The fourth letter of the CREATION Health acronym, A, is Activity. Have you ever heard the saying “What you don’t use, you lose”? For a good quality of life we have to move our bodies and stimulate our minds daily. We were created to embrace and enjoy all that life has to offer and to share that with others. With regular exercise and healthy mental stimulation, we are able to fully enjoy the precious life God has given to us.
Often when people think of exercise they think of it in a negative way. Activity is as important to life as breathing. Without regular exercise the body simply does not function well and we feel tired, don’t sleep well and develop chronic health issues such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. As we age this process is more pronounced, making it even more important to keep active physically and mentally.
From a very young age I loved exercise. I grew up participating in as many sports and fitness activities as I could. I knew that I wanted to empower people to learn to love and enjoy it as much as I do. Our bodies deserve and need exercise most days of the week. We also need healthy brain stimulation to keep our minds alert and active.
God gave us only one body and one mind to love and nourish. Adopting all the principles of CREATION Health helps us have a balanced and healthy mind and body. Here are some positive suggestions to keep in mind.
- Energy will follow thought. The mind and body are intimately connected, so take negative words out of your thoughts, actions and verbiage. Do not attached weight “loss” to exercise. Weight management is an outcome of daily exercise, not the reason to exercise. Good health is the reason and should be the focus!
- Slow and steady wins the race! When it comes to exercise and including healthy mental activities in your daily life, incorporate small changes. Before you know it all the small changes will equal big results.
- Do something you enjoy. Get outside “the box.” Choose something that you had never thought you would like; you might be surprised how fun it can be.
- Mix things up. When we do the same thing, the same way all the time, our bodies and minds adapt and can become lazy. Mixing it up prevents boredom and reduces chances of injury.
- Set SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and have a Time frame attached. Start small and gradually build up to more challenging activities.
- When you reach those goals celebrate, celebrate, celebrate!
- Allow for slip-ups and give yourself grace. Many times when we take on new adventures, we give up too soon or we slip-up and quit all together. Don’t allow the slip-up to become something you use to beat yourself up. As Nike says “just do it” and get back in there where you left off.
- It’s all about balance. Exercise most days of the week and include movement wherever you can.
- Most importantly, ask God for His help in making this important commitment to health.
Remember that daily physical and mental activity is for life. It isn’t just to get ready for that class reunion or special event in your life. You need to include purposeful movement and exercise every day. Focus on health, not weight! Include daily mental stimulation to keep your mind active and engaged.
Guest author Leslie Mackey is manager of Life Dynamics Health & Wellness at Shawnee Mission Medical Center.
Shawnee Mission Medical Center offers a series of lifestyle transformation classes using the CREATION Health principles. For more information, visit ShawneeMission.org/CreationHealth.
