{Faith and Fitness}: The "Why" of Working Out

Almost every Tuesday night, like clockwork, I can predict that I will mentally try to talk myself out of getting up the next day to teach my 5:30am cycle class. It doesn't matter that I have taught this class for over 2 years now, or that I love the people that join me every week! No matter how good I feel when I am done teaching each week I still mentally want to call in for a sub every week!!! People ask me "why do you teach that early?" or "how can you possibly workout at that time of the morning?" I would love to say a simple 'because it's easy' or 'I love early mornings', or even 'what... doesn't everyone love waking up before the sun rises to exercise??" 

But I would totally be lying!

The truth is... it isn't easy! And to quote myself and other instructors... "if it were easy, everyone would do it!!!" But that's not the point! The point is, what keeps me going week after week, month after month? WHY do I workout??? 

The answer comes from within and is different for everyone. It's finding your own personal answer to that 'why workout' question that is vital in longevity in health, wellness and exercise. Your answer may be one thing one day and a total different answer the next! As long as you answer honestly and it motivates you to get yourself moving... that's all that matters!!!

Here are some of my why's...

Because I am a huge cranky monster if I don't exercise regularly.

When I teach my classes and see other people motivated or encouraged I know I have made a difference.

Exercise feeds my soul and enhances my overall stability.

I get mental clarity and a mental time out while I am working out.

I workout so that along the way I can feel comfortable and less gulity ordering that cheeseburger or a yummy sonic drink.

Exercise builds my confidence but also challenges my weaknesses.

I have met some of the best girl friends at the gym.

When I workout regularly I don't see food as an obstacle or an evil, I see it as my fuel, a positive force in my life and I chose it wisely.

My list of 'why's' is and should be different than yours. Why I workout, eat healthy or exercise regularly can't and shouldn't be why you or anyone else chooses to do these things. If you struggle with motivation or finding your 'why' to working out try some self reflection before you hit the gym again. Write down what motivates you and refer back to it often. Share your successes and struggles with those close to you... although they shouldn't be your crutch or your total 'why' you exercise, a support system of like-minded friends in fitness is a must!!! 

Exercise is a choice you make daily. Sometimes it's an easy one. Sometimes it's the hardest step you will take all day. 

Do it for yourself and you will never regret it!!!

Galatians 6:9

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

To see the previous posts in the {Faith and Fitness series}, go here.

About the Author: Abbey Lewis started her blog A Moments Peace just one year ago as an outlet to be creative, and to have a place for her boys to look back and see the real her! It has been that, times 100!! Abbey lives in Texas with her husband and two sons. She loves her family, her faith, her friends and she tries to put a positive spin on any thing that God has in store for her! Feel free to stroll through her blog, Sonic drink in hand, because she believes every thing is better when you have a Sonic drink!

{Faith and Fitness}: A Balancing Act

As most anyone trying to coordinate multiple events or tasks at one time knows, it isn't easy to keep your balance and maintain a good pace while managing or multitasking more than one thing. Mothers often times have 101 things going on throughout their day, coordinating meals, tending to and corralling kids, pets, and husbands (yes, I said it... husbands need corralling too), doing laundry, carting kid 1 to this practice and kid 2, 3 or 4 to their respective practices, plays or recitals... the list could go on. Dads hit the ground running too every day juggling work, meetings, picking up kid 1 from practice and meeting up somehow with Mom, kid 2, 3 or 4 to attempt a family dinner, a reasonable bed time and maybe squeeze in a bedtime story if it isn't already close to 10pm. It's all about balancing and preparation... nothing in life can be done, especially done right, if you are spreading yourself too thin. 

Where do you fit time in to give proper attention to your health and wellness?? When do you take a breath to make sure your spirit, mind and body are aligned so that you aren't off balance?? How do you stop the running from here to there and set time aside to make sure you're physically centered? It's a delicate balancing act. Whether you are a single working professional, a stay at home Mom, a working Dad, a 2 parent working family,  or a single Mom/Dad... it doesn't matter, Life is about Balance!!! Being healthy is a 4 part process... to me if any of the 4 are not level, I am not at my best. To me, my 4 steps to balanced wellness are proper nutrition, a focused spirit, maintaining a peaceful mind and a building a strong body.

