CRUNCH TIME~My Senior Exercise Plan 2024; #2

An expanding waistline is sometimes considered a price of getting older. For women, this can be especially true as body fat tends to shift to the abdomen after menopause.

That extra belly fat does more than just make it hard to zip up a favorite pair of jeans, though. Research shows that belly fat carries serious health risks. But the threats posed by belly fat can be lowered.

How much a person weighs depends in large part on four things:

Calories taken in each day/calories burned off each day: People who regularly eat and drink more calories than they burn each day are more likely to gain extra weight, including belly fat.

Age: Getting older also makes a difference. People lose muscle as they age. And the problem is worse for those who are not physically active. Loss of muscle mass decreases how quickly the body uses calories. That can make it more challenging to maintain a healthy weight.

Many women notice an increase in belly fat as they get older even if they don't gain weight. This is likely due to a lower level of estrogen because estrogen seems to have an effect on where fat is located in the body.

Genetics: Genes can contribute to an individual's chances of being overweight or obese too. It also plays a role in where the body stores fat.

Ready to start …

Clipped onto my yoga pants waistband … and slipped onto my right forefinger = this morning's starting oxygen & heart rate.

Ready, set, GO ;-)

No register at all on the power stride monitor! Walking 500 steps on the stepper should have s.o.m.e.t.h.i.n.g. showing. The pulse oximeter showed oxygen & heart rate slightly elevated; a little breathless, but lungs, nor heart, were stressed to painful.

So, this will not work on the stepper - only actual walking about (while making the bed, my steps were monitored) : I'll wear it while walking around the house, shopping, ect … if activities involve walk-about-walking, this thing will be registering my steps ;-)

5 Exercises for Seniors to Lose Belly Fat: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQvhi408vAA)

The trouble with belly fat is that it's not limited to the layer of padding just below the skin - belly fat also crowds deep inside the abdomen, and surrounds the internal organs.

Regardless of a person's overall weight, having a large amount of belly fat raises the risk of: (1) high blood pressure (2) an unhealthy amount of fat in the blood (3) sleep apnea (4) heart disease (5) high blood sugar and diabetes (6) some cancers (7) stroke (8) fatty liver (9) early death from any cause.

To see if your belly fat is a concern, measure your waist:

Stand and place a tape measure around your bare stomach, just above your hipbone.

Pull the tape measure until it fits snugly, but it doesn't push into the skin. Make sure the tape measure is level all the way around.

Relax, exhale and measure your waist. Don't suck in your stomach as you measure.

For women, a waist measurement of more than 35 inches (89 centimeters) signals an unhealthy amount of belly fat and a greater risk of health problems. In general, though, the greater the waist measurement, the higher the health risks.

You can strengthen and tone abdominal muscles with crunches or other exercises focused on your belly. But doing those exercises alone won't get rid of belly fat. The good news is that the deep-rooted fat responds to the same diet and exercise strategies that can help get rid of other extra pounds and lower total body fat. Try these tips: (1) eat a healthy diet - the majority of the foods on your plate should be plant-based, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (2) choose lean sources of protein; fish & low-dairy products (3) limit processed foods - as well as cheeses and butter (4) choose serving portions wisely; cut down, even when making healthy choices: calories add up (5) replace sugary beverages - drink more water (6) get active: for most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends moderate aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, for at least 150 minutes a week or vigorous aerobic activity, such as jogging, for at least 75 minutes a week. Strength training exercises are recommended at least twice a week.

If you want to lose weight or meet specific fitness goals, you might need to exercise more.

Losing belly fat takes effort and patience. To lose extra fat and keep it from coming back, aim for slow and steady weight loss.

FLEXIBILITY~My Senior Exercise Plan 2024; #1 https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2024/01/flexabilitymy-senior-exercise-plan-2024.html

1 THESSALONIANS ~ Chapter 5/Thursday Bible Study

When Scripture says we are created in God's Image, it does not mean God looks like us (a most carnal theory), for God in essence is Spirit (John 4:24). We are like God in creative personality - having intellect, sensibility, and will. Many believe this likeness also refers to the Trinity: God is One in essence, but 3 in "Person" (the Father, the Son, & the Holy Spirit). A person also is a trinity of sorts, although the parallel is not exact. Many like to stress that a human being is composed of material (body), and immaterial (soul, spirit, mind, ect.) parts: this is a valid distinction.

