"Count your blessings," Mom always proclaimed! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as you exercise and count your blessing with thankfulness.
This blog post written by Karen Sue Murdy first appeared on Concordia Publishing House blog. When Christmas shopping, check out Concordia Publishing House for excellent gifts! Two of my many favorites include Living a Chocolate Life by Deb Burma https://www.cph.org/p-27469-living-a-chocolate-life.aspx and House of Living Stones by Katie Schuermann https://www.cph.org/p-26189-house-of-living-stones.aspx
Exercise is a privilege not a punishment! Appreciate the fact that you are healthy enough to move your body. During November when we turn our eyes to Thanksgiving, start a thankfulness journal, and as you exercise each day think of five things for which you are thankful that you can write down. Thank God for healthy bodies, strong legs, feet, and toes; for comfortable shoes, hats, and warm jackets; for colorful autumn leaves, rich harvest, and gorgeous sunsets; for exercise bikes, sidewalks, YMCAs, shopping malls, and other places to exercise; for a spouse, children, and friends with whom to exercise; for God’s love, grace, and peace.
When thinking of exercise barriers, often “not enough time” comes up, but by combining it with other priorities and making exercise enjoyable and a time of thanksgiving, overcoming the “not enough time” barrier becomes easier.
Make your exercise time fun and relaxing.
- Give THANKS!
- Turn your thoughts to creative ideas or problem solving.
- Recall sweet memories.
- Walk with family or friends.
- Listen to the Bible on your iPod or iPhone.
- Download and listen to a CPH Bible study or book.
- Exercise functionally: walk to the library, school, work, or other places you need to go.
- Memorize Bible verses or other information. (In college after many laps around the track, I memorized the periodic table. My children often memorize spelling words, English or Spanish vocabulary, etc. Memorizing while exercising is great for cognitive recall.)
Memory challenge
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 ESV
Remember, to more easily memorize a verse write the Bible verse on an index card. Read it before and during exercise. Keep it with you and read it throughout the day.
Have you joined me for the Exercise ON Challenge for the months of October and November? It’s never too late to exercise! In November, take the challenge and exercise at least 150 minutes per week or 675 minutes total for substantial health benefits! That averages to about 22 minutes per day. Keep track of your exercise minutes on a calendar, app, or some sort of log sheet. Rally your family, co-workers, or church members to take the challenge with you. Hold one another accountable.
At the end of the month, I will post a follow up about our Exercise ON Challenge. Please feel free to send me stories of your Exercise ON challenge...the successes, pitfalls and the benefits!
No comments:
Post a Comment