Health Check- Fitness

Marcy Walker

“The thief enters only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.” John 10:10

What is Fitness?

According to the Oxford dictionary, fitness is the condition of being physically fit and healthy. It also defines fitness as the quality of being suitable to fulfill a particular role or task.

Looking back on my own fitness journey, I wanted to be able to fulfill the role of being a mother without being exhausted all the time. Prior to having my son I didn’t really think much about living a fit life. But having this new role as a mom I began to realize that although I could fulfill this role, it was going to be a lot harder if I didn’t take charge of my health.

Fitness is important to our faith journey. Imagine how much easier and more enjoyable your journey will be if you are living a whole, healthy life.

Whatever God purposed for your life, God has the ability to equip you for this role, but you need to put your faith and trust in Him and stop trying to rely solely on your own will power.

What does fitness look like?

Fitness has nothing to do with being a certain dress size or having an amazingly sculpted physique. I have worked in the fitness industry for close to a decade and I have seen some of the most unhealthy people with what society would deem as the most amazing looking physiques.

I had a friend who was a fellow Zumba Instructor. She looked good. Zumba helped her shed some excess fat, increase her energy, boost her mood and confidence. She was always happy, smiling and glowing. She loved fitness so much, she decided to make her own workout video. So she hired a trainer to help her achieve that fitness competitor look that we normally see on TV and in the magazines. Within a few months this girl was ripped. So she decided to enter a figure competition. By the day of her show, her body had continued to morph into one of the most incredible physiques I have ever seen. She placed 3rd, which is pretty darn good for her first show. But she was devastated. So she entered another competition looking even leaner, but she placed 4th. This girl spiraled into depression, constantly comparing herself to other competitors. Her physique was never good enough to meet her standards.

What I found out later is that she was taking a cocktail of very dangerous medications and supplements to help her transform her body so quickly which not only made the depression worse, but when she decided to stop using the cocktail, it made her regain weight just as quick as she lost it.

She completely lost sight of the reason behind her journey to become fit and had fallen victim to society’s standards of what “fit” should look like.

Fitness comes in all kinds of beautiful shapes and sizes! There is a certain glow, increased level of health, confidence and awareness of a physically fit individual.

Sometimes, we don’t like what we see in the mirror. I’m aware that the pressure to lose weight quickly leads many of us to destructive behaviors like using laxatives, working out 3 hours a day, fasting all day then binge eating at night. Or trying to cut carbs and beating yourself up if you eat a carb or two. Friends, this is unhealthy and unsustainable.

Let’s start our journey from a place of love; loving ourselves and loving the temple that God gifted us.

You were Designed to Move

 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

We are a church that doesn’t only pray about the problems in the world, but we believe that God gave us dominion over the Earth and that we were created in Christ Jesus to do good works, therefore we have been called to do something about the brokenness we see.

How can we rebuild houses after hurricanes if we don’t have the strength or endurance to carry wood planks, climb up on roofs, and remove debris?

How are you gonna write that book God laid on your heart or work on that business idea God gave you if you are too exhausted after your 9-5 to start it?

If we are created for this then why is it so hard?

The thief is trying to rob you of your purpose

The early Church folks were typically farmers or nomadic people who had to work to the sweat of their brows to survive. But today, most of us live a sedentary lifestyle.

We wake up get in our car, drive to our office, get on the elevator to get to our floor, sit in front of a computer all day in a comfy chair, have lunch door dashed, get back on the elevator, get back in our cars, drive to Kroger to have you click list items delivered to your car, drive home and decide you don’t feel like cooking anything that was on your click list because you had a long day at the office, so you have pizza delivered and sit on the couch and watch the game while eating you pizza and drinking your beverage of choice until you fall asleep and start the cycle all over. Does that sound familiar to anyone? Now since the pandemic started, some of y’all work from home and never get out of your jammies.

I hate to break it to you, but the dryer did not shrink your clothes.

Could modern day conveniences be robbing your potential?

“Do not to be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2

The world is going to offer you all kinds of excuses and conveniences that prevent you from living your best life. The journey to a healthier you will be full of obstacles that can potentially set you back or completely throw you off track. In order to succeed in anything, you need to have a desire to change, create a plan of action, follow through, and stay focused.

When obstacles get in the way such as changes in your schedule, an injury, family obligations, financial difficulties, etc. – and they will – you have to determine how important your goal is to you. Your plan of action may have to change.

What is your Plan?

The best exercise is the one that you will do and stick to.

You can burn a ton of calories and really strengthen your legs running, but if it makes you miserable or it hurts your knees, then don’t do it. Maybe Zumba is your thing or Urban Ballroom dancing. How about skating, powerlifting, basketball, yoga, or simply playing at the park with your kids? Exercising doesn’t have to be the most dreaded hour of your day, it can be the most anticipated one if you do what you love.

Rather than focusing on weight loss, focus on consistency. You will get stronger, have more endurance, feel better and look better.

“Two are better than one, for they can help each other succeed.” Ecclesiastes 4:9

Life is hard when you have to do it alone – and so is your fitness journey. Invite a friend to join you and keep you accountable. Did you know that you are three times more likely to achieve your fitness goal if you are doing it with a partner?

You’ve only got one life, the life that God entrusted you with. It’s not too late to adopt new habits. It’s more than physical, God wants to transform you from the inside out.

Watch the full message here

Marcy Walker
Adult Discipleship Director | Ginghamsburg Church
mwalker@ginghamsburg.org