Live It Articles Exercise The Gift that Keeps On Giving

We have come to the season of giving and receiving gifts. The malls are full of shoppers making decisions of what gift to buy for each person on their Christmas list. One of the most excellent gifts we could give our family doesn't even cost a penny, the gift of a healthier you. Good health is part of the inheritance Jesus promised us in John 10:10, "...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Many Christians are living in portions of the abundant life. They could be living much more if they would pump up their health level and begin to feel like enjoying the abundant life. Exercise is the gift we can give our family that keeps on giving.

Just this week a friend of mine went to the funeral of his 99-year-old great grandfather. His 98-year-old great grandmother is still very much alive. He told me they were both in good health and had been walking together since they married 78 years ago. He died while they were on their morning walk. As a result of their walking, his grandparents walk together every day, his parents walk every day, and he and his wife walk every day. They had always eaten healthy, as it was very important in their family to maintain good health. As a result of the great grandparent's vow to be healthy, they not only led a long and productive life, they passed the lifestyle down to three generations. It was truly the gift that kept on giving.

On another occasion while eating in Luby's Cafeteria, I saw two older women who were obviously twins. I thought I recognized them as teachers I had as an elementary school student back in the 60's. Sure enough, it was my teachers and I was so glad to see them. They are now 82 years old. One looked to be about 65 or 70 and looked great. The other actually looked 82 years old and used a walker. They were very glad to see me and questioned me as to what I had done with my life. Of course, I told them about my weight loss and First Place. As I began to talk about my walking, the one that looked younger piped up and fell right in there with me. She could totally relate to where I was coming from, because she had been an avid walker all her life. She pointed to her sister and said she always tried to get her to walk with her, and she never would. She didn't have to say another word, because I could see the obvious difference. One had given her family the gift that keeps on giving.

My heart does double flip-flops when I see an entire family out on a Sunday afternoon taking a walk together. I hear so many women who can't walk or exercise because they have children. Many people use their children as an excuse not to exercise. As we say here in the south, "Load up the younguns' and take them with you." My family has been in the day care business for 42 years. We are licensed for 326 children. In my 42 years in this business, I have never seen so many physically unfit children. The television and video games has become a baby sitter to keep them occupied while at home.

I have a three-year old nephew named Ben Henson. When Ben was a year old, I bought a jogging stroller, and he goes with me all the time to work out. Did you know you can burn 40 extra calories an hour pushing a stroller? I bought a jogging stroller because you can use it to push a child that weighs up to 85 pounds. This means Ben will be going with me to exercise for a while. He is getting old enough that sometimes I take his bike and he rides beside me as I jog or walk, or both. I often work out using a heart rate monitor. Ben knows when it begins beeping that I am out of my zone for fat burn and he will say, "Faster Bevy, Faster." When I work out using my elastic strength bands, Ben has a set and exercises right beside me. I am laying a firm foundation of fun exercise for Ben that, hopefully, will follow him his entire life. I am giving to Ben the gift that will keep on giving.
If you are looking for a priceless gift to give your family, the very best gift you can give them is a healthier you. None of us want to grow old and be a burden to our families. Exercise is no guarantee that you won't have health problems, but if you do, it is a proven fact that those who exercise have a quicker recovery rate.

Another thing to think about is this; none of us that have struggled with our weight for years would ever wish this on our children. That is one reason I take Ben with me as I exercise. I don't want that precious boy to have to go through the trials I have been through. Obesity and weight problems run in our family, but I am making strides to see to it that what the thief has stolen from my family stops with me! Make this a vow, "Let it begin with me in 2003."

The thief cometh not but for to kill and to steal and to destroy; I have come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10 KJV). Put a stop to all the thief has stolen from you and your family. This holiday season give your family the gift that keeps on giving.

Thank you for all your e-mails and encouragement to me this year. Christmas blessings to you and your family from Bev in the great State of Mississippi.

Beverly Henson
Certified Personal Trainer


Beverly Henson is a conference and rally speaker for the First Place ministry. She is also a Bible teacher and certified personal trainer. Beverly joined First Place in July 1997 and has lost 147-1/2 pounds. First Place has given Beverly a powerful testimony. She is a First Place leader and Bible teacher at Northcrest Baptist Church in Meridian, Mississippi. Beverly has a genuine love of proclaiming the word of God to His people.