New Year's Resolution - Get In Shape

Among the top New Year’s Resolutions of last year were “Lose Weight” (#1) and “Staying Fit and Healthy” (#5)*. I’m sure the stats for this year would look very similar. It seems like fitness is a popular resolution to make. It makes sense, since you feel better and look better.

Even if you’re like me and make goals instead of New Year’s resolutions, you may have made goals like this at one time or another. It is GOOD to want to get in shape! It show respect for your body, and therefore, respect to God, since your body is ultimately His. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. You were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.”

The stats also say only 8% of people actually succeed in achieving their resolution. Will you be that 8%? If you said yes, good for you! You’re on the right track. Because the first step to being successful is your mindset.

1)      Make healthiness a lifestyle. The way most people think is, “I’ll exercise and eat right until I reach this weight (or insert other fitness goal). What most people don’t realize is if you want to stay fit, exercising and eating right need to happen for the rest of your life.

2)      Include God in your workout. Use your stretches as a time to pray and bask in the Lord’s presence. If you run, you could pray over each house you pass. Put on some uplifting Christian music as you exercise. God in interested in all the parts of your life, and he wants to give you encouragement and help you become healthy so you can honor Him with your body.

3)      Make working out fun! First, find the best workout for your body and your goals. If you want to lose weight, do cardio. If you want to gain muscle, lift weights. If you want to maintain or improve your body, do a little of both. Then, find a form of exercise you enjoy! Hate running? Try dancing, power walking, or swimming. Hate lifting? Try pilates, trail biking, or kayaking. There are so many ways to get it shape. Try them until you find one that makes you love exercising!

4)      Have a healthy diet. You can’t out run a bad diet. No matter how much you work out, you will not see results if your diet is not right. If you are exercising like you care for your body, why not feed it like you care for it, too?

5)      Enjoy all things in moderation. With most foods, even healthy foods, you should have limits. Ever heard the term, “too much of a good thing”? Especially limit the consumption of unhealthy, processed, or sugary foods. But don’t obsess over details, it’s okay to indulge every once in a while!

If you haven’t started a healthy lifestyle, it’s never too late to start! You can start monthly goal-making at any time of the year! And for those of you who are using healthiness as this year’s resolution, I wish you the best of luck. With God’s help, all things are possible (Matt. 19:26). Be that 8%!

*Source: Statistic Brain