Faithful Workouts | Inspirational Fitness DVDs & Videos

Back to School Advice

MIchelle — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:25:56 +0000

For some of us this time of year brings about big changes – Back to School. For me I have mixed feelings. Thankful that I will have more time for me to devote to Faithful Workouts but sad that we will be back into the school routine. School time means I have less time to spend with my kids and more energy I need to put into keeping them on task – “Wake up, eat your breakfast, don’t forget your lunch, did you do your homework, don’t forget your football gear…..”
It’s way too easy to get so into the school routine that we don’t make the time to talk to our kids about what really matters. If you ask your child, “What is your purpose for being alive?” They would most likely answer, “Um I don’t know” but isn’t really our purpose for being on this earth to give God glory? Isn’t it all about bringing His light into the darkness? Isn’t it about loving God and loving others”
If that is our purpose and our kids’ purpose for being here we need to talk about it with them. Imagine if we all sent our kids off to school with the lyrics from the song, “These are the Words I Would Say”

“Be strong in the lord and,
Never give up hope,
You’re going to do great things,
I already know,
Gods got his hand on you so,
Don’t live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don’t forget why your here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say”

If kids around the world started their day hearing these words and put them into their heart and mind – imagine!
Some of you probably already know this about me but I am really into music. I love music that has an important message. Here is another song that has awesome lyrics for your kids to listen to before they head off to school. This song is called, “Don’t laugh at me”
“I’m a little boy with glasses
The one they call the geek
A little girl who never smiles
‘Cause I’ve got braces on my teeth
And I know how it feels
To cry myself to sleep

I’m that kid on every playground
Who’s always chosen last
A single teenage mother
Tryin’ to overcome my past
You don’t have to be my friend
But is it too much to ask

Don’t laugh at me
Don’t call me names
Don’t get your pleasure from my pain
In God’s eyes we’re all the same
Someday we’ll all have perfect wings
Don’t laugh at me”

Talk to your kids about being kind. Let them know how you feel about teasing. Remind them to look out for the kid who doesn’t have anyone to play with. Reward them for acts of kindness not just for good grades.
My 15 year old daughter, Denika, came home yesterday from school and told me about a teacher that was having a lot of pain from an abscessed tooth. She asked if she could make him some chicken soup.
My heart smiled when I saw her cutting up the veggies and chicken and making the soup. My husband made a point during our family prayer at dinner to thank God for Denika’s kind heart for caring for her teacher. He told her how what she did was showing God’s love not just talking about it.
My family is far from perfect but this was one of those moments when I was so thankful that God had tugged on our hearts and drew us close to Him.

It’s so easy to get caught up in what the world values but keep your focus on God. Pray and ask Him to direct you.

She Did Great!

MIchelle — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 21:00:41 +0000

Thank you so much for your prayers – she did great. The surgery was just under 5 hours and the Dr. said it really couldn’t have gone better. She’s one tough 80 year old. They fused her spine all the way up to L2. She is still in recovery – can’t wait to see her. I am so thankful that God directed the doctors!!

God Heard Me and Answered

MIchelle — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:46:49 +0000

OK - I have to share with you an amazing thing that happened this morning. So….. I’ll start by saying I am not one who typically prays for God to show me a “sign” of His presence. I know He loves me and He is with me. Well, I have been doing some major praying specifically about my mom’s back surgery. She is having her 2^nd major back surgery as I write this.

A few weeks ago when I was thinking about my mom’s upcoming surgery I said to God, “God, how cool would it be if the Klove verse that I get emailed to me every morning would be my mom’s favorite verse on the day of her surgery. I know you are with us but it would be amazing if you made your presence so clear”

Well, I forgot about this until I did a quick email check before heading to the hospital this morning. I clicked on my KLove verse and guess what came through today…… MY MOM’S FAVORITE VERSE. OK how good is God. I’m not basing my faith on the fact that He sent it. If it didn’t come in this morning I would not have thought God wasn’t listening to my prayers but it just freaked me out when it came in this morning.

