So over the past few weeks I've been praying that God would help me in my discipline and motivation. If you've been paying any attention to the weigh-in stats, my initial loss has been steadily decreasing.
Well, God answered my prayers. Either through food poisoning or a stomach virus, I spent Saturday night/Sunday morning vomiting.
Suffice it to say, my desire for restaurants and unhealthy food is pretty much a 0 right now.
So I never thought I'd say it, but thank you, God, for setting me back on the right track.
And Daddy--though I'm pretty sure you have a good lead for this first contest (unless Uncle Mark catches up to you, watch out!), I'm gonna try my darndest to give you some more competition for the next one.
Keep on going, everyone! (I promise I won't pray for you to get sick, though.)
Monday, October 5, 2009
What's Up, People? Where You At?
If I use cool phrases, does that make me cool? 0=)
But here's my point--where are you, seriously? I know Uncle Mark and Aunt Cynthia are on a road trip, but unless the rest of you crazy peeps (another cool phrase) are with them, send me your stats! Here is the weigh-in info for the four people who gave me their info (and really it should be three, because telling myself shouldn't count).
Name-Total # Lost-Total % Lost
Doug-34.4 (whoop!)-11.86%
Lindie (the pregnant lady--c'mon guys!)-6-3.82%
Ashley-5-2.23%
Justin-1-0.56%
But here's my point--where are you, seriously? I know Uncle Mark and Aunt Cynthia are on a road trip, but unless the rest of you crazy peeps (another cool phrase) are with them, send me your stats! Here is the weigh-in info for the four people who gave me their info (and really it should be three, because telling myself shouldn't count).
Name-Total # Lost-Total % Lost
Doug-34.4 (whoop!)-11.86%
Lindie (the pregnant lady--c'mon guys!)-6-3.82%
Ashley-5-2.23%
Justin-1-0.56%
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Cynthia's Pride and Joy
Wow!! I just love that everyone seems to be looking at this as part of the spiritual journey and not just a physical improvement project. I agree with Heather that it is a lot easier to convince myself that I have control over this body than to recognize that everything in my life is connected to my personal relationship with the One Who Gave His All For Me. I can blame it on genetics, or will power, or health issues, but it all boils down to I Cor 9:24-27 NKJV "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to other, I myself should become disqualified." I joined this project with no hope of winning the prize, but realizing that the race itself was and is the real treasure, to be able to join my loved ones in a concerted effort to break the bondage of obesity and poor health habits that are so easy to fall into and so difficult to overcome.
As far as addiction or not, we can not live in this world without food, so it is not the same as drugs or alcohol that you can totally eliminate from you life. If we all could "eat to live, rather than live to eat" it would be victorious living. I myself have hesitated to do any weight loss effort in the past because I have been aware for years that every time I try to lose weight I become "obsessed" with food. When I make no effort or show no concern for weight loss then I find that I just it whatever tastes good or suits my fancy when I am hungry or have a craving. But, when I try to control my eating it becomes more and more of a constant thought and focus.
I have found for myself that the best way to overcome this is to develop a routine of what foods I buy and what I eat at each meal then I spend a lot less time thinking about food. My routine is pretty much fixed from breakfast through the time I get home from work, but having to decide what to eat for supper and and evening snacks, leaves me vulnerable to cravings and obsessive thoughts about food. I have found it difficult to overcome the impulse to eat whatever I think about or see in the evenings and on weekends, but I am trying to develop the same type of routine for those times that I have for my other mealtimes and snacks. I eat when I am hungry but I know in advance what I will be eating at each meal and snack. This allows me to not think about or focus so much on food, and it only comes to mind when my body is actually hungry for sustenance.
I am so proud of you"kids" when I see the Fruits of the Spirit in your postings and thought patterns. It is really rewarding to realize that dragging you to church and feeding you The Word has helped you to develop an appetite for the things of God. "For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you."
Everybody keep up the good work and keep growing deeper and wider in the abundance of God's grace and less mired in the trappings of this fleshly body and of this world. Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say REJOICE!
As far as addiction or not, we can not live in this world without food, so it is not the same as drugs or alcohol that you can totally eliminate from you life. If we all could "eat to live, rather than live to eat" it would be victorious living. I myself have hesitated to do any weight loss effort in the past because I have been aware for years that every time I try to lose weight I become "obsessed" with food. When I make no effort or show no concern for weight loss then I find that I just it whatever tastes good or suits my fancy when I am hungry or have a craving. But, when I try to control my eating it becomes more and more of a constant thought and focus.
