I’ve said it.
Friends of mine have said it.
There’s something inspiring about seeing a woman who has walked the
pregnancy road and come out looking great.
Any mom of young kids knows that finding the time to exercise is a
battle, and it’s easy to be awed by someone who finds that time and makes it
happen.
But I think we need to pause here, and evaluate just what we are saying to ourselves. And also to our children (male or female, young or old).
Exercise is a good thing.
It boosts us mentally, emotionally and even spiritually. The physical benefits are vast. I feel more positive about myself, I have more energy, I am stronger, I am more alert, I can keep up with three
kids, the list goes on. It’s very very
good for moms to exercise as long as it is not an act of punishment for
overeating or an act of vanity. We must
be so careful to walk the line between self-hate and self-love. Don’t complain about it. Don’t brag about it. Just do it.
Out of thankfulness for a body that has journeyed through life with you –
just do it.
All that being said, it is up to you (and your husband)
to decide on an appropriate amount and time for your exercise plan. You are committing not just yourself, but
your family too. Working out almost
always means time away from your family – which can be good to an extent. But moderation is so important here. There is a fine line between kids who see
their mommy taking good care of herself and kids who see a mommy that worships
her own body. Choose the hours that work
best for your whole family – not just what feels best for you. (Hint: this may mean getting up at 4:30 AM
and going to bed at 8:30 PM.) Seek to glorify your Creator in your exercise.
Ladies, let’s be honest. No matter how much time I spend at the gym, I will
not look like a super model. It’s just
not in the cards. That is not how I was
created. And I am totally okay with
that. Finding inspiration is one
thing. Idolizing someone is
another. Take the time and
self-examination to know and recognize the difference.
Lastly, can we just stop hating ourselves? Can we just stop complaining about this
feature or that feature? Can we just not
look in the mirror and imagine how we would look good…if only…? Can we just understand that on this side of
eternity we will never look perfect.
Honestly, if I lost those 10 stubborn pounds, I’d just find another
thing of which to be critical. And I’m
guessing almost no one even knows about 99% of the stuff we obsess about –
meaning it’s not visible or noticeable or even problematic to anyone but
ourselves. This is SIN clouding our
vision.
Psalm 139 says: For you created my
inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and
wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
I love that the NIV version says “knit”. Picture Him selecting the materials, beginning
with a vision of you in His mind. One
stitch at a time he tweaks the pattern in just a certain way. Every single stitch is made with intention;
each one matters. Some stitches are used
only once, some are complex, some are simple, all are vitally important to the
masterpiece. No two knit pieces come out
exactly the same. And when He is
finished, you can just sense His delight.
I love to picture God forming each of us so uniquely. He cared enough to make us all look a little
bit different. He loved us so deeply
that he didn’t just use a cookie-cutter design.
Most of the basics are the same, but each and every person who has ever
existed has their own wonderful look. Do
you see how He had to LOVE to be this meticulous? You don’t spend time on something so minute
as hairs on a head, freckles on a face, tiny swirls of skin on fingertips
unless you desperately love it and want it to be wonderful in its own way.
I’m trying, in the midst of all of society’s messages, to
simply be thankful for the body that He took so much time to knit
together. I am thankful for the body
that was stretched beyond belief three times and then amazingly brought forth a
new person. I am thankful that these
stretch marks and c-section scars were “earned” (not necessarily deserved – but
I put the time in and I “won” them fair and square). I am thankful for the three tiny people that I
love so much who look at me and don’t see flaws but see love. I am thankful that I can exercise and feel
good and have enough energy – and that even if I’m not quite “there” I can
continue to exercise and work on getting healthier. I’m thankful for the God that spent his time
to create me so carefully and precisely and completely.
Set healthy goals that are appropriate strictly for your
situation – not based on someone else.
Focus on health in every aspect – body, mind and soul. Be thankful for the amazing body you have been
given – no matter how it looks. Treat
yourself well inside and out and don’t say nasty things even in your head. And most importantly, don’t spit in the face
of your Creator by calling His wonderful work “not good enough”.
Photo and knitting expertise courtesy my dear friend Stephanie Armstrong.
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