The last time my mom had back surgery she would keep her spirits up by saying, Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Ever since that it is the verse that brings my mom comfort and makes me think her. Think about how many verses are in the Bible…. I found that there are 31,103 verses so it’s a 1 in 31,103 chance that this verse would come today.

When I saw the verse come through this morning I ran to my mom and told her what happened. You can’t imagine the peace that came over me. Guys, God is there, He hears you and He loves you. Sometimes He doesn’t answer our prayers the way we would like but know this – He Hears You.

God just gave me yet another testimony to share. I will never stop being completely amazed that the God who created the universe hears me. He said today, “Michelle, I know you are concerned about your mom and I just want to send you a reminder that I am here and I have this all figured out.”

My mom is still in surgery as I write this and I know no matter what happens in that operating room God is with us!

Faithful Workouts off TV – (for now)

MIchelle — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 01:29:05 +0000

Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve blogged. I’ve missed keeping in touch with all of you. The trip to the Dominican Republic was awesome. It was so cool to see God at work in the Dominican’s lives, in the ministries we were exposed to, as well as in the families we hosted. My MOPS (mother’s of pre-schoolers) convention was so fun. Loved leading workouts for these great women. OK, I have to admidt the day the convention ended I slept for 11.5 hours – I was exhausted!!

So much has been going on with Faithful Workouts the last few weeks. The good news is I finished the second book for the membership. I am so excited about the topics covered. My husband proof-read it for me and I’ve never seen him so psyched to take better care of his body. He was also moved by the faith topics.

The other wonderful thing going with Faithful Workouts is that I continue to receive emails almost daily from TV viewers who write to me about how the program is inspiring them. I love hearing the stories and I feel like I have gotten to know many of you from your emails.

(This part isn’t so exciting.) After I returned from the Dominican, I realized my music licenses for TV were up for renewal. Unfortunately, at this time, I simply cannot afford to renew the licenses. I had been praying that DVD and membership sales would cover this hefty bill in “Year 2,” but they haven’t. When this all hit me last week, it made me super sad. In fact, the day I came to the conclusion that the show will need to come off Directv, Dish Network and SkyAngel, I cried on and off during most of the day. I cried because I felt like the TV viewers would think I stopped caring and that I had deserted them.

The hard thing about TV is that you can’t reach all the viewers to tell them why we have to stop the shows. If you know of anyone watching the program that is not receiving my emails please let them know what is going on.

I am extremely hopeful that the program will be back on TV eventually. I am exploring making all new programs that use only royalty-free music (if you know of any artists who have original, upbeat Christian music who might be willing to let me use their music on TV, please let me know). The good thing about producing new programs with royalty-free music is that I will hopefully be able to reach more people with God’s message. I have had to turn down other networks because of the cost of the existing licenses. There is even a network in South Africa that wants to start airing Faithful Workouts once my licenses are international!

I will continue to blog about faith, fitness and fuel topics that I hope inspire you to grow closer to God and to take better care of your body. I’m so happy that some of you have a DVD or have subscribed to the membership so that we are still connected.

One critical note: All of our DVD’s are already produced with royalties to musical artists pre-paid. So meeting our commitments to those of you with 3 and 6 month memberships is not a problem at all. It’s just those expensive TV licenses!!

If you are interested in donating to Faithful Workouts so that TV viewers who can’t afford the DVD’s or memberships can still benefit from our ministry, you can go to http://faithfulworkouts.com/donate

One other thing of note: I am applying to convert Faithful Workouts from an LLC organization to 501C3 non-profit. This will allow me to apply for grants to help fund the production on new TV programs. Funny how God uses “curve balls” like the one I’ve been thrown to get creative about reaching more people.

It’s when situations get tough that we really have to lean on God more than ever. I’ve been trying so hard to listen to Him. I know He has a plan for Faithful Workouts and He is revealing that plan to me one step at a time. I’m excited to see the next step He has planned!!

