Obesity -- a sin?

[graceandglory]

It must be nice to be so perfect. I hope you never have to struggle with an eating disorder or other addiction.

And no, obesity is not a sin. Not taking care of one’s physical health to the best of one’s ability probably is, but one’s weight is not a reliable indication of whether that person is taking care of himself or herself. Some “obese” (classified as such by the completely unreliable and apparently arbitrary BMI- don’t forget, it was readjusted several years ago so that people who were not formerly classified as “overweight” or “obese” are now classified as such) people eat better and take more exercise than some thin people. Take that active obese person and the inactive thin person to the doctor, have the same tests run, and I’ll bet that the obese person (barring things like familial hypertension/hypercholesteremia) will score better on most, if not all tests.

Dear Seeker Jen,

I have struggled with my weight since I was in elementary school.
I have led a weight loss support group in the past. I understand the weight issue. But what’s more, I understand it as a spiritual issue, in addition to a physical issue. I don’t think anyone in this thread has said that “being obese” is a sin. But it IS a result of A LOT of sins of gluttony.

I have gained about 20 pounds in the last year. It is a result of several times of over eating. Not just one.

When I eat more that is required for my height, I will gain weight. It is a physical law.

When I eat appropriate for my height I will stay the same weight.

When I eat less than is required for my height I will lose weight.

It isn’t rocket science.

Many people over-exercise to compensate for their over eating. But they are still over eating. As soon as the over-exercising stops, and the eating stays the same, they gain weight. Look at retired football players.

There are a few exceptions to the rule, some people are “obese” looking due to medications, water retention, lupus, and other sicknesses. But your post still sounds like someone is making excuses. It also sounds like denial. Everybody has the ability to not put food into their mouth when they are not hungry.

Most people tend to gain weight over the holidays. Why? Because we over indulge. It’s culturally acceptable. Other people over indulge all year long and they end up overweight.

Oh, if only I were perfect. I wouldn’t have to take the same sin into the confessional each time.

 

[goofyjim]

Dear Seeker Jen,

I have struggled with my weight since I was in elementary school.
I have led a weight loss support group in the past. I understand the weight issue. But what’s more, I understand it as a spiritual issue, in addition to a physical issue. I don’t think anyone in this thread has said that “being obese” is a sin. But it IS a result of A LOT of sins of gluttony.

I have gained about 20 pounds in the last year. It is a result of several times of over eating. Not just one.

When I eat more that is required for my height, I will gain weight. It is a physical law.

When I eat appropriate for my height I will stay the same weight.

When I eat less than is required for my height I will lose weight.

It isn’t rocket science.

Many people over-exercise to compensate for their over eating. But they are still over eating. As soon as the over-exercising stops, and the eating stays the same, they gain weight. Look at retired football players.

There are a few exceptions to the rule, some people are “obese” looking due to medications, water retention, lupus, and other sicknesses. But your post still sounds like someone is making excuses. It also sounds like denial. Everybody has the ability to not put food into their mouth when they are not hungry.

Most people tend to gain weight over the holidays. Why? Because we over indulge. It’s culturally acceptable. Other people over indulge all year long and they end up overweight.

Oh, if only I were perfect. I wouldn’t have to take the same sin into the confessional each time.

And I am obese due to medication which slows down my metabolism. So to blame it all on gluttony or some other sin is just wrong.

 

[graceandglory]

It was a fascinating read. It had a lot of research to back up the premise. What really hit me is that we may have a lot of cultural suppositions that make us associate being overweight with negative character qualities when it may be primarily a biological trait.

rethinkingthin.com/

I went to the website, leonie.
I think I would agree with the book.
Everyone has a right weight, and it’s not the same for everyone.
I would bet though, that according to the book, no one’s set point is set at obesity.
Certainly there is fluctuation, but not by 100 pounds.

Why do Christians seem to get so defensive when the subject of gluttony comes up?

 

[goofyjim]

I went to the website, leonie.
I think I would agree with the book.
Everyone has a right weight, and it’s not the same for everyone.
I would bet though, that according to the book, no one’s set point is set at obesity.
Certainly there is fluctuation, but not by 100 pounds.

Why do Christians seem to get so defensive when the subject of gluttony comes up?

If only it were all gluttony. Then it would be sin and Christians could correct it. But often obesity is inherited. Consider that before passing judgement.

 

[graceandglory]

If only it were all gluttony. Then it would be sin and Christians could correct it. But often obesity is inherited. Consider that before passing judgement.

I am not passing judgment on anyone.
I have already said that obesity isn’t the sin.
Each time I post I am speaking of the sin of gluttony.
Gluttony is a sin.
It is a sin in the bible and it is a sin according to the teachings of the Catholic Church.
I am not passing judgment on anyone’s soul.

But I will suggest the next time we want to eat something, to ask ourselves if we are really eating out of necessity, because we are hungry, or just because we want it and it is there.

