Come back next week for a new “New Move Monday“. Today, we have a book giveaway and review!
Have you ever asked yourself these questions?
Is it a sin to be overweight?
If my body is going to die anyway, why take care of it?
Does my physical life have any connection with my spiritual life?
I am excited to share with you a book that answers these very questions, and 3 of you will win a copy of it!
Many of you have read books from Gary Thomas. He has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I follow him on Facebook and Twitter and his daily quotes are very challenging and inspiring. He’s well known for “Sacred Marriage” (sold over 400,000 copies!) but he has a whole host of other excellent books! Listen below as Gary shares a little bit about his new (Just released last Monday!) book, “Every Body Matters“!
(If you can’t see video, click here!)
It’s really hard for me to narrow down why I love this book because the truth is , I highlighted just about everything in it! However, I want to help you out, so here’s my summarized version!
Gary’s Style of Writing and Sharing
♦ Gary has a way of “sticking it to ya” without making you guilt ridden. He uses such grace and compassion to encourage, motivate and uplift you. There’s no doubt that this subject is tender issue for many. Gary keeps this in mind as he shares of his personal struggles and victories. Love the transparency!
“If we remember that humility is the chief virtue—if we look at fitness through the lens of humility and build community that embraces humility—then we can look at this issue through the lens of encouragement instead of judgment, inspiration instead of condemnation.” pg.73
Real Life Stories
♦ There’s no better way to drive a point home than with a real life story. Gary shares a few people’s journey’s to a healthier life. He even includes Kristen Armstrong (ex-wife of Lance Armstrong) and how getting control of her physical life helped her through her divorce.
“Three Hundred Pounds. Mark Bejsovec, a youth pastor, looked at the scale and couldn’t believe what he was seeing. As a younger man, he had always been in pretty good shape, able to eat what he liked without worrying about gaining weight. During his high school football playing days, he carried just 186 pounds on his six-foot-two frame. He was the picture of health. At twenty-six, his metabolism started to slow down; at thirty-two, it felt like it had stopped.” pg.135
Scripture Emphasis
♦ In every area of my life, I want to hear what God has to say about it. My physical life is no different. Gary shows us what scripture has to say about our physical life and how it plays into our spiritual walk. He examines passages and draws wise conclusions from them.
“Paul appeals to the highest authority to give us new motivation. If we want to develop a silver soul and become more useful to God and better prepared to do any good work he has planned for us, we will take these words to heart: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Cor 6:19-20)” pg.46
If you are struggling with any of the issues listed above, then I invite you to get this book. Believe me. I wouldn’t suggest something if I didn’t deem it appropriate and helpful! Let me finish off with one final thought from Gary.
“As I wrote this, my race isn’t over. I don’t know how long it will last. Maybe it’ll be finished tomorrow. Maybe next year or several decades hence. God alone knows. But this much I do know; If you’re reading this your race isn’t over either. God will restore us and refresh us along the way. He will provide moments of nourishment and rest, but He wants me, HE wants you, to continue to run, to be available to do any good work. We need to keep going—even in the rain, no matter how dark it gets—and finish the race. Christian, keep running.” pg.207
♥♥♥
Do you want a chance to win this book?
1.) Leave a comment to enter telling me what is your greatest obstacle in weight loss/healthy living?
2.) For Bonus entries – tweet, facebook or pin this giveaway and leave me a comment letting me know you did!
3.) For 2 Bonus entries subscribe via email to Peak 313 and leave me an extra comment letting me know you subscribed!
I will randomly choose 3 winners and you will receive a copy of this book! CONTEST ENDS Friday, December 9th at 12pm EST!
Clare,
Thanks so much for such a great giveaway!
My biggest obstacle in losing weight is my lack of a resistance muscle. Like when first working out, flexing the resistance muscle can be painful. Also, like working out, I don’t like to be in pain, so I have a hard time realizing the benefits of that necessary pain.
I also shared this post on my personal facebook page, and my blog facebook page too!
I have a hard time “making time” for exercise because I find so many other things that seem more important, and a lot of them are. I tend to care for myself last and take more care of my family and others, but I lose sight of the fact that I need to continue to stay healthy in order to serve them. This is a great giveaway! I am a big fan of Gary Thomas, and I can’t wait to read this book. Thanks!
