There is no magic pills in this teaching for weight loss, just some plain ole common sense and instruction from God's word. I realize that this is a very deep subject and carries with it a varity of problems that some people have had since childhood. I only present this teaching from a spiritual perspective and from some personal observations and experiences.

Unless you have been stranded on a desert Island for the last twenty years, I'm sure that you have heard all the TV and radio programs talking about how fat we Americans are. The diet industry nets billions of dollars a year with their magic potion pills, promising a better you with no effort at all. They parade around a twenty year old model as if to say this is what you can look like, with our product.

Come on, let's be frank, I'm 56 years old, I'm xxxxxx pounds overweight and I love extra portion size burgers and fries. Oh have I mentioned, I spend about 6 hours every evening watching all of Hollywood's latest sitcoms as I happily munch away my favorite snacks. Not.

Even if I did eat right and exercise, there is no way I will ever look like that twenty year old.
We must be realistic and honest with ourselves.

There is no easy magical way. It takes a change in life style.

How is it that we have gotten so gullible. Basically people want the easy way, no one wants to have to work hard, or give anything up. This is why so many of the latest weight losing gadgets have enormous sales. In my home town, we have spring clean up. Every year people can set all their junk on the curb and the trash trucks haul it away.

Every year I cannot help but notice all the exercise equipment in the trash. Most are the same ones that are seen on TV the previous year. To be fair some of this equipment would have good results if they were used routinely. I believe they are thrown out because people were looking for the magic pill formula. When they buy these gadgets they never realize the dedication it takes for it to produce the desired effects.

Oh I know, sometimes people don't have time etc. etc.

As a Christian I believe that God's word has the answers for me to every situation and circumstance of life, so what does the Bible say about my weight? To understand this we must look at what it says about our bodies.

Prayerfully I will say something that will be a help to you and me.

This is designed with the Christian in mind.

1.. We are not the sole owner of our bodies

God has claim

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (ouch!)

I must ask myself "does my body belong to the Lord? Am I offering it to Him for His glory?" He offered His for me.

My spouse has claim

1Cor. 7:3-4 Let the husband render to his wife the affection owed her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.
4 The wife doesn't have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise also the husband doesn't have authority over his own body, but the wife.

The realization that I don't have exclusive rights to my body helps me to govern my body, it's appetites etc. I can no longer overindulge to the point of gluttony because it would be bowing to an idol, the idol of food.

God says Thou shall have no other gods before me.

Also if I continue to overindulge then it would effect my husband or wife, our bodies also belongs to them. Christians seem to fall victim to the acceptable sin of gluttony more then any other. Why? Is it because we think we have a right because we no longer do this, or do that etc. (the sinful things we did before we accepted Christ)

Proverbs 23:20-21 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
21. For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

The medical profession has warned us of the effects of eating too much red meat; high cholesterol, blood pressure, which lead to heart disease. (which is on the rise) Have you notice all the commercials and advertisements that offers larger size portions. The triple burger, the triple shake, triple fries, super large soda etc. Hey! they are just trying to sell more of their stuff and succeeding, I might add.

Proverbs 23:2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.

In other words: restrain your appetite, eat as if the knife were at thy throat. Use some self control. There are consequences we will reap, if we don't. Yes we do have the power to do it.

Please notice:

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;

Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered.

The Holy Spirit is with us to help us, but He will not over power us and force us to do anything against our will. We must seek His help and be willing to yield to Him.

Apostle Paul said "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. God will give us the help if we are willing.

Apostle Paul said:

1Cor. 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Paul would not allow his physical body, with it's desires, passions etc to dominate him. He remained in control and kept them at check.

Are we not disciples of Christ? One aspect to the word disciple is discipline.

Notice the words of His Majesty

John 4:32 But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you don't know about."
33 The disciples therefore said one to another, "Has anyone brought him something to eat?"
34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work.

To do the will of God is satisfying and fulfilling.

Speaking for myself

Sure it's ok to enjoy a piece of pie!

Notice:

1Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded; nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

BUT-- if I don't put a check on my self I'll eat the whole pie. Especially those yummy Reeses Cups.

So How do I enjoy a piece of that peach pie and honor God in the process? Thank Him for his wonderful provisions, restrain my self and have one piece. If I must; "say Holy Spirit help me to resist the temptation of overindulgence."

Personally I know when I have overindulged when I can't seem to get a deep breath. Know what I mean?

20 years ago

I asked the Lord to help me stay at 160 pounds, at the time of writing this I weigh 160 pounds. My weight has fluctuated between 155 and 165 according to circumstances and situations but basically stays at 160 pounds.

The Lord showed me that 1600 calories a day with moderate exercise would keep me in the weight area that I asked. This was for me, your needs may be different. I once had a lawn mowing service that required me to walk 5-6 miles a day with a certain amount of strenuous exercise, for my health I had to increase my calorie intake.

Watching my calorie intake has become a way of life, I don't even realize that I do it. I don't consider it a diet, I consider it a fast, life time commitment to fasting.

Yes sometime I must ask God to forgive me of gluttony, I do, then get right back in the
saddle.

If you fall down get back up. Press on

The key to enjoying a good meal and honoring God in the process is to use moderation.

Once while praying about fasting, the Lord gave me this. "A fast that is pleasing to Me is a continuous fast, that my people would use control when they eat, and eat in moderation."

Some things that help - common sense stuff

Make yourself accountable to God, to your spouse, to a friend if necessary.
Find a partner to walk with, to exercise with etc. one that will not only be supportive but also challenge you.
Realize that there are no magical cures, that it takes commitment.
Be realistic and honest with yourself.
Don't expect to look like you did 25 years ago.

Set some realistic goals-- in stages.
Realize that your flesh will not like it!

If necessary seek the right medical help etc You family doctor can probably offer a plan that is right for you.