Get Back Up Again...

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:12

Sorry that I stayed away so long.  There was a death in the family and we left town for a bit but I am back now.  Well....this was the worst eating week for me in a very long time.  In traveling and visiting my family back home....I snacked the entire weekend on JUNK!  Chips, popcorn, fast food on the go.  No calorie counting at all.  I could wallow in it and make the old excuse, "I messed up so I may as well eat what I want".  But the difference in the past dieting and this time choosing to change is that when I fail, I get back up again. 

Yes, as I reflect, I am disappointed that after all the discipline I totally ignored doing what will help me accomplish my goal.  But, my life goes on and I am not going to beat myself up.  I use to be my own worst critic but now I know that the emotion that use to come when I failed doesn't help.  What helps is moving forward and that is exactly what I plan to do. 

There is no magic to accomplishing goals.  It takes hard work and dedication.  When you fall short don't be dismayed.  Do something about it. 

Please keep me in prayer on this journey.  My prayer for all of you is that you continue to move forward in whatever journey you are on and that you remember to seek God through it. 

Press On.

Day 37-Worship and Ice Cream

Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.  Psalm 34:3

Today was one of those days that you long for and that you wish would never end. Began with prayer and filled with praise.  A day filled with the presence of the LORD. 

I spent the later part of the evening listening to YouTube music.  Worship songs.  I began singing them and then thought, let me let the professionals do join me, so I turned on the computer.  The song that was in my spirit was one that I hadn't heard in years, Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary...."pure and holy, tried and true. And with Thanksgiving, I'll be your living, sanctuary for you". Throughout the evening I listened to Alpha and Omega, Worthy Is the Lamb and one of my all time favorites There is a River (that never shall run dry).  I ended the night with another of my old time, all time favorites What a Day that will Be and ice cream. 

Okay, I eased that word ice cream in there.  My journey to lose weight is not one of doing without sweets. It is one of moderation and life change.  How does this work with ice cream.  In the past, ice cream for me would involve a large cereal bowl and a heaping pile that not only filled the bowl but stood up out of it.  A helpful adjustment for my family has been to not buy ice cream in large quantities.  When we want ice cream we travel up the street to the golden arches and pay $1 for the perfect serving of soft serve.  It would probably not be what would be considered a true serving via the health-nut-goo-roo-professional-nutritionist but it is wayyyyyy less than what I would normally have, fulfilling and a good choice for this stage in my life and my journey.   Moderation!

So how am I doing over all.  I am indeed a work in progress.  There are 5 people in my home, including me.  I can use the age old excuse that it is expensive and difficult to make healthy food for me and still cook for the rest of the family, but this time that is not happening.  I am going slowly and making healthier, better choices for the entire family.  As I am the only one home in the daytime, I have the privilege of making food that is just for me which benefits me greatly.  My other choice that I have made to help me is, as I said before, moderation.  I am at this time praying that God help me with patience as I am so ready to get moving.  I have not weighed again but my clothing fits better and my belly is not sticking out as far as it was when I began (just keeping it real). 

THIS JOURNEY IS ONE DAY AT A TIME, ONE STEP AT A TIME AS IT IS A LIFE CHANGE NOT A QUICK FIX.  I encourage you all to do this to accomplish whatever your goal is.  It is many small changes that make great things happen.  Look at history.  A lady didn't give up her seat on the bus, a man had a dream, and you..... fill in the blank.  What will you do to change your destiny?  As the saying goes, "If you want something different you have to do something different".

Whatever you choose to do to accomplish your goal make worship a part of it.  There is nothing like spending time Worshiping the LORD.  Study it, meditate on it, and just do it as the LORD our God is worthy!

May you all be blessed and uplifted. 

God's Blessings.

Day 36- Encouragement

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.  Isaiah 41:10

I have not run away and quit this journey.  I am here and will be until this journey is completed.  I won't write everyday but will continue to share with you often.   Today's word is...."Encouragement".

It is easy to become discouraged in life, especially when you are working towards a goal and don't get right now results.  But we must learn to hold onto to the Word of God and it's truths.  This scripture from Isaiah is one that brings encouragement to me when I read it and really slow down to dissect and chew on it.  God is with us and strengthens us/helps us/upholds us....knowing this is encouragement. 

Whatever the journey, we are not alone ("though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for though are with me"Psalm 23:4)! Just as I am trusting God to strengthen me in my weak times and know that He will be with me through this journey, you can as well.  You see the plan is to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future according to Jeremiah 29:11. 

The real deal is, the journey will not always be smiles and sunshine and rainbows.  There will be days that you feel like throwing in the towel.  There will be days that you feel like crying.  There will be days that you don't feel victorious and there will simply be days that you absolutely fail!  The fact is, we can not live by our feelings.  When you do not feel that you are where you should be my friends, get up, dust off and reposition yourself while you continue to move forward.  The Bible tells us that there will be trouble, but to fear not as He has overcome the world (John 16:33). 