Also, I am sharing from my life-long struggle to be at my right weight. I am sharing what I have learned. It actually even helps me to be a better Christian when I share it. I hope to be better tomorrow than I was today. Just because I have learned something, doesn’t make me judgmental. Some people here are accusing me of being judgmental because I choose to share what I know. That isn’t Christian charity.

 

[goofyjim]

I am not passing judgment on anyone.
I have already said that obesity isn’t the sin.
Each time I post I am speaking of the sin of gluttony.
Gluttony is a sin.
It is a sin in the bible and it is a sin according to the teachings of the Catholic Church.
I am not passing judgment on anyone’s soul.

But I will suggest the next time we want to eat something, to ask ourselves if we are really eating out of necessity, because we are hungry, or just because we want it and it is there.

Also, I am sharing from my life-long struggle to be at my right weight. I am sharing what I have learned. It actually even helps me to be a better Christian when I share it. I hope to be better tomorrow than I was today. Just because I have learned something, doesn’t make me judgmental. Some people here are accusing me of being judgmental because I choose to share what I know. That isn’t Christian charity.

As far as I know overeating occasionally doesn’t even approach mortal sin so it is forgiven by reception of the eucharist. And I don’t even over eat. But because of the medication I am on it is difficult to impossible to get off the weight. That is why I am obese. It should be noone’s concern but mine.

 

[graceandglory]

As far as I know overeating occasionally doesn’t even approach mortal sin so it is forgiven by reception of the eucharist. And I don’t even over eat. But because of the medication I am on it is difficult to impossible to get off the weight. That is why I am obese. It should be noone’s concern but mine.

I’m only sharing Church teaching. I’m also being generous and sharing my own life here with strangers.

Please don’t shoot the messenger.

 

[graceandglory]

What Is Moral Conversion by Fr. Thomas Dubay
Deep Prayer, Deep Conversion?

To a goodly number of people the idea of moral conversion is heavily negative, even threatening. It suggests giving up fun things, making sacrifices, cutting down and cutting out, getting rid of numerous selfishnesses. This reaction is understandable, but it is only the smaller aspect of a larger and liberating truth.

An accurate synonym for conversion, as we are using the word here, would be transformation. Put simply, conversion is a basic and marked improvement on the willing level of the human person. Even more pointedly, it is a fundamental change in our willed activities from bad to good, from good to better, and from better to best. Anyone who is fully alive will find this a stimulating set of ideas. We can put the matter in still another way. Conversion is a change from vice to virtue: from deceit and lying to honesty and truth … gluttony to temperance … vanity to humility … lust to love … avarice to generosity … rage to patience … laziness to zeal … ugliness to beauty.

 

[FLCathMom]

Gluttony can be committed by thin people, too. I know–I’ve seen it. If you are fat, chances are you may have committed gluttony, but if you are thin, chances are you may also have committed gluttony. I’ve seen someone who is rail thin eat two pizzas. Not two pieces but two full pizzas!

Gluttony is eating more than you need to. Some thin people eat a lot of food because they need to- this is not overeating. I have to eat a lot of food constantly just so I don’t lose weight. I find it cumbersome that I have to constantly worry about if I have eaten enough. If my weight slips below a certain level, I start to get weak and constantly sick. And, no, I do not execise obsessively.

Just as we should not assume someone is committing gluttony because of obesity, we should not assume someone is committing gluttony simply because of the quanity of food they consume. There is no “correct amount” of food for everyone- it varies from person to person.

 

[rpp]

And I am obese due to medication which slows down my metabolism. So to blame it all on gluttony or some other sin is just wrong.

Goofyjim, you are the only person on this thread who has implied that obesity is a sin. And you did so by claiming others do.

You are defaming GraceAndGlory when you put such statements in her mouth. She never said being fat was sinful. She did say that gluttony was a sin, which it is.

Others were very clear. Obesity, while often the result of over-eating, is not always the result of sin.

 

[SeekerJen]

There are a few exceptions to the rule, some people are “obese” looking due to medications, water retention, lupus, and other sicknesses. But your post still sounds like someone is making excuses. It also sounds like denial. Everybody has the ability to not put food into their mouth when they are not hungry.

I’m not seeing where I’m making excuses or where I’m in denial. I’m not telling people to consume thousands of calories of garbage each day and they’ll be fine. I’m saying that if people are physically fit and eat a healthy diet, they shouldn’t worry too much about the number on the scale. How is that denial?

And how do you define “obese”? By BMI? This is a measurement that does not take into account age, racial/ethnic background, metabolism, gender, bone structure/frame, or muscle mass. And apparently it’s arbitrary; depending on how much the HMOs want to screw us over, it could be readjusted again to classify even more people who are currently “normal” as overweight. Brad Pitt’s BMI is 27. So he’s “overweight”. Should he lose weight to fit the “normal” range? Do you see the problem here?

 

[jmcrae]

Anyone can say, “It’s because of my genetics.” We all wish we could find scientific proof that makes our sin okay.

People are not saying that genetics is causing them to overeat. What they are saying is that their genetics cause them to be large, even though they eat ordinary portions of food.

