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Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Use Faith to Lose Weight
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This is a subject that I don’t often speak about, as it can be a touchy matter for some folks and it applies to many people I am close to. However, my purpose is create awareness, not just to try to get you to look good. Besides being a personal fitness trainer, I would consider myself to be a lifestyle manager. I try to educate myself as much as possible in the areas of behavior and sociology. With that said, let me get to the point.
In the good ole south, we have a tradition of bringing high fat, deep fried, high in sugar, cheesy, creme-filled, process foods at our social gatherings, all to be washed down with sweet tea. We use food as a form of communication and bonding. This is especially prevalent at churches. Rarely, have I been at a Protestant church and not seen doughnuts, cookies, honey buns, and candy for the kids. That’s just what you see in the food court and reception areas, not to mention the pot-lucks and steak dinners.
What’s really interesting is that when I am at these functions, someone always tries to tempt me to eat something or they’ll say, “I don’t know if I should eat this in front of you.” Little do they realize that if anybody could get away with eating that kind of food, it would be me. Plus, it’s not my place to say anything to you. It’s your choice. It’s also kind of fun to see those who told may they were on a diet say, “Well, just this one time won’t hurt.” It’s funny, but it’s quite serious.
On a more positive note, there are some churches that are beginning to take a stand against obesity. Beyond having your standard aerobics class during the day, these churches are having seminars and full fledged educational series. They are saying “no” to the doughnuts and candy. They also pray for a fit life, but they don’t just pray for all of their health problems to disappear. They understand it takes action. By my observation, more African-American dominated churches are taking a stand.
When you are in a lifestyle management and fitness program, you have to ask the Almighty for strength and wisdom. For many clients that I know who are true to their faith I will ask, “Are you praying for help to get fit?” Most of them tell me, “No, I haven’t really thought about it.” Then I ask, “Why? If you pray for everything else, then you must pray for your ability to take action, recover well, and to eat right”
If you listen to any self-help series from the greats such as Carnegie, you will hear that faith is the cure for failure and the basis of all miracles. To be more modern, the movie about the Law of Attraction called “The Secret” also states the same things. Point is, if you are looking to improve your health, lose weight, and get fit, don’t forget to seek divine power and pray.
What are your thoughts on this subject? Have you used faith to lose weight and/or reach any goal for that matter?
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