Would you rather give up carbs for a month or dairy for a month? Would you rather give up pizza forever or not be able to eat french fries ever again? Would you rather suddenly become allergic to cookies or develop an intolerance to cupcakes?
Luckily, these are just choices I’d have to make while playing a “Would You Rather” game and not choices I have to live by! But there are choices when it comes to food that I do have to make every day. Do I choose oatmeal for breakfast or that leftover piece of cake from last night? Do I drink water or soda with my lunch? Do I cook dinner at home or go out to a fast food restaurant?
Your Body is a Temple
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” God made our physical bodies and has entrusted us with their care, including what we put into them.
This isn’t a post about what you should and shouldn’t eat or what diet you should follow. There are so many different philosophies out there: low carb, low fat, high protein, vegetarian, vegan, paleo, Whole 30. Eggs are bad for you, then they’re good for you. It’s hard to keep up with the latest trends sometimes! Instead of trying to abide by some long list of rules or shoulds and shouldn’ts, I just try to choose better foods to put in my body. This doesn’t mean that I never pig out on a bag of salt and vinegar potato chips, because I do. I just don’t choose to do it very often.
Small Choices, Important Habits
I think when it comes to health, it’s important to make good choices in a way that works best for you. For example, I find drinking a lot of water to be difficult, but if I add some lemon or lime juice or infuse it with some fruit, it makes it much more enjoyable and easier to do. When it comes to exercise, I’m not much of one for early morning runs. In fact, I don’t run at any time of day! But I like to walk. I’ll take the stairs instead of the elevator and I don’t mind parking a bit further away from the door. There are lots of ways to get moving that don’t involve the stereotypical idea of “exercise.”
These are small choices that I make in a day that help me to be a bit healthier. Small things that I choose can add up over time to make a big difference in my life. And it’s not just making a choice one time, but making those choices over and over again until they become habits. What new, healthier habits can you start building today? Pray and ask God to show you a small step that you can take in the right direction and for the determination and perseverance to stick to it. He wants the best for you and will be there to help you every step of the way.