Let’s face it—Christmas is a busy time of year. But, as believers, we realize the importance of maintaining our spiritual fitness—no matter what season we are in. We understand if we don’t keep ourselves spiritually fit we can give the enemy entrance into our lives, which is why we keep our focus on Jesus—the real reason for the season. Well, guess what? Maintaining our physical fitness requires that same no-compromise attitude.

Do we really have the right to slack off on our health and fitness goals during the holidays and put on extra weight?

Certainly, we are free to do this if we choose—but do we have to? No, we don’t. And we shouldn’t.

During this Christmas season, let’s make a quality decision to stay focused on maintaining a strong, healthy body. I know that can be difficult—especially when Christmas cookies and Grandma’s fudge may be calling your name—but the Lord has shown me a few simple strategies to help maintain my weight throughout this season, and I know they will work for you, too!

1. Get God involved!

Ask God to give you wisdom about how you can best fight cravings and resist temptations throughout this season. Ask Him to show you available time in your schedule for increased cardiovascular exercise.  Proverbs 4:5 says, “Get wisdom, get understanding….” God wants to be involved in every part of your life, and He wants you to have a strong, healthy body.

Take time, especially throughout this season, to acknowledge Jesus came to earth and paid the price on the cross for our strong, healthy bodies. First Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own. You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body” (The Amplified Bible).

So, while I don’t think it’s a sin to eat Aunt Martha’s pecan pie and enjoy it without guilt, let’s not see Thanksgiving and Christmas as opportunities to pig out. That’s called lasciviousness and it’s the opposite of self-control. So what can we do if we desire some holiday treats, but we don’t want to blow our health endeavors? That leads me to strategy No. 2 which I will discuss in my next post.