Q: Is it a sin to want to lose weight if you are not overweight to start with? If not, when does it fall into the sin of vanity? Is it a sin if you want to lose weight to be happier/more satisfied with your appearance if you’re at a healthy weight already? I have confessed the sin of vanity in the past, and I want to avoid the temptation to that sin. But does that mean that I can’t try to lose weight (as that would have me focusing on appearance)? These questions have been on my mind recently. – L.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: Wanting to lose weight for the sake of one’s appearance rather than for health reasons sounds like vanity.

That isn’t to say that every act of vanity is sinful. At times it could be an imperfection.

Now, it is laudable that we want to present ourselves well in public. In fact, it can be a form of courtesy to others that also promotes civility in society.

We probably wouldn’t think of just rolling out of bed and into the office or classroom, for instance, without having first showered and groomed ourselves. This makes it easier to interact with others.

So where does vanity cross the line into sinfulness? That is harder to say. There is no one-size-fits-all answer.

This is where it helps to keep a balance in the rest of your life; that is, make time for prayer and the sacraments, and be generous with those in need. Take care of yourself, but not at the neglect of God and others.

Remember the counsel to wives (and applicable to all women) in 1 Peter 3:3-4. “Your adornment should not be an external one […] but rather the hidden character of the heart, expressed in the imperishable beauty of a gentle and calm disposition, which is precious in the sight of God.”

In any case, taking care of yourself requires that you eat enough food. If weight loss ever becomes an obsession with you, it would be good to speak with a doctor. Excessive weight loss could stem from an inner compulsion that isn’t rooted in reality.

You want to aim for balance.