Jan
19
2010
When I was enrolled in my master’s degree program at Indiana University, one of my favorite courses was the The Growth and Human Development of Children. David Gallahue, PhD, was the professor. He went on to be the Dean of the Physical Education department. Gallahue shared with us that to learn a new sport or skill, three essentials were involved – effective instruction, lots of practice and plenty of encouragement and support.
This important concept can also be transferred into learning any new skill and changing health behavior. As many of you are attempting to change a behavior or learn a new skill, I’d urge you to consider the application of this tip to your situation.
Here’s an example. I’m helping lead a weight loss program at our church beginning this week. We’re using a book by Kara Davis, M.D.. I made a blog entry about her book – Spiritual Secrets to Weight Loss – a few months ago. Right off the bat, Davis writes in her introduction the importance and value of having an accountability partner for people who are entering a behavior change program. She urges us to find a person who will encourage, inspire and motivate us as well as speak a word of correction if necessary.
When wellness coaching clients partner with me, one of the key things they recognize they need most of all is encouragement and accountability from another person.
God clearly encourages us in scripture to rely on others for this type of support. Whether it’s an attempt at losing weight, stopping smoking or changing some other behavior, consider asking someone to stand along side of you as you take that journey!
Questions to Consider:
Are you attempting to make behavior changes on your own, without the encouragement and support of another person? If so, who might you ask to support you along the way?
Scriptures Related to Accountability, Support & Encouragement:
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17
Related Resources:
Article – Life, Spirituality and Your Health – It’s About the Relationship
Wellness Coaching
Dec
16
2009
When I work with a client I am coaching, I remind them that the most important aspect of fitness training is the frequency, or regularity, in which they engage in exercise. The same holds true for the spiritual exercise of Abiding in God’s Presence.
Principles of Exercise
A common acronym in the fitness training arena is FITT. This stands for frequency, intensity, time(or duration) and type. It’s important to address each of these four areas when one is putting together an exercise program. Over the long haul, I believe that the frequency in which an individual engages in exercise is the most important of these. And, when we look at the overall components of fitness, regularity is considered to be one of the key components. The research will show that it is very important to be consistent with exercise if a person desires to become more physically fit. When I work with a client, I try to help them get to the point where they are working out at least three or four days a week. Even if the person is not able to be this consistent, it will certainly pay dividends to be consistently exercising two to three days a week over the long haul.
Spiritual Exercises
Abiding in God’s Presence is one of 18 Spiritual Exercises I have identified that are practices of the Christian faith that may have some relevance to an person’s overall well-being and health. Reading the Bible, praying and meditating or are different ways that we can be in God’s presence and feel a connection to him. I recommend to my clients that they create time every day for these spiritual practices. As with being consistent and regular with physical activity, consistently spending time with God in a way that is meaningful will pay great dividends as it pertains to one’s faith journey.
The more consistently that you spend some time with God, the more opportunity you will have to hear his small voice and to understand his will for you. Making a practice of reading the Bible is another way that you can hear from God and understand his will for your life. In fact, I’d have to say that this is the number one way that God speaks to us — through his Word.
Questions to Reflect On:
Have you spent some quiet time with God today? How frequently are you spending time with God? How often do you read the Bible? Are you as consistent in spending time alone with God as you are in engaging in physical activity?
Resources on Spiritual Exercises:
Article – An Introduction to Spiritual Exercises
Article – Get FITT Spiritually and Physically
More blog posts on Spiritual Exercise
Change unhealthy behavior with Wellness Coaching
Oct
02
2009
I am providing one hour of complimentary faith-based wellness coaching. If you’re interested in taking advantage of this service, please contact me within 24 hours. I’ll select someone at random.
Read about my wellness coaching services.
How to contact me and qualify:
- Through the contact page
- By commenting here
- Via email – dale ( at ) faithandhealthconection dot org
- Via Twitter – @faithandhealth
- By replying to this post you received via email
Have a terrific Friday and weekend!
