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Week 1: May 17
It’s Monday morning and I am very discouraged. Last Monday, I set out to begin a weight loss program that, I hoped, would lead me to a gradual weight loss of about eighty pounds. Yes, I said eighty. You don’t have to tell me eighty pounds is a lot of weight, I carry it around all day every day and I promise you, it’s getting harder and harder to do it. I feel a real kinship with Kirsty on this one.
Back to why I am discouraged; when I stepped on the scale this morning, I had not lost a single pound-not one. Of course, I did go out to eat a little too much over the week-end and I quit trying to be good late in the week, but I hoped, with no good reason other than I wanted it to be so, I would find a pound or two gone, but that was not the case.
Today, I begin again with a slightly new strategy. I will post my progress every Monday morning. It is not easy for me to do this but I must do something, so I will make myself accountable to this blog every week.
If you want to follow along with me and keep up with my success and, if necessary, failure, check back every Monday for I will post here a true account of how I am doing.
I know I have let myself down and I have let my family down in holding onto this much weight. I will need God’s help and a great deal of determination in order to succeed.
The method I will use to loose weight will be an emphasis on healthful, natural foods and prayer.
I have in hand two books to inspire me;
one is a Joyce Meyer book a few years old, Look Great, Feel Great; 12 Keys to Enjoying Healthy Life Now,
the other is a little booklet by Don Colbert, MD, The Bible Cure for Weight Loss and Muscle Gain. Besides the practical tips, each of these constantly encourages me to keep focused on God and his strength.
Each week I will choose one focus scripture to claim and hold onto as I face my fiercest battle yet.
This week’s scripture is:
Psalms 69:16-17 ( NIV ) Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love;
in your great mercy turn to me.
Do not hide your face from your servant;
answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
Week 3: May 31
I ran out of energy this week. I began to feel seriously weak with not enough energy to get even up and walk. All I wanted to do was to sleep. I realized I was not eating enough, but found myself afraid to eat more because I don't trust myself to control it and am afraid I might end up eating too much of the wrong thing. I have let myself down so many times, having lost and gained weight almost all of my life, I want this time to be the last time I go through this cycle. So, I'm making an effort to eat a little more and try to keep it all in control.
I hate always thinking about food, what I will eat and when. I hope I'll be glad to get past this stage and develop routines that take care of it themselves. I am still focusing on healthful foods, more vegetables, and small amounts of proteins and carbohydrates.
About exercise, I walk on the treadmill four or five days a week. I am building up both how often I walk and how far. Right now, I'm only walking a mile or less, but it's all I can do so, I guess it is enough. Parking a few steps further away or stepping outside for a few minutes are ways I am trying to move more. They say little steps go a long way.
We are out of town for the holiday week-end. Bob and I need a break and the place we are staying is beautiful and restful. It's a great place to walk and get some exercise, I only hope it is enough to offset any extra calories I'm taking in. We have a kitchen so, we can eat in some, but what is a vacation without eating out? Eating is restaurants is a challenge, but not impossible. I've had salads and broiled chicken.
I'll not weigh this week but, instead, wait until next week when I'll be home. We'll see my progress report then.
Prayer for the week:
Lord, thank you for upholding me with your presence and strength this week. By faith, I forgive myself for past failures right now, in Jesus' name. By faith, I place myself in your care. By faith, I wash my mind in the blood of Jesus, and fill my thoughts with your word. By faith, I sanctify my meals by the word of God and prayer. Amen
Scripture verse of the week:
Romans 14:22-23 ( NIV ) Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
Consecration:
Spritual Warefare:
Relationships:
Forgiveness:
Obedience:
Divine Guidance:
Faith:
Healing:
Prayer:
Sin/Repentance:
Week 2 May 24
Welcome to the online journal of my weight loss battle. Have you ever noticed how we, as Christians, can see much victory in many areas of our lives, but one or two stubborn places remain recalcitrant and we can't seem to get a handle on how to rout the enemy.
Don't be mistaken, it is our enemy who keeps us in bondage, the Lord would have us experience freedom in every area, the difference lies with whom we choose to cooperate.
