How fat does a person have to be to be a sinner?

Hang in there brother. Set a reasonable goal and go after it. Glad you are recovering from your accident. The Lord is good.

 

Hang in there brother. Set a reasonable goal and go after it. Glad you are recovering from your accident. The Lord is good. </font>[/QUOTE]He is good. The doctor said that if my seat hadn't come off the rails, that there's a good chance I could have been killed or paralyzed.

 

Donna, I agree with you, some people are just mean spirited, Christians included. I'm about6-10 pounds overweight, depending on which medical chart you use.
I was in the grocery store one time and they were giving out samples of pizza, I took one, a woman from my church was there and said"you don't need that". I almost came back with a retort because her husband is about 100 pounds over weight. I resisted the temptation to reply.
Until about 6 years ago I was average weight for my height. I know the reason for the gain was I quit taking walks and did not decrease my food intake. I'm slowlly losing weight as I'm back to walking and sort of watching what I eat.

I have a physical problem that I've had all my life and when I was a kid some kids made fun of me, until I learned how to fight. Now there are some adults that stare at me, but being a Christian I can't get into a fight because someone stares at me.

Before I forget why I'm posting, the point I'm making is: there are a lot of rude people whom try to hurt others, because they probably have some problem that bothers them so they hurt someone else.

What we all need to remember-God loves us just the way we are, He does not judge us by whats on the outside. He knows our hearts.

 

Originally posted by Mike McK:
A lot of you guys know that I was in a bad car crash back in the spring. ((By the way, this is the second serious accident I've been in in my life.))

No, I had no idea.

.....There are times when I might have been twenty pounds or so overweight, but because of my large frame, you never would guess.

Now, I'm freakin' huge.

It's only been in the last month, month and a half that I've really gotten my life back and I've got to tell you, it's a heck of a lot harder to take it off than it is to put it on.

I promise, I will never judge a fat person again.

I hope you recover fully. Has your ability to play music been hampered ?

Actually, on this thread, I bent over backwards to be on my best behavior, but still got accused of being judgemental, when I said nothing that could be considered such.

While I enjoy a pretty active lifestyle, I am fully aware it may end tomorrow, if God wills.

 

I have lost 40 pounds since the beginning of summer, and I still have about 30 to go. I wanted to put that up front. I am not a skinny person who doesn't understand the problem, you see.

Our asst Pastor is grossly overweight. So is his wife. It doesn't look good. But more than that,
it tells you that both of them are miserable, because no way can their love life be that great, and no way can they do things with their children and keep up...and that's only 2 of the negative points! He even jokes about it in his
sermons, and it's not that funny, to tell you the truth. It's sad. I agree about not judging someone until you know the facts about any medical problems, etc....but I can tell you this, she must be a good cook for both of them to be fat.

 

Back in May, we all went to my sister's house in Cape May for a family weekend to celebrate my birthday.

Had a great time.

On the way back, the woman in front of us stopped suddenly to keep from hitting a family of ducks. I stopped just in time but the guy behind me didn't stop at all and plowed into the back of us at about 60 mph.

The funny thing is nobody in my family really wore seatbelts but we had decided a few months earlier, because of an accident a family friend was in, that we were going to start being careful to wear them.

There's no question that the accident would have been much worse if he hadn't had them on. My mom and my dog were both in the car.

The dog was OK physically but because they threw her into the back of a police car and took her away, when her instincts told her to protect us because she knew that we were hurt, she had some psychological issues for a while. Really bad seperation anxiety.

The state trooper said that he only lived about four or five miles away and Cricket seemed pretty friendly, so he'd take her to his house, instead of taking her to the pound.

So I was thankful for that.

Then, my mom was in the car and she was hurt, but not seriously, thank God.

I messed my back up and my neck pretty badly. This was 10 May and I was just allowed to go back to work a couple of weeks ago. I was in PT up until a few weeks ago. I was in a serious accident many years ago and had to go to PT for that, too. That was much worse.

