Water…water…water…

GOD made our bodies wonderful.  Did you know that your body is made up of water and that the large percentage of water is in your muscles?  Did you know that you should drink 8 cups or 64 ounces of water a day?  Also, for every 25 pounds above your body weight, you should drink an additional cup.  Did you also know that a human adult can survive weeks without food but only a few days without water?  If you have heart problems or kidney failure, this condition will lesson if water intake is at the desired level.  If your body does not get enough water, your body attempts to hang on to as much water as possible to survive.  Your body generally loses 2-1/2 quarts of water a day.  If you exercise, you need to drink more water.

Want beautiful skin and minimize “sagging skin”?  Drink water.  Want to minimize digestive issues and constipation?  Drink water.  Even if you do not feel thirsty, you are.  As you get older, your “mechanism” for thirst becomes faulty so you should drink water even if there is no signal.  When you start feeling thirsty, you are already dehydrated.

Contrary to belief, water can help you lose weight.  When you start drinking the correct amount of water, your body is satisfied and will start releasing fluids it has been storing from deprivation and will start dropping pounds.  Your body metabolizes the fat and other waste materials easily and so the more water, the more fat and toxins it removes.  So, if you want to lose 50 pounds, then you should be drinking 10 cups of water (80 ounces) each day.  (You are only challenged to drink 3 glasses right now...do you see where we are going but it takes discipline).  Also, when you increase your water intake, you increase your energy level.  Caffeinated beverages decrease your energy so limit your intake of them and for each caffeinated beverage you have, you should have a glass of water. 

Now that you know more about water for your body, don’t you want a drink?  Drink up!  I will have a glass of water on the rocks with a twist of lemon...

Athena 

You have a goal.

We are going to focus on a goal – to obey GOD.  You made a commitment and now you need to set your goal and make a plan.  God will direct your steps and put people in place to make it happen.  Success is intentional.

Steps to reach goals:

1.       A clear picture

2.       Have an excitement or passion about goal (desire, what can you do to make it toward goal)

3.       Confidence, not ego (know what you are going to do, based on past experience and relationship to God.   When confident, will throw all energy into it.  No doubts, you can do anything God requires you (and He will equip you).  Visualize what God says he will do in life.

4.       Course of action (steps to get you there, realize that it will take time)

5.       Calendar of events, set timelines, dates, plan.  When put date, mind begins to evaluate, front and center of conscience and subconscious in action.   We can’t afford to waste time, need to work at it.  Dates prevent discouragement.

6.       Cooperation – the wise find people who can help you achieve goals

7.       Consistence – fix purpose

8.       Controlled emotions – You are a child of God.  If listen to negative people, they will steal dreams.  Help others reach their goals also.

9.       Courage to act – fear is a paralyzing, take steps to reach goal.  Read God’s word and learn how to help others.

10.   Conscience – dependence on God

God’s word gives courage, faith and trust:

·         Becomes compass and direction

·         Recall God’s past experience and help and goodness

·         Observe courage of others and outcome.  If obey God, what will happen?

Where there is a goal, there is a step.  Don’t let life fly by – God has best for you.  God does what is best for us, well trained that find self with God.

Journal:  Write down three goals you would like to accomplish in 3 months.  Remember, they must be obtainable and measureable.  Now, write down three goals you would like to accomplish in 6 months, 9 months and a year. 

Keep up your morning stretches and drinking water.

You are beautiful,

Athena

Whew, this is difficult especially since I am working on the manual at the same time.  The manual has projects, activities and journal entries so it is a little more involved than I thought.  When you were born, GOD knew you.  He knew who you were and your life plan.  On your birth, you were given a name, selected by a person who loved you but directed by GOD.  In this project, you will learn about your name and its significance.  Be proud of you... Here is an example of a project:  Your Name Supplies: Internet or library access, notebook, small poster or legal size paper, writing supplies and coloring instruments Instructions: In your notebook, research your given name on the internet or in the library.  Find the meaning of your  name, its origin and various pronounications in other languages.   If you have a unique name, you  may have to refer to other sources like parents or family members.   Using this information, create a small poster 12"x18" or on legal size paper 8-1/2"x11" with your name.   Decorate it and put it on your wall.  You may frame it if you like. Continue your morning  stretching and drinking your 3 glasses of water. Athena (Greek origin) meaning is “wise”, a girl’s name, goddess of wisdom and war, identified with the Roman goddess Minerva

How is it going?  How is the morning stretching going?  Did you successfully drink your 3 glasses of water?  Did you read your Proverbs 31 verse?  What do you need to work on?

Every morning praise GOD for your life. Praise GOD for your breath.  Praise GOD for your family.  Praise GOD for you.  Focus your life toward the promises of GOD.  Focus your life toward the goodness of GOD. 

I realize that everyone's life is not perfect and everyone has situations but keeping your faith in GOD, you have hope.  If you think about it, everyone has a storm.  Some have a storm approaching, some are in a storm, and some are leaving a storm.  What makes the difference is the how you handle your storm.  Where are your eyes?  Remember, you are not alone.  If you do need help, there are several resources online, through your minister or spiritual leader, and media.  Life is not easy and GOD did not promise us that it would be a piece of cake, but He did promise to be with us.  Give it to GOD and let him worry about it.  I always say, if you can't sleep or fearful, give it to GOD for the night and let him take the night shift (I know he will not mind) so you can sleep.  If you can't sleep, do evening stretches (not exercises) and pray.  No one says you have to be on your knees.  Actually, you should pray continuously and this is just another opportunity. 

