Big Grace, Big Gratitude

In this season, gratitude is a prominent thought. Gratitude gives us the ability to give thanks and recognize the blessings in our lives, big and small. I recently spoke to some training clients about something called “10 Mindful Fingers.” The goal is to bring to mind 10 things you appreciate in your life today by counting them on your fingers, an exercise in gratitude. Can you do it? This translates into many areas in our lives!

You may wonder how gratitude can impact fitness. We can show our gratitude by taking care of the bodies we have! Start by making an appointment with your doctor if you haven’t had a physical recently. You must annually evaluate your health and be on the lookout for chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. Your body is your temple and your health is your wealth. Be grateful; maintain your temple and spend quality time to care for yourself. It takes time and effort to have the proper diet and physical conditioning.

When shopping for weekly groceries, focus on fresh or frozen produce, lean meats, and fish. Try to limit beef to once per week as poultry and fish are easier for your body to digest. A high concentration of beef in the diet can lead to inflammation of the joints and gout. Eating whole, unprocessed foods is the cornerstone to clean eating! Along with that, decrease and eliminate sugar. Sugary drinks add unnecessary calories to the diet and multiple inches to the waistline. If you want to see big changes in your appearance, cut the sugar! A healthy diet will do wonders to help your body begin to heal itself of chronic disease.

It is theorized that to lose weight, it’s 80% about eating properly and 20% about doing the right exercise. Get your doctor’s approval to begin. I suggest hiring a trainer to help you formulate a plan that works for your body type and can help you to get the results you desire. In the meantime, you can start at home with squats, leg lifts, side lifts, torso twists, and stretching. I’ve recorded a balanced workout you can do from home. https://youtu.be/E625Kq64XmQ With your doctor’s approval, start slowly and build in intensity! Remember, all exercises can be modified to be low impact. Please make sure to wear the right apparel and shoes for the task–walking, running, or cross-training– so your joints will have the proper support. Your body will thank you!

And where does grace come in? By giving yourself the grace to start again, as many times as necessary. You owe it to yourself. Happy Thanksgiving!

Live well and prosper.

Kahlil Carmichael MAPCC, MDIV, CPT is the pastor of Live Well Church, in Somerset, New Jersey. He is a fitness specialist at The Fitness Doctor, a fitness and wellness consulting company; and the author of 50 Tips for a Better You. He is a contributor to Guideposts magazine. His first publication, Living Longer Living Better, is available now. Go to www.livewellchurch.org for more information.

How to Have a Healthier Thanksgiving

As we go into the kitchen to prepare another Thanksgiving dinner, food may be more...

Running Toward Recovery:

Sy Smith’s Unexpected Journey Through Breast Cancer By R.L. Witter Sy Smith—to see her is...

RWJ Barnabas Health and Saint James Health Celebrate National Health Center Week, Open new Health Center at Newark’s East Side High School

L-R: Hasani Council, President, Newark School Board; Helena Vinhas, Newark School Board member; Ketlen Baptiste-Alsbrook...

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a time for reflection on trends in breast...

Take a Minute. Make a Plan.

Diageo North America; Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD); the National Football League(NFL); and Uber Technologies, Inc. form a unique partnership...

5 Books to Start 2025 off Right

This curated collection of books offers insights and guidance on personal growth, spirituality, and holistic well-being. From James Clear’s actionable...
Roseville Fall Festival

“Annual Family Fall Harvest & Trunk or Treat”

Roseville Community Charter School Roseville Community Charter School hosted its annual “Family Fall Harvest & Trunk or Treat” event on...

Julia Baxter Bates: Proving the Scientific Case for Public School Desegregation

An unsung hero of the civil rights movement, the Rutgers alumna fought racism from within the system—and won All Julia...

Essex County College’s Community Education Forum

Check out the latest Essex County College Community Education Forum TV episode, a special show taped at the College’s new West Essex campus...

Stay Safe from Scams

Falling victim to scams that can steal your cheer. Falling for a scam can lead...

HCCI Past, Present, and Future

Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI) and its affiliates continuously demonstrate a holistic approach to...

On Business, the Future, and Positive Change!

Greetings! As we enter into another holiday season, thank you to everyone who has stood...

The Small Business Pro POWER Breakfast on Mastering Business Growth – November 8th

The Featured Guest Speaker during the POWER BREAKFAST at the Park Avenue Club at the...

Financial Life After College Learning the Basics of Retirement Planning

You did it! You’re about to graduate. As you close this chapter and begin a...

Friendship Baptist Church Welcomes C. Vernon Mason as Minister in Residence

The Friendship Baptist Church, located at 144 W 131st Street in Harlem and pastored by Rev. Dr. James A. Kilgore...
Read More

The 37th Annual Sing in Praise of King

The 37th Annual Sing in Praise of King brought together communities in a joyous celebration of the extraordinary legacy of...
Read More

10 Books Exploring the History, Culture, and Impact of Black Music

The history of Black music in America is deeply intertwined with the struggles, triumphs, and cultural identity of African Americans...
Read More

Mannequin Diaries

Mannequin Diaries Pushing the Boundaries of Contemporary Theater By Jean Nash Wells Brian Wiggins, an emerging playwright hailing from East...
Read More

10 Great Instagram Pages 3.0

Spotlight on Talent: 10 Visionary Artists The creative world is alive with talent, and these 10 exceptional artists are making...
Read More