Soldiers Of Fitness

By Arnold Vasquez

Purpose:

To make America stronger in their spiritual and physical journey.

Mission:

The goals is to have the reader receive the Holy Spirit, make the necessary changes in their lifestyle, and to have success in their physical fitness journey.

Objectives:

Low-cost-in-home program.

Teach the four basic components of health-related physical fitness.

Personal fitness test to find your present fitness status.

Set goals to establish your mission.

Develop you own exercise program.

Journal to write your own book of success.

Task:

Pray

Eat right

Exercise

Follow your dreams

Success: If just one person uses this workbook, follows their dreams, and gets stronger--the book has done its job!

Will you march with me?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798888328118

Book preview

Pledge of Allegiance

I, pledge allegiance

to the flag of the

United States of America,

and to the Republic,

for which it stands,

one nation

Under God

indivisible,

with liberty and

justice for all.

The Program

In 1776, the United States of America described its vision for freedom in the Declaration of Independence, stating, All men are created equal…they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights,…among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is with these motivating words that America became a land in which we have the freedom to express ourselves.

The Soldiers of Fitness program has a vision. The vision is for soldiers of fitness to have the freedom to enjoy life’s recreational activities to their fullest potential. The sense of freedom is gained by following this program to enhance your quality of life, improve productivity, and bring about positive physical and mental changes.

A soldier of fitness needs to practice behavior that will lead to positive outcomes in five fitness components: spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual, and social. This manual’s primary goal is to teach a soldier of fitness to embrace and practice a lifestyle that will lead to positive outcomes in two fitness components: spiritual and physical. We believe that a combination of spiritual and physical fitness will provide positive outcomes and benefits that will last a lifetime.

The Soldiers of Fitness program is a common-sense approach to successful health and fitness. This requires a soldier’s commitment, confidence, and courage. The program teaches principles and values that support our motto, ‘Train with confidence, and will help ensure our society’s well-being today and in the future.

Spiritual Fitness

God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. We know that we live in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His spirit.

—John 4:12–13

Ninety-four percent of the U.S. population believes in God or a universal spirit functioning as God. The National Inter Faith Coalition on Aging defines spiritual well-being as an affirmation of life in relationship with God, self, community, and environment that nurtures and celebrates wholeness.

A spiritually healthy person has a sense of meaning and direction in life, a relationship to a higher being, closeness to others, the gifts of prayer, faith, love, peace, joy, fulfillment, altruism, and freedom. Furthermore, they believe that a relationship with God is meaningful, that it can grant assistance and guidance, and give purpose and power to daily living.

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Rom. 5:5)

Spiritual relativity to health is more difficult to establish in terms of scientific association than many other lifestyle factors such as alcohol, smoking, and lack of physical activity. Nonetheless, research studies report that people who attend church and participate in religious organizations enjoy better health, have a lower incidence of chronic diseases, handle stress more effectively, and generally live longer.

Religious affiliation enhances health possibly because it promotes healthy lifestyle, social support, provides assistance in times of crisis, and counseling to overcome one’s weaknesses. Strong spiritual values are usually a common denominator among most successful men and women. No matter what culture or religion you come from, great women and men from all faiths teach the same basic thing—peace.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 15:13)

Soldiers who follow this principle of prayer will undoubtedly enhance their quality of life and become strengthened spiritually. Developing a personal commitment to devoting a few moments of time in prayer before each workout is an essential element of spiritual fitness. Prayer is what connects us to our primary power source, the power of God.

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. (Eph. 2:19–22)

Physical Fitness

Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

—1 Corinthians 6:19–20

The human body requires movement and activity to grow and maintain health. Modern technology has almost eliminated physical exertion in daily life, and the society we live in no longer provides us with enough activity to ensure adequate health. Scientific evidence now links regular physical activity and positive lifestyle habits to better health. Being physically fit will boost both your self-esteem and confidence, as well as improve your quality of life by helping you deal with life’s daily struggles.

The four basic components to health-related physical fitness consists of the following:

body composition

cardiorespiratory

flexibility

muscular strength and endurance

One of the best examples of the importance of these four components of health and fitness can be found within our military history during the Korean War. On July 5, 1950, American troops fighting for our freedom launched Task Force Smith, and while unprepared for the physical demands of war, they went into battle. The early days of the war were disastrous. American soldiers had to withdraw, leaving behind wounded comrades and valuable equipment.

Our soldiers’ training had not yet prepared them for the physically demanding wartime tasks they were to face. Combat readiness is directly linked to a soldier’s physical fitness level. Soldiers with a greater level of cardiorespiratory fitness process oxygen and fuel more efficiently, which provides energy to working muscles.

Due to strength-related tasks, survival on the battlefield may depend on the muscular strength and endurance of each individual soldier. Also, good flexibility can help a soldier accomplish such physical tasks as lifting, loading, climbing, parachuting, running, and rappelling with greater efficiency and less risk of injury. Excess weight produces a decline in physical performance and an increased risk of developing disease. These basic components will assist a soldier on the battlefield, so let’s train with confidence for the battle of everyday life as soldiers of fitness!

In conclusion, no matter what battlefield you find yourself on, soldiers of fitness believe that you are destined for success by being prepared spiritually and physically.

No one who engages in warfare entangles himself with affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. (2 Tim. 2:4)

Body Composition

My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.

—Proverbs 4:20–22

There isn’t a quick and easy way to improve body composition. Time and patience are required to lose fat safely. Fad diets, devices, or skipping meals do not work for long-term fat loss. Weight loss takes place mostly in water and lean muscle tissue, not fat. Losing muscle tissue can negatively affect physical readiness. Proper nutrition will ensure a soldier’s ability to perform to their maximum potential on the battlefield!

Proper Nutrition

Proper nutrition is a diet that supplies all the essential nutrients to carry out normal tissue growth, repair, and maintenance. These nutrients can be divided into six categories: water, carbohydrates, fats, protein, minerals, and vitamins.

Water

And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.

—Matthew 10:42

Water contains no calories or vitamins, yet it is the most essential nutrient your body needs to function properly.

Sixty-three percent of your body weight is water.

Drink at least eight to ten twelve-ounce glasses a day.

Coffee, tea, and alcohol actually dehydrate your