I believe that to truly be WHOLE--to feel complete, to not want--we need to develop a different perspective regarding how we look at and think about our bodies. We must learn to love our bodies and take care of them the way God intended. For years the media and other people—well intentioned or not—have told us what looks good and what does not. Many times our thoughts about our bodies come from a place of hurt. It can be hard to look at ourselves and not see something that could be improved.
Watch this video and see if you see yourself in any of these women's answers.
- Did you relate to that video at all?
- What is YOUR favorite part of your body?
- What is YOUR favorite part of your body?
Remember the definition of being WHOLE—not wanting, feeling complete. What if we felt complete in our body? What if we didn’t want a smaller butt, or flatter tummy, or our stretch marks to be gone? What if we didn't cringe when we tried on our 1000th swimsuit, pleading with the mirror to give us a break for goodness sake, and hoping the lighting is just off. What if we looked in the mirror and were satisfied? Satisfied first because we were whole in Christ, and second because we were doing all we could to take care of ourselves with exercise and nutrition and making the spiritual a part of this.
I ask the women I coach, in my not-so-beautiful garage and in my online coaching groups, to look at their bodies as an extension of their spirit. This is a tough concept to understand, but slowly it is starting to take root, and the changes they start to see are breathtaking. They begin to see their bodies as an extension of something that is pleasing to God. It’s not just about the feeling we get from when we look good in a swimsuit or see a number on the scale. It is something so much more!
Here are few things that have been helpful when starting my journey to Wholeness through the avenue of fitness:
1. FIND MOVEMENT THAT BRINGS YOU LIFE
We have so many options for energizing exercise—swimming, running, bicycling and more. Keep experimenting until you find the thing that gets you fired up and then add weights and some high intensity intervals, like squats, pushups, sit-ups, lunges and hops. Do these over and over for 15 minutes.
Don't be afraid to try new things. Do the things that you enjoy.
2. FIND SOMEONE TO DO IT WITH
No man is an island, and no whole and healthy person tries to live in long-term isolation. A partner gives you accountability, but more than that, a partner offers encouragement and has your back. On the day you’re too tired to work out, your partner says, “Please meet me. I need your help.” When you face the clearly unhealthy choice at a restaurant, your partner says, “Put DOWN the cupcakes, you got this, you were made for more.” Research has shown that people who have an accountability partner have greater success than those who choose to try it alone. God never intended for us to go through life solo.
3. CHASE WHOLENESS NOT THE SCALE
Set your goals in terms of wholeness—not pounds. Measurable goals are important, and you need some of those, but your biggest goal should be measured in terms of your relationship with God—and how that affects every aspect of your life.
We aren’t working out and getting in shape because the world tells us to; we are doing it to be completely full and alive in God, experiencing His presence—even in our bodies.
So, what do you see when you look in the mirror—a list of imperfections and shortcomings? Or a person made by a holy God to be whole and holy? How are you taking care of that so-special creation?