This Page - Gay Christian, Gay Christians, Lesbian Christians athletic health articles on author's athletic life, growth, progress, and more. WEBSITE CONTENTS Search by word, phrase, or topic within this Website. GAY CHRISTIAN ONLINE INDEX (Home) CONTACT ME (E-Mail Me; Write If You Need Advice, or Have a Question.) WELCOME (Website Background - What It Is Not; Its Beginnings, and History, etc.) INTRODUCTION (Website Purpose - What It Is; How It Can Help, etc.) WEBSITE EXCERPTS (Overview of the Website - Brief Description of Each Website Article With Excerpts) A PAGE FOR STRAIGHT PEOPLE (How to Understand Gays and Lesbians, and Gay Christians; Stereotypes and Misunderstandings; Just What Is a Gay Christian; Silly False Fears; Our Common Goals and Bonds, etc.) THE CAUSE OF HOMOSEXUALITY (What Makes Someone Gay or Lesbian; Theories and Causes Explored; The Real Cause Finally Revealed) THE "SPOT THE GAY" GAME (How to Tell If "Someone" Is Gay or Lesbian - Game One; How to Tell If "You" Are Gay or Lesbian - Game Two) MY AUTO- BIOGRAPHY (My Life Story: My Youth; Years of Marriage and Religious Service; My Name Change; Coming Out; My Current Life; Monthly Life Updates, and "What Is the Deal With All the Pinocchio Stuff" Finally Explained, etc.) HOW TO BE A GAY CHRISTIAN (Despite What You've Been Told Otherwise - Scripture Study Without Debate: The Compatability of Sexuality with Christian Ethics and the Christian Lifestyle; the Law of Christ, the Law of Love, etc.) TRUE VERSES FALSE CHRISTIANITY (True Spirituality - Religion Verses Relationship, Grace Verses Law, Absolutism and Perfectionism Verses Normalness, etc.) GOOD NEWS (SCRIPTURES FOR THE GAY CHRISTIAN) (Helpful Scriptures For Life Arranged By the Fruit of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Self-Control, etc.) HOW TO BE GAY! GAY CHRISTIAN SELF-ESTEEM (Build Healthy Gay and Lesbian Self-Esteem and Adult Development - The Need for a Firm Life Foundation in Jesus Christ; Sources and Effects of Dysfunction; False Guilt And Shame; Stereotypes and Misinformation About Homosexuality; False Coping Skills; Destructive and Dysfunctional Behaviors; Sexual Compulsions; Positive Self Development; Positive Relationship Development; Coming Out; Beyond Coming Out; Creating Healthy Choices and Behaviors; Inner-Healing; Self-Love; Self-Image; Self-Actualization; Following Christ; Christian Principles For Life, etc.) OPEN LETTERS (Common Letters and My Replies, Among the Many Are: Is Being Gay Wrong?; Why Sodom Was Really Destroyed; The Role of Women, Cultural Stereotypes; Gay Stereotypes; Should I Come Out?; My Spouse Is Gay; Sex Outside of a Relationship; I'm a Battered Spouse; After a Relationship Ends; What If My Church Finds Out I Am Gay?; Does God Accept or Reject Me?; What About Pornography?; My Parent Is Gay; I Need Help Finding a Church; Is Masturbation OK?; The Role of Reproduction; I'm Gay and Married; Should I Leave My Church?; How to Understand Scriptures; Is Change Possible?; What Does Being Gay Mean?, etc.) LIVING THE GAY CHRISTIAN LIFE (Articles on - Salvation; Baptisms; Sanctification; True Holiness; The Law of Christ, the Law of Love; Sin; Forgiveness; Communion; Sacraments; Prayer; Fasting; How to Study Scripture; Giving; Witnessing; Serving; Christian Ethics; Making Friends; Healthy and Positive Relationships; Christian Sexual Ethics; Following Jesus - The Challenges and Responsibilities of Relationship, etc.) GAY CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIPS (Developing Healthy Relationships - What if You are Gay And Married; Making Friends; Dating; Finding Good, Positive, and Healthy Relationships; Guidelines for Choosing a Church; How to Recognize a Good Church; Being Gay in the Christian World; Being Christian in the Gay World, Defining the Gay and Christian Worlds; Defining Yourself; Following Jesus - The Challenges and Responsibilities of Relationship, etc.) COMING OUT AS A GAY OR LESBIAN CHRISTIAN (Coming Out Right - The Successful Coming Out Process; Defining Sexual Orientation; Misinformation About Sexual Orientation; The Consequences of Living in the Closet; Who You Are and Can Be; Coming Out Internally; Before Coming Out Externally; Coming Out Externally; Beyond Coming Out, etc.) SAME-SEX MARRIAGE CEREMONY (Traditional Marriage Ceremony for Catholic or Protestant Christians; Format, Suggested Music, Scriptures, Text, etc.) GAY CHRISTIAN ATHLETICS (How to Pass Gym Class - Proper Diet, Nutrition, Protein, Carbohydrates, Fat, and Fluids; Supplements; Sleep; Sex; Body Care - Bathing, Hair, Shaving, Teeth, Hands, Feet, Nails, Piercings, Tatoos, etc.; Clothes - Fashion Styles, Underwear, Shoes, Swimwear, Shirts, Pants, Skirts, Hats, etc.; Choosing and Using a Gym; the Locker Room; Gym Etiquette; Proper Use of Gym Equipment; Warm Up Tips; Descriptions of Individual Exercises for All Muscle Groups; Personalized Exercise Plans, etc.) REFERENCED AND RECOMMENDED BOOKS (Books on - Being Gay and Married; Coming Out; Straight Parents and Families of Gays; Gay Dating and Relationships; Gay Parenting; Gays and Christianity; Gay