God's Love

It has been a while since my last post due to some family health issues. My family and I spent a week and a half in St. Louis dealing with these issues. This trip was a challenge for me. I felt like I had little control over food choices. I tried wherever possible to make good choices but went through the 10 days VERY unsure of myself. One day when walking into the hospital God spoke to me. In the hall just before the lobby was the thought of the day. It read "You can take yourself out of God's will but not God's love." I thought back to how many times over the last several years that I have been out of God's will for my life because of my weight. Despite that though God was sending me a gentle reminder that "I love you!" In 1 John 3:1 (I particularly like the version in the Message) we are told "What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we're called children of God! That's who we really are." What a comfort and a blessing to know that's who I really am!

I am pleased to report that even though I was discouraged at how I did during the trip, the scales said something different. We were gone 10 days but the way my meeting days fall it had been 3 weeks since my last weigh in. In those 3 weeks I lost 5.2 lbs for a total of 7.8 lbs. Praise God!

My First Weigh In

It's been one week and I had my first weigh in today. I lost 2.6 lbs. Hooray!! I know that doesn't seem like a lot but I was thrilled. I've learned a lot about myself this week. First of all I learned that I really do like a variety of foods. I am a creature of habit and tend to go for the same tried and true things. This week I learned to go outside of my box and experiment with more variety of foods. I also learned that I am stronger than I realize. Even though I had my share of temptations this week, I was able to resist. That is not something I've been good at in the past. It's amazing when you truly put things in God's hands what can happen and the strength he can give you. Deuteronomy 31:6 says "Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid of them! The Lord your God will go ahead of you. He will neither fail you or forsake you." This week with God's help I was able to be strong. I was not afraid of the weight loss ahead of me and how daunting that seems. God did not fail me. Praise be to God!!

The Journey Begins

Well, I've finally done it. I have come to the realization that my weight is keeping me from living the life I want to live and the life God has in store for me. Actually, I've known that for a while now and I'm finally doing something about it. What was it that kicked me over the edge to do something about it? Well, several things really. First of all, I'm a mother of three and can't keep up with my kids. Second, I've had an incentive to join Weight Watchers. Lastly and most importantly, God FINALLY got my attention. Unfortunately God has to wait on me a long time sometimes and he has to scream really loudly!!! This time he spoke to me through a retreat I attended with Growing in Grace, the women's ministry at my church. The title of the retreat was Indescribable. We watched a video by Louie Giglio entitled "Indescribable" and it really spoke to me. http://http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=F6D1E19162EE9028

So, why haven't I done this sooner you ask? The main reason pure is simple is that it was too overwhelming of a task!! I have over 150 lbs that I need to lose to be in a healthy weight range. That just seemed like too daunting of a task. I had a drastic amount of weight to lose and I thought the only way it would come off was with a drastic solution. I researched gastric bypass surgery. I have friends who have had great success with this but the more I researched the more I realized it was not the best option for me. I turned to God and prayed for guidance. He came through in a BIG way. First of all my husband's company offered an incentive of 13 weeks of Weight Watchers free. Too good to pass up. Then the greatest answer to my prayer came while attending a retreat with the women's ministry at my church. As I watched the video "Indescribable" by Louie Giglio, God spoke to me and said that if he was big enough to create the universe he's big enough to handle my weight loss! I realized that I had been limiting God and what he could do. BIG MISTAKE!!! Psalm 147:4-5 says "He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!"

I tuned my weight over to God and began my journey to the Promise Land today. I have joined Weight Watchers and decided that for me a lifestyle change is what is needed for this journey. I will be combining healthy eating with exercise. It will be a long journey. As I said, I have over 150 lbs to lose but I have been reminded that my God is HUGE and he can see me through it. I know there will be ups and downs along the way but in the words of Steven Cutis Chapman "so sink or swim I'm diving in."