Among the positive things that stemmed from my eating disorder, is my view on the importance of health, specifically eating right and exercising. I feel that is extremely important to take care of our bodies and to treat them like the temples that God created. Today, I would like to challenge you to take one step towards a healthy lifestyle. Try to incorporate the activity or step into your daily routine and ask God to help you maintain it. I’m not very big into weight loss goals, because those had a negative impact on me. I think it’s better to have eating goals, work out goals, etc. Below are some examples:
• Cook a healthy dinner at home instead of going out to a restaurant or picking up fast-food.
• Let family members in your household help in the meal planning/cooking to get everyone engaged and excited about eating at home.
• Every step counts! If you are able, take the stairs, park in the last space at the grocery store, go around the block. We all know that the more we move the better.
• Work out in a group. I love taking group exercise classes because it’s fun working out with others who are also trying to live healthful lives. Check out Movefree online here. If you are in The Woodlands, TX, there are great group classes and personal training sessions. Also, there are online resources available.
• Sleep. I know it’s difficult, but getting a good night’s sleep is a great step towards living a healthy life. You need rest in order to maintain energy throughout the day, especially if you are adding an exercise routine.
• Everything in moderation. Even though I like to eat healthy, I still enjoy sweets, fried foods, etc. on occasion. It’s important to enjoy your food and not feel guilty when eating certain foods.
• Pray. It may seem like an insignificant thing to pray about, but God wants you to be healthy. Ask Him for help and strength to overcome any unhealthy habits or to make those necessary changes.
• There is a great resource online here that has other tips for leading a healthy lifestyle.