Currently, my biggest obstacle is creating an environment that supports my goals, mainly menu planning and cooking. It’s just hard maintaining focus – I can either get the exercise thing going, or the healthy eating, but not both at the same time. So, since working out is a harder choice, I try to put that one first and put my effort into making that goal happen.
My greatest obstacle is really laziness. I am not overweight, just out of shape and know how much better I feel, physically and spiritually when I’m consistently active. I have walking buddies in the summer but winter it gets too slick to walk early in the mornings and I don’t walk down my steps to ride the stationary bike. I need that accountability/friendship to keep me going – when I should rely on God. Thank you for sharing your giftings!
I also ‘shared’ on Facebook!
Thanks so much for sharing this resource. My biggest challenge is getting and staying motivated. It is so easy to lose motivation when you realize you have a significant amount to lose and aren’t seeing progress fast enough. Can’t wait to read this book. It is important to have the proper perspective when it comes to the reasons to seek improved health…and not just a number on the scale.
I shared this information with my facebook friends.
I signed up for the emails.
My biggest obstacle is lack of discipline. Every Body Matters sounds like a great book!
My biggest obstacle is food. I don’t eat balanced. I try to eat heathly…but fail.
oh and I pinned this!!
My biggest obstacle is degenerative spine disease and being one year post-op from ACDF surgery. But, I have realized that I have to “use or lose” my muscles…..if I want to walk straight when I am 60, I must be faithful to “run the race”. I am only 32, so I have a long race head, Lord willing. But He is faithful. I like to imagine I am in a three legged race…..God is by my side and with Him, I cannot fall.
I shared on Facebook.
My biggest problem is myself, I make to many excuses when I don’t want to do something that I know I need to do!
I subscribed to email.
I shared on facebook.
I also pinned it on pinterest.
My Biggest obstacle is myself. Reminding my self I am worth the extra work and I deserve to be a priority in my own life. <3
My greatest obstacle is motivation. I work full time, have 3 kids 10, 7 & 2. My husband works 2nd shift so it’s all me in the evenings – getting homework done, making dinner, cleaning up, getting kids ready for bed-by the time that is all done it’s at least 9:00 and then my options are limited to something in the house. I do have a treadmill, elliptical and weight bench but by that time I’m exhausted and want to do nothing.
(also reposted on facebook 🙂
Pick me pick me!!!! Hmmm…biggest obstacle – my love for blogging…it’s SO much more fun than exercising lol!!!
Courtney
I facebooked it on my Women Living Well page :)!
Courtney
My biggest obstacle for exercising is the time i need to commit to it. I am a busy Mom of three and work part time. Also, the family loves unhealthy treats and if they are in the house I want to eat them!
I just signed up to follow you on Facebook!
I am a wife and mother to three kids (two with special needs) so time is my biggest hindrance. I think I need a nanny, or a housekeeper, or a trainer… or all three!
My greatest obstacles to weight loss are balancing my family’s schedule (I have 4 active kids) and I get migraines that are sometimes triggered by exercise.
My biggest obstacles are being consistent with exercising and making good food choices which is mostly related to time and discipline.
subscribed to email
I subscribed via email.
I have a thyroid condition which has made it difficult to lose weight. I work hard to exercise and to eat right, but my obstacle is chocolate. I will share this on facebook.
This is a great giveaway!
My biggest obstacle is limited space to move around and with 3 small children wanting to be right there next to me while I do it. It’s also hard to get the motivation to just do it! It’s an area I’m trying to work on though.
My biggest obstacle is using food as a crutch when I’m upset, lonely, etc…
I’m subscribed with Peak313.
I shared this on Facebook.
I shared this giveaway on FB and Twitter.
Leave a comment to enter telling me what is your greatest obstacle in weight loss/healthy living?
:sigh: I only lose the same 2o pounds over and over again… can never get below 175…
facebook and pinterest °Ü°
Email Subscription Request
Your request has been accepted!
°Ü°
Thank you
My greatest obstacle is comparing myself to other women.
My greatest obstacle is energy, having anxiety makes it even more hard to
Use anything to help so I just have to push myself and simply
I find myself making excuses to not do it because I stay so tired..
My biggest struggle has been eating for my pleasure instead of to glorify God.
Just Tweeted it! 🙂
Just Subscribed 🙂
Hello…Thank you for offering this chance to win.
