{ Motivational Monday }

'Food for Thought'

(it's actually August 7th, but you get the idea)

HOPE your Monday is Marvelous!

{ Fit For My King }

I know a few weeks ago I mentioned that y'all probably didn't want to hear about my struggles with  being overweight, but since this is an issue for many of us ladies I thought you might be interested in a book I came across that I'm finding to be so full of truth.

First of all, I want to show you a picture of me at my top weight, which I won't disclose at the risk of totally embarrassing myself.  This picture was taken on my 50th birthday, January 21, 2005.

Our daughter took this picture this past Sunday, June 19, 2016.

I'm not sharing this to brag.....

well, not to brag on myself.....

but to give God all the glory!

You see, for many years I wanted to lose weight to look better.....

but, who doesn't want that, right?

We all want to feel and look our best.

But one of the main reasons I decided to get the weight off this time was because of a really bad knee I had. I'm pretty sure that surgery was in my future and my hubby had lost his job in 2011 so for 2 years I had no health insurance. Facing the possibility of surgery with no insurance wasn't something that we could even consider so I knew I had to do something.

I also knew I couldn't do it on my own.....

I was only able to succeed with God's help.

Here's where I want to tell y'all about a book I recently started reading.  Oh, how I wish I'd had this book 2 years ago when my weight loss journey began.  For some reason, God led me to it now, though, and that's why I want to tell you all about it, too.

This book is actually a 30 day devotional and each day there's a scripture to read, commentary by Sheri Rose Shepherd, a prayer, a call to some kind of action, and a "Treasure of Truth for Today".

I got my copy for less than $5, which included shipping on half.com. I wanted a hard copy so I could underline and highlight and take notes in.

This particular prayer really spoke to my heart.....

My Princess,

Your body is special to Me.

I carefully created every part of you.

You truly are fearfully and wonderfully made.

I made you in My image,

and I love you.

I don't want you to waste another day worrying about what you don't look like or how much you weigh.

Come to Me in the morning and let Me be your mirror.

Let Me design your diet;

let Me be the strength you need to become your healthiest.

You don't have to do this alone;

I am here to give you all you need to be free and at peace with yourself.

Love,

Your King, your Identity

I remember for many years wishing that I wouldn't be noticed when I walked into a room.  As crazy as you're probably going to think I am (although by now you now I'm a little loony), I'd actually pray that I wouldn't look as big as I really was when others saw me. :(  Even now, if I receive a  compliment, it's sometimes difficult to handle it because inside I'm still that "fat" woman.  The older I'm getting the more I'm realizing that God truly loves us just the way we are.....

but He also wants us to take care of our "temple" where He dwells.

Please let me know if you decide to read this book,

so that I can pray for you on your journey to better health.  Let's pray for each other because for me this is going to be a life-long struggle that only He can help me with.

HOPE everybody has an awesomely blessed day.

{ Friday Fotos }

I Corinthians 10:13

 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. 

And God is faithful. 

He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. 

When you are tempted, 

he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Not a very good picture that was taken right before I began an on-line weight loss challenge a year ago.....

Recently.....

Forty-three pounds since this time last year and over sixty since my highest weight.  

To GOD be the glory because I truly give Him ALL the credit.  

This is the longest period of time that I can remember that I've been able to lose and keep the weight off......

and again, that's totally a GOD-thing!

I Corinthians 10:31

So whether you eat or drink, 

or whatever you do, 

do it all for the glory of God.

Benefits:

feeling better physically 

increased stamina 

pressure taken off my knees

getting more exercise

better self esteem

(still working on this one)

lowered BP and triglycerides 

eating healthier

drinking LOTS of water

Downfall:

losing weight ages an already old(er) woman!

I've just gotta realize that the good outweighs the bad.

Psalm 103:5

He fills my life with good things.
    My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

HOPE everybody has an awesome weekend!

Have fun.....

stay safe.....

enjoy life!!!!

Breathing in Grace,

Wait Five Minutes.....

I recently watched an episode of the Dr. Oz Show and there was another physician who spoke about his weight loss.  He and a lady from the audience both had a tendency to snack at night.  She talked about how she ate very healthy all day long until the evening/night rolled around.  According to the food diary she was asked to keep, she ate almost 70% of her daily calories at night.  

Wonder why this segment got my attention?  

Because it sounded a lot like me most of my life.  
When I worked outside the home, I used to say that I ate "right" all day, but as soon as I got home in the afternoon, every snack in the house started calling my name!

One of the tips really spoke to me and I thought might just work.

