What is this obsession with body weight, anyway?

All my adult life, I have paid as little attention as possible to this subject. My own weight seemed to cycle between 160 lbs (73 kg) and 170 lbs (77 kg), both were within my recommended body weight, and other than trying to eat temperately, quite frankly, I didn’t worry much about the subject. I would watch others around me, however, with pity. Especially the ones of the female persuasion. Take my wife, for example. She was as thin as a rail; and although she never particularly tried to lose weight, she was careful to cook low fat, to cut back on any excessive calories, and to eat a healthy diet and exercise adequately. Her reasoning? She didn’t want to gain weight!

After my dementia diagnosis, my taste buds changed. Especially in the months prior to my eventual transfer to a care home. Vegetables and fruit no longer were appealing to me, and I began gravitating towards the finger foods that many in North America would dub, “fast food”. I wanted salty things, I wanted spicy things, and especially, I wanted sweet things. Particularly ice cream! Would you like to know what my absolutely favorite Christmas gift was that last year? Yup, you got it! Gift cards to the local ice cream shops!

As a result of my changes in eating patterns, my weight oscillated upwards and my wife began buying me larger and larger pants. She seemed concerned that I was “gaining too much weight”, but upon the advice of my doctor, she didn’t stop giving me ice cream! I liked that doctor!

When it came time for that ultimate transfer into a care home, she went out and bought large and extra large pants for me, and she packed away all of my smaller clothing. The day I went into a care home, however, marked the day my weight began cycling downward. Only this time it didn’t stop at 160 (73 kg), but dropped all the way down to 140 lb (64 kg). I didn’t feel any different – except I needed suspenders very badly! – but given her propensity to focus on weight, she became very concerned. Suddenly I began getting protein shakes between meals. Family who would visit me brought donuts and hot chocolate, pizza and sweet buns – anything that would provide me with extra calories! I didn’t argue!

This all puzzles me. First she is concerned that I am gaining too much weight, and then she is concerned that I’m losing too much weight! Isn’t she ever happy?

This serves to remind me of an important kingdom principle: Everything in moderation! In fact, self-control is one of the fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is …gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22a, 23b ESV). Why? Because you can have too little of a good thing, and you can also have too much of a good thing! This is why the Bible warns us to be temperate in everything!

We often quote 1 Peter 5:8 (“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” NIV) as a verse to keep us on our toes against the devil. But notice that we aren’t just called to be “alert”, but also to be of “sober mind”! Although this calls to mind the idea of avoiding alcohol, it can cover so much more. It doesn’t matter what we are being intemperate with – video games, excessive food, immorality, etc – it will cloud our minds! We cannot be “alert” when we are not living our lives in moderation!

The world’s wisest man knew this. He experienced it, for he says, “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” (Eccl. 2:10-11 NIV). As a result, he teaches us the following: “If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.” (Proverbs 25:16 NIV).

We want to live in freedom. After all, we are told and we quote: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” (Galatians 5:1a NIV). Yet we forget the rest of this same verse: “Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1b NIV). Let’s never forget Paul’s wise words: “’I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but I will not be mastered by anything…” (1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV).

Living in moderation. Whether it is your body weight, your eating or drinking habits, or what you do in your spare time, there is always too much – or too little! – of any good thing!

The same goes for weight obsession. We need to learn to eat healthy and in moderation; but we shouldn’t be overly focused on our weight!

Oh, and I suspect that once my weight comes back up, my family will likely stop bringing me ice cream. And when that time comes, I will be confused and maybe a bit disappointed; but what I should do is say, “Thanks!”

Inspired by Rob Chaffart
Founder, Answers2Prayer Ministries