Health and wellness

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Thank you for my health. I pray against illness and disease. I ask that you would heal any aliment that I may be struggling with now or in the future. I pray that you would provide protection over my physical, mental, emotional, financial and spiritual health. I graciously ask that you help me to not take my health for granted. Help me to stay active - both mentally and physically. Urge me to care for the body and mind you have gifted to me. If there are any unhealthy habits keeping me from caring for my mind and body, please expose those behaviors and help me to overcome them in Your Name. 

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Challenge:

Think of one small goal. A goal so astronomically simple that it is impossible to fail. Then start by completing that goal every day for one week. Mark each day off on your calendar. The following week make that same goal slightly more difficult.

For example: I will walk in place for one minute. That goal is so simple. There is no way I can't accomplish that. The following week - 2 minutes. The following - week 5 minutes. This is about building consistency. The goal you choose is not nearly as important as ensuring you accomplish the goal. By marking off each day on your calendar you are creating a chain. DO NOT let the chain break. See how many days you can link in a row. If you miss one day, don't give up, but do not allow yourself to miss two days! Comment below about the goal you've chosen and keep us updated on your accomplishments!

Let's help one another brainstorm some goal ideas:

1. Write one paragraph a day
2. Read one page out of my Bible each morning
3. Add one vegetable to my plate each dinner meal
4. Write three things I'm grateful for every morning (see gratitude post)
5. Do one push up

Pro Tip: Create a SMART goal. SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-Bound. 

If my goal is to "get healthy" - That's a great goal! But my chances of accomplishing it are very small, because my goal does not include a plan. If I write my goal with the criteria mentioned above I am much more likely to accomplish it. How could I turn "get healthy" into a SMART goal?

"I will walk for 10 minutes every morning at 7 AM."

Now, that is a SMART goal! It's detailed (specific). I can measure the amount of time, it's attainable (not outrageous like committing to an hour every morning), it supports my overall goal of wanting to improve my health (relevant), and by stating the time that I will walk I have made it time-bound. Try it!