My biggest obstacle is LIFE. I commit, then there is a party, or a holiday and I lack self control
Have also posted on facebook
Have also subscribed via email
Thanks again
My greatest obstacle is myself. I need to change the way I think and change my habits. This looks like a great book. thanks for the giveaway!
My greatest obstacle is my love affair with food. It is the thing I go to for comfort. Sad isn’t it.
Already subscribed to email. 🙂
I really have 2 major obstacles that make me weary about weightloss and healthy living…..making time for exercise and creating meals that are healthy that my family will eat. I know I would have more energy if I exercised and ate more healthy….I am so looking forward to reading the book. I am ready to make a change 🙂
Shared on facebook.
Greatest obstacle is motivation to cook healthy each day. It was much easier to eat this way before marriage. But now that’s it’s basically up to me to keep us nutritionally in check, I find it a huge challenge. Excited about this book! Thanks for the chance to win!
My greatest obstacle is committment to exercising most days of the week. I start off well but rarely finish the “race”. Another obstacle is healthy menu planning that my family will also like and eat too.
My biggest obstacle is self-discipline. I have always struggled with my weight. Now I have a 16 month old girl and it got harder to find time to workout (considering if she sees me on the treadmill, thats where she wants to be too!). I’ve read Sacred Marriage and I love the writing style of Gary Thomas. This book is on my Christmas list and I would love to win a free copy!
I shared the giveaway on facebook!
Just shared the awesome giveaway on my FB wall 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!!!
My biggest obstacle to maintaining my weight is portion sizes that are too large.
I am a runner (6 days/week) and I am not overweight but sometimes I undo my hard work with eating just a little too much a little too often.
I subscribed via email.
Shared this giveaway on FB! Thanks again 🙂
I also just pinned the giveway on my Focus on Fitness board on Pinterest 🙂
Forgot to mention that I already subscribe to Peak 313 email, and am thankful for your site 🙂
I am subscribed to Peak313. Love the encouragement – keep it coming!
A thyroid problem and laziness are my biggest obstacles to weight loss.
I subscribed to Peak313 via email!
The book sounds very interesting.! Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
I believe that I am my own biggest obstacle. I just don’t take the time to focus on my weight & exercise. Hoping (planning) to change many of my lifestyle habits in the new year.
Subscribed to email newsletter : D
My biggest obstacle is self-discipline and the fact that I’ve struggled with my weight for the better part of 10 years. It’s so hard to believe that with so much failure behind me I could succeed now.
I shared this on twitter, too.
My biggest obstacle is finding someone to work out with consistently. I need the accountability to really push myself.
My greatest obstacle is myself. I’ve yo-yo’d all my life, had eating disorders and depression, and topped out at 210 with my first pregnancy due to excess weight gain and dysplasia. I am finally at a better place with God and that has helped tremendously with my self image. I want all the help I can get to continue this trend!
I usually enjoy doing some form of exercise, so that is not too big of a problem. My biggest challenge is sugar! I love sweets. Especially around the holidays, it is hard to say no! The book sounds great! I have a close friend who is very overweight and uses the excuse that is mentioned above–he’s going to die anyway, and gets to go to heaven, so why take care of his body. I know there is something wrong w/ that thinking, but not sure what. I’d love to read how to refute that and then share it w/ my dear friend. Thanks for providing a possible opportunity for me to do that. : )
I just subscribed via email. : ) Thanks!
My greatest obstacle is time. I started to say that I don’t have “enough time” to cook healthy and exercise enough. But, I think the reality is that I don’t make those things a priority.
My biggest obstacle is fibromyalgia. I’m 34, have 2 very active little boys, a part time job, a youth pastor hubby, and a case of fibromyalgia that affects not only my physical ability to exercise, but my mental health (depression/anxiety) as well. As a marriage and family therapist, myself, I often tell my clients when they’re experiencing depression or anxiety that exercise, eating right, and drinking water every day will help you feel better. I subscribe to this mindset myself, but I face pain everyday that makes exercising the last thing I want to do! If I can get in 1 or 2 walks per week, or a swim or two, I consider that a major victory!
Gary Thomas is one of my top 3 favorite Christian authors – can’t wait to see the new book!!!
I subscribe via email
The hardest obstacle is creativity and time for eating healthy.
