Advice

ALL ROUND FITNESS

It’s not just our bodies that need exercise, says SUSANNAH PILKINGTON

January is the traditional time for people to take stock, look over the previous year and make their resolutions. On many a list will be the goal to get fit or lose weight. Health clubs are pleased because it inevitably means a boost to their membership lists (though the numbers drop off during the following months as resolve ebbs away!).

But thoughts about how we can be healthier are no longer just for January. Increasingly we hear about the rise in levels of obesity in Britain. Worryingly, the biggest gains are in our children as they exercise less. The knock on effects include the expectation of an explosion in Type II diabetes (also known as adult onset diabetes) as our bodies simply can’t keep up with all the processed high sugar and high fat foods we force into them. This form of diabetes is now being diagnosed in children. Projections for the future include medical costs for caring for diabetes-related illness soaring above the whole of the current NHS budget. With these statistics looming we are now being given information and help from a number of different sources, one of those with the highest profile being the BBC’s two-year Fat Nation campaign.

However, if we want to be truly fit, will what we eat and exercise alone do the trick? We are not just a body but also have a mind and spirit, so surely real fitness must therefore require us to have health in all three of these areas.

The link between body and mind has long been established. When patients are stressed, depressed or lethargic, doctors will often recommend changes in diet along with an increase in exercise. More recently people have begun to also realise the importance of being spiritually fit. Boots were so interested in what made for our ‘wellbeing’ that they commissioned some research. One of the factors identified as “crucial” for this was having some form of spirituality.

When Fat Nation was launched, I was interviewed by a number of local BBC radio stations to comment on the contribution of spirituality to fitness. I was able to say that many health clubs include a range of alternative therapies to help people’s health and wellbeing but that Jesus said he had come to give life in all its fullness. Fit Lives goes into the clubs to try to share this with people – if they want real wholeness they need Jesus!

However, this isn’t to say that physical fitness isn’t important. The Bible tells us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that we should honour God with our bodies. But it goes on to say we should “… exercise daily in God – no spiritual flabbiness please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever” (1 Timothy 4:8 The Message).

As we think about getting truly fit, we need to not only think about what we eat and how we exercise, but also about what we are doing for souls. ‘Spirituality’ is big business. One look at the magazine racks reveals numerous articles on crystals, mediums, healing, witchcraft, meditation, tarot, psychics etc. But surprisingly, people seem not to realise that Christianity has anything to say about spirituality. Real spirituality is to be found in Jesus. “You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realise the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything” (Colossians 2:8 The Message).

Tips for healthy living

Body:

Eat five portions of fruit and veg each day.
Drink two litres of water each day. Drink more if you exercise.
About 30 mins of activities that make you out of breath, three times a week will help to maintain a healthy heart. If you want to improve heart health try to make it five times a week.

Mind:

Physical exercise will also help the mind by reducing stress, tiredness and lethargy.
Try to get a good night’s sleep every night. Going to bed and getting up at the same time each day can help to build a routine
Make sure you take a lunch break - and make it 'time out' rather than fitting in loads of other stuff! If possible, get some fresh air and natural daylight. You'll be able to concentrate more afterwards.
Make time to try new things - this will help to keep your mind active

Spirit:

Every day, when you wake up or before you go to bed, think of three things to thank God for.

Every three months take time out to think about your goals, priorities etc. Does the way you spend your time reflect them or are you getting sidetracked into activities that aren't important? What can you put in place for the next three months to help achieve them?
Take time to learn some of the promises in the Bible off by heart (eg Joshua 1:8; Zephaniah 3:17; Isaiah 43:1-3; John 10:27,28). They will encourage you and help you have a more positive outlook.

