Friday Weigh In Week Ending July 16th . . . "We need to define ourselves by our obedience, not on a number on a scale."

I know, I am late on my update for my weigh in.  Sorry.  Life has been challenging and my fibromyalgia kicked in and absolutely had me down for days.  First flare up I've had since I changed my eating habits.  This last week I didn't eat as many veggies as I had been, so wondering if that played a factor?  Not sure, but something I am watching.  Wouldn't it be great it I was able to control the fibromyalgia with my diet!  We shall see ;)

I was very discouraged to have only lost one pound last week. I was bloated and gassy (yes, I know, more information than you probably care to hear about, but hey, just keeping it real here).  I've been just down right mad about it.

As you know, I have been reading Lysa Terkeurst's, Made to Crave for about six weeks.  Now, the book is a VERY easy read, and I could have easily read it in a day or two; but my life doesn't allow me to just sit and read, so I take it with me when I go places that require waiting, or when I have a few minutes of down time.  I do not believe the timing of reading Chapter 8 was a coincidence.  In Chapter 8, reference was made to  Karen Ehman  and her journey in weight loss.  One particular week she was discouraged to have lost "only" 1.8 pounds.  She began asking herself several questions and how they applied to her life.

Here is her list of these questions.  (The answers are MY answers, not hers.  Don't want this post to be longer than it already is and didn't see the reason to post the questions twice.  Please don't take the answers I am responding to as her answers!)

1~ Did I over eat this week on any day?  Yes, not in caloric intake, but one meal in particular I ate beyond the "full" feeling and afterward was stuffed.

2~ Did I move more and exercise regularly?  No.

3~ Do I feel lighter than I did at this time last Friday?  No.  I have been bloated for days and don't feel good. 

4~ Did I eat in secret or out of anger or frustration?  No.

5~ Did I feel that, at any time, I ran to food instead of to God?  NO! (Doing the happy dance on that one! lol!)

6~ Before I hopped on the scales, did I think I had a successful, God pleasing week?  Yes.

She then goes on to say, "Sweet friends, we need to define ourselves by our obedience, not on a number on a scale."  OH MY GOSH THAT IS HUGE! 

It took every ounce of energy I had to not call it quits on Friday.  My mindset was, "if I have to watch what I eat and say no to foods my mouth is salivating over, only to lose ONE pound, then it's not worth it."  What saved me from sabotaging myself was I had two houses to clean on Friday.  I was kept busy and was able to work through my frustration and "stinkin' thinkin'."  It also came to my attention that I had missed nearly two weeks of my thyroid medication.  Shame on me!  I know better than that; but I started believing the devils lies, "Look how good you are doing, you don't need those pills."  I fell in to the same trap Eve fell in to in the Garden of Eden!  I believed one of satan's lies!  I do need my thyroid medication.  I have a underactive thyroid that makes losing weight nearly impossible!  It effects everything . . . exhaustion, muscle aches, heartburn, gas, weight gain!

So . . . . I have added a 7th question to Karen's list of 6; "Did I taking the prescribed medication and vitamins I need to take on a daily basis?"  No, I did not.

THEN, a REALLY cool thing happened on Monday the 18th, I was driving home from Sam's with a car full of fresh fruits, the Lord spoke to my spirit (I have been praying about my eating and weight loss since Friday.)  I had been asking, "What do I need to do differently about my foods."  He said, "Check your sugar intake." 

I have been using myfitnesspal.com to check my caloric, fat, carbohydrates, protein, and sodium.  I came in and changed my settings to show sugar.  Oh my lands!  I had been going over in my sugar in take since I began this journey on May 23rd!  I was shocked.  On May 23rd I replaced all my snacky junk foods with fresh fruits and cut out sweet tea and cokes (I drank boocoos of cokes a day).  It never dawned on me eating apples, grapefruit, bananas, grapes, etc would take me over the amount of sugar I should be taking in.  Now, I am NOT saying eating fresh fruits is bad, but what I am saying is it must be done in balance (as with everything else in life).   I am in the process of studying and learning new foods to eat that will curb my appetite for longer periods; not needing to snack so much in between meals. 

While I can not say I am excited about this weeks weigh in, I can say yesterday I did much better on my sugar intake than any other days in the past.  I can also know that, regardless of my weigh in on Friday,  I can know that I am learning and making better choices.

Lord, thank you for baby steps.  Thank you for revealing me to me what I need to know and do to take my weight loss journey to the next level.  Thank you for loving me and keeping me close.  Forgive me when I doubt and am not obedient.  Go before me this day helping me to make wise choices.  I love you, Lord.  Amen.

