it's Nita.

(Audio and Text)

Topic: Fitness as Worship

I first want to start off by saying my journey to understanding fitness has not always been God-centered. Growing up I was an athlete and fitness just came along with the package of being in competitive team-individuals sports (gymnastics, swimming and diving). With that being said, as I have gotten older and my body has changed, I have had to renew my mind to what fitness and health means. I am not trying to win medals but I am still trying to be my personal best. Personal best. Keep that in mind as you read. This blog is meant to help you reflect on what your personal best might be and to give you some knowledge on how to evaluate that as you manage your health by the numbers and with faith by using the Word of God. Let’s begin!

By the numbers: Many are familiar with the Body Mass Index (BMI), however, not all know that this metric can be misleading especially for those with high muscle mass. Below is a chart of my (I want to emphasis this is tailored for me) ideal body weight (BW) based on my lean muscle mass (LMM). At the top of the chart is what the BMI says I should weight between 128 and 162lbs for my height (5’9).

Ok, so here’s why this metric can be really off. I currently carry 137lbs of LMM! According to the Body Mass Index, I would be considered overweight at my total weight of 195lb. These numbers are just unreasonable given my body composition. If I was fixated on the scale and what the scale says (nonetheless society’s opinion on my physique) I would constantly be in a depressed state thinking I’m overweight and something’s wrong with me.

The better way to assess a healthy body weight is to consider percent body fat (%BF). For my age, a healthy %BF is between 21% and 33% as a woman. In the middle of the chart you will see my healthy weight associated with these percentages which is 183 – 216lbs.

So I did a little math based on DEXA scans from UT Austin’s Fit Institute, a DEXA scan is when they do your body composition they give you your bone mineral density, fat composition and lean muscle composition. So finally, hallelujah!, confirmation that nothing was wrong with me and I was just a little too much in my head. It’s worth a shout and excitement because for so long I was comparing myself to a standard the wasn’t built for me. Instead, of resting in who I was and how I carry my weight I got frustrated because the numbers on the scale and the sizes of my clothes made me feel big and awkward.

Even though I wasn’t. 😅 Look at God! Alright, now I’m going to get into the faith component of this blog…

With faith: So here’s my reflection of this as it relates to faith. Body complex issues come in all shapes and sizes (excuse the pun). Personally, many look at me and say I am skinny. Some say I am strong. Whatever the opinion, I have to remember it is only an opinion.

Trust me, people will praise you one day and tear you down the next. You can’t live for others opinion of your beauty or self-worth based on your body type. And I say this from somebody who grew up fit, again I am giving you my positionality… I am not striving to be who I was a 18 years old nor am I striving to be the baddest chick walking the streets. I just want to be the best person God has called be to be right now. And so for me, I let the numbers do the talk down my overly judgmental inner critic and gave myself some grace to stay in a healthy range because you know things can fluctuate.

A scripture I often reflective on related to this issue and my performance or my perception to other people:

This process of mind renewal is spiritual as well as practical.

Sticking to facts and not opinions have helped me be the best me.

Keeping up with my doctor’s visits have helped me be the best me.

Stopping the constant comparisons to myself and others has helped me be the best me.

It is all connected–soul, body and spirit. I am the best me physically when my soul (my mind, will and emotions) and spirit are at peace. When I consider myself as a whole person, I can focus on healthy eating and exercise. I won’t go to my comfort foods or alcohol as a way of escape. I will get more rest and I will drink more water. Yeah, the stuff that makes you go “duh, I knew that already.”

Yet in knowing what to do but not doing it, I personally had to assess why I wasn’t following through. Why was I afraid of working out? And what was more concerning than my own health?

Answer: Rejection. Being my size and stature along with my muscle mass I always had been labeled as less of a lady, too hard. So a wall of fear built up over the years around gaining more weight or being too manly. (I thought I was going to be rejected). This kept me in bondage for years but it was just the other day (like a couple week ago) that I realized the ridiculousness of this line of thinking.

Both men and women are human at the end of the day. Plain and simple. Our bodies are amazing and ideally work to adjust us to the needs of our environment. So how could I reject myself for being strong? Was that not required of me as a gymnast? Yes, it was. How can I reject myself for have a broad back? Is that not a signature mark of a swimmer? Yes, it is. All that I am is a result of my past experiences. So instead of trying to change or hide or shift myself into something I am not, I am learning to embrace me. Yes, learning. I have not fully arrived but I am making progress. ☺️

I can delight in this progress and the process I am on now because I’m exercising my physical body as part of my worship unto God. It is no longer centered around myself or my physique or looking the best but it’s truly how God sees me and my purpose for my body. And for this I had to go back to the scripture.

As it is written, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship" (Romans 12:1). 

I used to think of this in just terms of my service to the church or tithing or the willingness to be a minister. But truly it also has to do with stewarding my temple well. After all, the Holy Spirit dwells there too. Plus, what’s the use of being filled with up with the Holy Ghost if my body is breaking down due to my poor choices? I say this wholeheartedly from a place of love because I have family members die of diseases caused by lifestyle choices. As I’ve entered into adulthood, I can no longer able to lean on a quick metabolism and organized sports, so I resolved not to end up in the same way. While sports kept me fit as a young person, as an adult I had to take responsibility for my health and do my part to assure that wherever God calls me to I am able and healthy enough to do it. In this way, I honor the Lord with my body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Artwork by Jeff Frandsen: https://society6.com/product/1-corinthians-619-20_print

Resources:

Becoming the Woman I Want to Be: A 90-Day Journey to Renewing Spirit, Soul & Body

Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food

Free at-home workouts, mealplans, nutrition tips and recipes by Darebee.

Behind the writing veil: This topic has been on my mind for years because aside from fasting I have noticed the church does not really talk about physical health very much*. 🤷🏾‍♀️ So I finally wrote this piece to link some practical info with the Word because I find it to be useful.

*My Pastor mentioned the importance of stewarding our temples last Sunday which is totally a God thing. So I will certainly honor that and not throw anyone under the bus. 👌🏾I am not saying nobody talks about fitness or health. I just find that among the many things the church emphasizes, fitness and health and you know gluttony and the things that go along with our physical bodies get mentioned less often from my experience.

Blessings!

it’s Nita.