This comment from Dino just reached out and grabbed my attention:

For me, the big change in my thinking came one day. I realized I was a
creation of God; made in God’s image. What I had been doing was
trashing my body–disrespecting my own body! Because I am loved by the
creator and because God cares about my daily struggles, I too
surrendered all my meager efforts to God. Part of respecting God’s
creation is pursuing strength, health and moderation. I saw (a) couple I
didn’t know in a restaurant so focused on their food that they were not
interacting with each other. I was moved to pity because I had been
doing the same thing. I was relating to food more than to the people in
my life. My priorities were so messed up. Now my second job is 4 hours
of stretching, reaching, lifting, squatting, all while using the smile
muscles and helping people. This is very satisfying. Sometimes I wear
ankle weights at my full-time job. I now see housework as an
opportunity to exercise, laundry as upper-body movement, and I don’t
deprive myself of restful periods (once seen as non-productive and
therefore useless). This site and all you people have been such an
inspiration to me not to lose sight of my goal! I have lose 20 lbs. and
am working toward another 30 or so. A digestive disorder affecting
absorption may be thwarting my efforts, so I must follow my physicians
instructions and see the specialists until diagnosis is confirmed and a
healthy plan is prescribed. I’m worth loving myself enough to follow
through–God said so.

Dino hit a lot of important points:

• We are God’s creations.
• We need to respect God, ourselves, and and take good care of ourselves.
• Surrender everything to God, for the strength to be healthy and make right choices.
• Relationships are more important than food.
• You can exercise anywhere – especially at work – and work becomes a work-out.
• This site, and all of us are important and helpful (you are, too, Dino).
• There’s no giving up, even though Dino is halfway there.
• Even though you may have some health challenges, work with your doctor and with God, and you will be OK.

We have lots of great, insightful comments here.  Please visit often (don’t just come from clicking in my email-newsletter!) bookmark this page and subscribe to the RSS, please.

I love hearing from you, so please post a comment.  Thank you so much, Dino, and all of our readers and commenters.