7 Steps To Weight Loss
May 11, 2010
There are so many ways we can lose weight – include these and watch the weight drop off !
- Rise and eat: If you think skipping breakfast will help you lose weight, you are sadly mistaken. Missing breakfast tricks the body into thinking you’re about to starve and you’ll actually end up eating more as the day progresses. Try to eat within one hour of waking for best results, but do make sure you have a properly balanced breakfast, as this will enhance weight loss. The healthiest choices contain a balance of healthy fat, protein, and carbohydrates, such as oatmeal with a handful of nuts, or eggs with tomato and mushrooms.
- Eat “close to the ground”: If the food you want to eat wasn’t grown, picked or harvested, don’t eat it. That means avoiding sweets and baked goods which are refined carbohydrates. Choose instead real food like brown rice, sweet potatoes, or an apple. And while you’re at it, never eat a carbohydrate alone. Simply adding a bit of good fat, such as olive oil with lean protein will slow digestion, steady blood sugar, and keep the body from storing fat.
- Have a drink: Even if all you do is drink more water it’s likely you’ll lose some weight. The body needs to be fully hydrated in order to maintain a healthy metabolism. Try drinking 30ml of water per kg of body weight a day, and watch what happens.
- Eat more: Eating more frequently appears to burn more calories. So, to turn your body into a fat-burning machine, eat mini-meals throughout the day or “graze” continually. Each mini-meal should consist of lean protein, good fats, and complex carbohydrates. For example a piece of organic chicken, 1 cup of brown rice, and a big salad with homemade salad dressing.
- Freshen up: When you go shopping, don’t buy things which will cause weight gain – dump the junk and fill your trolley with health-giving fresh food. Try to avoid the boxes, the pre-packs, the processed food, tins, etc – stick with fresh, juicy foods and lean, fresh meats. Fill your refrigerator with live, fresh food only – leave the dead food on the shelves. Anything which will go off in more than a week would not be fresh food. Yes, it’s more work, but if you are keen to lose, you’ll find the time.
- Move it: You’ve heard muscle weighs more than fat, but did you know muscle burns more calories? Weight training causes the body to burn more calories throughout the day, and when combined with regular aerobic exercise, the body will be better toned and burn more stored fat.
- Live a little: You know what they say about all work and no play – that goes for weight loss too. Giving up all the foods you love may sabotage your efforts. Allow yourself a little reward or treat once a week (choose the “reward” carefully though) and you won’t feel deprived.
Sally-Ann Creed is a clinical nutritionist and the author of two bestsellers, Let Food Be Your Medicine and the Beauty for Ashes Health Journal for Women. On 3 August 2009, Sally-Ann was awarded SA’s Most Influential Woman in Business and government 2009/2010 for her contribution to health. Her award falls into the sector of “Medical, Dentistry, Health and Veterinary Services.” Visit her site at http://www.sallyanncreed.co.za.
Sally-Ann Creed Wins Award
March 24, 2010
Author of the bestselling Beauty for Ashes Health Journal for Women wins Most Influential Woman of the Year 2009/10 in the Field of Health
We are so proud of clinical nutritionist, Sally-Ann Creed, who was the Entrepreneurial Winner in the Field of Health (there were 12 categories) for the Most Influential Woman of the Year 2009/10! Sally-Ann was one of the authors of the Beauty for Ashes Health Journal for Women, and is also the author of the bestseller, Let Food Be Your Medicine.
This is what the magazine, SA’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government 2009/10, said about her:
“Sally-Ann Creed started her business from her lounge, 15 years ago while still studying, growing it into a well-established private clinical practice in Constantia, as well as a specialist health store, called Creeds. Sally-Ann, who has a post-graduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition from the International Academy of Nutrition in Australia, has developed her own Medicines Control Council registered range of nutraceuticals, Nutrition Solutions, a food range, Nourishing Solutions and many gluten-free products. She has also developed the Leading Edge Weight Loss Initiative. For several years she has developed and run a mentoring programme for 22 people interested in nutrition and interested in working in the industry.”
Congratulations, Sally-Ann! We are so proud of you!
Health Journal News
March 24, 2010
Sally-Ann Creed and Aldyth Thomson wrote the Beauty for Ashes Health Journal for Women which was launched at the May conference in 2009. Much to our delight, it has turned out to be a bestseller and the first edition is almost sold out. Last October we were thrilled to learn that our partners, Struik Christian Media, had taken it, along with some of their other bestselling titles, to the Frankfurt Book Fair which is the biggest book fair in the world. Isn’t that exciting news?! You can read a chapter for free on our website Book Club page. We will have them for sale at the May conference, but you can also buy it from our Online Shop.
Spiritual Workouts
March 24, 2010
Five Exercises to Help Build Your Spiritual Muscles by Cheri Strahm (used with her permission)
“I’m beginning to think it’s impossible to live a successful Christian life!” Jennifer exclaimed after a long, stressful day. “I get so discouraged. When I worship with other believers, I feel joyful and right with God. Then a new week begins with work, kids, problems, and ‘poof!’ – I’m back to the old Jennifer. Why can’t I stay spiritually strong?”
Most Christians experience spiritual weakness at times. It creeps up on us. Our zest to obey and serve God fades, and suddenly we realize we are spiritually “flabby.” Although we long for daily victory, we lack the strength to maintain a faithful walk with God.
