Tony posted an article yesterday about his weight loss. One more reason to hate the guy – jealousy!
This is a struggle I’ve had since I stopped running marathons back in my seminary days. I am fat. Way fatter than I ever thought I would be. I have been a successful dieter, but never been able to keep the weight off.
As Tony pointed out, being fat is NOT good.
- It drains our energy for ministry.
- It causes health problems – according to some reports, it is nearly as damaging as smoking.
- It can damage our testimony to others.
- It costs everyone. A representative of Guidestone told us a few years back that one of the reasons our health insurance was so high was because of the high-stress, sedentary lifestyle of pastors – and obesity is a huge (pun intended) contributing factor.
Yesterday, on Tony’s post, Alan suggested a challenge. I wonder who is interested. I’m in. Several others have indicated interest in the idea of holding one another accountable, encouraging one another and using a little healthy competition as a motivating factor.
We are just a little over halfway through the year. How about we start the challenge now and run it through the end of the year. I don’t think we can offer large cash prizes or anything, but we can confer the title of “SBC Voices Biggest Loser” or some such great honor.
Here’s my idea: (this is pretty much off the top of my head, so if you have a suggestion, feel free to share it)
1) Weigh yourself now. Then send me the number at my Voices email – davemillerisajerk@hotmail.com. I will never publish those numbers, but I need them for record keeping. Don’t be embarrassed, there are few of you whose starting number will exceed mine! If I weigh in at under 350 pounds, its a good day!
2) At the end of every month, we will have a weigh-in and share your progress post. If any of you want to write about the struggle in the meantime, feel free. The point of this is both accountability and encouragement.
3) I will track both total pounds lost and percentage of body weight. Some of the shorter guys might not be able to compete with us big boys in total pounds, but will do well in percentage loss.
4) At the end of every month (at least) I will have a “how are you doing?” post in which you can share your progress or your struggles.
So, if you are interested, just let me know, on here or by my email.
I need the help. I would enjoy the challenge. I’m in. How about you?
You know what else would be cool – a “before” picture! One that shows what you look like now. Then, as weight loss progresses, we can publish the pictures showing progress.
Just a thought.
Wow, it would be hard to come up with a worse idea.
Neon lime green speedo’s?
My fear is that such a visual image would promote lust in the hearts of the females in this blog community. Either that, or an overwhelming sense of nausea.
Kevin, that is why I let myself gain weight in the first place – to help the women not struggle as I stood in the pulpit and preached.
One more thing. I’d like to post a list of those who are taking the challenge and we could pray regularly for one another.
the best idea here
you know, good people, that if you are really obese, you need to have supervision by your physician during a diet and exercise program . . . important to monitor heart function and blood pressure especially . . .
get a physical before beginning . . . and ask if you can be checked periodically for blood pressures
just do this, it’s important
I’m in. The one thing I’m needing on this is community.
Doug, encouragement and community helps us all.
Now, if we only lived in the same neighborhood and could all work out together.
True dat. Although then embarrassment at just how out of condition I am might keep me home.
I am in shape, because pear is a shape.
I’ll go ahead and say it publicly for maximum accountability and also because I am not a girl – I weigh 249 as of this morning. I need to get under 200 overall for my height and frame and somewhere around 180 would be ideal. But, first, let’s try to get this under 200.
There. I have said it before the whole world. Here we go.
If I could weigh 249, I’d be thrilled!
My starting weight is 198 but I am supposed to be at 180-185. If I can make a suggestion, Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar is great way to start losing weight. All it takes is one (1) teaspoon in a glass of water per day. It will help to cleanse the body of toxins, help control blood sugar, help lower cholesterol, and even helps with weight control (to a degree). Bragg’s is all natural and can be bought at any health food store or online at http://www.bragg.com.
It helps lower cholesterol? I’m going to check that out! Not sure I can stand the taste in my mouth, though.
I’ve heard really good things about apple cider vinegar, a few of them frankly too good to be true. I think it is permissible to add a little honey to the mix to make it more palatable, but I could be wrong.
