So often we are trying desperately to lose the pounds, and we live and die by the number on the scale. It almost starts to haunt us – an all-consuming goal that makes us feel like we are on a roller coaster because it completely dictates our day. We wake up in the morning, step on the scale, and those numbers staring back to us determine our mood, our day. I am obviously all for being healthy, but at what point does losing weight and getting fit actually become unhealthy? In theory, we are creating healthy habits, but at what cost?
Sometimes, it seems as though we will do anything to get the scale to flash the number that we want, but in the meantime, what are you compromising? By killing yourself with outrageous exercise, a minimal diet and constant obsession over your weight, you are unhealthy in a holistic sense. Physically, your body is probably burnt out and nutritionally starving. Emotionally and mentally, you are probably not filled with joy, contentment and peace, but rather stress and self-loathing, which definitely does not help you or those around you. Spiritually, you are making a false idol because your efforts and energies are not on the ONE who truly deserves your whole mind, body, heart and soul.
Remember, just because you are skinny does not mean you are healthy! You can appear thin and fit, but don’t always judge a book by its cover. It is what’s on the inside that truly counts. Is your heart physically strong and spiritually content; are your blood pressure and cholesterol normal; do you greet the day with joy and peace; do you love yourself as a woman made in the image of God, allowing you in turn to also love others. Fitness and health come in all shapes and sizes.
So I challenge all of us to stop thinking about “the number”, but instead realize that even if we don’t hit our goal weight, we can still be healthy, and often times, probably more healthy than if we were the weight that we so desired. Let’s step off the scale and turn our focus to the positive – praising God for what we have already accomplished and the amazing things that we can do because of His grace, in addition to how we can continually become a more loving and faithful woman of God.