Wanderman in the Wilderness

God's word applied in the world.

Are You Spiritually Fit? Metabolism Lessons From “The Biggest Loser”

big loserLike many people, I tend to go through weight gain-loss cycles. Put on 5-10 pounds, hit the gym, and start over. Sound familiar? The problem is, as someone once told me, “You can’t outrun your fork.”

Truth be told, cutting out the late night snacks would probably do the trick! But the more tempting path most people take these days is a “fad diet” or “extreme exercise” program. While these diets might appear to give great results in the short run, a new study suggests they might cause more harm than anyone previously imagined.

Researchers recently followed 14 of the contestants of The Biggest Loser for six years after the show ended. Even with post-show assistance, 13 of 14 regained their weight. But it wasn’t due to poor eating habits or lack of exercise; they actually had damaged their metabolism! Researchers determined that high weight loss from the show caused their metabolisms to slow significantly and never recover.

For example, one contestant went from 263 lbs. to 176 lbs., but her metabolism burns 552 fewer calories than someone her weight should burn in a day. This makes keeping the weight off an enormous struggle. And her metabolism might never recover! (Click Here for the NY Times Article w/metabolism study)

Now, physical exercise is good, but spiritual exercise is far more important (1 Timothy 4:8). Sometimes people realize their spiritual life is out of shape so they have a quick zeal for God. Sadly, they often burn out and end up doing more damage to their spiritual lives when their “fad spiritual exercise and diet” fails!

Here are a few thoughts for a successful spiritual exercise life:

#1 Spiritual junk food is not a healthy diet. There is no substitute for the Word of God. Bread by itself is just carbs, but God’s Word is a sufficient meal (Matthew 4:4).

#2 Steady wins the race. Jesus reminds us that seeds that don’t have good roots will spring up fast and burn up in the hot sun (Matthew 13:5-6). Balance is required to remain in the world, but not be of it (John 17:16).

#3 Quick fixes are typically not lasting ones. Quick fixes are like the easy, broad path that leads to destruction. The more difficult, life-changing and narrow path is a road that few take; but it leads to glory (Matthew 7:13-14).

Begin drawing closer to God today, and He promises to draw closer to you (James 4:8). It may take years of proper training to have the spiritual body you want, but with daily discipline we will get there! Consider Paul’s words:

“Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).

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