What do you think is a healthy balance between fitness and vanity?

[ProtectedByGod]

I started lifting weights pretty consistently in my college days. It definitely at a point turned into a thing of vanity to me. I was obsessed with bigger, faster, stronger etc. etc.

As I've come closer to God, it's definitely something I became aware of. I have done by best to let go of the pride associated with physical fitness, though I still try to workout 4-5 days per week. I'm very much aware of the vanity and pride associated with such a hobby, as looking around my gym it doesn't take long to find some guy flexing in the mirror or a girl taking a million gym selfies.

Do you think it is sinful to want to look good? I must admit that there is still a sense of accomplishment after seeing some results from consistent weight lifting, running, etc. There's obviously a place where this very easily becomes a problem when you dwell on it and think you are the best and so on. On the flip side, I really do enjoy the physical activity of lifting and considering modern life has us spending most of our time indoors and working in front of a computer it seems like something that is important to devote an hour or so 4-5 times a week to keeping your body in shape. What do you think is a healthy balance?

 

[Spartan Sprinter 1]

I started lifting weights pretty consistently in my college days. It definitely at a point turned into a thing of vanity to me. I was obsessed with bigger, faster, stronger etc. etc.

As I've come closer to God, it's definitely something I became aware of. I have done by best to let go of the pride associated with physical fitness, though I still try to workout 4-5 days per week. I'm very much aware of the vanity and pride associated with such a hobby, as looking around my gym it doesn't take long to find some guy flexing in the mirror or a girl taking a million gym selfies.

Do you think it is sinful to want to look good? I must admit that there is still a sense of accomplishment after seeing some results from consistent weight lifting, running, etc. There's obviously a place where this very easily becomes a problem when you dwell on it and think you are the best and so on. On the flip side, I really do enjoy the physical activity of lifting and considering modern life has us spending most of our time indoors and working in front of a computer it seems like something that is important to devote an hour or so 4-5 times a week to keeping your body in shape. What do you think is a healthy balance?

i don't think there is anything wrong with trying to better yourself by exercising more , just so long as it doesn't affect your relationship with God where it may take priority over him in your life.

A few of the forum members including myself train or exercise 4-5 days a week just like yourself

 

[Tall Timbers]

Stumbling blocks for each of us can be different. You've identified one of your own. It isn't exercising 4-5 times a week for an hour or so, it's the vanity. Understanding the actual problem may help in parting with it without affecting your exercising. Our bodies seem to have been made to work and those of us who regularly exercise either through hard work or planned fitness times enjoy the healthy benefits of the exercise. I'm really not sure what to say about losing the vanity while keeping the exercise, but prayer is pretty much always the best place to start. As time passes and your body starts to sag in all the wrong places, you'll have nothing to be vane about, but hopefully you can conquer that issue sooner rather than later.

 

[Spartan Sprinter 1]

Stumbling blocks for each of us can be different. You've identified one of your own. It isn't exercising 4-5 times a week for an hour or so, it's the vanity. Understanding the actual problem may help in parting with it without affecting your exercising. Our bodies seem to have been made to work and those of us who regularly exercise either through hard work or planned fitness times enjoy the healthy benefits of the exercise. I'm really not sure what to say about losing the vanity while keeping the exercise, but prayer is pretty much always the best place to start. As time passes and your body starts to sag in all the wrong places, you'll have nothing to be vane about, but hopefully you can conquer that issue sooner rather than later.

I agree, anybody that exercises usually experiences a natural high/endorphin kick after they work out because they have a sense of accomplishment knowing that they got through a bit of adversity

 

[Wally]

Not falling off the toilet while between the shower bar and the sink?

 

[athenasius]

I slap on wrinkle cream every night. I do it because I like to maintain a pleasant appearance in the eyes of my husband. Plus it fakes me out that I feel better when my chronic ailments are being annoying. I put a lot of research into it-- kind of a hobby. Makes the face paint go on better. One of my other hobbies. It's fun. If it wasn't, I wouldn't but each of us has hobbies we like that don't make sense to others.

Body building would seem good to me, taking care of what God gave you. As long as the body building or wrinkle cream don't take the place of other activities like prayer, being open to witness to others, reading the Bible, studying it, fellowship with other believers. Or time away from raising your family if you have one or being a good husband etc.

I can't take my complexion or you --your muscles --to heaven, but I hope to take as many family members and friends as I can. I suspect that is where the dividing line lives.

Does it interfere with your primary tasks and concerns before God? Is it sinful? If the answer is no, then go to town with the weights. Try not to damage anything important, and if you do there's a great hernia repair hospital in Ontario Canada that I've heard of.

 

[ChildofLight]

Vanity is when your constantly admiring yourself. I remember a guy that was hired in our advertising department. He was constantly looking at himself in a mirror at his desk and primping. All the ladies kept giving him the evil eye.

 

[Wally]

Carly Simon song starts ........

Do your think the ladies were upset because he cut into Their mirror time in the restroom ?