Finding Abundance in Movement

Some days I think I’ve really won the day- a super fulfilling day at work, an amazing time with my family, or staying within my grocery budget for the week. Other days, I feel like I barely survived after being “uber mom” for 3 hours after school with the only victory of the day being my family getting fed. Even if it was chicken nuggets and carrot sticks. (Yes, it's still a meal I serve to my 3 teenagers- anyone else?) 

Here is one thing that has counted as a win for me over the last decade: moving my body. It could be a walk, a run, lifting, or climbing, doesn’t matter. When I move I show up as a better version of myself so I can do the things I’m being called to do. 

I have been involved in sports since I was five. T-ball, softball, flag football, one very forgettable season of basketball, then cross country and track for high school. When I was competing, movement wasn't something I had to think about. You show up to practice, you put in the work and then play the game or run the race, repeat. But the second I stopped being part of a team, without the structure and the accountability, I struggled to stay active. My Physical Education degree helped,  I understood the importance of movement but understanding something and actually doing it are two very different things. 

And that’s where I think a lot of people get stuck when it comes to exercise. If I asked you why exercise is important I’m sure you could come up with a few specific things. No one is arguing exercise is bad for you.  So if we know it’s good for us, why is it so hard to make it a part of our lives consistently? I am too busy. I don’t know where to start. I don’t have the energy. I can’t afford a gym membership. I’ve used all of these excuses and more. 

Here is what I have come to believe: until you truly buy into why exercise matters, you aren’t going to make it a priority. So let me try to make the case, not just for the physical benefits, but something bigger. That taking care of yourself is an act of worship allowing you to fully live into what God is calling you to do. 

First, there’s no question there are many benefits to exercising regularly. It can reduce or eliminate many of the medical conditions that people regularly deal with everyday-hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, osteoporosis, lung disease, poor mental health, heart disease, etc.

It also helps with weight management, lowers the risk of many of the diseases already listed and even cancer. It increases muscle and bone strength, reduces the risk of injury during functional movement and can increase the length and quality of your life. 

You can read more more about the specifics here https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/benefits/index.html

This blog is called Finding Abundance in Midlife so what does exercise have to do with abundance? If you’ve read my ABOUT PAGE, you know I define an abundant life as, “life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God”. That devotion isn't a spectator sport. It’s an active pursuit of God and the things He's calling us to do. And we can't do them well if we're not caring for the bodies He gave us. We are made for embodied life: to care for our bodies and for others, to show up physically present in our relationships, to find joy in movement even in adulthood, and to engage in embodied spiritual practices like fasting, praying, singing, kneeling, serving, and dancing. When we steward our bodies well, we can care for and serve others beyond what we ever thought possible.

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples 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 bodies."   1 Corinthians 6:19-20

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

This isn't about hitting a certain body fat percentage or chasing an aesthetic. It's about being able to fully live into your calling and enjoy the life God has given you as much as possible.

So let me ask you something: what's your vision for your future self - five years, ten years, thirty years from now? Are you going on that mission trip to help build homes for families in need? Are you getting on the floor to play with your grandkids? Are you hiking through the mountains, enjoying a round of golf with friends, or living independently as long as possible?

We aren’t guaranteed any of these things, but you can do things today to either move you towards or away from the things you hope and are called to do in the future.

I want to acknowledge that everyone’s circumstances are different; sin has corrupted God’s creation and that includes our bodies. For some, caring for your physical health might simply mean getting out of bed today, or making it to your next treatment or therapy appointment. Everyone's path is different, and it will look different across seasons of your own life. But I do believe that caring for what we can control is an act of worship. Scripture says physical training has value, (1 Timothy 4:8), just not as much value as training for godliness.  When your motivation flows from devotion rather than vanity, exercise becomes an opportunity to honor God with the body He gave you.

If you are like me, juggling a dozen rolls at once, I don’t have hours to spend “just working on my fitness” (thank you Fergie). The good news is you don’t need hours everyday.

Here's what the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion actually recommends for adults (full guidelines here):

• Move more, sit less. Something is always better than nothing.
• Aim for 150–300 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity, or 75–150 minutes of vigorous activity - or some mix of both. Spread it through the week if you can.
• Going past 300 minutes gets you even more benefit.
• Strength train all your major muscle groups at least twice a week.

What’s the bottom line? If you haven’t been doing any sort of movement, start small. Find something you enjoy- walking, biking, swimming, running, etc. and do it a few times a week. Maybe it’s for 10 minutes a day to start. Get those small wins and then build from there.

But personally, I will always tell people to start with strength training- it is the way forward for quality of life and longevity. 

Not sure where to start with strength training? I put together a simple two-day lifting program to help you get started.

Here’s to fully living into the things God is calling you to do and finding abundance along the way.

-Briana