Simple Ways to Keep Your Body Moving
We’re called to care for our bodies.
Many years ago, I was at a local fast food restaurant when a large gentleman came in. He obviously worked out. Everybody was looking at him because he had this special lotion all over him that darkened his skin to accentuate his muscular features. He was on a break from a bodybuilding competition that was happening down the road. He was one of their contestants. He sat next to me because he wanted to charge his phone at the power outlet that was right by me. We ended up having a great conversation.
He gave me really practical advice for staying physically fit. He told me that most people don't need to begin at the gym to start getting physically healthy. They can easily start at home by finding ways to move their bodies more often. They could do more chores around the house or they could choose to park a little further away from the mall entrance to force them to walk a little more. It was sound advice he gave me (admittedly, I have lots of difficulty following even this simple advice!).
We’re called to care for our bodies. After all, these are the only bodies we will have while we're on earth. Going to the gym and working out is one way to care for our bodies. But it's not the only way. Joining a gym may not even be the first thing you should do. Perhaps you can find easy and simple ways just to move a little more every day.
Now that the winter is over and the weather is nice, I've been finding ways to move my body more outside. Some simple things that I've been able to do include:
Walking my son to and from his day care instead of taking the car
Doing some form of yard work almost every day (cutting grass, trimming bushes)
Walking to the local coffee shop or grocery store
Even today, I walked a bit to get to a particular place. I'm writing this blog post at my local mall. But I got here on foot. I dropped off my car at the mechanic's and decided to walk to this mall that was close by. If you're intentional and creative, you can find easy and simple ways to keep your body moving every day. It's one way for you to steward your body well so that you can keep serving God with it in His Kingdom work.
Barnabas the Monastic
Servant of Christ. Husband. Dad. Modern Monastic. I have a wild ambition in life: get as close to the Lord Jesus Christ as I can while on earth. I explore and integrate ancient Christian monk wisdom in modern everyday life. Lives in Canada.
