Weighty Issues

Growing up I had my moments of hard times and rebellion.

Most of them dealt with food and self-image.  It started in the 4th grade.

My homeroom teacher took it upon herself to inform my mom that I didn’t get along with the other kids because I was overweight.  I did not think that was true. 

To look at me then, you wouldn’t think I had a big weight problem.  I had not lost all of my baby fat and I was pre-puberty. I was normal.

But the picture my teacher painted was far too real and hurtful for my mom.  It made her think of her own childhood; a childhood that was full of teasing and damaged emotions because she was “fat.”

So the logical reaction for my mother at the time was to take action; to put me on a diet.  I was around 9 years old.  Her efforts were, I believe now, well-intentioned.  After all, she explained to me that our family had fat genes and that she didn’t want me to end up big.

Unfortunately, well-intentions aside, she had begun a form of sabotage.

No self-respecting parent wants to sabotage their child on purpose.  They really want to do the best for their kid.

That is why I can look back and forgive her.

In order to look forward, I have to forgive.  I also have to talk about it.  I want to prevent other parents from doing it to their kids. I struggle with this even with my own daughter.

Rick Warren from the Purpose Driven Life says the very thing that is your biggest sin can become your greatest ministry.  My fear, since I heard him say that, is the sin I have struggled with is gluttony, and I haven’t wanted to “own” it.

But I do.

I can honestly say that I have been delivered from the crazy binge type eating I used to do as a kid.  The reason I did it then was because I felt unaccepted and a little unloved.  Not in the true sense….I knew my parents loved me. 

The binge eating was gross.  I believe it generally started out as me being hungry at 3pm when I’d come home from school and not having enough to eat during the day because of the dieting, I think I ended up sneaking a few extra snacks or nibbles.  But somehow, I ended up eating weird and stupid things.  Like concentrated orange juice from the can, still frozen.  And peanut butter out of the jar with some chocolate chips thrown in.  It gradually progressed to me hiding food under my bed and stealing money from my dad’s dresser to buy food.

One time, at my friend Brandi’s house, I ate almost an entire dozen chocolate chip cookies in one sitting.  I was around 11 years old.  Her mom made them for us.  She must have thought I was a pig.

I was, instead, a child crying out for help.  I went through every diet and fad you can name.

Until about a year ago when 2 books and one main realization changed me forever.

First, I realized that dieting was not an answer.  That eating healthy, which I had never learned to do, was the only way to change.  I learned this through a life changing program called The Maker’s Diet (maker meaning God).  I began to learn that the things I thought were fattening were actually good fats…I began to eat organic, live food and stop buying the preservative packaged food.  It was amazing the results.  I lost 20 pounds and 3 dress sizes. I gained more energy and self-esteem.

The second book that changed my life was “I Kissed Dieting Goodbye,” by Elliott Young.  She was a guest on my show this week.  She believes the more fresh food we eat, the better off we are.  She also encourages us to be sure to model good eating habits for our children.

She believes if children are 20 pounds or more overweight, they need to get help from a nutritionist/registered dietician. 

She urges us to get off the couch and get out with our kids and go play.  Go for a walk, get active.

I believe this show was life changing for many callers.

To get in touch with Elliott Young, visit www.kissdietinggoodbye.com.