Dr. Billy Holland

This might be one of the most unpopular articles of all time, but as I sit here wanting to express from my heart, my private burdens are being exposed. I care about you (and me), it's the only reason I would write about such a challenging subject. I believe it's better to step forward and deal with personal issues that are causing great harm to our bodies and our self-esteem. Excess body fat is a serious problem. Many people, including myself, tend to gain size and bulk around the waist. I do not like it, but within my mind, trying to do something about it is like climbing a vertical cliff. Most of the time, I talk myself out of trying even before I can gather the ropes and climbing gear.

Let's face it, being overweight makes a person sluggish, and to be blunt, we do not like how we look. Our obesity can be a psychological dark cloud that hangs over us, along with being self-conscious of how we look when we get dressed or undressed, and anywhere that has a mirror. Not only are we seen by everyone, but we also feel bad for our spouse and how we have let ourselves go, as if our appearance were not important. I know those who love us say they do not care about our outward appearance, but what are they supposed to say?

I've heard people joke around about their appearance by saying things like, "I don't care what people think, I just want to enjoy my life" or, "I'm too old to care anymore, I just want to be happy." I get it, but are we really content and proud with what we have created? These types of comments evolve from the combination of secret frustrations and anger. Frustrating because of how difficult it is to break free from this powerful bondage, and anger for allowing ourselves to get into this mess in the first place. My intention is not to heap more condemnation or guilt on us, but to come out in the open and ask why we are stuck in this merry-go-round of being overweight and out of shape, and how we can stop yielding to the temptations to please and serve our flesh. I guess the big question is, do we believe this is a serious problem, or will we continue being controlled and living in denial? It is said that when we don't deal with what's going on, it keeps going on.

Within the context of being a marshmallow, the more bad foods we eat, the more we help diabetes take control of our destiny. Even when we realize that what we consume is the problem, some still refuse to change their lifestyles. They are discouraged and depressed, yet the desire to eat unhealthy is stronger than the desire to cast down these food addictions. Max Dupree is quoted, "We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are." We are told that highs and lows from glucose and insulin can make us feel weird, which is why so many of us are on meds to keep us balanced. I realize I'm older, but I believe my cravings for afternoon naps are a consequence of my sugary diet and lack of exercise.

Exercise is a popular subject to talk about, but it's very difficult to actually do. Personally, I've had visions of working out, but have never been serious about it. I have every opportunity to do push-ups and sit-ups, but I don't want to. I would much rather sit down and watch something meaningless. Just how important is this to me? Yes, I'm old and tired, and I do not have the energy I once had, which proves even more how I must accept that I'm responsible for my health. What about embracing our bad habits, eating too much, eating the wrong types of food, not getting enough cardio exercise (which causes us to not only be out of shape, and the reason for our muscle atrophy), retaining fluid, heart-artery, lung, kidney, liver, and pancreas problems, and this is just naming a few. I can make a lot of excuses about my negative addictions, but the pain has not yet caused me to raise my game. We can continue to ignore our old attitudes, or we can become motivated to be transformed into the best version of ourselves. Isn't it better to be honest, even if it's uncomfortable?

Dr. Holland is an ordained minister, chaplain, author, and teacher. Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com