STAY WELL & SPARKLE – Tithe My Weight?

Dr. Sam Christian, MD.
Dr. Sam Christian, MD.

I’m overweight. Not that people would stop, watch me go by and say, “Way papa! Look at that fat fellah!” In recent weeks however, with a wink and wicked smile, a few have patted me on the belly with remarks like, “Life must be good!” Or, “Where you goin’ wi that, Doc?!”

How that weight sneaks up on us so? I don’t know. From time to time, I come across a few of my former schoolmates who amazingly have not lost their youthful figure. But they are clearly the exception rather than the rule. Then again, we see some teenagers today who look like…well, let’s not be unkind. Fat is a four-letter word. Actually, not quite; but it really feels like one. NOBODY wants to be fat or to be made fun of. It behoves us therefore, to be VERY tactful how we call attention to the matter so as not to offend anyone.

All the good times in life are celebrated with food – and Independence was no exception. Yes, there is hunger in Dominica, but no real sign of starvation. Instead, we are racing up the global obesity charts. https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/health/dominica-has-the-highest-obesity-prevalence-in-ec-reports/  In America, church-goers are the fattest of all. I don’t know for Dominica. This, to me, makes no sense. I find that offensive because our segment of the population is supposed to be the most self-disciplined. That is why I am determined to throw my weight behind all efforts to reverse this trend – no pun intended.

Christmas looms. That’s might be a scary thought for those who already struggle with their weight. However, I am here to tell you that those who undertake a focused weight management program, at this time of year, clearly out-perform those starting at other times, including New Years. Strange, but true; why is it, do you think?

You may say I’m sort of an accidental expert on weight. I specialized in New Jersey at a hospital leading in the field of gastric bypass surgery. Naturally, I began performing several such procedures once I started private practice. When a gentleman needed lose just 50 pounds in order to safely undergo hip replacement, they didn’t call Ghost Busters. After seeing that one patient successfully through with nutrition counseling alone, many more patients began coming out of the woodwork. Before you could say ‘Jack Robinson,’ we had established a National Morbid Obesity Unit caring for patients from all over the United States. Minimum weight was 500 pounds. We gave up on no one. Next thing I knew, I was on Discovery Channel explaining how one of my patients lost 1000 pounds. This feat is yet to be replicated anywhere else in the world, to the best of our knowledge.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BczrrYvV5D4

Nevertheless, my real interest has always been national development and I am here to fulfill my life’s mission in the health sector. Meanwhile, I myself am not immune. So how about we go into this together? You can find an experience similar to yours in my faith and fitness book MannaFast Miracle. For example, a 60 year-old priest who had never lost more than 25 pounds his whole life ended up losing 150 pounds after we teamed up. And it wasn’t because some exotic diet, clever surgery or magic pills. To commemorate that achievement, he and I produced a DVD with the church choir dedicating our efforts to enhancing the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Let us start by figuring out what our ideal weight is. To excerpt my book, one formula specifies that every adult 5 feet tall should weigh 100 pounds. For every inch above that, women add 5 pounds, men add 6. (Insurance company statisticians worldwide use f­­­­ormulae like these to help predict longevity and establish individual premiums). Okay, you say you are ‘big-boned’ (or medically speaking, large framed). Well, let’s make a ‘woungma:’ Throw in an extra 10 pounds. Use me as an example. I am 6 feet tall. That’s 12 inches above 5 feet. Right? I should therefore weigh 100 + (12×6) = 172 pounds. Add that 10 pound cushion and my healthy weight should not exceed 182. Well, I must confess, yours truly recently stormed past 200. (By how much? …A man must have his secrets!).

Aha! I can see you are good at numbers – feverishly figuring out you own weight status there on the side. Excellent! By the way, if you have to know, a tithe (one tenth) of my excess weight no more than 3 pounds). Needless to say, we don’t need any stupid formula to tell us what a wardrobe full of too-tight outfits has been screaming to us for months or more. Compare that with your Body Mass index (BMI): http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/english_bmi_calculator/bmi_calculator.html BTW, the fat tissue itself feels right at home where it is, thank you. Of its own accord, it seems to cling more tightly just at the very thought of losing weight. Never fear. If others can lose so much, you can lose at least a little. Let’s be clear about this. If we purpose in our hearts to tithe our excess weight by the end of this year, to give it up as a sacrifice to God, then guess what?  He promises to open up the windows of heaven and pour us out a blessing – in health benefits – that we may not have room to comprehend (Mal. 3:10).

What a concept!

