What is my greatest fitness obstacle? Well, in the end I suppose I am in that I will not be in shape if I don’t try. But let’s assume for a second I want to be in shape, not a bad assumption, what then is my enemy? I will argue it is the couch. It’s pretty often I leave work or church with high ambitions of working out when I get home. I arrive home, take out my dog, get changed and say to myself “I’ll just sit down on the couch for a second.” The moment my butt hits those cushions all energy and motivation seem to cascade out of my body like the air out of a raft with a hole in it. Suddenly the idea of moving seems like torture. If I turn on the TV all is lost… Such is the story of my life 50% of the time.
So what do I do the other 50 percent? I don’t sit on the couch! Knowing my tendency to be sluggish when I get home I choose not to give myself an opportunity for sluggary. Sometimes this means bringing my workout clothes to work and going straight to the gym, Sometimes it means coming home, taking out my dog, dropping her off and leaving immediately to the gym. I try to remember how good I feel after exercising and stretching, I look to the benefits of a strong healthy body and I choose to push through the feelings of lethargy. I’m always thankful I did.
Your obstacles may be different: Kids, Busyness, Work, Money, etc. Sometimes exercise just isn’t in the cards. This is more a quick note is to motivate those who can but don’t. Create a doable goal for yourself, schedule times to get it done and do what needs to be done to reach that goal.
I just recently put on a shirt I haven’t been able to wear in a long time and I even had room to breathe! That hasn’t really happened to me in awhile so it was a good feeling. I’m staying off the couch, what are you doing?
p.s. I’m a pastor so I feel I should say here it’s not to far of a stretch to apply these principles to our lives as Christians. What are the things that get in the way to your relationship with God? Can you identify them? If you can you are well on your way to overcoming them with the help of the Holy Spirit who strengthens you, guides you and teaches you (John 14:26). Your part? Make a decision to not put yourself in the situations you find yourself weakest. That’s part of the sanctification process working itself out in your lives. As you are conformed into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) the old habits begin dying and the new Christ like habits begin growing. Train yourself (1 Corinthians 9:25) in Godliness I don’t think it’s a stretch to say you will be thankful you did. Make sure to find time to do this because this is of the utmost importance. What is your couch when it comes to spiritual fitness?
