Health & Fitness

Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. God has given us the responsibility to take care of it and to remain steadfast in it. Since God created us, we must express our gratitude to Him by investing in our health. Taking good care of our bodies and protecting our health is a natural consequence of valuing the life that God has given us.

It may cross your mind that you cannot afford to pay proper attention to these tips, either because it is too expensive or because it takes too long. Sometimes I think the same. But ultimately, striving for good health can prevent us from collapsing, which can be much more costly and cause shocks.

Let's discuss five starting points for good health and fitness. Naturally, when it comes to health-related issues, there will always be divergent opinions, hence each one must make their own decisions based on what works for them, according to their body, and considering their particular circumstances and needs.

Number 1: Make choices that are conducive to good health.

One of the keys to maintaining good health and fitness is the food we eat. In recent years, many diets and theories about food have become fashionable. However, after further research, some of the recommendations that had been made about healthy foods were reconsidered. For example, at first, there was a lot of emphasis on low-fat diets, which had as a consequence that people began to eat much more sugar, grains, and processed foods (bread, pasta, etc.) with very bad results in terms of general.

To make decisions that lead to a balanced diet, it is recommended, among other things:

• Consume a wide variety of foods prepared by yourself or by someone close to you. That means avoiding processed or pre-cooked foods.

• Avoid sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners.

• Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables of various colors.

• Take healthy oils that contain omega-3s, such as those found in nuts, seeds, and avocado (avocado), and extra virgin olive and coconut oils.

• Protect beneficial intestinal flora by avoiding excessive or unnecessary use of antibiotics and by following a balanced diet low in sugars and refined grains, which includes natural probiotics - good bacteria - such as those contained in unsweetened homemade yogurt and other fermented foods. All this contributes to strengthening the immune system.

• Drink plenty of plain water. For a medium-sized adult living in a moderate climate, a suitable amount is approximately eight glasses of 200 ml each.

• Limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol.

• And of course, not smoking.

Number 2: Maintain a proper weight.

If you are one of those people who deal with excess weight or obesity, you already know the tough battle you face. Being overweight is a very widespread condition in the world. According to a recent BBC report, obesity has quadrupled since 1980.

Being overweight or obese are considered cardiovascular risk factors, mainly for heart attacks and strokes. They also have a high incidence of diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders —particularly in osteoarthritis, a disabling degenerative disease of the joints— and some types of cancer.

In general, overweight and obesity can be prevented. Reversing those conditions is not easy, but by God's grace and with his help, it is possible. The Bible promises us: "Let us not tire of doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not give up."

Number 3: Periodic exercise.

Exercise is essential to regulate body weight, although it also provides many other health benefits, namely: Increases energy; improves muscle strength, tone, and endurance; contributes to good spirits; reduces stress, anxiety, and depression; it makes you look and feel younger; reduces body fat and strengthens bones; enhances mental acuity, productivity, and creativity; contributes to deep rest; promotes intimacy and relationships; improves immune response; increases joint mobility; improves posture, and treats and prevents more than 40 chronic diseases.

The key is to stay active, move, and do it often. “According to the Mayo Clinic, sitting is the new smoking today. Sitting for more than three or four hours at a time is now equivalent to smoking up to a pack and a half of cigarettes a day.

Number 4: Minimize stress.

Stress comes to us as a consequence of many diverse concerns, including illnesses, chronic pain, financial difficulties, work issues, conflicts with a partner, situations related to children ... The list is endless.

Without treatment, prolonged and high-intensity stress can lead to a chronic condition that can lead to serious health problems, including anxiety, insomnia, muscle aches, high blood pressure, and a weakened immune system. Research shows that stress can even contribute to serious illnesses, such as heart attack, depression, and obesity, or exacerbate existing illnesses.

There are many options to reduce the stress we are subjected to. Each must discover what works for him or her in particular. I often feel stressed when I put too much pressure on myself when I am too busy or have too many meetings and obligations. When that happens I try to mentalize myself to slow down, rest and relax more, and spend more time with the Lord. Commit your cares to the Lord, and He will support you; he will not allow the righteous to fall.

Number 5: Enjoy life, be happy, and take an optimistic outlook.

The following article, "Happiness is the key to a long life", is very interesting and sheds light on the subject:

• Ruut Veenhoven, a professor at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam noted: "Happiness does not heal, but it protects us from disease."

• After reviewing 30 studies conducted in different countries for periods ranging from one to sixty years, the Dutch professor stated that the effects of happiness on longevity were comparable to the difference between smoking and not smoking.

• That propensity to feel good, he added, could extend life between 7.5 and 10 years.

• Happy people are more inclined to watch their weight, more aware of the symptoms of illness, tend to be more moderate with smoking and drinking, and generally live healthier.

• They are also more active and open to the world, have greater self-confidence, make better decisions, and cultivate more social relationships.

Finally, he left you some lines from the first part of Rick Warren's book, The Daniel Plan:

• Health is not limited to a program. It stems from acknowledging and using God's power in our lives and treating our bodies and minds with the care He intended for us to give them.

• If God points out a way, he gives the means to get to the destination. Where the finger of God points, He endows you with what it takes. He does not need our vigor and willpower, but he does require our commitment. He wants us to measure a full life that has a vibrant faith, a vibrant body, and a vibrant mind. We must depend on God ...

• You have to have faith that you can achieve good health even if you don't see it yet. Hebrews 11: 1 says, "So faith is the certainty of what is hoped for, the conviction of what is not seen."

• We will never achieve optimal health if we do not take into account the spiritual dimension of our life… [The key] lies not in self-suggestion but in resting in God's grace so that he can do through us what he proposes.