Do You Love Your Stomach?

[Roosh]

When the True God is abandoned, false gods rush in to take His place. One of the most treasured false gods in the Western world is the stomach. Whether through satisfying it with food or gaining pride by displaying it externally for others to admire, worshipping this hunk of human anatomy is causing many to risk their salvation. Is my beloved stomach fed with delights? <p class="more"><a class="more-link" href="">Read More</a></p>...

Click here to read the full article on RooshV.com

 

[GuitarVH]

When the True God is abandoned, false gods rush in to take His place. One of the most treasured false gods in the Western world is the stomach. Whether through satisfying it with food or gaining pride by displaying it externally for others to admire, worshipping this hunk of human anatomy is causing many to risk their salvation. Is my beloved stomach fed with delights? <p class="more"><a class="more-link" href="">Read More</a></p>...

Click here to read the full article on RooshV.com

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[Kentucky Gent]

For us Latins, this Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. This is supposed to be a period of fasting (except Sundays) and abstinence from meat on Fridays (as well as on Ash Wed.). What an opportunity this is for us, and just 2 days away!

Prior to the 2nd Vatican council, we Latins were also to abstain from meat on all Saturdays of Lent (the 1917 code of Canon law #1252). Nowadays, we are taught that our abstinence and fasting can be from things other than foods, even things like television or social media. And Saturday is no longer a day of abstinence.

These changes sadden me. IMO the old ways are the better ways, back when the church influenced secular society, instead of letting secular society influence the church. Giving up television etc., is still a good thing to do, but let us challenge ourselves with more arduous penance against gluttony, and follow the 1917 Canon.

 

[christie2]

This alimentary canal the stomach is part of, is open to the outside.

I remember reading 'think of the alimentary canal as sitting outside your body'

It is one of the body systems most vulnerable to demonic attacks as it has at least two significant openings to the outside.

I think the next most vulnerable body system part is our skin.

If we can closely guard what enters our alimentary canal, we can stop demonic possessions and even alter our nous/brain as our gut is scientifically explained as our second brain.

Brain cancer patients have horrible eating habits, the ones I've read about that survive longer, are the ones who have drastically changed their food intake types and habits.

The Orthodox Christian fasting rules are crucial to become perfect at adhering to.

Thanks for this article at this season.

 

[Akaky Akakievitch]

I had not considered the dual aspect of obsessing over a flat stomach while also constantly filling it with earthly delights. There is indeed a perverse fascination with the belly in the West, which I definitely suffer from. Just before opening this article, I was literally looking at an advertisement for a fitness program where one of the chapters was titled "A Classical Torso -- and How to Obtain One". I've never had one, so it has always been a latent desire for me, and only now I'm starting to look at it more critically.

Portioning meals is very difficult I find, especially being a single guy but in light of this article and looking ahead to the coming weeks, it is something I will focus on much more. Gluttony is one of my main struggles. I'm not overweight but I'm vividly aware of how much food and refreshments excite my senses. One can still be relatively healthy and also become a glutton, too.

 

[SeaEagle]

I am quite thoughtless in how I portion food. For meal prep, I simply fill my containers, which are quite large, to the brim. At work I simply microwave the container (glass don't worry), and eat the whole thing, usually stuffing myself.

I end up feeling lethargic, and if I do this before bed, the resulting sleep can be full of lustful dreams/etc. Quite telling from my own experience.

Certainly something I need to work on, thanks Roosh.

 

[Kitty Tantrum]

Whew. I don't love mine!

 

[PineTreeFarmer]

I keep accidentally leaving paid for groceries at the grocery store. So idk, but the brain to belly connection isn't as solid as it could be.

Today it was all of the meat. Last week it was a bag of apples and bananas.

And no, I haven't ever worshipped my belly. It's always been a source of contention that nothing ever worked to fix except staying at home. <3 But it definitely puts things into perspective if other people don't like you because of your belly or body.

 

[gent]

One of the graces I received when I started praying the rosary daily last year, was that my desire to look at myself in the mirror plummeted. This was an incredible relief, because I have caused myself so much suffering in my life being ashamed of my physical appearance, or feeling proud of it. The two surely go hand in hand.

