Take a Step-Article from Oct. Newsletter

I was hesitant to even take this topic on. What do I, a not-so pleasantly “fluffy” mom of three have to share about health and nutrition? It would appear by looking at me that I didn't know how to take care of my body. That, however, is untrue.

I have read, heard on television, and listened to many speakers on the subject of health and nutrition. I know what foods are good for my body and which are not. I know that exercise is key to overall good physical fitness. So why am I, a reasonably intelligent woman ignoring the very advice that I know to be true?

I really have no idea.

But we do it all the time don’t we? Just as our children sometimes choose to willfully disobey us, we as “grown-ups” like to stomp our foot and yell “No!” to the good advice we’ve been given simply because we don’t want to do it. “It’s too hard”, “I have no time to exercise”, “I love food too much”….the excuses go on and on (and I should know because I have about a hundred).

The first step to living a healthier life is simply that, a step. We must choose to move even though we don’t feel like it. I have always struggled with the will power to get started with a diet program. What I’ve realized is that the will power actually follows the actions. I always thought it was the other way around and waited on the motivation I needed. Maybe it was the pants not

fitting, feeling terrible in a swimsuit, or just not being able to go up the stairs without gasping for air. However, instead of motivating me to change it just made me feel bad. What really drives me to change is well, change. Once I start to feel and see a difference it is much easier to continue on my path to a healthier me.

We do the same thing in our Christian walk, don’t we? Most of us know what we are “supposed” to do. It seems so simple just to say we need to pray and read the Bible. Kind of like it’s so simple to eat right and exercise? It sounds easy but requires great discipline. But just like taking care of your body physically, to start a discipline of taking care of your spiritual body takes a step. Even when you don’t feel like it. The change you feel when God starts working on you will motivate you to keep going. No, it’s not easy. Nothing worth doing ever is. But the benefit far outweighs the cost. Take a step.

Aimee Crosby