We all know we need to exercise. We’ve heard the statistics. We’ve read the motivating quotes, seen the beautiful models and scoured the fitness Pinterest boards. Yet, as much as we want them to, their motivation only lasts for a little while. We then have to find something else to motivate us to keep on working out or we just give up, filling our time with other endeavors instead. So let me ask you…
Why do you exercise?
Is it because you want that picture perfect body? Because you want to live longer? Because you want to have the energy to keep up with your kids? I mean, these are all great motivations for sure, but they are not as important as exercising for God.
God wants us to keep our bodies fit. Did you know that? In preparing to write today’s post I stumbled upon a couple articles that hit me right in the face. If you have the time I highly suggest you click over and check them out. They definitely put a different spin on exercise compared to that of our modern world.
- Does God Care About Exercise? on The Blazing Center
- How Do You Glorify God When You Exercise? on Desiring God
Generally speaking each article could be summarized by saying that when you exercise you are allowing God to use your body for what He intended when He created you. Think about it. A person who regularly exercises usually has more energy and more muscle to play with their children, accomplish more at work, or even have sex with their spouse. Remember Proverbs 31:17? “She makes her arms ready with strength.” “Ready for what?” may be our next response. Ready for life…for whatever is thrown her way. She is ready because she has prepared her body.
Does the Bible come out and say “thou shalt exercise?” Definitely not, but it does say:
I don’t know about you but my body has a looooong way to go to be blameless. 😉
What Kind of Exercise Do Our Bodies Need?
Since the Bible doesn’t give us specific guidelines for exercise, we must turn to several trusted resources here on earth. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, we need both aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises. How much? Anywhere from 1 hour and 15 minutes per week to 5 hours per week depending on the intensity and outcome desired. The Mayo Clinic recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise ev-er-y day with a strong encouragement to increase that time to 45 minutes per day for added health benefits. If you are trying to lose weight, Web MD actually recommends bumping that number on up to 90 minutes a day. So, depending on where you are on the current health spectrum, 30 to 90 minutes of aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises should be the daily goal.
If I’m New to Exercising Where Should I Start?
Exactly a year ago to the day, I wrote a three part series called Physical Balance in conjunction with my Balance After Baby series. At that time I was trying to find balance in nearly every area of my life as everything was upside-down after having a baby. Physical balance was no exception. If you are a new mom trying to figure out how to put exercise into your daily routine then you may want to check out that series. I provide several exercises you can do at home WITH your baby to keep you both fit and active.
For everyone else, it’s an open playing field. Currently I am using the 5K Training Plan for Intermediate Runners that I found on About.com for my aerobic exercise and the 7 Week to Fitness Program for my muscle-strengthening exercise for the week. In the past I’ve done everything from Jillian Michael’s 30 Day workouts to exercise DVDs to training for a half-marathon and everything in-between. Quite frankly, it doesn’t matter so much what you choose as that you choose something you like and get moving. And as you do, just remember, you are really exercising for God first.
Straggling to Strong Challenge Update
Week 4’s Goals
This week I came down with a really bad cold and if you are anything like me, you know that it is very hard to be motivated to do anything when you feel yucky. As such the week ended on a downhill slope; in fact I’m still on the recovery so I haven’t even made it to the scale to give you a weight loss update. Thank goodness we are in for the long-haul instead of the week. Next week I hope will be much better. As such, I decided to repeat Week 1 of my new 5K training program again this next week so I can start off on a good foot (no pun intended).
- Complete Week 1 5k Training Plan for Intermediate Runners
- Complete 7 Weeks to Fitness Week 1
- Get up consistently by 5:30 a.m. so I have plenty of time to complete my morning routine before the girls wake up
- Drink 104 ounces of water daily.
- Track calories on My Fitness Pal.
Pounds lost this week: Unknown
Total Pounds lost: 4.5 lbs.
Lessons Learned
Monday: Plan on needing extra rest the day after a race.
Tuesday: You may be running to hard if someone comes up to you and says, “Are you okay?” LOL. My response, “Just doing a speed workout” which I was…although from the speed I was going they may never have known. 😉
Wednesday: Tracking food becomes so much easier when you take the time to enter recipes before the week begins.
Thursday: Plan your snacks. If you don’t, they will easily consume your daily calories.
Friday: When you don’t get enough sleep, it effects your energy levels the entire day. Get MORE sleep.
Saturday: Don’t exercise when you are sick. Your body need the opportunity to recover.
Sunday: God intended for us to have a day of rest. This goes for the body too. Thank goodness!
This Week’s Goals
- Complete Week 1 5k Training Plan for Intermediate Runners
- Complete 7 Weeks to Fitness Week 2
- Exercise daily BEFORE the girls wake up.
- Track calories on My Fitness Pal.
Did any of you make it your goal to drink more water last week? How did it go? What’s your plan of action this week?
*To view all 19 bloggers who are teaming up for this Get Healthy and Fit Series and gain even more inspiration, be sure to check out their profiles by clicking the button to the right. We will also be providing extra inspiration via the Twitter hashtag #healthymomseries and Pinterest board Get Healthy & Fit.