Thank God for the gift of prayer, so we can focus our attention on the One who is truly all-good and deserving of all affection.

 

[TrainedLogosmotion]

Not doing it for the abs, weight loss, or physique, but I've been doing intermittent fasting where I eat one big meal a day in the middle of the day. I find that's all I need unless I'm doing strenuous physical activity. It keeps my mind from making my entire day about planning meals. Breakfast lunch dinner and snacks is just too much.

When I know this one meal is 95% of my calories for the day it makes me be more cautious. It needs to be nutrituous and hit all my macros. It needs to be healthy.

It's easier to remember to pray before one big meal rather than 3 + snacks + junk food + garbage. And it's rewarding without needing to be fancy. Just basic necessities. What may be bland to the food addicts and food obsessed becomes satisfying and replenishing without the need to overdo it.

When I follow this habit I sleep better and have better digestion. It goes without saying that this also saves alot of time and money.

The women in my family have made such an idol of food that that's pretty much all they ever talk about. They plan meals months in advance for holidays. The superficiality and proclivity for everything to be about food drives me nuts!

The food shouldn't be the main course of these events - it's the fellowship of the people. Sharing in the splendor of God-given life. Gratitude. Sharing knowledge. Immaterial gifts. Elevating one another spiritually rather than through the flesh.

The food brings us together like the car drives us to church. But when we get to church we don't aren't meant to talk about cars. All of this becomes secondary when God is dead to people. They need their new Mercedes. They need their golden calf.

I imagine a ficticious scenario where Jesus is sharing a meal with his apostles, and while something profound is being shared, Judas changes the subject to ask everyone if they think the bread could use more salt.

 

[EntWife]

Not doing it for the abs, weight loss, or physique, but I've been doing intermittent fasting where I eat one big meal a day in the middle of the day. I find that's all I need unless I'm doing strenuous physical activity. It keeps my mind from making my entire day about planning meals. Breakfast lunch dinner and snacks is just too much.

When I know this one meal is 95% of my calories for the day it makes me be more cautious. It needs to be nutrituous and hit all my macros. It needs to be healthy.

It's easier to remember to pray before one big meal rather than 3 + snacks + junk food + garbage. And it's rewarding without needing to be fancy. Just basic necessities. What may be bland to the food addicts and food obsessed becomes satisfying and replenishing without the need to overdo it.

When I follow this habit I sleep better and have better digestion. It goes without saying that this also saves alot of time and money.

The women in my family have made such an idol of food that that's pretty much all they ever talk about. They plan meals months in advance for holidays. The superficiality and proclivity for everything to be about food drives me nuts!

The food shouldn't be the main course of these events - it's the fellowship of the people. Sharing in the splendor of God-given life. Gratitude. Sharing knowledge. Immaterial gifts. Elevating one another spiritually rather than through the flesh.

The food brings us together like the car drives us to church. But when we get to church we don't aren't meant to talk about cars. All of this becomes secondary when God is dead to people. They need their new Mercedes. They need their golden calf.

I imagine a ficticious scenario where Jesus is sharing a meal with his apostles, and while something profound is being shared, Judas changes the subject to ask everyone if they think the bread could use more salt.

Do you get low blood sugar, or a lack of energy, or any other negative physical effects? How long does it take you to get used to one meal a day?

Some people have only one meal a day during Lent, and I'm wondering how it goes from a practical perspective.

 

[TrainedLogosmotion]

Do you get low blood sugar, or a lack of energy, or any other negative physical effects? How long does it take you to get used to one meal a day?

Some people have only one meal a day during Lent, and I'm wondering how it goes from a practical perspective.

Personally for me it took very minor adjustment. I was used to eating breakfast right upon waking. I just had to push through that uncomfort for that first morning. I wasn't starving. It was more that I just wanted the dopamine rush.

Now I just drink a bottle of cold spring water when I wake up. Sometimes I have a coffee, tea, flavored sparkling water, or kombucha.

