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One of the big lies that we often tell ourselves is that if we just got in shape our insecurities would go away.

If portraying a certain image is everything, then you will always be chasing a magic number on the scale, a defined body figure, or a certain style… and that’s a hard way to live.

Food, your body image, your health is a heart issue. It might be a sin issue that you need to confess before you do anything else.

You can’t make big health changes without a heart change. And after that heart change has happened, here are six things you can do that will help create healthy margin in your life.

1. Incorporate healthiness into your schedule.

This is crucial! If it’s not on your calendar, it’s probably not going to happen.

If getting healthy means running, or going to the gym, or walking, it needs to be scheduled just like you would a doctor or dentist appointment.

2. Pick a plan that fits you and stick to it.

It doesn’t matter whether you do P90X, Crossfit, Zumba, yoga, ride a bike, or run, pick something you like to do and stick with it.

Two programs offered at West Ridge.

• Run for God
• Winning My Race

3. Set goals that are realistic and attainable.

Set some achievable goals and then go from there. Once you’ve achieved a goal, set another one.

Too many set unachievable goals and they get frustrated, and they give up. Set goals that are realistic and achievable. And then keep going.

4. Eating healthy is more important than exercise. (but they are both important)

You can work out all you want, but if you go home every night and eat junk food or throw down a six pack every weekend, your not going to see a difference and your not going to feel a difference.

According to 1 Corinthians 6, it matters what you put into your body. It impacts your sleep, your mind, your health, and your relationship with God.

5. Physical healthiness is a lifestyle switch.

Being healthy is a life-time decision.

6. Get healthy to honor God and to bring Him glory!

1 Corinthians 6:20 – “So glorify God in your body.”

We are his image bearers. Our bodies are earthly temples where God’s Holy Spirit has chosen live. God has created us for a purpose; there is a reason for our existence. He created you with care.

Those of you that are obsessed with body image and how you look (nose, height, hair, too much of this or that, etc.), and you are consumed with those things to where it sucks the margin out of your, give that to God this morning and realize he made no mistake when he created.

For all of us, let’s make sure we honor him with our whole person – body, soul, mind, and strength. And let’s give the Holy Spirit a healthy place to express Himself thru our lives.

This overwhelming – take one step and then take another… this is a spiritual issue – and God wants to give life and life more abundant!

Watch Pastor Brian’s full message on physical healthiness, “Margin: Physical Healthiness.”