Susannah Pilkington works for Fit Lives, a Christian charity that helps health clubs as they seek to provide for their members, physically, mentally and spiritually. Further details from 0845 1300 552 or visit www.fitlives.co.uk. She is also the co-author with Tim Perry of Scripture Union’s Sports Value Course

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		ALL ROUND FITNESS It’s not just our bodies that need exercise, says SUSANNAH PILKINGTON January is the traditional time for people to take stock, look over the previous year and make their resolutions. On many a list will be the goal to get fit or lose weight. Health clubs are pleased because it inevitably means a boost to their membership lists (though the numbers drop off during the following months as resolve ebbs away!). But thoughts about how we can be healthier are no longer just for January. Increasingly we hear about the rise in levels of obesity in Britain. Worryingly, the biggest gains are in our children as they exercise less. The knock on effects include the expectation of an explosion in Type II diabetes (also known as adult onset diabetes) as our bodies simply can’t keep up with all the processed high sugar and high fat foods we force into them. This form of diabetes is now being diagnosed in children. Projections for the future include medical costs for caring for diabetes-related illness soaring above the whole of the current NHS budget. With these statistics looming we are now being given information and help from a number of different sources, one of those with the highest profile being the BBC’s two-year Fat Nation campaign. However, if we want to be truly fit, will what we eat and exercise alone do the trick? We are not just a body but also have a mind and spirit, so surely real fitness must therefore require us to have health in all three of these areas. The link between body and mind has long been established. When patients are stressed, depressed or lethargic, doctors will often recommend changes in diet along with an increase in exercise. More recently people have begun to also realise the importance of being spiritually fit. Boots were so interested in what made for our ‘wellbeing’ that they commissioned some research. One of the factors identified as “crucial” for this was having some form of spirituality. When Fat Nation was launched, I was interviewed by a number of local BBC radio stations to comment on the contribution of spirituality to fitness. I was able to say that many health clubs include a range of alternative therapies to help people’s health and wellbeing but that Jesus said he had come to give life in all its fullness. Fit Lives goes into the clubs to try to share this with people – if they want real wholeness they need Jesus! However, this isn’t to say that physical fitness isn’t important. The Bible tells us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that we should honour God with our bodies. But it goes on to say we should “… exercise daily in God – no spiritual flabbiness please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever” (1 Timothy 4:8 The Message). As we think about getting truly fit, we need to not only think about what we eat and how we exercise, but also about what we are doing for souls. ‘Spirituality’ is big business. One look at the magazine racks reveals numerous articles on crystals, mediums, healing, witchcraft, meditation, tarot, psychics etc. But surprisingly, people seem not to realise that Christianity has anything to say about spirituality. Real spirituality is to be found in Jesus. “You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realise the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything” (Colossians 2:8 The Message). Tips for healthy living Body: Eat five portions of fruit and veg each day. Drink two litres of water each day. Drink more if you exercise. About 30 mins of activities that make you out of breath, three times a week will help to maintain a healthy heart. If you want to improve heart health try to make it five times a week. Mind: Physical exercise will also help the mind by reducing stress, tiredness and lethargy. Try to get a good night’s sleep every night. Going to bed and getting up at the same time each day can help to build a routine Make sure you take a lunch break - and make it 'time out' rather than fitting in loads of other stuff! If possible, get some fresh air and natural daylight. You'll be able to concentrate more afterwards. Make time to try new things - this will help to keep your mind active Spirit: Every day, when you wake up or before you go to bed, think of three things to thank God for. Every three months take time out to think about your goals, priorities etc. Does the way you spend your time reflect them or are you getting sidetracked into activities that aren't important? What can you put in place for the next three months to help achieve them? Take time to learn some of the promises in the Bible off by heart (eg Joshua 1:8; Zephaniah 3:17; Isaiah 43:1-3; John 10:27,28). They will encourage you and help you have a more positive outlook. Susannah Pilkington works for Fit Lives, a Christian charity that helps health clubs as they seek to provide for their members, physically, mentally and spiritually. Further details from 0845 1300 552 or visit www.fitlives.co.uk. She is also the co-author with Tim Perry of Scripture Union’s Sports Value Course © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.