Blog Archive

Sunday, April 15, 2012

How to Remain Steadfast in an Ever-changing World


A couple of years ago I purchased Insanity, an at-home work out program. If you aren’t familiar with it, it is made by Beach Body the makers of P90X. It is considered a more intense program than P90X. If I had one word to describe it, I would say…insane. My sister and I had planned to do it together.  Now if you need to know about my physical activity issues, read my blog “Failed Another Health Goal?” So why I decided to go from 0 to 90 by starting this workout plan, I’m not sure. 

Despite this, I completed the entire first month. I mean, I didn’t miss a workout! So at that point I was feeling pretty pumped and ready to start month two. However, between the two months I moved twice including a major move to Texas to begin my dietetic internship. For two weeks during this moving period, I didn’t work out once. By the time I got settled into Texas and wanted to start month two I didn’t have the same stamina I had built up over month one. Needless to say, month two didn’t make it beyond the second workout and I never started Insanity again. I had failed to be steadfast at Insanity. 

“My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast” (Ps 57:7). David is so joyful in this psalm about being steadfast in the Lord he sings. My idea of being steadfast while working out is to not hit the stop button on the bluray while I am “feeling the burn.” When I examine my reasons for starting Insanity, I wanted to be ripped and tone. I wanted to look good. An improved cardiovascular system was a wonderful side effect, but not my #1 motivation. This is why I did not complete the program. My motives were only beneficial to raise my societal status. They were not designed with the goal of sharpening God’s tool, my body, for service.  “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (Jas 3:18).
Shaun T and crew are insane!

Why do you desire to be thinner, healthier, or more athletic? In my time talking with people about their health goals, the most successful, long lasting attempts were always rooted in humble motivations. They are the individuals doing it to truly improve their health, to live longer for their families, to be able to enjoy the blessings in life without physical ailments, and to not be a burden on their loved ones later in life. If always feel like you fail at weight loss or getting in shape, examine your motives. Are they like mine during my failed attempt to the glory of being ripped? Or do they come from a place of humility and selfless motivations. If it is the later, success is yours to be had! 

Today’s verse: “All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord” (Pr 16:2).

Next Blog: Arm Your Tool Belt! Online tools and resources for the savvy health fanatics.

4 comments:

  1. This message really hits home for me. I have always longed to be skinny and pretty for the selfish reason of society status. It wasn't until recent years that my health entered into the picture. I have a family and friends and a fiancé that love me just the way I am, but I need to get healthy in order to be around to enjoy them. Your blog is so inspiring to me! I took all f the Easter candy to work this week! :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cori! Sorry its taken me this long to respond. I hope others will get to see your great example and end up feeling the same way because of you! Thanks for sharing!

      Delete
  2. I totally was thinking about that today, in regards to motivation and body image. It was like you were reading my mind!

    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dara Yeh, Virginia BeachApril 22, 2012 at 8:36 AM

    Really enjoyed this post, Christina!

    ReplyDelete