Try eating oat-bran as a hot cereal for breakfast for lower cholesterol also. That has worked for me.
good post. we are often looked at as hypocrites for pointing out other people’s sins while we stand in line at a buffet somewhere. i weighed 270 in march but thanks to ‘my fitness pal’ on my phone (a ‘gift’ from my friend and worship leader) and joining a gym, i am currently at 247. i am lifting weights and walking on a treadmill at total incline to burn as many calories as i can in an hour.
by the way, this is a great thing to do with your wife. we start each day at the gym and then we don’t have to fit the workouts in during the day or evening. have fun and enjoy the journey. remember paul said “So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (ESV)
Howard Hendricks was overweight at one point. He was counseling an alcoholic, telling him that God could strengthen him to overcome his dependence on booze.
He said that as he was talking, the Spirit began to jump all over him.
“How can you say that to an alcoholic when you can’t control your own food intake?”
Dr. Hendricks was thin and trim when I was in his class in 1978.
Dave,
You might enjoy this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB-m85GbmNE
I’m going to get in on this, not because of the need to lose much weight right now (if I trimmed about 10 pounds of fat, I’d be more than happy), but because I need discipline for healthier habits.
I’m 6’5, and right now I clock in at 217.
Back in ’04, during my first round of seminary I maxed out near 240, developed some unrelated health issues and dropped a good part of that. Then when I was healthy again, I started moving back up towards 230ish before I decided to make a change. With lots and lots of exercise (but no changes to diet), I dropped down to 185, which was actually too little for my frame (I had to answer the rumor several times that I had cancer). But maintained around 185-to-190 until ’08. Then the weight started to creep back…195…205…215…225 (stayed active but not as active, and still no dietary change). Took a trip to Africa in January ’12 and dropped 10 pounds from the change of diet and sweat.
Got back and decided to try to keep it off. For the past year and a half, I regularly jog and do P90X. Right now, I jog at least 3 days a week for cardio and do the weights and flexibility aspects of P90X 3 days a week. So I get plenty of exercise, yet nowhere in there have I ever changed my diet.
I’d like to be around 205. When I’m not too busy to work out, I stay between 215-220, when I get busy, I quickly move up to 220-225. I eat a lot of carbs and processed sugars, and I know if I didn’t burn the calories I do then it would add up quick.
I’m fairly motivated to exercise but I’ve never been that motivated to change my dieting habits, but I know I need to in order to drop that last 10 lbs of fat and be in better overall health (and not move up so quickly when I’m forced to drop my activity for a period, like next week when I have my next doctoral seminar–ain’t gonna be a lot of working out during that!).
So count me in, though I don’t plan on being the “biggest loser” 🙂 .
I’m in, even though I’m currently eating a pastrami and swiss sandwich on rye with a Cherry Coke.
I am in. I weighed in at 285 this AM – need to be 240. Let’s do this!
I’m not fat. I’m just vertically challenged. If I would be 7’8″, then I’d be the right weight.
David
007:
Are you saying you are not willing to try and lose weight? Why not?
Tom,
I’ve been keeping up with the people, who die from heart attacks for the past 2 or 3 years, or longer really. And, I’d say that 90% or higher of the people I see dying young….of heart attacks, strokes, etc….and, it’s been a high number of people…I know a lot of people in a lot of places….but, I’d say that, at least 90% of them have been slim and trim, healthy, exercising, jogger types.
My Great Grandmother was chubby her whole life…ate Southern Fried food…never went to a hospital until she was 94 yrs old…died at 96. Just think of how much healthier she’d been, and how much longer she would’ve lived if she’d been skinny and eating healthy….lol.
My Mom and Dad are 78 yrs old. They’ve eaten Southern fried food all their life. My Dad has been a big fella his entire life. He does have blood pressure issues now….since he’s been in his 70’s. But, my Mom and Dad are very healthy people….go wherever they want to go…do most anything they’re able to do at their age…..But, skinny, tofu and yogurt eating, joggers are more healthy? lol
DAvid
Volfan,
LOL.
Dwight,
I want you, and Dave Miller, and Robin Foster, and me to go to an all you can eat buffet….I want us to just stand there for a minute…holding our plates…looking at the Restaurant Manager…..and we can watch him sweat a little, before we go thru the buffet line!!!
