I’m laid out today. For the first time, I finally know how awful it is to hurt your back. And I did it to myself while trying to stay on my strength journey while lifting weights.  But today, I’m here as a testament to life’s unexpected turns. I hurt my back, and y’all, when they say everything hurts when you hurt your back, they mean everything.

Since I can’t sit very long without pain, this post will be short! But I want to share a lesson I’ve been marinating on for the past few days, one that’s as much about faith as it is about physical healing.

Let me backtrack to where this all began: my workout room, doubled over with a dumbbell and a dose of stubbornness. I should’ve listened to my body when it whispered that today was NOT the day to push it. But I thought I knew better and decided I just needed to get in a heavy-weight lower-body workout before I spent a day away from my workouts on call in the hospital. And just like that, my back sent a jolting memo: “Nope.”

Lying here, frustrated and clouded by the ache, I couldn’t help but draw parallels between my physical setback and the weight loss journey many of you are on. I get it now more than ever. We stride forward, tracking and training, only to stumble over life’s hurdles. Maybe it’s a vacation, an emergency, or a season of stress that derails our diet. Or perhaps, like me, it’s an injury that rattles our regimen.

In these moments, the crossroads are clear: to quit or to continue?

Sometimes I think God allows this kind of setback to get me to be still. I’m not very good at that yet (but I’m getting better!). A particular verse resonated deeply with me. Romans 12:1 talks about presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is our spiritual act of worship. Now, that got me thinking about the very essence of what we do when we take care of our temples, our bodies.

Managing our nutrition and obeying the cues our bodies give us—hunger, fullness, rest—it’s not just self-care; it’s an act of holy reverence. Each time you pause before adding more to your plate to consider if you’re truly still hungry, that’s an act of worship. Each moment you choose to heed the signal to stop eating because you’re comfortably full, you’re honoring the divine wisdom woven into your being.

I’ll confess, it took being benched by my back to see the beauty in surrender. In our quest for strength, longevity, and vitality—whether it’s through getting to a healthy weight, lifting weights, or finding your balance on the yoga mat, we are participating in a profound ritual. It’s not just about weight loss, it’s about shaping a life that honors God with our bodies.

So here’s my ask: don’t let the setbacks snuff out your spirit or smother your progress. They’re simply part of this intricate dance we call life. When your portion seems too small, trust in the One who has crafted your days. Trust that what you have is enough, and if your body speaks up for a little more, then listen. That, my friends, is faith in action.

And remember, worship isn’t confined to the early hours with your Bible or the pews of a Sunday service. It’s woven into the very fabric of our daily lives. Every choice that celebrates and cares for this vessel you’ve been gifted is an offering, a sacred melody in the symphony of life.

As I go to rest this achy back of mine, I want to leave you with this—your journey toward health, be it shedding pounds, gaining muscle, or simply walking a little farther each day, is a testament to your faith. It’s a labor of love, a commitment to the divine design.

Thanks for being here and know that I’m with you in spirit, cheering you on every step of the way. 

 

See you all soon, and in the meantime, take care of your temples and trust in your journey.

 

Do you want help on your journey from someone who’s been there? Do you need to drop the weight to help reverse the diseases starting to show up? Schedule your first session for free with me and let’s get started!