SQUARE 1 : Self Control

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:13

At the closing of this week's MACfit session, we suggested to journal this week about areas in our lives where we could use some more, or begin to establish, self control.  As with many things in life, fitness and health have a WHOLE LOT to do with self control. 

Haven't you heard that fruit is good for your health? This week, let's take a look at where we are lacking some of that blessed fruit of the spirit! (Galatians 5:22-23)

It could be that you are an over-eater (guilty!). Maybe you have lazy tendencies and can't seem to "find the time" to get active, or maybe bad food choices have too much control over you.  Can't drive past a DQ without wanting a blizzard? Join the club.  But self control steps in and says - not today, you have a goal in mind to feel better and be healthy, girl! (Believe me - that doesn't mean ice cream is gone for good!  Didn't want to scare anybody off with that analogy.)

Lack of self control can also show up in how we mentally view ourselves, in relation to our "image." We can either become to focused on how we look, or we can find ourselves finding improvement in our exterior as our sole motivation.

Self control means "the ability to exercise restraint or control over one's feelings, emotions, reactions, etc." according to the collins english dictionary. However, many of us don't yet have the ability to do just that.  And that's okay!   I encourage you this week to journal the exact moments when you wish you had said "NO to the CHOCOLATE CAKE!" or when you head to bed wishing you had worked out earlier in the day. And in the same manner, journal how good you feel when you chose to work out and get your blood pumping instead! I read a quote recently that went like this:

"Man, I really regret that workout."

-said by, NO ONE EVER.

Exactly.

Next week we are going to find ways as a group to help us overcome those poor choices, with God's help.  In fact, I no longer even consider it "self control"... it's straight up GOD control with me.  I consistently pray for God's help in my decision making, for conviction to make the changes, and for His power to infuse my will... Lord knows I can't do it on my own.

 I encourage you this week to look for areas where your SELF needs more control, and lets give those up to God together!

MACfit MOVES and MOTIVATION for the week!

MAC FIT GIRLS: Remember to get moving 3 days this week! The weather is FANTASTIC today, great for walking! and the 3 muscle moves of the week are:

1.) Tricep Pushups off the kitchen counter
2.) Slow squats
3.) pelvic tilts or perfect sit ups! (choose the pelvic tilts if any neck injury - same focus without the neck stress)

KEYS to remember - Keep your elbows in on the tricep pushups. Hold the counter on the squats - with your weight back into your heels, not over your toes. and on the perfect sit ups, lift your head towards the ceiling while lifting your pelvis and pulling your belly button into your spine. On the pelvic tilts only, focus on squeezing butt cheeks during lift!

Do each exercise 10 times, for 3 sets. (3x10) Do take a day off in between for muscle rest and recoop.

1.)    

                 
     2.)


3.)

Water: A Health Super Hero

Want a super-easy health tip that requires little effort and even less money? Drink your water ladies! I know, I know. We've all heard it before: at least eight glasses of water a day. Sometimes it's hard to fit that all in! But there are so many benefits to staying hydrated that it's worth the extra trips to the bathroom. The information below was compiled from Mayo Clinic resources and Everyday Health.

1. Water carries nutrients and oxygen to our bodies' cells.
2. Water helps dissolve nutrients and minerals to make them usable and easier to absorb.
3. Water lightens the load for the liver and kidneys and helps flush out waste products.
4. And, along those lines, water helps prevent constipation.
5. Water protects body organs and tissues.
6. Water lubricates our joints. And after Kacey's great workouts, we want to keep those joints moving freely, right?
7. Water moistens tissues in our bodies like those in the mouth, nose and eyes.
8. Water helps regulate body temperature. Huh, kind of like a car's radiator!
9. Water helps your body with digestion and metabolization. I think I just made up that word. But you know what I mean.

Great info, right? That's just a short list of how staying hydrated with plain ol' H2O can benefit your health. A simple internet search with bring up many more websites with related info. So break out those water bottles! Keep one in the car. My husband likes to freeze them - they serve double duty as an ice pack in his lunch and his lunch time beverage.

Glug, glug!

Pineapple Tip

Here's a tip you may be able to use.  I love to eat fresh pineapple.  But because there's just the two of us, we have trouble getting it all eaten before it goes bad.  So after I cut it all up into spears or chunks, I bag it into a big gallon size freezer bag and lay it out flat in the freezer.  That way I can break it apart later and use a little or alot depending on what my need is.  It tastes GREAT out of the freezer! Sometimes I take out just a few chunks and cut them up as a topping for Hawaiian pizzas, and sometimes I grab a cupful or so for a fresh fruit salad.  So easy!
~Becky

The First Post

How fun it is to present you with our very own MAC Fit blog!  Please use this blog as a means to interact with your fellow "Fitters" as well as a tool of outreach to invite friends to MAC Fit.

Kacey, our fitness instructor, will post fitness tips on our blog from time to time and also keep us challenged with "homework" through the week.  If you have questions for her, this is a good place to ask.  Just click on "Comments" and enter your question(s).

Becky and others involved in facilitating spiritual fitness will post encouragement, scripture verses, and challenges from time to time in order to motivate you spiritually.

Ladies, this is your blog.  Let us know what you'd like in the blog that would assist you in your journey to physical, mental, and spiritual fitness.  We're always open for feedback.