Marsha Apsley
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health and fitness Archives - Marsha Apsley

Revisiting 2016 Goals and Gearing Up for the Final Push

Did you set any goals for 2016?  Here we are at the last quarter of the year.  How are you doing?  Have you given up on,  or maybe even forgotten,…

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What's troubling you? "Let not your heart be tro What's troubling you? "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” John 14:1 (NKJV) How often do we get all worked up about our struggles with weight loss and fitness? I have cried WAY too many tears over a number on a scale. I’ve scoured the internet for weight loss plans and pills that would help me lose those last five pounds. I have allowed myself to get so troubled over my body size. In fact, I remember a specific time I had a horrible day because I wore something that was a little snug and all day long I was thinking it was a bigger size than it was. When I took it off and realized it was the smaller size, I didn’t feel so bad. How many times have we created trouble or stress that isn’t even true??? This passage tells us “let NOT your heart be troubled.” If I believe in God then I should know that He has a plan for me. He has created me the way that I am. I may need to change a few habits to become a bit healthier, but I can’t let myself get overwhelmed with things like a few pounds. I believe He created me. I believe that He loves me. I believe that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. How about you? What do you believe? Is your heart troubled in this area of health and fitness? It’s time to give it over to Him. Prayer: Lord, calm my spirit, quiet my mind. Help me to be open to the truth of Your Word which tells me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made and that I only need to believe in and rely on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Action Step: If the numbers on the scale are causing your spirit to be troubled, get rid of them. Whatever it is that you are obsessing about and that is causing worry, get that out of your life. {Adapted from Day 28 of "40 Days of Faith and Fitness."} #FaithAndFitness #DitchTheScale #FitAndFree #40DaysOfFaithAndFitness #DevotionsForWomen #DailyDevotions #HealthyLivingTips #Moderation365
Purpose in the struggle “And He said to me, ‘ Purpose in the struggle “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NKJV) My struggles with weight, self-image, negative self-talk, etc., are what has kept me on my knees. And as much as I coach and counsel women, I have times when I still struggle. The struggle may never go away completely, and sometimes I have to think that it's not supposed to. You see, we need Him. But sometimes it’s easy to ignore Him or forget when things are going okay. I’m blessed. I have periods of my life that seem to be going just fine, but no matter what is happening, this struggle with my weight and body image is always very close to the surface. It’s reared its ugly head so many times that I know I have to start each day asking for help in this area and surrendering it, and I still don’t get it right each time. But it keeps me at His feet. Yours may be the same, or it may be something different. I’m not sure what your ongoing struggle is. Instead of wishing it away, thank Him for it. Let it be that thing that keeps you closely connected to Him. Prayer: Lord, I know You are strong in me. I rely on Your strength every single day. Thank You for drawing me to You and giving me a new dose of Your strength. I don’t want to ever drift far away from Your presence. In Your precious name, Amen. Action Step: Go to the mirror and make a muscle. Thank God for the strength He gives you today and every day. {Taken from Day 27 of "40 Days of Faith and Fitness."} Drop 💪 in the comments. YOU ARE STRONG! #FaithAndFitness #IAmStrong #FitAndFree #DevotionsForWomen #DailyDevotions
My latest book is now on the shelf! My latest book is now on the shelf!
“But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against “But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why have you made me like this?’” Romans 9:20 (NKJV) How many times have I looked in the mirror and pointed out what was wrong with me? Anyone else? Saggy breasts. Poochy stomach. Too short. Too tall. This booty. Ugh! Have you ever had any of these thoughts when you looked in the mirror? But wait. Conversations with only yourself? You may be alone, but are you? You may think you’re just talking to your reflection, but are you? Sweet sister, Someone formed you. Someone created you to be just as you are. I would suggest that this conversation you’re having is more than just with the person staring back at you. It is with the Creator Himself. He hears you and knows what you’re saying. Ok, maybe you haven’t been the best steward of the body you’ve been given. Maybe there are some healthy choices you want to start making. But the bottom line is this: He made you exactly the way you were supposed to be made. When your child brings you his artwork, do you look at him and tell him you don’t like it? Do you tell him it wasn’t supposed to be made that way? That his way isn’t how it’s supposed to be? Of course you don’t! You cherish his artwork. In fact, you find a special place to display it for ALL to see. In the same way, our Creator has said “Here is this body for you, wonderfully made, just for you to care for.” Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for making me just the way I’m supposed to be. Thank You for crafting me into a beautiful woman. Help me be a good steward with that which You have entrusted me. Amen. Action Step: Take a selfie and hang it on your refrigerator or display it somewhere that you and others can see. Be grateful for how you have been fashioned today. {Taken from Day 26 of "40 Days of Faith and Fitness."} Post your selfie in the comments below or tag me @marshaapsley #FaithAndFitness #FearfullyAndWonderfullyMade #TakeASelfie #40DaysofFaithAndFitness
