Exercise and Christianity

Last year, I decided to make a commitment to honor this body that the Lord created. I began working out and eating right. I did a great job, I must say. I lost roughly 20 lbs, changed a lot of eating habits, and I had never felt stronger!

As the summer of 2007 approached, I decided I would save the $40, freeze my membership, and exercise on my own outside. Well, that lasted about 2 weeks. I identified a few reasons:

1. I am not intrinsically motivated to exert myself. If I don't have other people encouraging me- holding me accountable, I'll settle for good enough.
2. If I don't specifically schedule fitness time, I'll usually find other things that are more pressing.
3. I find the thought of wasting $40 repulsive, so if I'm paying, I'm going!

Pretty soon, I began slipping into the old habits with my eating. It happened so gradually, that I really didn't notice it for a while. When I did notice it, I had gained 10 lbs back; and it had been so long since my responsible eating, I forgot how great I felt.

I'm going to begin this post by outlining what worked for me last year. I'm making a new commitment to get back in the saddle, and I'm not beating myself up for falling off. You see, fitness is a journey, not a destination. There will be peaks and valleys. If we keep moving forward, the valley will eventually turn upward.

First, I joined the gym, and began working out 3-4 times a week. I made friends there, and joined classes, so that there would be someone expecting me to come. It makes a world of difference when you know you'll be missed. I also had to call ahead to schedule child care. I would be charged if I didn't show up.

Then, I started Weight Watchers online. I found a great site called Dottie's Weight Loss Zone. Dottie has wonderful resources, including a message board, food lists, recipes, and 567 restaurant menus with the points listed. This website will give you a points calculator and a chart to tell you how many points you are allowed. After a month or so of writing down points, I was able to do it quickly in my head, and rely on my new learned habits.

It worked for me last year; hopefully I'll be able to do it again!

So I bet your asking yourself, "Why is the title 'Exercise and Christianity?'" Well, in laying out my outline, I realized that these same principles apply to my walk with Jesus!

1. We need to be around other Christians who will encourage us to go farther in the Lord. We need friends who will miss us when we're gone, and will challenge us when they see us settling for good enough.
2. If I don't schedule time with the Word, I will always find other pressing issues. The kids, the dishes, blogging, exercising, etc. This is my biggest struggle with my Christian walk. And actually since I've been blogging, I have been in the Word more. If I have to write about it, I need to read it.
3. Investment of resources is imperative to our Christian growth. Whether it is money, or time, we must be sowing seeds into the Kingdom. We are far more likely to be committed to Jesus and to each other if we contribute.

So, what should you do if you find yourself slipping back into old habits, not reading the Word and praying, staying away from your church family, becoming spiritually "out of shape?"

Do the same thing I'm doing with my weight loss: Make a new commitment to get back in the saddle, and don't beat yourself up for falling off. You see, a relationship with Jesus is a journey, not a destination. There will be peaks and valleys. If you keep moving forward, and reach out to Him, the valley will eventually turn upward.

You don't have to do it yourself! When I don't feel like praying, reading my Bible, or staying in fellowship with other believers, I simply tell Jesus about it. I ask Him to renew my passion just like David did in the Psalms. He is faithful!

So what are your thoughts on exercise, Christianity, or both?

Also, Kim at The Bitter Ball is posting Weight Loss Wednesday on her blog. I'm going to be posting my journey here on Wednesdays with her. Want to join in?