In Thessalonians 5:23, the *Apostle Paul identifies among 3 of a large whole. People always put the body first and spirt last … **Elohim's order, however, is just the opposite - as Paul points out: these are not merely distinctions without a difference. Each part or element of the whole must be separate in some way.

If, as many believe, there is a comparison (the act of evaluating two or more things by determining the relevant, comparable characteristics of each thing, and then determining which characteristics of each are similar to the other, which are different, and to what degree) with the Holy Trinity … a Christian's spirit obviously would parallel the ***Ruach HaKo'desh, the Christian Body would parallel the Son - Who assumed human flesh (and human spirit and soul, as well): this leaves the Christian soul to parallel the Father … assuming the comparison is valid.

Spirit (pneuma) has the same double meaning in both the Old Covenant (Testament) & the New Covenant: the Hebrew rûaħ or ruach, a word meaning "breath, spirit" & the Greek pneuma, a word that we translate into English as “spirit,” “breath,” or “unseen force” mean the same thing. This explains ****Yeshua's play on words (way of using a word or phrase so that more than one meaning is suggested) in John 3 in His discussion on being born again = born from above by the Spirit, and the wind blowing where it wills.

The spirit is that part of humans that makes us different from animals.

The spiritual aspect of human beings is most important. Our #Christian spiritual growth and knowledge will last for all eternity.

Soul (psyche /ˈsaɪki = seye-kee) refers to the mind, soul, or spirit, as opposed to the body = spawned from the Greek psukhē 'breath, life, soul'. The main usages of psyche are soul (in its many meanings, including 'person'); when Yeshua talks of soul salvation, He is talking about how many people will be saved, and the rewards that come from living for God.

We are so used to using "saved" for eternal salvation, and "soul" for the personality that will live forever … that we miss the meaning in some contexts of "make the most of your life [psyche] for the Lord." Saving our souls from Hell is fundamental. If we are not Believers we cannot serve Elohim acceptably. However, since psyche also refers to our personality and our life on earth, we must also make the most of our lives so that we can have some reward for our labors, in the ##Day of Christ.

Body (soma). The word 'soma' comes from the Greek 'σῶμα', meaning 'body'. There is far too much stress on the body in Western culture: bodybuilding, fitness craze, health food fads, and the cosmetic treatments to improve physical appearance. in reacting to this, however, we should not swing to the opposite extreme and neglect the body - or even call it evil, as some of the ancient Greeks did. The human body is a masterpiece of divine engineering and should be properly maintained for health to serve God and our fellow man. In the resurrection (in 1 Corinthians 15, as in the Gospels and Acts, the resurrection is understood as the miraculous revivification of the mortal body of flesh and bones, and its transformation so as to be imperishable), Believers will receive perfect bodies with none of the weaknesses of mortality (the time from birth until physical death).

For our own tripartite (three distinct components: body, spirit, and soul relating to one distinct entity) personalities we can do no better than repeat Apostle Paul's prayer: "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely: and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ".

********************

1 THESSALONIANS 5

Description of The Day of The Lord - (vv. 1 thru 11 )

"But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write you (Matthew 24:3). For you yourselves know perfectly well that the Day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night (2 Peter 3:10). For when they shall say, "Peace & safety!" … then sudden destruction comes upon them as labor pains upon a pregnant woman; and they shall not escape (Isaiah 13:6-9 & Hosea 13:13). But you, brethren, are not in darkness - so that this Day should overtake you like a thief (1 John 2:8). You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep (a condition of body and mind in which the eyes are closed, the body deeply relaxed, the activity of the brain altered, and consciousness of the surroundings practically suspended = to stop something from being active, either temporarily or permanently), as others do, but let us watch (an act or instance of carefully observing someone or something over a period of time; exercise care, caution) and be sober (self controlled = characterized by seriousness and lack of excess; living with a single-minded focus). For those who sleep, sleep at night (period of darkness) - and those who get drunk (affected by alcohol to the extent of losing control of one's thoughts or actions; drunkenness can affect a person's judgment: symptoms after heavy drinking include slurred speech, incoordination = unequal in rank, order, or importance, and mood and behavior changes. Sometimes, coma can occur = a state of being that is similar to a very deep sleep, except no amount of sounds or physical prompts can kickstart the brain to become awake and alert) are drunk at night. But let those of us who are of the day (a period of light; Sonshine) be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet - the hope of salvation. For Elohim did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through ****Yeshua Ha'Mashiach (Romans 9:22), Who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort (a person or thing that makes someone feel less worried, upset, frightened, etc. = action, not an emotion) one another and edify (to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge : uplift. also : enlighten, inform) one another, just as you also are doing.