Pretty much any time you see me, I will have my planner in hand, a water bottle and/or Herbalife product in my bag, my Ipod charged, ready to go and a scripture or daily devotional read, posted or listed somewhere!!! That's how I stay balanced... having all those things in my life keep me centered and allow me to lead a purposeful life. I wasn't always like that though. It took a while to develop my routine, to perfect my balance and learn how to prepare myself to be successful in all of these areas. That doesn't mean I am perfect or that I don't slack or let 1 or more of these areas in my life fall short from time to time. It happens more than not... but the difference in me now from me 3 years ago is that I know I have a choice every day to try and stay balanced. I know, for me, what it takes to lead a purposeful life. I choose my direction. I pick my focus. I give my days and hours meaning... no one else does that for me. No one else determines my balance in life but me. No matter how busy my life gets or how many practices I shuffle kid 1 to and pick kid 2 up from... with preparation and focus I know my days are balanced and filled with grace.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:7

A false balance is a an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.

Proverbs 11:1

How do you maintain balance?? Do you have a plan to give better focus to your days and schedule? How do you center yourself spiritually every day? Share your tips!!! Let me in on your plan and maybe we can all learn from each other...

Always - Abbey

To see the previous posts in the {Faith and Fitness series}, go here.

About the Author: Abbey Lewis started her blog A Moments Peace just one year ago as an outlet to be creative, and to have a place for her boys to look back and see the real her! It has been that, times 100!! Abbey lives in Texas with her husband and two sons. She loves her family, her faith, her friends and she tries to put a positive spin on any thing that God has in store for her! Feel free to stroll through her blog, Sonic drink in hand, because she believes every thing is better when you have a Sonic drink!

{Faith and Fitness}: The First 5 Minutes

As I start out my runs, here is what the first 5 minutes sound like in my head...

Ughhhh... how long am I running again? This stinks. My breath is weird? Why do my legs feel so heavy and out of sorts? My shirt is bugging me and my earphones won't stay in my ears!! How long have I been running?? Only 3 minutes.... ohhh... dang it!! Ok, I can do this! Look up, not down! Stop looking down!! Ooo.. I like this song!  My shorts keep snagging on my thighs,, dang thighs! Why does my shirt ride up?? My breath seems to be easier... aw, this ain't so bad!?! How long have I been running now... 5 minutes! Oh, ok... now I've got this!!!

It never fails.. the first 5 minutes is always the hardest!! I go thru all sorts of emotions in my head. I doubt myself, make deals with myself.. I pretty much self talk myself to death in a short 5 minute span! It's nuts, I know! But it never fails, no matter how many times I go out... 

I hate the start but love the finish.

Isn't that the way it is with most things? Anything we try that is hard, or new, or is something that we anticipate is going to be a challenge? We dread it! We put it off because the start of something new is hard. It pushes us outside our comfort zone, and who likes to be uncomfortable?? Then, past our better judgement, we try it anyways!! Slowly we begin, but quickly realize we hate the beginning part, that part that encompasses all the uneasy, hard stuff... all the stuff we dreaded! We either stop, which makes starting again twice as hard... or we keep going! Life's biggest struggle... start, stop or begin again?? 

Oddly enough, giving ourselves the time, allowing ourselves to have enough patience and perseverance, we'd see it's that push to keep going that leads to the pay off!! The eventual groove you find in your pace. The settling of your breath. The peace within your body that comes with time and longevity!! It may take some people 5 minutes, and some way longer to find their pace! But trust me, the pace and power that comes with staying with something that is a challenging is one of the greatest gift you can give yourself.

Maybe your challenging task isn't running... maybe it's just walking long distances, or speaking in front of a group, or taking that first step to introduce yourself to someone you would like to know better, or just getting up in the morning? Whether it's physical or not, trying something new is hard no matter how you approach it. But if we don't ever push ourselves to change, grow or learn a new task, how will we ever get better? And isn't bettering our one life what we were put on this earth for?? Every day is a new day, a new set of chances for you to do better, try something new, push yourself to limits you didn't know you could reach! And, for me, if I can just get past the first 5 minutes... I know I'll find my stride!

This is my verse for today...

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, 

if we do not give up."

Galatians 6:9

These quotes pushed me today...

Push past your first 5 minutes, no matter how long they are!!