To determine if you're truly hungry (physical hunger),

 or if what you're feeling is head hunger (just a craving when you're not actually hungry).....

just wait five minutes.

I tried this little exercise, but found it didn't work very well for me.....

until I had a light-bulb moment.

All of my snacks are in a basket on top of the fridge.

So....I simply printed off this sign to place on top of my goodies.....

The  first time I  got the basket down and saw my reminder.....

I had to smile.....

and was able to put the basket back!

Now, there's absolutely no guarantee that this little trick will always work.....
but it certainly can't hurt, right? 

I Corinthians 10:12-13

If you think you are standing strong,

be careful not to fall.

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.

And, God is faithful.

He will not allow the temptation be more than you can stand.

When you are tempted,

He will show you a way out so you can endure.

Breathing in Grace,

The Health Games.....

I Corinthians 6:20
You were  bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your bodies.

I jump started my weight loss last September by joining the Meltdown Challenge.  I didn't participate in the last one, but since the one starting March 1st only lasts a month.....

which means a less percentage of loss required.....

(or you can choose to maintain your weight within a certain range).....

and I'm in need of another boost.....

I'll be joining again this time.

It's truly not just all about losing weight.

I learned so much the first time I did it,

especially, about how much our bodies NEED water.

Since I've started drinking lots of water every day,

I feel so much better.

I actually find that I CRAVE water.

I drink about a gallon a day.

Yes, at first you're going to be going to the bathroom.....

A LOT.  But trust me, that does taper off, especially at night. 

 Just think of it as flushing those pounds away!!

;-)

If you're interested, click on the link and we'll go through the next month together getting healthier!

By the way, the cost to join is $22.99.

But.....if you are successful in losing, or maintaining (your choice),

then you will be reimbursed the initial fee, plus more.

The first one I did, my payout was a little over $38.00.

Would love to see some of my out-of-state.....
and local friends join in!

Breathing in Grace,

A Weighty Matter.....

Edited to add:
I just received my daily scripture text and this was it.....
I Corinthians 6:20
You were  bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your bodies.
I  ♥ confirmations from the Lord!!!


Hebrews 12:1

 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

"Weight" in this verse doesn't really mean what we see when we step on our bathroom scale.  But, if that physical weight slows us down, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually, then, I believe it can apply to that number that most of us dread seeing.

I've been on a perpetual diet most of my adult life.

Mom told me that even when I was a little girl, she would put me on a diet and when she would take me to Mamaw's, she would sneak me off to the kitchen and feed me mashed potatoes and that would anger my Mom.

As a teenager, my weight became a real issue.

But, at that time, it wasn't a matter of being overweight.

It was just the opposite.

I became anorexic.

I didn't binge and purge, or use laxatives.

I just quit eating.....

to the point that I became painfully thin and even quit having periods.

 I felt that what I ate was the ONLY thing I had any control over.  And, in order to please that one person who didn't want me to be overweight, somebody who is so very important as a role model in the life of a young girl......

I decided that I wouldn't be fat....

so I quit eating.

My weight fluctuated many times as I grew older.

It seemed that I would lose, but then would gain all I had lost back, plus extra.

I was recently going thru some older pictures and it saddened me to see how I allowed myself to get so overweight.  So very often I felt that my weight was such a hindrance to me as a witness for the Lord.  If I couldn't even control what I ate, why would anybody want to listen to what I had to say. I was made fun of.  People seem to think that those with a weight problem don't know it, so it's up to them to sometimes very bluntly point it out.   My paternal grandmother did this, telling me that I was "fleshy".  LOL....I can laugh at that remark now.  A couple of gentlemen at the church we attended at the time (and I use the term "gentlemen" very loosely) really hurt me by remarking very rudely about how big I was getting. Even a very young girl said something that I knew came from her grandmother. 

(let's not talk about others in front of our children and grand kids unless it's to build others up)

Now, let's fast  forward to last September.

I was invited by a friend of a friend to be a part of an on-line weight loss challenge that lasted for 6 weeks.  I debated whether to join, thinking it would be yet another failure.  Pappy and I discussed it and decided that I should do it.

The goal was to lose 6% of my body weight....

and guess what?

I succeeded.

I reached my goal!

No....I surpassed my goal.

I was somewhat shocked.

Since I began this journey in September, 

I've lost a little over 31 pounds.

Out of curiosity, I contacted WW and asked what my highest weight was they had on  record and from that weight to today I'm down 50.2 pounds.

(I actually think it's more than that)

I'm not sharing this out of pride.