Instruction for Holy Living (vv. 12 thru 28)

And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor (work hard physically = make great effort; the process of birthing = gaining new converts; discuss something at length = teaching, giving knowledge) among you, and are over (at a higher level in knowledge) you in the Lord and admonish (bring to mind = refresh; to caution or reprove gently = to warn) you, and to esteem (to regard as honorable or valuable) them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves (Mark 9:50). Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly (the rebellious = those who refuse Church counsel or teaching), comfort the faint-hearted (lacking conviction; or boldness, or courage), uphold (to support; to sustain; to keep from falling; to maintain = to aid by approval or encouragement) the weak, be patient (the ability to endure difficult people and situations without giving into anger or giving up hope) with all (Galatians 5:22). See that no one renders (gives; puts forward) evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue (go after; seek to do) what is good both for yourselves, and for all (Galatians 6:10). Rejoice (to feel great delight; to be glad) always (2 Corinthians 6:10), pray always (Ephesians 6:18), in everything give thanks; for this is the Will of Elohim in Christ Jesus, for you. Do not quench (to extinguish, to suppress, to cool) the Ruach HaKo'desh (Ephesians 4:30). Do not despise (hating something; the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn = to mock) prophesies (1 Corinthians 14: 1 & 31). Test (Hebrew word nasah, translated "tested" in Genesis 22:1, has the idea of proving the quality of something, usually by putting it through a trial of some kind) all things; hold fast to what is good. Abstain (to hold one' s self off = to stop) from every form (the shape or the appearance of something) of evil (that which is opposed to God, that which is the opposite of God, and that which is contrary to God). Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify (set apart as or declare holy; free from sin = purify; make legitimate or binding) you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved (to keep alive, intact, or free from decay; to keep or save from injury or destruction = to defend from evil) blameless (cannot be accused of wrongdoing before people or Elohim) at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:8-9 & 1 Thessalonians 3:13). He, Who calls you is faithful, Who also will do it (1 Corinthians 10:13 & Philippians 1:6). Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle (a long, formal letter = a prescribed format and in a covenant format) be read to all the holy brethren. The grace of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach be with you. Amen (the basic meaning of the Semitic root from which it is derived is “firm,” “fixed,” or “sure,” and the related Hebrew verb also means “to be reliable” and “to be trusted.” The Greek Old Testament usually translates amen as “so be it”; in the English Bible it has frequently been rendered as “verily,” or “truly.”)."

*Apostle Paul = known as Saul before he converted to Christianity (Acts 9), was the chief killer of Christians following Yeshua’s death, resurrection, and ascension – being the foremost witness to the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7).

The Apostle Paul was one of the most influential leaders of the early Christian Church. He played a crucial role in spreading the gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews) during the first century, and his missionary journeys took him all throughout the Roman empire.

**Elohim (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים, romanized: ʾּlōhīm: [(eloˈ(h)im]) is a Hebrew word meaning "Gods – Father, Son, & Holy Spirit". Although the word is plural in form, in the Hebrew Bible it usually refers to a single deity “Behold, the Lord – the Lord is One”, particularly the God of Israel.

***Ruach HaKo'desh (Hebrew: רוח הקודש, "holy spirit" also transliterated roo-akh-qodesh); spirit, breath, or wind of Elohim. The spirit of prophecy which comes from Elohim: a divine inspiration giving man an insight into the future and into the will of God.

****Yeshua Ha’Mashiach: is Hebrew for “Jesus the Messiah”; the name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua.

Christ (from the Hebrew word, Ha’Mashiach ישוע המשיח & the Greek word, Christos/khris-tos) = The Anointed, Yeshua the Messiah, in both languages.

Lord Jesus Christ (in Greek: Kyrios Iēsous Christos) = the most formal title for Jesus (Yeshua). It occurs often in the New Testament letters.

The word “Lord” has a wide range of uses; it can be a simple respectful “Sir” or a more formal, “Master.” But the New Testament also uses “Lord” of God. The word “Christ” is the anglicized form of the Greek word meaning “anointed one” or “Messiah.” “Lord Jesus Christ” reminds us that Jesus is both the promised Messiah and our God.

