Guest Post Series: Five Questions on…Exercise (with Eric)
Exercise
with Eric Hall
1) Describe your relationship to/experience with exercise. If it has changed over time, describe the change.
I started exercising when I was a sophomore in high school. I think I mainly started to become more attractive to women and to feel better about my physical appearance. My exercise habits have changed over time depending on how busy I have been. In 2007 I exercised for around 3 hours a day, 5 days a week. In 2009 I ran 7 days a week. I still exercise but it usually last around 1 hour each time and it happens around 3 times a week.2) How has that relationship/experience affected the way you think about your body and/or your self-image?
It has helped my self-confidence when it comes to my looks. I have had compliments about my muscles. That always makes me feel good. Right now I am still in pretty good shape but I am very aware of unwanted fat on my body. At times that fat makes me feel less secure about my appearance (I know this is unhealthy).3) How has that relationship/experience affected the way you relate to others?
It has given me conversations with others that exercise. I know to some girls it has made me more attractive. At least from their comments that is what it sounded like. It has also taken me away from spending more time with people (I will talk about this more in questions 4).4) How has that relationship/experience affected your spiritual life?
At times my exercising habits have become an obsession. I refused to spend time with others because I HAD to get my exercise routine done. I, one time, made my family wait an hour after they had driven 6 hours to come see me because I HAD to exercise. This was extremely unloving and very selfish. This was a sin, so obsession with exercise negativity affected my spiritual life. But…I do believe that as a follower of Christ I am to be a holistic person. This means I should try and be as healthy as I can be spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I do believe it honors the gift that God gave us, our bodies, when we exercise. But as I mentioned, exercise can sometimes become an obsession, which is unhealthy and sinful.5) What word of wisdom or encouragement would you offer other people on a similar journey?
Exercise, but within reason. Don’t let it become an obsession. I do believe that it can be a way to honor God, which is great. I also do not believe that it is wrong to also do it to make yourself more attractive to yourself and others.
What about you?
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Posted on May 31, 2013, in Body Image, Community, Guest post, Identity, Physicality, Spirituality and tagged Body image, Christ, God, Health, Physical exercise, Physical fitness, Relationships, Religion and Spirituality. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.
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