THE DIET THREAD

[donnA]

I believe the something Joan. Our bodies get their fuel from carbs. Extreme low carb eating can cause bodily damage.
What I have learned over the years of trying to loose weight is that people will do anything to loose weight, even Christians, whether it's dangerous or not.

 

[TaterTot]

I dont believe in cutting out carbs altogether either. I am gradually increasing my carb allowance as the Atkins plan advocates. This includes fruit and even some whole grain breads. I don't feel that the way I am doing it is unhealthy. It is way better than I have eaten before. I have found that I am not losing extremely fast, but it is steady.
My mother is diabetic, and her doctor said it was fine for her to eat that way, too, as long as she continues with her regular check-ups.

 

[Trotter]

I agree, TaterTot (love the name!).

It would be almost impossible to completely cut out carbs in your diet. I have really restricted mine, but not to the 20 carbs a day that the Atkins Induction phase calls for. I am not really counting how many I take in, but I could safely say it varies from 15 to 50 from day to day.

Yes, Donna, people will do almost anything to try to lose weight. But, you see, when a person reaches a certain point, the chance to lose weight outweighs the potential risks.

When I started this diet, I talked with my doctor. He said that it was a good way to lose the weight, but if I didn't learn to eat properly I would just gain it back. So I am losing weight, and trying to re-educate myself on how to choose what I eat.

I don't know how much weight you might be wanting to lose, but I NEED to lose a lot. I have always been heavy, ever since I was a small child. And I have continued to GROW as the years went by. When I started on this diet, I needed to lose 190 pounds just to get back to what I weighed when I graduated high school. I was overweight then, too, but not extremely so, just under the "obese" rating.

I have to lose weight if I want to see my daughter grown, to hold my grandkids, to grow old with my wife. It is not an option. And I do not consider surgery as an option, either. There is no reason for it if I can lose weight without it, or without pills.

Yes, there are risks. There are risks when we get into our cars. There are risks when we cross the street. There are risks when we climb a mountain. But it is a risk that I willing to take.

In Christ,
Trotter

 

[Trotter]

Oh, yeah. ALmost forget while I was up on my soapbox.

Weighed in this morning. Both my wife and I lost 5 pounds. And, yes, we are both tickled about it!

In Christ,
Trotter

 

[onestand]

Well congrats Trotter, it's always such a good feeling to get on the scale and see it read less than before...GREAT JOB!!!

Tator, I actually know nothing about the atkins diet, however i do know many are dropping pounds quickly on it. Like I said, I'm no expert so I can't say if it's healthy or not and if your seeing good results then it would seem it's working for you...glad to hear it!

Joan

 

[donnA]

trotter, how biblical is our 'do anything' attitude about weight loss, thats my concern. Is God glorifies when we'll 'do anything' to achieve what we want to?
How biblical is it to say some vegetables, fruits and all grains are bad for us when God created them and said they were good and gave them to man as food?

 

[Trotter]

Doona,

All things are good for us, but only in moderation.

Is God glorified if we are walking around, or should I say waddling around, so fat that we cannot go shopping without have to stop and rest (I'm not, but know those who are)? Would it glorify God if I stood before a congregation and preached about self-control when I am extremely overweight? Would it glorify God if we belly up to a buffet like a bunch of hogs at feeding time?

There comes a time to take action. I do not believe in surgery to lose weight, and do not want to be dependent on some kind of pill to lose weight. I have tried many different diets, and this is one that I can live with (although it can be expensive). But I must do something.

Maybe you have never been obese. I am. Most do not think that I weigh as much as I do because I have always been heavy and i carry it well. If I were not fat, I would still be a big guy (6', size 12 shoe, broad shoulders, muscle mass). My entire family are giants, with broad muscular builds. So my frame is better able to accomodate my mass. But that still doesn't change the fact that I am very much overweight.

How biblical is it? I dunno. The bible doesn't say much about being fat, but it says a lot about self-control. And what I am doing requires a lot of that. I want God to get the glory for everything I do, whether it is losing weight or witnessing.

I am losing weight for me, for my wife, for my daughter. But I am also losing weight for God, to be a better witness. Who will take me seriously when I tell them that God will meet all their needs if I can barely squeeze through the door? My body shows that I have been meeting my wants way too much.

I do appreciate your concern. I really do. My wife worries over the same things. But the benefits outweigh the risks for me. Like I have said, I am desperate enough to do almost anything.

In Christ,
Trotter

 

[TaterTot]

Well, I still do not see the problem with low carb. You CAN have fruits, veggies (even potatoes eventually) and grains. I feel much more in control of my life when my eating is under control. I am no longer eating fast food once or twice a week. My appetite is smaller as well.
I, too, want to be with my children for many years. I lost a parent who was young due to heart disease, and I know I am at risk. I have done First Place and semi-Weight Watchers, and I just dont see how this diet is unhealthy in comparison.
I am eating lean meat, lots of veggies, salad, and drinking lots of water. How is this unhealthy? Just because I don't have bread with my meal? I really don't understand all the hoopla about it. And I really dont care, b/c its working for me, I feel great, have more energy than I have had in years, and I am losing weight steadily. I feel like I have control of my life back.

