Self-Control, Strength, Stretching

Today I'm memorizing Galatians 5:22-23 which lists the fruits of the Holy Spirit. The verses of the Bible aren't just useful for Sunday morning church and they aren't just for the "super religious people". God's Word carries over into everything in our lives and His Truth is available to everyone! I desire for all of the fruits of the Spirit to be evident in my life and self-control has really stood out to me lately.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! GALATIANS 5:22-23
I need self-control for everything in my day! Reading my Bible on those days when I don't feel like it, spending quiet time in prayer, loving and serving my family, eating healthy, making time for exercise... you name it. So much in life requires self-control!

Are there certain areas in your life that require more self-control than others?

This week's Motivation Monday topic is an area where I have lacked self-control and discipline in the past - strength training. Since the Blue Ox Marathon in October, I have been incorporating strength training into each week and have definitely seen positive changes.

3 Reasons for Runners to Strength Train

I read an article on Active.com recently about why runners should balance running and strength training. The points they make have all been proven true for me. When I add strength training in to my weekly exercise mix, I am injured less and my entire body is more balanced. (Source: Active.com)

  1. Muscle Burns More Calories.
    An increase in lean muscle mass means an increase in your body's ability to use oxygen and burn more calories.
  2. Be More Efficient.
    Strength training increases your leg strength and your endurance. Personally, I enjoy running more when mixed with strength training because it switches things up. Strength training helps me to avoid burning out on running.
  3. Be Less Injury-Prone.
    Increasing your strength will also increase your joint stability and reduce your risk of repetitive stress injuries
Strength training isn't anything fancy for me. I do the Jillian Michael's"Ripped in 30" DVD once a week and the {Fit from Home} circuits other days.

{Fit from Home} workouts are easy circuits to fit at home while E is napping. If he's not napping, usually he's crawling on me trying to get in on some of the action... that doesn't always work so well.

Along with strength training, stretching is another important aspect of running. When I first started running marathons in 2010, I hardly stretched at all. These days, I'm realizing the importance of dynamic stretching before the run and static stretching after!

Leo and I both got 30 minute massages on Friday and it felt amazing! A combination of tight hamstrings, calves, and IT bands have been causing hip pain on my right side. He gave me a new stretch to do at home and I'm going to be more disciplined in stretching. I want running to be a lifetime sport so it looks like I have many foam roller and elastic band dates in my future. Besides, E thinks the foam roller is a fun toy :)

My new favorite stretch! Take a small blanket or elastic band and position as seen above. Bend your toes towards the floor which stretches your calf muscle. Gently rotate your leg to the left and right side of your body without lifting your shoulders or hips off the floor.

Do you stretch consistently?
What is your favorite stretch?

Comments

  1. Fabulous post! Pinning it to my fitness board.

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  2. Thanks for sharing the Scriptures. I need self-control especially when come to food. I know with more self-control I would all eat right and exercise regularly.

    herweightlossdiary.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Food is a struggle for so many women. It's definitely one of the areas I struggle with self-control in, too! I've been studying the fruits of the Spirit and praying that the Holy Spirit works through me in those areas. Self-control is a daily battle!

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  3. Great points. I'm trying to run a lot to drop weight, but I know that it will take strength training to tone up and get that fit and healthy look! I recently started a "Shaping Up For Summer" link-up, which will run every Saturday through May, and I would LOVE it if you wanted to link up your fitness posts. Hope to see you there!

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    Replies
    1. Okay, I will stop by and check it out. Thanks, Megan!

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