Well I just have to Praise the Lord for the hot blazing sun we Alaskans have had here in Juneau this past week. It has been awesome and I have a wee bit of a sunburn to prove it! Summer is an excellent time to get out there and enjoy all those outdoor activities that, in the winter, you dream of doing.

Adding a new twist to your workout is always a good way to break through a plateau as is taking a short break from your routine altogether. Adding a few miles a day on your bike to your normal daily walk on a nice sunny day is a good way to enhance your cardio workout. Another thing is to add swimming to your routine a few days a week, as well as jogging, trail running/riding, and a number of other fat burning aerobic exercises. The trick is to pick a few you actually enjoy doing and intertwine them throughout your week. Strength training is essential to your workout as well. I have heard so many people say, "Lifting weights doesn't help you burn fat." Oh contraire, the more muscle you have, the faster your body metabolizes your calories into fuel (energy) rather than storage (fat). This doesn't mean you have to have 23" biceps or Buns of Metal to lose the fat, but building your muscles through strength training is definitely going to help you shrink down those nasty adipose (fat) cells.

When you hit a plateau in your regimen, rather than get discouraged and slow down, push on through your plateau by adding a few different cardio workouts through the week as well as some extra strength training exercises. Some people find it useful to 'break' through rather than push through a plateau by simply taking a break in their routine. That's right, a break. By taking a short vacation from your cardio and strength training routine you give your body the rest that it may be needing. And by concentrating solely on a stretching routine for a week it will bring you "back to basics' just a bit. After your break from the norm you can get back into a new routine altogether, your trainer can help decide what is best, and it works your body in a new way causing you to, once again, make fitness gains.

Sometimes I think we, as Christians, hit spiritual plateaus as well. I will say that I don't think taking a break from God is a good way to deal with a spiritual plateau. When you feel you have hit a plateau or have become complacent in your relationship with Jesus, it's time to push through. Add more to your daily prayer and bible reading time, or start a daily prayer and bible reading time. Let's face it, even in our spiritual exercise as well as our physical exercise, our daily life sometimes just gets in the way. After a while you may realize its been awhile since you spent time alone talking with God, reading his Word, singing his praises. Or you are reading your bible and praying every day but you don't feel you are growing. Time to stretch yourself a bit. Throw something new into the mix! Start a couple devotional with your spouse, or invite a neighbor to study with you. Join a prayer chain, get a new bible study guide or volunteer at your church or the local homeless shelter. But absolutely above all that, spend more alone time with your Savior. Praising him, talking with him, reading his word. God is just waiting to help walk with you right through all of your life's plateaus. All you need to do is ask.

Request Prayer for Your Life's Plateaus...

	Summer Fitness Tips  Angela J. Perez
When people think of fitness tips they think of advice on losing fat, gaining muscle, increasing endurance, and what protein shakes actually taste good. But one of the best tips anyone can give you is how to eat right for your body. Whether you have a fast, slow, or normal metabolism, diabetes I or II, or just want to get fit. You already know, but don't necessarily listen to, what your body needs. Although I like to encourage everyone to seek out their own RD or Nutritionist, here's some tips to get you started on eating better for your body... Clean out your cupboards: Yeah you read right. Get rid of the junk. You have those Cheetoes calling to you every night from the cupboard or those yummy raspberry filled donuts. Time to send those puppies packing! Dump all the stuff from your cupboards or fridge that is unhealthy and start from scratch. Think of those dollars that you spent on that junk as toxins instead, going right out the door instead of into your body. It is a wise investment and your body will love you for it (and hopefully it will last longer too). Change your grocery shopping list: A hint on getting this one going easy. Don't buy the Cheetoes and the donuts in the first place! This is hard to do with kids, believe me I know, but they need to get in the healthy habit too. When I was a little girl, and my mom would take me with her to go grocery shopping I always ran to the produce section to grab an orange. She got me thinking of fruit, not candy, at a young age. One day a week I was allowed to have a soda and a candy bar if I wanted. But you know what, I usually just wanted that orange (jeez, what happened!) and rarely shoved junk in my mouth. Today at the grocery store, I saw those cool new Twisted Cheetoes and picked up a bag. I looked at it, put it down, and went to the produce section. I am so glad I did, you can too! Give yourself authority over the foods you eat: You are not powerless over food, it's all in your head-REALLY! If you actually feel powerless over food every time it's in front of you, then it's time to ask the Holy Spirit to intervene. Pray for the strength you need and he will give it to you. Then say, I am more powerful than those Cheetoes and donuts! And trash 'em! More Fitness Tips... »

	Tossed Tuna-Swiss Salad
Ingredients:  *2 Green Onions, Chopped  *1/2 Head Lettuce, Chopped  *1 Roma Tomato, Diced  *3 oz Swiss Cheese, Cubed  *1 Can Tuna in water, Drained  *3 Eggs, Hard Boiled, wedged  *1 TB Dijon Mustard  *3 TB Low-Cal Mayo  *2 tsp. Dill weed, Dried  *1/2 tsp. Black Pepper, course ground Directions: Toss all ingredients in a salad bowl well enough that mayo & mustard coat all. Enjoy! I loved this one I whipped up, it's yummy and healthy! Be sure to check out all the recipes on the Fit4Jesus website if you haven't already done so. We would love to get your recipe ideas. Submit them on the recipes page on our site! We will put them on the recipe page as soon as it has cleared our test kitchens. If you would like to test recipes for Fit4Jesus, let us know! More Recipes... »

	What's New on the Website
Well I am happy to announce that I have a couple of great new links up on the site. The first one is a great product called "Push Overs." A fantastic alternative to traditional pushups, which are especially difficult for me due to carpel tunnel surgery on my wrist. I absolutely love mine! You can do pushups just about anywhere with them. With the Push Overs you can literally do a push up right against your wall! They are great for people who have a difficult time doing traditional push- ups but still want to reap the benefits of them. Build up your triceps and your chest muscles and get your Push Overs today! There is a link at the bottom of the newsletter as well as in the Equipment Dept. at Fit4Jesus.com The other link is to a site that offers great fitness resources as well as a great book, A+ Ready, Set, GO! Synergy Fitness - By Phil Campbell. Discover how to release your FITNESS HORMONE and tap into the most powerful body fat cutting, muscle toning, energy creating, anti-aging substance known in science. There is a link at the bottom of the newsletter as well as our Bookstore at Fit4Jesus.com. I am still working on adding new products to the site and would love your input as to what new things you would like to see on the Fit4Jesus website. Whether they be products, links, recipes or more. Drop me a note and tell me what you think.   Go Shopping and See What's New... »

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