Hello New Exercise Mindset ~ The Present

Continued from yesterday....

This is not a story of physical transformation.  My body still mostly looks and functions the same as it always has. Mine is a story of mental and spiritual transformation with regards to my VIEW of my body.

My sole motivation for exercising was to BE SKINNY!

Thanks in large part to good genetics and a very consistent running routine, I ate just about anything I wanted and didn't think twice about it as long as I stayed the same size.  If I started to feel I was gaining a little weight, I would simply count calories.  If I wanted to eat a little more that day, I would run a little longer so I could have dessert.

Day seven is when this photo challenge began to change me. 
The task was to show the 'verse that pumps me up'. I instantly knew what verse it was for me (1 Corinthians 9:24), but as I began reading some of the other women's verses I began reflecting more deeply on why I exercise and why I SHOULD exercise.

Godly Perspective of Exercise:

First and foremost, God created me (Psalm 139:13-14 "For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.").  He created me, and each of you, with specific gifts, talents, abilities, dispositions, personalities etc.  He made me with a passion for competition, a desire to push my limits, and an enjoyment of exercise.  By using my gifts He gave me I am showing my appreciation and building my relationship with him and my adoration for Him.

Secondly, to use my gifts is an act of worship.  Worship comes in many forms, and figuring out how to use your gifts to praise God is worship.  John Piper defines worship this way:

"Worship is what we were created for - to see God's glory and to reflect His glory to the world with all our heart, soul, mind and strength."

The following three verses that have really helped guided me in my transformation:

1 Corinthians 10:31 "Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Romans 12:1 "Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." 

Proverbs 31:17 "She sets about her work vigorously, her arms are strong for her tasks."

Not only is exercise a way to worship God, but being physically fit is a way to serve others.  I am able to be a better wife and mom a) because exercise does release endorphins which make you happier and b) I am strong enough to do difficult (or fun) tasks for my husband and girls (ie, mowing the lawn or painting or carrying a kid in each arm for long periods of time).

While my actual type or amount exercise hasn't changed much, my mindset and my goals have. 

NUTRITION on the other hand, is by and large the biggest change from this whole experience.  If being skinny was my motivation to workout, it was ultimately because I love (unhealthy) food so much that the exercise was necessary so I could have the best of both worlds.

When I really stopped and looked at what God has to say about nutrition (and don't kid yourself, he has a lot to say) I realized I had some changes that absolutely needed to be made, starting with my mindset.

Godly Perspective on Nutrition:

The first verse that pops into most people's head when talking about health with a Godly perspective is 1 Corinthians 6:19,

"Don't you realize that your body is a  temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price.  So you must honor God with your body."

When Paul wrote this, he was actually talking about sexual purity, but the principle that your body is a temple holds true for how you feed your body as well.

FOOD IS FUEL! To some degree, the old adage, 'You are what you eat' is true.  If I am going to demand my body to perform at high levels, then I need to fuel it properly.  I may not see the effects of eating poorly now, but they will catch up with me at some point.

If Christ dwells in me, then how I fuel my body reflects how I would like to care for Him.

As important as it is to exercise consistently, God values rest as well (that's one reason why He took the seventh day off after He created everything).  Parallel that to nutrition. While we are tasked with properly nourishing our bodies, God also wants us to enjoy His blessings and pleasures in life.

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 "A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work.  This too, I see, is form the hand of God, for without Him, who can eat or find enjoyment?"



Keeping my mindset in check everyday is tough.  It is hard to break old habits (I still want to be skinny, I still love ice cream). But I am constantly working to be God-Honoring in my actions in ALL areas of my life, and this is one of them.

I am excited (and so scared) to say I have a new motivation for exercising and nutrition and that is:

To honor God with my body as my form of worship!