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God and Weight Loss

I started losing weight in September of 2006, right after I became a Christian. I believe that God inspired me to become more healthy and gave me the strength to do so.

In January of this year, my mom also started losing weight. We both believe that it was a command from God for her to do so, and she's in the process of losing 115 pounds. She's already lost over fifty, and I believe that it's been because of the Lord's help that she's come as far as she has.

So I just wanted to know: How has God helped you in your weight loss goal?

Original Post by kristicro:

petite, I can respect your honest answer. But if you ever consider the possibility of God and want to talk about it with someone, let me know.

That day will never come—I have no doubt of that—but I do respect the offer all the same. And I respect as well the right of everyone to believe in God. In fact, I live in a very religious community—without question one of the most religious in the country—and have discussed God with many here before. But it is always philosophical in nature and always will be. They believe firmly in their God, and I believe firmly that He does not exist.

This has turned into a very interesting discussion. Aasil, you find those prayers offensive, and that is your feelings, they are respected (but it doesn't mean I am going to stop living out my faith). We can agree to disagree on certain things.

Faith comes from w/in and it's the strength that we carry inside ourselves to bring about whatever we believe in - whether it's a male like figure in the sky or the female like earth below it's all the same...it's all carried inside of us and carried out through us through the faith we have in ourselves

congrats on losing the weight and your mom too but you should def give yourself credit for it

Original Post by sorayazada:

Faith comes from w/in and it's the strength that we carry inside ourselves to bring about whatever we believe in - whether it's a male like figure in the sky or the female like earth below it's all the same...it's all carried inside of us and carried out through us through the faith we have in ourselves

congrats on losing the weight and your mom too but you should def give yourself credit for it

 Well, I do not think that is a typical Christian belief.  The human nature is to be separated from God and God seeks us out and redeems us.  Faith is a gift from God not something innate.  At least that is what I think most Christians believe. 

I think that is a fundamental difference between Chritianity and other religions is that Christ comes TO us not FROM us.  Without God** we are nothing Well, I don't try to convert folks of other faiths but I do try to share my faith - and there is nothing wrong with that.  I do have a problem with people who try to force it down on other people and I do not believe silently praying for someone is doing that.  I think we need to be here on earth to serve humanity and our earth, not force God down their throats ---- but I don't see any of that happening here.

**and I believe the idea of a male God with a big white beard is just a construct we use because we are humans and really cannot comprehend God.

A lot of physiscists believe in God by the way [and yes a lot don't]. And it is hard to explain the formation from order out of chaose in an expanding [which ours currently is] universe.  Entropy rules in an expanding universe, not order so the creation of life [order]  is all the more remarkable!

 

God does not exist.

Even if he did, I am sure he would not care about your weight.

But, the difference between me and many atheists I have met, is that I can honestly say that there are certain things that I accept about God on faith, but they could not be honest to say that their scientific beliefs were based on faith as well, just faith in a different direction.

i'm an atheist, and i say this all the time.  i'm not a scientist and don't really understand science so i have to have faith in it.  i also have doubts about science's ability to explain everything, but i don't need god to fill that gap.

i guess if some christians want to pray for me because i'm fat or ugly or mean or evil, that's okay with me, but i don't really want to hear about it.  and--yeah--i do think it's crazy.

incidentally, i don't know why god wouldn't care about weight loss.  apparently he cares about who wins football games and survivor.

I don't believe in god.....but you do and if you believe he is willing you to lose weight then that's great....what ever works for you.

Original Post by aasil:

Original Post by kristicro:

aasil, be nice. You may not believe a certain way, but be respectful of others.

As an overweight (fat) person myself, I know I have used eating to comfort myself. I had a lot of issues growing up. Some people have serious medical problems which make it more difficult for them to lose weight, and some people are so depressed, they can't get the motivation they need to eat right or exercise. So yes, Sometimes I pray for overweight people (actually I will pray for underweight people and normal sized people as well). I will pray that God's peace will rest on them, that God will heal their broken hearts (if they seem depressed), that He will give them the strength to make it through the day, and that they will come to know that He is a good, loving God, and to rely on Him for comfort and acceptance. I will also pray to physical healing. I know that in the Bible, Jesus healed many people of their infirmities (sickness), and that those are not just stories, they happen even today.

but praying for someone who isn't "close to god" isn't being respectful of their beliefs either. 

my own personal "religious" beliefs are that i don't believe in a god, gods, or higher beings.  i  recognize that i could be wrong, and i recognize that many people disagree with me.  i do respect their opinions.  i don't like it when people don't respect mine, and that includes praying for me to be closer to their god.

 aasil - why are you on this thread posting if you are an atheist.  Are you just trying to antagonize people.  The thread wants to know how God has helped you - if God hasn't helped you, so be it - move on.  This doesn't seem like the arena to tout atheism.  We can respect your feelings, now respect theirs!