I couldn't move for about a month and then, after that, I had a little fold up chair that I would carry everywhere with me because it was really difficult to walk or to stand in any one position for any length of time. I know people thought I was on crack or something because I was constantly up/down/up/down/up/down, trying to get comfortable.

As it is now, I can walk, but I can't stand still. As long as I'm moving, I seem to be OK.

Thanks. I'm working on that.

A little.

I'm not really playing out anywhere, anyway so that's not a problem but I did have a lot of trouble because of nerve problems with hand strength.

I couldn't fret with my left hand and I was having a hard time picking with my right.

Some of that's coming back. I can play, but not more than a song or two at a time.

It doesn't hurt at all, I just don't have the strength to do it.

I can play the piano fine, so I've been spending most of my time getting reaquainted with the piano.

The funny thing is that I play and sing so much differently with the piano than I do with guitar, that I've switched from rock and bluegrass to jazz standards. Look out, Chet Baker!

It's cool. We know you.

I've probably learned more about myself and about life in the last five months than I ever did before.

It does go by fast.

I'm fortunate in that I know that my problems are just temporary

 

Right on. That isn't a judgemental statement. It is a true one. There may be several medical conditions that cause weight retention, but none that, in and of themselves, cause weight gain. </font>[/QUOTE]Not true, says medical science. I found and posted many and the links, of which there were many to choose from on each disease.
People need to learn facts.
But truth isn't always welcomed. </font>[/QUOTE]The fact is that you cannot gain weight if your output exceeds your input. It is an impossibility.

How much do you exercise each day?

 

To whoever made the comment about diabetes and thyroid disease. You shouldn't "assume" that "common" knowledge is "accurate."

In some cases diabetes may be caused by diet issues, but in many other cases it caused by a malfunctioning pancreas.

As to thyroid issues - many things can cause hormone imbalances - very, very, very rarely are those things "diet."

I was one of those people who couldn't gain weight, and people made fun of me for it, or accused me of eating disorders. I just had an amazing metabolism. I watched friends who ate far less than I did, exercised far more than I did suffer and cry and give up hope because of weight.

Certainly there are people out there who have very poor nutritional habits, and it is difficult for them. To judge them or point fingers at them, to accuse them of gluttony or even of "not trying" or "not being sensible" is wrong and hateful and rude.

My mother used to explain, "Judge not, lest ye be judged," this way - - "Unless you have truly felt the temptation to make the error you see in someone else's life - you cannot say you beat that tempation or that you would not give into it. If you have never WANTED to have sex, you cannot judge those who fornicated. You can call fornication wrong, but don't judge them. Just thank God that you didn't have to pass that test."

I haven't had to face that issue, but I know for a fact that every single overweight person I know struggles to lose weight, and they should be applauded for trying, not condemned for not striving to please people who would judge others by their outward appearance.

 

Everyone has different struggles. Even though we have struggles it should make us humble and not have excuses but praise for His strength.

Paul said in 2 Cor. 12:9,10, "And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness ." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong."

 

Want some encouragement? Go to http://www.des.emory.edu/mfp/OnFailing.html

 

except I don't need to know why darwin was a success....

 

There are some people who'd rather tear down then build up.

 

I lost about 30 lbs a few years ago - and for the most part have kept them off. I want to offer a word of encouragement for those who are struggling with weight problems and let you know how I have kept weight off. I did Adkins and it worked for me - but could not keep it up long term. What I have gone to is trying to cut as much of the sugar out of my diet as possible, eat complex carbs - only whole wheat bread, cereals with little or no sugars (special K in the blue box, Kashki), veggies, berries and a few fruit. I have tried to eat more fish, and lean cuts of meat. I cut out fruit juices, french fries and fast food as much as possible. I read labels when I go to the grocery store - and for the most part stay out of the middle of the store!! I try to drink as much water as I can - and make all to many trips to the bathroom!

