I broke through the plateau!!!!

I broke through the plateau! I weighed today, 150.5, a total of 14.5 lbs gone!!!! Glory be to God! It's not fun in the mist of a plateau but I kept on doing what I knew to do. Every day I thank God that I feel better, I have more energy and my clothes are fitting again. Two weeks without the scale moving was trying but I think it was good for me. God was checking on my heart to see if I was treating it just like any other diet instead of a heart and life style change. I want to CHANGE!

Changes of the Heart!

Many changes have been going on in my heart other than food. It all started with being sick and tired of being over weight and trying every diet out there. I have tried so many different diets that I can't count them all. One thing that I did decide during all those different diets is that they do not work for me. I do not like to count points, calories, take certain food groups away, etc................ I have found something that works for me and I have lost 12.5 lbs. Praise God! Yes, I am working through a two week plateau, but I have confidence that will soon pass as long as I do what I know to do.

The other major thing that God has been working on Rocky and I, is to get out of debt. We do not have lots of debt and I am very thankful for that, but we do have some. God called us to get out of debt years ago. We would work on it and something would come up and we would lose focus. One thing that has stuck is not to use credit for "stuff." Just this one concept has kept us out of financial ruin. So, here we are once again, God has brought "getting out of debt" to our attention. Why? I really believe that God never intended for our personal lives and our nation to carry debt. It is like putting 5o lbs of weight on both shoulders and running 30 miles. We have been praying and asking God "what and how" do we do it. I am confident in the plan He has set out before us all we have to do is be obedient. It does not just start and stop with our (Rocky and I) finances but also learning how to teach our children to be good stewards of money. This morning the kids and I sat and put together ways they can earn money. We talked about tithing 10% of what they earn, setting money aside for savings, and saving up to buy "big" items they may want. This is going to be a family experience.

I love how God deals with us right where we are at, never pushing or rushing us to choose Him. I am thankful that He is willing to bring "things" to our attention and then shows us a way out. See, it started with my health and now He is getting into my money. It's so funny how He moves us when we are ready. Tackling weight loss/healthy life style and getting out of debt at one time would have been too much. He waited until I was ready and He placed it in Rocky's heart first and then mine. He is truly a good God, always merciful and faithful.

So, I am having another HEART CHANGE! I am READY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Great Week!!!

It's been a really good week, it started off with me turning 30! I bless God that I have lived this long. Most people I talk with ask if I got a little depressed, nope not even a little. The number of my age does not hinder how I feel, the actual way I feel, is what I go by.

I did get on the scale yesterday, still 152. I am just hanging out there and not moving up or down. I will break through, hopefully sooner then later. A friend said I should up my exercise. I think I will add that to my goals for next week. I am not exercising as much as I would like, an average of 2 to 3 days a week.

I am month and half in my new way of eating. I feel like the last two and half weeks have not been as hard. I feel like this way of eat is turning into a habit. I am definitely not eating as much food as before, stopping when full and chewing my food well. "Thin eater" that's what I want to be.

I find I crave all sorts of food. So, keeping variety in the refrigerator and cabinets is a must. I have not gotten board with this new life style. I give all the credit to God, He is changing my heart toward food and even though the scale have not moved for two weeks, I can see the difference in the way I eat and the way I feel. People are starting to notice that I have lost weight and that's exciting!

Have a blessed weekend!

Happy Birthday to me!!!

Still no weight loss. I weighed in at 152 today. I was kinda down at first but it will be okay. It has always been hard for me to get out of the 150's. I just need to keep on keeping on and I will break this. TIME is what I am telling myself.

Today is my birthday and I am going to enjoy my day!

Happy Week!!!

This week goals!

This past weekend was great! I meet all my goals, without overeating! The weekends are always so hard for me. I'm not sure why.

This weeks goals after a plateau:

• Eat only when hungry.
• Chew my food well.
• Stop eating when satisfied.
• Walk!
• Eat fresh delicious veggies & fruit.
• Go to the Lord or the Word when desiring to eat but not hungry.
• Get over the hump of a plateau and lose 2.5-3 lbs before next Monday, my 30th birthday!!!!!!