 

[donnA]

Trotter, I missed your post about the weight loss, good going, it's a difficult thing to do.

Moderation is the key. Atkins types diets are not moderation but an elimination of some foods.
I agree God is not glorified when we are overweight, but we can not fix one wrong with another wrong. Our 'I will do anything to have it my way' is not right.

Maybe you have never been obese

All of my life. I know exactly what it's like.

tater tot,
that eventually is part of the problem, the diet tells us not to eat those foods, even for a while, plus there are people doing induction indefinitely.

And I really dont care, b/c its working for me

And to think I thought it was all about God, not 'me'.

 

[TaterTot]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I sense an "attitude" here. If you dont like my eating habits, then dont conform to them. You do it your way and I'll do it mine. I have done it your way twice and failed. This is working for me and you will not change my mind.
Do so many topics have to end up in conflict?

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

People this is a 'fellowship' forum, please lets keep it that way.

This thread was started to encourage each other, not discredit or argue about our choice of diet...

I found this on a Baptist site. Thought it would make interesting reading... Comments?

Losing weight is not the point
Mar 2, 2004
By Joe McKeever

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=17769

 

[PJ]

Glad to hear you're all doing so well on your diets. I'm officially on a "cut back" but not on any specific diet. I have found in the past that if I must give up foods I really like, my diet is short lived. Thus, my current approach is eat what I like but a lot less of it.

Thanks for beginning this thread, Sue. It has been encouraging, and I have learned some tips and tricks along the way. I'd always heard drink plenty of water, and am doing that, but didn't particularly know the reason why (saggy skin?).

Thanks for the heads up, all!
~PJ

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

Hi PJ!

Actually, besides the fact that water is healthy for you. There is another reason for this. It sounds backwards, but is medically sound.

Drinking water helps you lose weight. When our bodies do not get enough water, it will store it's own - creating weight.

Ever heard of water gain? Or water weight? If we drink enough water, we can avoid this. It also does away with bloating and swelling which results from the body retaining fluid.

Glad the thread has helped you!
§ue

 

[PJ]

Hi Sue, and thanks for your kind response. I suppose that does make sense when one thinks about it. I'm off to get a nice, tall glass of sparkling water. Have a great day!

~PJ

 

[TaterTot]

Originally posted by I Am Blessed 16:
This thread was started to encourage each other, not discredit or argue about our choice of diet...

Thanks Sue! It has been an encouragement to me, and just to know that others are trying too is great to know!! Yall keep up the good work!!
Tater

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

Hi Tater!

I need some encouragement. I am ashamed to admit that I gained most of my weight back over the holidays and I just can't seem to get back in the groove.

It is 'hit and miss' now. I was sure breathing better after dropping 20#, now I am back to the inhaler.

I covet your prayers,
§ue

 

[PJ]

Prayers are going up for YOU, Sue! Hang in there!

~PJ

 

[TaterTot]

Sue,
I know what you mean about getting back in the swing of things. I am cheat-free for 9 weeks today. But it took me several years, ashamedly, to get to the point I was ready, REALLY ready, to make the commitment to lose. I am in it now to the finish. I dont want my girls to grow up and be like me in that area. Its the main area of inconsistency in my life.
Anyway, I know you can do it. You have done it before and you can do it again. I will certainly pray for you to "want" to want to.

TaterTot

 

[Trotter]

Hang in there, Sue!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:12

That is the key right there. Through Christ. Without Him, we are powerless. It is only through abiding in Him, surrendered to the leading of the Holy Spirit, that any of us are able to accomplish anything at all.

I am reading The Wonderful, Spirit-filled Life by Charles Stanley, and would highly recommend it to anyone. Even though he is talking of being surrendered to the leading of the Spirit in our daily lives, every bit of it carries over into my ongoing struggle of weight loss. It is just...awesome!

In Christ,
Trotter

 

[Gina B]

Alright, time to join in!

I just (very) recently decided to change my diet quite a bit, as in giving up most things that contain white sugar and cutting back on junky snacks.
I'm using honey in my morning tea, and I love it. I took a sip of a drink with sugar in it this morning and although it's only been a couple of days, it now tastes weird to me and nasty sweet.
So yay!
I don't have a scale so unless my clothes start to get too loose I have no clue if it's changing my weight at all, but even if it isn't I know it's better for me health-wise!
I miss chocolate brownies already. Especially the triple fudge ones with bits of chocolate in them, fresh from the oven... *siiiiggghhh*
Now get this...I going to start eating more carbs. ON PURPOSE!
Gina