I’ve picked Anna’s comment to feature this week. If only there were more people like her, who realize that there’s a lot of personal work necessary along with weight-loss surgery. I also wish there were more people who have enjoyed the kind of success she has found. Anna took a big risk to have weight-loss surgery, but after years of research, and attempts. It was a last resort. In that way, it was right for her. She’s also committed to do her part: nutrition and healthy choices, exercise, and prayer.<\/p>\n
Of course, I think she could have been a little less critical of me personally, but that’s OK. I also find my comments may have been quoted a bit out-of-context. We all have the right to our opinions.<\/p>\n
Anna commented:<\/p>\n
“I had the surgery. This was after significant prayer and thought, and a
\ngood five years of consistent activities to lose weight on virtually
\nevery program available and every support mechanism available through
\nhome, community and church. The reality is that many weight loss
\nproblems are hormonal in nature. I was never full and always hungry. I
\nfelt guilty about it, out of control, out of step with my body’s true
\nneeds and in opposition with God over the way I cared for His gift of
\nlife and the temple of my body. Surgery was a last resort and I
\napproached it with trepidation and much reflection. But after surgery,
\nthe constant aching hunger disappeared. It was shut off, as if it
\ndidn’t exist, and remains largely so to this day. After that occurred,
\nthat’s when I stopped beating myself up and feeling that I was a
\ndisappointment to myself, my family and to God. I lost over 150 pounds,
\nhave maintained it for the last several years with no complications and
\nhave discovered energy, grace and peace that was missing for a very
\nlong time. I look at the surgery as a blessing from God; I have time
\nand energy to devote to my family and church that was lost in the pain
\nand shame of my previous life. Even now I work at it every day in terms
\nof diet, exercise, vitamin consumption and attitude. You deniers and
\nhaters can say all you will about my personal lack of willpower or
\nfaith, but my firm opinion is that this was the path that God offered
\nto me and I am eternally thankful for it. Don’t be so harsh to judge us
\nand don’t be so quick to say that your “choice” should be the only one
\nis “honest”. We all have our own path and only God speaks to us
\nindividually to tell us which way He wants us to go.
\nIf you insist on applying your own prejudices to my message and feel
\nthat this is posted out of guilt, shame or defensiveness, so be, but
\nyou’re wrong and there’s nothing I can do to change your opinion. Be
\nassured, I’m laughing at your attitude as I head to the gym, munching
\non fresh carrots and praising God all the way :)”<\/p>\n
Thanks, Anna. I wish you continued success, and pray that you keep on the right path — the one that puts God first, along with your commitment to health and happiness.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I’ve picked Anna’s comment to feature this week. If only there were more people like her, who realize that there’s a lot of personal work necessary along with weight-loss surgery. I also wish there were more people who have enjoyed the kind of success she has found. Anna took a big risk to have weight-loss…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":171,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,18,9,3,5,17,21,8,11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-276","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-diet","category-food","category-happiness","category-health","category-prayers","category-religion","category-spiritual-weight-loss","category-weight-loss","category-wellness"],"yoast_head":"\n