Pastoring makes dieting nearly impossible!

justaju256

Dieting and being a pastor is very difficult. There are so many functions and everyone wants to take you to a meal always! It is tough making good choices if there are any made available. I think I have done pretty good considering. Oh well... lol

92019start

I'll pray for you!!

dfwesq

Are these parishioners wanting you to eat meals with them, or colleagues? Either way, I can imagine it wouldn't be easy.

WorshipHK

Split your meal with someone and order off of the light menu. I go out pretty frequently now and that's how I keep those occasions managed good luck!

Lizarking

Luke 10:41-42

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

T0M_K

Lizarking wrote: »

Luke 10:41-42

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

that makes no sense. it is scripture and he is a pastor.

PennWalker

You could make a sermon about hard it is to say no in life, but sometimes we have to do that -- and give a personal example how in church culture food means love, how the doctor told you have a health problem, how hard it is to say no to people so you can get healthier and be around to be a good shepherd, how sometimes we have to do the hard thing and say no, etc. Connect it with your religion. Then you told everybody in one speech in a nice way and they will all know the score.

shaneozouf

92019start wrote: »

I'll pray for you!!

I've heard this works!

missmagnoliablossom

Tomk652015 wrote: »

Lizarking wrote: »

Luke 10:41-42

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

that makes no sense. it is scripture and he is a pastor.

It makes perfect sense.

WilliamAndersonLMHC

Do you plan ahead what you'll eat every day?

cross2bear

Are you a better pastor if you eat what others push on you? Or does your skill at pastoring come from another source? I am not trying to be flip (frankly, I dont know what a pastor does, other than its related to religion) , but I think that there are other ways to show your engagement in your spiritual responsibilities than eating. I know that eating often equates to love, but not when its killing you (figuratively AND literally in some cases). Can you pass on the food offerings and elect to have a cup of tea or coffee instead? My advice to anyone in similar situations is just not to let other people control what YOU eat - take charge!

arisoh

"Get the behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me!"

lemurcat12

This Sunday I went to a different church than usual and afterwards one of the other priests was standing outside with a huge box of donuts (from a great local bakery, Dinkel's (http://www.dinkels.com/)), handing them out and saying "take one, the more you, eat the less I will."

I suspect this will work less well with homemade dinners, but it amused me.

BusyRaeNOTBusty

Is it mostly dinners? All day Sunday? Can you skip breakfast and eat a light lunch if you know you have dinner plans? Or eat lower Mon-Saturday if you know you'll be eating all day Sunday?

Gotrek1

Let your flock know you are trying to watch what you eat. Make a sermon on consumption or something

Daddy78230

Here's an idea... why don't you incorporate some form of fasting (assuming you don't have any serious medical conditions).

Fasting is very common in many religions and you may benefit from it physically, mentally and spiritually. I think your parishnors would understand and respect your need to fast, and will most likely find other activities (less tempting) to share their time with you. They'll most likely will connect the fasting to religion rather than judge it as fad diet.

Fasting doesn't have to be total abstinence of food, it could be very lite meals. It could also be short in duration (intermittent fasting). Maybe fast every Sunday?

cmtigger

I'd just be honest with your parishioners and tell them the doctor said you need to lose some weight. Maybe if you don't think they would go too far, you could ask them to keep you accountable.

snowflake954

Where there's a will, there's a way. Order lighter options, or take half home, just think about it and you can find a solution. If you're invited to someones home, ask for very small portions.

jenngitch

Our church did a 1000-pound weightloss challenge 2016. We ended up losing over 1200 lbs. A few times a month we would have guest speakers from doctors to everyday people and what eating right, exercising etc can do for you. Our pastor lost the most weight. He lost over half of his body weight.

Patsfan802

justaju256 wrote: »

Dieting and being a pastor is very difficult. There are so many functions and everyone wants to take you to a meal always! It is tough making good choices if there are any made available. I think I have done pretty good considering. Oh well... lol

I am a Pastor and I have lost over 67 lbs. It's a choice my friend and God wants you healthy so be very careful where you place the blame. If you need help or support hit me up I'd love to share with you.

Beka3695

jenngitch wrote: »

Our church did a 1000-pound weightloss challenge 2016. We ended up losing over 1200 lbs. A few times a month we would have guest speakers from doctors to everyday people and what eating right, exercising etc can do for you. Our pastor lost the most weight. He lost over half of his body weight.

This is AMAZING!!!!!

hlblakeley

At my last church people were always bringing the pastor treats (we knew chocolate is a favorite) and taking him to eat. One Sunday he told us flat out the doctor said he had to lose weight or he'd face real issues. Now the treats are minimal and usually healthy. Also he is invited to eat in a way that lets him know there will be no issues if he says no.