written last 2020.
It has been three months (or thirteen weeks to be exact) of me having a consciously healthy lifestyle. I have been jumping rope for twelve weeks straight. I’ve done different bodyweight exercises. I’ve been enjoying cooking and making more nutritious foods, and I’ve lost thirty pounds. As the days pile up and I got more fit, I had some major realizations.
Let me mention something controversial, but I have to say it: The church does not give enough attention to physical health.
I’ve seen the church giving importance to mental and spiritual health, but I’ve received little when it comes to our physical health. So when I first picked up the saying, “Exercise for the glory of God,” two thoughts came into my mind. First was, “Huh, that’s the first time I’ve heard of this.” And the second thought was refuting the preceding one, replying, “This should be normal since we should do everything for the glory of God.” But the only reason the two notions popped up in the first place is that I rarely hear this saying.
“Sing for the glory of God.”
“Dance for the glory of God.”
“Write for the glory of God.”
“Eat for the glory of God.”
“Drink for the glory of God.”
I have seen a bunch of people say this for so many times, it’s normal. But saying “Exercise for the glory of God,” or “Get fit for the glory of God” sounds peculiar. It was like familiar words grouped in an unfamiliar manner, playing together in my tongue. But why are they odd? Shouldn’t they be normal?
My entire life, I made myself believe that I will only be beautiful if I get that slim body. Growing up, I was constantly the chubby girl. I never became the person who was thin, fit, or sexy. I was the girl who always had a bit of “baby” fat, and that stuck with me as I grew older.
When I was in high school, there was a time when I danced for six days a week. I lost a ton of weight. But I still had the notion I was large. When I look back at those pictures from six years ago, I realized that wasn’t true. I was fit. But my past self refused to acknowledge this.
In college, when people thinner than me would comment on their body, saying, “I’m so fat,” I’d cringe and get insecure. I’d say to myself, if they assume they’re big, then what do they think of me? I’d stay silent as they continue to criticize their own body, while I stand and bring judgment on my own.
When I started working, I gained a lot of weight, to the point it was unhealthy. I mostly shrug it off and joke around about it. But I didn’t know I was overweight until I took a BMI test.
It came to a point when my favorite dresses couldn’t fit me anymore, and a fitness program at work, when I finally had to acknowledge the weight gains and unhealthy habits I have been doing. I also had to face this burden I’ve been carrying for years: My weight does not define me.
Honey, you’ve heard this a thousand times. But I need to say it. The numbers on the calorie counter, the numbers on the scale? They do not define you. They’re just that — numbers.
There was a time when I got obsessed with counting calories and getting thin, to the point it wasn’t healthy anymore. As a person who has a sweet tooth, this was a struggle. I ended up binging during the weekends and Friday nights out. I was gaining instead of losing weight!
It took a pandemic and a quarantine for me to realize what I’ve been doing wrong. During quarantine, I began jumping rope to lose weight. I was becoming more conscious of what I have been eating, and I make sure I’m at a calorie deficit, without making myself hungry. It has been hard, but the results are rewarding.
Look, I’m not saying physical health doesn’t matter. They do. In fact, they should be brought up more often. Our bodies are God’s gift to us. It’s only right to take care of it by eating healthy and exercising regularly. (I sound like a fitness freak, but these are key!)
It’s been three months since I took this fitness journey seriously. I lost weight (and fat), and I started gaining more muscle. And as a former overweight human, I will tell you this, the calories you count in everything that goes into your mouth? They’re just that — calories. The number on the weighing scale each time you step on it with anxiety, anticipating you lost weight? They’re just that — a number.
I’ve already dropped thirty pounds. I reached a healthy number, but I’m still looking forward to losing more fat and gaining more muscle. But the thing is, I’m not obsessed with the numbers anymore. The idol has crumbled.
Don’t get me wrong. I still count my calories. I still make sure I’m in a calorie deficit. I still exercise every day (if I can!) I even get upset whenever I didn’t achieve my goal for the day. But, there’s the peace of knowing that, these things, these numbers, no longer define me. They lost their place in deciding my worth.
Love yourself enough to get fit. Glorify God through your body. But darling, don’t let yourself be so troubled that you see your worth in those numbers. I know God doesn’t define you by your weight. So why should you do the same for yourself?
Take it from the girl who thought her worth came from the numbers.
And, do you know eating one cup of black seedless grapes is equal to a hundred and twenty calories?
So, here’s to us, to fitness, and all for the glory of God.