The Starfish

MIchelle — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 23:28:20 +0000

I’m in the Dominican Republic and am seeing so much. It’s overwhelming to be in a place that has so many needs. To see people living in such tough circumstances, to see children without a home, to learn of the challenges they face is trying to get clean water – overwhelming. You can’t help but ask what difference, if any, am I really making. Two of the families gathered up yesterday and talked about this (we both have 3 children with us between the ages of 11 – 17). My friend read us a story from the book “Hole in the Gospel” about some starfish. The story is about a guy walking down the beach. He comes upon thousands of starfish that have been washed up on the shore. He sees so many starfish that are going to die and it saddens him. He sits down and puts his head in his hands and thinks about the sadness in the situation. He hears some noise and when he looks up he sees someone there throwing the starfish back into the water. He asks, “What are you doing, don’t you see there are thousands and thousands of starfish that have been washed up – what you are doing really isn’t going to make a difference.” The other person picks up a starfish, throws it back in the water and says, “It made a difference to that one” My son reminded me of a Mother Teresa quote that we had talked about before. The quote goes something like this, “We might feel like what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean but that ocean is different because of that missing drop.” We can’t turn a blind eye to those whose needs are so much greater than ours. The most important thing we can do is share God’s love with them. What that looks like for each of us might be different. What I’m learning is that the best way to help them doesn’t mean just giving them a handout. It means working with the locals to get a plan that allows them access to the basic necessities and gives them a plan to support themselves and their family. Please take the time to look into the awesome ministries that are reaching out to those in need. Find one that resonates with you and do something. If we all throw a few starfish back into the water we will make a huge difference!!

Health 101: Back 2 Basics

MIchelle — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:32:09 +0000

I was telling my class this morning about how thankful I am to be a part of Faithful Workouts. There are so many ways I pray I can help on your way to physical and spiritual fitness.

I believe you want to get healthier but the best path to better health can be so confusing. There are so many viewpoints it can be overwhelming. To me it boils down to these basics.

“Fitness”

I know you want to exercise effectively but it’s hard to know what’s best. I have been in the fitness industry for 26 years and I have seen so many phases. I am still a believer in total body workouts with a combination of cardio and strength training. Most of us are not looking to get big bulky muscles (if you are you would want to do heavier weight and fewer repititions) we just want to get healthier. Here’s my suggestion, when you’re done with your workout do a body check. Did I get my heart rate elevated, did I work equally all the muscles in my body, did I stretch all the muscles out. When I finish my workout (or making a DVD) I start on the top of my body and work my way down to be sure I didn’t forget a body part.

If you are tight on time you can accomplish tons if you do multi-muscle moves. This would include exercises like lunges with bicep curls, core with light weights to work your shoulders. You don’t have to work out for an hour or more to make it count you can get lots into 20 minutes. Part of the Faithful Workouts membership plan includes emails with weekly exercise video clips with topics like, 20 minute workout, exercising with a partner.

“Fuel”

It can be so challenging to eat healthy. Trying to figure out what healthy eating looks like almost requires an extra college degree!! Actually, I think the health industry has made it harder than it needs to be. Here is my version of nutrition 101:

God made your body, He made food, eat what God created in its most natural state, He knows what your body needs.
Eat a wide variety of foods. This is especially important with your fruits and vegetables the more colors the better.
Eat 100% whole grains instead of white flour when possible (doesn’t mean you can’t have a slice of white bread but try and have your grain source come mainly from whole grains.)
Get your protein from beans, nuts, fish and lean meats. Does it mean you can’t have a ribeye steak the rest of your life – no – just eat more of the lean meats.
Drink lots of water
Eat breakfast

OK there is a bit more that goes into it then just that but start with this list and you will be amazed at the difference it can make.

“Faith”

Stress is so damaging to our bodies. The opposite of stress is peace. How can you have less stress and more peace? I have to tell you I tried for my first 40 years to do it without God and it didn’t work. For me the best way to push stress and worries out of my life is to fill up with the peace that comes from knowing God. John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

God’s words, love and presence changed the way I live. Stress is out of control in our country (it’s even effecting our kids). Stress is physically killing us. The more we can fill up with God the less room there is for the devil to come in and start stressing us out.