I have found for myself that the best way to overcome this is to develop a routine of what foods I buy and what I eat at each meal then I spend a lot less time thinking about food. My routine is pretty much fixed from breakfast through the time I get home from work, but having to decide what to eat for supper and and evening snacks, leaves me vulnerable to cravings and obsessive thoughts about food. I have found it difficult to overcome the impulse to eat whatever I think about or see in the evenings and on weekends, but I am trying to develop the same type of routine for those times that I have for my other mealtimes and snacks. I eat when I am hungry but I know in advance what I will be eating at each meal and snack. This allows me to not think about or focus so much on food, and it only comes to mind when my body is actually hungry for sustenance.
I am so proud of you"kids" when I see the Fruits of the Spirit in your postings and thought patterns. It is really rewarding to realize that dragging you to church and feeding you The Word has helped you to develop an appetite for the things of God. "For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you."
Everybody keep up the good work and keep growing deeper and wider in the abundance of God's grace and less mired in the trappings of this fleshly body and of this world. Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say REJOICE!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Proud of Everyone!!!
I just have to say that I am so proud of everyone. I have to be honest that when we first started I wasn't quite sure how serious everyone would be about it (that's why I suggested the buy in) but everyone seems to be sticking with it and doing really well.
With that being said, Mark, you need to kick it up the next 2 weeks so someone can be ahead of Doug for once! I, for one, won't get there with this little person growing inside me. Just kidding. Doug, you have to know that I'm so proud of you. Keep up the EXCELLENT work.
With that being said, Mark, you need to kick it up the next 2 weeks so someone can be ahead of Doug for once! I, for one, won't get there with this little person growing inside me. Just kidding. Doug, you have to know that I'm so proud of you. Keep up the EXCELLENT work.
Redemption
So I love that this is coming up. It ties in so well with what God has been doing in my life, and reminds me of another area of my life where I do need Him so desperately. Addiction? Oh, yeah. I know I am addicted to food. Food releases endorphins much like a drug, but this is not an addiction you hear about often. Gluttony is the Chritian's culturally acceptable sin, which, I think, makes it all the more difficult to beat. I'll just take a minute to remind myself by way of writing this who is the one who can deliver.
In Luke 4, Jesus reads from the following passage in Isaiah:
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has annointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God
to comfort all who mourn in Zion - to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
***They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations"
There is no generational curse, failing, sin, or whatever you want to call it that He is not powerful enough to redeem. And remember our redemption is not by our effort alone, but by His power and grace that dwell in us and rest upon us. One more scripture quote from Galations 3:1-3
"O foolish Galations! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"
When I began my weight-loss journey, I came across a program called Thin Within that is Bible-based and grace-driven. I was frustrated with the slow progress I heard about from other members, so I turned to a secular program with the same name. My weight-loss was very fast at first, but it's slowed down to a crawl, mainly because my willpower is not as strong as it was in the beginning. I didn't want to follow the first program, because I didn't want to link my weight-loss too closely with my walk with God. I didn't want to need to have grace for myself, but reading all of your posts, I realize now that, for me at least, it IS a spiritual issue. It is an issue I need to turn over to God. I cannot break the bondage food has me in on my own willpower, just as I cannot save myself from sin.
I titled this post redemption, because that's what it boils down to for me. Why is it so easy to allow the Spirit to be wholly responsible for my initial salvation, but then try to perfect myself through my flesh? If my flesh cannot save my soul, neither can my flesh perfect it. Jesus Christ has paid the price for my redemption - not only of my past, but also of my present and my future. He has bought me completely, and He is able to complete the good works he began in me. He has the strength to help me overcome my addiction to food. Cause I can overeat on a salad just like I can on pizza.
So here's my prayer for myself and my family who is struggling with me. "Lord give me grace to remember that I need you. Give me grace to remember that you provide all my needs and you will give us our daily bread - exactly what we need when we need it. And Lord, give me grace to accept your forgiveness when I take my comfort from anything but you first. And when I neglect to trust you for my daily bread. Amen."
