Does the army want its soldiers to start "eating to live?"

By Audrey Muhammad

It appears that the U.S. Army wants to practice “eating to live” because they see that their soldiers are not up to par. Would you believe that one of the leading reasons the U.S. Army rejects potential recruits is excess weight? However, even after screening out the “seriously obese and completely unfit,[the Army] is still finding that many of the recruits who reach basic training have less strength and endurance” than privates in the past. What has caused this “unfit to fight” problem? According to the August 31, 2010 article in The New York Times, “It is the legacy junk food and video games, compounded by a reduction in gym classes in many high schools,” Army officials claimed.

The new fitness regime is more well-rounded and “increases in difficulty more gradually.” Running is kept as a staple, but pilates, yoga and core (abdomen) and back strengthening exercise is stressed.

Another study mentioned that “not enough weight-bearing exercise and a diet heavy on sugared sodas and energy drinks, but light in calcium and iron,” have exacerbated the issue. In a report entitled “Too Fat of Fight,” recruits who failed their physicals each year because they were considered overweight rose nearly 70 percent. The report, which was conducted by a group of retired generals, was a clear sign that we need to “go back to the basics” to improve fitness

What about food? The New York Times article claims the new army menu will include more “green leafy vegetables, less fried food, and milk instead of sodas.” It sounds like the army is trying to incorporate an “eat to live diet.” A certain way of eating and exercising have to go hand in hand if optimum health is to be maintained. In the book How to Eat to Live, The Honorable Elijah Muhammad encourages us to eat navy beans, fruits and vegetables.

Now the next question we should ask ourselves in the “nation,” is “How fit am I?” I recently began increasing my intensity level in my exercise routines because I wanted better results. I also quit letting my daughter “talk me into” getting ice cream every week. (smile).

How can we become more “fit soldiers?” I heard Minister Farrakhan once say that “Whatever we feed our minds, we become.” What type of person do you want to become? Do you want to become the type of person that seeks refuge in Allah(God) and Allah alone? It all starts with a thought. What is our intention or desire?

There is a saying that if you “feed the spirit properly, the mind will follow.” What are we feeding our mind? What is our desire for the New Year? Why should you have desires or goals? “Desire feeds the Will.” What type of life would we have if we don’t have any goals? Goal #1 should be to submit our Will to the Will of God. However, in America, as we see the moral degeneration and “deathstyle” disobedience to God, abundance of

fast food and no exercise is becoming more and more prevalent.

.

Did you know that studies show that when an athlete is engaged in positive self-talk, he can push himself more to run that extra few minutes or do a few more sets when lifting weight. What is “positive self-talk?” Phrases like “I can do it!” or “Focus!” What about exercising and saying to yourself, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me, (Philippians 4:13). Doesn’t that scripture make you want to push even more? Now couple that good “food for thought” with good “food for the body.” Set your goals and “strengthen the Soldier within!”

Minister Farrakhan mentioned recently that “motive determines the degree of the power of the spirit that will aid in what you do.” A motive, according to dictionary.com is “something that causes a person to act in a certain way, do a certain thing, etc.; incentive. What is our motive for getting in shape? Is it to be seen of men? Our motive for working out should be to improve our health and body. A more pleasing and youthful appearance is also a wonderful by product. As Student Minister Brother Nuri mentioned in a past Get Fit to Live Column, “Anything good that happens to you doesn’t feel AS good when you are unhealthy and anything BAD, feels WORSE when you are unhealthy. EVERYTHING feels much better when you are healthy

In the Chapter of the Holy Quran entitled “Voluntary Gifts,” it states O you who believe, if you keep your duty to Allah, He will grant you a distinction and do away with your evils and protect you.” (Surah 8:29). Isn’t it wonderful to know that Allah can take away the desire for fattening foods or he can increase our desire to exercise? What a beautiful gift!

We must always strive to have the best of intentions, and submit our will so God’s will can guide us. May God bless us all with peace, love, health, wealth and happiness.

(Audrey Muhammad is the author of the new book, Get Fit to Live: Be your best you!, available at www.getfit2live.org and the Respect for Life Bookstore. Her audio book, Get Fit to Live is also available. To order the Book and get a FREE copy of the audiobook CD, send a $12 money order(plus $3 shipping) to Get Fit To Live, P.O. Box 61402, Raleigh, NC , 27661. For more information email audreymuhammad@hotmail.com or call (510) 815-4591.)

The Most Powerful Muscle

By Audrey Muhammad

One of the most powerful muscles in the body is the heart. Why is the heart a muscle? A muscle is a tissue composed of cells or fibers, the contraction of which produces movement in the body. The heart is a "hollow, pump-like organ composed mainly of "rhythmic smooth muscle" consisting of four chambers that helps get and pump oxygenated blood to the body.

