21 Days To A New and Improved You - Day 6

Therefore, get your minds ready for action,

being self-disciplined, and set your hope completely

on the grace to be brought to you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

----------------------

1 Peter 1:13

FOCUS FOR TODAY

When it comes to food, fitness, or faith, 

the best moment to begin major

improvements is the 

present moment.

If you are determined to improve the state of your physical, spiritual, or emotional health, the best time to begin is NOW. But if you are like most people, you will be tempted to put things off until tomorrow, or the next day, or the next.

The habit of putting things off until the last minute, and it's first cousin, the habit of making excuses for work that was never done, can be detrimental to your life, to your character, and to your health. Are you in the habit of doing what needs to be done when t needs to be done, or are you a dues-paying member of the Procrastinator's Club?  If you are a person who has already acquired the habit of doing things sooner then later, congratulations! But if you find yourself putting off all those unpleasant tasks until later (or never), it's time to think about the consequences of your behavior, even if you display a little of both tendencies! (like me!)

One way you can learn to defeat procrastination is by paying less attention on the sacrifices you are making today and more attention to the rewards you will receive tomorrow.

So, if you are trying to improve your fitness, or any other aspect of your life, don't spend endless hours fretting over your fate. Simply seek God's counsel and get busy. When you do, you will be richly rewarded because of your willingness to act.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

NOW IS THE TIME

Life is a gift - health must be earned. We earn good health by cultivating healthy habits. This is the right time for you to commit yourself to a more sensible lifestyle. So take a close look at your habits: How you eat, how you exercise, and how you think about your health. The only way that you'll revolutionize your physical health is to revolutionize he habits that make up the fabric of your everyday life.

MORE FROM GOD'S WORD

James 1:22 (New International Version)

 ²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Ecclesiastes 5:4 (New International Version)

 ⁴ When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.

Romans 2:13 (New International Version)

¹³ For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.

Matthew 25:21 (New International Version)

   ²¹ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

1 Corinthians 9:27 (New International Version)

²⁷ No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

MORE THOUGHTS  ABOUT

THE NEED TO TAKE ACTION NOW

We spend our lives dreaming of the future, not realizing that a little of it slips away everyday. 

- Barbara Johnson

Th learn new habits is everything, for it is to reach the substance of life. Life is a tissue of habits. - Henfi Frederic Amiel

Do noble things, do not dream them all day long. - Charles Kingsley

Never fail to do something because you don't feel like it. Sometimes you must have to do it now, and you'll feel like it later. - Marie T. Freeman

Measure the size of the obstacles against the size of God.  - Beth Moore

HOW MANY CALORIES?

Of a thousand American adults who were surveyed in a recent poll, eighty-eight percent were unable to accurately estimate how many calories they should consume each day to maintain their weight.

Consequently, these adults didn't know how many calories they should consume if they wanted to lose weight.

Thankfully, in these day of easy Internet information, it isn't difficult to discover your calories target.

WORKING IT OUT

PROCRASTINATION DOES NOT PAY

Healthy choices are easy to pull off until some future date.  But procrastination, especially concerning matters of persona health, is, at best, foolish and, at worst, dangerous. If you feel the need to improve your physical health, don't wait for New Year's Day; don't even wait until tomorrow. The time to begin living a healthier life is the moment you finish reading this sentence.

START MAKING CHANGES NOW

Warren Wiersbe correctly observed, "A Christian should no more defile his body than a Jew would defile the temple." Unfortunately, too many of us have allowed our temples to fall into disrepair. When it comes to fitness and food, it's easy to fall into bad habits. And it's easy to convince ourselves that we'll start improving our health "some day."

If we are to care for our bodies in the way that God intends, we must establish healthy habits, ad we must establish them sooner rather then later.

Saint Jerome advised. "Begin to be now what you will be hereafter."  You should take his advise seriously, and you should take in NOW! When it comes to your health, it's aways the right time to start establishing the right habits.

STRENGTHENING YOUR FAITH

WHAT GOD WANTS FOR YOU

Since God loves you, and since He wants the very best for you, don't you believe that He also wants you to enjoy a healthy lifestyle? Of course He does.And since a healthy life style is what God wants or you, isn't it what you should want, too?

THE SIMPLE LIFE

Proverbs 15:16 (New International Version)

 ¹⁶ Better a little with the fear of the LORD
   than great wealth with turmoil.

1 John 2:15 (New International Version)

 ¹⁵ Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.

1 Timothy 6:7-8 (New International Version)

⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

1 Peter 1:13 (New International Version)

  ¹³ Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 

 Titus 2:11-12 (New International Version)

 ¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹² It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

NOTES TO YOURSELF

Are your health-related goals clearly defined? Do you have a targeted level of exercise? And do you know how many calories you should be consuming each day based on your age, your health, and your activity level? If so, congratulations. If not, take time to learn how many calories you should be consuming each day. I can help you. Then take a few minutes to write down your health related goals and review these goals often.

I can be reached at www.myphitness.com to help you out with your goals.