Off You Go

"God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called." I have always loved that saying. Story of my life. But what does it mean? Well, for me it means that God often calls us to do something that we may not feel equipped to do. Sometimes I think, "Who me? But Lord, that isn't what I am best at." Or so I think. I'm reminded of a few biblical examples of those who understood what it meant to be outside their comfort zones. (Moses, Peter, Mary Magdalene...) But when we're obedient, I believe those are the times we grow and are really used by Him.

Reminds me of my recent trip to Allaso Ranch, my amazing church's kids camp where I was a counselor. So many adventures and fun things to do, one of which was the zip line. As I stood in line with my 9-year-old daughter to fly high above the camp and across the lake, she was all smiles. I was smiling too but beneath my smile and sunglasses, I was scared. How is it that my 9-year-old daughter has no fear but me, a grown woman, is apprehensive?

So the guy tells us, "Just sit on the edge, let your legs dangle, lean over and off you go." I literally asked him, "Can you just push me?" (It seemed easier if the choice wasn't mine, but his) "No, you have to do it," he replied. "Ugh," I growled under my breath. I looked over at my daughter beaming at me from the other zip line, she was seated, feet dangling, just waiting for me. I flashed her a big grin, took a deep breath and off we went.

You know what? Experience of a lifetime. In my comfort zone? No. Worth the risk? Yes.

Outside of my comfort zone, I struggle. I sway back and forth between what is comfortable and what is good. It's a tug of war between my mind and my heart. Thankfully, God knows my heart, and He knows yours. He created us to be anything but mediocre, and He cares about the details of our lives. So today, I am going to move forward outside of my comfort zone, in obedience and in faith that the God of the universe has great things in store for me. He has them for you too. It’s His promise. So go ahead, sit on the edge, let your legs dangle and...off you go.

--Allison Earnst

PrayFit's contributing writer, Allison Earnst, is a fitness expert, motivator, competitor and mother of three. She's been featured in numerous magazines including FitParent, Natural Muscle and Oxygen magazine. She has shared her fitness story on Good Morning America, Extra TV and Lifetime's "The Balancing Act." You can visit her blog by clicking here.

TOP DIETS RATED U.S. News evaluates several of the top nutrition plans. Here are the top three

1. Dash Diet This diet plan is heavy on produce and light on saturated fats and salt.

2. TLC Diet Fiber and calcium, two very important parts of any diet, are stressed here.

3. Mediterranean Diet Wine, fish, salads, olive oil. This trendy diet is touted for its balance.

For the full story, click here.

But which one is really best? When selecting a nutritional plan, stories like this can make things even more difficult. Though the U.S. News story rates 20 different diets, each has benefits and drawbacks -- no single plan is the universal choice for body composition or healthful living. And when you consider that each has complicated formulas, painful exclusions and/or odd requirements, their sustainability becomes problematic. For many, simplicity is key to long-term progress which is why PrayFit recommends a diet that lends equal weight to protein, carbs and fat.

Scientists at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that the body responded best to a diet that was split equally among the three macronutrients — carbs, protein and fat. Their research pointed out that this type of diet limited inflammation as well as certain type of cancers by acting favorably on key genes.

Ironically, this is the dietary approach advocated by Jim Stoppani, PhD, co-author of “PrayFit: Your Guide to a Healthy Body and a Stronger Faith in 28 Days.” Says Stoppani: “This not only makes the diet easy to remember, but it ensures that you are taking in a well-balanced diet that provides adequate amounts of quality protein for repair and regeneration of tissues, healthy sources of carbohydrates for energy, and healthy fats for proper brain function, cardiovascular health and joint function. When these three macronutrients are eaten in equal quantities (and in proper amounts), fat loss is optimized, while important muscle tissue is spared. In addition, research shows that when protein and carbs are eaten in equal amounts, brain function is optimized, allowing you to be more efficient at work and on all cognitive tasks – such as your daily devotionals!”

It is worth noting that those with other considerations such as intense training or preexisting health conditions will likely need to alter their macronutrient intake accordingly but as the research shows, this type of dietary balance has plenty to offer for the general population.

>> For a glimpse at how balanced nutrition plays out, pick up our book by clicking here. You can find plenty of workouts to go with your redesigned diet right here at PrayFit.com everyday, or you can try our starter training program by clicking here.

Go Ahead & Follow

"Before the mountains were brought forth...from everlasting to everlasting you are God." --Psalm 90:2

Read: Psalm 90

Someone from tomorrow is praying for me today. (Come again?) Well, like many of you, I have friends on the other side of the world. And yesterday they asked me if they could be praying specifically about anything, and it hit me. I'm sitting on Thursday, they're conquering Friday. I wanted to say, "What's it like tomorrow?"

When Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James arrived at the tomb, they were told to go tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus had risen, and "He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you." (Mark 16:7) Imagine the moment. Yesterday He was dead and gone, today He's alive, and He has just walked the road they needed to find Him. The path is safe.

Wow. If we can pray for each other from different time zones, how much comfort does it bring us to know that God is timeless? He's not only alive in us, but He's been where we're going. Yesterday is dead and gone, but Jesus lives. So go ahead and follow. Someone from tomorrow is praying for you today.

--Jimmy Peña

NEWS: This week, PrayFit's 33-Day Total Body Challenge DVD (Lionsgate) was featured on Beliefnet.com, a faith-based website that reaches over 5 million visitors per month. Click here for the news, then visit our new Press/Media page for related PrayFit hits!

AUDIO: Click here to hear some of PrayFit's most powerful devotionals, as read by author and founder Jimmy Pena.

VIDEO: Not sure how to do some of the exercises we discuss here on PrayFit? No worries. Visit our YouTube page for video demonstrations of many of the at-home moves from our book and DVD.

SUBSCRIBE: If you're not already one of the thousands receiving the PrayFit Daily in your inbox, we urge you to subscribe. Click here to start receiving this free, daily resource, chock full of scripture readings, devotionals, workout plans, recipes and more. (Then urge your friends to do the same...)

NETWORK: "Like" us on Facebook and "follow" us on Twitter to get the latest news, key links and more, or join our forums to start interacting with other PrayFit members today!