Can exercise be virtuous?

Polycarp86 · #1 Jun 24, '12, 7:56 pm

In what way can healthy living (exercise, healthy eating, proper sleep habits) be part of the Christian journey. Can it be virtuous and useful to one's salvation?

I want to really live a healthy lifestyle but can't help but feel I am doing it for purely selfish reasons - that is, my physical health. How can I incorporate God into the whole thing?

CalCatholic · #2 Jun 24, '12, 10:05 pm

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be healthy through exercised and diet as long as it does not become the most important thing in your life. You can pray and praise God during a run or a bike ride, thanking him for the day. So enjoy!

DebChris · #3 Jun 24, '12, 10:08 pm

Your body is a gift from God. Since the Holy Spirit dwells within each of it, it is also the temple of the Holy Spirit. Take care of this gift.
You can also look at the 2nd Great Commandment. In order to love your neighbor as yourself, you must first love yourself. If you love yourself, you will take care of yourself.

Fan of Francis · #4 Jun 24, '12, 10:11 pm

We have to be as healthy as we can possible be to serve Him. We must feed our mind with God, stimulating education, nutrition and rest. If our body is weak due to our direct neglect it will fail us in doing what we are called to do especially in this secular stress induced society. Salvation? I am not certain. People whose bodies and minds that do not function well or at all can/will be saved.
The energy and glow one has from peace of Christ and the Holy spirit and a healthy life style will attract others. People will automatically sense something and want it. A perfect way to speak about our faith. Your heart is open, let Him guide you, the Holy Spirit will keep you in check if you are open and willing to hear the answer. Respect your self and take care of yourself in order to take care of what He wants us to do for Him.

stephe1987 · #5 Jun 24, '12, 10:11 pm

Taking care of yourself is always good. Just don't become addicted/obsessed with exercise to the point where you stop caring about the stuff you used to care about.

mab23 · #6 Jun 24, '12, 10:32 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polycarp86

In what way can healthy living (exercise, healthy eating, proper sleep habits) be part of the Christian journey. Can it be virtuous and useful to one's salvation?

I want to really live a healthy lifestyle but can't help but feel I am doing it for purely selfish reasons - that is, my physical health. How can I incorporate God into the whole thing?

God gave you a body

and you want to sculpt it to be the best body you can make , Nothing wrong with that

VeritasLuxMea · #7 Jun 24, '12, 10:38 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fan of Francis

We have to be as healthy as we can possible be to serve Him. We must feed our mind with God, stimulating education, nutrition and rest.

I would add recreation to that list, too!

VeritasLuxMea · #8 Jun 24, '12, 10:39 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polycarp86

I want to really live a healthy lifestyle but can't help but feel I am doing it for purely selfish reasons - that is, my physical health. How can I incorporate God into the whole thing?

Exercising - for the purpose of being healthy - is not selfish. If its selfish, then so is eating. So is sleeping. So is virtually everything.

In short, if it is selfish, then selfishness is a good thing.

TArnold1984 · #9 Jun 25, '12, 2:11 pm

I agree with pretty much everything above. I would note, however, that if one's motivation to exercise is vanity ("I need others to think that I look good in a bathing suit") more so than wellness, it can be lacking in virtue.

I have struggled with this myself. Lots of mirrors at the gym...

chataranga · #10 Jun 28, '12, 5:42 pm

I see that I'm a few days late on this thread but I'll put in my 2 cents anyway. Exercise can be prayerful just as washing the dishes,eating,kneeling and just about anything else we do,think, or say can be prayerful. All we need do is offer the fruits of these thoughts,words, or actions to the Divine. It is attachment to the fruits of our actions etc. that is a problem, not these things in and of themselves. Blessings and stay safe.