New Year, New Beginnings Talking Muscles and Motivation with Ray Wetterlund III

As the New Year approaches, there are constant reminders about New Year’s resolutions aimed at weight loss. Whether it is an ad for a workout plan, a blog about recipes for weight loss, or a new diet fad, there are many tactics to try and lose weight. Ray Wetterlund III is a professional trainer to professional athletes, celebrities and executives. Known for his catchy phrases he uses during training, Wetterlund is also a NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning coach as well as a USA Weightlifting certified coach and knows that true transformation doesn’t happen with a fad diet or miracle meal. We talked with Wetterlund five years ago about his spiritual journey and his view on body image including the importance of taking baby steps toward a goal.

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;  male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:26-27

Wetterlund shared how his background helped shape his faith journey.

“I would definitely say faith plays a significant role. I’m an only child and my parents divorced when I was 10 years old, so there was a time when it was very difficult for me and I wasn’t able to comprehend and digest everything that was around me at the time. Bouncing around from school to school, living in a tent trailer, and then living with my mom, I think just having God and a support network of everyone else and faith, was unbelievable. Everything happens for a reason and there seems to be so many things that are so blessed that come into my life and it’s so crazy to me. It’s very humbling. I always had a spiritual connection and a faith in God being raised as a Christian. Going to church as a young kid and growing up in that, it’s just something that has stuck with me. From what I’ve seen through trials and tribulations with close family members and friends who had to overcome more than adversity, battling for their life with cancer, calling up on the faith of God to help them get through whatever it is and to help their family cope with everything that’s going on around them, God plays a very important role in that. I pray every night and I take time to reflect on what I have, and be so grateful. Without God, I wouldn’t be where I am today, that’s for sure.” 

“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 Corinthians 6:19-20

Wetterlund opened up to us on body image, emotional eating and why it’s important to take baby steps towards a goal.

“People should embrace the good and be celebrated for what’s really on the inside, not what’s on the outside. Body image for young teens and college athletes is really crazy when you think about it and how people view it in general, especially from a competitive sense. Developing osteoporosis and eating disorders happen [due to] body composition reasons, or to make a certain weight-whether we’re talking gymnastics, cheerleading, wrestling or football. Not to jump topics, but with adults emotional eating is huge. People don’t have a positive attitude or they think that it’s too late and give up. They believe there’s nothing that can be done, so they go about their regular sedentary lifestyle and all they do is eat and eat and eat. It takes baby steps…you don’t have to do these things all at once, but if someone is emotionally eating and they’re doing it every single day, [they should] try to start with just tapering that. [Also,] if they ‘re not moving at all, they should just go for a walk or breathe more…if people would just breathe more, America will be a healthier place.” 

Risen Reflections

Talk a hike! Go for a walk, jog, or run. Whatever your physical ability is start out small, set a goal and work towards another goal. If you live someplace cold, consider going to the mall to walk, local gym or fitness club. Ask a friend or small group to hold you accountable to your health goal. They might even want to get active with you. If you miss a day or two, don’t give up. Just start with a clean slate the following week. Write verses down that will encourage you and put them in places that you look at daily.

View your body as a temple. Each of us is created in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27) As believers, our bodies are a temple for the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Take time this week and reflect on those two passages. What are things that you are putting into your temple that are not honoring to God? What actions do you need to change so that you can honor God with your body? How do you view your body? Pray and ask God to help heal thoughts or struggles that have occurred as a result of physical, mental or emotional abuse that cause you not to view your body as God sees you.

Get help. If you or someone you know struggles with an eating disorder or body image issues, consider going to a counselor. Also, many churches have ministries with resources to help people trying to overcome these things. If a friend has shared their struggle with you, offer to go with them to their counseling appointment or a ministry meeting.

To read our entire interview with Ray Wetterlund III click here.