5 Reasons Why Faith-Based Fitness Improves Your Life
The 5 reasons why faith-based fitness improves your life I share in this post will help you improve your quality of life — but not in the way you might expect! Faith-centered fitness gives a whole new meaning to your fitness journey.
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Do you ever sit there and daydream about how different — happier — your life would be if you could lose weight and get in shape?
I can almost see you nodding yes…
The sad thing is…
There are many women — Christian women — across the entire world who’d be nodding yes right along with you… And if I’m honest, I had countless daydream sessions just like that for most of my fiftysomething years of life — so I 100% get you!
Social media, diet culture, the weight loss industry (which, by the way, is a multi-billion dollar industry that fights tooth and nail to hold on to its $$$), the fitness industry, family, friends, and co-workers…
None of them make it easier to accept and be content in the skin you’re in.
So you constantly find yourself in this cycle of dissatisfaction — endlessly chasing a version of yourself that always seems out of reach. And this only leads you to feel more frustrated, insecure, and not enough.
But what if I told you…
☑️ there’s hope and endless grace patiently waiting for you…
☑️ that there will come a day when you desire Jesus Christ more than a ‘nice body’…
☑️ that faith-based fitness is THE way because it’s life-giving and life-transforming…
I know this because I’ve experienced it firsthand. As a certified faith-based fitness and wellness instructor, I’m living proof that this journey is possible and life-changing!
I’ve been where you are and I’ve walked the path where you want to be. I’m here to guide you — not just to a healthier physical body — but to a freedom-focused life. This is the best alternative because it leads to lasting change. Interested? Great! Let’s get started…
What is faith-based fitness vs traditional fitness?
Faith-based fitness is a fairly new concept. In a nutshell, it’s designed to train your faith first and then your body. What a beautiful concept, right?!
You might be wondering, “How do you combine faith and fitness?”
It’s easier than you think…
Simply make God the foundation of your wellness journey. Which means aligning your physical goals with your Christian values.
You do this by inviting God into your daily routine — whether it’s…
- through prayer before a workout
- meditating on Scripture as you stretch
- or seeing your physical activity as an act of worship.
Picture this: You’re on a morning walk, feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin and the cool, fresh air filling your lungs. With each step, a sense of calm begins to settle in. Your thoughts slow down, and you start to focus on your prayers, syncing them with your steps. The quiet of the early morning surrounds you, creating a perfect moment to connect with God. As you stretch and move, you feel more in tune with His presence, making your exercise time a meaningful part of your day.
When you blend physical fitness with faith, you improve your physical fitness AND your spiritual fitness — which leads to a holistically healthier and more fulfilling life!
Now…
Here’s what the fitness world in today’s culture offers…
- an eating plan — most likely based on the newest fad diet
- a fitness plan — requiring a lot of hard work at the gym
While both paths might get you the body you want — faith-based fitness is designed to help you restore your relationship with food and exercise.
Here’s how…
5 Reasons Faith-Based Fitness Improves Your Life
1. God’s Love…
Jesus wants ALL of you. Yes, even your fitness and wellness routine. When you love God — because He loved you first — and you live to glorify Him, He gives you the strength to persevere through tough times. Especially when you’re exhausted and ready to give up.
Going to Jesus, the ultimate source of true strength is essential for living a healthier lifestyle.
Studies show that Christians are more likely to exercise regularly and eat a nutrient-dense diet.
Why?
Because when you believe that these habits honor God, you’re more likely to make choices that benefit your body and your soul.
By focusing on glorifying God, you transform your fitness journey into an act of worship. And that, my beautiful friend, leads to a more meaningful and consistent pursuit of health.
2. Faith-based fitness programs provide a supportive like-minded community.
A faith-based fitness community…
- benefits your physical, mental, and spiritual health.
- motivates you to stay active.
- provides social interaction, and helps you develop healthy habits.
- aligns with your Christian values.
- ushers you to the throne of grace.
Iron sharpens iron.
When looking for a faith-based fitness program, there are a couple of things to consider…
- Find a program that meets your fitness goals and fitness level.
- Your lifestyle — how much time are you willing to invest?
You’re more likely to follow through if it’s doable for YOU.
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3. Bible-based fitness nurtures your body image and relationship with food.
Faith-based fitness encourages God-honoring food choices and physical activity. All while helping you overcome negative body image by pointing you to the TRUTH of who you are in God’s word.
It helps you internalize that you’re not just a body — you’re the daughter of the Most High King!
- You’ll learn to love and accept your body — AT ANY SIZE — because, in Christ, we train for ability — not for vanity.
- You learn how to manage bad body image days and appreciate your body’s strength and abilities.
The Holy Spirit in you will guide you to…
- discover why you self-sabotage, whether by running to food for comfort or neglecting your physical fitness.
- listen to and respect your body’s needs as His temple.
By deepening your relationship with Christ, you’ll improve both your body image and your relationship with food.
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4. Faith-based fitness can help you overcome obstacles with grace.
A grace-first approach is super helpful in achieving long-lasting goals. Because it uncovers and addresses the underlying issues. You’ll find that — it’s never just about fitness or food — it’s MUCH deeper than that.
