What does God have to do with it?

A lot of people ask me, so what is Faith and Fitness? Do you just pray during your workout?

What I think they really want to say is, “What does God and faith have to do with workinig out?” “How does HE fit in?”

Well, it’s so much more than starting with prayer (which is something we do), before we start class. And it’s more than just focusing on the scripture I’ve chosen to discuss that day. It’s about getting free from all the lies we tell ourselves each day (I’m fat, I’m never going to lose this weight, I am not healthy, I am not doing enough, I don’t have the right job, I don’t have enough money…and the list goes on). When we meet with the Lord, absorb His word, and let its truth wash over us, we feel peace. We feel strength. We feel like anything can come at us, yet it won’t knock us down. His word is our sword-it cuts through and destroys the lies. The doubt.

And when we move our bodies in some form of exercise, our bodies release chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins trigger positive feelings, reducing stress, anxiety, negativity, etc. But during a normal workout, what are we thinking? Are we focusing on how our body looks? How much weight we need to lose, or calories we are burning at that very moment during the exercise? Is there enjoyment or are you doing it because you feel you have to? And once you’re done your workout, don’t you just go about your day and move on?

But combining the truth of God’s word and exercise keeps our vibrations high and carries us through the day - it keeps us reminded of and focused on love, acceptance, and positivity, not on how many pushups we can do. Yes, it’s important to challenge yourself and to exercise, but it doesn’t matter how much weight you can lift. We need to renew our mind, body and soul each and every day. When we bring God into our daily life, even our workout, it changes us. It transforms us from the inside out. And isn’t that what we all really want? We may think we want (or just need to) lose weight to be happy or feel good. But even after the weight is physically gone, our hearts and minds are still yearning for self-acceptance, true freedom and peace. Fitting in to a bikini is not going to do that for you. But a deep relationship with God will.

Believe me, I don’t always feel motivated and energized, but when I force myself to exercise, following with meditation in prayer at the end (even if just for a couple of minutes), I’m a new person. This is what Faith2Fitt is all about. To bring you God’s word, love and peace so you can physcially, meantally and spiritually be healthy. When you involve God in your health journey and keep seeking him, instead of your fantasy body, you will be transformed and everything else will fall into place. You can come to a place of good health, but it will take time. You will have set backs. You will hit plateaus. But God is all powerful and HE has given you the Holy Spriit’s power. With that power within you, you can achieve anything. Alone you will not achieve it, but through God’s power, you will. You only have to believe!

Ephesians 3:20 (TLB)
Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.

Mark 11:24 (ESV)
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.