Jesus Became Strong: Motivators for Regular Exercise

Jesus is a man of muscular physique and tenacious strength given his work; the roads and mountains he hiked; and the image of his body in the Shroud of Turin. 

 

From Jesus-Centered: Guide to the Happiest Life: "Jesus became strong" (Lk 2:40)

We can decide to “enter into fellowship with Jesus,” St. Pope Paul VI stresses, “by the most ordinary events of daily life.” What allows this, he says, is Jesus’ hidden life in Nazareth, a village of around 400 people. God lived an ordinary life like yours in “silence, family life and work.” (C 533)

You can commune intimately with Jesus in the following ordinary ways by which you can share in his work of saving all mankind: Fun, games, health and fitness. 

Jesus had fun playing and watching games. He “grew and became strong.” (Mt 11:16-17; Lk 2:40) 

Jesus is a man of muscular physique and tenacious strength given his work; the roads and mountains he hiked; and the image of his body in the Shroud of Turin. 

We should also take care of our health, “a precious gift entrusted to us by God,” (cf. C 2288) learning what the medical authorities teach about the right diet, exercise, and healthy lifestyle.

From St. Josemaria: "When the body is well, the soul dances"

When St. Josemaria first heard the Italian saying, "Quando il corpo sta bene, l'anima balla, When the body is well, the soul dances," he was bothered, since it didn't seem to take a supernatural viewpoint and many sick people in pain are happy serving God. Later he changed his mind as he saw that the phrase is a graphic way of pointing out the need for good health to serve God in ordinary work. 

From Harvard Health: Single most important thing for our health is regular exercise

Exercising regularly, every day if possible, is the single most important thing you can do for your health. In the short term, exercise helps to control appetite, boost mood, and improve sleep. In the long term, it reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia, depression, and many cancers. 

From World Health Organization: Health benefits from regular exercise are significant, while non-activity implies huge cost 

Regular physical activity provides significant physical and mental health benefits. And conversely, physical inactivity increases risk for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and other poor health outcomes. Together, physical inactivity and sedentary behaviours are contributing to the rise in NCDs and placing a burden on healthcare systems. 

The global estimate of the cost of physical inactivity to public health care systems between 2020 and 2030 is about US$ 300 billion (approximately US$ 27 billion per year) if levels of physical inactivity are not reduced.

WHO recommends for adults aged 18-64 years old: 

• Should do at least 150 minutes [2 hours and 30 minutes] of moderate-intensity physical activity throughout the week, or do at least 75 minutes [1 hour and 15 minutes] of vigorous-intensity physical activity, or an equivalent combination of both.
• For additional health benefits, adults should increase their moderate-intensity physical activity to 300 minutes [5 hours] per week, or equivalent.
• Muscle-strengthening activities should be done involving major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week.

For children and older adults, check this link.

From Our Bodies are Designed by God to Move: 

The Apostle Paul spoke often of the body being a temple and as such is holy and deserves respect and presents the notion that one of our roles as ministers of God (his representatives) is to take care of our body.

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19)

In modern times, Pope St. John Paul II alluded to this:

“In an age that has witnessed the ever-increasing development of various forms of automation, especially in the workplace, reducing the use of physical activity, many people feel the need to find appropriate forms of physical exercise to restore a healthy balance of mind and body.”

From Theology of Exercise: Work and Movement: 

God created man to work. (Gen 2:15)

Work is one biblical category we can use to build a theology of exercise.  

To exercise, your body relies on several systems (nervous, musculoskeletal, etc…) to work together simultaneously to produce movement. You cannot separate exercise and movement; to move is to exercise, and to exercise is to move. 

And movement is inherent in all work. It is how work is accomplished.

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Mnemonic device to easily remember the benefits of exercise and stay motivated: 

STEM-SPA

1. Soul - be one with Jesus who “grew and became strong”; when the body is well, the soul dances; we care for and work on the Temple of God, our body

2. Thinking - improves brain structure and function; grows new brain cells; improves judgement and mental health

3. Energy - sends oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently

4. Mood - releases chemicals, such as serotonin and endorphins, that trigger a happy feeling; distracts you from daily worries; can make you enjoy the outdoors and have fun.

5. Sleep - helps you fall asleep faster, get better sleep and deepen your sleep

6. Prevents disease for Physical health - stroke, high blood pressure, many cancers (e.g. breast, bladder, kidney, lung, and stomach cancers), diabetes, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, dementia, depression, falls, etc; helps manage ADHD

7. All-around health and Appearance - boosts life span; builds muscles and strong bones; improves weight and skin; wisely prepares you for a good quality of life in old age, while improving the lives of those who are already old.

Sources on the benefits of exercise:

• MAYO CLINIC: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389
• WEBMD - https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/health-benefits-exercise
• MEDLINE PLUS https://medlineplus.gov/benefitsofexercise.html

Photo by Family_First from Freerange Stock