I see negative side effects if I don't eat a balanced meal for that one big meal. It's important that I get fats, protein, and carbs in the right proportions. Otherwise I will crave the macro that I'm missing.

I also see much more obvious negative side effects if I eat poorly like if I eat fast food. I really feel it in my gut and regret it alot more than when I used to eat 3 meals a day + snacks etc. For example if I fast from the previous day and decide to eat some trash food I will have to go to the toilet immediately becuase my body is like "oh heck no what is this get this out now I didn't wait 24 hours for this I'm bout to squirt this mess".

On rare occasions, it's extremely difficult to not replenish myself after exercise which I normally do in the evenings, but I dont do alot of strenuous exercise. If I do feel malnourished from unusually high energy expenditure, instead of having a 'full meal' I'll have a nutritional shake or a nutrition bar.

I keep things like nutrition bars, dried fruit, nuts, etc at the house in case I feel like I'm getting unbalanced. I only use them to regain homeostasis. Or if I have something to do that requires alot of energy first thing in the morning ill eat a nutrition bar and have a coffee. Not every morning. I just use all of this supplementally.

The heaviest part of my workload is done between 1-7pm. Everything else is very light work mostly sedentary and driving. Water is fine. 10/11am-3pm I use my reserves to operate my body (I wake around 10/11am). Around 3-4pm I'll start to get hungry so I take a break and refuel with the one big meal. Then for the next 3 hours or so I finish work.

If I have a snack it's something very light and something that is an addition to what I was missing in the big meal perhaps because I was rushed or couldn't find a way to complete it. Ideally no more intake after 8/9pm, other than sips of water. Key word sips otherwise I have to get up to pee multiple times which ruins my sleep. I get the best sleep if I don't consume anything 4 hours before lights out which is around 1am for me.

I don't have an exact system but I try to eat one big meal around 3-4pm-ish 90% of the time. I will occasionally break the cycle and I'm not perfect so I will overindulge or have moments of gluttony outside of my usual pattern once or twice a week. I for example am a recovering alcohol abuser so when I get strong cravings to drink I will treat myself to ice cream.

I can see this being a problem for someone who overexercises, needs to take medication with food, is overweight, has a horrible mircobiome addicted to junk food, has a much different schedule, etc.

I should also mention I do not cook. I don't have time. I get my food fresh every day at the grocery store or some type of health conscious food spot if that's an option depending on where I am. Even places we think of as unhealthy aren't that bad in a pinch. For example Wendy's and Zaxby's grilled chicken salads seem alright and you can get them to add/remove things to make it more complete/nutritious.

 

[EntWife]

Personally for me it took very minor adjustment. I was used to eating breakfast right upon waking. I just had to push through that uncomfort for that first morning. I wasn't starving. It was more that I just wanted the dopamine rush.

Now I just drink a bottle of cold spring water when I wake up. Sometimes I have a coffee, tea, flavored sparkling water, or kombucha.

I see negative side effects if I don't eat a balanced meal for that one big meal. It's important that I get fats, protein, and carbs in the right proportions. Otherwise I will crave the macro that I'm missing.

I also see much more obvious negative side effects if I eat poorly like if I eat fast food. I really feel it in my gut and regret it alot more than when I used to eat 3 meals a day + snacks etc. For example if I fast from the previous day and decide to eat some trash food I will have to go to the toilet immediately becuase my body is like "oh heck no what is this get this out now I didn't wait 24 hours for this I'm bout to squirt this mess".

On rare occasions, it's extremely difficult to not replenish myself after exercise which I normally do in the evenings, but I dont do alot of strenuous exercise. If I do feel malnourished from unusually high energy expenditure, instead of having a 'full meal' I'll have a nutritional shake or a nutrition bar.

I keep things like nutrition bars, dried fruit, nuts, etc at the house in case I feel like I'm getting unbalanced. I only use them to regain homeostasis. Or if I have something to do that requires alot of energy first thing in the morning ill eat a nutrition bar and have a coffee. Not every morning. I just use all of this supplementally.

