Nothing tastes as good as fitness feels

A little past a year ago, I got convicted that God cared whether I take care of my body. I thought I would update you on my progress. I have been able to hold pretty steady after losing 33 pounds. Here is a graph created from data that comes from my Withings Scale:

If you want to know how I did it, I can tell you in one word: habits. It is not about forcing yourself to exercise or eat a certain way. It is about habits.

My habitual exercise is to walk 10,000 steps a day. I track this using a Fitbit. Below is average daily steps. (In August / September I was riding a bike some so the average steps is down a bit.)

As for diet, I call my plan the colorful diet. You can eat as much as you want. You never have to be hungry. You never have to count calories. You just eat colorful food. You avoid five white (or almost white) poisons:

• Wheat
• Sugar
• Potatoes
• White rice
• Corn

These are high-glycemic foods that turn quickly to sugar. They are poison. (Note: I said you can eat as much as you want. I didn't say you can eat whatever you want.) Try to have as few of these as possible.

A couple more books you might take a look at:

• Bod for God by Steve Reynolds. Steve is a pastor in the D.C. area that got convicted that God wanted him to take care of his body. He lost a 100 pounds and started a weight loss program for churches.
• Well 2 Serve by Ken Hemphill. Ken's story is the opposite of Steve's. He has spent pretty much his whole life committed to fitness as a part of a life lived for God. This books would make an excellent 12-week curriculum for your church.

I am convinced that God cares about fitness as well as spirituality. He cares about how you eat as well as how you pray.

As you consider the new year, I'd invite you to join me in renewing your commitment to taking care of the temple of the Holy Spirit. I think you will be glad you did. I have never felt better.