The most important thing I did was to start exercising - and stay with it. I found I had to do two things - excercise both aerobically and lift weights. If you are very out of shape, at first you may only be able to walk around the block once THATS OK! you will be suprised at how soon you are able to walk a mile if you keep it up. My recommendation, simply because it worked for me, is to work up to 3 miles a day, at least five days a week. Next to ramp up your metabolism, add some weight lifting - doesnt have to me much, especially at first. If you dont have equipment use cans of green beans! Or back to high school - push ups and sit ups.

The exercising will improve your mental health, give you a sense of accomplishment and help you sleep better at night. If I skip a few work outs in a row - I dont sleep as well.

Dont expect to much to soon - your goal needs to be a pound or two a week. And you will find, even on those weeks that you dont lose any weight - your weight will shift around a bit - your pants will become looser, drop a size or two etc. Your overall health WILL improve.

Good Luck

 

Thanks, JimmyC, for that encouraging post. I know I need to exercise more, but I have really good excuses.

The real one is my knee hurts, but I can walk and walk I am going to do. I have a very good walking tape (if I can find it).

Thanks again.

 

Almost everythng in this thread makes people affraid to try and discuss their problems. They know they will be judged, have mean words thrown at them. This can not possibly be helpful to anyone.

 

I think you offer some great words of advice. Over the last 6 months I have lost about 45lbs. The biggest things for me was:

1. A change of mindset-- this will be a lifelong battle. If I fail to see it as that then I will go back to old habits and gain it all back.

2. Stop making exceptions--there is always a reason to cheat or to go off. With that mindset you will never be able to stay where you need to be.

Those have been two of the biggest reasons why I have been able to be successful when 30 other times in the past I was not successful.

 

I found my walking tape It is in my "Walkman". Now I'm heading out for a walk. I'll stay close to home and take it slowly.

I definitely need encouragement to even try to lose weight. I grew up very, very thin. So it is not a battle I have fought all my life, but I have yo-yo dieted for the last 20 years. up 20 pounds, down 20 pounds, but I have lost my incentive or something because I am up 20 pounds and up 20 pounds.

Help, everyone. Let's encourage each other rather than condemn.

 

My wife struggles with a few extra lbs. We got her a real nice bicycle to ride back & forth to work, and often rode together after work. She really was proud of herself, it's not an easy ride.

Two weeks ago her bike was stolen from her office parking lot. Someone cut the chain & took it. She was crying, and she NEVER cries. She is a tough woman. It really hurt me to see it. We got her a cheap used bike, until the springtime comes & we'll get her a new one. She remains determined to lose her extral weight, even though it's only about 15 lbs.

We left a note on the post where it was taken....

"Dear bicycle theif. It really stinks that you took my bike. But one of the benefits of working for a living is that I will soon be able to afford another one. God bless."

 

Bro. Curtis, that is so sad! Would your homeowners insurance cover your bike? Even it it does, sometimes, the deductible is as much or more than the stolen item.

I love to ride a bike and our town has lots of bike trails; however, I am at the age where I am very afraid of falling and breaking a bone so I probably need an exercise bike.

Water Aerobics would be my best exercise other than walking.

Well, I walked for ten minutes. I know that isn't much, but I will increase the time each day. I decided to walk around our deck so that if I needed to sit down I could. Now my dog Muffin usually follows my every step in the house and he loves to play in the yard, but he stopped after about five minutes and looked at me as if I had lost my mind.

How many months can your wife ride her bike to work in Montana?

 

It's getting pretty chilly, right now. She gets home with a red nose and cold hands. And being the great spouse I am, I'll drop whatever it is I'm doing and warm her up.

(Hidden meaning...I'll drop the remote and make her some tea)

There's snow on the mountains now, and probably by early November, she'll have to either drive, or walk. Driving around here can be tricky, in the city, during winter. But she can make her own hours, and isn't hampered by the rush hour traffic.