What role does faith play into fitness?

Just wondering what role, if any, your faith plays into why you want to get fit and how you incorporate it.
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Replies

  • I have faith that eating big and lifting big leads to getting big, so I eat big and lift big.
  • feelin_gr_8
    feelin_gr_8 Posts: 308 Member
    I believe faith plays a role, but I have seen these threads get offensive and shot down. Get ready to be mocked.
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    There were a few times I prayed for it to rain so I would feel cooler. Then again last half marathon we were delayed for an hour and it still rained the first 8-10 miles and I prayed it would cease raining.
  • escloflowneCHANGED
    escloflowneCHANGED Posts: 3,038 Member
    None, I'm on my own!
  • TechOutside
    TechOutside Posts: 101 Member
    Faith is something that drives me to be a better person overall, including my fitness.
  • iamanadult
    iamanadult Posts: 709 Member
    I have faith in myself.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    My spiritual well being plays a large part in my overall well being...and thus it is a very important element of my overall health and fitness. But I have no particular faith per sei.
  • Myhaloslipped
    Myhaloslipped Posts: 4,317 Member
    I believe faith plays a role, but I have seen these threads get offensive and shot down. Get ready to be mocked.

    True, but anyone who attacks someone for their religious or spiritual beliefs is tacky and disrespectful, so they're really just making themselves look bad.
  • I do believe in a God, but I have a rule that anything regarding weight/exercise is up to me. I don't pray on it, praying wont shed pounds, move my legs or lift weights.
    If I do lousy I can't say "Oh, guess God wasn't listening. :sad: "
    I have faith in myself only for this particular goal. I just pray to not get shin splints XD
  • ksuh999
    ksuh999 Posts: 543 Member
    When I am at the gym I pray that a hot girl's top falls off.
  • K_Serz
    K_Serz Posts: 1,299 Member
    It plays a tremendous role

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    Its my favorite song to listen to while Prancercising!!!
  • bartonjack
    bartonjack Posts: 42 Member
    God wants us to be the best we can be. I feel that being fit is part of that. How can we be at our best for Him if we allow our bodies to be run down and out of shape? Yes, we might be mocked for our faith, but that is ok. I know what awaits me after this earthly life; glorious heaven.
  • 1PatientBear
    1PatientBear Posts: 2,089 Member
    I do believe in a God, but I have a rule that anything regarding weight/exercise is up to me. I don't pray on it, praying wont shed pounds, move my legs or lift weights.
    If I do lousy I can't say "Oh, guess God wasn't listening. :sad: "
    I have faith in myself only for this particular goal. I just pray to not get shin splints XD

    So much this.
  • snazzyjazzy21
    snazzyjazzy21 Posts: 1,298 Member
    When I am at the gym I pray that a hot girl's top falls off.

    :huh:
  • brraanndi
    brraanndi Posts: 325 Member
    Only faith I have is faith in myself to get the job done.

    I have the tools thanks to MFP to help me suceed. No higher power needed.
  • nomeejerome
    nomeejerome Posts: 2,616 Member
    This might not end well....
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I am not a religious person but I was raised one.

    It's like that story of the man stranded on a roof during a flood who prayed to be helped by the all mighty (whomever that is) and a canoe comes by...nope God will save me, boat comes by...nope God will save me...Helicopter comes by...nope God will save me.

    Reaches the pearly gates and says...God why didn't you save me? Response from God...WTH I sent you a canoe, a boat and a helicopter...

    We are given the tools we need it's up to us to use them and that only requires faith in ourselves, motivation and a willingness to accept where we are and that we need to be better.

    ETA: and the smarts to know when you are given the tools you need.
  • My lack of faith is actually what drives me to be fit. With no afterlife to imagine, I've got to make the best of this life I have now.
  • Contrarian
    Contrarian Posts: 8,138 Member
    For me, none.

    I am not religious, nor am I particularly spiritual. I don't believe everything happens for a reason and I don't believe we are being guided by a greater being. Having said that, I have nothing but respect for those who find comfort in their faith. I think faith is a lovely thing, but my brain just doesn't work that way.

    Whatever helps people get through life whilst, doing the least amount of damage to others, is okay by me.
  • Alex_is_Hawks
    Alex_is_Hawks Posts: 3,499 Member
    it doesn't.

    not for me.

    I don't hope or have faith of what I will accomplish. I hunker down and DO in order to accomplish.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    I have faith in the craftsmanship of my shoes, GPS satellite link of my Garmin, and charge level of my iPod. So yeah, a pretty large role.
  • Faith doesnt have to mean religious faith surely?

    You can have faith in a multitude of things... hopefully yourself being the #1 you have faith in
  • TechOutside
    TechOutside Posts: 101 Member
    Wikipedia:

    Faith is confidence or trust in a person, thing, deity, or in the doctrines or teachings of a religion or view (e.g. having strong political faith). It can also be belief that is not based on proof.[1] The word faith is often used as a substitute for hope, trust or belief.
    In religion, faith often involves accepting claims about the character of a deity, nature, or the universe. While some have argued that faith is opposed to reason, proponents of faith argue that the proper domain of faith concerns questions which cannot be settled by evidence.
  • Alex_is_Hawks
    Alex_is_Hawks Posts: 3,499 Member
    Faith doesnt have to mean religious faith surely?

    You can have faith in a multitude of things... hopefully yourself being the #1 you have faith in

    game/set/match...

    however to me faith implies a hope in that certain checks and balances will come together in order for fitness goals to ensue...

    whereas I feel that I don't hope, I MAKE them come together in order to reach my goals,

    i MAKE sure my shoes are in working order, I make sure I have my GPS I make sure I make time to work out, I make sure I eat well...i make sure.....

    you know?
  • KateK8LoseW8
    KateK8LoseW8 Posts: 824 Member
    I have faith in myself, faith in my body's ability to do whatever I set my mind to, and faith in my own mental and physical strength. That's how it works in my fitness routine.
  • WeepingAngel81
    WeepingAngel81 Posts: 2,232 Member
    The OP never specified any particular type of faith...just faith itself.
    I am not religious. I believe in God, but I don't believe in the church. That being said, I have faith becuase it is what gets me through the day. Not faith in God, but faith that tomorrow will be better than today. That with each choice I make, I am going to do everything I can to live a healthier lifestyle in order to be around for my kids. Faith in myself, that I can make it to the finish line. I think faith is all a matter of perspective.
  • Mother_Superior
    Mother_Superior Posts: 1,624 Member
    I mostly just look to my macros, and then try to move some too.
  • Geminieve24
    Geminieve24 Posts: 364 Member
    I believe in myself. Noone can do this but me. If there is no will within or desire to make the changes, all the praying or having faith in anything outside one's self won't do anyone any good.