All right, I’ve been pondering that last “success” post and wondering if I was clear enough about how to define success in a meaningful way. I think it all comes down to knowing your “why.” That is, what is it that has prodded you to begin this quest toward health and wellness in the first place? What was that moment that spurred you into thinking, “I need to make a change?” I’m not talking about wanting to fit into a great dress for your cousin’s wedding next month; I’m talking about motivation for true, lasting change. Most of us know that moment when it happens or can remember when we were just finally tired of the dissatisfaction in our lives.
From my pre-teen years, I had always struggled with thinking I was too big, not fit enough, that my body shape was all wrong. I wanted to wear smaller clothes, have thighs that didn’t rub raw when I ran, and arms that didn’t jiggle. But it was one day during a Bible study that I got my true motivation for changing my health. I read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, and it struck me in a new way:
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body as a living sacrifice.”
While I know this verse is typically discussed in terms of sexual immorality, I read it as so much more than that. How was I honoring God with this body of mine? I had been given the tremendous gift of life and a body that was generally healthy and strong. What was I doing to acknowledge what I had been given? I stopped to think. How was I feeding it? How was I using it, building it up and making it stronger? How was I using my body to further God’s kingdom? I realized that filling my body with “high fructose corn syrup” and “artificial flavorings” was not honoring the gift God had given me.
So that is where I work from today. When I feed my body or head out for exercise, I try first to be grateful for the gift I’ve been given, and then I do my best to honor it. I do not always act in alignment with that goal—I have been known to enjoy some sugary sweets, but recognizing that “honor” is my ultimate goal usually informs me as to what my next best decision should be. Once I was able to recognize that for me “honor” was the goal, I could evaluate my actions against it.
Have you figured out your reason for wanting a healthier existence? I have a friend who has an autistic child who will never be able to live independently. Several years ago, my friend realized it was important that he live healthfully to ensure he was doing what he could to be around for his son as long as possible. “It’s a whole lot easier to say ‘no’ to dessert when I think about the importance of maintaining a healthy weight in terms of being here for him,” he told me. Once you are able to determine your WHY for transforming your health, it becomes a no-brainer. I encourage you to sit-down and truly explore what that is for you. Clarifying your why will make all the steps following easier to take.