BE ENCOURAGED!

Day 30- A Good Word for Life

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14


I love this scripture!  This scripture has been in my heart for a long time as a NOW WORD for all of us. A now Word to do just what this scripture says!  Tying this in to whatever journey you are on.  Take it for just what it says and apply it. 

BE HUMBLE. PRAY. SEEK THE LORD'S FACE.  TURN FROM EVIL (WHATEVER YOU NEED TO TURN FROM).  HE WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN(HE WILL HEAR OUR PRAYER/CRY), FORGIVE OUR SIN(HELP US MOVE PASS WHATEVER IT IS) AND HEAL OUR LAND(US/OUR SITUATION). 

This does not mean it will be easy or any less of a journey.  But we can move forward with the peace that God gives and knowing that God is in control. 

Today I want to share something that I learned from my Dr.  I have actually been trying to increase my caloric intake because I came to the realization that I was way below the recommendations. Well, with my Dr's approval, I can continue to keep my calories low as long as my meals are balanced and I am getting enough protein.  Currently, I eat quite a bit but it has very little caloric value and a great deal of health benefits so it is doable.  I am not advising anyone else to do this without consulting a Dr. first but know that you can cut down calories under your Dr's supervision. 

So, what do I eat?  I eat a lot of black beans in everything!  I drain and rinse them and cook them in plain water (no salt or anything).  I load them with bell pepper, onion, mushrooms, rotel and salsa. I eat boiled eggs.  I eat a lot of fruits and vegys which have very low caloric value.  I eat a normal dinner, but in very small portions.  My main goal is to make sure that I am not hungry when dinner comes so I don't over eat but I get to enjoy real food.  And as you have heard a million times before, I drink a lot of water.

Now, you may see me in a few days or a week and say,"she don't look like she is losing weight" and to that I say, "Slow and steady wins the race".  In time, In time.  I am not able to fully exercise, but just imagine what will happen when I can.  I am so excited for this journey. 

My prayer is for you all reading this that whatever your journey you find a way to let it excite you.  Change takes work and is not always easy but know that in due season you will reap if you faint not.

Blessings.

Day 29 - Sacrifice

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8 NIV

No greater sacrifice can be made nor compared to the sacrifice that Christ made for us.  It is from this sacrifice that I draw inspiration and strength for my daily life.  Knowing that though so undeserved Christ sacrificed because of LOVE.  How do I tie this into my 100lb Journey? This helps to answer the WHY of my journey.

Often times we strive for goals for all the wrong reasons, especially losing weight.  We change because of what the world thinks, because of fads and trends.  We alter our life because of what someone says or to please those around us.  We even make changes for vanities sake.  For me, I have come to the realization that all of these things that we begin change for don't motivate us to continue and complete our goals. 

I chose to change because of sacrifice.   Here me correctly...BECAUSE OF not to sacrifice.  You see, Jesus sacrificed His life for us that we may LIVE for Him.  In order to LIVE for Him to the fullest I realize that I have to be able to operate at my highest capacity.  My highest capacity means while being the best me that I can.  Now, understand, this does not mean that to be at my highest capacity I have to be skinny.  This means that I have to be fully aware, alert and doing what I can to take care of the temple that has been entrusted to me so that I can be most effective as I am about my Father's business.  Reality: years of not doing living healthy on purpose got me here and thanks to the grace of God repentance and turning from bad habits releases me from it, not the weight loss.  The weight loss is a goal and a perk to properly nourishing and exercising my temple so that I can be most effective in what is set before me to do.

It is easy to reference the sacrifice we make when we give up junk and choose to live a healthier life when this is in fact not sacrifice but merely making good choices.  The sacrifice to focus on when trying to make any life changes is the one that Christ made on the cross.  This along with His guiding Holy Spirit and the Word of God can help us through any situation.  

Blessings.

Day 27- Failure?

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Matthew 28:6
Happy Easter! This is the weekend that we begin with Good Friday and the memory of Christ's sacrifice on the Cross for each of us and then top off with Christ's Resurrection 3 days later!  This is an awesome time to stop and remember all that was given for each of us!  This is also a holiday that we fix a bunch of food, come together and EAT!

I said I would share the good, the bad and the ugly. Well, this weekend I have it to share.  I took this weekend as cheat time because it is the holiday.  I had orange cinnamon rolls yesterday, I had a Hershey's Chocolate bar and I had two cupcakes!  Oh it was good but today I woke feeling miserable.  My head hurt and I felt so sluggish which is what sweets always do to me but in the past I never cared because I liked the immediate feel good, taste good  mmmmmmm. 

