Being overweight has been a lifelong burden on me. If you are the same, you know exactly what I mean. I’ve lost and gained more pounds than I can count up to and I’m still struggling with it. In other words, I’m still overweight.

It started so many years ago and I really don’t know why. Maybe it was because by the time I came along (I was the fourth child in 5 years) my mother was too tired of trying?? Who knows. But all my baby pictures point to the fact that I was simply born this way. “And there’s Nancy, the little chubby one with the blond hair. Isn’t she just the cutest thing you ever saw?”

Well, chubby cute doesn’t make it past 3 years old. All I can remember was being teased in school for being a chunk. And in those days, or in the present, it hurts just as bad. Being overweight is a burden. It’s a chore. It’s a tragedy.

Because no matter how badly I (we) feel, no amount of hurting will motivate me to do better. In fact, the depression sets in over not being ‘acceptable’ and I tend to go straight to the kitchen pantry when I feel this way.

Yes, I’ve gotten up the gumption to lose weight. Even a lot of weight and I was so proud, as was everyone else. But, I could never keep it off. I ALWAYS gained it back. And that’s where I am today.

So, how do you fix it, one asks? Well, without the gumption and the right foods, it’s just plain hard. And it’s sad that the world judges us based on our looks, because some of the nicest, smartest, and funniest people I know are overweight. It’s been an honor to know some of these people too. And I’m not saying this for myself. I truly believe that you won’t find people like us in the skinny jeans section of your local department store.

Some of the most hurtful words ever spoken to me were, “I’m embarrassed to be seen with you in public,” because of my weight problem. Now, I’m not hundreds of pounds overweight. I could stand to lose about 50 pounds and be okay, but did I deserve what was said to me? By my father? I don’t think so. But at age 18, it really cut me to the core. Does he even remember that he said this to me? Probably not.

All I’m saying is that some of us who tip the scale in the upward direction have a lot to offer this world and we shouldn’t be judged based on our outward appearance. In fact, God Himself doesn’t look at the outside. He judges us by our hearts. And I’m so very glad He does. Read 1 Samuel 16:7 and you will find that “God does not see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Does this mean we shouldn’t try to eat better and exercise? No, but it does help our hearts to know that God is MORE interested in our heart and how we treat others. So let’s treat ourselves to good, wholesome foods (just not too much) and we’ll live a happier and healthier life.

Until my next post, God bless you.