HAVE YOU CONSIDERED...

Dr. French O'Shields What a shocking experience! A year ago I was in my dermatologist's office for a regular checkup.

When my doctor for 20-plus years entered the examining room, the first thing he said to me was, "Wow, you have gotten fat!"

I make no claim to superior intelligence, but I do know when your DERMATOLOGIST tells you you are fat, it is not good. As I drove the 20 miles home, I was thankful for a good skin report, but could not rid my thoughts of his words: "Wow, you have gotten fat!"

Not only was I in shock, but disbelief emerged as my only defense. After all, I had seen my primary physician the prior month and he said my weight and stomach were fine. What could have possibly evoked such a comment from my dermatologist? Maybe his prior patient was a fat man and his eyes were slow to readjust. Maybe his eyes were watering and distorting his vision. Surely something like that had occurred.

In an attempt to understand this shocking experience, I reconstructed the scene in my mind. OK, here I am sitting somewhat slouched in a straight chair only clad in my Fruit of the Loom briefs with the major portion of my stomach exposed when he comes in. My sitting posture naturally extended my stomach forward. Thus I imagined myself as he saw me and I recalled pictures of Buddha I have seen.

Yes, I better understood his comment. But I was still believing it was some kind of illusion on the part of the doctor. I was determined to prove to myself he was not correct and I was not fat. When I got home I went to the bedroom, I took off all my clothes and positioned myself in front of the full length mirror. Ugh, sorry I did that! When I got a profile view of my entire body, I really had a more shocking experience than the one in the doctor's office. There it was. An inner tube had attached itself around my midsection. I pinched it between my fingers. Ouch! It was my flesh, blood and much fat.

Now all my denial was proven to be only a figment of my hope. Even though it had slipped up on me because I had had no significant weight gain, there it was in living color. Evidently it was a case of relocation rather than gain. You know the kind old men have when their chest repositions itself to the navel area. It is sometimes referred to as the "chest to drawers disease." It is a dreaded thing.

When I shared my shocking discover with wife Alma, I discovered it was no surprise to her. She acknowledged awareness of my "growing" stomach, but was too loving and kind to call it to my attention.

Well, hating my "inner tube" as I do, I declared my very own "battle of the bulge." For 20-plus years I have been walking three miles five days a week and being selective in what I eat. So, how did this happen? I do not know. I thought I was doing all the right things. What is there left for me to do? Not sure, but I must do something. It is not appropriate for me to look like I am in early months of pregnancy.

I planned my strategy. Actually weight-wise I am not obese, still I read all the newspaper articles so prevalent now about obesity. I have read with serious intent PREVENTION magazine's titles such as: "Walk Off Belly Fat"; "Attack Every Bulge Eat to Fuel and Slim"; "Drop 10, 20, 30 Pounds for Summer"; and this one, "40 Flat Belly Foods." All are interesting and informative. But do they work?

My efforts have been sincere and determined. My successes have been ... well actually there hasn't been any. Twice I set a 4-6 months periods of time and became more aggressive in my efforts. Did that help? Not really. Horrors! The first time I gained three pounds and the second time I gained six pounds. In spite of my best efforts my weight, waist size, and frustration increased. Only my hope diminished.

Finally I realized I had overlooked the most essential thing ... PRAYER ASKING FOR GOD'S HELP. The most crucial thing that I should have been doing first. So, now, I am starting another effort with renewed determination and aggressiveness. Though I had always eaten the right foods, I am now eating less and no between meal or bedtime snacks. I am increasing all the right things to do, but I am not really relying on that foremost or alone. Rather, I am turning to prayer and daily asking Jesus to do for me what I have been unsuccessful in doing for myself.

This is a prayer that every believer has Biblical grounds to expect Jesus to answer. The Bible says: "Do you not know that your body is a member of Christ? ... Or, do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you whom you have from God, and you are not your own?" (I Cor. 6: 10, 19).

Wow! What a God moment. When we fully realize our earthly body is also the body of Jesus! The implications of this are innumerable and far reaching. Among them is my right to believe He will give me victory in my "battle of the bulge."

If this is your battle also ... join me. Push back from the table and get on your knees!!!!

(Dr. French O'Shields is a Gaffney native and a retired Presbyterian minister.)