lifting heavy things

I feel like I need to start off my saying that I am, by NO means, a fitness expert. I’m pretty uncoordinated. I trip over myself a lot. When I run people look at my tangle of arms and legs and my red face and automatically assume that someone’s chasing me.

But here’s the thing. That doesn’t really matter.

What matters is that I make a point to be active often. When I say often I mean daily, for the most part. Some days I’m sick, or on vacation, or “too busy” (even though that’s not really true). And that’s okay, at least to me. I try not to beat myself up when I miss a workout or a walk or a run because, hey, that’s life. But for the most part I try to be active each and every day.

For me that often looks like a walk or jog. I love being outdoors and find that the fresh air combined with the exercise makes me feel better 100% of the time, regardless of how my day’s going or what’s going on in my mind. I am rejoicing as we approach spring/summer because YAY longer days and warmer weather! Praise Jesus!

Recently I’ve also been a Beach Body-er. I’m not a coach and don’t sell BB-just telling you that I’ve had a ton of success with being able to work out in my living room, in my PJs, at 5:30 in the morning. I can easily get bored, so having a ton of different programs to choose from has also been really helpful.

Why am I telling you all of this? Well, because it’s important. I know we always hear things like “self care” and “make time for yourself” tossed around, and that’s because it’s true! You’re busy. I hear you! I’m not discounting your job, responsibilities, mama duties, or jam packed schedule. I’m just saying that when I make time for a half an hour in my day (even if it’s getting out of bed a little bit early when I really want to stay cozy) I NEVER regret it.

When I was in grad school my clinical supervisor did Crossfit. She completely lived out the self care aspect that we hear about, and I am eternally grateful to have had that example. But what I love even more is the reasoning she gave. See, I interned at a Child Advocacy Center, where kiddos go who have been abused or neglected. My supervisor was a trauma therapist and forensic interviewer. Heavy work, right? She said that it felt good to be able to lift literally heavy things after doing heavy lifting emotionally at work all day.

Y’all. How powerful is that?! Regardless of your job or parental role or other responsibilities, we all have heavy lifting to do sometimes. And when you’re a police wife, some days those things seem extra heavy. I know that it’s easy to put yourself on the back burner while you attend to your officer and your family, but friend…don’t do it. Don’t fall victim to the myth that taking care of yourself is selfish.

Our bodies are a temple. We were fearfully and wonderfully made, created in the image of God. Yes, my temple is sometimes filled with Cheetos and more prosecco than I care to admit, but I have found that in order to be my best self I need to be emotionally, spiritually, and PHYSICALLY healthy.

“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.”
[1 Corinthians 6:19-20]