Fit Camp: Week 5

Life Changers COGIC

Pastors Gerald & Judy Mandrell

Winter Fit Camp 2014

Week 5: “Planning to Rest”

By Dr. Asha Fields Brewer

Genesis 2:2- And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.

Exodus 34:21- “Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest. In plowing time and in harvest you shall rest.

We are instructed all throughout Scripture that we should take time to rest.  Even God rested. He knew our mortal beings would require a time of rejuvenation and refreshing, so He made an example of Himself to serve as the standard.

However, are you planning to rest, or are you just giving up? Rest should already be a part of your schedule, not something you squeeze in whenever it is convenient.   God demonstrated the example consisting of six days of work and one day of sincere and intentional rest.  Your “six days of work” may be the equivalent of assigning Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to exercise.  Your days of rest may be Tuesday and Thursday. If you are supposed to be at the track on Friday, but you decided to keep driving by, you did not plan to rest, you just gave up.

This concept also extends over into the actual workout itself.  If your schedule dictates you are to do two miles today, and you know two miles is a practical expectation of yourself, but you choose to stop at one mile instead...this is not planning to rest, this is just giving up.

What is the barometer for planned rest versus “quitting” rest? You should never feel guilty for resting.  God created the Universe, stepped back, saw it was good, then He rested.  Rest served as a reward for a good and complete work, not an excuse to just give up.

Challenge this week: When you rest on your “off days” or during physical activity/ exercise, ask yourself, “Am I resting, or am I giving up?”


More from Fit Camp...

• Fueling My Faith
• Holding Your Friends Accountable to the Blessing
• Living Water
• Working Out It Worship

Fit Camp: Week 4

Life Changers COGIC

Pastors Gerald & Judy Mandrell

Winter Fit Camp 2014

Week 4: “Holding Your Friends Accountable to the Blessing”

By Dr. Asha Fields Brewer

James 5:15-16- And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Psalm 133- Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the  Lord  commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

Accountability & Expectations

Changing your health and fitness habits can be a lonely road, or you can choose to get your friends and family involved.  Even if they do not accompany you to the gym or request your famous vegetable lasagna, they can help keep you accountable to the goals you have set forth.

In James 5, we are instructed regarding two key principles of accountability--- confess and pray.  We must first reveal our shortcomings to our friends and loved ones.  This is how they will be sure of what to pray for.  In addition, by telling them our goals, they can help keep us accountable to what we have spoken.  Taking it further, telling them our daily intentions or milestone steps, such as, “I will workout on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays,” “I will trade out a cup of coffee for a cup of water,” “I will only eat dessert on the weekends,” etc., will not only help them keep us accountable to our overall goal, but it will also set their level of expectations for our day-to-day achievements.

In Psalm 133, we are reminded how good it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. What is it to “dwell?” Dwelling is of course to exist, but what do you do when you dwell together?  Do you run? Walk? Swim? Pray? Play? The possibilities are endless.  If you truly want to maintain accountability in your healthy habits, invite your friends to join you.  When you have only yourself to meet, you are more likely to give-in to some lame excuse. However, when someone else is expecting you to show up at the track, or meet them at the smoothie bar, you are less likely to skip, for fear of letting down. The desire to dwell is stronger than the impulse to excuse.

Blessings

Psalm 133 also tells us about the blessings of getting our friends and family involved in our dwelling space. To dwell together is “good,” and it is likened to the oil that ran down Aaron’s beard to his garment.  Aaron was the high priest of the Israelites.  When God met Moses on Mt. Sinai, He gave specific instructions as to the anointing of the priests with oil. The oil was not to touch the skin of any man, yet whatever touched what the oil had anointed would become holy.  By being connected to you, in your “dwelling,” your friends and family get more than motivation to be healthy, they get more than the chance to hold you accountable to your goals and dreams, they get the opportunity to have “life forevermore,” all because you have exposed them to the oil that is in your life.

Your challenge this week: Tell one friend, family member, or co-worker your weekly workout schedule and invite them to join you.


More from Fit Camp...

• Fueling My Faith
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• Planning to Rest
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Mindful Eating

Temple Fit Radio Episode #27: Airdate 2/26/14

“Minding the Temple:

Mindful Eating”

The nutritional concept of mindful eating is to eat consciously.  I like how a New York Times article puts it, “Mindful eating is not a diet, or about giving up anything at all. It’s about experiencing food more intensely…This is the anti-diet.” The goal is to be aware of what you eat, tasting every flavor. Be aware of when you eat, are you really hungry, or just bored?  And to be aware of how you eat, slowing down enough to savor your food.

If this is what mindful eating means for the average person, then mindful eating for a person of faith should mean so much more.  Why? Because I Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” This is the Lord’s command to us to eat mindfully.

Mindful eating for people of faith is first having the mind to eat.  We get so consumed with our daily activities and church duties that we do not pause to take care of the temple. Skipping meals does not glorify God. The cranky spirit, irritability, lack of focus, short-temper, complaining like an Israelite and every other rise of the Flesh that comes with the lack of eating can be tempered simply by having the mind to eat.  If you are not fasting by assignment from God, you should be eating. He has given us food for sustenance.  He knows we are mortal beings that rely on what we eat to energize our cells and our bodies to function. He cannot use your temple if it is out of order.