I think I can do it. The 2.5 - 3 lbs should not be to hard to lose, I hope. I am 152.5 and I would like to get out of the 150's by next Monday. It's been years since I weighed less then 150 lbs., so I am excited! I will not get on the scale on Friday and weigh - in on Monday.

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!

Plateau!!!

Yes, it has finally happen, I hit a plateau! After one month of losing pounds every week, I got on the scale this morning and nothing. I am still at 152.5. Surprisingly, I am not bummed out. Little disappointed, but not worth ruining my day.

So, I said to myself, go over your goals and think about the past week. In this little exercise I realized there were days that I did not follow my goals. I have not walked as much this week, there were a lot of things going on that caused some stress, so I ate a little more. But, Praise the Lord, I did not gain. ----- When plateaus hit that does not have to mean it's a bad thing. It could very well be a good thing. I am not racing to lose all of this weight. I want it to come off and stay off. I am not looking for a quick fix, but a life time change. I realized, even though, it has been a month since I started, God is not done with my heart change when it comes to food. This is going to be a long process for me. My love for food did not happen over night and it will not go away over night. No quick fixes for me!!!!!!!!!!!!

No weight lose this week. However, I can fit into my cloths so much better, their not as tight. See, when I started this journey I was about 10 lbs over what I normally weigh. I was at my heaviest. This is not a time for "woe is me" but to look at all the wonderful things that has happen in the past month. I have lost 12.5 lbs, I have spent more time in prayer, fasting and in the Word, I have put my trust in the Lord. My family has change in their way of eating. I am fixing healthier foods for my family and they are eating more fresh produce then ever before.

So, what now. I look back at my goals and remember that this is a process that may take five months or five years. Every day that turns into months, I WILL grow closer to the Lord and I WILL lose weight to a healthy weight for my body. In ALL things, I will sing the praises of the Lord!

The kids!

The kids loved the snacks!!!! When they got home I had planed to give them some grapes, carrots with dip and cheese cubs. All three gobbled it up! It made me very proud. --- The neat thing is that I still have control of what goes into their little bodies. I want to develop a desire within them to love fresh veggies and fruits. Being healthy does not stop with me. I hope my whole family will benefit from it also.

A new day, a new week!

Monday's, this is the day I like to get all my cleaning, grocery shopping and laundry done. I don't know why but Monday's always worked for me before when I stated home. The weekend is always full of things to do with the family, even if it is staying home.

So, today after dropping the kids off at school I went grocery shopping. (The stores are dead on Monday mornings.) As I was walking through the ails of the produce, I remembered an article I read about healthy snacks for kids. -- My kids get too much sweet snacks and I am always looking for a snack that makes them and me happy. -- I bought a lot of fresh fruit and veggies. A lot of times when I do this it just goes to wast. This time will be different! In the article it talked about cutting up cheese and preparing the fruit and veggies so that the little fingers can easily grab when in need of a snack. It talked about different dips you can buy that will not add a lot of empty calories and also, placing the items in a place that is easy access for them. I have already prepared everything and I will lay it on the counter when the kids get in from school today. I will let you know how it goes.

Eating heather has been on my mind a lot lately. I have not been buying as much fresh produce and the main reason is because it goes to waste. Through this amazing experience of getting my heart and mind to line up with Gods will, I have really started thinking about what I'm eating. I am eating about 1/2 of what I use to eat in a day. Sometimes, the choices are not so great. I try to eat whatever my body is craving. I have found that I tend to want more junk, fast food and sweet things then fresh food. I think this is because that is what my diet consist of in the past. So, I have a new challenge this week, to eat more fresh produce. If I need a snack during the day, instead of reaching for a rice crispy treat, I will grab some of the prepared items I made up for my kids.

I have not listed my goals lately. I like to do this as a reminder for myself. To keep me accountable.

1. Only eat when truly hungry.
2. Chew my food well.
3. Walk as much as possible.
4. Eat more fresh produce.
5. Eat only until satisfied, not stuffed.
6. Go to the Lord when wanting to eat but not truly hungry.