So, today.  The real holiday I had a great dinner of ham, potatoes (with bacon, sour cream, and cheese), green bean, and baked beans.  I had gum (which I am not supposed to chew because of ear problems).  I had yeast rolls.  I had peeps!  I had a cup of frozen fruit for desert!  1 Billion calories....Okay, not really but a lot of calories and I have to own it ALL!

This is obviously not something that can be done every weekend if weight loss is truly my goal.  This is where I have to choose to set limits and boundaries and be disciplined. Believe it or not, with all the foods that I mentioned having above I did not eat as much as I use to on the holidays.  This is the beginning.  I have heard it said, "If you want something different then you have to do something different" (unknown).  This holds true for weight loss and habits.  I may not have done great this holiday weekend with my eating, but it was better than it use to be and I plan to get better and better.   

One of the things that I done differently was eating everything in very small portions.  Truth be told, I was full when I finished my plate and it was not heaped up like I would have had it in the past.  I did have sweets but I did not finish the dish just because it was there.  I took my time and enjoyed t he portion I had instead of racing and eating all that I could until there was no more. 

...today's failure....

My failure for today was the yeast rolls.  I ate 6 throughout the day today and I know that bread in abundance is not good!  But, I don't beat myself up!  I acknowledge it and choose to move forward with the mindset not to do this again.  Realistically, I know that when the opportunity arises again I have to keep this in mind from the start to be successful.  Making a decision mid meal does not work for me.  I know myself and have to set boundaries up front. 

...moving forward....

My plan... moving forward this week I plan to begin with fasting to cleanse my mind and body after this segment of holiday eating.  Fasting helps me to gain perspective of everything in my life and as I make the sacrifice of fasting I feel empowered and refreshed to put things into perspective and to move forward.  I then plan to look forward and not back.  In the past I would have used a bad day of eating as an excuse not to continue the journey and to give up.  Something different....I am determined and continuing this journey to lose 100lbs because I know that I can do it with God!

....Encouragement for you...

Whatever goal you have before you, "YOU CAN DO IT WITH GOD ON YOUR SIDE".  One day at a time.  If you mess up, dust off and keep pushing forward.  You only truly fail when you stop trying!

God's Blessings.

Dave 25- Vanity

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. Ecclesiastes 1:2

I myself find this to be a very true statement.  All is vanity or as the NIV Bible says "Meaningless".   Today was a day of feelings and emotions.  Truth be told, I sometimes wonder why in the world we had to have them.  Let me give you some background and then tell you about today.

I have spent 11 years at the exact same weight.  I hadn't gained and I hadn't lost any weight (despite the numerous attempts).  In October of 2011,  a foot condition that I had battled with before returned and this time sat me down for several months.  After numerous attempts to correct the problem surgery became necessary, which is the surgery I just had 2 weeks ago.   Anywho...(yes, I said who)...during this 6 month stretch of Dr. recommended foot elevation and not being able to hardly walk most days....this sister gained a whopping 15lbs.

....Back to today..... 

So, after months of sweats and pjs, today I decided to wear real clothes.  I put on my jeans and found out where I gained my weight at as I pulled them up and had to force them over the great rumpbehinya (or shall I say behindme).  The thighs of my pants were also so "Skintastic".  This was so to the point that though it was not a problem to fasten them, I was not being seen by anyone in them.  This brought me to that place that anyone struggling with weight has been a million times.

....In the past......

In my past today would have sunk me.  I would have cried, been ashamed, and let it ruin my entire day as I wondered what people thought of me because I DID NOT LIKE ME!  You heard it right.  There was a time in my life that I hated what I saw in the mirror, that I was ashamed of myself and that I did not possibly understand how the entire world did not see the same thing that I saw and if my pants didn't fit I acted as if it were the end of the world.

What changed me?  God changed me!  I knew God's Word to be true and I begin to studied who the Word says that we are to have a foundation to stand on when I needed encouraging.  Along the way, God showed me how much he valued me.  I then began to speak the Word that I had studied and had taken notes on each time that I felt down on myself.  The Holy Spirit had shown me that if I lost weight, it would not make me feel any better because the real battle was in my mind and that had to be conquered first.  God began to change my thinking and each time an occasion arose for negative thinking, I quoted the scripture and it brought me through.  I then learned that there were so many others with the same problem I had of devaluing themselves as we looked to the standards set on TV instead of finding their true value in God's Word.  With the Holy Spirit's guidance I wrote a series on loving yourself.  This was a major step in my healing.

...Back to today....