Diabetes, hypertension, degenerative joint disease, cancer, heart attacks, strokes; these afflictions are no laughing matter. Obesity has been proven over and over again to worsen the related risks and outcomes.  How about we talk about it some more? Read a book that focuses on your own unique medical history. Discuss with your trainer or healthcare professional how to set up a sustainable and lasting, personalized weight management program. I have a clear vision of my ultimate fitness goals. Before the holidays are upon us, those 3 pounds will be history! That’s just for starters. It will then propel me onward to final victory.  I have already gotten the ball rolling to get my sparkle back. How about you?

Strike while the iron is hot!

We will get there. Heaven knows we will get there. I know we will!

Dr. Sam Christian is an American-trained surgeon who runs the newly opened Urgent Care on 137 Bath Road. It offers general medical care, minor surgery, acupuncture microdermabrasion and Botox. To schedule your free wellness visit and tour of the facility, call 440-9133 or write [email protected].

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9 Comments

  1. Cara
    November 10, 2013

    People just greedy! Say ‘food’ and you have their attention!

  2. Justice and Truth
    November 10, 2013

    Dr. Christian, for years people have been concerned about their weight and dieting. Today it has escalated. We have a fair knowledge what causes gain weight.
    A co-worker who has a regular weight gave me a recipe for weight loss. It details what to eat daily. It also includes a “T J Miracle Soup”. It consists of milk, fruits, vegetables. Potato is one of them. It also includes beans, peas, rice and beef. Today, I would substitute chicken or fish for beef. A little beef is sufficient.
    It originated from someone, probably a medical professional. It is stated, Loma Linda Hospital, San Diego, California promises that with this eating plan T J, you can eat as much as you wish, lose 10 to 17 pounds and feel like a million in only 7 Days.
    Also, one of the secrets of success of this diet is that the foods eaten take more calories to burn than they give the body caloric value, so eat as much as you want. It flushes out impurities from the body and gives a feeling of well being. After 7 days of this, you begin to feel light because you will be lighter by at least 10 to 17 pounds and have an abundance of energy. This plan could be continued for as long as one wishes and notice the difference in both mental and physical disposition.
    This means we should eat our vegetables. Drinking a certain amount of water daily is necessary.
    Have you heard of this T J Miracle Plan? It consists of onions, peppers, tomatoes, canned or fresh, cabbage, celery, carrots (optional) and onion soup mix and any herb seasoning. We can make our own onion soup mix – Google it. :)
    Personally, although I have had it for a few years, I have not tried it. I do eat everything which is stated in this diet. I do believe my weight is normal for my height. Nevertheless, I plan to try it sometime for it is healthy.

  3. Connector
    November 9, 2013

    Dr. Sam, you are my connection to Dominica. I read you articles every week but never comment. I thought it’s time I dropped you a line to let you know how much I appreciate you sharing your thoughts.

    Congratulations for picking on yourself. You don’t make it sound like all these simple people out there who never heard such things before. You keep me engaged as a reader and you make me think. In fact you make me want to be in the best shape possible, right along with you.

  4. Francisco Telemaque
    November 9, 2013

    Here is my take on that: From a medical perception excessive accumulation of fat in the body; increase in weight beyond that considered desirable with regard to age, height, and bone structure; one must take into account what is meant by “excessive” body fat.

    An overweight person is not obese, even though her/his body weight is in excess of the normal range according to a weight chart, if the person does no have excess body fat. A large body frame, and dense musculature, as in an athlete, can contribute to a person’s weighing more than the weight indicated as optimal on a weight chart. In an effort to establish more precise guidelines, the following standards are suggest: Overweight persons weigh ten (10%) per cent more than their optimum weight; whereas obese persons weigh fifteen (15%) per cent more, and grossly obese persons twenty (20%) per cent, or more above their optimum weight.

    A popular method by which obesity can be determined by what is termed the “pinch test;” this is a measurement of subcutaneous ft reserves. The “pinch” is usually done in various places on the body, however the most common used is the upper arm over the triceps muscle. A fold of skin, and subcutaneous fat is lifted free, between the thumb, and forefinger, from the underlying structures. Accurate measurements can be obtained by using a pair of calipers. Since the skin fold is a double thickness, one-half of the total measurement is the thickness of the layer of excess fat.

    In general, a fold that measures !/2 to 1 inch (1/4 to 1/2 actual thickness) is considered normal. A fold that is significantly greater than one inch indicates excessive body fat. Being obese can affect one’s physical, and mental health. The extra pounds are a strain on the human body, and shall eventually shorten the span of life. Obesity is considered by many in the more developed world to be unattractive, thus has created lots of psychologic problems.

