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Leveling Up! Keeping Health a Priority as you Age

Picture of John Brummitt

John Brummitt

Over the last decade, I have tried to maintain good (though not perfect) physical fitness. I ran regularly, worked out, and tried to follow good nutritional habits. Five years ago, however, the difficulty level increased after our first son was born. Then, three years ago, the challenges reached a level I never knew existed following the birth of our second.
Aging has made it more difficult to recover from physical activity, and my metabolism has slowed with age, which means I can’t be as free with my diet as I once was. Combine that with two young boys and a demanding schedule, sometimes, it feels as though there are not enough hours in the day to finish the to-do list, let alone squeeze in a workout, prepare healthy meals, or do other important things for my health. I will be the first to admit I have failed in this area more than I would like, but I strive to keep my health and fitness a priority for several reasons.
First, as I have written in the past, if our bodies are the temple of God, and we fail to keep our bodies healthy, what does that tell others about God? Please understand, I do not suggest we need to have zero body fat or be peak athletes. But it is crucial to be able to move and be active without undue stress on our bodies. Ben Franklin once said an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Caring for our bodies on a regular basis keeps us functional as we age and allows us to keep working and serving in whatever opportunity God sets before us. I never want to reach the point where God has a ministry for me, and I cannot fulfill that ministry because I failed to steward my physical fitness and health.
Remaining physically fit also has positive effects on mental health. Often, a problem with either impacts the other. According to a study in the National Library of Medicine, research has shown direct and indirect benefits between physical health and mental health. Interestingly, these benefits increase as we age (1).
Remaining active and in good physical condition contributes significantly to mental function. And physical fitness differs from weight loss in terms of mental benefits. While GLP-1 RA drugs (weight loss drugs) have been in the news for the last year or so, drug-induced weight loss fails to produce the same mental benefits as physical activity for weight loss. According to studies, GLP-1 RAs help with antidepression and anxiolytic effects but also carry a risk of increased depression and suicidal thoughts (2). Knowing the potential risks for any treatment or activity is important. Don’t look at anything as a shortcut to correct bad habits and poor choices. Time and effort are required to bring about lasting change.
Staying physically fit is also crucial for our finances. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an estimated 41.9% of Americans over age 20 are considered obese (study conducted from 2017-2020). That is an 11.4% increase since 1999 to 2000, when it was 30.5%.
Adults with obesity have a higher likelihood of experiencing other chronic diseases. Over half of obese American adults have high blood pressure, which increases the risk factor for heart disease. A quarter have diabetes. These health conditions also create a significant financial impact. For comparison, health care expenses for a healthy adult average $1,861 per year but $3,097 for adults with severe obesity. The average retirement savings per year is around $5,900 (including employee and employer contributions). The dollar savings from health care alone could put you on better financial footing.
As we age, and as our schedules demand more and more from us, it is essential to take care of ourselves. Making time to stay in good physical condition is critical spiritually, mentally, and financially. The approach, however, must be life-long change. If we pursue the latest fad or crash diet to get back in shape, the improvement likely will not last and may cause additional stress. A yo-yo of weight gain and loss causes not only physical but also mental stress.
God has provided our bodies as precious vessels to carry out His work. We only get one, and stewarding it well is commanded in Scripture (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and Proverbs 23:2, among many others). In today’s world, this can be difficult. But the easy path isn’t always best. So level up! Become intentional about making healthy choices for a lifetime of God’s work. 

 

1. Ohrnberger J, Fichera E, Sutton M. The relationship between physical and mental health: A mediation analysis. Soc Sci Med. 2017 Dec;195:42-49. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.11.008. Epub 2017 Nov 8. PMID: 29132081.

2. Arillotta D, Floresta G, Guirguis A, Corkery JM, Catalani V, Martinotti G, Sensi SL, Schifano F. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Related Mental Health Issues: Insights from a Range of Social Media Platforms Using a Mixed-Methods Approach. Brain Sci. 2023 Oct 24;13(11):1503. doi: 10.3390/brainsci13111503. PMID: 38002464; PMCID: PMC10669484.

 

This article was previously posted in the June/July edition edition of ONE Magazine.

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