So, I am at the place of my pants are too tight and I know it ain't right!  Instead of handling it like in the past....I handled it the way that wisdom taught me to handle it so that I can always have victory.  I took off the jeans and dressed all the way up so that I would look good, feel good and leave no room for the enemy as I reminded myself that it was all vanity and I encouraged myself!  I told myself that I would not allow my clothing to dictate my mental or emotional state of being.  You see, I learned years ago that looking good can make you feel good so I don't worry about the occasion when I come to one of these moments, I just dress up.  I dress up and I don't give myself time to even ponder on the meaningless event of the day. (Thinking on things and replaying them in your mind is like packing a back and the more times you replay it the more junk you are putting in it and then you carry it around with you.  When you learn to let it go, there is no baggage and you can freely move forward.)

God loves us (John 3:16) and he created us for his pleasure(Colossians 1:16).  There is no where in the Bible where it says that if you are overweight, bald or have any other physical blemish that He will stop loving you.  God loves you and this is what matters!  I encourage each of you to learn to love yourself as you study who God says we are.  Learn to focus on what does matter, God!

Blessings. 

Day 24- Who do you live for?

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NIV

I have to take time to thank God for the sacrifice of his Son and also for the Resurrection as head into the Easter weekend. There are many thoughts that come to my mind as I read the scripture here today.
Do we truly live our lives as if this scripture is true?  What does Christ's love compel us to?  Are you compelled?  Who do you live for?  Do you live for yourself?

I have lived my life for myself in the past but am thankful that I grew to know who I truly should live for.  Funny part is....when we think we have completely done something we wake up to realize that we still have work to do in that area.  You see, my old eating habits....that was still a part of me living for me.  Me not taking time to take care of my temple.... that was me not thinking of who I am living for. 

We pray before we eat, but what do we pray? Is it a repetitive, ritualistic prayer or one that speaks to the need of the moment before we give thanks and nourish our bodies.  This is one of the places that I have taken time to adjust in.  I make the prayers intentional and ask for the Lord's help to eat to live and not live to eat or whatever the need is at that moment as I know that it is only through him that I will succeed. In what area do you need to slow down and prayerfully seek God in that you may have the change that you need in your life? 

Acknowledge, ask forgiveness and turn away from whatever habit you need to let go of and live for God, not yourself.  Be ever learning, ever changing, ever growing....ALWAYS ROOM FOR CHANGE AND GROWTH!

May God bless you on your journey as you strive to live for him.  May you be compelled to do what he has for you to do!

Please continue to pray for me on this journey.

Until next time....

Day 23- Renewed Strength

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Another encouraging Word for the journey.  As this is the slowest I have ever began losing weight with my not being able to be mobile, I know that I must do what I am supposed to do now and wait on the LORD for the timing of the rest.  I hold onto this scripture from Isaiah believing that when I grow weak that as long as I continue to wait on the LORD that my strength will indeed be renewed that I will not faint from this journey. 

I encourage all reading to do your part while you wait.  For me keeping a food journal as I count calories helps.  On the days that I have sweets or treats in keeping before me the caloric counts I am able to keep proper perspective and not overdo it.  This is a tremendous help to me and very different from any other time that I took this journey.  In my past I never wanted to keep a food journal because I never wanted to face the reality of what I was taking in.  Now I know the importance of acknowledging everything that I eat.  This falls again into the category of accountability.  You may never see my food journal but I see it and need it as a part of my journey. 

In order for me to succeed at this task before me of losing 100lbs I know that along with trusting, seeking, and waiting on the LORD I have to do my part.  It takes a made up mind and determination on my part that no matter what today brings that I will get up and give it a hundred percent again tomorrow. Day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute we must trust and wait upon the LORD.

God's Blessings.

Day 21- Faith and works....

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:16-18th

This scripture speaks to me today as I put my mind and body to work on this journey to loose 100lbs.  This is not a walk that I can see my way through but indeed one that I will trust God through in faith.   The unseen....believing with every ounce of me that this is it because I am seeking God for every aspect of this journey.

While FAITH is a must, remember that FAITH and WORKS go hand in hand! I know that the Bible was not referring to weight loss but in this instance I use this to point out the realization that I have to work at this and not just fantasize expecting faith to do it all.  Whatever your journey, MAKE A PLAN AND GO FOR IT!

It also comes to my mind to encourage you to take steps to keep your goal in the forefront of your mind.  It is very easy to loose sight of a goal.  I encourage you to journal, blog, FB your journey as it will keep you focused daily and give you some accountability.  Even a journal puts whatever you are goaling for in front of you and keeps it there so that you can meditate on it, critic it, and decide where you can make changes at.  There is always room for improvement. 

I had a precious lady walk up to me the other Sunday at church and share a tip with me.  It meant the world that not only had she taken the time to read the blog but shared in my journey by telling me to check out an online site that helps you count your calories.  Share your journey as it is an opportunity to help yourself and others as we all have some type of journey that we are taking. 

Be blessed.