Leadership Tips & Training I Want You To Be a Loser

Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.  Hebrews 12:1 NKJ

A “loser” typically means one who does poorly or is a failure. Therefore, who in their right mind would ever be proud to say, “I’m a loser?”  Not many people I know, especially since the word “loser” has such a negative connotation. But I suppose it would depend on what it is you’re losing.  Losing your mind is not good; however, if you’re losing weight, that’s a good thing.  Isn’t it great that when it comes to weight loss, being a loser doesn’t mean failure, but translates into winner!  How exciting!    

Well, I’m proud to say, “I’m a loser!”  I’ve lost over 100 pounds and have kept it off.  Along with the weight, I’ve also lost some of the health complications associated with the excess “baggage” I carried.  Join me in being a loser. Together, let’s change people’s perception of the word.

Losing weight may seem impossible to you.  Perhaps you’ve tried every diet plan known to man and none have worked.  One of the main reasons those fad diets don’t work is that they ask you to do too much too soon.  When that happens, you get frustrated and quit. 

I want to encourage you to start with small steps to life that you can do.  If you just do a few steps in the area of eating and exercising the first week, and then you are faithful to do those steps every day, the following week you will be able to add more steps that will help you gradually move toward weight loss success. What you are building is a new lifestyle--one that will be filled with health and energy. 

To get started on my weight-loss and healthy body quest, I consistently took this small spiritual step to life:

I had (and continue to have) a special time with God every day to fill up the inner man. He truly is my portion (see Ps. 119:57).  When my inner man is stuffed full, my physical man isn’t so hungry and I have better control over what I eat.
To get started with exercise, I intentionally moved more. I would go out of my way to walk farther and put more effort in my daily activities.  Later, I began going to the gym and started walking on the treadmill and lifting weights.

Now it’s your turn to craft your own individual lifestyle plan.  You must research activities and ways to move that you will enjoy, and discover healthy habits that you can do for the rest of your life.  Start slowly and increase activity gradually, but above all, be consistent. Over a period of time, your small steps will take you a great distance. 

STEVE REYNOLDS 

Steve Reynolds is the Senior Pastor of Capital Baptist Church in Annandale, VA.He is also the author of the book Bod4God and the creator of the Losing to Live Weight Loss Competition.  Steve has lost over 100 pounds and has led his church to lose over three tons of weight.