🙂
David
I’m in. 301.1 lbs as of right now. This has been on my mind, as I imagine it is on anyone who is fat. Ready to let it go. I sure don’t want the extra weight.
Please include me. Going on vacation last week was a rude awakening about how those old habits can spring back to life when out of routine.
My weight this morning was 175 (added a few back on vacation). That’s likely the middle of my healthy range. With my running goals I should be closer to 165 around November.
Seriously excited for you guys. My best advice is to work on habit change and let those new routines, patterns, rituals do all the hard work.
“My Fitness Pal” app and run/walking everyday are absolutes for me.
i agree. ‘my fitness pal’ is so easy to use and yet some folks say they don’t want to go through all of the ‘trouble’ to use it. i have lost 22 pounds so far this year and our worship leader is ahead of me at 27 pounds lost using this app.
I had an app, but somehow my droid was not shutting down the app when not in use, so it was killing my battery.
I’m in on this as well. I’ve always been on the heavy side, or husky as my pants used to be called. I’m not sure exactly how much I weigh, but I have a ballpark figure–at 6’2″ I weigh in the 260-270 lbs range. I’ll go buy some scales.
Wow! WebMD says I need to be around 200 lbs to have a healthy BMI. Goodness gracious sakes alive! I can do it though, and the challenge will help.
Dave, those before and after pictures, do you want those with our shirts off or on? LOL
I am in. Weighed in at 179 this morning. Goal to be at 160 by December 31.
But, I will say this…..I am trying to lose weight. I am too big….over 6 foot and weigh 376 lbs. I have started walking more. I’m trying to be more disciplined in the amount I eat. And, I’m drinking those Special K drinks that you’re supposed to drink, instead of eating a meal. In fact, I’m about to go, and drink one for lunch now.
So, I guess I’m in, too. I don’t know how to put a picture on here, though. My computer skills are not that advanced. Maybe Dave can take one from my FB page and put it on here….just not the one in the black, Spider man suit….okay, Dave?
David
007:
Congratulations on your attempt to lose weight. I do wish you well in this important endeavor.
Thanks, Tom.
The high protein/low carb has worked for me and the wife really well.
Bkfst: 2-4eggs any style, bacon, WATER, moderate coffee, and at least 8oz of grapefruit juice
lunch: greens (salad) and any meat (even fried meat: catfish, chicken, steak)
dinner: same as lunch – grapefruit anytime is good
What this does is reprograms your body chemistry to burn fat for energy instead of sugars (carbs are just complex sugars)
it takes a while for the body to create enough of the fat burning enzyme (glucogon I think) but after two weeks of tired, you should be back up to normal energy levels and well on the way to less weight.
I remember my father had to lose twenty pounds before he was allowed to retire from the Navy . . . his diet was:
boiled eggs, spinach, grapefruit TID (three times a day) with one exception . . . on the weekend, he was allowed a meal of lamb chops (go figure) and all the fruit salad he could eat
we all felt really sorry for him . . . he still cooked us all a hot breakfast every morning before school, and he remained faithful to that diet . . . but there moments when he would go to eat a boiled egg, and would run to the bathroom to up-chuck.
He lost the weight.
I would limit weight loss over the long term to about a pound per week except under doctor’s orders to lose more. Which is to suggest: a visit to the family physician to start off this effort would be wise especially if a bunch of guys are going to compete for biggest loser…
I want to encourage all you guys. This is an excellent thing to do.
If I could give one encouragement to you, it would be this: changing your diet without exercising will make it difficult for you to maintain your weight-loss. Also, weight-loss alone will only help your physical vitality so much.
I am a huge fan of P90x. I have been using it for two years (began at age 51). I was never really overweight, but I had certainly begun to lose my edge physically. You will not believe what this program can do and it comes with a diet-guide as well. All you need is a pull-up bar, some dumbells (or elastic bands) and an hour a day, six days a week. If you do this for 90 days, you will be blown away with the results. Total cost for the program about 150-200 dollars.
All of us have an hour, whether it is in the morning, afternoon, or evening. Just like a diet, unless you make time, you will never have time.