Getting books ready to distribute! Some are going Getting books ready to distribute! Some are going in the mail, and some will go to Three Sisters tomorrow. You can also order from Amazon. In case you missed it: Front cover is Carol Luke and her dog Millie. Front cover photograph was taken by Grace Herper. Back cover is a picture of Cathie Zagorski walking on a beach in California. The photo was taken by her husband. I had editing support from Teresa Clark. Ten ladies shared thoughts and comments on particular verses in Psalms that meant something special to her. These 50 devotions began as an email series to dozens of women who joined me for 50 Days to 50 to celebrate my 50th birthday in September last year. Why do I share this? Because this project was a community effort. It came together with, and because of, women right here in our circle. I love the personal touches to this book. According to Hebrews 4:12, God's Word is living an active. I pray that you will read this and sense Him speaking to you, specifically to you, through each Psalm. He sees you. He loves you. And He wants to spend time with you. Do you have questions about my latest devotional? Drop them in the comments. If you participated in 50 Days to 50, what were your takeaways from the Psalms? #DailyDevotions #Devotional #DevotionalForWomen #DevotionsForWomen #GodsWord #FaithAndFitness #FitAndFree #BookRelease #WomenSupportingWomen #CommunityOverCompetition
"Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land "Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37:3-5 (NKJV) What it means is that when you get laser-focused on following Christ, you can be sure that when a strong desire is in your heart, He’s put it there. The desires of your heart will come from within. It starts with committing your way to the Lord, surrendering the desires of your heart to Him. Of course, He wants to bless us. Yes, He is a good Father who will give us good things. But it begins with us putting our trust in Him. When we are following Him, the desires of our hearts change. Our priorities become reorganized. The perfect body loses its appeal. Rushing down the aisle doesn’t seem as urgent. The promotion no longer defines my success. To read the full devotion, go to @faithandfitnessmagazine https://faithandfitness.net/desires-of-your-heart/ #DailyDevotions #DevotionsForWomen #FaithAndFitness #FaithAndFitnessMagazine #Priorities #PutGodFirst
“I speak in human terms because of the weakness “I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.” Romans 6:19 (NKJV) In her book Made to Crave, Lysa TerKeurst writes “these boundaries are in place for our freedom.” We often tell small children they can play in our fenced-in yard. They have the freedom to roam anywhere within the safety of the fence. Those boundaries are there for their safety. They can run free and still stay safe. If we let our child run out the front door, he may be free but he is not safe. Then fear and danger set in. It’s the same with our health and fitness. We may have access to all types of food, but it’s not in our best interest to eat it all. It’s not healthy for our bodies. When we’re training for an event, we need to follow a training plan. If we want to run a half marathon, we need to be prepared to cover the distance. We have the freedom to choose our pace, but if we have chosen that distance we need to add the mileage regularly and safely. Our victory depends on staying within the safe boundaries He has set for us. Prayer: Lord, thank You for keeping me safe in Your arms. Thank You for loving me enough to give me boundaries. Help me to honor them so that I’m always safe in Your care. In Your name I pray, Amen. Action Step: Do you need to set some boundaries? Assess your health and fitness. {Adapted from Day 23 of "40 Days of Faith and Fitness." Link in bio} #HealthyLivingTips #FaithAndFitness #FitAndFree #40DaysOfFaithAndFitness #DailyDevotions #DevotionsForWomen
Photo recap of our quick trip to New Orleans. This Photo recap of our quick trip to New Orleans. This momma's heart is full after spending some time with my favorite guys. 💙 Only you can be the wife and mother of your home. It's your highest calling. Love them well. #FamilyIsImportant #PresentOverPerfect #LoveMyGuys #MomLifeBestLife #MomOfBoys #BoyMom
{Sunday Devotion - Remain}⁠ ⁠ “I am the vine {Sunday Devotion - Remain}⁠ ⁠ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)⁠ ⁠ Remain. ⁠ ⁠ I don’t know about you, but it’s hard for me to sit still. I like to be productive. For sure, I have no problem kicking back to read a book or even taking a nap but not until everything else is done. So to remain doesn’t sound very inviting - until I look at it more closely. ⁠ ⁠ At first glance, to remain might make you think of doing nothing. Stay here. Wait. Sit still. But remaining is an action. If you and I want to remain, we must choose to continue being there. It’s an act of staying right where we are.⁠ ⁠ God gives us a choice. We can remain attached to Him or we can go our own way. To be sure, this verse says we won’t be able to do anything, but still He gives us a choice. ⁠ ⁠ For many years, I did fitness my way. I followed plans. But I got nowhere. I didn’t get the results I hoped for, the results that I was promised. However, when I chose to remain in Him, I learned how to live a sustainable healthy life. I realized that apart from Him, I can’t reach my goals. I can’t make progress. I can’t do anything successfully. But when I make the choice, take action by remaining, I can. I can do whatever it is He’s calling me to do. ⁠ ⁠ Action Step: Have you wandered from the Lord only to realize that the path you’re taking is getting you nowhere? Go back to Him. Choose to remain connected to His life and love. Then you’ll begin to make progress on your journey. ⁠ ⁠ Happy Sunday! ⁠
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    I am not a doctor, nutritionist, certified personal trainer. I share from my heart. I share what has worked for me along this journey of health and fitness and mindset shift. I am a counselor, but I am not your counselor. I do not know your personal story or situation. Please recognize the fact that it is your responsibility to work directly with your physician before, during, and after seeking nutritional or exercise advice. Therefore the information on this blog is for information purposes only and no guarantees are made concerning the accuracy, reliability, and completeness of that information. The blogger behind this website accepts no responsibilities for errors or omissions on the site. Remember that any advice, tips, or recommendations you receive from this blog are not to be substituted for professional advice, please consult with a medical professional before starting any new exercise or diet plans. Visitors should take action based on the information provided at their own risk, as the blog owner is not responsible for any losses, damages, or injuries, that occur as a result.

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