Actruly the bible says the treat your body like a temple for the holy spirit, so health and God go hand in hand. After all God engendered this body so he know how to make it work best. Also the bible has many dieting tips it says to not overeat, and to avoid foods like ,pork, shell fish, uncooked meat, and blood.

I consider myself a Christian and yes, I do sincerely believe that God gave me a third chance at losing weight. Yes, a THIRD! Before, I was really skinny until I met my ex at the time, the pounds crept up slowing, then I started losing weight when I broke up him. Then, take out food and not exercising took over my life again and I gained more than ever at 5'5" and 178 lbs. Finally, I vowed that I didn't want to become a diabetic with chances of heart disease like 80% of my family (who swears that it has nothing to do with their obesity). But I truly believe that God is speaking to me and helping me no longer take advantage of my health and giving me a third chance at losing weight, becoming as healthy as ever (or at least pretty darn close to), and I am so glad that you brought up this topic- it just came to mind and believe that I should thank Him! And I hope nobody believes that I'm trying to shove Him down their throats, I'm just saying that that's what I believe in, that's all!

Wow - this post seems to have gone in many directions. Perhaps it should be bumped back to the original topic.[?]  As for me, another Christian, I call on my God to help when times get hard and I rejoice and praise Him in good times and bad times. I've noticed, simply, that I am a happier individual now that I am getting control over my weight. My Bible tells me that God delights in us - His creations - so is it Him making me feel happier or the mirror and scale? Either way is okay with me.

And to those who don't believe in the Christian God, I wish you well in your journey. I may pray for you - but I will try to never offend you by doing so. I was once very, very ill and a new-age believing friend of mine gave me a crystal and some sand off the floor of a spiritual place she journeyed to in New Mexico. I found it a touching gesture and was never offended by it in the slightest. I thought it was lovely that she cared for me and wanted to help. That's all I am doing when I pray for people.

Thanks, cactus_bob, for getting us talking. Take Care everyone.

 

i have a question for those of you who credit god with helping you to lose weight: do you give him equal credit for helping you gain it in the first place?

I think you're right, justamom- we really should thank cactus_bob to at least get everyone talking, regardless on their beliefs or perspectives on the topic. I also hope that you're feeling better too! Whenever people say that they will pray for them, it's amazing the ranges of reactions! But either way, I never get offended when someone shows that they care for you- especially, when they go out of their way to show that they care is a very rare thing these days!

Take care!

pgeorgian - i'm going to do sun salutations for you, so that you'll frame those photos.

cha2chacha - i'm definitely not the only atheist posting here, and to be honest, i don't really feel like my atheism has been respected in this thread.  no need to get so defensive.

i consider myself an atheist too, but i recently started to go to overeaters anonymous and i found out that it is quite easy to believe in a higher power.  i never wanted to believe in christianity before, but to have a higher power, is fine.

interesting, chalker.  the "powerless" part is one of many things i don't like about 12-step programs.

aasil, i don't need your damn sun salutations.

Original Post by beowulf34319:

Actruly the bible says the treat your body like a temple for the holy spirit, so health and God go hand in hand. After all God engendered this body so he know how to make it work best. Also the bible has many dieting tips it says to not overeat, and to avoid foods like ,pork, shell fish, uncooked meat, and blood.

ROFL!!!
Thx for showing just how worthless the bible is.

Ohh wait its not worthless.  I bet those pink pages make excellent toilet paper.

Ehh I don't see why people can't just accept not everyone believes what they believe and we don't all think the same.  Why make someone feel stupid/less than you because they're not the same as you?

I think it's pretty darn rude =P

I don't understand why people feel the need to prove themselves right all the time and take threads so far off topic.  Instead of bashing others and telling them they're wrong, just state what you believe, why you believe it, and if you're reasoning is good enough you may convince them to reconsider their beliefs.  Just telling them they're stupid won't make them want to believe what you believe or make them think they're wrong.  Try and give them an "ah ha!" moment rather than a "wow what a jerk..." moment. 

It's all about respect =)

mysticbyrd, the bible is one of my favourite reference books.  no kidding.  don't knock the bible.  i don't believe a word in it, but it's a great artifact and being able to navigate it and recognize allusions to the bible really enhances enjoyment and understanding of other texts.

i also love my dictionary of the bible, for those times when i read something that i know is an allusion but can't quite place. 

as a diet guide - well, that's just crazy ;-)