Joy A. Mead

Do you ever wake up and have debates with yourself about getting out of bed? I sure do, especially on work out days! I’d rather just snooze for that extra half hour, but I am now focusing toward a goal of having a healthier lifestyle which requires the discipline to rise and move my body.

As a mama, I have often used the excuse that I am too busy to exercise. However, I turn forty in October and it’s as if God has used this mid-life marker as an opportunity to challenge me to better health, specifically in my physical body. Something inside my heart and mind has snapped into place, leaving me feeling determined to embrace the discipline of looking after myself. 

So far, I have managed exercise three times a week for four months! This won’t be revolutionary to anyone who already has an established exercise routine, but I feel proud of myself and encouraged because this is the longest I have ever gone without giving up on the routine of exercising altogether.

My long term goal is to build my workouts into my schedule and incorporate them as necessary measures in being a well-rounded person. Ideally, I would like exercise to be as straightforward as eating, drinking water, or sleeping. 

I’ve found a thirty-minute workout that is varied enough and balanced for me to keep doing regularly. One of the things the instructor says has been really encouraging, “Be proud of yourself for showing up!” It speaks of the determination and discipline that is needed even just to make a start. 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “ Do you not know that your bodies are temples 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 honour God with your bodies.” Likewise in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, it talks about our bodies being God’s temple and his Spirit lives inside us. 

Based on these passages, I am inspired to take care of my heart and mind, being mindful to what I am “feeding them with,” as well as nourishing my soul on scripture and prayer. Equally, I want to be filling my body with healthy, wholesome foods instead of high amounts of junk food and keep working my body in order to live a healthy, active life. It is a personal journey for each of us to make towards being healthy in all areas of our lives.

Perhaps workouts aren’t your thing. Maybe you prefer nature walks or swimming, cycling or tap dancing. Don’t be afraid to try a variety of activities, in order to take care of the physical body that God gave you! Keep trying new things until you find a sport or activity that works for you in this season of your life. 

Even if you don’t feel like it, just keep showing up, Mama! God wants all of you, including your physical body, to be as healthy as you can be—emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and certainly physically. Ask God to fill you with the motivation and determination to practice the discipline of exercise. 

And when you are tempted to give up, fight hard to keep showing up! Mama, you show up daily for your family, and you are worth showing up for yourself!

May God continually motivate and inspire you to keep showing up! You can do this!