I about got run over. The electric shopping cart driven by the overweight woman was piled high with chips, soda and more unhealthy “food”. I wondered with a bit of a judgmental attitude what causes people to make certain choices. There in the candy isle I had a choice to make. You do too.

Every Body Matters is the personal growth book by bestselling author Gary Thomas. It offers a fresh perspective on how physical fitness directly impact your spiritual growth. Every Body Matters ONLINE has been developed by Faith & Fitness Magazine to provide a variety of resources and the Every Body Matters Fitness Progarm for individuals and groups.

Diet and exercise should be all you need to lose weight. Right? I tried and it wasn’t working. Then my doctor suggested something more drastic. With the risk of diabetes looming I had a tough decision to make and I wasn’t certain what choice was right. I was however confident of two things: I wanted to gain a healthier life and I knew God would guide me.

As a kid in elementary school I was teased. But it was a few years later in the high school weight room that I discovered the attitude and skills that led to a transformation. Today I maintain the muscle gains I’ve made. I do that not just to look good and be healthy. I do it because I lost my fear and gained a whole lot more than confidence. Men want and need to be physically strong – but we must be spiritually strong. Here is how you can do both.

Among the sea of treadmills, stair-steppers, and stationary pedal bikes, I search the bank of TV screens for some inspiration. What can I do outside this sweaty gym? It’s time to make your summer travel plans. This year make it a true fitness adventure. I’ve compiled 5 great destinations that will have you wanting to get outdoors and get fit.

TRAINING FOR AN OBSTACLE COURSE RACE Getting mud in my eyes (literally), helped me to see a completely new way to train and enjoy fitness. The Spartan Race is quite the adventure. I know because I did it along with my team – Team John 9. This article is loaded with videos. So plan to watch them all. Then find a race, build your own team, use my training tips and then… well, you’ll know at the finish line that there is indeed power in the mud.

In the heart of downtown Columbus, Ohio you would expect to find a really cool gym with 24-hour access and top-notch trainers. Gyms in major cities are successful when they do all the right things to cater to the needs and expectations of a demanding urban clientele. So, when a big part of that success story includes meeting the spiritual needs of members we wanted to give Faith & Fitness Magazine readers a closer look. Not only CAN it be done --- It can be done well, drive success and create significant value to members and the community.

We all eat, but our motives and the end results can be very different. Some people want to actually gain weight. For others, losing body fat and improving fitness and energy is the goal. Tim McComsey breaks down the science of eating to gain or lose with keys to achieve and foods that will help. Do you want to gain or lose? Either way, read this entire article because the principles behind healthy weight loss are similar to those for weight gain.

My friends have been asking me, “So how are you doing with that resolution?” The answer, 5 months later, is that I’ve learned that ‘stewardship’ is contagious. God gave me inspiration through golfer Steve Blexrud. Fitness mentors are all around. Find your inspiration today and turn your resolve into stewardship.

Eat chocolate and lose weight. Not quite what you expect right? OK well today’s tie-me-over-to-lunch chocolate candy bar has evolved --- a lot, and not in a good way. But the closer you can get to that original God-designed natural cacao bean the healthier it is. Get a good daily dose of antioxidants – the tasty way!