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Chapter
-3-
Never Give Up (even after you've fallen)
I haven't written in some
time, because I'd reached that 'plateau' so often spoken of, when one
doesn't seem to be losing any more weight. I kept seeing the scales waiver
between thirty and thirty-five pounds lost. Then one day I realized I'd
seen the number '275' on the scales for more than three days! I can now
claim a thirty-five pound loss!
But, there's far more to this story than the success. I've failed, because
it was far too easy to let myself use whatever excuse was handy to 'enjoy'
and take-in too many calories. But, this time I didn't let it defeat me, overtake my resolve, or diminish my faith in God's ability to do in and
with me what I can't do alone.
The truth is, we do better if we 'allow' ourselves to 'go off' the regimen
of discipline once or twice per month (weekly if it's only a very small dalliance).
But even in those days, I can't ever go 'hog wild' and destroy what God
has already done. Knowing the calories of most foods is a great help.
Today we plan to visit a restaurant we've been wanting to try for some
time. I've already checked the calories and we know we'll most likely
share the 'big' meal, or we'll each have the small one. I've had a good, low in calorie
breakfast which will help me to feel 'full', and I plan to
have my homemade (low in calories and sodium) soup for my evening meal.
Exercise and walking (as much as is possible for my knees) has helped
boost the metabolism and catalyzed weight loss and fat burning. I'm
certain the warmer weather will help too. I'm starting my garden
plants indoors this year and the simple act of preparing the seed and
planting beds will burn fat. Fishing, mushroom hunting, kite flying,
bicycling and other outdoor pursuits are a big part of my plan.
But most important is to begin each day in prayer. As I mention those I'm
concerned for, give thanks and offer praise, I also ask Him to take
control over my hunger and give me strength to make good decisions.
Thirty-five pounds lost in five months are evidence
He does. Second most important; I give my permission for God to be in
charge. Third important is I will do this often each day in which I'll have
success. Some days this will be two or three times, most days it will be
hourly and some of those days it will be much more often.
I have to remember, 'I didn't get this obese overnight; I can't lose it in
just a few weeks'. I've fought off the thoughts that lead to
depression and despair (especially when I've fallen down). The greatest
tool I have is prayer. With God in charge I know I can do it.
I am also making a new 'sign'; a few of which I'll laminate and place
around the house to remind me, "There's nothing that will happen to me today that
You and i can't handle together, Father!" My Father God, Abba -
'Daddy' is always with me, waiting to be asked to be with me as we go
'through' whatever struggle, WE will face every moment! With God, i can
and will get through, over and around whatever obstacle satan places in my
way! Without Him, i am a weakling who cries at pizza ads and cowers at a
slice of pecan pie.
This story is far from over. Keep watching.... there will be more to come!
Chapter
-4-
Failed Again!
(picking up the pieces again)
Today (November
14, 2011) I’m enduring what appears to be the first sinus or upper respiratory
infection since I started losing weight last December. I’ve become
‘stuck’ at the forty pounds lost (over two years), mostly because I haven’t been
diligent enough. In fact, I realized yesterday that I haven’t begun my
days with my prayer asking God to take away my hunger and enable me to
make good decisions for quite a while. This is what happens when we decide
that ‘I’ know what ‘I’ want and ‘I’ can get back to it when
‘I’m’ ready. The biggest problem for me is the upper-case ‘I’ in
my decision.
There is no good reason for this, but ‘I’ can rationalize and cite
many excuses. The problem is; an excuse is never a ‘reason’ but
instead is an untruth (a lie) we tell ourselves and others in a feeble
attempt to justify what ‘I’ wants to do. When ‘I’ve’ decided to
exchange the ‘I’ for ‘i’, then my prayers will be true and
‘i’ve’ no doubt, will be answered. How often we step away from the
path that leads to success and truth. Frustration came when my attempt
(and earnest prayer) that was wildly successful in the beginning; began to
come with more difficulty. When ‘i’ left things in God’s hands,
weight loss came and with little feeling of deprivation; but then ‘I’
began to want more. ‘I’ didn’t feel ‘I’ was losing fast enough
and ‘I’ began to want too much.
An ‘excuse’ would be that ‘I’m’ also frustrated in having to
limit the foods high in blood clotting vitamin K, due to the need for
blood thinning medications. ‘i’m’ back where i began and ‘i’
have to restart with the same resolve ‘i’ had before. With just a week
and a few days before my annual physical ‘i’ need to turn myself
around again. ‘I’ can remain ‘stuck’ with an attitude of want, or
get back to the attitude that permits God to be in charge again. It’s so
easy to preach reliance on God’s power, but difficult for the
‘preacher’ to follow what he/she knows to be true. ‘i’ must
remember to stop sitting in the driver’s seat; when ‘i’ ask God to
drive. Today ‘i’ begin my food journey journal again, but first my
prayer gives permission to God to do what ‘i’ ask of Him. ‘i’
don’t want to be ‘stuck’ in my own mire any longer.
Chapter 4
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