"Hey, Big'un"
"The large man over there"
"He's sort of a heavy-set guy"
And there are other expressions that have been used in my presence that have been - shall we say - less than charitable. People who have always been thin won't understand the plight. So, let's lay it all out on the proverbial table - saying it aloud, the fact remains: I am morbidly obese.
Underweight, Normal Weight, Overweight and Obese
A person's BMI (body mass index) is a measure of the relationship between one's height and weight. The number calculated let's you know not only what physiological grouping you fall in; but, how far off the mark you are. Several countries (and organizations) have their own "scale" and "categories" to categorize our human physiology.
Most people with a "Normal" weight range have a BMI of 18.5 to 25 - in ascending order of "trouble", the subsequent categories are: "Overweight", "Obese - Class I", "Obese - Class II" and "Obese - Class III". Within the latter, there is a delineation of "Morbidly Obese" and "Super Obese".
Based on the one that is (or seems to be) recognized by most in the United States, back in July 2013 I was considered "Class III - Super Obese". This month (September 2013) I am considered "Class III - Morbidly Obese"... an improvement in my health, believe it or not.
Background
"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways." ~ 1Cr.13.11.esv
Based off the Apostle Paul's words, the axiom from the days of my youth might resemble...
"When I was a soldier, I worked like a soldier, I thought like a soldier, I ate like a soldier. When I became a civilian, I gave up eating like a civilian and kept eating like a soldier." ~ 1st Book of Opinions, Chapter Me, Verses No One
So, I was a skinny kid before I got into the Army, right? Pfft, bwa-ha-ha-haa! (Snort) Hilarious! No, I was (at best) merely "overweight".
In the Army, I stayed 15-20 pounds over my "table weight" and was subjected to 12 years of scrutiny by those in authority above me in feigned compassion why my weight wasn't within standards - despite the fact that I was performing 70-80% (above the 60% standard) in physical fitness.
But, after getting out of the Army, my weight "balooned" - it was chiefly my behaviors, and a minor portion was an injury. So, no excuses - I did this to myself.
Complications
Doctors can be the bane of our existance, can't they? Several I've had, in the past, qualified with no doubt. Although not Nutritionists or Registered Dieticians, most doctors have common sense enough to recognize overweight and obese patients. The linch-pin is treating said patients.
Most doctors treat overweight and obese patients much in the same way a typical school nurse would treat a child who is sneezing (not preventatively, but symptomatically)... hands a tissue, does not check for fever - for example.
I know what it's like to lead a complicated life - or should I say a "complication-filled" life. Not only am I obese (I know, big shocker - pun intended), I am Type II Diabetic, have Sleep Apnea, Edema and a Protruded Disk at L5/S1. Yeah, I wouldn't place any bets on me winning any type of contest where "speed and agility" are required. So...
One doctor will say, "You need to lose some weight." To which I'm often tempted to rebuff, "And you'll probably expect some payment after this office visit?"
Another doctor says, "Eat more green vegetables, breads and fruit." And the hyperactive mind is prepping a response, "Would you tell Tyranasaurus Rex to eat a vegetarian?"
An older doctor says, "Cut back on your sugar, drink plenty of water." And I do not say, "Darn, there goes my Lemonade Diet."
Better Approaches
So, after the end-of-July (2013) heart-to-heart with my doctor (who has the bedside manner of a bed pan), I resolve to be weak. Yes, weak. I cannot do this on my own, in my own strength, in my right mind, in a loving, don't-touch-my-chicken-that's-mine-and-you-can't-have-it kind of way. No sir.
I will be obedient to what I know I should be doing and leave the own-ness (the results) up to God. I ain't gonna get all mentally tied-up around the axle (telephone pole, take your pick) about 'how much I've lost this week', or 'how many inches did I drop'. No sir.
So, I got some Diabetes Education (half day, classroom setting) at hospital, spoke one-on-one with a Nutritionist, and bought a round 9" plate container for lunches. Using what I now knew (and purchased), I trekked out into the "Food Is Fuel" landscape with a new understanding of what my body was doing with the types of food I should be eating and when/how I should be eating it. Yes sir.
Results
Am I where I need to be? Nope, not even close; but, it's barely been 60 days.
The key is to keep plodding along, in obedience, and not get tied up in the ebb-and-flow that is either "pounds" or "inches". I stave off any urges to weigh myself (as some people do) daily and only do so once a week, when I use a seamstress tape to take an abdominal, chest and neck (girth) measure. I perform the latter just in case enough of my physiology changes in the course of one week where the numbers on the scale don't budge (i.e. losing fat, replacing with muscle netting a "zero" weight loss - and seeing a drop of 1.5 inches).
As in a Christian's walk (and testimony) fixating on how far we've come, versus how much farther one has to go will build our resolve in obedience and our reliance on His grace. MMLIA.
