LiveDifferent Challenge (14): Get Marginalized! (Physical Energy)

How much things can change in a week!  Last week I had thought I’d be able to write pretty authoritatively on the topic of exercise and physical energy, embarking on my Hood to Coast adventure with high hopes and fresh legs.  Well, as you know I was relieved of my running duties, which was a relief indeed, but what you may not know is how sovereign God is in all of it, because the very next day I found out that–surprise!–I’m 6 1/2 weeks pregnant.  Yeah, there’s a curve ball for ya!  So, needless to say, in one day my world turned upside down.  Instead of running 15 miles a week, I’m sleeping every chance I can, living on toast and crackers (morning sickness always kicks in for me right at 6 weeks), and let’s just say that having defined muscles and improving my mile time is the last thing on my mind.  How things change in a week. 

However, the beautiful thing is that even though some things change, in a way nothing’s changed.  My husband always likes to remind me that life has rhythm.  We always think of things in terms of balance, but really it’s an ongoing, continuous rhythm of life.  There is a time for everything.  A time to race, and a time to sleep.  A time to run Hood-to-Coast and a time to eat toast every morning.  Neither season is more important than the other, the key is that we are in tune to God’s rhythm for our lives and that we respond by making the appropriate margin in our lives for the season we are currently in.  If we live in constant defeat thinking that we “should be” doing something that’s for a different season, we will never be content. So for me, my season is to get rest, get plenty of mild exercise like walking, and eat nutritiously and take my vitamins.  It might be your season to kick butt and take names by running a marathon or studying for the bar exam (although I pray I am never in those seasons).  That’s up to you and your God…

But Margin in our physical lives, enhancing Physical Energy, is essential no matter what the rhythm of our life is like right now.  You don’t have to look far to see that in our country lack of exercise, sleep deprivation, and obesity are absolutely rampant.  We are overfed, under-slept, and under-exercised.  So what can we do: Get Marginalized!

Numerous studies have shown that the less you sleep the more likely you are to be overweight.  Good sleep habits help breed good nutrition and exercise habits. When we’re tired, we’re more likely to eat and less likely to exercise.  When we’re rested, we’re more likely to exercise and eat nutritious foods because we’re not running on empty.  It can be a vicious cycle, but when it’s broken, there is a health and vitality that is so powerful! 

So how is this related to progress?  We’ve been discussing that progress leads to shrunken margins.  Well, progress has provided electricity and artificial lighting, which is wonderful, but now we don’t have to sleep when it gets dark.  We can stay up all night working.  We now have food in overabundance, without any regard for requirement and without any labor to gather it in.  We have transportation and convenience, without the thought of the need for physical exercise.  I was sickened on our last visit to Boston to see Drive-Through Dunkin’ Donut shops!  Drive-through donut shops!  Get out of your stinkin’ car and walk in to the place, or better yet, don’t!  Walk to the store and buy an apple!  Oh, sorry, got a little out of control there.

Evidence of this?  Americans today get 2 1/2 hours less sleep per night than they did 100 years ago!   Only 15% of teens get the minimum recommended 8.5 hours of sleep they need per night.  Sleep deficit, as mentioned before, has been linked to obesity, attention deficit disorders, and depression.  Then, 55% of American adults of overweight or obese! The majority!  That is astonishing.  The progress of our great nation has taken us out of the fields and out of our beds, and onto the couch where we sit up all night watching TV and eating Doritos.

So, how can we respond? How can we LiveDifferent by getting marginalized in this area?

1. Take Responsibility: No one can change your life for you.  Yes, there are seasons (new motherhood, studying for the bar exam, (that’s for you Megs), etc. )but think longterm and make changes that will benefit you over the long run.

2. Value Sleep:  God gives His beloved sleep.  Choose to get enough rest. Step out of the rat race and determine how much sleep you need to be at your best.

3. Develop Healthy Sleep Patterns: go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning (by the way, evening sleep is more valuable than late morning sleep–so Benjamin Franklin was right. Personalize his quote for whatever it is you’re striving for (i.e. “godly” instead of “wealthy”): “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, ________, and wise.” Don’t eat within 2 hours of sleeping. Limit caffeine. Turn your clock to the wall. Give yourself time to unwind. 

4. Avoid overeating.  This is the easiest way to shed extra pounds without even thinking about nutrition.  Just cut your portions in 1/2. It’s actually easier than you might think.

5. Avoid processed food, instead buy fresh fruit, vegetables, and stuff without packaging. My goal when I’m grocery shopping is to get the least packaging possible.  It’s an easy way to keep things healthy.

6. Drink lots of water.  At first you might have to force yourself, but it does become a habit.

7. Exercise for health. I think that a huge pitfall we fall into in America (and I do it!) is that we exercise for vanity.  As long as we exercise for vanity we have the wrong motives, and I maintain, God is not pleased.  Our goal is health, to benefit our hearts and live well so we can serve God and bless His people. It is not to have the 6-pack that others will envy, the defined horseshoe triceps on the back of our arms, or the to-die-for-delts.  Yes, Jeff and I certainly do have the goal of keeping ourselves fit and attractive for each other, and there is definitely nothing wrong with that, but is the goal to please each other or for vanity?  The best way to benefit your health through exercise is through building cardiorespiratory endurance.  This includes simple exercises like walking, jogging, swimming, or bicycling 30-45 minutes 3-4 days/week.  No gym membership necessary.  Strength and flexibilty is helpful too, but if you only focus on one area, focus on your heart.  This is the key. 

So these are just some simple ways to build Margin in to your physical life.  Just like last time, I’d love to hear your ideas too on how you’re are currently or will in the future implement these or other ideas.  I passionately believe that we are whole beings, connected in body, spirit, soul, emotion, and mind. When we take care of our bodies, we are more likely to take care of our spirit and mind.  They’re connected.  This is just one piece, but it is crucial.  And it’s an area where we desperately need some work.  Let’s LiveDifferent this week…even if that just means going to bed a little earlier tonight and maybe, just maybe, skipping that second brownie.  Thanks for reading.