Thin Does Not Mean Happy

Earlier this month I was interviewed on Nancy Turner’s This is the Day, a show syndicated on several Christian radio stations. A listener in Indiana contacted me afterwards with a problem that is sooooo common I want to share it with you.

Let’s call this woman Laura. She describes herself as a church-going Christian, 53 years young. She exercises but eats too many carbs and sweets and drinks diet sodas, and is about seven to ten pounds overweight.

Sounds like she’s in pretty good shape. But listen to this. She told me, “I am bombarded with thoughts of not being good enough and I think if I just look thin and weigh less I will find peace.”

“Why am I always longing to be thin and why do I think this will make me happy? I know this is crazy!”

Wow, do I hear that a lot. And, I have felt that way, too. This is how I answered Laura, and what I want to say to each and every one of us.

Everything you mentioned in your email is so true when it comes to how many women think about themselves. I used to compare myself to women that I would see on television or on magazine covers, too, and think that looking beautiful and thin would make me happy. 

Being involved in the modeling industry was an eye opener. Outwardly gorgeous women are often as insecure as other women. When I became a Christian I realized that when I constantly compared myself to others, I was really saying to God, "I don't like what you have created."

I began paying attention to my spiritual fitness, not just work on my physical fitness. It was a relief to get my focus off what I looked like. What I am trying to say is, "Be who you are called to be!" 

Remember, God loves our hearts, not our looks.
 
Blessings,
Theresa Rowe

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Get more advice from Theresa!

Find all you need to know on whole-person 
wellness in Shaped by Faith.

Theresa is a former model and nationally certified fitness professional who teaches people to use their faith to inspire fitness and their fitness to strengthen their faith. She is the author of Shaped by Faith: 10 Secrets to Strengthening your Body & Soul, and two exercise DVDS: Pilates for the Soul

She and her husband, Robin, have seven children and live in Calhoun, Kentucky.

You can email her with any questions or concerns.

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