Youth; Children; Gay Medical, Health, and Sex; Gay Legal, Social, and Psychological Issues; the Lighter Side to Being Gay; Other Gay Topics; Recommended Christian, Fiction, and Other Style Books, etc.) OTHER INTERNET LINKS (Links to - Gay Accepting Churches, Denominations, Religious Support Groups, etc.; Gay Christian Resources; Coming Out Resources; Gay Educational and Library Resources; Information and Truth on Ex-Gay Ministries; Fun and Interesting Resources; HIV/AIDS; Medical, Sex, and Health Issues; Gay Literature and Poetry; Gay Magazines and News; Gay Organizations; Gay Relationship Resources; Gay Parenting Resources; Gay Youth Resources; Search Engines, etc.) MY MUSIC (Music Composed and Published by Me - Classical, Celtic. Samples May Be Found on Various Pages, too) MY POETRY (I May Not Be the Best Poet, But I Try; and, Yes, Most of These Are Romantic) THANK YOU (Thanks For Visiting My Website) SUPPORT THIS WEBSITE (Financially Help and Support This Website, Donate Online) HOW TO GET THESE ARTICLES (You may receive articles by donation, which can be either mailed to you, or the article file saved to your computer; multiple copies available, too.) Copyright 2012-1997. All Rights Reserved. BBCB. USA. Website Featured On... Cable News Network British Broadcasting Corporation Graphics & Music Used Are Believed Public Domain Unless Otherwise Noted. Some Graphics Courtesy Of... Support Disney! Buy Disney! Invest in Disney! Ben (Loyal Disney Stockholder and Fan). This page hosted by...

Gay Christian Online Michelangelo "Ignudo" Sistine Chapel MY ATHLETIC LIFE Personal Progress Report MY ATHLETIC LIFE History BODY CARE Body Composition, Diet BODY CARE Fluids, Protein, Carbohydrates, Fat BODY CARE Fiber, Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements, Sleep, Sex USING THE GYM Etiquette USING THE GYM Your Locker, Gym Etiquette YOUR WORK OUT Tips: Form, Breathe, Repetitions/Sets, Breaks YOUR WORK OUT Tips: Warm Up, Cardio-Exercises BODY CARE Drugs, Piercings, Tattoos, Skin Care, Eyes, Nose, Eyebrows, Ears, Lips BODY CARE Body Hair, Shaving, Scalp, Hair, Bathing, Nails, Feet, Hands, Teeth, Breath BODY CARE Clothes, Hats, Shoes, Gym Clothes CHOOSING A GYM Costs, Location, What Is Offered, etc. EXERCISES Chest, Back EXERCISES Shoulders, Arms EXERCISES Arms, Forearms, Legs, Butt EXERCISES Legs, Butt, Stomach; Exercise Plans From Beginner to Advanced BEST OF ATHLETIC AND OTHER PICTURES Collection of Pictures From These Pages ON TO PAGE TWO END OF THIS PAGE HOME firmly believe we are triune, just like God. God is Father, Son, and Spirit. We are Spirit, Soul, and Body. We often devote our lives to our soul and body, forgetting the spirit. But, those of us who are Gay or Lesbian Christians, we sometimes forget the body, too. All three must be in balance. So, make sure your body is as healthy as your spirit and your soul. eople write me now and then and complain about "certain pictures" on the website, pictures of people, and pictures of ME "supposedly" unclothed. They think it is not Christian, or sinful, and I have a problem. I remind them WHY these pictures appear. The photographs used here relate to the topic discussed, to show the muscle groups involved, or to show athletic development. People see what they see; I sometimes believe their objections actually reveal their true hearts. So, I remind you, too, to have a proper and healthy perspective on art and photography, for rarely are they the problem; instead, the problem lies in the heart of the viewer. The rest of this article is devoted to things I’ve learned about exercise and body care. Some of it may appear to lean more towards men than women, probably because I am a man, but most of it is applicable to women and men. There are differences physically between men and women. I shall share some of the things I’ve learned about diet, exercise, etc. I also provide you with a basic exercise plan, and how to move to advanced levels. Oh, by the way... I know this article is several pages long, but you'll find reading it from beginning to end to be worth the time and effort. These pages are here to help and inspire you. So, please continue on to the next page, read the entire article. You can even download it, and read it offline. Thanks, Ben My current progress report. Before I Began. After One Year. After Two Years. How I Look Now (I Wish, Sigh) Additional Pictures of my family and I. hrough my relationship with God and Jesus Christ, and the coming out process, inside I was centered, happy, at peace; I liked myself, positive about myself, and life as a Gay Christian. For many years, this inner reflection manifested itself outward in many ways. It manifested itself in a healthier lifestyle, more positive attitude and outlook on life. It grew to include how I lived. I chose better and more positive activities, friends, and home life. I dressed better, with new glasses, and a better hairstyle. I had a healthy self-esteem, positive lifestyle and attitude. But, the idea of a better body had not occurred to me, yet. Your body is merely the earthly