Tag Archives: #training

New Year New You – LOVE YOU!!!!

As 2017 came to a close I realized I needed to do something different in 2018. I realized if we are ever going to meet the goals we set for ourselves we first have to change many of the ways we think. After experiencing some of the highest highs and lowest lows I noticed I had changed. I’d let the lows make me bitter and at times I experienced depression to the point of not even wanting to get out of bed. What happened to that always positive and upbeat person I’d always been? What happened was that I lost sight of Whose I was. I saw every fault of mine (and blew it up 100 times). I heard other’s criticisms of me and took them as truth not realizing that I was actually believing the enemies lies. It kept me from loving myself and loving other people. It kept me from realizing my God-given talents and my God-given purpose for being here. It kept me from reaching any goals I set for myself. I just merely seemed to exist.

The “Greatest Command” as given in the Bible is found in Matthew 22 verses 36-40. There Jesus said to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind……….And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” As I thought on that verse I realized I had no problem with the first part of that verse but it was the second part that I had failed at miserably. But why? Thinking back on my year I realized that I had trouble loving others and being my happy self because I had bought into the lies the enemy kept whispering to me. I’d hear, “Tracey your a horrible wife and even worse mother. You suck as a friend. Your selfish and self-centered. You’re fat. You’re getting old.” I could go on and on. For every good thing that seemed to happen there were ten bad (I’m exaggerating but that’s how I felt).

In the last quarter of the year I was drawn to studies and books on love. This was probably due to the fact I didn’t feel loved and was having a hard time loving others. I, also, saw a world that didn’t seem to have a whole lot of love either. As I studied and read, a central theme kept popping up. It was learning to love yourself. When I say that I don’t mean a self-centered love that says things like “I’m better than others”. I’m talking about a love for who God made me to be and my God-given talents and purpose. In Psalm 139:13-16 the psalmist talks about being fearfully and wonderfully made by God. Ephesians 2:10 says we are His workmanship created for good works. I could go on and on with scriptures telling me why I should love who God made me to be, yet I still believed the lies.

I have to be honest I am probably no expert in loving myself but I have learned a few things that have begun a renewed spirit in me. I still struggle almost daily but I am beginning to “like” me a little more each day and I believe the enemies lies less and less. I would first ask you to change your perspective on yourself. Take time for you, whatever that looks like. For me its time to study God’s Word and meditate on it, exercise, to eat right, to get the rest I need. Oh and don’t forget the occasional retail therapy and mani/pedi! (I do love shoes and clothes!) I find that if I spend time on me I’m better suited to spend better quality time with the people who are most important to me and to love others. I recently read the book “Speak Love” by Annie F. Downs (anniefdowns.com) and in that book she talks about speaking positive words to yourself. One thing that really resonated with me was would we dare say some of the things we say to ourselves to our best friends face? The answer for me was a resounding “NO”! I would never tell my best friend (or anyone for that matter) the things I say about myself. Things like “that jumpsuit make you look 5 feet wide” or “you suck at being a mother and any of your kids bad choices are all your fault” or one of my favorites to say to myself “you don’t have any real friends that really care about you” That last one is one of the biggest lies because I truly have a network of friends who would be there for me in a heart beat. STOP SAYING THOSE AWFUL THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF!!!!!!! I do have to recommend the above book to everyone. It is written with teenage girls in mind but I promise it will have a word for whoever reads it……even boys.

After changing the way you talk to yourself (instead of “I’ll never be anything special” say “I am made with a divine purpose”) start doing things that will boost your confidence in who you are. Find things your enjoy doing. Do something you’ve never done. One thing I started doing a couple of years ago with my boys was feeding the homeless. I don’t know that I would have ever done it if it weren’t for the fact we were in Young Men’s Service League and that was one of the service options. But, we did and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of both my boys and my life. Maybe you like to cook……then host a dinner party and share your gift. Take a meal to an unsuspecting friend. Other things could include exercise, taking a walk, painting, and so many other things. Get active and get involved and begin with things that you enjoy and that build your confidence.

Beginning the journey of loving ourselves puts us on the path to fulfilling the “Greatest Command” Loving God and loving others. I hope you will stay with me on this journey during the month of January. Next week’s theme transitions into loving others. What does that look like? Well, its different for all of us as we show and receive love in different ways. But, it all leads us to the same place…….a new you and a new me and above all hopefully if we all do just a little we will make a difference in a world that truly needs it.