    When we allow ourselves to become obese we are inviting a number of unnecessary complications; some of which are overworked heart, shortness of breath; arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus; chronic back, and joint pain from increased strain on the joints, and ligaments; and we have a greater tendency to contract infectious diseases; and a reduced ability to exercise, or enjoy life to our fullest potential. Statistics show that mortality from circulatory conditions is about forty-five (45%) per cent higher in grossly obese individuals than in those whose weight is reasonable close to normal, and death from the mentioned conditions is apt to occur sooner.

    Now to those people who like to give me the thumbs down, be careful in this case unless you know precisely what I conveyed is wrong have nothing to say, let Sam who is a medical doctor refute what I said if he can prove it is baloney!

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

    • Annonymous Reader
      November 9, 2013

      I thumbed you down just for the hell of it because you too full of yourself. Just hear yourself in your last paragraph…”have nothing to say”…stupes!!!

    • Justice and Truth
      November 10, 2013

      Telemaque, you are Jack of all trades. Are you master of any? :lol: However, you have made some excellent points. I will not give you thumbs down. I know better than that. :lol:

      • Francisco Telemaque
        November 11, 2013

        J&T: Some of us are endowed with certain abilities; and we pursue what we deem is in our best interest. When I was a child I listened to the more educated, and ambitious people in our village conversation; their English seems always perfect.

        I wanted to be like them!

        Their conduct seems perfect, they lived very clean life’s, and so, I always wanted to be like them! I wonted to be like Simon Richards, one of our first native son of Wesley to attend a university. Unless I am incorrect, he became Dominica’s first Ambassador.

        Such are my role model, a long time after I left Dominica, I had the privilege of working with a man in Antigua, in the person of Vincent Derrick, him and his brothers owned the Radio Station which employed my relative Lennox Linton. One day Mr. Derrick ask me to perform certain mechanical task; I looked at him, and told him I do not believe I was capable of accomplishing what he was asking me to do.

        His response to me was “what is the difference between you, and I? If I can do it, so can you, and if you cannot do that, then you cannot work with me.” What Vincent Derrick that day was nothing more than opening my eyes, and giving me the confidence, and letting me realize that we all have the same potential, to accomplish anything, it all depends on how we apply ourselves.

        Derrick sort of molded me in a way, and the rest is history. Again as for the thumbs down, I laugh at those people, they do not have any concept of what the conversation is about, and so I will expand a bit more on the subject, only to mesmerize their mind. You know I could talk about high-caloric foods of low nutrients value, and other contributing factors, but in order to be brief I will focus on the endocrine. Endocrine and metabolic disturbances have been used by many persons as an excuse for their obesity, however these causes are relatively rare among obese and most are probably secondary to the obesity.

        Lack of exercise frequently is associated with obesity. Exercise is necessary, in conjunction with reduced caloric intake, to help burn the calories that are eaten. Changes in eating patterns; excessive weight gain, or loss can be a symptom of major depression. In most obese persons the major caloric intake occurs during the evening meal or bedtime snacks. Early life patterns of eating, and emotional responses to food are considered a major factor in obesity.

        I must end it here because I do not want to get into the management, nor emphasis behavior modification, hospitalization, surgical intervention, and intestinal bypass by anastomosing; if I do that would mean practicing medicine without a license; so I will allow Sam to deal with the more technical information since he has that medical degree.

        In any event J&T; after I completed a career in the field of electronic/electrical engineering, I perused a medical degree, it evaded me when I drooped out; you see, so what I am talking about is not a fluke!

        Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  5. INSPIRED
    November 9, 2013

    Yes Dr. Sam, Education! Education! We are facing a terrible crisis in Dominica for sure, that over weight business is really picking up speed, and I am no exception just like you lol though I am trying my best to keep the weight down. I do my best to watch what I eat, I try to eat all the right things as best as I can, but I have a problem with bread, I just love it lol I will get there, I know I will, Thanks for the encouragement as always! Very informative piece.

    • Justice and Truth
      November 10, 2013

      Yes! Bread, especially when fresh-hot and tasty could be a problem for some people. Too much bread is not good for the system. As the saying: “Too much of one thing is good for nothing.”
      If you eat bread, you should try to make bread with whole grains as also whole wheat bread, the latter could be mixed with a little white flour. Or purchase them.
      I make my own bread and whatever else I can bake but I am not a big eater. There are days I eat none at all. I eat because I have to eat, that it is necessary to eat for health purposes. One of my relatives accused me of eating like a pigeon. :lol: Yet, there are times I will eat well and I must be really hungry to do so.
      Self control is necessary. Try eating fruits and vegetables. You should try making healthy ‘Smoothies’ or ‘Shakes’ with fruits and vegetables. It is said, we should ‘drink’ our fruits and vegetables. They are healthy and delicious.
      It is also said prior to eating, drink a glass of water. This could curtail the appetite. Good luck to curb your appetite from eating too much bread. :lol:

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