"The large man over there"
"He's sort of a heavy-set guy"
And there are other expressions that have been used in my presence that have been - shall we say - less than charitable. People who have always been thin won't understand the plight. So, let's lay it all out on the proverbial table - saying it aloud, the fact remains: I am morbidly obese.
Underweight, Normal Weight, Overweight and Obese
A person's BMI (body mass index) is a measure of the relationship between one's height and weight. The number calculated let's you know not only what physiological grouping you fall in; but, how far off the mark you are. Several countries (and organizations) have their own "scale" and "categories" to categorize our human physiology.
Most people with a "Normal" weight range have a BMI of 18.5 to 25 - in ascending order of "trouble", the subsequent categories are: "Overweight", "Obese - Class I", "Obese - Class II" and "Obese - Class III". Within the latter, there is a delineation of "Morbidly Obese" and "Super Obese".
Based on the one that is (or seems to be) recognized by most in the United States, back in July 2013 I was considered "Class III - Super Obese". This month (September 2013) I am considered "Class III - Morbidly Obese"... an improvement in my health, believe it or not.
Background
"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways." ~ 1Cr.13.11.esv
Based off the Apostle Paul's words, the axiom from the days of my youth might resemble...
"When I was a soldier, I worked like a soldier, I thought like a soldier, I ate like a soldier. When I became a civilian, I gave up eating like a civilian and kept eating like a soldier." ~ 1st Book of Opinions, Chapter Me, Verses No One
So, I was a skinny kid before I got into the Army, right? Pfft, bwa-ha-ha-haa! (Snort) Hilarious! No, I was (at best) merely "overweight".
In the Army, I stayed 15-20 pounds over my "table weight" and was subjected to 12 years of scrutiny by those in authority above me in feigned compassion why my weight wasn't within standards - despite the fact that I was performing 70-80% (above the 60% standard) in physical fitness.
But, after getting out of the Army, my weight "balooned" - it was chiefly my behaviors, and a minor portion was an injury. So, no excuses - I did this to myself.
Complications
Doctors can be the bane of our existance, can't they? Several I've had, in the past, qualified with no doubt. Although not Nutritionists or Registered Dieticians, most doctors have common sense enough to recognize overweight and obese patients. The linch-pin is treating said patients.
Most doctors treat overweight and obese patients much in the same way a typical school nurse would treat a child who is sneezing (not preventatively, but symptomatically)... hands a tissue, does not check for fever - for example.
I know what it's like to lead a complicated life - or should I say a "complication-filled" life. Not only am I obese (I know, big shocker - pun intended), I am Type II Diabetic, have Sleep Apnea, Edema and a Protruded Disk at L5/S1. Yeah, I wouldn't place any bets on me winning any type of contest where "speed and agility" are required. So...
One doctor will say, "You need to lose some weight." To which I'm often tempted to rebuff, "And you'll probably expect some payment after this office visit?"
Another doctor says, "Eat more green vegetables, breads and fruit." And the hyperactive mind is prepping a response, "Would you tell Tyranasaurus Rex to eat a vegetarian?"
An older doctor says, "Cut back on your sugar, drink plenty of water." And I do not say, "Darn, there goes my Lemonade Diet."
Better Approaches
So, after the end-of-July (2013) heart-to-heart with my doctor (who has the bedside manner of a bed pan), I resolve to be weak. Yes, weak. I cannot do this on my own, in my own strength, in my right mind, in a loving, don't-touch-my-chicken-that's-mine-and-you-can't-have-it kind of way. No sir.
I will be obedient to what I know I should be doing and leave the own-ness (the results) up to God. I ain't gonna get all mentally tied-up around the axle (telephone pole, take your pick) about 'how much I've lost this week', or 'how many inches did I drop'. No sir.
So, I got some Diabetes Education (half day, classroom setting) at hospital, spoke one-on-one with a Nutritionist, and bought a round 9" plate container for lunches. Using what I now knew (and purchased), I trekked out into the "Food Is Fuel" landscape with a new understanding of what my body was doing with the types of food I should be eating and when/how I should be eating it. Yes sir.
Results
Am I where I need to be? Nope, not even close; but, it's barely been 60 days.
The key is to keep plodding along, in obedience, and not get tied up in the ebb-and-flow that is either "pounds" or "inches". I stave off any urges to weigh myself (as some people do) daily and only do so once a week, when I use a seamstress tape to take an abdominal, chest and neck (girth) measure. I perform the latter just in case enough of my physiology changes in the course of one week where the numbers on the scale don't budge (i.e. losing fat, replacing with muscle netting a "zero" weight loss - and seeing a drop of 1.5 inches).
As in a Christian's walk (and testimony) fixating on how far we've come, versus how much farther one has to go will build our resolve in obedience and our reliance on His grace. MMLIA.
