Thank God for Mama!

Today was a first that I can recall. I did not spend Mother’s Day with my mom.

This was a different kind of day. I found myself thinking a lot about my mom and all she has done for me and been to me. Two words really come to mind-sacrifice and love. On this Mother’s Day, I’d like to share a 33 things (her number as a college basketball player) I thank God my mom has shared with me.

    1. Love God and trust in Him.
    2. Prayer changes things.
    3. Serve others.
    4. Love is an action word.
    5. Reading God’s Word and studying God’s Word are two different things.
    6. Don’t just do things because it’s expected of me by others.
    7. Recognition is overrated.
    8. Make wherever you are better.
    9. If I’m going to be stubborn about things, make sure they have eternal value.
    10. Accumulating stuff can make life messy, literally and figuratively.
    11. Don’t look down on another person. But for the grace of God, there go I.
    12. Value education.
    13. Never stop learning.
    14. Young people need love and patience.
    15. Young people desire to be understood.
    16. Leadership can speak without saying a word.
    17. Beginnings are important, but they don’t always determine the end.
    18. What I do is not about me and if it is, something might not be right.
    19. Take time for others.
    20. Speaking up for myself is not disrespect.
    21. An inch in the right direction is still progress.
    22. Take a shower after I work out or play sports.
    23. Laughter is a good thing.
    24. Don’t take myself too seriously.
    25. Don’t just think. You gotta do too.
    26. Look out for my brother and for my brother to look out for me.
    27. Give God my best. If I do, not only will I be better for it, so will others.
    28. Nobody can be me like me.
    29. God has even greater things in store for me.
    30. Stick with God.
    31. Some lessons won’t be appreciated until some trials are experienced.
    32. A mother’s love travels distances unmeasured by the human mind.
    33. If nobody else supports me, she will.

This list doesn’t do justice to all of the lessons, memories, and thoughts I’ve received from my mom.

Although it was a different kind of day, it was a special day as I had time to reflect on how blessed I am to have a mama like Alva Harris.

Thank God for mama!

Happy Mother’s Day to Mothers everywhere.

Wednesday Workout #5-Complete Body Circuit 1 and 2

Hey Everyone,

I hope your week has been great so far. This week I’m starting a 4 week Complete Body Program that is a part of a program that Get Ready Athletics will be releasing at the beginning of March. The program is broken down into 4 phases. Today, I am sharing Phase 1.

Before using this program, be sure to talk to your physician.

Remember to properly warm-up your body with an active warm-up and to finish your workout with a progressive cool-down.

I hope you enjoy the workout and benefit from it’s variety. Feel free to leave comments.

Equipment: Timer

The Way It Works:
This week’s program is based on interval training. There are a total 6 exercises that are broken down into 3 circuits of 2 exercises. Take a 60 seconds rest between circuits. Rest for 2 minutes after completing the 3rd circuit and repeat the cycle 2 times. The duration of each exercise will depend on your current fitness level.

  • Beginners (Exercise 1x per week)-20 seconds
  • Regular (Exercise 2-3x per week) 30 seconds
  • Intermediate-(Exercise 4x per week) 40 seconds
  • Advanced-(Exercise 5x per week) 60 seconds

Circuit 1 and Circuit 2 are to be completed on different days.

Take note of any modifications used.

Circuit 1 Exercises:

  • A1-Plank
  • A2-Bodyweight Squats
  • Rest for 60 seconds
  • B1-Straight Arm Plank
  • B2-Standing Torso Rotations
  • Rest for 60 seconds
  • C1-Mountain Climbers
  • C2-Heel Raises
  • Rest for 2 minutes and repeat

Circuit 2 Exercises:

  • A1-Side Plank
  • A2-Forward Lunge
  • Rest for 60 seconds
  • B1-Straight Arm Side Plank
  • B2-Backward Lunge
  • Rest for 60 seconds
  • C1-Pushups
  • C2-Standing Knee to Elbows
  • Rest for 2 minutes and repeat

Thanks for checking out this circuit. Let me know how it went for you.

Thursday Tips #4-Read 210

Wednesday Workout #4-Resistance Band Countdown 12

Equipment: Timer, Resistance Band

The Way It Works:
This is a count down set. Start with 12 reps of each exercise, then do 11 reps of each exercise, 10, 9,….1. Stop the clock when the last set of one rep of each exercise is complete.

