Can I be brutally transparent for a moment? I don’t like skinny people. Let me rephrase that. I don’t like skinny people who can eat whatever they want and not gain weight. It’s just wrong! So I’m at the doctor’s office and I stepped on their scale and apparently it doesn’t work as well as mine at home. I even did the old “lean up high on my tippy toes” routine to no avail. It was humiliating and embarrassing to discover that I’m larger than I’ve ever been.
Now for all of you who never struggle with this issue…good for you…however, let me caution you not to judge me and others as I’m pretty sure you have your own issues. My weight issues started for me when I was 20 years old…just a few years ago. Do the math and basically food has kicked my butt for 23 years! It’s weird. I don’t know if anyone else does this, but I seem to recall the years by my waist size. Frankly, I don’t know of anything more discouraging or defeating for me.
It just makes me sad.
From seeing a closet full of clothes that don’t fit to avoiding people from the past who knew me when I wasn’t this heavy. To speaking in front of a couple thousand people every weekend that watch me swell up like the stay puff marshmallow man. It just stinks! I like to joke it off, but the pain is real and deep. Now I feel like I’m at the crossroads.
What shall I do? Here is my first step.
Ask for help.
Man, I am right there with you.
Thank you for your honesty!!! I have struggled with my weight all my life and feel your pain.
Hey Pastor Buddy!
I have struggled in the same ways you have and I can relate completely. In early 07 you inspired and encouraged our church, and me, through the ‘Just For the Health of It’ series. Through that series, which was the first time I’ve ever heard about God’s desire for our physical health in church, God changed my life in ways I never thought possible. Your words and God’s wisdom from that series have stayed with me and still play in my head today.
I just want to say thank you for that, and that it is now time to flip the conversation and encourage you. I know I speak for all of us when I say we are here to encourage you, support you, and motivate you. Whatever it is, we’re here for you.
Buddy,
Your words pretty much could have been mine. I’ve had many painful moments due to my weight (physically and emotionally). So, what can we do? I went to a nutritionist and it was great! She gave me some real common sense ideas (that I basically already knew) but here is what I discovered. When I went to see her it was like I had my own cheerleader. She encouraged me with such enthusiasm. It was awesome!
Let’s face it, we all know how we got this way and we all know that if we stuck on a diet and got lots of exercise we’d probably lose the weight. I think the missing ingredients for success (beyond the obvious) are accountability and encouragement. I wonder if NC can set something up online. I know I could use it (since I’m no longer seeing the nutritionist).
Thanks so much for being “transparent”.
Sue
Buddy, well first off let me say you are not in the boat alone, I myself am going through it as well as I
am sure many men and woman are its a big deal these days of healthy living. It’s also harder for me because
I have a degree in Health and Fitness and I am a certified fitness trainer, in college I was in much better shape than I am now. I even trained
the hockey team for 2 years and man I loved it, but then I graduated and LIFE HAPPENED! I lost controll and
now I am in the boat with you. And a big part for me is that I lost my support team of guys that I workouted with
and now I dont have that same drive and push. SO let me say this, I am here to help, because I too need
help. So man I will be praying for you and like I said I am here to Help in whatever way that I can.
GOOD LUCK BUDDY
Good on you, B. Asking for help stinks. For me anyway.
I like it about as much as asking for directions, not knowing squat about car engines or having to hire someone for anything more involved than changing a lightbulb around the house.
I’m in your corner and am praying for your health (#1) and (#2) for you to keep asking for help in the spirit of humility.
Man, I’m not good at that humility thing at all.
I know you have the end of Proverbs 15 in your heart or you wouldn’t have posted this blog.
You rock, Buddy, we love you, I love you, The Body loves you, your family loves you & we are all proud of you and support you.
Now as a too-cool-for-school-he-man-guy-three-octaves-lower-dude-man I’d just say “4 rounds each on the heavy bag, the speed bag & the rope every day!” and punch you in the arm.
lol
Praying for ya, Buddy. You d’man.
Unfortunately it takes time for weight to come off. I had to loose a bunch of pounds a while ago and know how frustrating it is.
I had to accept that I didn’t need to eat as much as I did. It gets easier to do that after a while.
The hardest thing for me is exercising regularly. I never want to…even though I know how beneficial it is.
Get information, make a plan, find supporters, start up and be patient! You can do this!
The hardest part for me is a husband who can open a new bag of potato chips, eat TWO and put it away….guess who HAS to finish the bag….
I love your honesty Buddy! I’m one skinny dude but don’t “hate me”.
Buddy, I know exactly what you’re saying. I too am going through the same thing. My doc, (who also has a scale that is a bit off even after I take off my shoes), has been encouraging me to lose weight too, it’s not easy!! Regular exercise is important! Regarding food, don’t deny yourself the things you like, just cut your portions in half, (something I don’t do well). Drink plenty of water, and Arizona Diet Iced Tea sweetened with Splenda!
Hopes this helps!
Bob
Todd, Thanks man…it good not to feel alone…lets kick this!
Mary Ann, Thank you for yours as well. We can beat this!
