Lose Weight with Spiritual Practice (Seriously)

Ever since my "Lint" in January, I've been wanting to write a follow-up post about the benefits of Spiritual Practice. Prayer, meditation, fasting, self-denial --I find that practicing these types of things allows my mind to turn away from myself and be guided more clearly by God. Here, you can also insert Divine, Universe, Love, Holy, Allah, Jesus, Flying Spaghetti Monser, whatever you choose. I don't really quibble with the names people have for the force that created and flows through the universe. 

The point of Spiritual Practice is not, to me, to "tap into" God. The point of Spiritual Practice is to create a channel, an open space, that allows God to tap into me. Prayer, meditation, service, worship are all wonderful ways to do this. But sometimes it's really helpful to do a little more, to become a pilgrim for a time. I suppose that's why some type of Spiritual Practice is a component of every major world religion. Since I was raised Catholic, I found it very natural for me to pattern my own pilgrimage of the soul on the Lenten practice of abstention and reflection. It is a way to honor my roots but not be bound by them.

One reason it has taken so long to write this is my seeming inability to nail down specific benefits. This all sounds great, but is it really helpful? Is it worthwhile? My answer is certainly yes, but if pressed, I am general: clarity of thought, a new perspective on my journey....and then I realized that I'd made at least one specific change directly as a result of my spiritual focus during Lint. I changed how I approach exercise.

I've somehow finally grown to realize that it is a lot easier for me to incorporate something into my daily routine -- to make it a true habit -- if I start small. I resolved to forget about trying to find the perfect hour-long exercise routing to fit into my day, and then struggling to find the hour to exercise...at home...with two kids under five. My goal was only to Exercise Every Day.

At first, I thought I'd do 30 minutes a day, which I didn't do at all. Enter Zen Habits, a blog I really find inspiring, and the idea of starting with only five minutes a day. It did not escape my notice that five minutes a day would be better than the nothing I was doing currently.

Now, in August? It is rare that a day passes without me engaging in at least five minutes of exercise. Most days I get in 10-20 in 5- and 10-minute increments. It's not a lot. But it is certainly better than nothing and it is a great example of how little changes can make a big difference. I've lost 15 pounds since January and my energy levels are higher than they've been in a long time. I'm gradually increasing my weekly average "workout" time, but my only goal is still to exercise at least five minutes a day. Well, that and do a pullup unassisted, something I have never been able to do.

Spiritual Practice is my way of listening to that still, small voice. And that voice is not one of judgment or condemnation at my weakness. It is a voice of Love and Compassion urging me to have the courage to find the way that works best for me. And now I'm going to urge you to start small on that next new habit you think could change your life.

Peace Be With You.

Pictures were taken in Franconia Notch State Park.