Would you like to lose a few pounds?

I almost can’t type these words without smiling. Of course, you would. I would, too. Almost everyone I know would like to lose some pounds. Even if other people would never think you should lose some weight, you probably think you should.

Do you know the greatest compliment in America? The one we all want to hear and the one we feel the best about?

It’s this one: “You’ve lost weight!”

So, assuming you feel that maybe losing a few pounds is in order what should you do?

First, we all need to adjust our eating. This is what they say in running circles: “You can’t outrun a bad diet.” What they mean is that you have to adjust your caloric intake to lose weight. You can never exercise enough if you are living on a bad diet.

Not only do we need to adjust how much we eat, we also need to adjust what we eat. My mother always said (usually as we ate fried pork chops!), “You are what you eat.” You know the truth: fruits and vegetables should be more of what we eat.

Second, we all need to get more exercise.

Exercise is the miracle drug we all long for.

Exercise does amazing things. Last night I read an article about how cardio training (running, walking, swimming, jumping rope, and many others) actually repairs heart damage (according to the Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine). If it can repair damaged hearts, it will surely help healthy hearts.

Aerobic exercise like the above mentioned lowers cholesterol, strengthens lungs, reduces blood pressure, and improves the immune system.

Years ago, I sat in on a lecture at Louisiana College. It was a meeting of ministers. Someone asked the professor how you could lower cholesterol. She quickly answered: “Ten foot miles a week.” In other words, walk or run ten miles each week. That is certainly not a high price to pay for a healthy heart.

We also know this. Whatever is good for your heart is good for your mind. Being obese harms our heart and minds and increases the risk of cancer.

One way we can start is simply to take extra steps. Park far away from your destination. Give that front row parking place to someone else. Take the stairs instead of an elevator. Look for opportunities to walk.

Do all of this for the glory of God, knowing that He wants to use us for good for as long as we live.

That’s it–diet and exercise. It’s not rocket science; it’s common sense over generations. Do these things and you will live healthier lives.  Treat your body as the temple of God’s Spirit. Make your thoughts and your actions pleasing to God. Love Him completely and totally and give Him your body and soul.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).

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