According to Ed, my neighbour next door, only bears lose their fat during the winter. "Humans tend to gain weight during the winter and may be bugling at the seams by spring," observed Ed last week. Ed stopped in for a few minutes and was impressed by our treadmill in the living room.
"I have been so impressed by our treadmill also, that in awe of it, I have hardly used it," I told Ed. I like to blame my lack of treading on the fact I work shift work. When I work the evening shift, I don't want to start up the treadmill when I get home at midnight. I'm too busy raiding the fridge anyway. If I have a morning shift, I have enough trouble getting up and out the door by six a.m. I have no time for exercise. I could use the treadmill when I'm working afternoon shifts, but so far I have had better things to do. I confessed to Ed that I may not be truly compatible with the treadmill and may have to fast in order to lose the weight I've gained over the winter.
"Are you good at losing weight by fasting?" asked Ed.
"I might be," I assured Ed.
Ed informed me that the best way to lose weight has been around for years. It is a fitness program anyone can use: it is as easy as jumping to conclusions, flying off the handle, running down whoever is in charge, dodging responsibility and pushing your luck. I told Ed just mentioning jumping, running, dodging and pushing made me break into a sweat, especially after hibernating the winter away. Ed, being 10 years younger than me, has no idea how easily your waistline keeps expanding like a balloon after 60. Of course, Ed had no sympathy for me, but that is young people for you. They think they know it all, but I can be patient until Ed is 60 and I can say "I told you so."
Truth be told, I have been dodging my responsibility to watch my weight and fight the battle of my expanding waistline. It is so easy to give in to second helpings and snacking. It is so comfortable to ignore the treadmill and beef up as a couch potato in front of the television. Do determination and self-denial freeze up in the winter? All I know is that it's never wise to trust myself too much. My best intentions have proved to be only empty dreams.
Paul had the same problem and described it this way, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." I need to be clear here - Paul was not talking about overeating or watching his weight. He was talking about sinning in spite of wanting not to sin.
It seems we find in our lives those things that keep gaining the upper hand over us. The difference between self control and lack of it is the rescue of God. Through our faith in Jesus Christ, there is no condemnation for our sinning. Through faith in Jesus, there is also His help to aid us in the everyday challenges of life. If we trust ourselves less and God more, God will empower us to become champions of self control in our diets and exercise routines and more.
