Modesty and Weight loss
Hmm. Modesty and weight loss. Can you dress modestly if you are fit? Won’t your shapely body distract the boys? Being fat would make it easier for them not to lust after me, right? Should you even bother to be fit and slim if you aren’t going to show it off because of your commitment to honoring God? Does seeking physical fitness mean you aren’t modest or that you are attempting to draw attention to yourself?
I let my desire to honor God by dressing modestly prevent me from being consistent in my healthy eating and fitness for many many years. The above questions are a few that helped me find the answer I needed to get consistent while maintaining modesty.
First let’s define modesty.
Webster Defines modesty in this way:
1: the quality of not being too proud or confident about yourself or your abilities
2: propriety in dress, speech, or conduct
Definition of propriety
1: the quality or state of being proper or suitable : APPROPRIATENESS
2a: conformity to what is socially acceptable in conduct or speech
b: proprieties plural : the customs and manners of polite society
c: fear of offending against conventional rules of behavior especially between the sexes
What does God say about Modesty?
9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.1 Timothy 2:8-10
1 Peter 3:3-4 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.
4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
Can you dress modestly if you are fit? ABSOLUTELY! The world says “if ya got it, flaunt it”, but God says “...to dress modestly, with decency and propriety…” (See 1 Timothy 2:8-10 for full context). Being fit is not an act of being provocative. It’s just having a strong body that can serve others and God in the way He planned. Bodies are just bodies. They are the vessels we use to serve others and honor God. Using them in that way is modesty.
Won’t your shapely body distract the boys? Being fat would make it easier for them not to lust after me, right? Ya’ll. You can’t control what others do. You can only control your actions. Wear clothes that cover your body. Don’t focus on the outside of your vessel. Focus on your actions and attitude.
Should you even bother to be fit and slim if you aren’t going to show it off because of your commitment to honoring God? Or said another way “it doesn’t matter if I have a fat stomach, I’m not gonna wear a bikini anyway”. Taking care of your body is about so much more than the way we look!!! Do you have stable moods? Are you super exhausted? Do you have energy left over to be patience and extend grace to others? Can you physically serve others to mow a lawn, help someone move, load a truck, hand out water bottles, or walk a neighborhood to spread the good news of Christ? Those answers matter way more than if you look good in a bikini. Don’t let the fact that you're not going to wear a bikini stop you from getting consistent with your health and fitness. Taking good care of our bodies is a way of honoring God.
Does seeking physical fitness mean you aren’t modest or that you are attempting to draw attention to yourself? No, I don’t think so anymore. You can draw attention to yourself and make yourself the center of attention at any size. I think because celebrities and other folks in the spotlight are fit we mistakenly link skinny with being the center of attention.
Something else to consider is that what we consider the perfect, fit and beautiful body in our culture is normal for a woman and was once very common. Folks got lots of exercise by walking and doing physical labor all day. They lived with the sun and ate real food, not food like substances from factories. Bodies in the days of the Bible were healthy and fit. It was the rule not the expectation like it is today.
Modesty is an attitude not a size. So be fit in your physical body and keep your quiet, peaceful spirit full of good deeds. Take care and strengthen your body to serve better in mind, body and soul.
My commitment is to help women break free from the mindsets that are holding them back so they can get consistent with health and exercise in order to be the best version of themselves. You can get started by clicked the blue button below to get my FREE Easy Healthy Habits List. Also, if you are interested in learning how you can work with me or just have questions please email me at Caitlin@balancewithcaitlin.com
