I wanted to take a few minutes and respond to the response. First it has been quite unexpected. I am glad I am not the only one who sees and feels the way I do.
To those in the midst of the struggle, I write this. Have HOPE! Despair keeps us where we are. The belief that it can never get any better is a lie. Don't believe it. Change is not only possible it is within your reach. It is completely possible to become a healthier version of you. I was that guy once upon a time.
To those who might not understand, I ask you to be GRACEFUL. We are not trying to become "sexy" we just want to be healthy. We want to be healthy for our spouses, for our children, for our families, for ourselves. We are just trying to reach a point where we look in the mirror and am proud and happy with the person we see looking back at us. Have grace. Just because you don't understand doesn't make you right and us wrong.
To those wanting to start, I say START. Do something. Start walking, running, a class or even a at home program (I recommend a few, haha). Trade your COKE for water. Trade a Pizza slice for apple slices. Just begin. Surround yourself by people who will encourage your new journey. Find an exercise that you will enjoy. And do it for you! Do it because you deserve it.
To Pastors and Leaders, this is a real issue. ADDRESS IT. First address it in you. Pastors pay one of the highest insurance premiums due to the stress of they jobs and the overall unhealthy nature of how they live. Address in your congregations. Encourage people to live healthy. Encourage your sheep to be more active. Encourage your body of believers to become healthier.
To the guy writing this blog, KEEP GOING. You have battled to become healthy, some days winning, some days losing. KEEP inspiring and sharing. There are those inside and outside of the kingdom who need your help. KEEP believing that HOPE is not something to be lost like car keys and that everyone needs a little more of it. KEEP working on being authentic. People don't expect perfection, they just want you to be you. So on emotional greasy cheeseburger, double stuff Oreo days, don't be afraid to ask for help and share in your struggle.
To everyone, we win best when we FIGHT together instead of against one another. So let's keep FIGHTING.
I was going to leave a comment on the original post, but after reading this one, I thought it might be more appropriate here.
ReplyDeleteChurches are breeding grounds for obesity. Potlucks aside, many have grown up in environments where guilt is the main motivator. It sucks us into unhealthy patterns and one of those is overeating or eating addicting foods. Legalism makes us fat.
I wrote about it after a conversation I had with a friend. Feel free to read it or not. I just thought you might find it interesting as you are dealing with your clients.
How Legalism Makes Us Fat
http://rachaeltmickel.blogspot.com/2014/03/how-legalism-makes-you-fat.html
So grace…yes! Grace for the one pushing every day to stay healthy. Grace for the pastor whose stress level is beyond Oreos and pizza. Grace for the ones caught in sugar addictions (me). And grace and SUPPORT to all those who dare to break the cycle!!
And even more grace for the sweet sister who brings the "strange" healthy food to the potluck!
P.S. There was a southern gospel singing group that travelled around when I was a kid who also described their weight in the name of their group.