Overview
Your workout doesn’t start when you pick up a weight — it starts with what’s on your plate.
Proper nutrition before and after training determines your energy, recovery, and results. God designed food to be fuel, not filler. When you choose the right foods at the right times, you equip your body to perform with strength and recover with purpose.
The goal isn’t just performance — it’s stewardship. What you feed your body determines how well you can use it for God’s work.
Scripture Foundation
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
— 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
Everything we consume is an act of worship — fuel your body in a way that honors the One who created it.
Truth
Before your workout:
Fuel your body with foods that provide steady energy and hydration. You want to energize your muscles, not weigh them down.
After your workout:
Your body is primed to rebuild. Feed it nutrients that repair muscles, replenish glycogen, and reduce inflammation.
Scientific Insight
Avoid high-fat or heavy meals right before exercise — they slow digestion and can cause fatigue or nausea.
Faith Connection
Just as your spirit needs the Word before facing life’s battles, your body needs fuel before physical challenges. And just as prayer restores your peace after the fight, post-workout nourishment restores your strength.
Stewardship isn’t just about what you say “no” to — it’s about saying “yes” to the habits that make you stronger for God’s purpose.
Practical Tips
Pre-Workout: Eat 60–90 minutes before. Choose carbs + protein (like a banana and almond butter or oatmeal with fruit).
Post-Workout: Eat within 30–60 minutes. Focus on lean protein and nutrient-dense carbs.
Hydrate: Drink water before, during, and after training. Add electrolytes if you sweat heavily.
Listen to your body: Overeating “just because you worked out” cancels your progress. Eat for recovery, not reward.
Reflection Questions
Do your eating habits support or sabotage your workouts?
How can you see food as fuel for purpose rather than comfort?
What small change can you make this week to better honor God through your nutrition?