Faith & Fitness: How to put God first in your weight loss journey
Do you find yourself caught in the cycle of emotional eating or trying every new diet plan that promises a quick fix? Or feel judged by others and ashamed because of your weight? If you're nodding along, I get it. I've been there. Food had become my idol. But what if I told you that weight loss could be approached with faith at its core? In this blog, I’ll share how your weight loss journey can go hand in hand with your faith, and how to deepen your relationship with Christ along the journey.
How is weight loss as a Christian different?
The biggest difference between trying to lose weight as a Christian is the renewed strength you get by knowing that you’re not on the journey alone. As Christians we know that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, so when we acknowledge our weaknesses and lean on the grace of the Savior we are able to create an environment filled with self-compassion and understanding - which is so crucial to success.
Christian weight loss is about recognizing that we’ve been given one body, and in order to reach our God given potential on this earth we need to care for that body. Unlike conventional programs, Christian weight loss is not about fixating on the pants size or the number on the scale. It’s about recognizing the way we rely on food to cope with our issues instead of relying on God, or the ways we have idolized food, or even become obsessed with our own appearance and turning away from those things in pursuit of a healthier body and a better relationship with God. As a result, this faith-based approach fosters spiritual mindfulness as much as a physical transformation.
How to take a faith centered approach to weight loss?
So you might be wondering, what does a faith based weight loss program look like, practically? Well, like any other weight loss program it consists of eating healthy foods, prioritizing movement, getting good sleep, etc. but the way in which we do them may look slightly different.
How to handle food cravings
I battled my weight for years before recognizing what was truly going on, I had an addition to food. And just like other addictions, it began to control me. My world revolved around food. Once I started, I couldn’t stop – a handful of chips turned into the entire bag, one bowl of ice cream turned into a carton. And it created a cycle of idolatry where I went to food to feel comforted and fulfilled instead of seeking God and his unique purpose for my life to fill that void. Remember, it's not just about the food but about your relationship with it. It’s not wrong to enjoy food, God gave us food to enjoy, but He doesn’t want us to be controlled by it.
So, when a food craving arises (and trust me, they will, even if you’re not struggling with food addiction like I was), a faith-centered approach involves more than just doing your best to say no. When you’ve invited God to be a part of your weight loss journey, as cravings arise you can pause, pray, invite God into that moment, and ask him that he would guide you to make the best possible decision for your body – and rely on His help to overcome the craving.
What food should I eat to lose weight with God?
God created each of us to be unique which is why a one-size-fits-all approach never works with diets, or anything health related. On my journey to lose 131 pounds, I found it was most helpful to focus on and fill myself up with the foods that I should have– like lean protein and vegetables. The more satisfied I was after those foods, the less tempted I was to continue eating other foods that weren’t as good for me.
While the types of food matter when you’re trying to lose weight, a faith centered weight loss program focuses more on your relationship to the food. We start by recognizing that our food is a gift from God, meant for enjoyment but not to the detriment of our health.
What workouts should I do to lose weight with God?
The biggest differentiator between working out in a faith based weight loss program and any other weight loss journey is that working out should never feel like a punishment for your body, it should feel like an act of worship and a celebration of gratitude for your body. Plus, the most effective workout for weight loss is the one that you will stick with consistently.
As far as what workouts you should do, there are no specific workouts that are more Godly than others, there are lots of ways to make your exercise something you enjoy and an act of worship at the same time. For you that could look like:
Opening your workout with a short prayer of gratitude
Listening to worship music or a sermon during your workout
Attending a Zumba class with the other ladies in your small group
Going on a prayer walk with a friend
5 Bible Verses for Weight Loss
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. - Philippians 4:13
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. - Hebrews 12:11
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.- 2 Timothy 1:7
In case this is the first time we’re connecting, I’m Jill, an entrepreneur, speaker, author, and leader inspiring other women to live out their God given purpose by helping them overcome physical, mental, and financial hardships. If you liked this blog post and want more where that came from, here are a few ways we can work together:
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