Not at all.

I'm just bragging on the Lord because without Him this couldn't have been accomplished.

Pappy has been my greatest supporter.....

and my Mom.

Yes....my Mom!

You see, I'm a firm believer that God uses even the  bad things that happen in our lives for His good.....

and that's what happened when my Mom suffered a heart attack in 2011.

Our relationship has changed entirely since then.

(She has even apologized to me for some things that happened in the past)

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, 

to them who are the called according to his purpose.

2006

 2015

John 3:30

 He must increase, but I must decrease

And, if you know me well, then you had to see this coming.....

Ain't God good?

Oh, yes HE is!

Breathing in Grace,

The Lord's Table!!!

  One of the things that both our SONday school teacher and our pastor do is encourage us to be transparent.  That's something that is often difficult for us to do....okay, for me to do....because it means exposing so many of my faults and shortcomings.  

Please know that this isn't turning into a weight loss blog....but since God has asked me to write this blog for HIM....and HIS glory....then, I feel I have to share the things going on in my own life that I struggle with.  And....one of my greatest struggles is with my weight!!!  A couple of years ago, I lost around 60 pounds....but I did not do it in a healthy manner.  At the time, I didn't see what was wrong with going totally cold turkey with carbs and cutting my caloric intake way too low for a woman my age....but the weight came off very quickly and I was a happy camper....until I started adding those carbs back into my diet....and my Mom had a heart attack....and my husband lost his job....and I discovered natural peanut butter with honey.....and, and, and.....I could make a list as long as my arm full of excuses....but the one to blame is myself....and once again listening to the lies of Satan convincing me that I "deserved" to overeat because I was tired, stressed, etc....and that was going to make me feel better.  Maybe in the moment it did satisfy a craving....but in the long run as I gained back 30 lbs (being transparent, Sweet Readers)....the satisfaction of whatever I thought I deserved at the time was so not worth it!!!

After my post about Gluten vs. Glutton on Tuesday, I received an e-mail from Setting Captives Free.  I had completely forgotten about going thru several of the on-line courses they offer, including The Lord's Table.   This is a study that could be deemed as a "weight loss program"....but it's really much more than that.  I went thru this study several years ago with one of my very closest friends at the time and we both gleaned so much from it.  We were each other's accountability partner and were totally open and honest with each other about our struggles....in other words, we were TRANSPARENT with one another!!!   I couldn't help but think of her when I signed up to do this 60-day course once again.  I sincerely HOPE that she was able to keep on track and didn't "fall off the wagon" like I have.  I know that it was an "it's not odd, it's God" thing that the e-mail arrived just as I was being convicted of my horrible eating habits and lack of exercise.  


Once again, I'll be going thru this program with my best friend.....
.....JESUS!!!
And, I'm going to allow the Holy Spirit to keep me accountable!!!


I Corinthians 6:19-20
 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, 
who lives in you and was given to you by God? 
You do not belong to yourself, 
for God bought you with a high price. 
So you must honor God with your body.

This little sign came from Hobby Lobby and hangs on the china hutch in our dining room and I've passed by it hundreds of times....but it really gained a whole new meaning for me recently!!!

If any of you have some of the same struggles, then please click on the link for The Lord's Table and check it out....

.....what have you "got to loose"!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Baby Steps!!!

Trying to get back on track from some very bad eating habits....well, let's just say it isn't easy.  But...I've decided to just take baby steps.  A blogging friend, Ms. Donna, at Comin' Home, and also at Gettin' Thin Together posted a list of "diet rules" several months ago and they had kind of been stuck somewhere in my head.  Recently, I looked them up...printed them off....and hung the list on the fridge.  

·   Rule 1:   Don’t eat after 7:30 p.m.

·   Rule 2:   Exercise 30 minutes a day

·   Rule 3:   Drink lots of water

·   Rule 4:   Switch to Low-fat Dairy

·   Rule 5:   No EMOTIONAL EATING

·   Rule 6:   Ask Am I REALLY HUNGRY? 

·   Rule 7:   No Soda

·   Rule 8:   No Alcohol

·   Rule 9:   No fried foods

·   Rule 10: No trans fats

 I like these rules....because they are simple and easy to follow!!!  I can already tick off several of them....but plan to incorporate the others into my daily life....taking baby steps!!!  I know me....and if I try an "all or nothing" approach....then, it just ain't a gonna work!!!  Since I can already mark off Rule #4, #8, and #9 (for the most part) ....this week my goal will be no eating after 7:30 in the evening....and to drink lots of water

 (weight divided by 2=ounces per day).