Friday's Weigh In

I was a little unsure about today's weigh in.  I found myself eating when I wasn't hungry.  Now, what I was eating wasn't all that bad, it's the fact I was eating for comfort.  Regardless of what I am eating, if I am eating to gorge, there is a problem.  When my anxiety is high, I should call upon the name of the Lord, not the fridge! 

Still reading Made to Crave.  I re-read Chapter's 6 and 7 because I needed to make sure I was ready for 8.  If I can't remember what I read, I go back and re-read.  My journey for weight loss is more than the scales decreasing, buy my heart increasing.

When I stepped on the scales, I was prepared for it either way.  Last week I had to weigh in on Wednesday instead of Friday.  It had been 10 days since my last weigh in. 

When the scales registered a 7 POUND LOSS I did the happy dance!  Yes!  I DID!  It was not a pretty sight, but I still DID! 

Along with the thrill of the weight loss, I was given spiritual insight that put an extra skip in my step.

In the last 19 hours the Lord has given me the number 7 to symbolize and confirm an area that satan is waring against us (I won't get into that at this point, but will soon).  Seven days, Seven pounds, Seven books.  The three together mean nothing, but combined, shows me the sovereignty of God.  That right there means more than the weight loss (of course the weight loss is wonderful, but seeing the hand of God in my life just comforted this girls heart beyond words.)

So, today, I am thankful for where I am; looking forward to where He is taking, and Resting in His faithfulness.

Walking in Victory,

Stacey

 
I John 3:1

Friday's Weigh In & Victory!

Today I increased my walking distance from two miles to two and a half!  I didn't think I would be able to make it; the pain in my low back was pretty intense; but I did!  Not only did I increase my distance, I cleaned two houses back to back today!  The Lord provide financially, AND He gave me the strength to get through both house cleanings; for that I am thankful!

I was VERY surprised that I had another four pound weight loss this week!  I expected one, but hoped for two.  I thought with the walking and cleaning of houses that I would be building muscle, making the actual weight loss less . . . . . regardless I am thrilled.

As of today, I have lost a total of 15 pounds! 



These potatoes represent 15 pounds !

Just can't believe it.  I am so thankful for Lysa Terkeurst's, Made to Crave book.  Healing is taking place.  That's a good thing :)

Walking in Victory,

Stacey



Living and Breathing

So this morning my husband wakes me at 4:45 for me to get up to do my walk.  I didn't move.  My body ached all over and in places I didn't know existed anymore!  I asked for a few more minutes to muster the strength to get up . . . . next thing I knew it was 5:45!

While I was thankful to get my two miles in, I was frustrated I didn't get up as early.  Dogs were barking, cars were driving by me, distraction after distraction.  Nonetheless I rejoiced in my victory of not giving up despite the physical pain.

Since I was up walking so early yesterday I missed the sunrise, but this morning, the Lord blessed me with the most gorgeous sunrise.  With that picturesque sunrise I was reminded of Psalm 113:3, "From the rising to the setting of the sun, I will praise the Lord."  I didn't have my camera with me, but will be taking one with me from now, but found this picture of the sunrise on-line.  The sun was this bright this morning as it shone through the trees!

I am trying a new recipe tonight, it's called, "Chicken with Watermelon-Mango Salsa." I will post the recipe later tonight after the kids are in bed and let you know my thoughts on it.

If you have any recipes using whole wheat pastas, or anything that is "healthy," I would really appreciate you sending them to me.  I am struggling with what to cook.  I don't want to get bored with repetition of what I am eating and set myself up to be sabotaged!

After posting my blog posts over the last few days, something cool happened.  I received many phone calls, texts, emails from people thanking me for posting, sharing their successes stories, and some starting their own journey's.  For those just starting your journey, I am praying for you.  I pray for strength to take the first steps and strength to take the next ones too!  Drink LOTS of water!  It works!  Once I started drinking water, I stayed thirty for three days.  I literally could not get enough to drink.  I was completely dehydrated.

We no longer have to be in bondage over food.  Yesterday afternoon and last night was very hard for me and my horrible attitude was showing it.  I was hungry; couldn't get satisfied and had cravings of EVERYTHING that was IN the house, so the foods I was craving were fully accessible.  Even though I was hungry and my stomach was growling, I sat down to read more of "Made to Crave" and opened my copy of scripture.  A calmness came over my spirit that allowed me to process and think. 

We can be free; that freedom comes from the One within!  He is Living and Breathing.  John 8:32 says, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free."  I pray you know the one that can set you free.

Friday Weigh In

I was anxious this morning as I went for my weigh in.  I was hoping for a pound loss, but would thankful to just not have a gain. 