Through faith-based fitness, you can overcome some of the most significant obstacles to living a healthy lifestyle — like feeling unworthy, guilty, or inadequate. Maybe you feel like you don’t deserve to be healthy. These debilitating emotions can be the biggest obstacles to making lasting changes.
But I want to reassure you that…
- You’ll learn to see yourself through the eyes of love and compassion.
- You’ll come to believe the truth — that you’re worthy of a healthy, happy life and that you are capable of achieving your goals.
- In Christ, you’ll realize that you’re ‘worth the effort’.
If you struggle to make healthy lifestyle changes on your own, faith-based fitness could be the defining step in the right direction.
💖 Super Helpful Resources 💖
30-Day Digital Self-Love Journal
Check out all of the FREE Resources here!
5. Faith-based fitness helps you live out your purpose.
Faith-based fitness is about more than just physical health — it’s about equipping yourself to fulfill God’s command to “GO.”
As Christians, we know our purpose is to love God and love others.
But…
When unresolved issues hold you back — your focus stays inward — which prevents you from fully living out your purpose.
Embracing faith-based fitness is a great way to address your underlying issues. It frees you to shift your focus away from self-doubt and toward God’s calling.
This transformation allows you to go — whether that means loving your family well — or being a quiet beacon of hope to those around you.
When you’re healthy and whole in Christ, you’re not just living for yourself — you’re sharing the hope— wherever you GO!
Embracing Your Unique Journey
You may be thinking…
“But Wanda, I’m SO out of shape, I can’t move my body like others do because of my limitations.”
My beautiful friend, I hear you, and I want you to know that God does too. He understands your challenges, but He still says, “Go.” He didn’t say, “Go when you’re ready” — He simply said, “GO.”
When you think of a personal trainer, I’m probably not the image that comes up in your mind…
- I don’t have abs (I mean, everyBODY has abs — you just can’t see them!).
- I’m not a size small.
- I’m in my 50’s.
- I have arthritis.
- I struggle with emotional eating.
- I could go on and on…
And that’s exactly why I understand where you’re coming from…
Your GO might look different than mine — and that’s perfectly okay! God sees the disposition of your heart, and that’s what truly matters.
Whether your journey involves small movements, gentle stretches, or simply making God-honoring choices in your day — He still calls you to move forward in faith.
Those of us who practice faith-based fitness and wellness know that physical health is important — but it’s not the only thing that matters.
What truly matters is your heart posture and your willingness to honor God in whatever capacity you can.
So, as you incorporate faith into your wellness journey, remember that it’s not just about striving for a fit body — it’s about pursuing something far more meaningful.
In this journey, physical health becomes just one part of a much bigger picture — living out your God-given purpose.
And there you have it my beautiful friend…
With Jesus guiding you, you have the strength and grace to pursue wholeness in every area of your life. There’s work to be done, and He wants you to step into your calling. However, that may look for you.
Are you ready to embrace this freedom-focused journey?
Next Steps…
Remember, grace abounds in this journey.
1. Start Where You Are
No matter your current fitness level or physical limitations, begin by making small, God-honoring choices.
This could be as simple as a gentle stretch, a mindful walk, or choosing a nutrient-dense meal. Every step counts, and God sees your heart and your efforts. Ask Him for the strength to “Go” in whatever way you can today — invite Him into your daily routine.
Here are some ideas…
- Before you exercise, say a prayer asking God for the strength to honor Him with your body today.
- During your workout, meditate on a scripture that encourages perseverance, like Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
- Turn your cool-down into a moment of worship by listening to your favorite worship songs, allowing the music to center your heart on God.
Every journey starts with one — sometimes nervous — first step!
2. Reflect on Your ‘Why’
Take a moment to think about why you’re pursuing this journey…
- Is it to honor God, to serve others, or to embrace the purpose He has for you?
- Is it to look good so you feel better about yourself?
Understanding why you’re pursuing this journey can keep you motivated or prompt you to align your heart with God’s.
Here’s a practical way to keep your ‘why’ front and center…
- Write down your faith-based fitness goals and pair each one with a corresponding Bible verse. For example, if your goal is to build strength, you might choose Isaiah 40:31: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
- Create a small space in your home dedicated to your fitness and faith journey. Include your Bible, a journal, and anything else that inspires you to stay connected to your ‘why’ as you work towards your goals.
Let this ‘why’ motivate you to keep going — even on the tough days.
Remember, there’s a much deeper reason for this journey to wholeness — and that’s to pour out the hope of Jesus — as you “GO.”
This post covered 5 powerful ways faith-based fitness and wellness can transform your lifestyle.
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And I’d love to hear from you — let me know in the comments if this helps you or what you’d like to see next! 😊
I love your perspective on faith-based wellness! At LJ Lifestyle, we also believe that making God the foundation of our wellness journey is crucial. Focusing on God’s presence can truly bring amazing transformations in our lives.
Thank you! 😊 Your words truly mean so much. I’m so glad the content resonates with you and brings something refreshing to your day. Thank you for being part of this community! 💖
Your blog is a breath of fresh air in the often stagnant world of online content. Your thoughtful analysis and insightful commentary never fail to leave a lasting impression. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.