What happens when your "motor" doesn't work well or is sluggish? It is not going to perform well. The number one way to keep your heart in shape is exercise. Walking is one of the easiest exercises that provides a wonderful benefit to your heart. Walking 30 minutes 5-6 days a week is a week is an achievable task. The word "muscle" also refers to power or force. When we exercise our "muscles," we are also strengthening them. The word "heart" is also associated with our "spirit, courage, or enthusiasm." Has your "heart" ever "jumped for joy?"

In order for the heart to work properly, we have to make sure it stays in good condition. In China, the children exercise EVERY morning at school and as a result, have some of the slimmest children. (However, I will talk about how fast food is affecting that trend in another article). What are 2 ways to keep our "heart" in good shape, we must condition it in two ways because the "heart" can affect various parts of our body if it is not in optimum condition. Even when you have a baby, you are encouraged to make sure the baby is placed on their stomach during various periods of the day so they make develop their muscles by trying to push up or lift their head.

Our mind and heart are directly related. If your mind is consumed with worry or you feel stressed out, your heart rate can increase and cause other problems. Take care of your heart by first easing your mind. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad states in How to Eat to Live Book I, “The earth is full of food; but good health cannot enter our bodies until we have the proper food in the body and the proper food for thought. If we do not have proper food for our way of thinking, we still cannot enjoy peace, good health, joy and gladness of heart.”

Furthermore, proper thoughts also affect other parts of our body and our bodies ability to properly digest food. “We can eat the best food, we can take fasts for nine days or for 20 or 30 days if we want to; and we will still suffer if we do not feed the brain with the right food. These two bodies—the brain and digestive tract—have much in common with one another. Whatever hurts one hurts the other. We must treat both well.” (p.57).

We even have to be mindful of our conversation, which can also affect our bodies’ ability to digest food. If we are having unpleasant conversation, it can affect of efficiency of our system. We should always strive to have the highest level of conversation, especially dealing with the revealed word of God. Instead of stuffing ourselves or overeating with food, which is like an “act of violence” upon ourselves, we should try to “feel that void” with a good word.

The bottom line is that our heart is a muscle and it needs exercise. How do I make time? Check out suggestions in Sister Lorraine Muhammad’s book 588 Days: Balancing Act of Faith, Family & Finding Time for Me, which covers her weight lost journey or my book, Get Fit to Live: Be Your Best You. In the book, Fit for Life, it states, “Life is motion and the less we move the less alive we become.” We need “aerobic” activity which means “with oxygen.” Aerobic exercise helps to oxygenate the blood. Walking is one of the best and easiest “aerobic” activities. One of the greatest benefits of regular exercise is it makes the heart a more efficient and stronger muscle. Don’t we all want our hearts to be powerful? How are our children going to increase efficiency of their muscles if we don’t encourage them to exercise. We have to make more of an effort to exercise in this high-tech and “fast food nation.”

May Allah (God) bless us all with peace, love, health, wealth and happiness.

(Audrey Muhammad is a certified fitness instructor and author. Read about the keys to lose weight in her book, Get Fit to Live: Be Your Best You! available at www.getfit2live.org. Please consult a physician before beginning any new workout or dietary plan. Send questions and comments to AudreyMuhammad@hotmail.com or call (510) 815-4591.)

Fitness Book based on Elijah Muhammad's How to Eat to Live book.

Get Fit To Live: Be Your Best You!

By Audrey Muhammad

All of us were placed on this planet for a purpose. A person who is blessed to find his gift and his or her purpose is a truly blessed person indeed. Sometimes we may find we have a gift, but we don’t know how to use it to help others and to be a testament to the Creator. A person may have a gift of selling, but uses it to sell drugs to his people. Or a person may have a musical gift, but sprinkles it with vulgarity, making the music sour, not sweet. This book is about making ourselves better: mind, body and soul, so that we can be our best and do our best work. According to the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, “fit” means adapted or suited, appropriate, proper or becoming qualified or competent. The word “fitness” means being in a state of health.

How can we enjoy our family, our careers or nature if we are not healthy. Years ago, The Honorable Elijah Muhammad wrote a book entitled, HOW TO EAT TO LIVE. This is the “first fitness book” based on Elijah Muhammad’s teachings. He said we should “accept our own and be ourselves.” We should be on a constant quest to improve ourselves. Celebrate and cultivate your talents and skills. Whatever you don’t like about yourself, work to improve it and watch how your love of self grows.

Minister Farrakhan has stated that “there is nothing more powerful than a made-up mind.” Whenever we acquire some amount of success, it is due to God blessing us once we have made up our mind to be dedicated to a particular goal. In many occupations, physical excellence is deemed important. If you are going to be an astronaut, police officer or just want to join the army, some amount of physical mastery is expected.

Exercise is more than an activity to help improve physical fitness, it also improves our mental capacity. Adversity or difficulty helps to introduce us to our ability to endure. How strong are you? When you are tired from jogging for 30 minutes, do you have the mental determination and spirit to keep jogging for another 5 minutes? Do you have the strength and discipline to turn away from a food or activity that is going to be detrimental to you. Fitness competitors are some of the most disciplined people I know. They know that one wrong meal could mess up their “game” the next day.