Good luck with your goals and I look forward to hearing your results.
Count me in, Dave! I will weigh myself in the morning and send you the info.
Praying for you and with you, brother!
Two years ago I went from 260 to 178 in 19 weeks. This morning I was back at 258. (I gave up on a lot of healthy practices last summer when some devastating church and family issues dropkicked me into a bout of depression). Nineteen weeks from today will be one week after Thanksgiving. I am in … 175 pounds will be my Christmas present to my wife, my family, my church, myself, and my Lord.
rob,
May it be so, and may the Spirit empower you in order that it will be so.
I’m in. I’ve got a challenge going with my better half and I think she has pulled ahead in the lbs lost. We started in Jan and are both down 35-40lbs.
We started the high protein/low carb diet (modified version of Mayo & Adkins) and it’s worked great. I’m still trying to shoe-horn an exercise routine in especially so I can start keeping up with my youth group at FUGE, the basketball court, or just hiking CG Mountain.
I was 274 this AM.
My first major goal was 60lbs down, so I’m close, then it’s to get to a goal weight of ~220 so I can meet Army standards again and maybe become a Chaplain.
Greg,
I’m a Chaplain in the Army National Guard and I just wanted to encourage you to keep after that weight loss. The Army needs good Chaplains!
Thanks. I actually miss being in uniform and would love to minister to the troops the majority of which (E5 and below) are often like an older youth group 🙂
I want to be the Chaplain who is airborne, air assault, and even Ranger qualified (if that is possible) to have as many levels of connection as possible. Being prior enlisted is certainly one connection already.
Thank you for your service!!!
I was down to that weight a few years back, but the MEPS doc found another reason to DQ me. I’ll be praying for you to get there!
Since battling my way down to the weight and 3-mile runs, and then being DQ’d anyway, I’ve let it all go. So aggravated with myself for that.
I’m in. 215 right now (5’6”). Ideally 160 but I’d settle for 180. Low carb seems to work for me. I tend to lose weight rapidly when I’m being good, because I’m no good at moderation. I can abstain, or I can overeat. I can’t seem to find the middle. I can eat 8 oreos, or none. I can’t eat two.
If I can add one bit of wisdom (I hope) from when I did lose weight successfully: Get into cooking. I know that sounds counter-intuitive, but seriously, if you start thinking about flavor, and quality over quantity, it’s a big help. Weight loss is much more a mental challenge than a physical one.
David and Alan,
Thanks for the challenge. I lost 30 lbs just before the SBC in June. I’ve gained 20 of those back. I weighed this morning at 393 lbs. At my highest peak a few years ago I was ay 432 lbs. I am so-so grateful for this challenge. I need the accountability, prayer, and “the fellowship of His suffering.” Knowing that there are others doing this as well is a tremendous encouragement. I will try and take a picture soon.
May the Lord crown our efforts with success for His glory, His Kingdom and the good of all who love us. Alan, it has been fun eating your diet today. I am going to call it “The Alan Diet” inspired by Tony, and rallied by David. Brethren, Thanks.
David M., Alan, Tony,
How long are we doing this: 60-90-120 days, or how many?
Till the end of the year.
If we succeed, maybe we will keep going until they nickname us Stick, Slim, and Tiny.
Dave,
Thanks. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.
You sure can, Slim!
Dwight, I did the same thing – lost a good bit of weight before the convention, then put it all back on (most of it, anyway).
LOL. Sounds great! I actually was praying one day about things and I felt like The Lord was saying that is what I should do. I didn’t know anything or had read anything about it. I just started doing it and lost 32 lbs. in 2 months. Then, I started looking it up, talking to doctors, and realized that it was an actual thing that people were doing. It was different from South Beach because it called for fruit, which were good carbs. So, now it is time to do it again and hopefully get down to 200 this time and not quit after I get into the 220’s like I did last time.
Praying for all of you. Reading through this thread is really encouraging.
Anyone use a FitBit? I bought a FitBit One a couple of weeks ago to help give me an idea of how active/inactive I am. I have found it helpful in motivating me to find a way to get extra steps in. Sometimes when I find myself reading in the office I will go walk laps in the sanctuary as I read to help keep from sitting as much.