Mindful eating is having the mind to plan ahead.  It is knowing Bible study is Wednesday night and preparing enough food to have something nutritious to eat beforehand. A hungry mind is a distraction to a hungry spirit. If you walk in there craving anything but the Word, you put yourself at risk of not getting fed.

Mindful eating is allowing your mind to catch up with your stomach.  According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics...

àRead full article as featured in the Tallahassee Democrat...    


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Blogs by Topic

My Favorite Posts!

• Fourteen Fit Tips for 2014
• Fueling My Faith
• The Salt That Lost Its Savour
• Stress Is Good for You (featured in the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper)
• Working Out Is Worship

Latest Updates

• New Radio Series: What is your RESPONSE to your ABILITY...
• Announcement: Dr. Asha co-hosts on Heaven 1410 AM
• New Radio Series: Minding the Temple
• Announcement: Dr. Asha writes for Tallahassee.com
• New Radio Series: Stressing Is Messing with Your Blessing
• Follow @TempleFitRadio on Instagram for tips and motivation on the go!

Drinking Healthy

• Fourteen Fit Tips for 2014
• Living Water
• Water

Eating Healthy

• Foods to combat stress
• Fourteen Fit Tips for 2014
• Fueling My Faith
• Mindful Eating
• Mindless Eating
• Salty Six

Fit Camp

• Fueling My Faith
• Holding Your Friends Accountable to the Blessing
• Living Water
• Planning to Rest
• Working Out Is Worship

Fitness & Exercise

• Fourteen Fit Tips for 2014
• Health by the Number 6
• Resolving Your Resolutions
• Strong, but Not Stable
• Working Out Is Worship

Health Motivation

• Combating Stress: Just Look Up!
• Follow @TempleFitRadio on Instagram for tips and motivation on the go!
• Fourteen Fit Tips for 2014
• Fueling My Faith
• Health by the Numbers: Number 120
• Living Water
• Planning to Rest
• Whatever You Do, Don't Stop Thinking
• Working Out Is Worship

Interviews

• Tirrell Wilkerson, MSW: Six Dimensions of Wellness
• Gerald Mandrell, Pharmacist: Mind Your Meds
• Vince Graham, CPT: The Effects of Stress Can Be Devastating

Presentation Notes

• Dayspring Family Church Women's Ministry Service
• Truth Gatherers Women's Conference

Presentation Videos

• Truth Gatherers Women's Conference

Series
Minding the Temple

• Mind Your Meds
• Minding the Six Dimensions of Wellness
• Mindful Eating
• Mindless Eating

Stressing Is Messing with Your Blessing

• The Effects of Stress Can Be Devastating
• Stress Is Good for You

Health by the Numbers

• Numbers 120 and 80
• Number 120
• Number 6

Temple Fit Radio Episode Recaps 

• Episode 28: Mindless Eating
• Episode 27: Mindful Eating
• Episode 26: You can eat right and exercise and still not be healthy
• Episode 26: Six Dimensions of Wellness
• Episode 25: Mind Your Meds
• Episode 24: Stress Is Good for You
• Episode 23: The Affects of Stress Can Be Devastating
• Episode 22: Health by the Numbers: 120 and 80
• Episode 21: Health by the Numbers: 120
• Episode 20: Health by the Numbers: 6
• Episode 16: Why WAIT to Change Your WEIGHT
• Episode 15: Give God Your Morning
• Episode 9: The Basics of Insurance
• Episode 7: The Salt That Lost Its Savour
• Episode 4: Your Physical Walk Affects Your Spiritual Walk
• Episode 3: Water
• Episode 2: Just Look Up (Includes radio segment sample)

What You Thought You Knew about Health...

• Are you planning to rest, or are you just giving up?...
• It might be better to eat a meal than a snack...
• It takes 20 minutes for your brain to catch up with your stomach...
• Pharmacists don't just count pills and pour liquids...
• Stress is good for you...
• You can eat right and exercise and still not be healthy...
• What do blood pressure numbers mean...
• Why you should take better care of your feet...

Wellness Principles

• Blood pressure numbers
• Fight or Flight
• Lifespan of a red blood cell
• Mindful Eating
• Salty Six
• Six Dimensions of Wellness
• Six Weeks for Tissue Adaptation

You can eat right and exercise and still not be healthy

Temple Fit with Dr. Asha

Radio Interview with Guest Tirrell Wilkerson, MSW

“Minding the Temple Series: Six Dimensions of Wellness"

Episode 26, Airdate 2/19/2014

We are continuing the theme of “Minding the Temple.”  In the latter portion of Matthew 21:12-13 it states, “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers.” One way we are robbing God is by focusing on one or two aspects of health and neglecting the other areas.  

