“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19 - 20
What does this mean? While the context definitely indicates that Paul has sexual immorality in mind, most Christians believe that this passage also applies in general to the care of one’s body. We as Christian men must honor our bodies as though for God. If you feel like you no longer recognize yourself and are suffering from being overweight or obese, there are ways that you can reclaim your ideal weight and thus bring more honor to Him. Peacebrooke Biblical Counseling gratefully presents the following guidance contributed by Sara Bailey to help you along the way.
Goals
Goal-setting is an important component of achieving weight loss. Quick fixes and impossible goals make it difficult to incorporate and sustain lifelong lifestyle changes. Instead, setting reasonable goals you can actually achieve, or even surpass, opens the door to instilling healthy habits. Meeting a milestone and seeing your progress provides the push you need to set another goal and then another goal. So, start small. Perhaps it’s walking four days a week for 15 minutes and consuming two glasses of water every day for two weeks. Once you hit this goal, you dial it up. Maybe you increase to walking five days a week for 30 minutes and add two more glasses of water for another two weeks. Incremental changes are the key to successful and achievable results.
Stay on top of your goals by starting a blog - with some online guidance, you can get set up over the course of a single weekend. You can even create a logo design for your blog by using a free logo maker. Not only can starting a blog help you track your progress and manage your goals, but it can also connect you with others who are attempting the same thing.
Diet
The Bible does not specifically address obesity or weight loss, although it does address self-control as a fruit of the Spirit and encourages us towards moderation. And there are many things in God’s words that lead us to believe that our health and well-being should always be a priority. In our Western culture, it is easy to make food an idol, although the Bible clearly states that gluttony is a sin. When you are trying to lose weight, it will serve you well to watch your overindulgences.
Health’s 1,350-calorie-a-day diet is a good starting point and features a number of healthy breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks that will keep you full and energized throughout the whole day. This healthy eating plan is a great way to lose 15 pounds or more in five weeks when combined with exercise. But even dropping just 10 pounds can have a significant impact on your health. Losing 10 pounds can decrease your risk of heart attack, lower your blood pressure, and give you the encouragement to continue on your path to greater health.
Exercise
In addition to diet, you’ll also need to exercise if you want to beat obesity. There is no one specific exercise routine that works for everyone. Start by doing something you enjoy, whether it’s dancing, hiking, or playing sports. Likewise, experts – including those who contributed to this Harvard University research – can’t agree on exactly how much physical activity a person needs to lose weight. The general consensus is 30 to 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise four to five days each week, but you can see progress with as little as 10 minutes at a pop. This could be something as simple as walking to and from work (if possible) or skipping the elevator and taking the stairs up to your office or apartment.
Mental Health
Recovering from obesity is no different than recovering from other forms of illness in that it takes a toll on your mental well-being. But if you want to fully commit to your physical health and wellness, you will also need to commit to your emotional health. Mental Health America suggests keeping a journal or scrapbook with photographs and news clippings that will keep you focused on your goals.
Celebrating healthy-living milestones like having increased cardiac endurance, flexibility, and overall energy is another great way to keep your spirits high throughout your weight loss journey. Likewise, spending time with friends and family and remaining involved in church activities is a great way to instantly lift your mood. Wherever two or three are gathered together in Him, the Lord is there amongst them; this coming together can be edifying and reinforce your strength and commitment.
Similarly, spend time in prayer. Science is coming to understand what many of us have known all along, that prayer can be a powerful tool in keeping you mentally, emotionally and spiritually strong.
Another way to boost your mental and physical health is by getting enough rest, which is necessary for your body to heal and to continue performing to its fullest potential. Remember the Sabbath is for well-being and a time for worship; make this a part of your self-care plan.
Although the journey seems long, it is possible to overcome obesity. Use the tools available to you: healthy foods, the ability to exercise, and prayer, and lean on your Christian family. You can share in His glory by honoring your body and thus the very life He has given you.
PeaceBrooke Biblical Counseling, LLC provides Christ-centered online counseling designed for men. Discover more about the services we provide by clicking here.