Now....that Rule #7 is gonna be the killer....

....how in the world will I go without a Diet Mountain Dew?!?!?

Can you say....withdrawals!!!

;-)

How about you?

Do you have a game plan to get back on track?

I would love to hear some of your "tricks"....

....and also any "treats" you might want to share!!!

Hope you have a wonderful Thursday!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Friday Food for Thought!!!

This is a follow-up to yesterday's post.  

I promise this is not going to turn into a 
"weight loss" blog....but this is something that I feel strongly about and know that God wants me to share with y'all!!!

For those of you who follow my "picture blog",  you'll recognize this pic as one I posted over there recently.  It hangs on the wall of the community center where our GRANDsons take swimming lessons.  It has really given me "food for thought", as I'm once again struggling with my food addiction.  Yesterday, I asked for y'all to share any hints, or suggestions, that you might have concerning your own struggles.  One of the comments really struck home with me. It had to do with taking better care of herself and how taking care of herself made her feel better spiritually, too.


WOW!!!
Does that ring any bells with you girls, too?!?!


When we aren't taking care of our bodies, it not only affects us physically....but it can take a toll on our emotional and spiritual health, also!!!

Here is a portion of a verse that jumped out at me as I was reading one morning this week....

 

Matthew 6:25b

Isn’t life more than food?

 

Yes....it most certainly is!!!

 

I'll try to keep y'all updated occasionally on my "Weight Loss Journey" page....and would love for you to share your accomplishments with me, too, as we struggle thru this journey together!!!

 

HOPE everybody has a great weekend!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

 

Weight Loss Journey Update - September and October

It's hard to believe how fast time gets away from me....and for y'all, too, I'm sure.  It's been a couple of months since I gave an update on my weight loss.  I truly thank the good Lord that I'm FINALLY getting some of this weight off me....the only down-side to it all....is the flabby skin.

  GROSS!!!  

Here are a few of my NSV's (non-scale victories)....for the last couple of months....

1.  This one I LOVE....I'm no longer considered obese on the BMI charts....just overweight!!!  I know that overweight isn't a good thing....but....doesn't that sound so much better than obese?!?!?  

That's such an ugly word!!!

2.  I told Pappy that it's so much easier to turn over in bed now.  Isn't that funny?!?!  And....I'm even able to sleep on my tummy....people, that's a big accomplishment for me!!!

3.  Remember my bum heel?!?  
Well....guess what?  I rarely even realize that it's even the slightest bit sore....only if I'm on it a bit too much....or walk too strenuously!!!

4.  People are noticing....I'm getting comments from people....nice comments....and I'm not used to people being nice about my size....I've grown so accustomed to people being critical....even using that horrible....detestable word....FAT!

:(

5.  I mentioned this in my last list of NSV's....but Pappy REALLY LIKES my weight loss!!!  

:)

6.  I've discovered that underneath all those layers of fat...there are these hard things....and somebody told me they're called BONES!!!  
;)
I laid down on the couch one day and my hand rested on my tummy....and I felt  something hard....and it was a hip bone....and I have ribs...and collar bones too!!
Who knew?!?!?

6.   I feel better about myself.  When I was at my biggest, I dreaded going everywhere because I was always wondering what people were thinking about how big I was.  I remember several years ago when Jess was younger taking her to a school function....and there was a lady there who I went to school with.  I was thin in high school....and I overheard her ask another lady who I was because she didn't recognize me....and when she was told....she said "THAT'S Debbie ________?".....and I knew that she couldn't believe how big I had gotten from the tone of her voice.  I'm her "friend" on Facebook now....and every time I see her post a status....I immediately think of that statement she made about me. This serves as a reminder....we all need to be very careful of what we say....and how we say it!!!

Being critical of somebody overweight.....is something that I would NEVER do.  One reason is because I know how it feels and I could give you a list as long as my arm of rude comments that have been said to me at one time or another about my "fat".

Even with what I've been able to accomplish....with the Lord's help....doesn't mean I won't slip up and fail and gain.  But....with His help....my HOPE is that I never allow myself to get back to that woman in those first pics on my "Weight Loss Journey" page.

So....in case you're wondering....you can go to my "Weight Loss Journey" page....to see current pics beside the red rocking chair....and to check out the weight loss ticker to see how much weight is actually gone....hopefully for good.....with several more pounds to go....so that I'll be "normal" on the BMI charts!!!

I wish each of you success in your weight loss journey!!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!