I'm sorry if I haven't been clear or compassionate on this thread. I do love people, regardless of thier condition physically or spiritually. I only want to help folks who's health is at risk, and the Church, who's testimony may be in harms way.
Our young people are deeply affected by the way we practice what we preach. Telling the lost they need to lay aside evils that damage the body and mind, while not saying a word about the detriments of excessive weight and poor diet, is hypocritical and can become a "nail" in the coffin of discouragement.
I have crossed lines before with my passion. I get like Peter, waving my sword all over the place. Every now and then I review my ways and see an apology is in order. I find my desire ever growing to be with the Lord, as the words of Paul ring loud and clear; I do that which I hate. I'll be glad to lay down this life.
I'm trying my best to leave our youth with an example to follow. I hope I'm doing OK. Kids are full of questions, and the right answer is important.
Have a great weekend!
NFS
I think it's great to teach about taking care of our temples in every way. But not to focus on the fat or skinniness of people.
Like I've said over and over in this thread, skinny people often have VERY unhealthy eating habits.
This thread deeply interested me. I read it from beginning to end. I agree with NFS starting assessments...yes there are some exceptions to people having other conditions that contribute to obesity and yes there are skinny people that also do not look after themselves and that does not show physically but does show up in other forms such as temperament (anger, depression, etc). I suppose NFS could have started instead of talking about the danger of obesity, to talk about the danger of not having good mental health....I would dare say that the thread would have been no different in it's direction of finding some people who have problems in that area that people struggle with and yet are judged....definitely more severely so than obese people. I found this debate very edifying and I appreciate NFS bringing this up and I ALSO appreciate all the other partakers in this debate...especially the "nut"! Balance of perspectives is good! lol
One of the cardiac surgeons and I had an interesting conversation just yesterday. He proposes that people who are overweight pay double health care costs because of the problems that it brings to their bodies. He was speaking of people who are overweight because they won't change their lifestyles and such.
He also said that it seems that many overweight people don't seem to think they have a problem, or that they are as big as they are. I can concur with this, as I was the same way...except when I saw myself in pictures with other people.
Since this conversation began, I took a better look around my unit. Yes, we have the little ladies who have COPD but never smoked. We have the men with heart disease but exercise regularly, eat right (I had one this past week who is a vegan, can't understand why he had to have heart surgery), but not overweight more than 20 pounds.
We also talked about how smokers should pay $10 a pack, with the extra money going to health care for smokers so the state and federal government doesn't have to foot the bill for their surgeries and procedures.
He knows my history, and asked if I thought gastric bypass surgery was the answer. I told him no. Compliance would still be a factor, and I have found that most people aren't compliant when it comes to HAVING to do something to be healthier, or even to maintain their health.
There was a lot more said, but these were the interesting parts.
In my nursing practice, I teach. I don't beat them with the information, but I am quite blunt when I need to be.
I witnessed an open heart surgery on Wednesday and the man was my patient yesterday. He's going home today, but I spoke to him about changing his lifestyle so he didn't have to come back to me.
His wife was there, who is also overweight (the kids are overweight too), and she even acknowledged that a lot would be changing at home for all of them. I warned them of the honeymoon period, where people are excited that they feel better and do well for a time, then fall back into the same bad habits. They both said they didn't want that to happen, and I told the guy (who is 47) that if he wanted to live past 57 and see his grandkids grow up (both their kids are still at home), he better stick to the changes and guidelines and doctors orders. I believe they will be doing that, but it's all up to them.
I have enjoyed this thread, and hope that we have all learned something from it.
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I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
Talking about heart issues. My husband has seen both a nutritionist and a physician about high cholesterol. He does not want to go on a statin drug. He thinks he eats well, but eats a lot of fat in my opinion, I think more than he realizes, but he is trying. I personally eat more fat and sugar than I should but it's hard to know how much is too much. We are trying to eat some vegetarian meals. Anyway, I said that to say that we believe in using natural things whenever possible. His MD also agrees. I had him on niacin but his MD is upping the dose by quite a bit. The MD takes niacin himself and is a vegetarian after having a heart attack. Niacin lowers cholestrol without drugs in many people. His nutritionist is very big on fiber. She says cholesterol is caused by not enough fiber. So, we are both using niacin and fiber. She wanted him to eat a lot of beans but said psyllium husk in supplements was also ok.
A couple of years ago, I cut out sugar. I went without anything for a few months. The withdrawl was tough...a couple of days of being REALLY crabby. But I was definately eating it addictively and had for years. It got to where I didn't even want sugar but that was hard because, socially, you are expected to have a piece of cake or whatever. Plus, I realized that I missed the enjoyment I got out of it. So, I started eating some again but still eat less now than I used to. (For example, I will usually have half a piece of cake.) I think I am not eating it addictively like I was. So, I am trying to find moderation in both sugar and fats. We did have bacon at lunch!! Naughty, naughty!! However, I don't want to feel like we can't have good food. I think portions and moderation is the key along with eating lots of fruits and vegetables.
Comments?
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Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it. ~Chinese Proverb
When I was young and clever, I wanted to change the world. Now that I am older and wiser, I strive to change myself. ~
I think it needs to be preached and taught against. People think as long as they aren't smoking or drinking they are fine. "Hey, I'm not fornicating. I'm a good Christian! Yes I would like to super size my Double Whopper with cheese combo. And can I get a piece of the Reese's pie with that? Thank you.
Drinking a little beer or wine would at leats have a benficial effect on your blood pressure. The way we eat does nothing but harm us.
I think it needs to be preached and taught against. People think as long as they aren't smoking or drinking they are fine. "Hey, I'm not fornicating. I'm a good Christian! Yes I would like to super size my Double Whopper with cheese combo. And can I get a piece of the Reese's pie with that? Thank you.
Drinking a little beer or wine would at leats have a benficial effect on your blood pressure. The way we eat does nothing but harm us.
Nitehawk, you're right. In moderation, the health benefits of red wine are known to help with blood pressure and heart disease. And, the Bible is clear about it's usage amongst God's very own.
Yet, some preach total abstinence because of the dangers of abuse, while they have significant health problems from overeating. I just don't get this. This is going to bite us as Christians (I think it already has).
I try to approach my heavy friends with the intention of helping them to see this. Even with an acceptable attitude, many don't want to discuss it, or change.
Why doesn't repentance include overeating? What kind of example are we leaving our children?
Hybrid Mode