#Christianity is faith in Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach) as Lord & Savior; Redeemer, and Deliverer, through Whom eternal salvation is given. In context, faith refers both to the believers' act of trust and to the content of their faith. Christianity is more than a system of religious belief - it is a Lifestyle wholly contingent (dependent on, or conditioned by) the personhood (the quality, or condition of being an individual) of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach.

##Day of Christ = The 'Day of our Lord Jesus Christ' seems to describe the completion of salvation (in all three tenses = past, present, & future) for Church Age Believers = the Body of Christ. This will happen at The Rapture, our blessed hope (Titus 2.13).

**1 Thessalonians 4: https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2024/01/1-thessalonians-chapter-4thursday-bible.html

PRETTY~Parker-AZ

Last night we watched the recent Presidential Election Primary, and couldn't believe that once again, nikki haley showed her total delusional side when she claimed the victory!

It's like the obamanite factor of DC does not live in reality anymore: nikkie haley is a delusional obamanite demonrat posing as a republican Patriot - she is neither. She is a rhino; and a soured one, at that.

Laura Ingraham: It's three strikes and Nikki Haley is out: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zre58dvamQo)

Larry Kudlow: Nikki Haley is going to get clobbered in South Carolina: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXLyMCdeuEE)

Trump campaign press sec calls 'Democrat vessel' Nikki Haley 'delusional': (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8UPG6ZHcCc)

We went to bed with the sound of heavy rainfall all around us … and prayed that the DC insanity would be washed away with this new year Presidential Election.

Yesterday's tap-dancing-backbeat that lasted all night long.

President Trump WON - but nikki haley took the mic and pronounced herself 'winner'!

This morning, we woke up to sunshine; so our drive to Parker was a fun one :-)

But first, I spent a little time in the bunk room … my earlier post today:

'Flexability~My Senior Exercise Plan 2024': (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2024/01/flexabilitymy-senior-exercise-plan-2024.html)

Then, I spent a little time getting dolled up before leaving Quartzsite ;-)

I didn't get too fancy - but I did put a little color on my face, and pull out some cute shoes to match my jeans and mexicali-style peasant top:

A chance to wear cute shoes, again ;-)

'Gentle' for brow, 'Illusion' for lid color, & 'Conquest' for inner lid highlight; 'Auburn' Brow Gel & 'Cobalt Blue' Mascara.

Buckled into Betsy, and ready to roll …

Parker-AZ from Quartzsite-AZ; 36 min (35.7 mi) via AZ-95 N

The mountains were couched in a misty cloud layer, due to all that rainfall last night, and warming sunshine this afternoon.

It looks like a massive & extensive dust storm - but it's moisture evaporating from the desert floor.

Don't know what this is - but it looks like a refinery plant of some sort, with that black smokestack … but couldn't run anything down on it. Hmmm

Parker-AZ on the horizon; this is a very busy highway.

We had lunch before shopping; while we were eating, these pretty little - and very noisy - birds entertained us. I went online, and tried to find out what they were, but nothing at all resembling them came up :-(

Then we talked about the truck camper we're considering, to purchase … and saw something similar across the way:

These are vey noisy birds; glittery green back, honey gold front - yellow eyes, green legs, & a green beak.

The type of truck camper we will be shopping for in the near future.

Shopping went well this afternoon … there were no crazy shoppers ready to pick a fight with me over peppers; and Bleu behaved himself, too. Everyone loves him, and he basks in the 'star' shine ;-)

Road crews were busy along the route, all day long - thankfully traffic wasn't held up too long, either way.

I spotted another pretty heart-shaped cloud in the sky: I love seeing them - to me, they are heavenly messages letting me know that Elohim has His eye on us, and is guiding us along; preparing the way before us, and leading us safely to where He wants us to be. When I see a heart cloud, or a heart rock, I literally feel His love all around me :-)

Road work the entire length of Hwy. #95, to the Parker-AZ Junction; both side shoulders have been graded, and pea gravel was being laid down.

I love the way Elohim shows  me his love for me … heart-shaped clouds. Hearts were everywhere this month.

Holland and I  both indulged a little at the grocery store: I spent big on eggs, and Holland will enjoy a big mug of spendy coffee tomorrow morning ;-)

$8 for 18 eggs; worth it not to be poisoned with chemicals.

And something for Holland; dark roasted, 'Quatch approved, & made in America - his kind of thing ;-)