There are so many diets in the world, that it is actually suffocating. Even more so now with social media. Everyone is telling everyone what they’re doing and how amazing it is. There is always a huge push for excessive exercise and low calorie meal plans, which is the extreme diet that many follow to “achieve” their dream body. Come round trip, those people are unhappy and unsatisfied with the diet mentality and want to transition to sustainable lifestyle. But what does that even look at?
If you know anything about nutrition and fitness, you probably have strong convictions about what you should eat, how you should exercise, how much water you should drink, etc. Are you supposed to throw that all out the window, forget it, just wing it? Or is it okay to set standards for your healthy lifestyle? Maybe there’s nothing wrong with eating with discipline, that dedication to a workout regime isn’t a bad thing. What if all of this can actually be a good thing?
The issue comes when obsession and anxiety develop. Many people have come from extremes with diet and exercise (either too strict or not at all) and are searching for balance. But what if the problem isn’t the healthy habits, but the reason behind them. What if we chose to be healthy for the sake of health and not for the sake of appearance?
Our bodies were created to function and respond best to healthy habits. Biologically, we are designed to thrive on real food, good sleep, and being active. It’s obvious why we don’t feel good when we lay in bed all day or if all we eat is fast food. The vitamins and minerals that you are getting from eating whole foods are what help everything in your system to do its job. When you sleep, there are more bodily processes happening inside your body than when you’re awake. Study after study shows how daily exercise decreases the chances of you getting diseases, cancer, etc. There is a reason you are told that these things are keys to a “happy, healthy life”, because they are. God created us to live an abundant life, and if we feel horrible all the time, how are we going to actually be happy?
Instead of looking at a “healthy” life as a chore or as a disorder, use it to glorify God. Honor the Lord in how you treat your body by choosing to give it the food, rest and activity it needs. Setting standards for yourself, like not eating fast food (everyday), you practice self control. Which is an important quality in all aspects of life, like career, finances, relationships. It’s not always the best idea to give into your cravings, no matter how delicious that cookie looks. Or to buy that $200 infomercial blanket. It’s good to say “no” to yourself sometimes.
Creating a workout plan can teach us the value of dedication. Dedication to an exercise routine can translate into your work ethic at your job, to family commitments, or even to something like learning a new language. Dedication is vital to your spiritual walk as well. Just like you might plan to spend 30 minutes in the gym daily, you can plan to spend 30 minutes reading your bible or a book about health every day. As you spend more time in the gym, you increase your strength. Same as is with your walk with Christ and with all things that take invested time.
Eating a whole foods diet, with plenty of water and sleep, you can practice holiness. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and feeding it the right foods shows respect for both God and yourself. How you nourish your body produces your mood, your health, your energy. If you aren’t giving it the best, don’t expect to be working at your best. Value your body because it is worth it. YOU ARE WORTH IT.
All of these healthy habits are crucial to living the fullest, most vibrant life possible. Exercise to keep your body agile and free from diseases. Eat God-made food (not processed) to keep your mind sharp and your system functioning fully. Rest well, drink lots of water, practice these things so you are fully equipped to do what life requires. What a beautiful feeling it is to live the way God intended for us.
What we do in little reveals what we will do in large and small healthy habits translate into the major areas of our lives. It can seem overwhelming to switch from disordered thinking or unhealthy habits, to a authentic healthy lifestyle. But that is what TRUE health is and where happiness is found.
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