About three weeks ago, I finally decided enough is enough. I no longer want to live the rest of my life in bondage to excess weight. I choose to cooperate with God and His divine destiny for my life. I begin each day with a faith confession to remind both myself and the devil just what side I am on. I am on the side of victory and freedom. Come along with me on the journey. I called this entry week two because I began posting on this just last week. Here is what I've been doing this week:
I have spent this week making myself more aware of what actually goes into my mouth, not just at mealtimes, but anytime. I remind myself that food is for fuel and maintenance of my body. What I have discovered is I use food as entertainment. If I don't know what to do next, I grab something to eat, if I think of going out, it is to eat someplace. Using food as entertainment is one reason I've been eating so much fast food and sugary, or treat, foods.
I am focusing on fresh vegetables, easier now that the garden is coming in, and whole grains. I have found that fresh, natural foods are more satisfying as they taste and look more appealing. I enjoy fresh sliced yellow squash for a side with a sandwich or for a snack.
I have done the no carb diet before, it is tempting to do so again, but it backfires. Of course, I have to severely limit my carbohydrate intake, but not cut out all carbs. I allow myself up to one carbohydrate at each meal. I make sure to have some carbs every day in the form of one piece of whole grain toast, I like the one with a lot of seeds and nuts, or a bowl of Cheerios or Mini Wheats with skim milk (and fresh dewberries-see below).
Fruits are part of a balanced diet. Strawberries and dewberries are ripe now. Dewberries are similar to blackberries but come in a few weeks earlier. I harvested several servings of dewberries from along my fence line-a benefit of not getting all the yard work done on time.
Protein is important at every meal to keep hunger at bay and to repair muscle. I've cut back on the amount of food I eat and the protein portions are not large, but I need some protein at every meal and every snack.
I am studying a glycemic index chart to help me make better food choices. All fruits and vegetables are not the same when it comes to the way our bodies use them. I need to learn to purposely choose my foods more wisely.
I weigh once a week. When I have tried to loose weight before, I've weighed myself every day. By focusing on making better choices, the need to weigh myself is not the primary goal, but instead, changing the way I eat and live is now the goal.
Here is the result: I have lost ten pounds so far. If this seems like a lot, remember when you have a lot a weight to loose, as I do, the first pounds come off quickly.
It's fruit and yogurt for breakfast and then some work in the flower beds. Until next time;
Blessings
Kay
Weekly scripture
Psalms 23: 5 ( NIV )
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
.Good morning!
Welcome to week four of my online weight loss journey.
This week has been unorganized and I have not done very well on my diet. We spent the holiday week-end out of town and the rest of the week catching up at work. I also spent some time cleaning house to get ready for a visit from our daughter and her four children. After going out of town again for a niece's graudation, we had a wonderful visit with family.
It was a great week, but I didn't make myself behave and I neglected my exercise program completey. Here is the tally; I gained back three of the ten pounds I had lost, for a net loss of seven pounds in four weeks. Not terrible, but not great, either.
I'm busy giving myself a pep talk and I will get back to exercising.
I've been thinking about the strong man. What I mean by that is, often when there is a recurring problem in our life, it can be the result of demonic influence, either because we have allowed it into our life by repeated yielding to fleshly urges, or because it is present in family blood lines. Yes, it is possible to inherit demonic influence.
The line between our own yeilding to the lfesh and demonic influence is hazy and it makes little difference in the end because, if we continuelly yeild to our flesh in a particular area, Satan is sure to accomodate us and send in reinforcements, i.e., a demon to push us along. As we continue to yeild to the demonic influence, Satan sends in more demons in more areas.
The result of this is easy to see in some areas: addictions, rage, depression, and phobias all begin with fleshly urges that often progress to the point where the problem is in total control of the person's life.
At this point, the individual cannot rid himself of the problem on his own, he needs someone to help him; he needs deliverance, and possibly years of serious counselling to help him change habits that keep inviting the demon back. Although there is usually several demons operating in the person't life, there is one strong manwho is often the first demon invited in and the one all the other demons are dependent upon. If the strong man is forced out, the others have to go, as well.
I am asking God if there is a strong man in my life that has led to my being overweight. I am not trying to duck responsibilty here, I know I am fat because I eat too much and eat too much of the wrong food for too long. But, I am asking God to show me where there is anything I need to repent of; anything I need to recognizeand get out in the open, or anything I need to receive deliverance from.
If you are reading this, please pray with me about this. If the Lord shows me something, I will share it. It might be hard to share, because it very likely would be something quite personal, but I will share.
Until next time and much prayer
Kay
Matthew 12:29 ( NIV )
Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.
Matthew 12:35-37 ( NIV )
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
