Start Small

As Christians, the Bible gives us many examples of giving everything to God (mind, body, soul, life, etc..).  A few examples of these are 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Corinthians 9:27 and Romans 12:1.  Though the Bible talks a lot more about this, these are a few references that come to mind.

Not only should we take care of our bodies for spiritual reasons, but for health reasons as well.  When we constantly feed our body’s saturated fat, trans fat and processed foods it can cause plaque build-up in our arteries, which can reduce blood flow or block it completely.  Clogged arteries increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.  Eating too much salt (which is extremely common in society today) puts a strain on your kidneys, which makes it difficult for them to remove the excess water from your body.  When your body has too much water it causes high blood pressure, which then puts a strain not only on the kidneys, but also the arteries, heart and brain.  Think about how many people automatically put salt all over their food without even tasting it first.  Do you do that?  For most people it is probably a habit and they don’t even realize that they are doing it, but if you are one of those people, make the small change, taste the food first and then decide.  The two most common causes of Type 2 Diabetes are obesity and lack of physical exercise.  Overeating and constantly eating the wrong foods can ultimately lead to a number of health problem or even obesity. 

Watch this video from Fit2Fat2Fit.  If you aren’t familiar with Drew’s experiment check out Fit2Fat2Fit.com.  Drew put on 60lbs in 6 months to turn around and show people how to lose weight in 6 more months.  His goal is to show people how to get in shape by eating healthy and working out.  In this video his doctor reviews his blood work after one month of JUST eating healthy.  At this point, he hadn’t started working out yet and the difference is amazing!  

So what small changes can you start with today?  Eat more fruits and vegetables, switch from white bread to 100% whole grain bread and eat lean protein.  Every decision you make, whether in health, relationships, school, etc. will lead you in a particular direction, either towards your goals or away from them.  Changing your health and changing your life are daily decisions.  Remember change isn’t easy and it won’t happen overnight, but you can slowly make small changes that result in a lifestyle change, not a quick fix diet.