Our nation has a huge problem with obesity, and it’s only getting worse. Gluttony is common and rarely rebuked by pastors. Junk food is abundant and filled with seed oils and sugar which cause obesity and ill health. Many try diets and weight loss gimmicks. They may get the weight off but can’t keep it off. What’s the solution?

I came across an article written by a woman who lost 40 pounds without dieting in six months. How did she do it?

“I cut out sugar, refined carbohydrates, and any artificial sweeteners that spike your blood sugar, such as aspartame, saccharin, or sucralose. Insulin is what causes your body to store fat, and when your blood sugar spikes, your body releases more insulin. Cutting out sugar, carbs, and those ‘bad’ artificial sweeteners keeps your blood sugar stable which allows your body to burn more fat.

“I eat LOTS of protein and plenty of healthy fat. I actually started eating meat after being a vegetarian/pescatarian for 28 years because I was having a hard time getting enough protein without the use of soy products, which I wanted to avoid. Now I eat allllll the meats—beef, chicken, pork—and quite a lot of it!

“I also eat lots of healthy fats, including avocado oil, olive oil, butter, MCT oil, and full-fat dairy products. Most of us (especially those of us who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s) have been conditioned to avoid fat as much as possible, but as it turns out, fat is actually what makes you feel full and satisfied while protein provides tons of energy.

“And in case you’re wondering—I also eat plenty of non-starchy vegetables, especially spinach, broccoli, green beans, bell peppers, cauliflower and salads, as well as low-sugar fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.”

I made a video a few weeks ago about my journey to losing five pounds. Last December, I had shingles then Covid. I lost some weight. I don’t know how much since I never weighed myself. Since February, I had gained five pounds! I wasn’t happy about it. Everyone has a weight where they feel best, and I didn’t like being five pounds overweight, so I decided I was going to weigh myself every day to keep myself accountable. So far, I have lost four pounds. A nutritionist told me losing a half pound a week is a good goal. It needs to become more of a lifestyle than a weight loss program. I can honestly tell you that it’s NOT easy. It takes a lot of denying our flesh and self-control!

Some are offended by the thought of weighing oneself daily. I love what one man wrote about it on Twitter: “If you’re trying to lose weight, you should weigh yourself daily. What gets measured, gets managed. Advice to the contrary is based on the idea that you can’t handle the truth, and you’ll give up.” I can handle truth. I want truth!

As many of you know, I have a brain tumor and due to the radiation, my pituitary isn’t functioning so I am on thyroid medication and a steroid. Both of these make it easy to gain weight and difficult to lose weight. I needed to figure out how much I can eat to lose a little bit of weight and not keep gaining weight. I found Ruth’s article that I mentioned above, and I saw that she has lost weight the same way that I have but it was probably a lot easier for her since she’s younger and doesn’t have the health issues that I have.

I had to cut out my sourdough pancakes, chocolate, and my homemade bread for a time. The way of eating Ruth described is the healthiest and best way to lose weight, become healthy, and keep it off! Weighing each day helps keep me accountable and helps me to know if I am eating too much. Yes, it fluctuates but slow and steady is the name of the game.

I don’t want my flesh to control me. I want to control my flesh and even say “no” to it at times. One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control, so all believers in Jesus Christ can do all things through His Spirit that works mightily within us. God wants us to discipline our flesh, make it our slaves, and not let it control us. Don’t allow your flesh to control you any longer, women. You control it. Say “no” to your flesh and “yes” to righteousness! Discipline and self-control are wonderful things!

But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:27