Being Healthy Is Holy
When it comes to commitments in the new year, the single biggest New Year’s resolution is probably something to do with diet and exercise. However, all of those wonderful plans about eating salads every day or going for a jog once a week usually falls prey to our bad habits that seem to pop up just when we’ve begun to gain some ground.
For me I started my health journey after I had my first child two years ago and what a journey it’s been. There are days I am successful and then there are days that I stuff myself with my favorite chocolate cake covered in chocolate mousse with strawberries on top.
The one thing that I’ve learnt through failed diets and inconsistent cycles is that when it comes to eating healthy and exercising your mindset needs to be shifted.
Creating a balanced lifestyle
When we think about eating healthy and exercising balance should be our focus. Balancing life, for many, means managing the tasks of our day to day lives. Rarely we think about including diet and exercise as a part of our lifestyle balance. However, this is the most important part of our routine as it sets us up to be successful from the inside out.
Now I must say here that when changing courses there will be friction so it’s important to remember that you are creating a lifestyle and not simply doing a diet. Diets don’t work! You will see results for a short period but when you go back to your old lifestyle you will slip back into your old self.
Make up in your mind that this is not a one-month thing. You are committing to eating and exercise habits that will be healthier for your mind, body and soul. It’s not enough to just want a slim figure or to fit in a dress, you should want to feel healthy.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESVOr do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.
Creating this lifestyle shift is imperative to fulfilling your God given purpose in life. Eating right and exercising not only makes us feel good but also teaches discipline. Many of us did not grow up with great examples of how to eat healthy and get in the required amount of exercise daily. Therefore, we are charting new territories and learning to be disciplined.
Giving yourself grace
While you are building these healthy habits it’s important to give yourself grace. Discipline in this area usually does not come overnight and will take a lot of trial and error. Usually when a person wants to change their eating or exercise habits, they go to extremes but that rarely works. There’s an old saying “everything in moderation” Proverbs 25:16 supports that claim.
Proverbs 25:16 ESVIf you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
This is important when changing the course of your life. It’s not about absolutely giving up your chocolate cake but it’s about enjoying it in small instances. I realize that many of us are guilty of gluttony and we don’t even recognize it. We usually overindulge and have more than what we need. The fast food industry has made a living off of the gluttony of the world as somewhere along the way it’s become the world culture to have more than we need.
As you build this healthy habit know that you’re not just going against your own desires but that of the world. You will be doing something that millions of people haven’t had the stomach to do.
Don’t give up
Life is hard! Shifting your mindset is difficult. It will not be easy to discipline your habits. BUT building this healthy habit will help you to live a more fulfilled life and that’s all God wants for you, an abundant life.
Challenge
Choose a diet for this week. Write it out and place it on your fridge. Be as detailed as you can be by planning what you will eat every day, make sure this diet has healthy rewards like fruits or trail mix. Don’t be afraid to add in your favorite meal or snack but only on one day, remember moderation. Do the same for exercise. Plan exactly what exercises you will do daily and set an alarm to do them at a specific time.
We’re rooting for you. Let us know how it goes.