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Fitness for the Whole You

Over the past 24 years, I have been able to help many wonderful people while leading group exercise classes or conducting one-on-one personal training. It has been a joy to take someone from a place of not feeling good about their physical appearance and stamina to having reduced body fat, more strength and improved cardiovascular conditioning. While working with the physical aspect of an individual has been very gratifying, I have always had a deep desire to understand who we are in a deeper sense. What I have found is that we are so much more than our physical bodies. There’s another side of us—a "spiritual" side.

Just as you know how important it is to keep your automobile finely tuned and maintained to get you where you want to go, so it is with your physical body. Your body needs nourishing foods and regular exercise to function properly. The American College of Sports Medicine states that to be physically fit, one must generally do a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic activity three times a week and a minimum of two days of strength training. Although most of us hate the word “discipline,” it does take concerted effort to get fit and stay fit. It is not a once-a-week occurrence, nor is it about spending six months to get in shape only to never exercise again. Physical fitness is a lifestyle—an ongoing commitment. The very same can be said about the spiritual aspect of yourself. If you want to travel your life with more joy and a feeling of purpose and meaning, your spiritual nature must be nourished and properly exercised. It also takes concerted effort or discipline. It does not happen with just occasional spiritual activities or a workshop from time to time. Spirituality is a lifestyle—an ongoing commitment.

The by-products of regular physical exercise and regular spiritual practice are well worth the effort.

Physical exercise provides:

• Improved cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength
• Improved flexibility and body composition
• Lowered blood pressure
• Improved cholesterol
• More stamina and energy
• Reduced stress

Regular spiritual practice provides:

• Self-awareness
• Creativity
• Love of self and others
• Feelings of vitality and rejuvenation
• A sense of purpose
• Personal growth

It’s no secret that fitness activities are important. We all know that much. Still, sometimes it is hard to do, and many of us just don’t do it. You have a better chance of exercise adherence if you follow a few simple guidelines:

1. Start gradually, within your capacity, and then progress. One of the most common reasons people do not adhere to an exercise program is that they overdo it in the beginning. They go from totally sedentary lifestyles to exercising beyond their capacity. They either injure themselves or become so sore they can hardly function the next day. Who is going to adhere to that? Nobody.

2. Choose activities you love. Another common reason for dropout is that many will choose an exercise program they hate, such as running. Sure, running burns a tremendous amount of calories, but are you going to do it long-term if you hate it? Find the exercise that you enjoy! Whether it is hiking, cycling, tennis, swimming, power walking or aerobic dance, do something you like. Then, when you experience the benefits of regular exercise, it will inspire you to continue and to do more!

The same principles apply to spiritual practice. I know from my own attempts and failures in the past: I overdid it in the beginning and practiced a form of spiritual practice I didn’t enjoy. I began by sitting in a lotus position for an hour attempting to quiet my mind, with the end result of being frustrated, defeated and sore—not enlightened and serene! As with physical exercise, you need to begin a spiritual practice at the level that is comfortable for you and progress from there. Begin with 10 to 15 minutes daily of quiet reflection: listening to spiritual music, reading from a spiritual source that inspires and uplifts, strolling through nature or perhaps journaling. Find the spiritual practice that you enjoy! As with physical exercise, when you experience the benefits of spiritual practice, it will encourage you to continue and to do more.

In all things, balance is the key to a happy life. When one area in your life is not getting enough attention, manifestation of the imbalance can occur. When regular exercise is avoided, you may find yourself with unhealthy conditions such as excessive body fat, weakness, lack of flexibility or low energy. When your spiritual nature is not nourished and strengthened, it can manifest in a lack of joy, harmony and love. Your life will not have a rich sense of purpose and meaning. At some point you will question, "Is this all there is?"

You are more than your physical body. You are also a spiritual being. Regular exercise and proper nutrition will allow your physical body to carry your spirit through your journey in life. Consistent spiritual practices will bring joy and love and a life of rich purpose and meaning. Life offers many wonderful opportunities and beautiful experiences. By making conscious choices to be balanced in all aspects of yourself, you are unlimited!

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Denna Shelton, cPT, inspires others in the field of health and fitness, focusing on wellness in body, mind and spirit. For more information, visit twentygems.com.