Heroic Proportions!

I lack what comic-book illustrators call “heroic proportions.” I wasn’t blessed with bulging biceps or washboard abs; rather, I’m cursed with scrawny arms and a bit of a spare tire. Four years ago, in order to compensate for the lack of sinew beneath the spandex, I built myself a muscle suit. The construction is simple. I carved twenty-six individual muscle shapes out of ½ inch high-density foam, then sandwiched the muscles between two layers of spandex, carefully sewing around each muscle. I was pretty proud of my achievement—instant bulk without a single day in the gym! A transformation worthy of any infomercial.

DOWNLOAD MUSCLE TEMPLATE HERE!

After a while, however, I decided that muscle padding alone wasn’t enough. I needed to make some lifestyle changes. So, I started dieting and exercising. I stick to a strict 2,000 calorie-a-day diet and do a twenty-minute box-fit workout every morning. I quickly lost twenty-five pounds and, more importantly, I’ve managed to keep that weight off for three years. More recently, I’ve set my mind to building muscle. Living in the country, we don’t have easy access to (or room in our budget for) a gym membership. Instead, I utilize dumbbells for a variety of exercises. Three days a week, my workout consists of the following:

• 3 sets of 10 sitting curls
• 3 sets of 10 triceps extensions
• 2 sets of 10 one-arm dumbbell row (each arm)
• 2 sets of 10 dumbbell swings (each arm)
• 3 sets of 10 chest presses
• 3 sets of 10 dumbbell flys
• 2 sets of 10 one-arm power sit-ups (each arm)
• 3 sets of 10 standing curls
• 2 sets of 10 one-arm shoulder press (each arm)
• 1 set of 10 push (and pull) ups (push-ups off dumbbells with rowing)

Since I started lifting, I not only look better, but feel stronger and have more energy. Although I still wear my muscle suit for bigger characters like Superman, Batman and Captain America, I’m slowly building muscle and no longer feel the need for padding with slimmer characters like Spidey, Cyclops, or Mr. Fantastic. I think every costumer ought to consider a consistent diet and exercise plan—you’ll look better and be healthier.

But as important as physical fitness is, some things are even more important. The Bible says, “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8 NLT). Just as physical fitness transforms our bodies, spiritual fitness transforms our souls. As a cosplayer, I want my body to look like Superman. As a Christian, I want my spirit to look like Jesus. A steady diet of Scripture combined with the exercise of lifting prayers and praise to God and a healthy dose of the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:21) will give your faith “heroic proportions.”

So, what does your spiritual exercise routine look like?