What are some simple steps we can begin taking after we consult with a physican?

1. Practice praying and meditating on a daily basis. Prayers are “spiritual refreshments” that helps us to stay righteously energized. Remembrance of God is “the greatest force.” Keep in my that our body is the temple that our “Godself” dwells in. Doesn’t the “God” within deserve the best? Pure thoughts help to give birth to pure actions.

2. Practice the principles of Fasting to rid your body of toxins and increase your mind and body’s ability to resist temptation.

3. Practice “eating to live.” Our bodies deserve the best and we should eat what is in line with our physical make-up. Our body is approximately 70% water and 30% solid, just like the earth. The earth has nine planets and we have nine systems in the body. The “eat to live” way of eating includes high water content foods like bean soup, salad and whole wheat bread is a meal that is about 70% liquid with about 30% solid. Eating a meal of chicken, mashed potatoes, bread and rice is like eating dry land and the food will get “stuck” in “no man’s land,” (the colon) and then we wonder why we have problems with constipation, etc.

4. Lastly, practice exercising which is good for the heart and mind because it helps to relieve stress. Our bodies will function much better when we take care of it. How dare us pay someone to walk our dogs, but we won’t walk ourselves.

Make up your mind today to become a better you! I am with you all the way!

May God bless us all with peace, love, health, wealth, and happiness.

(The above excerpt is from the new book, Get Fit To Live: Be Your Best You! By Audrey Muhammad, a certified aerobics instructor and fitness trainer. Her book is available at www.amazon.com. For more information, call (510) 815-4591 or visit www.getfit2live.org).

How do you get rid of Verbal Fat?

How do we get rid of “verbal fat?”

By Audrey Muhammad

What am I referring to when I say “verbal fat?” Verbal fat is referring to the thoughts and words that we repeat to ourselves that have a negative impact on our minds and are of no “nutritional value.” Granted, some fat is needed as stored energy, just as maybe one person saying you can’t do something may be a slight motivation, but no one needs that type of spirit all the time.

Have you heard of the saying “You are what you think about?” Well, I definitely think our thoughts can affect us, no matter what are surroundings may be (there are some wealthy unhealthy and unhappy people). Even if we are “eating” good food, if our thoughts are “bad,” we can ill affect the digestive process in a negative way. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad said, “We can eat the best food, we can take fasts for nine days or for 20 or 30 days if we want to; and we will still suffer if we do not feed the brain with the right food. These two bodies—the brain and digestive tract—have much in common with one another. Whatever hurts one hurts the other. We must treat both well” (How to Eat to Live Book I, p57).

How can we get rid of “verbal fat?” We must exercise or practice replacing negative thoughts with positive producing ones. (Two thoughts cannot occupy the same space and the same time, right?) For instance, instead of saying, “Its hard for me to lose weight,” Say “It’s easy to improve my health if I do something each day to improve it.” Or instead of saying, “I will always be fat,” say, “I will always strive to improve my health. I am a child of God. With Him, anything is possible.” Are you getting stronger? Are you burning some “verbal fat calories?” (smile).

In the book, Get Fit to Live: Be Your Best You, it states, “For every physical law, there is a spiritual law. For every physical reality, there is a spiritual thought.” The book also discusses the examples give by author, Louise L. Hay, who explains in one of her books how negative mental thoughts can lead to certain physical conditions. For instance, “ a loss of appetite may signal [thoughts of] fear or not trusting life, (therefore, you don’t feed yourself.) Depression may be caused by the thoughts of hopelessness and ungratefulness, etc. (Read more about your thoughts and wellness in the book, Get Fit to Live: Be your Best You, available at www.store.finalcall.com).

The saying of “Change your thoughts, Change your life” is becoming quite believable. How do we get “fit to live” and have peace with self and with God? I will leave you with this quote from Minister Farrakhan’s introductory letter to Study Guide #14. Minister Farrakhan states, “Peace with Allah(god) is gained through submission to His Will. Peace with Self is gained through obedience to the knowledge and truth that we know, for it has authority over us and if we recognize the sovereignty of truth above all and submit to is authority, peace comes to Self with Self.[emphasis mine]. The most difficult thing to do is to submit to authority that we do not believe is worthy of our respect or obedience…”

Do you think you are worthy of respect and obedience? Isn’t God worthy of respect and obedience? Let’s answer these questions in the affirmative and get fit to live!

May Allah(God) bless us all with peace, health, wealth, love and happiness.

(Audrey Muhammad, a certified personal trainer and aerobics instructor, is the author of Get Fit to Live: Be your best You! available on amazon.com or write to Get Fit to Live, P.O. Box 61402, Raleigh, NC 27661-1402). Please consult a physician before beginning any new workout or dietary plan. Send questions and comments to AudreyMuhammad@hotmail.com or visit www.getfit2live.org)