Theresa’s Take – Take 12 “Weight Watchers @ Church”
June 24, 2011
Weight Watchers has just started a new meeting at the East Henrietta Road Church of Christ. You are probably saying to yourself, really, why? Think about it, the church is the place where believers in Christ come to equip themselves with the tools needed to overcome sin. Weight Watchers teaches a healthy way to live. Weight Watchers @ Church is a perfect combination. How many times have you heard someone say, “Eating too much is just a sin?” Well, if that is true, some of us have eternal reservations for a really hot spot.
My understanding of the biblical scriptures is that gluttony is a sin. The sin of gluttony encompasses more than just eating too much at one meal. It is more indicative of behaviors that need to be corrected. The pearly gates don’t slam shut just because you ate a whole bag of Oreos. Gate closure begins when you take your kids’ allowance to buy the Oreos. They continue to close when, with cookie crumb lips, you tell those kids that you donated their allowance to charity. The Angels will hang a “do not enter” sign when you smile as you hand the cashier an expired coupon to buy one pack of Oreos, get one free.
Weight Watchers does not endorse any religion, however, it does teach healthy behaviors. This at-church meeting works by transforming the worship place into a supportive and healthy environment to lose weight. Success is achieved by eating healthier using the Weight Watchers Points Plus Program, moving more and becoming mindful and smarter about food choices. The members will address common church eating challenges such as the Building Fund Fish Fry, and the Ladies Day Pound Cake Bake Off. The beauty of Weight Watchers is that no food is off limits, not even cookies! You just have to calculate your food choices into your daily points plus allotment.
USNews and Reports ranked Weight Watchers the #1 best weight loss diet plan, and the #1 best commercial diet. Follow the link to see how yours truly corrected her behavior to find success on and off the scale.
Ladies, Gents and Janet Jackson Wannabes, Weight Watchers works!
ymcarochester.wordpress.com 
I think the concept of weight watchers within the church is a positive thing. I would hope that in the absence of a weight watchers program church leaders would begin to integrate the message of healthy living from the pulpit and model it at church functions. At our church we offer a summer of fun events that include things like bike riding, tennis and walking together to get the body moving. Coupled with healthy diet choices we can live longer to finish the ministries God is calling us all too.
Kudos as we become spiritually and physically fit!
Thanks Myra for incorporating health and wellness activities into your church. Please encourage other church leaders to do the same. FYI-The YMCA offers financial assistance for membership within certain guidelines. There are programs for babes-grands.
I think any positive way to help people live healthier is good. I do have one concern. The approach and gluttony and sin can be more damaging than helpful. The assumption that someone who is overweight is gluttonous is not true. People with weight issues have enough problems with society judging if they are lazy, unmotivated and in many ways “less than” others around them. For the church to join in the chorus by pointing out the sinfulness of what a person does would be counter productive. It is fine as long as the judging of a sin or not is left out. Make sure it is uplifting and it would be good.
Richmond you are absolutely right that the assumption that someone who is overweight is gluttonous is not true. Although the general public may not agree.There are a number of factors that lead to overweight/obesity unrelated to gluttony. My church and other faith based organizations, have utilized a very motivating and uplifting approach to health and wellness initiatives. Please come visit our Weight Watchers meeting, Wednesdays 5:45pm-6:45pm- East Henrietta Road Church of Christ-285 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14620.