Bible gives motivation for exercise

By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
YOUNGSTOWN -- The leaders of the Bodies for Christ exercise class at McGuffey Road Church of Christ use a unique approach to motivate participants.
Regina Jordan and Deidre Watson said they present the idea that the body is a holy temple, a phrase used in the Bible, and it is everyone's responsibility to take care of his or her physical well-being.
"It's a total body thing ... you want to be fit for Christ ... to present yourself to be fit to do his work," Jordan said. "We focus on the whole body ... who you are ... body, mind and soul."
"We're looking to God to lead us where we need to be," Watson said. But, she noted, that's not seeking improbable weight loss and an unattainable figure. "Most of us aren't skinny ladies," she said. "We just want to be comfortable as we are. We're not interested in being a size 2."
The leaders emphasized that though weight loss is a welcome result of the exercise classes at 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays in the church basement, 1101 Miami Ave., it's not the one and only goal. "It's about looking at your lifestyle and making some positive changes," Watson said.
"It's about feeling better and having more energy to serve Christ," Jordan said. "With him, all things are possible."
Jordan, a member of McGuffey Road Church of Christ, and Watson, a member of New Hope Baptist Church, are cousins. The two women had similar ideas about Christian-based exercise programs at their churches and they ended up combining the two efforts.
Both women also are on the verge of being certified by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, and they plan to take other health- and fitness-oriented classes to benefit themselves and the group.
Participants
About 12 to 15 participants, ranging in age from 20 to 60, usually attend, the women said. In addition to wanting to lose some weight, some of the participants have other health issues.
Before attending a class, participants are encouraged to check with their doctors and they are asked to sign a waiver. The class follows a format -- a prayer, a motivational talk by a participant, and then exercise to a 30-minute tape, "Walk Away the Pounds" with Leslie Sansone. Participants also can weigh in.
As the exercise progresses, the leaders may shout out "roll call" and name a participant, who in turn may respond with a short Bible verse, or shout "praise the Lord" or "hallelujah."
After the exercise, there's a brief cool-down period. Sometimes, a volunteer brings a low-calorie recipe or dish. Recipes have included Santa Fe grilled chicken wrap, pork chop casserole, grilled chicken salad and low-fat cheesecake. They're sampled and shared along with diet tips. There's a monthly fee of 10 for the sessions; and bottled water is readily available.
Jordan and Watson said they get some free items from doctors, such as The Women's Health Datebook, which offers guidelines on how often various checkups should take place.
Participants also are encouraged to keep journals to monitor what they eat and what they do, the women noted.
"People have options on what to eat ... it can be healthy and still be tasty. We encourage that," Watson said. "In fellowship, we talk about the fact it's OK to eat but focus on what to eat," Jordan added.
Here's an incentive
As an incentive, Jordan and Watson use something they call "body bucks." For showing up, a participant gets a 1 body buck and for bringing a friend, 5. "We'll have a little auction for things like candles, body lotion sets, jewelry," Watson said, and participants pay with the "body bucks."
On a recent snowy Monday night, 13 women bundled up and braved the weather to work up a sweat in the church basement.
Marie Armstrong, a member of the McGuffey Road church, offered the motivational talk and focused on the theme of not giving up. She mentioned Deuteronomy 31:8, "The Lord himself who goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged."
"This is a big help," Armstrong said of the exercise class. She said she asked her husband to take photos of her from different angles and she admitted she didn't like what she saw. "I just wasn't comfortable," she said, and added "though I wasn't gaining, I wasn't losing."
Armstrong likened the class to a support group. "They're going through the same thing you are," she said.
Armstrong said she found some helpful tips about goals on the Web site, www.kidshealth.org. They are know your major goal, make it specific, be realistic, write down your goal, set short-term goals, recommit to goals if you slip, and visualize yourself achieving your goal.
The McGuffey Road church is not the only place of worship focusing on fitness.
At Rising Star
Kim Harris, one of four leaders of Bodies for Christ at Rising Star Baptist Church, 2943 Wardle Ave., said the program began in August 2006.
"It started after some women were talking and learned they were doing it on their own," Harris said, and noted it seemed practical and helpful to exercise together.
Sessions at Rising Star are from 5 to 6 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays and 9 to 10 a.m. Saturdays.
"I think the women feel better about themselves. It helps your self-esteem and lifts your spirit," Harris said. She noted some participants face health issues such as diabetes and arthritis.
The Rising Star program also uses Christian motivation and incorporates a verse from Psalm 119:133, "Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me."
Harris said, "It's about glorifying God with our bodies ... being able and fit to share God's word."
linonis@vindy.com