I've realized something about my own health recently. I NEED to build muscle. I could easily tell myself I'm doing plenty of other healthy things and leave it at that. But that's not really stewardship, is it?
Once we learn that something matters, eventually we have to decide what we're going to do with what we know.
Somewhere Along the Way, Women Learned to Chase Weight
For much of our lives, women have been taught to focus on weight. We celebrate pounds lost. We worry when the scale goes up. But how often do we ask:
Am I getting stronger?
That's becoming a much more important question to me. Adults naturally tend to lose muscle mass and strength as we age, particularly when our muscles aren't regularly challenged.
For women in midlife and beyond, maintaining muscle becomes an important part of maintaining function and independence.
With that perspective, building muscle doesn't seem like something reserved for athletes or people who love going to the gym. It becomes part of preparing for the years ahead.
Muscle Is About Much More Than Appearance
When I say I want to build muscle, I'm not talking about becoming a bodybuilder. I'm thinking about my future. It's actually one of the best investments you can make in your long-term health!
Healthy muscle supports metabolism and helps support our bones and joints. It contributes to balance and mobility and plays an important role in maintaining balanced blood sugar. Who doesn't need help with insulin resistance?
But here's what makes it personal for me.
- I want to carry my own groceries.
- I want to climb stairs comfortably.
- I want to be able to get down on the floor and get back up again gracefully!
- I want to travel and explore.
- I want to keep up with the people I love.
- And I want to continue serving wherever God calls me.
All of those things require strength.
Scripture Has Something to Say About Strength
Proverbs 31:17 says:
“She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.”
Isn't that interesting?
The virtuous woman wasn't portrayed as fragile. She was strong enough for the work God had given her.
That makes strength look very different from the fitness industry's obsession with appearance.
For me, building muscle becomes another form of biblical health stewardship. I'm not trying to build a body to impress someone. I'm caring for the body God has given me so I'll hopefully have the strength to continue doing what He's given me to do.
I'm Starting Now
This is the part I want to be transparent about. Believe me, I haven’t mastered this; it's the thing I struggle with the most, but I need to become stronger!
I could wait until I've perfectly implemented a strength routine before talking about it. But I think there's value in inviting you into the process with me. Because we don’t have to be perfect to start.
Maybe you're in the same place. You probably know you need more muscle. But knowing and doing are two different things, aren't they? So rather than standing on the other side telling you what you should be doing, I'm starting here too.
So, How Do We Begin?
The good news is you don't need to spend hours in the gym. With consistent strength training, quality nutrition, and a few supportive wellness habits, your body has everything it needs to become stronger over time.
Muscle responds when we progressively ask it to do more than it's accustomed to doing consistently. That might involve resistance bands, weights, machines, bodyweight movements, or other forms of resistance training appropriate for your current abilities.
If you've been inactive or have significant health concerns, osteoporosis, balance issues, or pain, talk with your healthcare provider or a qualified fitness professional about an appropriate place to begin.
Because simple is more sustainable, I purchased a basic set of beginner weights (2, 3, 5 lbs). Then I found a Beginner’s 4-week Strength Training program that’s only 20 minutes, on my Daily Burn fitness app. You know the subscription I've been paying for but not using regularly?!
Now, the most important part is actually doing it, right? The weights won’t do anything for me on the floor. Since I don’t have clients Monday, Thursday, and Friday, I’m committing to those days after breakfast.
Strengthen for the Life You Want
Psalm 92:14 says:
“They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.”
I love that this illustration is still fruitful, still flourishing, still living with purpose.
That's what I'm strengthening for. Not for appearance, not a number on the scale. A life.
I want strength for the years God gives me. I want to remain useful, mobile, independent, and able to serve.
And I'm realizing that the life I want to have later is being shaped by the choices I'm making today. So I'm asking myself a new question:
What am I doing today to become stronger for tomorrow?
Maybe you'd like to ask it with me. We don't have to have it all figured out before we begin; let's just begin!
I’m passionate about helping busy women care for their bodies with biblical, natural tools. Some of the resources I share may be products or links I personally use and recommend. If you ever choose to purchase through one of my links, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work and your health legacy.
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