Always - Abbey

Check out more of my blogs at Mansfield Magazine.

To see the previous posts in the {Faith and Fitness series}, go here.

About the Author: Abbey Lewis started her blog A Moments Peace just one year ago as an outlet to be creative, and to have a place for her boys to look back and see the real her! It has been that, times 100!! Abbey lives in Texas with her husband and two sons. She loves her family, her faith, her friends and she tries to put a positive spin on any thing that God has in store for her! Feel free to stroll through her blog, Sonic drink in hand, because she believes every thing is better when you have a Sonic drink!

{Hope for the Home} Linky Party: Love One Another Family Focus

Last year I decided to add a little extra 'umph' to our fam's Valentine's Day celebration. I wanted the day to be about our love for one another and not just about candy, presents and flowers... even tho those things are pretty fun to get and give!!! So, I set out and 'puked' Valentine's decor all over the house and set up a themed table in our kitchen that would get us all thinking about what we truly meant by saying... I love you!! (See past post here). This year I wanted to keep the tradition going and add to it!! About 3 months ago I signed up for a monthly mailer from Jones Design Company that sends out printables, note cards, and scripture cards that are themed for each month!! I have loved the materials so far and they have really helped me to add that extra bit of meaning I was looking for to our family's holiday traditions. Here is what I am going with this year....

Team Lewis' theme for Vday 2013: Love is...

I want our boys and my hubs/I to really see what Love is in our lives. It's easy to think and rely on the fact that Love is a given, but sometimes Love can be taken for granted, not shown enough, or basically be put aside out of selfish tendencies! I am so excited to see how this theme will go over with our boys... I am sure we will learn a lot, laugh and realize some of our definitions of what 'Love is' are vastly different at Casa de Lewis!!!

This week our kitchen table scripture card reads this...

John 13:34

Love One Another...

Such a simple command... No? Ha.... You would think??? Sometimes when I read this verse I can picture God throwing his hands up saying... 'Come on people... It's not that HARD!!!' :))) For me, this verse hasn't always been prevalent in my actions nor in my heart. I would put myself first, think selfishly of my wants before anyone else's and I definitely didn't think it was necessary to Love at all times. It's simple though... Loving is easy when you chose to do just that, LOVE! Love through the ups, the downs, the times when all you want to do is walk away. Be Love, show Love, and give Love first before you give anything else... especially before you give your opinion!!! Ha... try that for a day or so, before you judge or speculate or throw your own opinion out there... simply just give love and acceptance!! I bet you will cut the negativity in half by mid day!!! I am not perfect at this, Lord knows I still struggle at loving, but isn't that what it's all about? Trying each day to love more, to give more of yourself so that the world that surrounds you is a better more loving place??? Give it a go.... We are!!! 

From our Team to Yours... Love One Another.

Always - Abbey

Go here for more ways to make God apart of your everyday life and home, and be sure to link up your own ideas below!

About the Author: Abbey Lewis started her blog A Moments Peace just one year ago as an outlet to be creative, and to have a place for her boys to look back and see the real her! It has been that, times 100!! Abbey lives in Texas with her husband and two sons. She loves her family, her faith, her friends and she tries to put a positive spin on any thing that God has in store for her! Feel free to stroll through her blog, Sonic drink in hand, because she believes every thing is better when you have a Sonic drink!

{Faith and Fitness}: Slow Build...

Moving forward into another year I am filled with hope and determination... a kind of hope that I don't remember having before? I can remember years past when I wasn't so positive and I had no motivation. I didn't look forward. I didn't anxiously await what was coming my way and I totally looked back with regret... in fact, all I did was look back! I'll admit it, I have a tendency to take on too much and in doing so, I set myself up for disappointment and ultimately failure a lot of the time. Believe me, when I take on too much, I have the best intentions!! I love new experiences, adore meeting new people, and I rarely shy away from challenges... all good things, right?!!? Well... In my case, not so much!!! Ha!! In wanting to do 'it all', I often times (to my demise) begin 'it all' at the same time! It's just how my mind works... I'm a big picture kinda girl, a cart before the horse person, and definitely a leap before I look human being! So, inevitably, I'm sure you have guessed... I also get frustrated when 'it all' doesn't come together like I had hoped or go smoothly like I had planned it to in my head.

