Am I Fat or Is That Ring Around my Stomach a Child's Floaty?

So, ummm, yep, I think a diet life style adjustment is in order.

I like turkey. I like stuffing. Oh for goodness sakes.... If it has carbs, I love it... Just keepin' it real.

What a great photo -------->

Can anyone, besides me, relate?

I will tell you something else, eleven months of my husband's unemployment translated into 10+ pounds on the hips. Okay, okay and also into the floaty ring around my tummy. Guess I won't need to worry about staying boyant in the bathtub. Sheesh!

I find it interesting that I gained weight over the last year. I don't think it was because I ate out of worry or stress. I think I just prepared more meals and larger portions because my husband was home.

Morning, noon and night. He was home.... We both ate.... a lot.....

Perhaps I did a bit of stress eating as well. Keepin' it real.... *again.* *grin*

So, now that my man is heading back into the work force and because January is around the corner, it's a good time to start to take off the pounds.

With all this in mind, I think we should tackle this delicate or heavy (as the case may be) subject of our weight.

Should our weight, size, proportions be an issue in our marriage?

Can weight gain create LARGE issues in a marriage relationship?

What does the Word have to say about all this?

I believe we need an honest and realistic discussion. Millions of men and especially women stress EVERY SINGLE DAY about what they eat, what they weigh, and how they look.

What is your take on the matter. Does your weight matter to your spouse? Does your weight matter to you? Why?

I can't wait to talk with you more about this. Leave me your thoughts. I will be checking in and adding to our conversation.

Hugs, Lynn

Comments

[Iris]

Hm, to be 'real' as you say...Yes, I always have an issue with my weight. I don't want to put too much weight on -- I want to stay in good health/proportion.
I haven't been on diets, but I am watching what I eat (most of the time, I like chocolate - lol).
So, what does Scripture say about weight in particular; without doing a word-search, nothing comes to mind. The only two things that do come to mind are "your body is the holy temple of the Lord" and that "the Lord looks at the heart and not the outside"...

Thank you for the great topic :) - Thankful that your beloved is back in the work force...

Love & peace,
Iris

[Tami Boesiger]

Oooh, oooh, oooh, can't wait to read on this topic. Weight is not an issue at all with my husband (mine OR his), but mine is an issue with me. I've been working on it and welcome this series. Yea!

[Cathy Davis]

It's an issue for me, but not as much as an issue for him. When he knows I'm trying to watch what I eat (or don't eat), he seems ok with my weight. When I just don't care, then he seems to care. Does that makes sense?

I found out over the summer that I have hypothyroidism and it's made it really hard for me to lose weight, but I've been on Weight Watchers and trying to be healthy about what I eat.

I think I'm rambling and not making a lot of sense...(which is pretty normal).

[Lynn]

I can see I am not alone when it comes to this issue.

I love the scriptures you have shared, Iris. Our body is a temple and the Lord IS concerned about our body. There are many scriptures about controlling our physical body.

I think one of the most difficult struggles we must conquer is the "body."

Additionally, I have a lot to share about our body within marriage. Anyhoo, thank you for joining the conversaton.

What do the rest of you think??? Leave me your thoughts. Hugs. Lynn

[Dineen Miller]

This is a big struggle for me. I've put on 15 lbs over the last year since my daughter's surgeries, so yes, I'm a stress eater. LOL! Can't wait (or should I say "weight"?) to read more on this, Lynn, and tackle this beast in my life. I'm tired of it.

Btw, Cathy, what you said makes perfect sense. My hubby's the same. It's not that he doesn't notice when you are watching what you eat, it's more about he's happy that you're taking care of yourself. My hubby seems happy with how I look but is concerned with my health. When I exercise and eat better, I feel better and he picks up on that. When I don't do these things, I feel sluggish and feel bad about myself. I think our guys are more in tune with our attitude and mindset than how we look. Our personal attitude about ourselves has a much bigger affect on our appearance that we realize.

[Lynn]

Dineen,

Girl, I KNOW that you and I are of one accord on this. In fact, in my praying recently I have heard God tell me that for me 2010 is the year of healing and overcomming over my physical body. How interesting is that.

I have been praying specific scripture of healing over this and it is so powerful. More to come about that. Hugs.

And I also agree how it is interesting that our spouses pick up on when we exercise and feel good about ourselves.... So facinating to me.... Hugs. Lynn

[Dee]

Lynn, that picture is so funny! But, concerning my weight, I've always been physically fit, active and naturally slim/skinny. Oh, but something terrible happened in my mid 40's! Yuck, I feel fat and I hate it! I know what I need to to: EXERCISE!!! The winter season doesn't help because I like outdoor exercise in sunny warm weather :). When I feel fit, strong, healthy and slim, I'm a happier person and that blesses my husband. Great topic!

[Angela (Ang4him)]

Lynn,
It is funny how often you read my mind and post about exactly what the Lord has been talking to me about. So here's making it real for me -

As far as being intimate, my weight does not seem to bother my husband, although it bothers me alot and therefore affects our relationship. Outside of the bedroom I think it bothers him just because he knows it is not healthy, but he doesn't say much because he knows he has unhealthy habits too.

I know my body is a temple - however I've put on alot of weight over the years since I got married - especially since I had my three kids. I find myself eating without even realizing I'm doing it - and I've found of myself I have no discipline in this area. Which is so weird considering I have such discipline and am a perfectionist in other areas.

This also has caused other issues for me one of which is causing my self-esteem issues to be increased and it has interfered with my understanding of God's love for me.

I want to be healthier but I also want to make sure that my motives are right. Does that make sense? If I am honest a part of me just wants to look good again like I did when my husband and I first met because I realize my identity is tied up in that in some ways. I know this stems from my self-esteem issues.

Anyway - that is me being real. I've been mulling over this issues and praying about it alot lately - so your post is very timely for me.

Ang

[stacy]

Yes, it can cause issues in a marriage. My dh hasn't made a huge deal about the way I look, but is concerned about my health (and rightfully so). At my last checkup my doctor strongly suggested that I lose some weight). Unfortunately I'm a stress eater and it's a very hard habit to break. I'm glad we're talking about this though because one of my goals for this year is to lose 30 pounds...gradually and with a lifestyle change...not a fad diet.

[Linda]

Love that picture Lynn. I am in exactly the same boat as you. If I gain another pound I will have to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe!
For me the issue is self-control and balance. My husband never says a word about my weight, but I know he wouldn't like it if I gained a whole lot. I know that the Father is not pleased when my life is out of kilter. I need that balance not just in my eating but in all the areas of my life. The eating just seems symptomatic of everything else. So....I'm for doing something about losing this weight!

[Laura]

I know that weight is an issue for my husband... although he doesn't pressure me to look a certain way or weigh a certain amount, I know that he has a strong preference for slimness. I am lucky to be naturally slim, although I'm gaining a couple pounds a year as I get older :) For myself, feeling healthy is more important. I've tried to GAIN weight over the years, because I know I look better with an extra 5 or so pounds... and the only exercise I do is yoga - and that is only to settle my mind and FEEL good... not look different. Weight is not an issue for me at all, when it comes to my husband... but he is also very concerned about his own... it is exhausting to reassure him that he is perfect, plus or minus 50 lbs!!! :)

[e-Mom]

LOL... love that fat cat... Too funny!

Yes, we're carrying a little extra weight this year too. But the good news is that I'm currently wearing my brand new tennis shoes and my brand new work-out pants, (thanks to my DH). A few cookies left to devour (or pass on to our son) and then it's back to careful healthy eating. Darn!