Deployment Goals: Physical

Greetings in Christ Jesus, Fellow Soldiers.

As you all know, my dear wife had our first baby about 3 1/2 months ago. One of the ways in which my wife wants to get through this deployment in a healthy manner is through working out. She wants to fit into the same clothes at the end of this deployment as she wore prior to her pregnancy.

And even though I didn't have to carry a baby around for nine months, it is also important for me--and for you--to work out for many reasons, including: (1) Sitting in a chair (or seat in a military vehicle) all day is bad for your physical health. We are meant to move. (2) Exercise makes you more mission-effective. When you get those endorphins pumping, it renews your energy and mental vigor. (3) Your mental health depends in large part upon working out. Those same endorphins are proven combatants against depression, anger, etc. So get moving!

Here's how a plan might look for my wife:

Main Goal: Fit into pre-pregnancy clothes.

Secondary Goal: Attend Mommy Boot Camp 3x/week.

Secondary Goal: Go for walks every day with the baby.

Secondary Goal: Get more sleep.

Secondary Goal: Sign up for Weight Watchers.

Here's how a plan might look for me:

Main Goal: Run a 3:30 marathon.

Secondary Goal: Run at least 3x/week.

Secondary Goal: Strengthen my whole body through Cross Fit classes (3x/week).

Secondary Goal: Eat relatively healthy (i.e., eat dessert rarely).


Ultimately, we need to work out and eat healthy--not to show off our beach bodies, but to honor God's creation. Our bodies are meant to be offered to Him and His service. And one day, believers in Jesus Christ will have these very same bodies resurrected in eternal glory. So let's treat them well now, out of gratitude for His grace and for His glory.