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Wrongly Feeding Jesus’ Sheep: Obesity In The Church

September 7, 2017 By John Leave a Comment

It’s a given that the Church is supposed to be responsible for its members’ spiritual needs. In a sense, the church feeds the sheep.

To be sure, the church also is to show concern for the physical needs of its members. 

Churches have deacon funds that help its members with financial hardships. They have food pantries that supply food to the hungry. And church leaders often also anoint, pray, and care for the sick.

But what about the physical health of the church members before they get sick? Does the church have a responsibility to warn its members of unhealthy physical activities that lead to physical illness? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Spirituality, Wellness

My Friend Jerry’s Fight With Diabetes And Obesity: Part 1

August 31, 2017 By John Leave a Comment

Recently, I went to the hospital to visit my friend Jerry (name changed). He was recovering from heart failure. He’s also obese, a type 2 diabetic taking insulin and a slew of other meds for various conditions.

As I entered his room, he was in the middle of eating his lunch. I was shocked at what his medical team thought was a healthy meal. Now, remember, he’s a type 2 diabetic with heart disease, and he’s in a controlled setting (a hospital).

On his plate was a small piece of fish. It was a little dried out, but after all, it’s hospital food. Great so far.

But next to the fish was an ice-cream-scoop-size portion of rice and a medium sized hard roll. To wash down the meal, he was given some fruit juice. There was a little salad on the side too.

I was wondering when the dessert tray was going to be brought in.

Seriously, though, seeing Jerry’s lunch, I couldn’t help thinking, “Are they trying to heal him and kill him at the same time?” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Wellness

10 Ways Walking Can Improve Your Body And Mind – Weekly Workout

August 21, 2017 By John Leave a Comment

Everyone loves to tout the benefits of their own exercise program. Whether it’s high-intensity interval training or strength training or some form of aerobic exercise, their program is guaranteed to make you healthier.

There is, however, one program that has stood the test of time. It was recommended by Thomas Jefferson over 230 years ago. He said,

If the body be feeble, the mind will not be strong. The sovereign invigorator of the body is exercise, and of all the exercises walking is best. I have known some great walkers and had particular accounts of many more; and I never knew or heard of one who was not healthy and long lived.

Now, I don’t know if walking is the best health protocol for both body and mind, but from my own experience and according to the scientific data, it’s certainly one of the best. Let’s see why. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fitness, Wellness

How A 60 Year-Old Prevents Weightlifting Injuries – Weekly Workout

August 14, 2017 By John Leave a Comment

When I tell people who are the same age as me that I lift heavy weights, the inevitable exclamation is, “You’d better be careful you don’t hurt yourself.” Sometimes the person is genuinely concerned but sometimes it comes across as an admonishment.

As in, “Do you think it’s safe for someone your age to lift weights?”

Can this 60-year old man hurt himself lifting weights? Sure, but I can get hurt in a thousand different ways if I’m not careful. If I follow the plan and allow my body to recover well, I should be fine. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fitness, Wellness

The Amazing Health Benefits Of Strength Training – Weekly Workout

August 7, 2017 By John Leave a Comment

When I started strength training three years ago, my main goal was to regain some of the muscle and strength I had lost from 27 years inactivity due to chronic fatigue syndrome. I was now 57 years old and had undoubtedly lost even more muscle from normal aging.

After two and a half years of barbell training, I accomplished that goal and more. Not only had I gained muscle, but, at 60 years old, I had become stronger than I had been in the previous 27 years.

As I became more involved in training, however, I began reading studies on the benefits of strength training that involved more than just gaining raw strength. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fitness, Wellness

How The Starting Strength Program Made Me Strong Again – Weekly Workout

July 31, 2017 By John Leave a Comment

If someone had told me three years ago that I could get strong enough to do a 200-pound bench press and a 300-pound deadlift, I would’ve laughed in their face and walked away.

At 57 years old and recovering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and bursitis in both shoulders, the odds of me getting that strong again were about zero to none.

What a ridiculous thought. How could I ever get that strong again? Especially after having CFS for 27 years.

Well, it’s not such a ridiculous thought now.

I recently pulled a 290-pound deadlift and bench pressed 192.5-pounds. Oh, and by the way, I’m 60 years young and weigh 171 pounds. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fitness, Wellness

A Key To Longevity: Keep Your Spouse As Healthy As You Are

July 27, 2017 By John Leave a Comment

Do you want to live longer? Okay, that’s a stupid question. Of course, you do.

Here’s an excellent way to help that happen. Make sure your spouse is as healthy and fit as you are.

Now, you might ask, “If I’m already healthy and fit, how will a fit and healthy spouse help me live longer?

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Spirituality, Wellness

The Best Strength Exercise Ever: The Barbell Back Squat – Weekly Workout

July 24, 2017 By John Leave a Comment

Barbell squats are the most important exercise for developing overall strength and fitness. There is no other exercise that compares with squats for gaining strength and making you a physically better functioning human being.

As of this July, I’ve now been doing barbell back squats for 1 year. That’s a pretty big deal for me.

First, I never even did a squat until I was 59 years old. Who in their right mind puts a barbell on their back and squats down with it at 59 years old? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fitness, Wellness

How I’m Beating Sarcopenia With Strength Training – Weekly Workout

July 17, 2017 By John Leave a Comment

Did you know that if you’re over 30 years old you’ll start losing muscle mass every year? It’s true, you will.

The normal human aging process dictates that everyone, at some point, in their thirties will begin losing muscle and that loss will continue through out your life.

If you’re an especially active person or someone who engages in a physically demanding job, normal muscle loss due to aging usually isn’t a problem.

However, if you’re a couch potato or you engage in a sedentary type job you could be losing a lot of muscle and that could be a problem. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fitness, Wellness

A Quick Healing From Back Spasms – Weekly Workout

July 10, 2017 By John Leave a Comment


Two Saturdays ago, I was bending down to put something into my freezer when a severe pain shot through my lower back.

In the words of Forrest Gump, it felt like something jumped up and bit me.

I knew what it was right away. Every one to two years my lower back goes into spasm. It’s been happening for at least 20 years. That was long before I started strength training. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fitness, Wellness

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Hi! I’m John. Welcome to the Progressing Pilgrim. I’m 60 years young and I’ve created this blog to share the health, fitness and spiritual strategies that have turned my life around. If you’re looking to become a healthier (physically and spiritually) version of yourself you’ve come to the right place. Eat Well. Lift Heavy. Soli Deo Gloria! Read more…

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