Take note of any modifications used.

Record the total time it takes to complete the workout.

The Exercises:

  1. Band Bicep Curls
  2. Band Front Raise
  3. Band shoulder Press

Be sure to leave a comment sharing your time for the workout.

A Reminder Before the Weekend

This poem is a nice reminder for those who have thought about quitting or giving up. Hang in there.

Never Give Up

It takes a little courage and a little self control,

And some grim determination if you want to reach your goal.

It takes a deal of striving and firm and stern set chin,

No matter what the battle, if you’re really out to win.

There’s no easy path to glory; there’s no rosy path to fame;

Life, however we may view it, is no simple parlor game.

But its prizes call for fighting, for endurance and for grit,

For a rugged disposition, and a don’t know-when-to-quit,

You must take a blow to give one; you must risk and you must lose,

And expect that that in the struggle you will suffer many a bruise.

But you mustn’t whine or falter if a fight you once begin;

Be a man and face the battle–that’s the only way to win!

-Author Unknown

Biblical Inspirations for the Athlete

I recently shared a post titled Evaluation Time that encourages us to pursue that which does not tarnish. Today, I’d like to share some scriptures that I find to be very inspirational in this pursuit, especially for athletes.

If you don’t consider yourself to be an athlete, there’s still something there for you.

My hope is that you can use the poster to be inspired by the Word of God. There are 21 passages of scripture-one for each day of the week for 3 weeks.

At the beginning of each day, write out the verse and what it means to you. Throughout the day keep the verse in mind. At the end of the day, review how the verse inspired you.

Check out the poster.  Post it, pint it, like it, tweet it, print it, share it. Most of all, use it.

Scriptures for the Athlete

Scriptures for the Athlete

Biblical Inspirations Poster pdf

*The Quotes of Inspiration Poster includes 21 of my favorite sports quotes.

Please leave a comment and provide feedback on the poster.

Certified Youth Fitness Specialist

It’s official. I have earned my Youth Fitness Specialist Certification from the International Youth Conditioning Association (IYCA). The IYCA is the premier international authority with respect to Youth Fitness & Youth Sports Training for professionals who work with young athletes and youth fitness participants aged 6 – 18.

With this additional certification, I am better able to develop specific programs for youth and young athletes to not only improve sports performance, but to offer education and development for kids of all skill and fitness levels. It is my aim to develop a healthy, active culture among youth in the towns of Morrisville, Cary, and vicinity.

I’m excited to implement the ideas learned while studying and look forward to sharing them with the youth that I work with now and will work with in the future.

Evaluation Time!

Seeing athletes excel during the Olympics is an enlightening experience. The preparation and the training that it takes to get there is beyond belief for most. Many spend much time in pursuit of a medal. However with all the competitors, only 3 people/teams can earn a medal and only one is considered the best.

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Did You Win Today?

Write down all of your little victories throughout the day.

My favorite sport is baseball which is a sport that has been described by many as a game of failure. The greatest hitters of all time are successful only 3 out of 10 times. According to Baseball-Reference.com, 359 out of 360 teams have lost more than 30% of their games. That definitely could have one think that there’s a lot of losing involved.

However, I believe baseball like life is full of little victories. We won’t get a hit every time or win every game, but we can definitely learn from each time at the plate and game that is played. Be thankful for each opportunity to participate and do your part and strive to do better with each opportunity. That is how we appreciate the little victories. (more…)

Do You Have a Case of the Can’t Do’s”

Can’t Dues

When you have a case of the “can’t do’s”, pay your “can’t dues” by putting a quarter in a jar or piggy bank. Donate that money to a charity of your choice.

Have you ever had a case of the “can’t do’s”?  I can’t do this because of that or I can’t do that because of this. The “can’t do’s” provide excuses. It’s time to break from the “can’t do’s” and focus more on what you can do. When you do this you are better able to make progress, grow, develop, and make positive change.

Speaking of change, if you have a real bad case of the “can’t do’s” , turn them into “can’t dues” and begin to place a quarter in a jar or piggy bank each time you say you can’t do something or have any other type of negative affirmation. Your new can do attitude will become an I am doing attitude.

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