You CAN Achieve Your Desired Weight

Achieving your desired weight is not a particularly sexy topic, but it is undoubtedly a significant one.  Let’s take another look.

For many adults, sedentary living quickly becomes the norm. Comfortable couches, engrossing books, fascinating board games, and eye-catching TV shows could easily top the list of people's favorite pastimes. 

Add to that a general aversion to exercise, and you get a trend of additional weight gain that leaves many in precarious health. Establishing an exercise routine can appear daunting, perhaps even impossible, especially when you're in the comfortable realm of "I find it very easy to be sedentary and enjoy lounging around the house with little exercise.

From personal sentiments, many echo: "I am gaining weight and know that is not good" or "I know I need to stop gaining weight, but I do not enjoy exercise." These feelings are common and understandable. But here’s the good news: it is possible to reverse this trend. All you need is a little motivation and a bit of a tactic.

When approaching exercise, do not take it as a punishment or a mundane routine that must be completed. Exercise can be fun! Start by approaching exercise from a perspective of gratitude, recognizing it as a gift and an opportunity to care for the body God has given you. It's not about being thin or strong but about being healthy.

Begin by setting realistic goals. You won't enjoy a 5-mile run if you're not a runner. Instead, find something you enjoy that involves some form of physical exertion. Want to explore your neighborhood? Consider a daily walk. Enjoy dancing? Try a Zumba or dance cardio class. Slowly, you can introduce more strenuous activities into your routine.

Consider Ernest, a 45-year-old booklover who found himself in a similar situation. Like you, Ernest realizes, "I am looking for ways to lose, or at least maintain, my weight." He started by merely walking his dog around the block.

Then, he gradually began taking longer walks. Later, he started to jog. Eventually, Ernest went from hardly exercising to participating in neighborhood 5k runs!

Ernest would tell you: “It was challenging initially. I kept telling myself it was impossible. But once I started, I took one step at a time rather than focusing on the endpoint. It became a bit addictive. I started to love getting out, enjoying nature, and clearing my mind when doing these runs in the morning. You can do this too!"

So, you say, "I have never seen a happy person jogging, so why would I want to jog?" But, as Ernest shares, personal experience can shift your perception. People often don’t show happiness during exercise because they are focused or pushing their limits, not because they aren't enjoying it.

Recruit a friend or family member to join you on your physical activity journey. Having someone to share your milestones with makes the process more enjoyable and less solitary. They can also help hold you accountable and provide a healthy sense of competition.

Implementing a reward system can also be motivational. For instance, after a week of sticking to your exercise plan, reward yourself with a new book, game, or spa day. This kind of positive reinforcement can encourage you to keep going.

Mixing up your workout routines can also help avoid boredom and maintain interest. One day could involve dancing, another day cycling, and yet another swimming or jogging. You'll build different muscle groups with various exercises and keep your brain engaged

Learn to view the minor improvements as significant progress. You could only do five minutes of exercise at first, but now you can do ten. That's a big step! Every slight improvement gets you closer to your bigger goal.

In tackling this journey, consider the maxim from Proverbs 13:4, "The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied." Rekindle the diligence embedded within you and strive with the strength of the Holy Spirit. If it gets complicated, remember Romans 8:26, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness."

While exercise is essential, you must also balance it with healthy eating. Remember that your body is a "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19). Nourish it properly. It can help you maximize your exercise efforts and prevent further weight gain. Start by making simple changes like cutting down on processed foods and incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins into your diet.

Track your progress. Seeing how far you’ve come can be highly motivating. Record your workouts, duration, and feelings afterward in a journal. Over time, you can look back and see your progress.

Remember that everyone has to start somewhere and allow yourself to be a beginner. The key is to keep going, even if you experience setbacks.

In making these changes, be patient with yourself. Forgive yourself when you fall short, and allow yourself to enjoy the process. Change takes time, and it's okay to move slowly. As the Christian phrase goes, "Do not despise these small beginnings" (Zechariah 4:10).

Most importantly, pray. Talk to God about your struggles and ask for His help and guidance. He is there to help us with our weaknesses and to strengthen us when we are fatigued. "He gives power to the weak and to those who have no might, He increases strength" (Isaiah 40:29).

In conclusion, it's entirely possible to turn "I find it very easy to be sedentary. I enjoy lounging around the house with little exercise. It's hard for me to exercise. I don't enjoy it at all." into a healthy exercise habit and lifestyle. Remember, every step towards a healthier lifestyle is in the right direction.

When can you take that first step? Today. Now. The journey towards a healthier you starts when you decide to make that change. With God, all things are possible. (Matthew 9:26).

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