Matt, Congrats on your success and honoring God with your body….keep it up man. I feel off the band wagon…but I’m climbing back on
Sue C, Love your idea of creating something online. I dont know anything about nutrition however I’m starting to dig into it. I wonder if we have any nutritionist at our church? Thank you for your transparency as well.
Cahill, How do we get out of this boat? Maybe we catch a workout together sometime? I dont do hockey. Its time for both of us to get the support you used to have.
Billy D,Thanks for your prayers….that hit me good. I appreciate that more than I can express. Love the scripture. Its time to sign up for that boxing class again. Gods best to you Billy
Pam, Congrats on your success. Great information! Thanks for the encouragement!
Marti, I love chips! I could never just eat 2.
Pete, How could I hate you? Your the man Pete! I got to tell you since you love my honesty….I love your blog…but your picture makes me want to hurt you:)
Buddy, I am game for catching a workout with you because you are one of my big motivators. And don’t feel bad, I don’t know how to play hockey either I just learned how to train them in the offseason. However I do have a soultion to our “getting off this horrible boat”; or so I think. I have a degree in Health and Fitness as well as my CFT and I know of a few people in the area at local colleges who would be more than happy to talk nutrition and fitness to a group of people. But I also have a few ideas that we need to sit down and talk about and not just help each other but help those who are dealing with the same issues both on the physical side and spiritual side. Contact me via email flex33crb@hotmail.com ASAP!
well.
before LIFT camp i was anorexic and bulimic, im not thin so it was not obvi. to people. When i could hide it i would not eat, and when i as in public id eat and then throw it up. I did this even at lift camp. Until Thursday night when i threw down my staff and confessed to the entire youth group what i could not even tell my best friends. Well it has been a few weeks and i still struggle with it. There are times when i do not want to eat or when i do eat i want to make myself sick. I used to workout insanely. Now i cut back. I have not lost much weight and that depressed me. I am made fun of at school, and sometimes even at church. I wanted to be accepted. But i was. By God. yes i still wear shirts about 3-3 sizes bigger. but it is going to take time, and i half to lose the weight safely. Or i could end up killing myself. I have so much to live for! I want to be a youth pastor. I have my friends and that cute guy in the youth group ^.^. I knew this would not be easy but—Philippians 4:13. Dude I have an all powerful GOD on my side. I have my friends. I am praying for you. I happen to know you can do this if you put your mind to it and i have incredible faith in you. =]
You know what, in all honesty and sincerity, most people “struggle” with their “weight issues” while they eat that hamburger and french fries and then wonder why they gain so much weight and/or cannot lose it. Frankly, people just don’t know HOW to lose because of a simple lack of knowledge. Having dabbled in bodybuilding and got my body fat percentage down to about 6% wasnt hard for me, but it was because I knew what NOT to eat. The source of that knowledge comes from books and experience. Now, being a competitive runner also helps. However this is not to say you need to be an extreme case such as myself but a little effort goes a long way. What I cannot understand for the life of me is how you can be “disciplined in the spirit” christian, working on making the mind and spirit strong but letting the body go.. I must emphasize a mastery of balance that needs to take place as soon as possible or else people will look on you as another hypocrite.. Not to say I think so or believe so, I am just calling it as I see it. As a martial artist, a student of yoga and a runner, I find all three aspects of human being equally important in order to become one whole. I know I got carried away with this, and I humbly apologize, and I never meant to disrespect anyone or anything. simply put, Buddy, I would start looking long and hard at your situation and focus on changing for the better. But please be careful what you read and who you ask. Thank you for the oppoutunity for free speech on here. If anyone would like to debate me, email me at sakuradreamer@aim.com however please, no hate mail. Thanks again!
Christopher,
Wow sounds like you have it ALL together!
I agree that I would be more effective in ministry if I beat this…..however it also has taught me great humility. I also know that all of us have issues in different areas.
I’ve discovered as The Apostle Paul said….its when I’m weak that God is strong….its in my weakness that His strength is made perfect.
No need for debate as that is not the purpose of my Blog. You do need to know that food issues are much deeper than you understand….and I’m sure it was not the intent of your comment but it comes across as condescending.
Pastor Buddy, I wish I had it all together! I agree more than 100% that we all have our own issues, I am no exception!
There however is a way or path to be free from our suffering, which comes from within, I believe that the Four Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Path can help free us from our suffering, and ultimately realize that suffering and joy are but one!
I sincerely apologize if I came across as condescending, I had no intention of doing so. Being a lover of debates at heart, my opinions may seem as it did. So from now I will be more careful! I hope you will allow me to continue to comment although our views are slightly different. And on a side note, I give you 100% of my support in your struggle. I hope we can meet soon! (I’ve visited the Clifton Park campus, however you werent there at that time..)
your friend,
Christopher
Christopher,
I would love to meet you! I’ll be back next weekend in to speak….until that time I am in the fight of my life…..making some progress. Look forward to meeting you soon!
Gods best to you Christopher!
Cahill, Sounds good!
Kaitie, you are Heavens Daughter! You are one of kind and God has big things in store for you Kaitie! Thank you for your honesty. A lot of what you shared is out of my league…however I would love to connect you with some professionals tha could encourage you. Have you shared this with your parenst? If not I would encourage you to do so.
I look forward to seeing you soon!