I love you all, and I'm so glad we're going through this together. His grace is sufficient! Go and eat with God :)
Heather
In Luke 4, Jesus reads from the following passage in Isaiah:
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has annointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God
to comfort all who mourn in Zion - to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
***They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations"
There is no generational curse, failing, sin, or whatever you want to call it that He is not powerful enough to redeem. And remember our redemption is not by our effort alone, but by His power and grace that dwell in us and rest upon us. One more scripture quote from Galations 3:1-3
"O foolish Galations! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"
When I began my weight-loss journey, I came across a program called Thin Within that is Bible-based and grace-driven. I was frustrated with the slow progress I heard about from other members, so I turned to a secular program with the same name. My weight-loss was very fast at first, but it's slowed down to a crawl, mainly because my willpower is not as strong as it was in the beginning. I didn't want to follow the first program, because I didn't want to link my weight-loss too closely with my walk with God. I didn't want to need to have grace for myself, but reading all of your posts, I realize now that, for me at least, it IS a spiritual issue. It is an issue I need to turn over to God. I cannot break the bondage food has me in on my own willpower, just as I cannot save myself from sin.
I titled this post redemption, because that's what it boils down to for me. Why is it so easy to allow the Spirit to be wholly responsible for my initial salvation, but then try to perfect myself through my flesh? If my flesh cannot save my soul, neither can my flesh perfect it. Jesus Christ has paid the price for my redemption - not only of my past, but also of my present and my future. He has bought me completely, and He is able to complete the good works he began in me. He has the strength to help me overcome my addiction to food. Cause I can overeat on a salad just like I can on pizza.
So here's my prayer for myself and my family who is struggling with me. "Lord give me grace to remember that I need you. Give me grace to remember that you provide all my needs and you will give us our daily bread - exactly what we need when we need it. And Lord, give me grace to accept your forgiveness when I take my comfort from anything but you first. And when I neglect to trust you for my daily bread. Amen."
I love you all, and I'm so glad we're going through this together. His grace is sufficient! Go and eat with God :)
Heather
Monday, September 21, 2009
Hope
Thank you, Daddy and Aunt Velma, for your posts. They made me laugh and were very encouraging.
It's funny to me that we think it's odd when God speaks to us. As if we find it surprising, when he speaks to us all the time--it's just that sometimes we are more apt to listen to him than others.
Well, tonight after I got out of the bath, I heard his voice. Normally I go straight to writing, but he impressed upon me that I really needed to go read my Bible. He didn't put a particular book or verse in my head, just to go read.
(Be prepared, this is a long story...)
As I was sitting down, Luke made a comment about feeling bad about all the years he's wasted, and I paraphrased the verse about God redeeming the years the locusts have stolen. He asked me to look it up, and I thought it was from Jeremiah, so I randomly turned to Jeremiah, to Chapter 15. But it wasn't there. So I went and looked it up, and turns out it was in Joel.
Anyway... (told you this was long)
I felt like I should read Jeremiah Chapter 15 anyway. And this is what I found in Jeremiah Chapter 15, verse 16:
"Your words were found, and I ate them. And your word to me was the joy and rejoicing of my heart. For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts."
I cannot tell you how reading this verse changed my heart instantly. Before I felt low and depressed and lonely, but after reading that, I am encouraged so much.
My subsistence should be God's word, my relationship with Him, not food. Food is not my comfort; food cannot fill my soul. But God can, and does. I belong to Him. And I can gorge myself on His word any day.
I am praying for you guys, everyone. Because as silly and as ridiculous as it seems, if food distracts us from our relationship with Him, if we turn to food to comfort us or bring us joy instead of going to Him, then we are cheating ourselves.
And I would challenge you, every time you pray a blessing over your food, to take joy in Him. Let Him satisfy your heart's craving.
Love,
Ashley
It's funny to me that we think it's odd when God speaks to us. As if we find it surprising, when he speaks to us all the time--it's just that sometimes we are more apt to listen to him than others.
Well, tonight after I got out of the bath, I heard his voice. Normally I go straight to writing, but he impressed upon me that I really needed to go read my Bible. He didn't put a particular book or verse in my head, just to go read.
(Be prepared, this is a long story...)
As I was sitting down, Luke made a comment about feeling bad about all the years he's wasted, and I paraphrased the verse about God redeeming the years the locusts have stolen. He asked me to look it up, and I thought it was from Jeremiah, so I randomly turned to Jeremiah, to Chapter 15. But it wasn't there. So I went and looked it up, and turns out it was in Joel.
Anyway... (told you this was long)
I felt like I should read Jeremiah Chapter 15 anyway. And this is what I found in Jeremiah Chapter 15, verse 16:
"Your words were found, and I ate them. And your word to me was the joy and rejoicing of my heart. For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts."
I cannot tell you how reading this verse changed my heart instantly. Before I felt low and depressed and lonely, but after reading that, I am encouraged so much.
