Hi all, for the last 2 months I have been going to the gym after a breakup, it helps me distract myself and feel positive. A brother in christ asked me why I lift weights and I said
"because I want to be attractive to girls"
he said thats a bad motivation as i am promoting envy, strife and pride.
I then went into a deep depression because I was torn between the fact that what he said is true, but also the fact that lifting weight genuinely does improve my mental health. interestingly, running and general fitness work does not make me feel happy.
it is exclusively the practice increasing muscle mass that makes me feel happy.
Please pray and help me discern if this is a problem. and what I should do from here
thanks
Firstly, body building could be for vanity. I was a scawny little guy at 16 and hit the weights to put on some weight and not be so self conscious.
I have worked out, off and on due to life events and time constraints for 40 odd years.
I am very healthy, have a resting heart rate of 52. But, I do not look like some freak of nature. That is just not what happens to a normal human body. Male or female.
In order to get the kind of physic that is blatantly noticeable..... you would have to take steroids.
A healthy male, or female, using resistance training without performance enhancing drugs, will only become more healthy, sleep better, handle stress better and generally become more proportionately like a male or female body should be. You will have a healthier heart and boosted immune system.
A female will not become more manly.... unless she takes testosterone therapy.
A male will not grow massive arms, legs and chest with veins like garden hoses.
If becoming a Arnold Schwarzenegger was as easy as going to the gym three times a week.... there would be thousands of high school boys turning into Arnolds.
Building muscle mass is really hard work. You may put on 10 lbs in your first year... but after that the mass is slow to come.
I highly recommend a regular workout program with resistance training and cardio, combined with a healthy diet and sleep schedule.
Not only will you be healthier, handle stress better, be sick less and for shorter periods of time but you will probably live longer, be more able to play with your kids and do things most parents slowly cannot do anymore. Work will be easier and you will have more energy for the things you do after work.
Your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit....... What is wrong with keeping it healthy. And..........maybe.....not looking after the body God gave us could be considered a sin.
As long as you don't start neglecting other "higher priority" events to "get your workout in".
45 minutes a day, of solid training....... that's all you need.
