Good • Strong • Safe

published on July 10th, 1:27 p.m.

It’s good to be strong. A strong heart and bones and muscles and lungs let you do things, go places, and feel good. A strong body doesn’t just happen. You have to build it.

Here’s how to build a strong body.

1. GET MOVING! That’s the easiest way – go outside and run and play.

2. Stretch your muscles – this is a good thing to do when you wake up, after you exercise or play, and before you go to bed. You want to be able to move the body you’ve got – so keep it ready to go.

3. Pull your own weight, or push it, or lift it. You don’t have to lift big weights to be strong – use the body God gave you. Start easy and keep adding on. Do one push-up today, and then two tomorrow. You get stronger when you keep at it and keep making the workout a little harder.

There’s a legend about a Greek athlete from a long time ago named Milo of Croton. The legend says that Milo trained for the Olympics by picking up and carrying a calf on his back. He did this everyday… and as the calf got bigger, Milo got stronger. By the time of the Olympics the calf had become a full-grown cow – and Milo could still pick it up and carry it, because he did a little bit every day. Now I’m not suggesting that you go around picking up cows – just try to remember that by doing something every day, and staying at it, you can get stronger too.

4. Eat good food. You can’t build a strong body on brownies and chips – there’s OK for treats, but you need good, balanced meals. Eat your meat and vegetables. Eat some fruit. Save the cookies & candy for treats.

5. Drink water, milk, juice – you don’t need energy drinks or soda.

6. Get some rest. This helps your mind & your body to work better. You can’t be strong tomorrow if you don’t get some rest tonight. Being strong doesn’t just happen. You have to do it.

So, be good, be strong & be safe.