In the last two articles, we have looked at food and how to use it to fuel the body well. Today, we’ll look at the value of regular exercise.
In 1 Timothy 4:8, Paul says that bodily exercise profits us a little (though there are other things that profit us even more).
Now Paul was speaking to a society that was physically very active and in which almost everything was done by hand.
American society, however, is quite sedentary, and much of the heavy work is done by machines. Our bodies are designed for a much higher level of physical activity than we are normally afforded in the course of our daily lives. Therefore, most Americans need to supplement their normal activities with exercise.
There are many types of exercise from which to choose: walking, swimming, jogging, cycling or whatever else appeals to you. But whatever you choose, be sure that it is practical for you and is something you will be motivated to do day in and day out.
The activity that I can do most often and most easily is walking. I can attest that since I first incorporated this into my schedule, I have felt more alert, more in shape and more comfortable with the various demands on me than ever before.
This article was originally published in “Managing Yourself” by Steve Douglass.
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