"Looking for Lovely"

I am so excited about the content of today’s chapter that I want to jump right in. Read “b.fab.fitness.”

Annie and I have been complete opposites in the area of exercise. I’ve always agreed that you must find an activity that you enjoy in order to be consistent. However, for my personality, that activity just needed to be hard, kick my butt (in the best possible way), and produce results. That has been enough! If the activity proved effective, I would make the time and throw my entire self into it.

Well, until about 2 years ago. All of a sudden, I couldn’t make myself get to the classes I’d been so consistent with. For the life of me, I could not force my body to get up and move in the ways that had kept me in shape for all of my adult life.

This was a crisis, ladies. It may seem like no big deal, but I assure you I was in a complete panic. My body started changing. The number on the scale started increasing. My clothes weren’t fitting well. Still, I could not make my body move like it had in the past.

I am in the middle of an exercise re-branding for myself. I am learning that things change. Preferences change. I can change. In this process, I discovered that body work is important. Yes, we need to move our bodies regularly, but we need to listen to our bodies and move in helpful ways. Girls, I started doing yoga.

Now, I am going to pause and say that I know the controversy of yoga. I do not want to get into that today. But I do want to offer grace and space if this conversation isn’t helpful to you. If you have made up your mind about what yoga is and this is a stumbling block in any way, please stop reading immediately. I am fine with that!

The way Annie described her tears in Zumba is what I looked like on my yoga mat the first three weeks I was there. My body had never moved like the instructor was asking me to move. But, I needed it. I left sweat and tears on the mat every class. I found God there, and through the gentle movements, He assured me of His presence. He helped me to see that I'd been a brutal slave-driver to my body for years. God encouraged me to slow down, love my body in new ways, and to focus on His guidance for true health. Every time I attend a class I walk out feeling lighter and freer.

At some point our bodies will demand to be listened to, right? God made us mind, spirit, and body. We are integrated beings. I have more to say about this tomorrow, so I'll stop here for now.

For today, find a fun way to move your body. Maybe, find a new way to move your body. In my experience, no matter the activity, music is extremely helpful. I’m including the link to “Waka Waka” for you. Annie isn’t wrong here! This song will definitely make you want to dance a little. Enjoy!

God, You have wired us for movement and for fun. I’m just sure of it. Help us not to be so serious. Help us not to take ourselves so seriously. Today, give us the freedom to let loose and move in ways that honor our bodies and connect us to our hearts. Amen