Is the youth pastor population overweight?  At large, how are youth pastor’s eating habits?

I think a lot of us “should” know how to take care of ourselves–spiritually and emotionally (soul care).  But very rarely do youth pastors talk about how we can take care of ourselves physically.  It is like youth pastors have ignored one of the seven deadly sins–namely gluttony.  Youth pastor must know that taking care of themselves, physically, is an essential spiritual discipline.  I think our body weight is a great indication of how we are doing—on multiple levels.

Thomas Aquinas believed that one of the aspects of obtaining a virtuous character is how one controlled his/her eating habits.

Think about it the “youth pastor lifestyle or job…..”  fast food burgers, abnormal work hours, cheap and greasy pizza, slaves to the church, low physical activity, and meeting-holics. Youth pastors eat like theirs students but their metabolism is not like the students.

Doing youth ministry is not necessary physically exhausting, so youth pastor may need to consider being more physically active.

I think being physically healthy is just as important as being mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and doctrinally healthy.  Our bodies are God’s temple and youth pastors need to remember people judge us based off of our body weight (regardless if we like it or not).

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Ways To Physically Take Care Of Yourself:

Diet- Diet is everything.  Don’t eat carbohydrates after 5pm.  Reduce fast food and saturated fats.  Eat 4-5 smaller meals a day.  Drink a lot of water.  No soda, or high sugary fluids.  Stick to the food pyramid. And read your food labels.

Vitamins and Minerals- Make sure your diet contains:  Vitamin A, D,E, K, B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6, folate, Vitamin B12, Biotin, calcium, boron, zinc, potassium,and Vitamin C. Look into getting daily vitamin’s for secondary nourishment.

Exercise – join a gym.  Make it a priority to go 2-4 times a week.  If you need help with designing a workout program, check the Men’s or Women’s Fitness websites:

Men’s Workout Routines

Women’s Workout Routines

Join an athletic sport or league- basketball, baseball, running, football, softball. Basically anything that gets you outside and active. 

Doctor Visits- Get an annual physical.  Get your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood checked.

© 2010, Jeremy Zach. All rights reserved.