LIVING HEALTHIER IN THE MIDST OF IT ALL! At a time when the world is reeling from the worst financial collapse since the Great Depression, most people are experiencing an economic recession that will undoubtedly have an impact on their lives in 2009. Each day we hear about companies failing, industries needing government assistance, retailers struggling, increased joblessness, housing foreclosures, and more. Even more overwhelming and frustrating are our daily thoughts, feelings and activities that revolve around a busy schedule, a stressful job, an unfulfilled relationship, a pending divorce, an argument with a friend, the memories of an unresolved past, a medical condition, a mountain of bills and so much more. All of which have the potential to stifle our desires and intentions to implement and/or sustain healthier lifestyle habits.
feelings, thoughts, interests, and activities vying your attention, the idea of exercising or eating healthier will inevitably and continuously be placed on the back burner. There is never enough time in the day to exercise or prepare a home cooked meal, get a sufficient amount of sleep, drink the appropriate levels of water, or get that much needed annual physical examination,” Coach Collins stated. “Coach, I’m definitely one of those people,” the president of the women’s ministry admitted. “Between work, my family and ministry I often feel overwhelmed. I really don’t have time to exercise or prepare a home cooked meal. Plus, I haven’t had a comprehensive physical examination in over four years. I know I need to get one, but I just can’t fit it in.”
Coach Collins, a renowned fitness consultant, offers her observations and insights into the plight to implement and sustain healthier lifestyle habits. An excerpt of a dialogue between Coach Collins and two of her clients, Natalie and Maya who are sisters, will help you relate to and understand those common struggles shared to live healthier in the midst of it all.
“Helen, now is the time for you and everyone else here tonight to focus on how you’re going to achieve the following three important tasks related to living healthier: (1) conduct a self-examination of those things that challenge you everyday, (2) develop a plan for how you’re going to align living healthier with your pursuits and challenges, and (3) implement your plan that will help to alleviate a continuum of poor lifestyle choices,” Coach Collins stated. She paused to place sheets of paper on the tables. “Before we leave this evening, I want everyone to take a sheet of paper to write down the things you know are preventing you from making healthier lifestyle choices. You can’t continue to duck and hide. It’s time to face things head on. Write down the reason why you don’t exercise. Write down the reason why you don’t eat breakfast. Write down the reason why you don’t limit your daily intake of soft drinks. Write down the reason why you don’t get at least seven hours of sleep. Write down the reason why you won’t take the time to schedule a physical examination.”
Concerned about the lifestyles habits of members in their church congregation, Natalie and Maya asked Coach Collins to come and speak to their women’s ministry. While discussing the many obstacles standing in the way of healthier lifestyle habits, Coach Collins introduced an exercise designed to help the attendees examine their personal circumstances. “As you began to sift through those thoughts and feelings about how your life has been and will be impacted by the state of the world and your personal circumstances, and those actions you intend to modify in 2009, don’t put off examining those related to healthier lifestyle habits. It’s no secret that when you have so many 23