Donna Richardson Joyner
Image from President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition via Flickr/CreativeCommons.
By Chanda Temple
A book I’m reading has been a good motivator to help keep me on track in my quest to work out.
It’s fitness expert Donna Richardson Joyner’s book “Witness to Fitness,’’ which has uplifting affirmations, scriptures, Sweet Tweets, daily meal plans, recipes and exercises for any fitness level.
She finds unique ways to blend faith and fitness to fight the fat.
“Why wait for bad health to come knocking at your door when you can do something now and experience the joy of good health? Your health is the power line of your life, so take steps to recharge and renew,’’ says Joyner, who has served on the President’s Council for Fitness, Sports and Nutrition under President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama. She’s also featured in her fitness videos “Sweating in the Spirit’’ and “Body Gospel.”
Intrigued by her book, I asked the Dallas resident why she wrote it. She says she saw people dying from preventable diseases and saw too many loved ones who knew better but didn’t do better for a healthier lifestyle. She wrote the book to offer lifelines that show it’s possible to embrace change and succeed at being fit.
Says Joyner: “The most precious gift we can give ourselves is the gift of good health.’’
Here are a few encouraging words from the interview:
- Renew your mind
A lot of people are confused about what to eat and what exercises to do when starting a new fitness plan. But in order to change, you have to start with the mind. Change comes from within, so you must change actions to see results.
- Be passionate
Citing a quote from her book, Joyner says that nothing is impossible if you have the passion to pursue your dreams.
Witness to Fitness is a good guide on fighting obesity.
- Be disciplined
Believe in your heart that you can do what you set your mind to do. Put faith in the plan; that’s what gives you that extra push. So, get out of bed in the morning, put on your shoes and go.
- Finish the race
Don’t sit around and be down. Pick up! Get up! Clean up! You’re on a race toward a better you, so evaluate everything that will hinder your growth or diminish it.
- Let go and let God
“For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)
When I meet notable people and buy their books, I always ask for an autograph.
Chanda Temple worked as a reporter for 20 years before becoming a public relations professional. She blogs about being better in business, careers and more at http://www.chandatemplewrites.com. Follow her on Twitter at @chandatemple.