The spiritual side of health.

As we grew older, our metabolism begins to slow even as our schedules speed up. Many men and women today want to get in shape, but seldom have time for exercise. They often make the mistake of diving into miracle diets, hoping for overnight success without making any real changes to their everyday life. However; in order to gain success in any area, we might want to include an often overlooked element: God.

Since God created each of us different, it should come as no surprise that no two bodies work exactly the same. Knowing this, we must find out how our bodies react to certain foods and exercises, and then choose meals and methods that work best.

Earth's first inhabitants were given earth's first employment--to care for the world. (Not exactly a sit-down job.) "God blessed [Adam and Eve] and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground'" (Genesis 1: 28). There were gardens to tend, animals to care for, places to go, things to see. The Bible even says that in "the cool of the day" God and His newly created couple would get together and walk among the trees of the garden (Genesis 3:8).

The Creator knew that any type of physical activity burns more calories than just sitting around. That hasn't changed. Today, many women have discovered that lugging around a baby seat builds great muscles. So does walking behind a lawn mower, swinging a snow shovel or garden hoe, and cleaning house. Since Eden, each of these activities has counted as a bona fide, God-blessed exercise.

As you begin your journey to optimum health, plan the workout; don't plan around it. Forget the old myth that exercise works best only in the morning or at a Dun. Those of us on tight schedules need to figure out a time that fits our lifestyle, and stick with it. Routines form habits, which, over time, deliver results.

While some prefer to join groups or seek out a workout buddy, others prefer to exercise alone, saying it provides a few moments of quality time with God as they jog along listening to soul-stirring, spirit-filled music.

For others, a good friend or spouse can make exercise much more enjoyable. Inviting someone else to join them usually boosts their confidence and motivates them to get in shape.

Five Eden-inspired Food Fixes

Just as with exercise, the amounts and combinations of food we enjoy will vary among individuals. Still, we can learn practical methods of training our minds to eat the way Adam and Eve ate.

1. Eat slowly. Somehow I can't see earth's first diners doing anything in a hurry--and for good reason. The body takes approximately 20 minutes to signal the brain it feels full. If we eat slower, we'll eventually end up eating less. This may seem hard on a short lunch break from work or classes, but with a little effort we can succeed. For example, I used to eat lunch at my desk when I felt pushed for time--it beat driving someplace and waiting for food to show up on my table. Now I find a quiet place away from my desk where I can slowly chew each bite for around 20 seconds instead of simply breaking my food into small enough chunks to fit down my throat. It took about a week to get in the routine. Now my mouth automatically chews for that length of time. Also, eating with others slows down the pace, because we wait on everyone to finish, and conversations take some of the focus off our plates.

2. Avoid junk food. Adam and Eve enjoyed their nurishment fresh from the trees or rich, verdant earth. That's why I try to keep junk food out of easy reach--both at work and at home. We're more likely to eat what we crave if it's easily accessible. Also, that trip to the store for a sugary or oversalty snack can serve as a deterrent. When I do make the effort, I choose snacks that are low in both sugar and salt and come in small, single-serving sizes. The less junk food we eat, the less our bodies will crave it. Even more important, children should not have access to health-destroying junk food either. They need to see adults enjoying what's good for them, not sneaking nibbles of what's not.

3. Eat a variety. God placed a huge variety of foods on the earth for a purpose. To Adam and Eve He said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food" (Genesis 1:29). Today, many diet plans restrict their followers from eating certain foods that contain important proteins, health-sustaining fats, or energizing carbohydrates. God designed us to live in balance, eating a rich variety of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts. Our bodies were created to run properly on such powerful fuel.

4. Eat real meals. We need to get in the habit of eating breakfast each and every day--and I'm not talking about a hot drink and a doughnut. Our metabolism starts operating the moment we place fresh nutrition in our bodies. Since most people wake up early anyway, this should not hinder their schedules. Everyone can make time to eat a healthy cereal bar with a piece of raw fruit. But why not toss in a small cup of yogurt or a bowl of whole-grain cereal with soy milk? Then, when lunchtime arrives, we won't be so famished that we overeat. Sure, our bodies may feel hungry at odd times during the day, but we need to learn to deny every single craving and pace our metabolisms, giving our bodies a chance to feed off the food already stored inside us. Many times our "hunger" is just a craving in disguise.

5. Treat yourself occasionally: Notice the word "occasionally". It won't harm us to eat a piece of cake on special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, or family gatherings. And I don't think the God who created us and gave His life for us will get too bent out of shape if we enjoy an ice-cream cone from time to time. However, dinnertime and every visit to a nice restaurant don't fall into the category of "special occasions." Many health-conscious people allow themselves a fun dessert or a favorite snack food once a week.

We're a long way from Eden. But the plans God made for our health and well-being still apply. It might be beneficial to remember that earth's first inhabitants lost their garden home and were forced to live in a world ruled by sin because of one temptation they failed to resist. We're all here fighting the good fight of health because Adam and Eve gave in to a very powerful yet ultimately controllable desire: appetite.

Kaci Lane writes from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where she's a freelance graphic designer, write, and editor: She's engaged to be married and will tie the knot at the Rhema Christian Fellowship church in June.