Are You Healthy Today?

Seems like every time I turn on the TV, there is a commercial about how I need to lose weight, and can only do it their way.  I need to buy their nutritionally complete, delivered to my door, delicious meals.  And it only costs….how much????

Then there are the commercials with the absolutely beautiful gal with muscles like He-Man jogging all over the Himalayan Mountains, on a machine, and not losing a single breath.  Or it’s the celebrity singer who is now a grandma, so it’s time, after all these years to trim down, tone up, look great, so she can be there for the new grandchild for a long time to come.  So many options, so many plans, and so many dollar signs…$$$$$. Chi-chang!

I may be poking some fun at all this hub-bub about being healthy, but in reality, I, too, am a believer.  And it’s not because I’ve always been this way.  In the past, I was able to consume anything I wanted, and as long as I had some physical activity I didn’t put on a lot of weight.  But with my first pregnancy, I did put on weight.  It wasn’t excessive, and afterwards I lost a good deal of it…but not ALL of it.  Two subsequent pregnancies later I had continued to put on weight, and less of it came off afterwards.

Now I suffer from Type II Diabetes, the adult onset type.  I control it with medications and diet, and a fair amount of exercise.  I have lost weight via diet and exercise before, but I would get tired and lose interest, and start missing gym time.  Life got in the way, and then I was right back where I started.  And the diabetes went out of control.  But now I am back at it, and already feeling the changes coming my way.  We can always get back up and start over whenever we lose our focus.  And trusting God in this situation is the best way to keep it!

As we age, our health will naturally decline in some ways.  It is different for everyone, but we can make it easier.  An already strong body is more likely to fend off disease using its own built-in resources, such as immunity, and basic strength.  A good appetite that is sustained with the proper foods will help organ systems to maintain a healthy balance.  Making good choices with respect to exercise and the way we feed our body in general can make a difference in how we age, and how effectively we are able to stay healthy longer so we can enjoy an active and satisfying lifestyle well into our future years.

We are God’s creation.  He lives within us.  Since we belong to Him, our bodies are only temporary housing.  We should maintain them in a way that brings Him glory, and allows us to serve to the best of our ability.  So get up, get going, and get healthy, but remember, He loves you just as you are, forever and a day!

‘Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body.’  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)