God’s Word says in Eph. 6:10, “Be strong in the Lord” and encourages us not to lose heart. Spiritual muscles can be retrained. We can live a transformed, victorious Holy Spirit filled life day after day.
Like Jennifer, I, too, fell prey to the fitness problem. In the midst of hectic ministry, I lost enthusiasm for a daily, intimate walk with God. I was out of shape and gradually growing weaker. Then one morning I awoke with a hopeless feeling of despair. It wasn’t my body, but my soul that needed restoring.
I began to search the Bible for answers. Weren’t there other people like me, once close to God, who became spiritually unfit? I looked at Elijah, strong prophet of God, who under pressure began to doubt and complain. I found that David often felt spiritually bankrupt and cried out to God in distress. There was also Isaiah, Jonah, Joshua, Jeremiah, and Moses. Many of God’s most powerful servants suffered times of spiritual weakness. God told Joshua, “Do not be terrified; don’t be discouraged…for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9). God hadn’t left me alone and helpless. I had drifted away from Him into spiritual lethargy.
At the time of my spiritual weakness I was on a weight loss program, so I decided to apply the same principles to my spiritual life. Just as I kept a diet journal to trace my eating habits, I began to trace my “life habits.” I noted times of spiritual victory and times of defeat. I was able to track Satan’s successful techniques to weaken me. How humiliating to discover that when our children got rambunctious, my temper flared! When too many people phoned on a busy day, I lost patience and felt critical. On the other hand, when I began my day with prayer, listened to Christian music, and took quiet time with God’s Word, I experienced more fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, and patience.
I realized my biggest need: self-discipline. Over a period of years I collected spiritual “exercises” to help myself keep fit and strong. I discovered it is possible to develop discipline gradually, just as body muscle can be built by lifting weights until strength is acquired. Our spirit can be continually renewed as years pass: it experiences no “aging” if faith and self-discipline are allowed to develop.
Remember my friend Jennifer, who felt despair in her lack of success as a Christian? She realized how powerless her spiritual life had become, and took steps to become more disciplined.
You may be thinking, “This seems like a lot of work.” The Apostle Paul used that exact word in Philippians 2:12: “…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” As in any discipline – dieting, exercise, study – success requires our best effort. As your spiritual muscle develops, the effort will gradually seem more “natural” to you and not so difficult. Why? Verse 13 in Philippians 2 says: “…it is God who works in you…” God will energize you to do what pleases Him.
Set spiritual goals for the next month or year, and track those goals carefully. You will clearly see the Holy Spirit’s transforming power in your life as you become strong in Him.
Spiritual Exercises
The following are some spiritual exercises, with specific steps to help make them successful:
EXERCISE 1
Determine To Know God More Intimately
• Begin a bible study on the character of God. Cristy Austen, a women’s ministries leader in West Linn, Oregon, recommends My Father’s Names by Elmer L. Towns. It comes with a study guide featuring 12 names of God from the Old Testament.
• Develop an awareness of God throughout the day, even in mundane activity. Brother Lawrence, the 17th century monk, called it “practicing the presence of God.” (See his book by the same name.) I remember my mother talking to God aloud while washing dishes or searching for a parking spot, and I started this habit, too.
EXERCISE 2
Collect Books, Quotes, And Music That Encourages You
• When you hear an inspiring song or a book recommendation, jot it down to buy or borrow later. Put a basket of these CDs and books in a handy spot. Quotes can go all over the house – stitch them, draw them, frame them! My husband put one near our front door that says, “Pray first!”
• Review your collection often, especially when discouraged. God will use it to uplift you, over and over again.
EXERCISE 3
Mentor Someone Younger In The Faith
• Consider mentoring a high school or college student. I am blessed to have several of these young women in my life, and they enrich my faith greatly as they grow in Christ.
• Let the word out – in your church or a Christian school – that you are interested in mentoring. You’ll be amazed at the response.
EXERCISE 4
Develop A Deeper Prayer Life
• Joseph Stowell, former Moody Bible Institute President, told the story of a student from China. He asked her if believers back home would be pleased with her education. “They will assess my spiritual growth,” she replied, “by listening to me pray.” Don’t you long to pray with greater depth and faith?
• Read a good book on prayer, such as How to Pray, by R. A. Torrey; or 31 Days of Praise – Enjoying God Anew by Ruth and Warren Meyers.
• Make an updated list of people and ministries to pray for, with specific needs included. Faithfully “pray your list” and record God’s answers as they occur. You will be continually inspired and encouraged by your prayer notebook. Listen to mature Christians pray. You can learn much by their example.
EXERCISE 5
Make Sharing Christ With Others Part Of Your Lifestyle
• Nothing will empower you more than watching the Holy Spirit work through you to bring someone to a personal relationship with Him. Sharing the story of how you met Christ can become a life-changing habit.
• Try the “Praying for You” technique. Tell a neighbor that you’d like to include her needs in your daily prayer list. You will be surprised at how eager people are to have you pray for them, and it opens many doors for conversations about God and His power.
• Angela Goncharov told me about her “Just This Once” technique for sharing her testimony. She visits an old school friend and says, “Just this once, will you let me tell you about the one, most important thing in my life? I care about you. If you listen for 15 minutes, I won’t bring it up again.” She has never had a friend turn her down, and several have become part of God’s family through her salvation story!
