I
equip people to serve God and others in a way that is both fruitful and sustainable. I do this through teaching, writing, and coaching. This newsletter is part of that work.
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1. Personal Update
2. New Virtual Support Group for People Struggling with Sexual Temptations
3. FEATURE ARTICLE: This is how we roll now -- US adult obesity rate tops 42%
4. Quote of the Week
5. How to Share -- and Sign Up for this :-)
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This week I'm not writing about politics or social media. Let's rejoice!
Instead, I'm writing about a different, but also very concerning subject: the explosion of obesity today. It's another pandemic, and it's killing a lot of people. (In fact, they're related: obesity and especially insulin resistance is linked to negative outcomes with COVID19.)
This is the first time I'm writing about this. I'm really curious to know if you'd like to hear more about this topic, or have me stick to other stuff.
Also note that I'm including a new group program for you to join, if you struggle, as so many do, with the myriad temptations of pornography and compulsive sexual behavior around these days. If you feel like this might be a problem area for you, this program might help. See story #2 below.
Be blessed!
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“If you feel like it's time to level up your game, and make a bigger difference -- this book will show you how. Mark is someone who knows what he's writing about. He's lived it, and he's helped equip leaders around the world to maximize their impact.”
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- Paula Rizzo
Media consultant, former Fox News producer, author of "Listfully Thinking"
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2. New Virtual Support Group for People Struggling with Sexual Temptations
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Struggles with online pornography and compulsive sexual behavior have been exploding in the years since the advent of high-speed Internet and smart phones. And now with covid-related stay at home orders and social distancing, things have only gotten worse.
I'm planning to offer an online coaching group for people who want more accountability and support as they deal with these struggles. This will not simply be a "support group" like 12 step groups ... I will lead it as a coaching group, where I'll be offering specific coaching for members around questions and issues related to recovery, and living with ongoing emotional and spiritual well-being.
You'll also get materials to work through individually. People who participate in the group will be given access to the Recovery Journey materials, as well as other recovery resources, so they have materials to work through each day, as part of the process.
I've been leading groups like these for over 14 years, with hundreds of men from around the world. I am repeatedly told how helpful the process is for people who participate (see article at the bottom to read feedback from previous groups).
Want to hear more?
Just respond to this email and I'll send you more information. I'm planning to start the group this month.
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3. FEATURE ARTICLE: This is how we roll now -- US adult obesity rate tops 42%
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"True peace was rare when you were fat. When you were fat, you wore armor to protect and deflect. You were either sharp and bitter, inspiring fear in potential bullies, or you were extra cheerful to show nothing mattered at all, not the snubs or the insults or the degradation. When you were fat, you worked so hard to be invisible. You lived in fear of being noticed, singled out, of having someone point out what you already knew."
- Kristan Higgins
"Food addiction is socially acceptable, and even somewhat encouraged, but it is no less destructive than addictions that are illegal or so stigmatized as to become unpopular."
- Angela Minelli
"The truth is, I hate my body. I want to lose weight. I want to do everything possible to be thin. I want my stretch marks to fade. They're a constant reminder of the fact that I'm too fat for my skin to handle. They're everywhere. I'm disgusted with myself."
- Anonymous
I'm not here to wring my hands or point fingers at anyone. This is an area I struggle with myself. But at some point, we all need to step back and ask ourselves: "What is going on here?" and ... "What can we do about this?"
The facts are right in front of us, and easily available. In terms of physical weight and health, there are four categories of adults: underweight, normal, overweight, and obese.
In 1950, 10% of American adults were classified as obese. At the turn of the century (2000), that had risen to 21.5%. The results of a recent study this Fall show that today, a staggering 42.4% of us are obese. In addition to this, around 32% of American adults are classified as "overweight" ... which means that well over 2/3 of our adult population is either overweight or obese. ( source 1, source 2, source 3)
In this article, I'm focusing on statistics in the US, and I know there are readers from other countries. The US is not alone in this -- almost all countries in the developed world are seeing similar explosions of obesity.
Just a little searching online got me the following numbers from historical public health records. (I couldn't find accurate numbers going back further than 1950.) Since that time, in the US, here are the percentages of adult population classified as "obese."
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This should not be a surprise to anyone. Look around in any public place and you'll see the evidence of this growing problem. But the scale is mind-boggling: in 20 years our obesity rate has doubled!
This is a public health nightmare.
Obesity brings with it a host of (very expensive) medical problems. A recent article in Healthline links obesity to over 60 chronic diseases. Among them: type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and various cancers. With an aging and fattening population, how will our society afford all this care?
This is also a deeply personal nightmare.
Obese people think about their weight every day. They feel shame, fear about their health, and often hopeless about their condition. Their lives are a continuous cycle from one diet plan to another. They feel -- and often are -- judged and even ridiculed because of their weight. Many live in despair about finding any lasting solution.
“Fat-bashing in all its varied forms–criticism, exclusion, shaming, fat talk, self-deprecation, jokes, gossip, bullying–is one of the last acceptable forms of prejudice. From a very young age, before they can walk away or defend themselves, women are taught that they are how they look, not what they do or what they know.”
― Robyn Silverman
If you are a thin person reading this, and are tempted to shift into judgment ("why don't they just eat less and exercise more?") ... keep your mouth shut. As with any addiction, those on the outside do not get it. And make no mistake, there's definitely addiction here: Sweet, highly processed food is doing something to people. Nobody is getting fat by bingeing on broccoli, apples, or pork chops.
I'm thinking about this especially right now -- while so many of our lives have been disrupted by the pandemic -- because I know that many people are using food as a coping mechanism, and are gaining even more weight during this time.
How about you? Are you one of those 42.4%? Are you one of the other 33% who are "overweight" but not obese? Is this something you struggle with?
I'm not writing with a solution today. If I had one, I'd be sustaining a healthy weight myself. But I'm working on it, and will keep working. And I wonder if people would find information that I share on this topic helpful.
Can you let me know?
Just respond to this email and let me know if you'd like to hear more about this topic. At the very least I could draw attention to the work and insights of others. I'd love to hear from you.
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“My boyfriend called me fat so I called him single.”
- Anonymous
5. How to Share ... and Sign Up for This Newsletter
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Please feel free to send this newsletter along to someone who might like it. Obviously you can just forward this email ... you can also send someone a link to the newsletter archive:
Or ... here's a link to a quick sign-up form:
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I write and speak at events as director of Renew Resources. I also am leader and teacher at Bethel Church in Princeton, MN. If you're ever in the area, come join us on a Sunday morning! Places to find my writing:
The Recovery Journey
Check out my 90 Day program for starting (or renewing) your recovery from sexual addiction / compulsion called "The Recovery Journey". There's also a special program for the partners of addicts. Also check out my other Audio Product:
Read my latest book:
"Leaving Your Mark Without Losing Your
Mind"
This book focuses on the innate need we all have to make a difference with our lives ... and what gets in the way. Building a life of meaning and purpose is essential for our happiness, but many people get sidelined because of stress, overwhelm, and discouragement. This book will help you find strategies to overcome those challenges (and others).
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