I hope this note is just a simple reminder to focus on the basics to better health. Don’t look for a new fad that promises instant benefits. Change the way you do life so that you focus on your fitness, your fuel and most importantly your faith.

Take on your day!

I’m praying for you.

Michelle

Faithful Workouts New Membership

MIchelle — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:21:19 +0000

New Faithful Workouts Membership – Special Introductory Rate – ends June 18^th at midnight!

The Faithful Workouts new membership is available on our web site!!! I’m really excited about the changes it will make in the way you live life.

I love when I hear from people who are already part of the Faithful Workouts program. I want to pass along some of their comments.

“I do get messages from God through you. I’ve cried during your show because of the gifts he sent through your mouth to me. Your music is fun to exercise to”

“When I saw your show I knew God brought the gym to me with a joyful spirit to lift mine. Wherever God takes me I can work out with you”

“Thank you for your faithfulness to step out and be different from all those other TV workouts that only focus on looking like what the world expects women to look like. Doing a workout with you is as faith-building as reading the bible and spending time with God because you speak the word in love and the music lifts Him up and feeds my spirit”

Not only will your membership inspire you to make healthy, positive changes in your life but it will also enable the Faithful Workouts ministry to reach more people!!

If you are ready to make some changes in your life that will bring you more peace, joy, energy, strength sign up now for a Faithful Workouts Membership.

Last Chance for this special offer

3 month membership: $47.90 including shipping instead of $57.95 plus shipping of $9.95 – that’s a savings of $20.00

6 month membership: $77.90 including shipping instead of $97.95 plus shipping of $14.95 – that’s a savings of 35.00

Please pass this offer on to your friends and family

CLICK HERE for more information and to sign up!

Michelle

I can’t believe it’s ready!!

MIchelle — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 22:03:36 +0000

I can’t believe it’s ready!!! I have been working for the past year on a new concept for Faithful Workouts and we will be launching it on Monday, June 14^th. It’s a 3 and 6 month Faithful Workouts Membership.

Ever since God led me to Faithful Workouts I have prayed that the program would inspire people to get physically and spiritually fit. I have heard from quite a few of you saying that you have noticed that you are getting stronger, remaining “faithful” to your workouts and hearing God’s word while you are exercising. This makes me so excited!

I believe the new Faithful Workouts Membership will help you take it to the next level. I’m thrilled that I have been able to interact with you through TV, DVDs, classes, facebook, twitter and blogs but I want to be able to encourage you more consistently.

The Faithful Workouts membership will include DVDs, a “faithful” guidebook, emails, video emails with exercise tips and cooking classes. I will be able to encourage you every step of the way to better health.

If you choose to participate in the membership I feel confident that you’ll be committed to a healthier way of doing life. Here are some of the benefits you should receive from the program:

Peace has replaced your stress
You’re excited to exercise because you’re thankful that you are healthy enough to do so and you want to stay healthy
You’re sleeping better
You have more energy
You feel more confident in how to properly fuel your body
You feel more connected to God and search for His guidance in all you do
You’re at a healthy weight not because you “dieted” but because you properly cared for your body
You have more joy in your life

Watch for more membership information and a special introductory offer in your email on Monday June 14^th. I hope I will be able to partner with you on this journey to better physical and spiritual health!