I retweeted one of your tweets @Missionalmama
I added your link to the Missional Mama FB page!
Subscribed via email!
I know God wants us to take care of our bodies
With diet & exercise. Then Satan distracts
Me with cheetos!! Seriously God wants us to take
Care of everything we are given but sometimes
It’s hard making healthy Choices with all the unhealthy food around you, fast food,
Soda machines & etc. It’s not an a excuse- but it does make
It harder!
Ps pick me!
What makes this book all the more special is the fact I went to university with Gary and am a friend of both he and his wife. I saw exercise his running discipline while in university as well as his spiritual disciplines. I am thrilled to see how God is using him today! Biggest obstacle for me is making my work out time a priority and not dropping it for family needs/activities and other commitments.
My biggest obstacle is time! Though I have been on a roll of working out every night 🙂
I subscribe via email!
The greatest struggle I face is having PCOS & keeping a healthy weight. I have to watch my carbs & cannot do an all things in moderation approach. But! I have lost weight & went on to get pregnant after infertility so there is hope for sure if you have PCOS!
This book look great!!!!
Just a word to say that I try your chicken recipe and my all family enjoy it.
A regular reader from France
Be blessed.
TIME is definitely a hinderance right now. I’m a working Mom of two school-aged kids, involved in church. Never enough time to plan, shop and cook the way I would like to. Difficult to break old habits of fast, easy, unhealthy foods I can get on the table quickly in the middle of homework, practices and household chores.
I have left a commit and put like on my face book.
Fitness is my problem. Trying to figure out when to and also motivation to do it.
I subscribe to your email
My greatest obstacle would be working out for and extended period of time and seeing little to no results.
I have no trouble with exercise. My challenge is watching what I eat.
I can’t wait to get this book, Mr. Thomas has amazing perspective and I know that he will address more than just the physical issues surrounding health. I am so ready for that perspective. My excuse is that I rarely have time, but I am also terribly undisciplined.
I shared this on Facebook
I just posted this on Twitter!
I also shared on Facebook!
I am an e-mail subscriber.
I also shared this on facebook.
My biggest obstacle in weigh loss and healthy living is making it a priority to plan what to eat and when to exercise. It is just puts to the back burner on a regular basis.
Great giveaway!!!
I struggle with working out regularly. I love to eat well, I find it expensive we have 6 people in our family. We love fruits and veggies, it just goes so quickly..
I shared on Facebook 😀
I have lost about 60 lbs. about 8 years ago. I am struggling with keeping it off. I have regained 10lbs. I will do well for awhile but then I slip into eating the wrong things and not working out. I just need to stay consistant.
My biggest obstacle is feeling totally overwhelmed with no time for anything other than absolute “have to’s”–work, sleep, feeding my family, etc. It seems like I have so little control over so many things. I can control what I put into my mouth . . .
I subscribed to your email.
My biggest obstacle to weight loss is keeping it off. I know how to lose it but I keep hitting brick walls, “falling off the bandwagon”, and gaining it all back (and usually some extra follows me home). I know it’s about a lifestyle change but I can’t get my brain engaged in the same battle as my mouth.
Every Body matters sounds like a good book to help apply godly principles for keeping our bodies fit for the Lord so that when he says go we can and will without the hinderances of laziness or king’s stomach (I can eat what I want when I want attitude). We are the temple of God and I believe our bodies belong to God and our body matters to God.
After each child the Lord blesses me with it seems harder to get back into exercise and its when I get pregnant again I always want to pick it up then (wrong time to start I know). Trying to fit it all in with other priorities is hardest for me. God is first, I have to seek first His Kingdom and righteousness, then take care of my family which is my first ministry God has given me. These 2 take the bulk of my time and energy but if I got rid of the computer I could probably fit in at least 30 minutes daily…LOL!
We do eat pretty healthy and organic but lack in the exercise routine but I am working on a plan.
Exercise does profit a little so be encouraged as you get fit in the Lord by His word first and allow God to help us work out the rest of the details, Amen!
If you are a truth seeker visit my blog for 25 days of Christmas truths
I am a subscriber…Keep preparing to meet the King!
Poor food choices and portion control are my biggest problems.
I have lost almost 30 lbs. since January, but I would like to lose another 25 to 30 lbs. It feels like I have hit a ‘wall’ and it’s hard to hit that next weight loss milestone.
