5 November, 2024

Food Fight!

by | 10 September, 2014 | 0 comments

By Jim Tune

I”ve been intrigued by the topic of health and fitness for years. That doesn”t mean I always lived or even pursued a healthy lifestyle, but over the past 11 months I”ve lost 60 pounds without crash dieting or riding some fad. I guess it was just time. The thing is, I”ll be 51 soon. I can no longer take my health for granted.

Some effects of aging can”t be helped. Apparently I”m losing 1 percent of my testosterone a year. My bones are becoming porous and more fragile. My brain is shrinking, my arteries narrowing, and my motor skills slipping. But I don”t feel old. The truth is, I”m healthier than I”ve been in a decade. Doctors say the size of your waistline is one of the best predictors of heart disease. Having taken about 10 inches off my waist suggests I”ve become less likely to drop dead from a stressed-out ticker.

In “Living in the Body,” American poet Joyce Sutphen writes that “no matter which [body] you get, it will not be satisfactory”; it “will pull you down into a sleepy swamp and demand apples and coffee and chocolate cake.”

My body makes its demands. I try to balance my body”s cravings with sensible choices. I feel like I”ve waded through every nutritional advice blog in cyberspace, but I”m still confused.

JT SEPT 10_foodfight_JNAt times the discussion looks less like reasoned debate than a food fight between the vegans and the paleos; the raw foodies and the processed foodies; the low-fat and high-fat folks; not to forget the low-carb and high-carb advocates. There are studies in favor of long-distance running. And there are other studies that say distance running scars the heart. One expert wrote that you should eat a lot of the Indian spice turmeric, because it fights cancer. Another expert says you should avoid turmeric, as it might contain dangerous levels of lead. One or the other.

I”m intrigued by the partisan nature of what I read and hear in the food and health debate. Of course, so-called “Christian” blogs and journals aren”t much different. Partisan. Dogmatic. Contradictory.

Dr. Mehmet Oz says keep it simple. To stay young, he suggests 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week, plus a bit of weight lifting. Too much more, and exercise starts to raise your age, due to wear and tear on the body. I love his prescription. Simple. Accessible. Effective.

So how did I lose 60 pounds? Simple. I eat more fruits and vegetables and move more. That”s it. Sometimes I think we should approach our faith the same way. Keep it simple. Accessible. Something tells me we”d all be healthier.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: A director of campus ministry is needed at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). Stillwater (Pa.) Christian Church is looking for both a lead pastor and a youth pastor. Lexington (Ohio) Church of Christ is seeking a full-time senior minister. Norwin Christian Church in North Huntingdon, Pa., needs a full-time worship minister. Lycoming Christian Church in Linden, Pa., is seeking a minister of children, youth, and young adults. Michigan City (Ind.) Christian Church needs a senior minister. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

CCLF Concluding Strong First Year in Greater Cincinnati

In its first full year, the Christian Church Leadership Foundation has accomplished much to ensure Christian education and resources would continue to be available to people in the Greater Cincinnati area.

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.

November 10 Study | I Pledge Allegiance

God’s people should be crystal clear about their allegiance. They play to an audience of one. So they must be very careful of other allegiances. For the believers in the seven churches, that meant coming out from the pagan influences of the culture.

November 10 | Discovery Questions

These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “The Battle is the Lord’s” (Revelation 17:1-2, 6, 18; 18:1-10), by Mark Scott.

Rescued

Each of us is an individual Titanic. We may, in our pride and self-sufficiency, think that we are uniquely grand and unsinkable. But each of us has already struck the iceberg of sin. It’s only a matter of time. But wait. God has provided a lifeboat for anyone who wants to be rescued.

Reasons to Be Grateful

Let’s honor God in this season as we give thanks for our blessings, as we celebrate our salvation, and as we take the gospel to the world.

Follow Us