Thinking back, I can see so many times that, after taking on too much and setting myself up for disappointment, I pulled away from and denied myself something that I truly wanted. I did so because I just couldn't do it right or I thought I had given my all but in reality my 'all' was all wrong. Take teaching aerobics for instance... I waited and wished hundreds of times that I could be that girl up front leading a kick butt cardio class!! I thought why couldn't I do that?!? But when I finally gave it a go, I really wasn't all that kick butt... I was more like a scattered butt, and the only butt I kicked was my own!! I didn't plan out how I would teach my class. I didn't practice enough before getting up in front of all those (5) people!! So after I had my first try and came out of the gate with a pretty lame showing... I stopped! I didn't teach again for a long time. I doubted myself and my reasons for thinking I was good enough to instruct. I compared myself to more seasoned instructors. I totally avoided aerobics classes all together!

The same can be said for my first attempt at being a runner... ha... don't ask me what defines 'a runner', but when I started I am sure it did not include me in that definition!!! I hated it at first!!1 I found absolutely no pleasure or pride when it came to running!! It frustrated me to no end and even the thought of attempting it made my dislike of it grow bigger, and I had only given it a go like 3-4 times!!! Keep in mind... I didn't plan how to go about 'becoming a runner', I consulted no training plans to build my endurance. I hadn't a clue that shoes mattered when it came to running. I just wanted to run!!! Period... I wanted to run and run far or I was a failure, a frustrated, flustered failure. I wanted to get out there on my first run and ROCK it... do you know anyone that can just step outside and run?!? I don't. But either way, I couldn't understand why I wasn't successful at running or why I didn't get those 'runner endorphins' everyone bragged on! All I felt was out of breath, short on patience, and defeated!

Long story short... running like anything else in life, done right, can't just be done without building up to it. You have to slowly allow yourself time to build to see progression and improvement. There are so many people who look at the new year with high hopes but seem to give up on themselves by week 4 of February because they didn't really give themselves a foundation to build from or a proper vision paired with a plan to succeed. Getting healthy is a big and long progress, one that easily discourages hundreds of people every day. But I have seen people have huge success if they take it one step, one goal at a time. Don't plan to start a brand new meal plan, a heavy new workout routine, and cut back on the things that bring you joy, in the name of getting healthy, all in one week!!!!! That's a recipe for disaster...

Think about what you want, what you are striving to achieve and break it down into little steps. Start small and build from there once you have seen success. If losing weight is your goal, pick one step at a time, don't begin a rigorous workout regime and a restricted diet at the same time. Attempting to control and limit too many things all at once will just lead to frustration and ultimately a short lived attempt at getting healthy. If running is a goal, don't expect to go out and run 3 miles the first time. Work in intervals of short running distances paired with walking or a slower paced run to start. Pacing yourself, at whatever you are trying, is the key to being successful and seeing improvements for lasting change. Life wasn't given for us to live at a rabbit's pace. We are supposed to savor each challenge, each change, each new journey.

 

When you think about it... God didn't decide to come down to save us without a plan. He didn't send his son in grown man form or as a full made being who knew it all and had all the answers to give right away. He sent a child, a tiny being who had to grow and develop into our savior. Jesus didn't start off being accepted and embraced. He had to work at convincing people that he was sent by God. He had to take small steps each day to improve his strength and stamina to become our savior. He wasn't perfect from the start. He doubted himself and other's doubted him time and time again. But by taking it one day at a time he gave us the grace to be who we are today!

In the end... we all want to do more and be the best we can be. But don't expect to be the best at everything all at once!! Set goals and work toward each step at a pace that is sustainable!!

Isaiah 41:10  

Fear not, for I am with you;  be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you,  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Always - Abbey

For more help and tips on building a successful pace checkout my blog in

Mansfield Magazine

Also check back here every Wednesday for the {Faith and Fitness} series. I will be featured every 4thWednesday of the month.

Here are some fitness training plans that I have used and found success with...

What have you found success with so far?

To see the previous posts in the {Faith and Fitness series}, go here.

About the Author: Abbey Lewis started her blog A Moments Peace just one year ago as an outlet to be creative, and to have a place for her boys to look back and see the real her! It has been that, times 100!! Abbey lives in Texas with her husband and two sons. She loves her family, her faith, her friends and she tries to put a positive spin on any thing that God has in store for her! Feel free to stroll through her blog, Sonic drink in hand, because she believes every thing is better when you have a Sonic drink!