vessel that holds the real inner you; your body is the reflection of that inner you. It is a positive attitude that fosters a positive body. It was just a matter of time before the inner positive person I am would want to be reflected in my body. But, it is interesting what will motivate you sometimes to begin the process. Those who try to change their body, but do not have the inner motivation, will more than likely get frustrated and give up. Attitude and body care reflect each other. They also feed each other. Whether attitude or body, the one can feed the other. Those who begin with the development of a positive lifestyle are more likely to succeed in developing positive body care. As the body begins to improve, it further feeds and reinforces the inner positive image. But, if you begin with the body, and haven’t fully developed the attitude, there is a greater chance for failure, or giving up. So, up front, at the beginning of this topic, you must ALWAYS remember this... Your Gay Christian athletic life begins with your heart, soul and mind. Get those in shape, and your body will follow in kind. Always remember, begin with your inner self, and your outer self will begin to follow. To get started with developing your heart, soul and mind, consider these other Articles in my Website How to Be Gay! Gay Christian Self-Esteem, Living the Gay Christian Life. My athletic life? You’ve got to be kidding. I grew up with little interest in sports or athletics. I wasn’t good at it, and I really didn’t have any interest in it. As an adult, I have grown to appreciate a few sports, like Baseball, Ice Hockey and Soccer, but I couldn’t tell you who plays for what team, nor do I follow the teams faithfully; I just like to go to games or watch them on television occasionally, especially with my son. Growing up, I had no desire to participate in any sport, nor exercise in any way. I would laugh and say I was allergic to sweat, and still had nightmares of gym class from school days. Growing up, I hated my body, and yet I didn’t do anything about it. I didn’t think my body could change because I didn’t think I could change. I didn’t like my body because I didn’t like me. I just resigned myself to having a body that could or would never change. I followed a common pattern in people. People, for example, who have gained so much weight they don’t go to see movies anymore because they cannot fit in the seats; rather than deal with what is crippling their lives, they just adapt to them, living a less that abundant life. In my case, since I didn’t like my body, I didn’t reveal it. I never took my shirt off in public, rarely went swimming, avoided showers in gym class. See also related Article Autobiography - My Youth. As the years passed, I grew in spirit and soul, improved my self-image, self-respect and self-esteem, but I never thought my body could be anything other than what it was. When I looked into the mirror, I saw a tall, thin man, with very skinny arms and legs, rounded shoulders, and no muscles. When I turned age 40, I began to notice some body changes, more than just a few gray hairs and wrinkles. I began to develop a stomach. I was still tall and thin, but now with a fatty mid-section stomach. But, did I do anything about it? No, I just assumed that is what happens when you get older. But, one day, my life partner announced he'd joined a Gym, hired a Trainer, was going to lose his excess weight, buy hair, and have his eyes fixed so he wouldn’t need glasses. It sounded like the stereotypical symptoms of mid-life crisis. The only thing missing from the list was buying a fancy sports car and dumping your lover for a newer, younger model. I knew him better than that, this wasn't the case with him; but, it sparked in me some insecurities. Suddenly, when I looked at myself in the mirror, I now saw someone insecure, someone who might be rejected because he wasn’t muscular, buff, and a stud. I was afraid I would lose him if I didn’t do something about my body; I could lose him to someone better looking and better than me. Love will motivate you to do the most interesting things. At age 44, this "athletically challenged" Gay Christian found himself walking into a gym and the world of exercise for the first time in his life, and meeting and working with a trainer for the next fourteen months. See Also: Books: Athletic, Health, Medical. o, let’s see what I have learned, and what you can do for yourself, too... Copyright 2012-2002. BBCB. All Rights Reserved. USA. Number of People Who Have Visited This Page DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ THIS, BUT WANT TO? You may receive articles from Gay Christian Online by donation through PayPal. Articles may either be mailed to you, or the article file saved to your computer; multiple copies available, too. To receive an article, Click Here... How To Get An Article HELP SUPPORT THIS WEBSITE If this Website has blessed you, please consider supporting it. You may donate instantly using PayPal online payment service. "It's fast, free, and secure!" Click Here...