Get Fueled to Move Parenthood Ideas

Get Fueled to Move

September 7, 2010 – 12:22 pm

The obesity problem in America is by now old news to some. For those of us carrying around more to love it’s an everyday newsfeed. The blame for the weight problem in America has been laid at the feet of many arenas: fast food chains, a preservative in food, sedentary lifestyles, and the list goes on and on.

Becoming the mother of a newborn two summers ago I began researching the best practices to implement so my daughter would have the best opportunity to live a life unshackled by the chains of obesity. In researching what to do, I realized how important the little things are to creating a big picture, and how unintimidating it is to conquer what appears to be a giant when you knock an opponent down…one inch at a time.

The America on the Move organization designated September as the starting point for their campaign each year and nicknamed it “Steptember.” Their website, www.americaonthemove.org, is chocked full of great resources and tips on how to reshape and mold your body for better help through physical activity one step at a time. Their mission is to improve health and quality of life by promoting healthy eating and active living among individuals, families, communities and society. I believe their mission will help you reach any goal of becoming healthier. I invite you to beat the New Year rush and begin a new habit this month, so the temple of the Holy Spirit will be fit, firm and moving better than ever.

While you’re starting a new physical fitness goal let’s look at what you’re eating to keep your body in motion.

September is also National Fruits & Veggies Month. The Centers for Disease Control has launched great websites — www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov and www.fruitsandveggiesmattersmore.org — to give you online access to information about why what you put in your body should be red, orange, yellow, purple and green!

The food you intake dictates your weight, and exercise determines your shape. When you put good eating habits with exercise, your health will change! Many of us have tried to regain control of our bodies, we’ve quoted scripture, almost become addicted to fasting (for weight loss benefits) and started a new exercise schedule by the first of January one time too many. Let me suggest another way: Take it one new habit in the area of exercise and eating a month.

Take the first week of the month to experiment with different veggies, and find a new one you like (including several different ways to cook it). Then incorporate the new veggie into your eating schedule over the next 21 days. Cooking meals at home and eating more veggies will become a habit, and you’ll be improving your lifestyle. Instead of trying to regain your high school physique in one week of exhausting exercise, start by changing one thing in the area of fitness you do at the beginning of each month. If you don’t exercise at all start by parking a greater distance from the grocery store to start walking more in controlled spurts. My preferred workout regimen is proven workout DVDs. I begin a new regimen every 30 days to keep from becoming bored. Consider adding something new to what you know you like to do to keep you interested.

Whatever you’re doing, add or change one thing a month starting now and you’ll already be well on the way to looking like a new creature in Christ when the rest of America (and other parts of the world) begin their new year’s resolutions in January.

Life is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. And Christ admonished us to live it one day at a time. If you focus on moving a little more and eating better one day at a time, you’ll look up and realize you’ve changed your whole life.

Pray about your eating habits and physical condition. If you feel like you’ve been on this merry go ‘round too many times before, ask God to reveal “why” then ask Him to help you conquer it. Start by exchanging one bad thing each month for something good—including your attitude towards exercise and eating fruits and vegetables. Then you’ll have fuel to move!

Parenthood Ideas