“Therefore I, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received.” Ephesians 4:1 NASB
In Chapters 1-3 of Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, Paul shares all that God has done for us through His grace. Understanding who we are is the foundation of our walk. We don’t walk worthy so that God will love us, but we walk worthy because He loves us. We move out of gratitude.
This reminds me of Revelation Wellness’ Mission: Love God, get healthy, be whole, and love others. His love is our motive! We move out of love. This changes the way I live and the way I walk. Movement becomes a get to, not a have to. I get to take care of the body God has given me.
As a Fitness Instructor, I have a lot of people ask me for tips on how to get healthy. My first suggestion is to go for a walk. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise because it strengthens bones, gets your heart pumping, doesn’t require special equipment, and can be done just about anywhere. Walking also has many holistic benefits.
The mind/body/soul benefits of walking:
PHYSICAL BENEFITS:
– Reduces blood cholesterol
– Lowers blood pressure
– Improves heart health
– Reduces chronic disease
– Decreases diabetes risk
– Boosts immunity
– Boosts bone strength
– A N.E.A.T way to burn calories and helps keep weight down
MIND BENEFITS:
– Reduces feelings of anxiety and depression. (Fact: Walking 5,600 steps a day helps reduce anxiety and depression).
– It improves self-perception and self-esteem.
– Reduces stress
– Improves mood
– Reduces the risk of dementia
SOUL BENEFITS:
– Creates time for worship
– Creates time for prayer
– Creates time for meditation with God
– Creates connection: mind/body
– Increases creativity
– Refreshment throughout your day!
5 tips to start your walking routine:
1. Start small. Start with 10 minutes a day.
2. Forget about speed – focus on good posture, head lifted, and shoulders relaxed.
3. Grab your headphones and listen to worship music or a podcast. (Try #210 Reving the Word “Take A Walk: Psalm 100” )
4. Wear flexible, low-heeled, cushioned, comfortable shoes.
5. Accountability and encouragement – walk with a friend.
How to incorporate walking into your everyday living:
1. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
2. Walk to school or work.
3. Go for a short walk after dinner or lunch with friends.
4. When taking public transport, get off several stops before your destination.
5. Park your car farther away and walk to the destination.
6. Try walk and talk meetings at work.
7. Listen to your favorite podcast (Reving the Word) and walk.
Walking is a sweet gift from God and something we can easily take for granted.
Every good gift and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17
The next time you go on a walk give Him praise for this wonderful gift.
Want to move simply for the joy of moving? Join us for 21 Days of Walking Prayer! Each day you’ll walk and pray through the scripture with an audio recording as your guide. With each daily walk only 20 minutes long, you can easily fit them in any time
Jenn Mair lives in Greer, SC working as a group fitness instructor at her local YMCA. She also manages Whole Fitness. Whole Fitness provides weekly fitness classes, using fitness as a tool to spread the Gospel. Want to know more about Whole Fitness? Check them out on Instagram and Facebook!
A N.E.A.T. Way to Move
The N.E.A.T. 101 Guide will teach you how to get moving throughout the day, every day. Because every movement matters for your health and wholeness.
66 Responses
I’m joining the challenge.
Yay! Thanks for moving with us, Judi!
I would love to join the 7 day walk challengE. Im an instructor in west michigan!
Hey Shawn! So glad you’re joining us!
I’m joining the walk challenge starting today!
So glad you’re moving with us!
I’m in for the walking. Usually walk on treadmill every night so maybe my challenge is midday walking outside
That’s a great idea, Tracy!
Excited for this challenge, Let his word move us!!
Amen! We can walk and pray His Word!
Count me in!
Yay! Glad you’re walking with us, Bob!
I would love to do the walking challenge.
Glad you’re moving with us Nikki!
I would like to join the challenge.
Great! Thanks for walking with us, Tara!
I would love to join the walking challenge
Yay! Thanks for moving with us, Cristina!
I want to jOin the Challenge!
Yay! Glad you’re walking with us, Emily!
We are so mushy I may have to do some days on the treadmill. But I’m in.
Yes! See you on the treadmill 🙂
I’m in!
Yay! Glad you’re moving with us Rachel!
Ill join! This self distancing has me already walking 4 miles every morning! I love that time to listen to worship music and podcasts.
That’s awesome, Dori! What a great way to use your time 🙂
Count me in!!
Yes! So glad you’re joining us, Shelia!
Yes, let’s do this walk challenge!
Yes, Jami!
Count me in! This is just What i needed tkday! Thank you!
So glad this blessed you, Sheri!
I am in
Thanks for walking with us, Kelly!
Count me in!
Yay, Jeanie! So glad you’re moving with us!
I have been feeling like walking wasn’t really exercise so this is encouraging. I’m in on the challenge 🙂 Thank you!
Walking is definitely exercise, Kathryn! So glad you’re moving with us!
I will join the walk challenge
Yay! So glad you’re moving with us, Brenda!
I want to. Join the challEnge
Yay! Glad that you’re moving with us, Diana!
I wou love to join this cHallenge!
Yay, Cathy! Thanks for walking with us!
I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN
Yay, Jamie! So glad you’re joining us.
I’m in! I’ll be walking my 3 dogs for the next 7 days!!! THANK YOU!!!
Wow! That is definitely a workout with 3 dogs!
Will do the Walking challenge!
Yay, Joan! Thanks for joining us!
Would like to join the walk challenge but I work nights and sleep during the day. I am exempt because of the job I am in. So I am not sure how to fit it in
Maybe you can fit in a 5 min walk before and after each shift?
Joining in
Yay!
i have been walking 10,000 steps a day which is about 4.6 miles for me. Really helping!
That is amazing, Jenny! Thanks for moving with us!
Definitely in !!!
Yay! So glad you’re moving with us, Wendy!
Joining you from Belfast N. ireland
Yay! We’re so glad you’re moving with us, Anne!
I’M IN FOR THR the 7 day walking challenge,
So glad you are joining us, Rosemarie!
Is it too late to join the challenge?
Hey Susan! The walking challenge is a challenge you can join in on at any time! We also have other at-home challenges here: https://69e9ef5477.nxcli.net/challenges/
I am joinIng the challenge!! Thank yoi!!
So glad you are!