For example, I know someone who eats two small meals a day and the occasional snack, yet is quite hefty. (This amount is considered “fasting” in the Catholic Church.) This person is obviously not committing the sin of gluttony (unless he is hiding in the closet eating buckets of ice cream and fried chicken that I am not aware of) but his whole family has a history of this, and it seems as though some people just are big, and that’s that.

He is in perfect health, otherwise.

 

[Junebug999]

Thank you for your thoughtful answers. Actuallty, by anyone’s BMI chart I am in that range (the O word that I sort of regret using now). Maybe it would have been better to have asked “Is overeating a sin?” The answers would have been much the same. Where this comes from is I’m the newest Catholic on the block. And at the time of my conversion I had just missed Ash Wednesday, but for love of my Lord and thankfulness to finally be led His Church, I had decided to start keeping its practices and traditions (while I’m learning through RCIA, CA, and my dear new friends at my parish who are helping me learn). So, I had asked myself, “Self, what do you love most in this world that you should give to the Lord as a sacrifice to learn during your spiritual journey of Lent?” And of course being seriously seriously addicted to chocolate, my reply was “Of course, chocolate!” Never in my adult life have I spent so many days without reaching for way too much chocolate. And I’ve learned that was a bad habit I can very well live without. And it led me to thinking about other bad habits. I gave the Lord my swear words (did relapse under my breath when teenager flipped out over not getting his contact lenses in…sigh…but I immediately asked for foregiveness). But I believe the Lord is dealing with me to take better care of the vessel he has given me. I just want to be better for His sake – I am just so thankful He has made my way straight to His Church. Now having previuosly struggled so much with chocolate, and through Lent learning it was a bad habit that needed to go, I am hopeful this other habit of overeating will go as well.

I do appreciate all your thoughtful answers, you gave me a lot to think about.

Please keep me in your prayers.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

If I look at the worst of my faults or failings as an objective for penance during Lent…very often by the conclusion of Lent I have overcome a bad habit and developed a good one. And habit can be the worst of masters and the best of servants.
I have always had the greatest - huge - admiration for smokers who have overcome the addiction through giving them up for Lent. I have given them up, but never had the courage to address the habit as a Lenten exercise…far too weak!!! This is not putting myself down, but stating a clear fact of life. I have never had a chocolate addiction - I can take it or leave it while preferably taking but have heard from choc-addicts it can be an addiction just like smoking.
Most often during Lent I have my fail days and then I remind myself of that beautiful Scriputral quotation: “Burnt offerings from me you would refuse, my sacrifice - a humbled and contrite spirit, you will never disdain”. It really is very encouraging. Picking up the pieces…and on we go…

Blessings this Lent…Barb

 

[goofyjim]

Goofyjim, you are the only person on this thread who has implied that obesity is a sin. And you did so by claiming others do.

You are defaming GraceAndGlory when you put such statements in her mouth. She never said being fat was sinful. She did say that gluttony was a sin, which it is.

Others were very clear. Obesity, while often the result of over-eating, is not always the result of sin.

I have never said or even insinuated that obesity was a sin. But if you want to read that into things…

 

[goofyjim]

I think I’ll restate my initial posting in this thread for those who missed it. Obesity is NOT a sin.

 

[Ghoti]

The main problem with fighting overeating as opposed to smoking is you can’t go “cold turkey”.

 

[leonie]

You know towards the end of his life, St. Padre Pio was kind of stout–even though he didn’t eat enough to sustain adult person.

And, St. Thomas Acquinas was said to be a big man, too.

I wonder if God makes some people bigger so they will have a chance to offer up the mild persecutions or to combat vanity.

Here’s a funny story from one of my friends. Her 10 year old son was praying the Hail Holy Queen, when he stopped and said, “Mom, I understand offering up our mourning and weeping, but why do we offer up our size?”

His mom looked down at her postpartum belly, and just laughed.

 

[JRKH]

You know towards the end of his life, St. Padre Pio was kind of stout–even though he didn’t eat enough to sustain adult person.

And, St. Thomas Acquinas was said to be a big man, too.

I wonder if God makes some people bigger so they will have a chance to offer up the mild persecutions or to combat vanity.

**Here’s a funny story from one of my friends. Her 10 year old son was praying the Hail Holy Queen, when he stopped and said, “Mom, I understand offering up our mourning and weeping, but why do we offer up our size?”

His mom looked down at her postpartum belly, and just laughed**.

:bigyikes: :tiphat:

heeheeheeheeheehee

Peace
James

 

[graceandglory]

So, I had asked myself, “Self, what do you love most in this world that you should give to the Lord as a sacrifice to learn during your spiritual journey of Lent?”.
.
And I’ve learned that was a bad habit I can very well live without. And it led me to thinking about other bad habits.
.
.
I just want to be better for His sake – I am just so thankful He has made my way straight to His Church. Now having previously struggled so much (…), and through Lent learning it was a bad habit that needed to go, I am hopeful this other habit of overeating will go as well. .

Sounds like a converted heart to me.
Thanks for sharing your story, junebug!
Welcome Home!