The following was on my first blog “Always Learning” from a post written about ten years ago:

Hints from “Secrets of Fascinating Womanhood” for staying attractive to your husband. (The link to where I got this no longer works so I am not sure what book it’s from. If you know, let me know!)

“Exercise at least one half hour a day, six days a week.

“Eat a light dinner and no eating before bed.

“Eat very few sweets and never binge on sweet foods.

“Eat food the way God made it.

“Weigh yourself everyday.

“Go to bed early and wake up early.

“Get plenty of fresh air. Leave your windows open as much as possible.

“Don’t get angry or worry. Live one day at a time.

“Smile and choose to be joyful!”

I shared this on Instagram and many women took offense to it, of course. When I read it, I loved it! I always love being challenged in all areas of my life. Let’s go through them…

“Exercise at least one half hour a day, six days a week.” We walk at least 40 minutes a day, seven days a week. We love being outside in the fresh air and sunshine. We know it’s important for our emotional and physical health. Yes, it does keep us in shape too which is important to both of us.

“Eat a light dinner and no eating before bed.” This is from an article that addresses this issue: “As a general rule of thumb, nutritionists will tell you to wait about three hours between your last meal and bedtime. This allows some digestion to occur and gives time for the contents of your stomach to move into your small intestine. Eating also prompts the release of insulin, a hormone that helps your body use the food for energy. This process can shift the circadian rhythm, or your body’s sleep-wake cycle. Food can signal wakefulness in the brain and interfere with your ability to fall asleep.”

“Eat very few sweets and never binge on sweet foods.” Every doctor and nutritionist that has actually studied health warns about the detrimental effects that sugar (processed sugar which includes high fructose corn syrup) has on the body. Sugar is extremely addictive too. It’s best to avoid it as much as possible, not only for weight issues but for health issues.

“Eat food the way God made it.” Man can’t improve upon what God made. Most packaged foods are filled with seed oils and sugar. All of these have led to the obesity crisis that we have in our nation.

“Weigh yourself every day.” This is what offended women the most but some find that weighing themselves every day keeps them accountable which is a good thing! A good friend of mine struggled with her weight her entire life until she went to Weight Watchers and had to weigh weekly. She said it was the accountability that finally caused her to discipline herself concerning food. She has kept her weight at a healthy level for years now! “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things” (1 Corinthians 9:25). Be temperate in all things, yes, this even includes how much food we eat.

“Go to be early and wake up early.” This is simple common sense. Before technology, everyone did this. Here are 14 benefits of going to sleep early!

“Get plenty of fresh air. Leave your windows open as much as possible.” My mom taught us as children to leave our windows open at night, so we did! She taught us that the outdoor air is always cleaner than the indoor air. In some places, this is not possible but as soon as it is, sleep with your windows open.

“Don’t get angry or worry. Live one day at a time.” Anger and worry add NOTHING beneficial to our lives. I see so many angry women responding to my posts. What miserable lives they must lead. Both of these steal our peace and our joy. We are to be anxious for nothing! Trust God. He is in control and loves us.

“Smile and choose to be joyful!” THIS is the most attractive quality a woman can have. Cheerfulness is what attracts men the most! God commands we rejoice and be thankful. You can’t be joyless if you’re thankful. Dwell on the lovely and the good, not the news of the day. Remind yourself often that the joy of the Lord is your strength.

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Proverbs 118:24