I will mention that if you are in a dangerous or fearful situation, please seek help.  GOD does not ask you to be a martyr or live in fear.  GOD loves you and wants you to be free and at peace.  Remember, I mentioned how your health and spiritual life are tied together.  If you are in fear or sad, your are not healthy in all areas.  Please seek help immediately.  You are on a journey and like any journey, there is the unknown but GOD is with you and will direct you.

Continue morning stretching and drinking 3 glasses of water.  FYI, cold water or water with lemon or lime is my favorite and drinking it with a colorful straw is fun.  If still having trouble, get a pitcher and keep it in your refrigerator.  When it is gone, you are done.  Another variation, put it in a crystal glass with cherries...

Be at peace,
Athena

Hello!  I think I forgot a step.  This is actually more difficult than I thought as I am unable to put many of the activities and projects.  Since I am working on the manual at the same time, I think I jumped ahead.  Drinking water is correct but drink 3-12oz glasses of water a day (3 bottles).  When you first start adding water to your diet, it is difficult for some especially if it is not incorporated into your diet already.  Challenge yourself everyday to drink 3 glasses of water.  If you are already exercising, great but stretch every morning.  This time will become essential later.  Continue to stretch for 15 minutes every morning. 

Let's focus on something else...Mirror of truth.  When an artist looks at the beauty of the body for a painting, s/he is not looking at the flaws.  The look at the curves and love healthy women with shape and curves because it creates shadows and shapes.  Many of the women who are considered "beautiful" (like Queen Latifa, Jennifer Lopez, Penelope Cruz, any of the Kardashians and Selma Hayack) are not "skinny".  If anything, they have many curves but what makes them most attractive is their confidence.  They know they are not perfect and have flaws, but their confidence and boldness overshadow any character flaws. Right now, you probably have a body but not curves and shape.  You will as you continue focus on yourself and your stretching is part of it.  Designate that time to GOD and your relationship with him.  If it helps, memorize a inspirational verse to say while you are stretching. 

Now, you need to look at yourself spiritually.  Are you a Proverbs 31 woman?  You assignment is to read Proverbs 31.  You can Google it and also get the site Proverbs 31 Woman.  In your journal, read and write down your reflections regarding the chapter.  Do you fit all these characteristics?  What do you need to work on?  

Become a Proverbs 31 woman,
Athena

  

Welcome Journey members!  Yesterday, you were asked to make a list of your goals and 10 things that were important to you.  Look over the 10 items...Did you mention improving your healthy or your spiritual life?  This should have been one of the top ten items.  Remember, when it is important, you strive to complete and it is always on your mind. Just like when you want something like a new pair of shoes, pants or a purse, you can always be thinking about what you want in regards to your health and exercise.  You can exercise all day and every time you eat, you should be listening to your coach.  You know what you need to do and your coach is always telling you, you just need to listen and obey.

Food - You need to drink 3 bottles of water before you drink anything else PER DAY (yes, even before coffee).  If you need to add a little flavor, try a lemon or lime. Remember, nothing else until you have drank your water.

Exercise - Every morning, you are to stretch during your meditation and prayer for 15 minutes.  You can use "GOD, I will be obedient to you today" as a mantra.  If you do not know how, get a DVD, check on the internet (SELF Magazine has several) or attend a class to learn but just do something for 15 minutes.  If you know yoga or pilates, I would suggest this.  If not, you can just run in place, jumping jacks, pushups and situps. Just a note, if you wonder why you are up 30-25 minutes before your usual time, Coach GOD is on duty so get up.  You know He won't let you go back to sleep.

Practice obedience,
Athena

Greetings! In the previous post, you requested forgiveness. I hope you were sincere. You must depend on GOD to give you strength and fortitude to stay on track and work toward your goal of keeping His temple clean. You goal toward spiritual and healthy lifestyle is faith that GOD will help and guide you. Now, your goal will be to serve him faithfully, actively and lovingly. Your sincerity is important. Now, you will need to make a commitment to a year of a healthy lifestyle. In the manual, you will be asked to sign a contract so I will ask the same.

COMMITMENT CONTRACT
I, _________________________, will commit myself to twelve months of service and activities to create a lifestyle worthy of God and myself. I deserve to be healthy, happy and honor God with my life, my body and my mind.

Read aloud and pledge: “Today, I am choosing to be obedient to GOD.” Every morning, repeat this pledge when you awake.

You need to get a notebook (any kind) or keep a binder of notebook paper as your journal. In this journal you will perform various journal entry assignments. You first assignment, copy the contract on the first page, sign and date the page. On the second page, write your name and write down all the goals and make a list of 10 things that are important to you.

As you know, you need to exercise and watch your diet.  As I mentioned, this blog will not have the projects and activities in the manual, but I will mention various activities and projects to complete.  

Until tomorrow,
Athena