Why slow down?

5 Great Reasons to SLOW down while eating!
1. Lose weight. Studies confirm that just by eating slower, you’ll consume fewer calories — in fact, enough to lose 20 pounds a year without doing anything different or eating anything different. The reason is that it takes about 20 minutes for our brains to register that we’re full. If we eat fast, we can continue eating past the point where we’re full. If we eat slowly, we have time to realize we’re full, and stop on time.
2. Enjoy your food. It’s hard to enjoy your food if it goes by too quickly. I think you are just happier by tasting great food and enjoying it fully, by eating slowly. Make your meals a pleasure, not a thing you do rushed, between stressful events.
3. Better digestion. If you eat slower, you’ll chew your food better, which leads to better digestion. Digestion actually starts in the mouth, so the more work you do up there, the less you’ll have to do in your stomach. This can help lead to fewer digestive problems.
4. Less stress. Eating slowly, and paying attention to our eating, can be a great form of mind exercise. Be in the moment, rather than rushing through a meal thinking about what you need to do next. When you eat, you should eat. This kind of mindfulness, I believe, will lead to a less stressful life, and long-term happiness. Give it a try.
5. Rebel against fast food and fast life. Our hectic, fast-paced, stressful, chaotic lives — the Fast Life — leads to eating Fast Food, and eating it quickly. This is a lifestyle that is dehumanizing us, making us unhealthy, stressed out, and unhappy. We rush through our day, doing one mindless task after another, without taking the time to live life, to enjoy life, to relate to each other, to be human. That’s not a good thing in my book. Instead, taste life itself, eat slow and just slow down throughout the day.

1 month mark!

I MADE IT!!!!! Today, marks my one month mark. Oh, it's been a good journey thus far. I have had some slip-ups but I just push that restart button and keep going. It's so refreshing after so many years of yo-yo dieting to find something that is working for me.

I decide not to weigh on Tuesday and weigh today, on my one month mark. I have lost 2 lbs! That makes a total of 12.5 lbs in one month!!!!!!!! (I've got my dancing shoes on today!)

So, what have I learned in this month? ------ I am reminded that God is faithful when we listen then obey His voice. I have learned that I do NOT need food every hour, that I have signals that say "okay I'm hungry it's time to eat." I have learn to SLOW down while eating and enjoy the food in front of me. I have learn the discipline to WAIT between meals and only eat a snack if I can't wait until dinner. My body needs exercise, it just feels good. I am learning that my body will tell me, through the way of cravings, what nutrition I need when I get hungry. I have learned that people do watch you, so being a good example is really important. (Rocky has changed the way he eats!!!) Lastly, I have learn that losing weight has been a changing and renewing of the mind for me, that it is a process that God is doing in me. ----- I still have a long way to go and a lot to learn. Every day is different and every day presents a new challenge. I have enjoyed the process and I enjoy being accountable to you who read.

I hope you ALL have a wonderful weekend.

p.s.
I will try to be better about posting next week.

Just waiting it out!

Today is my normal weigh - in day, but I decided to wait until Friday which will be my one month mark. God has been so good and faithful to me this month. I have lost weight, 10.5 lbs in all thus far and I have learned a whole lot about my body.

Changing old habits are hard, I already knew that but when in the midst of it you have to be reminded. I was just thinking this morning, why do we let things go on for so long until we are tired of dealing with it. THEN, we get up enough of energy to face it. I am at that place "THEN" in my life. There are three major things that I am working on right now that I have finally had enough of. They are all things about myself that I truly want to change. Old habits, lies that I have let myself believe, and fears that I have not overcome. ---It's amazing what the Lord brings out when you let Him start dealing with one area of your life. That one area started with my weight. He is using my begin "sick and tired" of yo-yo dieting to find something that is really working for my personality. In the mean while, He is shining the light on two other areas He wants to deal with.

