I've shared a bit about my journey toward health here on the blog (here and here), mostly because many of you asked me to. Even since then I am frequently asked to post more on the subject. I've been slow to do this, but as I came across a recent study that showed a link between obesity and brain shrinkage, I thought I would jump in again.

Many of you already know that obesity (excess body fat that creates a significant health hazzard) is on the increase in our country. The Center for Disease Control explains,

During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. In 2008, only one state (Colorado) had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. Thirty-two states had a prevalence equal to or greater than 25%; six of these states (Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia ) had a prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 30%.

The health hazards associated obesity are:

Diabetes
Heart Disease
Stroke
Hypertension
Some types of Cancer
Sleep Apnea
Osteoarthritis
Gallbladder Disease

But a new study claims that among the aged, "clinically obese people had 8 percent less brain tissue, while the overweight had 4 percent less brain tissue compared to normal-weight individuals."

So, 125 lbs ago I decided to finally take care of myself - physically. This was no easy task since I had been 150 lbs overweight for 15 years, travel frequently, and had grown accustomed to eating what was easiest-- and that meant lots of fat, sugar and calories. In some ways I was, like many others, the victim of our fast paced, quick fix culture. But in another way, this was something I needed to repent of, because in the end much of it came down to choices. Some of the issues at the center of all this were thankfulness, temperance, self control, and stewardship. In short, when a man is thankful for the life, body and the food God provides, his gratitude produces self control and leads to the good stewardship of those gifts while neither abusing or misusing them.

Still, when it comes to something like weight loss, exercise and healthier living it requires a plan. I was done with trendy diets, didn't have time (or interest) for a personal trainer, so I went the old school route. I am a simple man so my plan was simple: 1. I decided to eat healthier, and 2. I got on the elliptical 5 days a week (I unpack the details here).

A few new wardrobes later, I feel great, am less likely to experience the diseases above and an more likely to hold on to more of my brain.

Look, I know people are uncomfortable talking about the obesity problem in our country. We're afraid of coming off insensitive, judgmental, or looking hypocritical. So if I may, as a man who had to learn the hard way to take care of himself and the body that belongs to the Lord, let me encourage you to take care of what God has entrusted to you. I'm not encouraging anyone looking the same, or conform to the world's standard of beauty. But I am encouraging you to let the world see fruit of the gospel in us by living temperate, thankful lives.

I'm still learning but I thought I would share it with you. There will be one more post on the health topic before I am all done.