Building Mental and Physical Strength

Life is tough. You know this. You’ve said this. You are walking through a tough season or have just walked through one. As a Christian, I am able to look to Christ or when its too tough to look on my own, have other believers pray for me and bring me to Jesus. He is there in the tough and he carries us, or holds our hand through those tough times and the good times.

I’ve realized over the last few years that motherhood is not for the faint of heart. It is a worthwhile adventure and high calling but it is tough. Mental and physical strength is something I am aiming for and working hard to achieve. Often times physical strength and mental toughness are built at the same time. As I am seeing physical gains, I am also seeing mental strength. My mindset has shifted from, I need to just get this done, to I want to make sure I get this exercise in, because I am strong and I feel better afterwards.

I have been enjoying the book The Body Teaches the Soul by Justin Earley and I agree with his thesis how the body can train the spirit. I have found myself saying, Chelsie, you can be kind. Chelsie, you can _____ fill in the blank of a task I don’t want to do but need to. It’s the same as when I need to do 10 reps of a hard exercise…I am on 8: “I don’t quit…I can do this…two more…come on…you are strong.” I have built a healthy mantra while exercising that transfers to my mothering or other things in life. Training my body by gaining and sustaining physical strength is overflowing in a postitive way to the other areas of my life.

I have been consistently exercising/strength training for 4 months. I feel like a better mother, wife, and overall human. I have less stress, more energy, more motivation, and a happiness that is familar to the feeling I had walking off of the field hockey field in high school and overall peace. The Lord has used exercise in such a wonderful and powerful way. We were made to move. We no longer have to walk everywhere, so setting aside time to exercise in the context where we live is incredibly important.

Chelsie, I don’t like to exercise, but I guess I should…what do you suggest?

Well, do you have a dog? If yes add an extra walk around the block each time you take him out to do his business. If that seems to daunting because usually you are in your robe after work…then pick one day such as Tuesday and walk for 20 minutes. Then once you do that for a few weeks and realize it’s not that horrible, add a Thursday or Saturday morning walk to the routine.

Chelsie, I don’t have a dog and I live on a busy street, what would be your suggestion? I’d say try Nourish Move Love’s 30-day Workout Program. (Women’s Program). You will be so amazed at how you will see your body make gains and how it can change your attitude or bring your stress down.

Basically, the best exercise is the one you can do and will do. Moving your body is so key for something other wonderful things above and beyong building mental and physical strength.