I'm very thankful God loves me enough to keep me moving towards the prize, Him!!!! He loves me (and you) to much to let us stay in a hole that we have dug for ourselves. He catches our attention about different things and times to bring us in line with Him. This Christian walk has never been dull for me. God is always teaching me and growing me in every area of my life. What a wonderful God I serve!!!! I will make mistakes along the way but He is there to pick me up. I truly want God to change my heart, but I have to give Him my heart first. See, it's a choice.

I am rejoicing in the Lord today, because He is so good!

Trying to stay focused.

It's been a couple of days since my last post, it's been a busy couple of days. There are lots of new things going on that have been keeping me pretty busy. In that, I have found that staying focus on my hunger signals have been hard. I have been waiting to long to eat so by the time I sit down to eat I want to gobble up all my food. It has taken great efforts to slllllllllllllloooooooowwww down the last couple of days.

I am trying to get some exercising in, walking mainly. It just feels good to get out and about and to breath in the fresh air. I really miss going to the gym, maybe when it gets cold again I will start back. The convenience of the gym with all the equipment really helps in challenging myself to work harder.

So far this week has gone pretty good, other than reminding myself I need to slow down while eating. Chewing my food up has really worked for me and now my husband is doing the same thing. I have notice small changes in him. He has stop going back for seconds and he is eating slower.

I think I am going to skip weighing in next week and see if my motivation stays up during this challenge. I tend to look at the scale to give me a boost for the week coming up. Sept. the 19th will be my one month mark since I started this journey. So, I think I will weigh on that day instead. I know, it's only a few days later, but the idea of changing up a little will help me from getting into a routine and depending on the scales.

Happy weekend to all!!! :)

10.5 lbs GONE!

It's amazing to me how one week you think you have done so good with your plan to only lose 1 lbs and then when you think the week didn't go so great you lose 3.5 lbs. I am shouting for joy this morning, I got on the scale to find I had lost 3.5 lbs this week. Praise the Lord!!!! I am weighing only once a week because I can get addicted to the scales.

The Lord is showing me that just because I may slip up here and there doesn't mean I have to LIVE in that slip-up. I made several slip-ups this past week but I made a point not to lose focus and to get right back on track. Well, it paid off. God is showing me that this is the same in my everyday walk. I am a sinner, but by the grace of God I do not have to live in that sin all the time. My day to day walk with the Lord is always growing stronger but sometimes, (often) I slip-up. God picks me up and wipes that bad attitude off or corrects my tongue or thoughts or actions, you get the point.

The end of week three has brought a renewed fire. I am going into week four with a fresh outlook. Changing old habits are very hard! Small steps HELP. This week I will continue as the past three weeks. This week I would like to add walking into the mix. I enjoy walking and now that I no longer have the gym to go too, I will try to find new ways to get out and get moving.

CHEERS for a new fresh week!

Hanging in there!!

Why are the weekends so hard to get through when it comes to food? I'm not sure why Friday, Saturday and Sunday are any different then Monday through Thursday. I do not work anymore and I have my family with me all week. Maybe it's just a mind thing for me, but weekends are still very hard to get through while trying to eat right. Maybe this should be my focus for the next week, "How to make it through the weekend without splurging on food!"

I am trying to confess that once again I ate to much. Last night, I ate to much and today I just needed a little snack to shake the "shakes." But both times I went over board! Paul says, "Why do I do what I wish not to do, the things I wish not to do, I do." That's my cry right now.

Weight loss is not an easy thing to overcome, trust me I have tried everything under the sun. I still believe that God is trying to change my heart and mind. I am not even following a hard diet plan. I still eat what ever I want only in moderation. God is dealing with my many, many years of overeating. Granted, it's only been two and half weeks since I decided I would change my eating and I have already lost 7 lbs. (Praise God!!!) However, the time I spent all those years over eating now I have to retrain my eating habits, that will not happen over night. (Not even in two and half weeks.) The renewing of my mind will take time, lots of time. It will happen with God's great mercy and grace.