Faith and Fitness: Core Strength

The two words 'core strength' probably hit home with most people. They associate it with working out, staying fit or having a flat six-packed stomach. When you hear those words, core strength, what comes to mind? A mental cringe, an immediate contracting of your belly, or do you just exhale out or give your tummy a little jab for good measure?? No matter what you do, you know it's there, your core... something that is at the base of your whole body, the center of you physically. If you didn't have it you wouldn't be able to do or go or move or stand or sit... basically you would be immobile.

As a fitness instructor, the first thing I do at the start of class is go over how important your core is to you during class. For power, for balance, for longevity and endurance. I am constantly queuing my class participants to engage their core... 'Keep it pulled in, contracted and be aware of it as you get to the point of fatigue in your exercise routine'... I say on repeat! I tell them when you draw strength from your core it can spur a burst in your movement to help you finish your exercise set stronger, it can help you balance longer or push thru a set harder than if you were letting your core hang there, non existent, basically working against you. No matter if I am teaching cycle or an interval class, core strength is key and either makes or breaks you when it comes to improving your over all exercise routine and ability to increase your physical endurance.

Aside from the physical nature of having core strength, for me, there is also an equally important component in having core strength mentally and spiritually. For so many years I lead a life that I thought was based in faith and encompassed a spiritually sound core. I was raised in church, I believed in God, I prayed... but past that, past what was always asked of me growing up, I didn't do much to give strength to my mental and spiritual core. I basically let it hang there... non existent, working against me and I didn't even know it. I didn't know how to draw it in when I needed it most. I had no clue how to contract that mental core, or spiritual muscle when I was feeling weak or tired. Basically my life went way out of balance. I finally had to step back and ask myself some hard questions. Questions that opened my eyes to all that I had been missing. I cringed, I inhaled, and contracted to the fact that I was allowing myself to be immobile in the biggest, most important part of why I was put on this earth. My faith was lacking, I had no core strength mentally or spiritually. I asked myself....

How can you rely on a faith that you don't exercise? 

How can you fall back on a spirituality that you don't strengthen on a daily basis? 

Just like exercising and working out keeps you healthy physically, praying and meditating keeps you healthy spiritually. You can't have a strong core faith with out doing the work that comes with it too... work within yourself, within others, and work with your God! You can't have strong core strength with out doing the work that comes with that either... work in the gym, within your diet, and work with your lifestyle! A lot of times, in the beginning, I would journal to help strengthen my core. Reflection is a big player in mental and spiritual growth for me. Then as time went on I joined bible studies, prayer groups, changed the types of music I listened to, and adjusted who I spent a good portion of my time with. Basically, just reassessed my lifestyle to give it more balance, in hopes that would help gain some endurance where I was sorely lacking! I refocused the center of me, my core, my spirit to make myself more holistically mobile.

Not that I am any expert on spirituality or all things 'fitness'.. I couldn't be farther from that! I just know what works for me! I can't have the balance I need in life without growing in my core relationship with God. I can't have the stability I need to teach or take a Boot Camp class without developing my core strength physically. One doesn't come without the other, balance and stability in life comes with purpose, work and focus... and most of all practice!!! I quit giving up on myself if I didn't get it right the first time. I allowed myself room to grow and change and make mistakes... I accepted balance where I knew I needed it!!!

Here are some of my favorite core strength moves.. for physical and spiritual growth:

You can find strength and motivation in all forms, in many places... but if you don't find it within yourself first, your fighting an uphill battle that doesn't have an end. Draw your core in... Give yourself strength, mentally AND physically!

Always - Abbey

Images are found on Pinterest... follow me there for more Wellness, Fitness and Motivation!!

About the Author: Abbey Lewis started her blog A Moments Peace just one year ago as an outlet to be creative, and to have a place for her boys to look back and see the real her! It has been that, times 100!! Abbey lives in Texas with her husband and two sons. She loves her family, her faith, her friends and she tries to put a positive spin on any thing that God has in store for her! Feel free to stroll through her blog, Sonic drink in hand, because she believes every thing is better when you have a Sonic drink!