Exercise

People who are insufficiently active have a 20% to 30% increased risk of death compared to people who are sufficiently active. WHO said that?

WHO recommends that adults aged 18–64 years should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity throughout the week or do at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity throughout the week or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity. Physical activity of amounts more than 60 minutes daily provides additional health benefits. It should include activities that strengthen muscle and bone, at least 3 times per week.

If we look at the creation, before God made man, He ceased the growth of plants because there was no man to till the ground. After He made Adam, He placed him in the garden to dress it and to keep it. All these forms of labor are physical in nature. Even in their perfect state, their bodies were designed by its Maker to require physical activity.

The few times I read that Jesus rode something to get from one place to another is by boat, and the time He rode a young ass at the gates of Jerusalem. He walked most of His life because He was a physically fit young man.

Doesn't that tell you something? John, in his third epistle wrote to the church, "Beloved, I wish above all things that you may be prosperous and be in health as your soul prospers.

According to God's design, physical activity is a major factor of staying healthy. So, if you're lacking in this area, it's best you start today. Throw obesity out the door, which gives us alot of health complications. Many cases of weight gain result from lack of physical activity to burn away excess glucose and fats.

Exercise improves and maintains many systems of the body for example breathing, blood flow, digestion, waste elimination, manufacturing of hormones, coordination, and the list goes on. I cannot stress it enough how important exercise is to our spiritual, mental and physical health.

Spiritually, exercise will at least teach us patience and consistency, two values which we desperately need today. Patience to work for and wait for results and the consistency to maintain it.

You may ask me, "Taia, how do I start?" I would say, "Grab a knife and a digging fork and plant a garden like God did in the beginning." But some would say, "We live and work in the city. We hardly have space to plant a garden." I would say, "Try parking your vehicle or save your bus fare and walk from place to place just like Jesus did. There are so many things you can do to exercise.

You can conquer your laziness, idleness and procrastination by the power and grace of God. Now go out there, break a sweat, and get healthy.