My subsistence should be God's word, my relationship with Him, not food. Food is not my comfort; food cannot fill my soul. But God can, and does. I belong to Him. And I can gorge myself on His word any day.
I am praying for you guys, everyone. Because as silly and as ridiculous as it seems, if food distracts us from our relationship with Him, if we turn to food to comfort us or bring us joy instead of going to Him, then we are cheating ourselves.
And I would challenge you, every time you pray a blessing over your food, to take joy in Him. Let Him satisfy your heart's craving.
Love,
Ashley
Addiction, generational curse, societal habits.....???
You know, I am not sure what you should call it, but we all seem to be in the same boat. I'll admit, I eat chocolate and drink diet Cokes when I need a pick-me-up. Ok, and when I don't. I love to eat all of the foods that are not good for me, i.e. fried, smothered with whith gravy, served with bread!!! The funny thing is, when I choose to do so, I also enjoy broccoli, grapes, even raw bell peppers. I enjoy sitting on the couch all day watching movies or reading. When I choose to, I also enjoy the heck out of taking a swim class, walking, or other forms of exercise. It seems to me then, that I enjoy the non-healthy lifestyle as well as the healthy one. It is just a matter of choosing which I want to live by.
Mark is correct, our minds are filled with pictures of foods that are not good for us on every corner. It is easier to just eat without having to think about what you eat, Ashley! The truth is, we have to think about it, but what we think is the trick. Perhaps we should change how and what we think about foods, certain foods, all foods. Perhaps we can begin to think in terms of this food will increase my life and help me enjoy life more, while these other foods will steal life from me. Hmmm, that reminds me of someone who has come to steal, kill, and destroy. Then, I think about Someone else who has come to give us life and life more abundantly.
Perhaps we as Christians are ignoring one of Satan's tools that he is using to steal, kill, and destroy....food!
Let's all begin to pray for each other. Pray for freedom from a food bondage. Pray that we can choose a healthier lifestyle. Pray that we all have strength and courage to make those good choices. We are already doing one thing that helps. We are encouraging each other and holding up our brothers and sisters in this battle. I admit, I am not holding you guys up as much as I should or could. How about if we agree together to post more often, pray for each other more often, and put forth more effort to tell ourselves, "I am doing this for my good and to give Satan a black eye." We will win this battle against obesity. We can win this battle against a sedentary lifestyle. We can become a happier, healthier family. (I would say better looking, but, even fat, we are a handsome bunch!!!)
What say ye? Shall we all shout, Hear, hear! Lift our glasses of water high. Grab a handful of fruits and vegetables and head to the gym!! Together!!!!
Wow, that even made me feel better and more determined! I am so glad that Douglas and Ashley cooked this up. I, for one, needed help!! What better sources to go for help than God and family!
I love you guys.
Here's to seeing less of you next time we're together!
Velma
Mark is correct, our minds are filled with pictures of foods that are not good for us on every corner. It is easier to just eat without having to think about what you eat, Ashley! The truth is, we have to think about it, but what we think is the trick. Perhaps we should change how and what we think about foods, certain foods, all foods. Perhaps we can begin to think in terms of this food will increase my life and help me enjoy life more, while these other foods will steal life from me. Hmmm, that reminds me of someone who has come to steal, kill, and destroy. Then, I think about Someone else who has come to give us life and life more abundantly.
Perhaps we as Christians are ignoring one of Satan's tools that he is using to steal, kill, and destroy....food!
Let's all begin to pray for each other. Pray for freedom from a food bondage. Pray that we can choose a healthier lifestyle. Pray that we all have strength and courage to make those good choices. We are already doing one thing that helps. We are encouraging each other and holding up our brothers and sisters in this battle. I admit, I am not holding you guys up as much as I should or could. How about if we agree together to post more often, pray for each other more often, and put forth more effort to tell ourselves, "I am doing this for my good and to give Satan a black eye." We will win this battle against obesity. We can win this battle against a sedentary lifestyle. We can become a happier, healthier family. (I would say better looking, but, even fat, we are a handsome bunch!!!)
What say ye? Shall we all shout, Hear, hear! Lift our glasses of water high. Grab a handful of fruits and vegetables and head to the gym!! Together!!!!
Wow, that even made me feel better and more determined! I am so glad that Douglas and Ashley cooked this up. I, for one, needed help!! What better sources to go for help than God and family!
I love you guys.
Here's to seeing less of you next time we're together!
Velma
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