Mr. Tirrell Wilkerson is the Healthy Noles Coordinator/Advisor of the Health Promotion department at Florida State University. He received his Master's degree in Social Work Administration from Florida A&M University and he is a Certified HIV/AIDS Counselor. He attends Jacob Chapel Baptist Church where Rev. O. Jermaine Simmons, Sr is the pastor.

Temple Fit Radio: Mr. Wilkerson, health is not just about food and exercise, correct?  What else goes into our health and wellness?  

Tirrell Wilkerson: There are  six dimensions to health and wellness- Occupational, Physical, Social, Intellectual, Spiritual, and Emotional.

TFR: How does knowing or acknowledging these six dimensions  help us “mind the temple?”

TW: When we think about the temple, we think of a place of worship, fellowship, or dwelling. When we worship, fellowship, or dwell we should always ask for God’s presence to be there with us. The Six Dimensions of Wellness is nothing more than

Continue reading here-->

Mind Your Meds

Tempe Fit Radio Episode 25 Recap with Dr. Asha

“Minding the Temple: Pastor and Pharmacist Gerald Mandrell Guest”

Date Aired 2/12/2014

I am excited about a new series on “Minding the Temple.”  Throughout this series, we will focus on understanding different aspects that impact our physical bodies, so we can be more  intentional about how we mind the temple. Matthew 21:12-13 ESV states, “12 And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons.13 He said to them, ‘It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.’” We do not want to be found guilty of robbing the Lord of all the potential He has placed in our temples, simply because we are not minding the temple and neglecting to treat it with the reverence God intended.

Interview with Pastor Gerald Mandrell

Senior Pastor, Life Changers Church of God in Christ, Tallahassee, FL

Pharmacist, FAMU College of Pharmacy Professor
Florida Department of Health Consultant

Temple Fit Radio: What are the pharmacist's primary duties?

Pastor Gerald Mandrell: It would be easier to share with you what a pharmacist does not just do. Most people think we just count pills and pour liquids.  But that is just a small portion of what we do.  We also evaluate the appropriateness of the therapy your doctor has prescribed,  evaluate medicinal therapies and their interaction with over-the-counter medications, intervene along with other healthcare professionals, and make sure therapies are in compliance with what the doctor asks.

TFR: How does one know if he can mix OTC medications with prescription medication?

GM: This is based on the type of medication you have been prescribed.  You would ask a healthcare professional, such as your doctor or pharmacists.  You can’t just go by the literature of the internet.  I advise people to stay off the internet regarding therapy or disease state, because everything doesn’t apply to you.  The pharmacist will also compare the patient’s history with their prescribed therapy.  This is why it is important to not go... >Click here to continue

New Series: "Minding the Temple"

We're doing some housekeeping this month with a series on "Minding the Temple." Join us Wednesdays at 4pm EST for  "Temple Fit with Dr. Asha,"  which airs on Heaven 1410 AM in Tallahassee, FL.  Not in the area? Listen live online at www.heaven1410.com.  

Check here for a recap of each episode after it airs. 

Fit Camp: Week 3

Life Changers COGIC

Pastors Gerald & Judy Mandrell

Winter Fit Camp 2014

Week 3: “Fueling My Faith”

By Dr. Asha Fields Brewer

John 6:5-14 KJV- Jesus Feeds the Multitude

5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.

7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,

9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.

12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

Consider how you feel when you are hungry.  Many of us get cranky, moody, irritable, restless, distracted, and more. How does this affect our attitude towards others?  How does this affect our ability to function?  Most importantly, how does this affect our testimony?

The boy in the Scripture planned ahead and came prepared. Whether he packed his snack or someone else packed it for him, being prepared qualified him to become an integral part of a miracle.  What miracles are you missing out on simply because you are not prepared?

Hunger can be avoided if we take time to plan ahead. Last week we focused on inventorying our time.  This week, look at the time you spent last week, and select a day where you can plan your meals, grocery shop for your meals, and prepare your meals as well.  Here are some tips to get you started:

*Instead of packing your dinner in one large container, pack it in smaller containers.  This way you can grab individual meals and go, or you know you have a meal ready to just pop in the microwave as soon as you get home.

*Pack your salads for the week. Just put all your salad items in a mason jar without the dressing.  This will keep them from wilting.

*Pack multiple snack packs, and keep them at work and at home.  This will hold you over between meals, between meetings, etc., so you are not as tempted to go through the drive-thru.

*What are some other tips you can think of?

We are a living testimony 24/7.  It would be a shame for one rude comment, one ill-focused day, one snide remark to taint this testimony, simply because we are hungry. We must plan and be  prepared, so we can effectively fuel our faith.

If you are eating out (because you planned to we'll presume :)), here are some tips from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.eatright.org:

Fast food, healthy food

Is there anything healthy at fast food restaurants?

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Not FIT CAMPER?  Well, you should be!  Join us for Winter Fit Camp 2014, hosted by the Life Changers COGIC Health Ministry in Tallahassee, FL. Fit Camp is 3 days per week, and we are meeting 6 weeks for only $12 total. Click here for more information.