The heaviest part of my workload is done between 1-7pm. Everything else is very light work mostly sedentary and driving. Water is fine. 10/11am-3pm I use my reserves to operate my body (I wake around 10/11am). Around 3-4pm I'll start to get hungry so I take a break and refuel with the one big meal. Then for the next 3 hours or so I finish work.

If I have a snack it's something very light and something that is an addition to what I was missing in the big meal perhaps because I was rushed or couldn't find a way to complete it. Ideally no more intake after 8/9pm. I get the best sleep if I don't consume anything 4 hours before lights out which is around 1am for me.

I don't have an exact system but I try to eat one big meal around 3-4pm-ish 90% of the time. I will occasionally break the cycle and I'm not perfect so I will overindulge or have moments of gluttony outside of my usual pattern once or twice a week.

I can see this being a problem for someone who overexercises, needs to take medication with food, is overweight, has a horrible mircobiome addicted to junk food, has a much different schedule, etc.

I should also mention I do not cook. I don't have time. I get my food fresh every day at the grocery store or some type of health conscious food spot if that's an option depending on where I am. Even places we think of as unhealthy aren't that bad in a pinch. For example Wendy's and Zaxby's salads seem alright and you can get them to add/remove things to make it more complete/nutritious.

Thanks for replying. I'm wondering if I should try something similar for Lent. As you said in your previous comment, we do tend to focus too much on food, which is part of what fasting is about - changing that focus and making our bodies serve us instead of us serving our bodies. I might have to do a modified version though because I do get low blood sugar. I'm going to talk to my husband about it and think about it. I guess I have almost a week to decide before Lent starts.

 

[TrainedLogosmotion]

Thanks for replying. I'm wondering if I should try something similar for Lent. As you said in your previous comment, we do tend to focus too much on food, which is part of what fasting is about - changing that focus and making our bodies serve us instead of us serving our bodies. I might have to do a modified version though because I do get low blood sugar. I'm going to talk to my husband about it and think about it. I guess I have almost a week to decide before Lent starts.

You're welcome. "Making our bodies serve us instead of serving our bodies". I like to way you put that. Modified is fine. This is my own modified version of intermittent fasting and circadian rhythm diets I was learning about. Find what works for you but just stick to the principle we've expressed above and see how it goes. God bless sister.

 

[EntWife]

You're welcome. "Making our bodies serve us instead of serving our bodies". I like to way you put that. Modified is fine. This is my own modified version of intermittent fasting and circadian rhythm diets I was learning about. Find what works for you but just stick to the principle we've expressed above and see how it goes. God bless sister.

I'm pretty sure I'm loosely quoting someone there - I just can't remember who! Maybe St. Paisios of Mt. Athos, since I was recently reading from one of his books?

Thank you again, you've been very kind. May the Lord keep you!

 

[cleomenes]

Why put almost naked woman on the picture?

 

[Roosh]

I picked an image that I don't believe would incite men to lust. If you are a man whose lust was inflamed from this image or it caused you to sin, send me a message and I will consider changing it.

 

[cleomenes]

Roosh, it does incite lust in me. I have not sinned. I am married with kids and trying not to sin. Just being honest.

 

[Kentucky Gent]

I picked an image that I don't believe would incite men to lust. If you are a man whose lust was inflamed from this image or it caused you to sin, send me a message and I will consider changing it.

I was not inflamed to lust, but I did admire her figure.

In this day and age, it seems impossible to avoid seeing attractive women in such apparel. Skimpy tops and yoga pants are everywhere. To cope with this, I have a couple rules: When women appear in my field of view dressed like this, through no effort on my part, I focus on the thought that God made men to be attracted to women (which keeps worse thoughts crowded out of my mind). Then, I think of my rules: 1) don't go out of my way to continue looking, and 2) don't dwell on or keep remembering what I have seen.

If I realize I'm breaking one of these 2 rules, then I know I'm not fighting temptation and it prompts me to refocus on resisting.

 

[Roosh]

Roosh, it does incite lust in me. I have not sinned. I am married with kids and trying not to sin. Just being honest.

Yes, now I can see how this image can incite lust. Forgive me. I changed the image.