Eat to live. Don't live to eat.

Eating to live instead of living to eat can be easier said than done, and can be so true during the holiday's!  I LOVE food!!!  My family does too....in fact we can be eating a meal, and while we are doing so, planning for the next meal:)  Food is fuel for our bodies and that's a good thing.  It helps us to repair, recover, heal and live an active healthy life.  It's when we get out of balance and use food for comfort when it becomes living to eat.  I physically and spiritually have to slow down and remember how I can honor the Lord in the meal I am about to eat.  I have a challenge for you with this week leading into Thanksgiving: Try to slow down and worship God with every bite you take, and make sure God is honored with the amount you eat.  What a great way to give thanks to GOD!!
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
     ~Romans 15:13

Wishing you a WONDERFUL weekend!

Holy Hugs :)

Having a balance!

Life can be crazy enough....and then you throw in the holidays...YIKES! How will it all get done?  I have been guilty with this, but have come to realize when I have a "balance" in what I do, life is less stressful and it becomes a wonderful journey!  My daily devotion is one I shared with my exercise class this morning and I want to share it with you:
"Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding."
       ~Proverbs 23:23
"The commercial countdown began weeks ago, and today advertisements urge: Only forty shopping day until Christmas!" In other words, spend! Buy! Get ready!

Forty days has often been a special period for God's people.  Jesus Himself fasted and prayed in the desert forty days before beginning His ministry.  Although I can't take off to a desert, the coming weeks provide precious opportunity to do some spiritual spending and the Bible gives an interesting shopping list: truth, wisdom, discipline and understanding.

During this hectic season, what I need to seek as doggedly as I search the stores or the Internet for those "perfect gifts" of toys, books and clothing is God's wisdom.  It seems no coincidence that discipline is next on the list.  Too often I've seen a connection between lack of discipline in my life and a shortage of understanding how to love God and the people around me.  This Advent I want to establish a small discipline of taking a few quiet moments each day to think about Jesus, the Wisdom of God, Who is He? Who can He be for me?

Even in this busy time, God wants to come to me in the midst of my everyday life.  Moses was busy going about his daily work, tending sheep, when he came upon an incredible sight: the Angel of the Lord appearing in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush.  Moses' response? I will now turn aside and see this great sight...(Exodus 3:3)

God, a consuming fire, comes as an infant in a virgin's womb!  Forty days isn't enough even to begin to ponder His appearance, but I want to try--to run aside and gaze on Him a bit more each day.
           ~Mary Brown, contributing author Daily Guideposts

ATTITUDE!

As easy as your ABC's!  That's the motto I have with keeping a balance in your lifestyle plan.  A: attitude, B: believing and C: consistency.  It all starts with your ATTITUDE!!  Have you ever woke up and had so much to get done in a little amount of time, the weather was gloomy and nothing seemed to be going your way?  How did you handle it????  Honestly, there have been days like that for me and I just want to crawl back into bed or dive into a bag of chips or ice cream! :) LOL  The problem is if I give into this, my attitude doesn't change for the better....I actually feel more guilty.  What helps me is to stop and ask God for help and strength during these tougher times.  It gives me a sense of calmness and feeling of me being in control and not the food or stress.  As stated in the Life Application Bible: God's love must so permeate our motives that all we do will be for his glory.  Keep this as a guiding principle by asking, "Is this action glorifying God?" or "How can I honor God through this action?"  Start your day and everyday with the right ATTITUDE and enjoy the blessings that will follow!

Holy Hugs!!

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
        ~1 Corinthians 10:31

Daily Accountability

Following a "diet" is not easy!  I can't tell you how many times or how many different "types of diets" I have tried over the years: low carb, no carb, low sugar, sugar busters, all veggie, cabbage soup, Atkins, South Beach....you name it, I've probably tried it:)  The good part is that you can learn from my trial and error times.  Although many of these may show results, they are rarely results that last a lifetime. That's because it isn't living a lifestyle.  What I have found is you need a balance, and find that balance that works for you.  A crucial part to this balance is having someone else with you for support.  It is been studied that teamwork is critical in overcoming gluttony and laziness.  Find that accountability partner; a spouse, relative, friend or hire someone to help you follow through with being accountable!    YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Holy Hugs
~Deb

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.  For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.  But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up."
       ~Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

The Power of Positive Words

Have you ever noticed when you tell yourself or someone else a "positive" word/words how it can put a smile on your or their face?  I have always felt the saying; "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will not hurt me".....isn't TRUE!  Words have powerful feeling and emotions that go with them. 

Through my years of training myself and others, these positive words make a difference in how we all approach our training and eating habits.  I know for myself, when I'm feeling down, I have turned to food for my comfort.  What I have found is that it doesn't solve any problems, but in fact may make the situation worse because I feel guilty!  What has been a HUGE factor now in my life is turning to Christ and his word.  Here are a couple scriptures that speak volumes to how our words of setting the tone for His help and guidance through our souls:

"Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name."
              ~Jeremiah 15:16

"I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread."
              ~Job 23:12


Wishing you a Blessed day!!

Omaha Morning Blend

This morning I was on a local TV show called the Morning Blend.  I went on with Nic Luhrs from Complete Nutrition and talked about risks and prevention of breast cancer.  My Grandmother is 93 years old and is a 50+year survivor!!  Now that's something to celebrate!! WOOHOO.

When I was doing some research from the American Cancer Society, I found some great news that since 1998, the death rate of women diagnosed with breast cancer has dropped 2% every year.....and in the United States, we have over 2.5 million survivors!

I gave 3 ways to help lower your risk:

1. Consumption of alcohol: an occasional drink doesn't really increase your risk, but 2-5+ daily can increase your risk 1 1/2 times compared to those who do not drink.
2. Overweight or Obese: fat cells produce a small amount of estrogen prior to menopause, after menopause that amount increases dramatically....so the more fat tissue on your body, the higher rate your body can produce estrogen in those fat cell which can increase cancer risk.  Eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables and lean protein sources is the best.
3. Physical activity: you can lower your risk by 18% if you have 1-2 1/2 hrs a week of moderate activity (brisk walk).

Here's to MORE SURVIVORS and MORE BIRTHDAYS!!

Holy Hugs :)

~Deb

21 days to make a habit

I know it is easier said than done.....but sticking to a plan for 21 days will make a habit towards your new lifestyle!!!  I encourage my clients to write down their goals, track them and have an accountability partner. 
Anyone up for the challenge?  Tomorrow is the 21st.....let's figure a goal for your mind (faith), body (fitness) and eating plan (food).  Here is my plan: Give thanks with no complaining, do 100 bicycle abs/day, drink 1 1/2 gallons of water/day.We will keep each other accountable and make it 21 days.  WOOHOO!!!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!
 ~ Deb Gray

Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad. ~Proverbs 12:25