8 Steps to Unleashing your Inner Athlete After Age 60

I have realized this year that God places the deep desires of our heart in our hearts for a reason, so we will know his purpose for us. If we take the time to be still and listen to what’s in our hearts I believe God meets us there. Scripture says that Jesus went to a quiet place where He rested and prayed every single day. So I figure if the desire of my heart to be the athlete within me then that must be God’s will for me because that’s where he talks to me, in my heart.

My heart tells me there are many of you who want authentic health and fitness and to make the shift to the athlete within you. So from my heart to yours, here are eight steps to unleash your inner athlete after age 60 (though it will work anytime):

Healthy Step #1: Acknowledge the importance of health

Fully acknowledge to yourself that being authentically healthy is in fact a deep desire of your heart, begin to pursue your dream to become an athlete. Stay focused and mindful that this is your truth. Don’t get lazy - remember what Scripture says about sluggards.

Healthy Step #2: Don’t bite off more than you can chew

When starting the shift to a healthy lifestyle, start out very slowly. For example, take a Rest & Restore class twice per week to begin opening up your body, and begin walking 1/2 hour six days per week.

The point is to get your lifestyle to accommodate regular exercise and not getting so sore that it is a deterrent to continuing. After you do this for a month, you will know where to take it. Just know that you might be a little sore, and this is okay. The journey can be fairly gentle and still allow the athlete within you to appear.

Healthy Step #3: Pay attention to what you eat

All healthy, physically fit people watch what they eat. If you want to see what our food system is really like now and what you are actually putting in your mouth you may want to rent Food, Inc. and Food Matters on DVD. Then you will understand why we need to eat organic fresh foods.

Healthy Step #4: Kiss extra fat goodbye

An athlete is lean and excess fat needs to go. You can get rid of it by eating 80% raw organic fruits and vegetables, vegetable juices daily. The shift to quality food is important for weight loss and muscle strength. Almost all health thought leaders I read say that ALL of our food now needs to be organic, most of our diet (80%/day) should consist of fresh raw organic fruits and vegetables, no processed foods, no colas, no white food like sugar, pasta & bread, very minor coffee (no more than 2 cups per day), use agave and Yakon Syrup for sweetening and then very little.

Scripture says not to be gluttons or to eat too much sugar for a reason…it makes us tired, overweight and diseased. We all also know we should have small portions at our meals. Most everyone has heard the studies that say high calorie intake = fatter, shorter life span.

Healthy Step #5: Make healthy friends

If you don’t have friends who exercise regularly add a couple to your list. For example, a lot of people enjoy coming to our yoga studio with a friend or two to enjoy their workouts together. Don’t throw your old friends out if they choose not to be healthy, just make sure you have a couple friends who enjoy the same kinds of foods and exercises and hang with them too.

Healthy Step #6: Keep God front-and-center

Keep intimacy with God because spiritual health is the most important part of physical health. This is why I LOVE Christian yoga. You get so much done in one hour, relax, peace out, draw close to God, listen to great Christian and secular music, stretch and exercise every one of your muscles, sweat some and leave invigorated! What’s not to like? This is just me but I think everyone in the world should practice Christian yoga two to three times per week. It keeps you centered and clear and maintains awareness of your spiritual nature. It brings clarity, purpose and joy.

Healthy Step #7: Don’t guess on your health level

I encourage you to take a blood panel test to find out where all your vitamin, thyroid and hormone levels are. Sometimes we feel tired because we don’t have the right vitamins in our bodies…you can’t get it all with food. After you receive the results of your Blood Panel Test, supplement where needed with excellent clean supplements, I recommend www.lef.org for the cleanest most reasonably priced supplements.

Healthy Step #8: Smile!

Have fun and enjoy your new lifestyle!

Please let me know your progress!

I hope this has been of service to you. Drop me a post and let me know.

Here’s to becoming the athlete within us,
DeAnna