Spiritual Encouragement

Impact

When my family first contemplated a cross-country move, I automatically began searching websites for possible churches where we were relocating. As I did my Internet search, I stumbled upon a women’s ministry announcement about the local Body & Soul Fitness classes. I had never heard of Body & Soul, but I thought that it sounded like a cool idea to try it out. Well, the cross-country move happened, and Body & Soul remained just that – an idea of something I might do someday.

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Impact

Whether you are a competitive athlete or just a determined exerciser, this is a song that powers you up! Share it with your teens. Share it with your spouse. Share it with your friends. And don’t miss the real message. It’s not just about getting powered up -— it’s about WHO powers us up! It is the Spirit in us that gives us the power. It is God who keeps us focused on the right things. It is the Lord who helps us stay in balance as we strive to go faster and fly higher. If we want to bravely live “turbo style” we need to first acknowledge that we cannot achieve it on our own. We only can “do anything” because we serve a God for whom nothing is impossible. So what is our job? Be brave and trust! Stay focused—focused on prayer, focused on God’s Word, focused on the Almighty God and bringing glory to him. Let’s be sure that as we move forward and faster that we also become wiser. God is the one who gives wisdom. Start by seeking him and you will find true freedom to “live turbo style!”

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Impact

Sing and Shout for JOY—Beckah Shae shows us how to do it in this beautiful song. As you listen to her voice explode in beautiful praise, sing along and feel the joy rise in your heart. Nothing is too hard for the Most High God. Even in times when joy is hard to find, he is there and he will lead you through it to the other side. Run to his open arms today. Lay down your sorrow and open your heart to believe in Jesus as your Savior. Cling to him, He is the giver of true joy!

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Impact

We believe one of the things that sets us apart from other fitness programs is our music. You won’t hear vulgar lyrics, suggestive themes, or inappropriate words. Simply put - our music will always be uplifting and positive. Something your whole family can listen to. We are grateful for the artists who continue to put out great music we can exercise to.

In light of this, we are going to begin featuring songs we use in our classes. Today is a sneak peek. Let us know what you think. Comment, post a story, or share it with your circle of influence. We’ll be posting these every Saturday, so make sure you check back to catch the next one. Enjoy!

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Impact

As I sat down to have my quiet time with the Lord, I read in Sarah Young’s “Jesus Always” devotional - “strive to live more fully in the present, refusing to worry about tomorrow.” Those words really hit me hard, as I had been struggling with a health issue – one for which I really had no answers for. As I continued to read, I was reminded that striving to live this way involves focusing my effort and energy intentionally on walking in trust with the Lord, following His guidance each step. Striving…not to worry!

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Impact

It’s hot today where I live. I mean, it’s 98° (I’m writing this before I’ve had breakfast!) and the heat index is 113°, with humidity of 62%. It’s not surprising that we’re under a heat advisory by the US National Weather Service. I’m a summer-lovin’ girl, but that’s hot, even for me. Now I’m not complaining, but to meet my exercise goals during the dog days of summer, is going to require a bit of creativity...and perhaps air conditioning. I want to stay active, stay hydrated, and stay away from my local urgent care with a heat-induced illness, and I want these for you as well. With these 3 parameters in mind, I must decide if I’m exercising outside or inside. If it’s outside, I’d better head out early in the morning, before the temperature involves 3 digits! If it’s inside, I need to choose exercises that fit into my available (air-conditioned) space. Keep reading for 4 C.O.O.L. exercises for summer.

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Impact

Confession time: I love our "Show Love" interval song in this spring's Body & Soul Fitness session. I love the out-out-in-in ladder run movement and I actually love to hurt through those squat jumps. I know...it's nuts but there you have it, I really do like them. They make us strong and what doesn't kill us has to make us stronger, amen? Well, we are all definitely stronger than when we first started this session and for that I am grateful. Here's the thing though, as instructors, we love making you physically stronger but at Body & Soul , that's not all we are about. We want you to be stronger spiritually, as well. Sometimes God grows us individually but in His infinite wisdom He also lets us grow corporately...as one big family (like the lyrics in the "Show Love" song says).

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Impact

We have all been there...the squat set that you do when you just don't think you can do one more round...the leaps you do when your legs feel like noodles...the push up you can't wait to finish because you just aren't sure you have even one more in those arms of yours. Yes, it's familiar territory but what about when it's not your body that is tired but your spirit? What do we do then? Where do we go and how do we recharge when we feel dry and weary?

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Impact

During the spring of 2009, nearly a year after my youngest son was born, I crawled out of bed every morning feeling a little bit useless and a lot depressed. Guilt and shame haunted me, and I could not defeat the lies that oppressed me each day. I was overweight, but more than that, I was physically, emotionally, psychological and spiritually unhealthy. I don’t remember how I came to decide that I wanted to change my sedentary lifestyle, but once I decided, I joined Body & Soul Fitness.

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Impact

We are all SO EXCITED about the new President Elect of Body & Soul, Amy Stafford, and we want you to get pumped, too! Today’s blog post highlights this smart, beautiful (and fit) woman! Amy has been teaching with Body & Soul for over 15 years and has a long list of titles after her name. She is the Power Strength Program Director, the Director of Fitness Programs, a member of the Cardio Strength Choreography team and the Regional Director for the Southeast U.S. And now, add to that list the title of “President-Elect.” (She will become the President in full this August when she takes the reins at the 35th anniversary workshop and celebration. More on that in a future blog post.) So, read on and get to know Amy and her heart via this brief Q&A.

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