Be happy with what you see in the mirror

MIchelle — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 04:38:09 +0000

I’ve just started to train the high school dance team girls. They are all between the ages of 14 – 17. I am so excited that I get to meet with them twice a week throughout the summer. I’m happy that I can help them get in shape so that they can be better dancers but that is a very small reason as to why I am volunteering my time to help them.
I have quite a few hopes for these girls but one of my biggest is that by the end of the summer they are able to look in a mirror and like what they see. I heard a statistic that said something like 85% of girls/women don’t like what they see when they look in the mirror. That is so sad.
Girls look at magazines and watch movies and think that in order to be lovable they need to be super skinny and beautiful. I want these girls to realize God created them to be them. He didn’t intend to have all women look identical and be a size 2. I remind them to focus on healthy habits and then be happy with the shape of their body. The natural outcome of properly caring for your body is that you will get to a healthy weight but getting skinny is not our goal.
I have been telling them that God, who created the whole universe, loves them right now. He loves them no matter what they look like. He doesn’t look at them and think, “she’s nice but I would love her more if she was more beautiful and a bit thinner”.
As I was thinking about all my hopes for the dance team I realized it was the same hope I have for all the women who do Faithful Workouts. I want you all to hear this; God loves you no matter what size you are or what you look like.
“The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” ~ 1 Samuel 16:7
Eat healthy, exercise regularly, connect with God throughout your day – focus on that!! If you feel you are properly caring for your body then look in the mirror and be happy with what you see. God created you to be you.
Read these lyrics from the song Fingerprints of God by Steven Curtis Chapman
I can see the tears filling Your eyes
And I know where they’re coming from
They’re coming from a heart that’s broken in two
By what you don’t see
The person in the mirror
Doesn’t look like the magazine
Oh, but when I look at you it’s clear to me that…
I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it’s true
You’re a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you’re covered with the fingerprints of God
Never has there been and never again
Will there be another you
Fashioned by God’s hand
And perfectly planned
To be just who you are
And what He’s been creating
Since the first beat of your heart
Is a living breathing priceless work of art

How to have Joy

MIchelle — Mon, 24 May 2010 13:55:33 +0000

I loved our sermon at church yesterday. The pastor posed the question, “Do you find joy in your relationship with God?” He went on to say how many of us would probably say we love God, we know God, we even trust God but do we really find “joy” in Him.
How would you answer this question? I think the answer is so important. Remember joy is different from happiness. Happiness is affected by circumstances but joy is something that you feel no matter what your circumstances.
I love the song “Sunshine” by Stellar Kart. Take a look at some of the lyrics to this song:
Life is filled with
Circumstances situations
That we can’t avoid
And I admit some
Days can steal my happiness
But I still got joy

Hey you are my sunshine
On a rainy day it’s gonna be ok
Hey you are my sunshine
It’s gonna be alright

Our pastor went on to talk about this verse from Nehemiah 8:10 – “Nehemiah said, ‘Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.’”
He went into more detail in his sermon about this verse but here is my walk away point. God wants us to find joy in our relationship with Him. He wants us to enjoy life and share the joy with others.
I believe if more believes found joy from their relationship with God they would be more encouraged to share their faith with others. When you feel obligated to share your faith or you tell others about Jesus just so they can go to heaven you are missing something.
I am so thankful that God has shown me so much joy because I have Him in my life. Life has so much more purpose and excitement when you are teaming up with God. When I talk about my faith with others, whether in the fitness room or just out in life, I do it because I really believe their life will be so much better (didn’t say easier or without problems) if they knew God.
I know there are days when life isn’t going quite as I had hoped but like the song above says those circumstances can take away my happiness but I still have joy.
If you are thinking I do know God, I love Him, I even trust His but I don’t know if I can say I find Joy in the relationship, take some time to ponder over these few verses
“For God so loved the world that He sent His only son so whoever believes in Him shall not die but have everlasting life. God did not send His son to condemn the world but to save the world”
John 3:16-17
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
John 10:10, NLT
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.”
Isaiah 43:2, NLT
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.”
1 Peter 5:7, NLT
Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry again. Those who believe in me will never thirst.”
John 6:35, NLT
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
Isaiah 26:3, NLT
I hope these verses remind you that the God who created the universe loves you, wants to save you, give you peace, give you a rich and satisfying life, when you are in trouble He is with you, He cares about you, He can provide you with something that will take away your need for more and He wants to take away your fears and replace them with peace.

Allow all that God has for you to give you “JOY”. For the joy of the Lord is our strength!
(If you have a minute you can go to www.redrockschurch.com click on resources and then sermons and listen to the sermon on joy from last Sunday. It usually takes a few days before the sermon is listed. There are so many great sermons on this site)