GET MOVING!!!

Welcome to Freelance Friday. Below is an article related to health and fitness that should encourage you to get moving! I hope you enjoy.

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There are so many people living sedentary lives today. This type of inactivity can lead to being overweight or obese and people are dying everyday because of the illnesses that it brings along with it such as diabetes, heart disease, strokes, etc…... This is especially so in the African-American community. There was actually a time when parents would force their kids outside in the hot sweltering sun to play all day long during the summers. Whether you spent summers at your grandparents house in the rural country, or whether you grew up in the city or lived in the suburbs, or you may have simply went to camp every summer. Being outside was a natural part of growing up. Sadly today, there’s not much of that taking place. And as a result, more and more kids are growing up over-weight. These same over-weight kids are growing up to be over-weight parents, teachers, ministers and other positions of leadership which entails being role models for our society. Well, being a role model is not only predicated upon what you say and do but it includes how you look and feel. Remember, before anybody sees what you do and before anybody hears what you say, people see what you look like.

As Christians, we are supposed to teach that our bodies are temples so that they could be used as vessels for God. Well, how can we teach this when there are so many of us are overweight-so obviously harming their bodies by leading non-active lives and embracing bad eating habits? This is clearly not God’s will for our lives. Christ told his disciples “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28: 19. How can we live out this charge if we are constantly being ailed by sickness and disease due to leading non-active lives? How can we live out the more abundant life that Christ speaks of in John 10:10 when we can’t even get out of bed because we have to be hooked up to a machine to monitor our hearts due to all the damage we’ve done to it. As Christians the way we live our life is supposed to be seen as an extraordinary life. A life where our light shines brightly-this should not only be in spirit but physically as well. Our energy level should be high and exciting. We should always have a song of joy in our hearts! People should look at us and say, “Wow, there’s something different about her/him”. Yes, we all have bad days but no one should ever say, “He/she seems like there’s always something wrong”. I believe a large part of the reason why we feel and look sluggish and tired is because of a lack of physical activity and because we’re putting the wrong foods into our bodies. (Lack of water, fiber, and sleep are other culprits for sluggish behavior). We are God’s masterpiece, marvelously made in his image-why wouldn’t we take care of our bodies the way that God wants us to?

Don’t you think it’s time to make a change in your life today? A change that will not only affect you but the people you come in contact with every day. I’m not only speaking to those of you that may be over-weight but to anyone who may be damaging their bodies by indulging in bad habits such as smoking or excessive drinking. Notice not once in this entire article did I mention exercise or diets (that’s another topic). I’m merely speaking of physical activity, whether it’s taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work, taking your family or friends bicycling around-the-neighborhood, parking further away from the grocery store (during the day of course), going to the pool, joining or starting a walking club, joining a flag-football or softball league, taking a hike with friends, and so many other activities that involve moving your body. God wants us to enjoy life at its fullest and you can’t do that by sitting on the couch everyday. Sisters, if we learned to take care of our bodies the way we take care of our hair, we’d be set!!! (I’m sorry, I had to say it.)

To start this new life it is imperative that we change the way we think about ourselves. We must view ourselves the way God view’s us. He sees us as His precious children set apart from the world. This is not only in spiritual matters but physically and mentally. He wants us to be strong and healthy so that we can live out His purpose and plans for us. (Romans 12:2) Do not let a heart-attack, or stroke or bad news from a doctor’s visit be the catalyst for this change. Take a preventive step now by embracing a healthy and active lifestyle and GET MOVING.

Author--Charmain P. Davis