Do you look around, comparing yourself, wishing you could be “fit”? Are you frustrated with what you’ve tried? Do you tend to change your mind two days into the process? Fitness is more than eating right and working out. True health starts in your mind.
Ask yourself, do you want results that begin in a place of fear? Fear of judgement, opinions, insecurity? What if you were able to approach fitness out of a place of ALREADY loving yourself? Out of already knowing you are enough?
The truth is you ARE already enough. All throughout scripture, we are taught about love. This is not just love for others, we love as we are loved. We need to be able to receive love and to function in love. This includes receiving love from yourself. Do you know that your faith is supposed to be connected to the knowledge that you are perfectly created? There is freedom to embrace yourself in truth. Often, your own mindset is what holds you back.
Galatians 5:6b-7 says, “What is important is faith expressing itself in LOVE. You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? It certainly isn’t God, for He is the one who called you to freedom.”
When you approach fitness from a place of love, you create space to walk into what is possible. Instead of feeling deprived or controlled, you feel empowered and motivated. You stick to it long enough to feel the benefits. You experience the addition of your physical health, mirroring your internal health.
With this mindset, you are free to run, lift weights, engage in sports, try yoga, bike, do pilates, or rock climb. We were made to move! When you move, you experience a fuller quality of life.
When you feed your body the nutrients it needs, you experience well-being and have energy. Start simple. Wake up and intentionally love yourself by the choices you make. Begin treating yourself by including things you love into your schedule. Take yourself for a jog, try something new, choose the natural food option over fast food. Make changes in your mind, and the rest will follow. You are powerful enough to choose, we were created with a free will. Choose to live in the fullness of what’s possible – where you aren’t forcing things or striving, but you are creating and flourishing.
Summer and fall are the perfect times to wake up into freshness of the day. Try these suggestions for one week:
Morning:
- Wake up and squeeze ½ lemon into purified 8oz water, drink slowly.
- Look in the mirror: set your heart and mind on God and His love for you. Look at yourself with eyes of love. Connect to who you authentically are.
- Workout: Do 20-60 minutes of your choice of work out. This can be cardio, weights, a mixture of both, yoga…this can change on a daily basis. Honor your body, and allow yourself to choose day by day.
- Breakfast: this is the perfect season for smoothies! Try berries, almond milk, honey, spinach, pears….you can make any type of smoothie you want with fruits, veggies, and non-dairy products. You will feel AMAZING.
Afternoon/Dinner: You started out in health and strength — mentally and physically. Use your power of choice for meals – the less ingredients the better. Take an afternoon walk or a mini yoga session to revive.
Night time: If you like to snack before bed, try making home-made popsicles – especially in the summer! Use fresh juice, freeze your smoothie mix…endless possibilities that will allow you to stay in integrity with yourself and love yourself.
Remember, you are already enough. Anything you choose to do is an addition in allowing you to function in who you are created to be. Stay tuned! More ideas to come in future blogs!
Marie Hudson is 29, loves life, and is committed to spreading truth through the knowledge of freedom and abundance she receives from Jesus. She is free from a 10 year eating disorder, and is dedicated to connect to girls to show the reality of choosing truth. Marie has recently joined the Pure Design team as a creative writer!
