Do you
ever wish you were a kid again with all the carefree ease in living?
I do, and as I’m learning more about how to live that way, I’ve also learned
that staying fit doesn’t have to be adult drudgery. It can be fun and exciting
like little children running and jumping and playing all day.
Years ago, kids spent hours
outside entertaining themselves with jump-ropes and balls and skates. They
chased each other around the park and tumbled in the grass. They hiked and
biked and hula-hooped, and because of these activities, they were rarely over-weight.
I did most of these things as a
young girl, but in my late teens and early 20s, I traded these innocent
activities for the kicks of cigarettes, alcohol, and junk food. I
eventually outgrew all of my clothes, three times in the course of two years, and became so lazy that
I drove my car a half-block to the store.
It was during this time that I
made a conscious decision to get into shape. I began reading all that I could about nutrition
and exercise, and then started jumping rope five days a week. Over time, I
added more activities to my routine and soon discovered that these exercises
not only curbed my appetite and helped me lose weight, but they also increased
my energy level and confidence. These changes also gave me the desire to
improve my life in other areas too.
It’s not necessary to join a gym
to get into shape. Take a walk or bike outside for free, or for the price of a
three-month fitness club membership, buy a couple of exercise DVDs and a
few pieces of equipment instead: a bar weight, a weighted ball or
kettle-bell, resistance bands, a stepper, or a jump-rope will help vary your
workout at home. Whittle your middle by doing 30 minutes of hula-hooping. This
fun exercise is equivalent to walking 3.5 mph on a treadmill for that same
amount of time, plus it firms the abs. When you enjoy what you do, you
will do it longer with greater enthusiasm and intensity.
Jesus said, "Truly, I say to
you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom
of heaven” (Matthew 18:3-4). If we live with childlike humility and
simplicity, it will not only prepare us for eternity, but it will also help us live
a more fulfilling life, with less stress and more joy, here on earth
right now.
If you would like more healthy tips and ideas, you can find them in I'm Hungry! I'm Bored!
