas for you: Steam up some kale and mix in some olive oil, salt, and pepper or put it in your next soup. Wrap fresh beets in foil and cook them at 350 degrees for 45 minutes (or until a knife goes easily through them). Peel the beets, dice them and mix in a little olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Enjoy!!
Faithful Workouts Introduction
I’m excited about our new web site and that I have a way to communicate with all of you through this blog. I believe Faithful Workouts is my Ephesians 2:10 (For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.) I am so thankful that God directed me to Faithful Workouts. It’s made a difference in my life. Read more