While I had stayed under my caloric intake for the week, and moved my body every day but Thursday, I just was hurting/achy and wasn't "feeling" well about this week, so when the scales said minus 4 pounds I had to laugh!  I just couldn't believe it.  Four more pounds of fat falling off my body. 

I will be so glad when I can start seeing a difference ;)

Still reading "Made to Crave" on my page by page journey and thankful I can take it all in one moment by moment.

Chow!

"For Life Is More Than Food . . . "

For several weeks I prayed for two separate mentors, one to help me lose weight and get fit, and one to help me get back on track spiritually.  I didn't really want to do either, but I knew I had reached a point I "had to do something."

I didn't realize just how much one has to do with the other. 

On Tuesday, May 24th I made the call, the call I had been dreading, but knew I needed, the call to accountability.  I was surprised when I made the call how quickly she called me back.  We met, walked and talked.  She prayed seeking if this was the direction she was to walk in; the Lord said yes, and so the journey began.

Since the beginning of my sobriety nearly 13 years ago, I have struggled with my weight.  In the last 2 1/2 years it has been on a steady incline upward.  Those 2 1/2 years I have harbored anger, bitterness, unforgiveness deep within my heart.  My solution for the pain, food.  It was easy since the good Lord made me a good cook and gave me a passion for cooking, so there you have it.

My instructions from my mentor was to read a book written by Lysa TerKeurst, Made To Crave.

I have to be honest, when she first mentioned it, I thought, "Oh please no.  I don't want to be a part of the norm of what EVERY BODY is doing!"  (That's the still rebellious nature in me.)  She then mentioned the AWFUL word . . . . . JOURNALING!  How could she?!  I mean, really?  I hadn't journaled in years.  (Then I was thinking, "I thought you were supposed to be helping me spiritually, not physically!?!")  lol!  Don't get me wrong, when I did journal, I loved the connection, the nuggets I wrote about  . . . but to journal now would expose too many truths I didn't want to deal with . . . ugly truths that were deep in my heart.  She also said when I came across a scripture in the book, or any book I am reading, to open my Bible and write out that scripture in my journal.  She also stressed over and over to seize one victory a day and to start moving my body.  So, on the evening of the 24th of May, I started reading.  I had to read and re-read the introduction of the book.  It was sooo good, and one thing my mentor said was to "savor every thing you can, don't just read though, but really take it all in."  I've just finished the 3rd chapter, but keep going back to refresh and remind me what I've been reading. 

At this point, I am not comfortable sharing my weight; but I know I will one day.  To show how serious I am about this, I even had pictures taken so I could see my weight loss physically, not just by numbers.  I will eventually post those as well.

When I went in for my first weigh in, I had lost a whopping 7 lbs!  I could not believe it!  When asked what I was doing, I said, "I'm getting my heart right!" 

One thing I have done is joined My Fitness Pal.  I have never had to count calories before, and other than learning the point system from Weight Watchers, really had no idea what I was doing.  While I have known MANY to succeed at Weight Watchers, for me, life is more than points.  I am thankful that Weight Watchers taught me portion control though!  I needed educating. 

This week has been really tough for me.  For some reason I have been hungry all the time!  I've gone over my sodium intake five or six times and just physically "feel" tired.  I am having to tell my feet to move, my fingers to type and just hurt.  I am not sure if it is my body trying to adjust to the changes in my food intake, my fibromyalgia flaring up or my body aching from "moving!"  It could even be a combination of all three I guess, I just know I don't like the way I feel this week.  On the other hand, Spiritually I have a peace in knowing I am doing what I need to do to get well and the Lord continues on a daily basis to confirm that in me.  On my first weigh in alone He showed me I no longer have to be in bondage of food.  He showed me I have free will, choices regarding what I eat.  It's not that He is saying no to certain foods, but yes to being free.  Before I put anything in my mouth, I am asking  myself, "Is this something I will regret in five minutes . . . 30 minute . . . or hours later."  I don't want regrets.

I'll share this one more thing, then go for now; one of my scripture readings yesterday was from Luke 12:22-31.  But what caught my attention was verse 23, "For life is more than food  . . . . . . "  Now I know we aren't supposed to take scripture out of context, but when I read that, it was as if the Lord was speaking directly to me.  (He loves me like that ;)

I have added a ticker on the bottom of my blog page, just above my music player, tracking my weight.  I have a total of 115lbs to lose.  I weigh in on Friday mornings, so will update that by Friday evening. I would appreciate your prayers as I continue on this journey. 

My goal since the first weigh in is to lose 1 1/2 pounds a week.  I am nervous about this weeks as while I have been moving daily, I have not done my cardio on my stationary bike.  My eating has been good (under calorie count) but I'm afraid not enough to see a loss. 



Chow for now, and thanks for visiting me!

Stacey