Friday, November 27, 2009

This Is My Body or Is It?

As I sit here in front of this computer after finishing one of the most grueling workouts that I have ever gone through (for some of you that are reading this and come to my classes know that I practice what I preach), I stood in the mirror drenched in sweat admiring my body and this blog post came to me all at once. I hurried to grab pen and paper to pen this because I knew that if I didn't write it now it may forever be lost.

This one, in my opinion, is one for the ages.

I have been through a lot in the 30 some odd years while on this earth. I have battled weight loss, gain the weight back, to then loss the weight again, to gain the weight back. I have watched as well as worked with some great people over the years that have gone through this same dilemma- this yo-yo of up and down up and down. This roller coaster ride of hills and valleys, highs and lows, successes and failures (more failures than successes). This stop and start-quit and begin-frustration and triumph and back to disappointment (some never pick back up and start again).

Weight lost does not start with exercise nor does it end with eating healthier or doing more cardio. In my opinion the whole crux of the matter to weight lost comes down to your attitude how you feel about yourself. It starts with your mind how you see yourself-your self image your self worth. The mind is so powerful. The body will only produce, regurgitate, or reproduce whatever the mind tells it to. So as I stood in the mirror admiring my body- feeling good about how I look-looking at the scars and battle wounds that I have accumulated over the years. Some physical, some emotional, some intentionally, some accidentally this post came to mind. Before you continue to read on I must warn you that it is strongly penned with religious undertones so if you are an atheist or someone that doesn't believe that there is a higher power well first I feel sorry for you and second this article may not be for you. However, for the rest of you please read, re read, and read this again. Meditate on it and start today reciting this over and over (out loud and in your mind). Really try to read this slowly not like a pleasure read, but read it as if your life depended upon it because it does if you ever want to accomplish that image that you are chasing after. If you grasp this concept what you about to read then you will never have to worry about how you currently look or how you are going to look in those favorite jeans or if you will fill out that favorite shirt the way you would like. If you get this, watch how you will have a new outlook on your challenges, obstacles, trials, and struggles that you face with your self image. ASK YOURSELF IF NOT NOW, WHEN?



My Body


This is my body that God has made in His image
It is unique, beautiful, flawless perfectly designed by Him to bring Him glory
When others see me, they see Him because they see a wonderfully accomplished work of art
There are no mistakes on my body-everything everything is put in its place for a purpose
I love everything on my body from head to toe because God made it
I am the apple of God's eye
My body is not mine it was purchased at an expensive price because He loved me so much
God has entrusted this body to me
I will do my best to be a good steward (manager) over it
It is the only body that I will ever have
It is a holy temple that should not be destroyed, mistreated, abused, or misused
I will only consume and do things that will only develop and improve my body
This is my body that God has made

Again if you understand this concept everything else that you are facing with your weight loss, transformation, or image that you want to accomplish will be easily obtained.

Carpe Diem.

Lamail Spain

Charlotte Personal Trainer

3 comments:

Vanessa said...

I plan to commit your mantra to memory; it is the best motivator that I have ever come across. I have already shared it with a good friend. I appreciate that you emphasized that we should embrace, accept and love our bodies as they are; however, just like Christ accepts us as we are, He is not content to let us remain as we are. He wants us to strive to be more like Him. So it is with our physical selves...yes, we should be grateful for our bodies, but we should always be striving to achieve the healthy fit persona that God ultimately intended for us. I really like what you have written; your passion is shining through...see if I won't have memorized it by Monday!!

Trisha Rushing said...

Wow! I am very impressed with this blog. The more the mantra is recited the more you believe it. For those who don't love themselves yet feel they need improvements this is perfect! I will share this with people I know. Thank you so much for pointing this in my direction. When you look at your body as a temple housed by God, it makes you really think about taking care of it more.
I can see you are an awesome trainer.
keep up the good work Mr. Spain

Anonymous said...

WOW! Lamail this is such an important way to look at things. I am really proud of you. Thank you for sharing...I will defintely print it and put it on my goal board to read daily. XOXO Megan