When I run, I use Endomondo on my Android phone to track my distance, calories, route, etc.
I’ve found the technology helps keep me motivated because it helps me see measurable improvement over time.
If anyone has a FitBit, this might be a group for some additional support and accountability. http://www.fitbit.com/group/22DNRR
I tried using my phone to track y runs, but it went haywire. It made it look like I was swerving all over the road, and when I ran (or walked) 2 miles, it made it look like I had done 3 or 4. I’ll try some of these, but I suspect the problem is with my phone’s GPS.
I’m in. I know now, my biggest struggle is simply making the time. I’m a bi-vocational pastor and my other job is watching my kids. Summer is terrible for adding extra in since they’re home all day. BUT… I still need to get to it. Looking forward to the mutual encouragement!
Similar here. Married with one beautiful 3.5 year old son. He’s home all day. I work in IT, but work from home. I’m also a deacon, and youth leader. Add in that I’m taking college courses and scheduling gets to be a necessity. There are things that you can do from home though. The right body weight exercises work pretty well. Situps, push ups, non-weighted squats, etc.
I’m in, 272 this morning, the most I have ever weighed.
Shooting for 220.
I have for several years just been a reader of the “voices”, and not one who post anything, yet this is something I’d like to get in on. Went to the doctor the other day got on the scale and it wasn’t good. I had been to him about two weeks prior and weighed 272, this visit 277. He wasn’t too happy. Anyway I’m 5’11” and once was told by a doctor that I needed to weigh around 165 lbs. Would love to weigh around 180 my weight before marriage. It’s difficult with all those church fellowships with those casseroles and banana puddings.
I wish losing weight was easier. When I decided to join the military, I went from 260 to 200 in two months by eating a can of tuna a day, and running two miles on my lunch break wearing insolated coveralls. While I was still in the military, I bounced back and forth between 215-240, though I always had no trouble passing my PT tests… just the waist measurement standard. I always did that by running 2-3 miles each morning. Three years ago, I lost my leg in an aircraft accident, and ever since, I’ve had trouble maintaining a low weight standard. I am currently 260 (with my 6lb prosthesis), and I’ve maintained that for the past year, mainly by dieting, and riding an exercise bike. I have a massive bone spur in my stump which keeps me from doing much running, not to mention, I don’t have a running prosthesis – which would obviously help. So while I’m game to jump on this bandwagon, I’m not sure how successful I’ll be; dieting more is probably the only real way I’m going to lose any weight at this point, and since I’m a firefighter, I already work out everyday while at the firehouse.
…I’d like to be back down around 215-220, which I view as optimal, though 230-240 would be a huge step in the right direction.
The response here has been pretty good. Evidently, there are a lot of us who believe that we need to work on this issue.
I look forward to this challenge. I weighed in yesterday. I’ve put back pretty much all the weight I lost previously! AARRRGGGHHH!!! 351. My goal is to be under 300 by the end of the year.
I will post my weight when the scale works. It keeps giving me an error that says “One at a time!!!”
Could always use two scales, Doug…
My helpful advice for the day: both kilograms and stones result in reporting smaller scalars (the numbers as opposed to the unit of measurement) than pounds.
to convert from pounds to kilos, divide by 2.2 (2.204 for the super-precise).
to convert from pounds to stones, divide by 14.
You might be able to find scales that have a setting for kilos. I have yet to find one that reports directly in stones…so some arithmetic (or a calculator) might be required…
Btw: I had a scale that wouldn’t weigh me properly when I was in the 295 range. I developed Type II Diabetes during that time and had to start actually following doctor’s orders on weight loss, food intake, and taking various meds. Had some early successes, lots of plateauing, and continued health problems when I ignored advice. It’s been from 1997 to 2013, but I gradually am down to a 38 waist and around 215-220 (most of this year.)
I’m in this, too, though I have to do it gradually due to needing to adjust medication as things change. I would like to be under 200 by the end of the year. (Just so Doug doesn’t think I’m standing outside of the crowd and lobbing grenades in.)