Skinny Genes 2: Putting it all in Perspective

Skinny Genes Part 2: Putting it in Perspective

After nearly two weeks of “Upgrading” my body, I have learned that I have had to upgrade a few more things to match, specifically, my prayer life. Prayer, fasting, and consecration have to go along with the physical fitness piece. To consecrate is to devote or dedicate to some purpose (Dictionary.com). A purpose-filled life means that each aspect/activity of my life serves some purpose. So what has the purpose of my upgrade been?

Truth be told, I really want to be better able to play with my son who is nearly three years old. But even greater than that is the desire to be in the best shape possible for ministry. See, my life is a ministry. I have come to the point where I realize that even my body and how I care for it are a representation of Christ. I am not saying nor will I ever say that people who don’t appear physically fit in my “plank-filled” eye misrepresent Christ. But what I am saying is that it is very important to take care of the vessel that houses your soul and His Spirit. My service to God will suffer if I do not take time to care for myself.

Caring for self looks different to everyone. Some need to lose weight, some need to lower cholesterol, some need to lower blood pressure, some need to stop drinking or smoking, and some need to STOP participating in risky sexual behavior. ALL need to eat healthily, and ALL need to incorporate some physical activity in their lives! Physical fitness can lead to a longer LIFE.

As for exercise, it is not needful or even desirable to put in long hours at the gym. A basic level of physical fitness can be attained in as little as 30 minutes, three or four times a week. More would be needful to attain even more beneficial levels, but about six hours a week is really the most that is needed for general fitness purposes. A physician needs to be consulted before beginning a fitness program. It may be a surprise to find out that most of us are NOT generally FIT.
However, since Christians know that God is with them, they sometimes feel it is unnecessary to make needed lifestyle changes to help prevent such diseases saying that, "God will protect me." But Satan tempted Jesus to prove he was the Son of God, by telling Him to jump off the temple. Jesus refused, despite knowing that God would save Him, saying, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.'" (Matthew 4:5-7) To engage in unhealthy practices while claiming God as your protector is tempting Him.

Paul said, "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection ..." (1Corinthians 9:27). The key word here is "discipline." Starting and maintaining a proper diet and exercise program involves more than anything else, discipline and caring enough for yourself (again, "...as you love yourself") to take care of yourself. What I have learned is a lesson in discipline.

Although following a proper diet and exercise program is important, during the last two weeks I have learned that obsessing over my program is not healthy either. In regards to diet, Paul wrote, "for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17). The key is balance. Balance between not caring about my body at all and obsessing over it.

Below is a link to the ABCs of fitness—a creative way to view your health with scriptural references. You can also find out about Athletics Plus Fitness Group sponsored by SOLiD Projects, LLC with a link below. Just click the SERVICES tab.

Love you!!
Tiffaney K. Draper, CEO and Founder
Designer Genes, LLC
designergenesllc@gmail.com
404-200-7911

http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=1118221

www.solidprojectsonline.com

Skinny Genes

What makes a person healthy? Is it the standards set forth by ideal weight calculators? If that were the case, my 4’11” 112 lb frame would be overweight, since I am supposed to be 97.5 lbs. Hmmm? A nearly 28 year old woman with a child at 98 lbs is healthy? Questionable. One thing is true for me, when I was 130+ lbs, I really felt unhealthy. It wasn’t just about the numbers on the scale. It was about the deep breaths necessary to climb one flight of stairs and the wind I struggled to catch while chasing my 2 year old around the backyard.

I sought an answer in the BMI (Body Mass Index). This calculation indicated that I am at or below maximum healthy weight and that my maximum healthy weight is 123.33. After reading this, I became even more confused. How am I overweight but still healthy?

Upon further investigation, I found this statistic:
One variable BMI fails to consider is lean body mass. It is possible for a healthy, muscular individual with very low body fat to be classified obese using the BMI formula. If you are a trained athlete, your weight based on your measured percent body fat would be a better indicator of what you should weigh.

At this point, I decided to seek God’s opinion on the matter. Psalm 139 tells me clearly, (v 13-16) “you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. “ This should serve as assurance that “I am ok just the way that I am,” but am I? Isn’t that what I hear the sisters preaching? Haven’t I been told enough by people who are amazed that I am even exercising?

What about my 5’8” sister who weighs 195 lbs and complains about the muffin top she can’t get rid of with all her efforts, and the mother who is 5’7” and 175 lbs but has legs to die for and hardly any fat in that region? Are sisters who are “big-boned” free from having to work out? What about the sisters who are tall and thin? Do they need to workout at all? Is physical activity only for the “obviously” obese and overweight?

No. Physical fitness is a lifestyle. It is not predicated on a scale reading or an index that could in no way give an accurate depiction of all the different types of bodies that make up God’s kingdom. Do I believe in health? Yes. I think physical health goes hand in hand with spiritual health. I Timothy 4:7-8 , “train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” In essence, God says that physical training has value. What does that mean? For my life, I want to be in the best physical shape to work for Him, but I should not neglect the spiritual things He is trying to convey through my WHOLE life. Does that mean that I will have the perfect dimensions or fit within some parameters for healthiness? That is up for discussion.

Come on out to discuss weight, service, diet, and, of course, relationships! I know a few women who would love to talk about being “skinny fat,” the stigma of being “big-boned,” and those who believe that their health is just in their “genes.” If we are true believers, we know that we are over-comers by default. God wants our best!

Let’s Talk! Starting August 9, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Join my Facebook Group Designer Genes, LLC to RSVP or email me for info.
Tiffaney K. Draper, Founder
Designergenesllc@gmail.com
404-200-7911


Healthy lifestyle tips:

Physical activity is good for your heart and blood vessels and it helps you control your weight. It makes you feel like a totally different person. You don’t have to run marathons or be an Olympic athlete to benefit from physical activity. However, it is important to take the first step and make that commitment to better physical health.

Many people often start exercising without seeing a doctor…not good! Always consult with a physician before beginning any new exercise regime. This is especially true, if you have a history of heart disease or have had a heart attack, are taking high blood pressure medication or have had a stroke.

Once you have committed to make this lifestyle change, don’t worry about getting off track. If this happens, try to identify the particular trigger or stumbling block that temporary derailed your efforts. By doing this, you can develop a plan of action as to how to avoid these pit falls next time. Listen, everyone slips and falls at one time or another. Remember you are making lifestyle changes! It’s a long-term process. You must celebrate your successes and treat yourself with a non-food treat to acknowledge your accomplishments.

In 1995, the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the American Health Foundation issued new guidelines that defines healthy weight as a Body Mass Index (BMI) below 25. In a recent study, 59% of Americans exceeded this weight.

There are many adverse health effects that accompany obesity, the most common being high blood pressure, but including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and an increased risk of death from all causes.

http://www.healthdiscovery.net
http://blackwomenshealth.com