Monday, March 24, 2014

The Perfect Result

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” – James 1:2-4

I took my blog post title and scripture today from Kay Arthur's Facebook page.  (If you haven't heard of her, she is the founder, along with her husband, of Precept Ministries International.  If you're looking for serious and effective Bible study, you must check out what they have to offer).  Her teachings have changed the way I study my Bible and helped deepen my faith like non other.

So, why am I blogging about trials? Many weeks ago, I wrote an entry about my struggle with vertigo and dizziness and how the Lord spoke to me and told me that He was going to heal me. You can find that blog post here. While I'd like to say that I was healed instantaneously and miraculously (who doesn't want that?), which I know my Lord is more than capable of, I was not. Instead, the dizziness progressed to the point where it became a daily, constant occurrence and still is to this day. I don't doubt that Jesus will heal me as He promised, but I know now that I'm going to have to wait for His perfect timing. He knows what's best for me and I just have to trust Him. He has taught me so many things through this trial that if I were to write about it, my post would be pages long. I have also experienced Him in new ways and my relationship with Him and faith in Him has deepened even more. What more could I really ask for?  Do I want to be healed right now? Of course. However, would I trade what I have learned from Jesus and how deeply I have experienced His presence since this all began just to have that instant healing I asked for over a month ago?  No way.  I would miss out on my perfect result

For those of you who have been following my review of the Fe Fit workout system, I'm sorry to say that any exercise of that manner is going to be on hold for now. You may wonder how I even pulled off doing the workouts while feeling this way. It's kind of a two part answer. First, my determination tends to outweigh physical limitations and second, I actually feel somewhat better when I'm moving. The dizziness hits me hardest when I'm still. All that aside, I started Vestibular Rehabilitation (physical therapy for the balance system) and my therapist told me to cease all activity other than walking for now.  Anything more is just too much stimulation on my vestibular system. Not only that, but the therapy itself has increased my dizziness.  I was told that I will feel worse before feeling better and boy, they weren't kidding! Once I am healed though, I plan to get back to it. The workouts that I've tried were awesome and I have no doubt that they'll just keep getting better.

Here are some final thoughts from Kay Arthur regarding the above scripture:

Whatever you are enduring now—or whatever comes your way in the future—it is not without purpose in the sovereignty of God. And it is for that reason that you can have that inward sense of joy. God promises that it will not destroy you—rather, over time it will be the making of you. 

Amen!

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Review: Fe Fit 90 Day Fitness Experience

Image taken from www.fe-fit.com
About a month ago I heard about a fitness company called Fe Fit. They created a 90 day system consisting of a variety of workout genres (core, cardio, barre, upper body, lower body, total body and stretch), all 30 minutes or less, with a time commitment of just 3 times per week. I looked into their workout system on their website, and checked out some free Youtube clips of their classes and was immediately intrigued!  

Now I'll admit, I'm not the type of gal who likes heavy lifting, dark sets or puke in the bucket cardio sessions. I also don't like to spend hours a day, 6 days a week working out.  I'm all about a balanced approach to health and fitness these days and if I can fit in a formal workout most days of the week, and make sure I'm getting in some type of movement the other days, then I'm good. If I can get in and get out in less than an hour and feel worked out, then that's a bonus! Therefore, what really appealed to me about these workouts is: 1) the length (30 minutes or less); 2) the commitment (3x per week); 3) the structure (90 days all laid out for me!), and last but certainly not least; 4) what I like to call the feminine factor! The set is bright, the focus is on the female trouble zones, the instructor seems cheerful and motivating and there's lots of pink!! Okay, that happens to be my favorite color! 

The goal of the Fe Fit creators is to get you to make fitness a priority, and who doesn't have 30 minutes, 3 times per week to fit something in? It's not about slaving away at workouts to achieve a certain look, but rather a realistic way to get you up and moving for your health with aesthetic results being a bonus. When we're healthy, we can better serve those around us! This set was made by moms for busy moms, but anyone can benefit. Although I'm not (yet) a mother, I'm really looking forward to my 90 day Fe Fit experience!

When I received my set I was pleasantly surprised to find my package wrapped up like a present, right down to being all tied up with a pink bow!  I thought that was really cute. Inside was a handwritten note welcoming me to the Fe Fit family signed by the founders, Renee & Melonie.  Also included is a Fe Fit Quick Start Guide, a 90-Day Calendar with pink Fe Fit stickers to track your workouts, the Health & User Guide and the workouts.  


Image taken from http://www.fe-fit.com/90day-experience/

Fe Fit Quick Start Guide
This is a card that outlines, in 6 steps, how to get started with the 90 Day System.  You will need the following equipment: yoga mat, dumbbells, resistance bands and a Pilates circle (or ball).

90 Day Calendar
This booklet outlines what workouts you will be doing on which day each week, for 13 weeks. It comes with small, pink circular stickers that say Fe Fit which you can use to keep track of each workout as you do them (just place the sticker on your calendar each day after your workout is complete).  

Health & User Guide
The user guide provides you with information about about the 90 Day System and genres used, some background information on the instructor, the equipment you will need, as well as a page to track not just your aesthetic results, but also your increase in strength & stamina.  In addition, you get a "3 phased,13 week approach to improving your overall health and nutrition".  You will be adding one healthy habit a week for 13 weeks.  The first phase is about your choices, the second is your habits and the third focuses on your wellness.  I like this approach of making small changes each week, rather than trying the all too common approach of changing everything at once and feeling overwhelmed.  

The Workouts
The discs come in a cardboard book.  There are 8 discs with 28 workouts.  You have the option to play the workouts with the music on or off.  You will be doing 3 Fe Fit workouts per week with 2 days of optional run/walk/active relaxation, or one of their stretch workouts. Whether or not you choose to do something active on your off days is totally up to you, but it's always a good thing to get in some form of movement.  I personally love walking and can't wait for the spring to get here so I can get outside again!!  

Disc 1 has the Intro to Fe Fit video that you are to watch first.  It also has 7 workouts, 15 minutes or less, called the Fe Fit Essentials (Barre, Cardio Circuit, Core, Lower Body, Stretch Flow, Total Body Toning and Upper Body), that you are to do before starting the program.  I believe you can find them on Youtube here. Disc 1 also has 3 workouts for Week 1.  

Discs 2 through 7 have two weeks worth of workouts on each of them; 3 workouts per week, for a total of 6 workouts per disc.  Are you following? ;-)

Disc 8 has 4 optional stretch flow workouts.

Here's a clip:

I plan to get started on my 13 week fitness experience this upcoming week.  Feel free to join me on this journey and share any thoughts, comments or questions along the way!

For more information on Fe Fit, see the links below:
Fe Fit Website
http://www.fe-fit.com/

Fe Fit Youtube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UChyjJ9X02DsRHhZ5bLQtnbg

Fe Fit Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/festrongmoms

Fe Fit Twitter
https://twitter.com/Fe_Fitness

I received this video set from Fé Fit at a wholesale price. I am not being compensated in any way and the opinions expressed herein are solely mine.