I have ‘liked’ Peak 313 Fitness on Facebook and subscribed via email!!!
Sounds like an awesome book to read. I am an emotional eater and I struggle with binging and meal preparation. I am currently in a slump, and I do think this area as all issues comes down to a spiritual struggle and giving it to God. I want to have victory and struggle with surrendering to the Lord.
The book sounds good!
My biggest obstacle to getting fit is the temptation to compare my fitness level to those around me. I’ve been doing boot camp for the past six months, and I’ve seen some progress on the scale as well as in my overall endurance and strength. However, if I focus on my fellow campers (many of whom appear to be in far better physical shape than me, can run faster than me, lift heavier weights, etc.), then it’s easy to become discouraged. I need to remind myself that I’m competing against no one but myself, and that God has designed every body to be unique and special.
I just subscribed!
Honestly, my biggest hindrance is my family. They don’t share the same motivation as me and I struggle with being with them vs exercising alone. I struggle with healthy eating choices when with them etc. I wish they wanted to be healthy and active too so I just pray for the Lord to motivate them in His timing.
Shared it on FB too!
My biggest challenge is to discipline myself. I give myself way too many opportunities to sabotage my efforts.
shared on facebook.
My biggest obstacle is finding the motivation needed to put in the work to get in shape. I’m not overweight, but I am most definitely out of shape. At the end of the day I simply can’t find enough energy to exercise, and mornings are always a challenge.
To convince myself that I do have will power and can say no to food. Knowing the best workout to do.
I think my biggest obstacle has to be thinking it’s not possible to really be in shape anymore at my “old” age. That has to be my bottom line… otherwise, if I truly thought I could look as healthy as I used to, there would be no stopping me. But, each time I go to exercise or have to sacrifice a cookie, I think “it doesn’t matter anyway…”.
My biggest obstacle is sticking to it. A new eating plan is fun for a little while but eventually we slip back into our old bad habits.
I shared this via Facebook
I shared this on Twitter
I subscribed to your site! I LOVE your tagline – “Encouraging Women from the Inside Out”!! 🙂
I find my biggest obstacles are 1. finding time. 2. having motivation 3. making not so healthy choices sometimes. I am a mother of 3 kids 11,9,6 and I work part time. Finding the time to dedicated to my family, take care of my home, do the ministry things I like to do, AND workout/eat healhty is such a challenge. Help….!
I shared this on Facebook.
What has worked for me in my weight loss journey this year was seriously making this a spiritual journey. Once it became about honoring God with my choices and learning that eating poorly and in excess was my form of gluttony, I had to get serious with myself and understand that this is not a short-term change but a long-term change (seriously a marathon) and every day presents a new challenge. I have learned that I need to be cautious every day that I do not slide backward.
The 2 books that inspired me the most so far have been “Made to Crave” by Lysa TerKeurst and “Reshaping it All” by Candace Cameron Bure and Darlene Schacht. They were truly life changing books for me and have taught me to turn to God for help instead of relying on my own strength.
I am also subscribed to your daily emails a couple of weeks ago. I love the fitness and nutrition tips. Keep up the great work Clare! I feel so blessed to have found your blog along with your friends – Courtney, Janelle, Darlene and Joy.
My biggest obstacles would be my kids(I love them!). Homeschooling,entertaining them, tending to their needs. In the end, it’s either schedule or tiredness that gets me down.
I am an email subscriber to your blog!
My biggest obstacle is the emotional attachment i have with food (Like rewarding myself with it on a bad day). I totally see a spiritual aspect to our physical beings and I can’t wait to see what this book says1!!
My greatest obstacle is being consistent. I just finished reading Sacred Influence and loved it.
I also shared via Twitter.
My greatest obstacle is that once I start eating something sugary, I just. can’t. stop. and eat way more than one portion. I would love to win this book!
There can be several obstacles for me to eat right/ live healthy, but I would say the biggest has to be….ME!
*I* have to show the self-discipline to say no to the snacks.
*I* have to be be the one to say yes to the running sneakers at 6 am.
*I* have to choose the water over the iced tea.
*I* have to be the one to jog up that hill when it’s the last mile and I want to give up!
No one will do it for me!
Lord, help me!
~Kim A.
My biggest obstacle is finding time to exercise. I also absolutely love food, so it makes it even worse!!