Celebrating the Easter Season

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I could not call myself Faith Fitness by Tracey if I didn’t spend time during the Easter season to talk about my faith. It is Easter that represents everything about my faith. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” He loved me so much that he allowed his son to be sacrificed on the cross…..for me….and everyone!!!! I am the mother of 4 boys……I know I couldn’t do that. What an amazing love. I can only hope to live my life in a way that tries…..and I do mean tries because I am by no means perfect…..to be like Christ was. I want the people who know me to know Christ because of how I treat and love them. Do I make mistakes…..you bet I do every single day. It’s because of God’s son I know I am forgiven in those moments I fall short.

As you enter into this Easter season…..remember the sacrifice…..remember the forgiveness…..but most of all remember the love. May God bless each of my readers in the coming week.

The 3 C’s – Choice, Chance, Change

We will never change if we don’t make the choice to take a chance!!!! Our life is many times a result of the choices we make. Start making positive choices. It begins with taking a chance on working towards having a healthy life style.
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BLACK FRIDAY FITNESS SALE – DON’T MISS OUT!!!

DONT MISS OUT ON THIS HUGE BLACK FRIDAY SALE GOING ON NOW!!!! SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN DRASTICALLY REDUCED. P90X2, P90X3, LES MILLS PUMP, COMBAT Just go to my products link and click on “Beachbody” then follow the Shop prompt to the Holiday Sale.
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We Are Defined By What We Do

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We are not defined by what we think or by what we say. Our actions and what we do are what we are defined by. You can say all day that You’re going to get healthy or you’re going to workout…..tomorrow….but until we take action it’s nothing more that words. Recently at church camp with my kids I learned that we should let our “yes” be yes and our “no” be no. If you say you are going to do something then do it. Don’t be the kind of person who says they will do something and then not follow through with it. Be the kind of person that people know when you say something you’re going to follow through……not just say something because it sounds good at the time!!!!!

Fit Tip Friday: Schedule that workout!

Here is a little fit tip for your Friday. Sometimes life can get really busy. It’s the nature of our world today! That doesn’t need to be an excuse not to workout. One thing I find that makes it hard to skip workouts is if I put them on my schedule both the day and the time. This way I always make sure it gets done. Sometimes things do come up but if its on my schedule its easy to say I already have something that day at that time……even if the appointment is just with me. Even if you only have 30 minutes that is better than nothing and there are lots of workout programs out there that you can do at home in 30 minutes or less. A couple of examples of programs that I endorse and love are Beachbody’s P90x3 and T25. They are intense workouts that take only 25-30 minutes. If you want more info on those workouts check out my Beachbody page on my website. Just go to the Beachbody link under Products. But those aren’t the only thing out there. The main thing is to get up and get moving and……GET IT ON YOUR SCHEDULE!!!!

Addiction: Not just your enemy but God’s!

Today I felt lead to pray for and encourage those dealing with addictions. Addiction is the enemy’s way of holding many of us in bondage. Addiction is not just to alcohol and drugs. Food and exercise addictions can be just as dangerous. If you have an addiction please realize you are not alone. While there are thousands of people dealing with addictions every day, God is right there with you and there are many Godly, Christian based treatment facilities that can help. Addiction tries to make us feel better or comforted….but truth be told the good feeling only lasts a moments……Take it to God. He knows your struggle and can set you free. Seek Godly counsel and take the steps along side God to become free. It may take some time……it will definitely take some trusting…..it won’t be easy….most of all it will take you and God walking together with those you love and who love you to overcome your addiction. But remember you can do all things through Christ and that God is for you and Satan loses!!!!

Wednesday-Get that butt off the couch!!!!

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It’s midweek. I always find Wednesday the hardest day to train! For some reason I get a little lazy. When you feel that way you need to force yourself to get moving. Number one you will feel so much better. Number two it’s good for you. And finally number three it will give you that extra push to get through the week. Get that butt off the couch and get in some cardio or weight training or get outside and get active……you will feel great not only physically but mentally for accomplishing something you didn’t want to do!!!!

Protein Pancakes Great for Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I typically eat the same thing for breakfast but when I get tired of eating the same thing it’s hard to find something that has everything I need……mainly plenty of protein. Below is a recipe for protein pancakes that is really very yummy!!!! The consistency is really good. Not as fluffy as real pancakes but still very good. Enjoy!

Protein Pancakes:

1/2 cup liquid egg whites
1/3 cup oatmeal
I packet stevia
1 scoop of favorite vanilla protein powder
Cinnamon to taste (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a blender and cook over medium heat on skillet.

Makes 3-4 pancakes depending on size.
Calories 345
Fat 3g
Carbs 27g
Protein 56g

Failures are Opportunity

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Having failures is not always a bad thing. If we use them intelligently we can grow and become better. With every failure we have the opportunity to start over……to begin again. They say that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting things to be different. Use the failures to make the needed changes to become better!!!!