Do I HAVE to Exercise?

By Laurette Willis –

You might be asking yourself the question that thousands of people across the country are asking: Do I HAVE to exercise?

That’s up to you, of course, but if you want to be what I call a “fit witness” for Christ, it’s important to have a healthy body—full of energy and strength to do all the Lord is calling you to do. In 1 Corinthians 6:19, God calls the body “the temple of the Holy Spirit,” and we must take care of our temples!You may already know some of the problems associated with NOT exercising:

• Weight gain

• Decreases in flexibility, strength and balance

• Increases in blood pressure and cholesterol levels

• More aches, pains and other medical issues

But is there GOOD news—especially for those over 30?

There is! Even if you’ve not been consistent in years, beginning some regular exercise NOW can help in a number of ways:

• Reduces the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis
• Relieves stress, anxiety and depression
• Achieves and maintains a healthy weight and fitness level
• Strengthens bones and joints
• Strengthens the immune system
• Increases energy levels
• Decreases risks for various diseases (including diabetes, colon cancer, plus high blood pressure, stroke and degenerative diseases associated with age)

Some encouraging news for those of us over 30 is that more mature women appear to gain the most benefits from exercise. After the age of 30, the body responds quite well to the overall “tune-up” exercising brings.

Where Do I Begin?

If exercising has been a challenge for you, why not plant some seeds toward developing the fruit of patience, faithfulness and self-control in this area?

Here’s an idea:

1. PLAN:  Tomorrow—or today—plan to take a brisk walk for 20 minutes. Or do a quick workout.

2. TIME: Choose a time to get in some activity.

3. ASK: Speak to the Lord and ask Him to help you keep your commitment to honor Him by taking good care of your “temple” by doing some physical activity for 20 minutes.

4. DECIDE: Make the decision NOW that when the time comes to fit in the activity, you will NOT yield to any excuses, but yield to the Lord.

5. YIELD: When the time comes, dedicate the time to the Lord, and go for that walk, Christian Fitness workout, or whatever you’ve purposed to do.

6. PRAISE: Praise the Lord for His faithfulness to you as you have just begun a new habit. Go through the steps again for the next day, and the day after that.

With time and practice, the fruit of faithfulness, patience and self-control will become more fully developed and you’ll find yourself actually looking forward to moving your body and praising the Lord!

Adapted from The Busy Woman’s Guide to Total Fitness by Laurette Willis (Harvest House Publishers)

Christian Fitness Expert Laurette Willis is the Director of PraiseMoves Fitness Ministry (http://praisemoves.com). See “PraiseMoves Kids” TV Show every Thursday @ 3:30 p.m. EST on TBN’s Smile of a Child Network and LIVE @ http://smileofachildtv.org. © 2010