Stretch.
Strengthen.
Cardio.

When I met with trainer lady back in January, that was the sequence that she told me to follow in order to see maximum weight and body fat loss on this healing journey. Her sequence was surprising to me because I had long heard that one should start with cardio. However, since it had been awhile since I was last in the gym and she was licensed and all, I decided to trust her advice and adopt it as my new routine. Since that one training session, I have approached all of my workouts the same way- grabbing a mat to stretch my tired limbs, using the machines to strengthen various parts of my body (one day arms, one day legs, last day total body), and then finishing with some type of cardio (my favorite being the elliptical machine). Prior to my foot surgery, I aimed to go to the gym three times per week, setting my gym schedule 1-2 weeks in advance and locking in the joint calendar with my Love so that we are both aware of our respective gym days (he’s also committed to going to the gym days a week).

In addition to working out, I am committing myself to a low-carb/faux-Keto lifestyle. As a vegan, it is difficult for me to completely give up carbs, as fruits and vegetables are essential to my diet (hence why I call it faux-Keto) but I can cut out the bread, sweets, and unnecessary sugar. I had been going strong for about 10 days before my surgery, but then fell in a Ben & Jerry’s nice cream choke-hold after the surgery. Ok, let’s be honest, the ice cream, fries, pizza, and other sweets all had me in a choke-hold. I said I was vegan, not a healthy eater. LOL! A few months ago I switched to only drinking Alkaline water and yesterday I bought some flavored water enhancer to help me consume more of this expensive water that I keep buying.

Lastly, I am utilizing the resources that are available to me to help me along this journey. Fitbit and WW apps allow me to track the food that I eat, and track the macro-nutrients within them. I am able to track my water intake, my weight, exercise, vitals, and sleeping habits all from apps on my phone. Technology is BEAUTIFUL [when used responsibly] and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work towards improving my health so that I can truly take care of this one vessel that God has loaned me.

At this point you are probably wondering why I mentioned all of this. As humans, many of us go to great lengths to stay on top of our health and well-being. Truthfully, what I mentioned may pale in comparison to what some others do in order to stay in shape. Yet here is my take on this: if we go through all of this for our physical body, what are we willing to do to strengthen our spirit? Spiritual health is just as, if not, more important than our body’s health… if for no other reason than the fact that our soul goes on to glory, while our body gets laid to rest.

Beloved, we must be spiritually fit in order to tackle the opposition that awaits us as children of God. Don’t believe me? Go read Ephesians 6:12-17. Despite all of the battles that we see before us, the real battle in this world exists spiritually.

It’s time for us to get in shape. Fresh & Fit Faith… ACTIVATE!

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As I mentioned in my vlog last week, my church is in a season of fasting as we journey towards Resurrection Sunday. Fasting and Prayer has many benefits, with one of the greatest benefits being that we set aside what our body needs, in order to be filled with what our spirit needs.

That is how we stay fit and in spiritual shape.

During this holy season, my mind is focused on hearing from God because I have A LOT going on, yet I do not feel like I am doing much at all. My body is exhausted, yet my spirit is hungry for so much more. Just like when we eat junk food filling up on calories but not nutrients, my calendar has been filled with so many things that do not feed my soul. My soul is STARVING and I know exactly where I can go to be fed.

Sweet friend, do what you must do to strengthen your outer body because physical health is important… but make sure you also strengthen and feed your spirit.

Ways to strengthen and feed your spirit:

• Fasting AND Prayer
• Setting aside intentional praise and worship time
• Reading and studying the Bible
• Spending quality time with our Abba
• [Insert your favorite here!]

We are in this together.
It is time to truly activate our Fresh & Fit Faith.
Let’s put in this WORK!

Be blessed.