work it out. why stress must move.
📸cred: T*Baby
I never talk much about working out. I don’t know why, sometimes it can just feel weird to bring it up - BUT here we go. We’re doing it.
Our schedule is so scattered these days and I’m having a really hard time slipping into any consistent workout routine, but I’m fighting to keep that block in my calendar because I’ve come to realize how much I desperately need it. In these last few years, I’ve begun to notice how stress balls up and tenses my insides and tangles my heart - but if I can work it out, move it through and out of my body and burn it off, every other area of my life feels those ripple effects. I am less irritable. I want to punch less people in the face. I feel tired, but in an accomplished kind of way, which kinda feels nice. My body has now released endorphins, which triggers happy hormones and generally leads my brain towards more positive thinking. I feel more energized to move on to the next thing, since after all they do say that “what’s in forward motion stays in motion”, right? The simple act of working out seems to promote a shift in my whole person, a good shift.
I got a new fitness tracker band (shout out to Whoop!), and I’m learning about how to balance “strain” and “recovery” for the first time using daily metrics. I’ve never used anything like this before, so while I’ve been doing CrossFit style fitness for about 10 years now, this whole tracking data is all new territory for me. I’m learning that the more physical strain you take on, the greater your threshold increases and over time you start making GAINS (*flex here*), but your body also requires more rest time afterwards to fully recover. This can also flip the other way - if you don’t give yourself enough time to rest and recover, you can’t handle the next day’s physical strain and then have to lessen your workload to adjust accordingly. The latter is what I’ve found to be the most eye-opening in those whole experiment.
It’s been pretty neat to see the various results come in, and being able to track both bad habits and healthy improvements alike - But MAN. Even knowing how good working out is for me physically, even being able to list off all of these life-giving benefits and even see metrics, sometimes just showing up is STILL half the battle. Why is that part always so hard? The whole showing up thing takes So. Much. Work. As I thought about it more, I found myself wondering if I could shift my perspective on why I’m doing this if it would make it any easier. Obviously, there are benefits for me personally if I choose this. But what if we as believers in Christ handled our personal fitness with a shared community kind of mindset also? I know that might sound weird, but hear me out. What if by me physically releasing my own stress in a healthy outlet, it gives me enough bandwidth and mental space to get into the thick of it with someone else who is in it and needs relief? What if by moving that stress through and out of our bodies, we can think more clearly? Be more fully present to our own lives and those around us? What if this small, simple act had way more impact than we realized, and not just for us?
“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.” (Philippians 4:12-14)
For those who put their faith in him, Christ alone will give you all that you need. All of this physical strength building is great - but it’s a slow process, and you never get to keep what you gain forever. It does, however, teach you patience, perseverance, and how to endure pain when it’s for your good. We know that only Jesus is lasting, far beyond the life of our bodies… but just because it isn’t forever doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter. In these verses, Paul is saying that Christ was enough for him, and He was the very real source of his strength… but there is kindness in us sharing each other’s troubles too. We are called to be good stewards of the gifts God has given us, our bodies included, and we are also called to love each other. Who said these things have to be exclusive of one another? Maybe they are very much connected, more than we ever realized.
I’m not saying any of this toot my own horn or to tell anyone else what they should do. This is just how I actively fight for my mind: Taking in God’s word and soaking in it, talking to Him anytime about anything, working out when I can fit it in, and consciously choosing rest even when the to-do list isn’t anywhere near finished. That’s it. I am fighting to set my mind on the things of the Spirit, the things that lead to life and peace. These are hard days, there is WAY too much noise and it’s all just kind of a hot mess no matter where you land. But we are not without hope. We can do hard things, because Jesus did first.
Lord, let all that I do be for the glory of your name and the good of your people.
Anchor me in the knowledge and understanding that when I am weak, you are strong - no matter what.
Thank you for this body and mind that you’ve given me for this handful of years.
Help me to honor your creation, even me.
P.S. If you want to give the Whoop band a try, you can use my referral link for $30 off - and I get a free month too! #fulldisclosure #notsponsoredbutilikeitanyway