I am working very hard not to be hard on myself and not to curse myself with negative thoughts or words. I know that in the past while trying to lose weight I would fail a couple times on the plan I was on at that moment, then just give up. I would listen to the negative thoughts in my mind. Not this time, I will hold on to the promise of God, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." No, this is no easy task but I do find my hope in God. I never gave my weight issue to God before so like with every other thing I had to give to God, it's HARD!

I know that small changes will equal BIG results, I am a witness for three of my friends who have lost weight through small changes. So, just a reminder to myself I will list my goals for this week.

I WILL OVERCOME BY THE WORD OF MY TESTIMONY!!!!

1. Only eat when hungry.
2. When eating only eat enough to feel satisfied.
3. Chew my food slow and well. (Chew until liquid.)
4. Go to God in prayer and reading of His word when I am not hungry but want to eat. Feed on the word of God.

Do not eat in offense

As I was reading and meditating on the word of God, I came across a verse in Romans that stood out to me.


Romans 14:20
"Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense."

I so often eat in offense. How many countless times have I gone to food for comfort? I can not even begin to count because of the great number. Food is not the problem, it's my heart condition. I run to food when I'm tired from a busy week, worrying, waiting (for time to go by), upset, depressed and so many more emotions. Why do I do this, this is a sin to God because I am finding comfort elsewhere and not in Him. I do not have a problem with murder or stealing or ling, in fact these things are very disturbing to me. So, why is not over eating just as disturbing to me? God said that gluttony (over eating) is a sin. This is why I am so focused to listen to my body for when it is time to eat. God created me, everything about me. He has fashioned my body with signals that tell me when I'm sleepy, tired and hungry. I should not be bound by what time the clock says (12:30 lunch time). It is my desire to look to God in every area of my life including eating habits.

I found an interesting article in Fox news (online) that said the state of Alabama in the year 2010 will charge a $25 fee for health insurance if you are over weight. They are cracking down on obesity in their state. I think the article said that Alabama is number 2 in the nation for being the highest in obesity. They did give options for those found over weight to go and get help to wave the fee. It's a sad day to me when the government has to regulate our food intake and health issues.

I pray that the work the Lord is doing in me will not go undone. I so desire to please my Savior in every area of my life. In this, I do not want to destroy the work of God for food. Not only is it a stumbling block for me but what about others. We as Christians so often talk about letting God be in control but we still hold on to what seems as "little" areas in our life (eating). I am challenged today, to take another look at myself with the help of the Holy Spirit, to find other "little" areas that God wants to deal with.

2 more lbs gone!

I am so thankful the Lord is faithful! 2 more lbs gone, 7 lbs total! It's been a good two weeks, a couple of slip-ups but the Lord is dealing with me. I have ate when hungry, stop when satisfied, chewed my food well and ran to the Lord when I wanted to eat but was not hungry.

Today, starts a new week for me. (I started on a Tuesday.) This week I am going to keep working on the same principles. Baby steps, right! I know the Lord is dealing with my heart when it comes to food, I want to take it slow. Too many times I have tried a new diet, lose 10 lbs or more, just to gain the weight back. This time I want it to be a total heart change, a new way of living. I know I can't get there unless God changes my attitude towards food. Rocky and I have chose to fast today and my food issue is one of the things I will be lifting up to the Lord in prayer. Please, remember us today in your prayers.

Nice Long Weekend

It's been a nice long weekend! The slip-up from Friday night's dinner has keep me on my toes throughout the weekend. I have done really good, praise God! Tomorrow I will weigh-in and I am actually looking forward to it.

Saturday, the whole family went to Max Patch to go hiking. We had a wonderful time. We hiked around the top to Max Patch and then went and played in the creek on the way off the Mountain. It was a very nice day. These are some of the best memories. (Check out the pictures of our family fun day!!!!)

Today, we have been cleaning around the house. Rocky has worked very hard out in the yard and the kids and I have worked on the inside. We really enjoy living in this house. It's cozy and the kids have a yard to play in. God blessed us to bring us to such a wonderful place. There is no place like being at home. :)

Small slip-up

Okay, last night my husband took the fam to eat Asian food! (One of my favorite foods!!!) I simple went through the buffet looking over all the foods while helping Anna Marie choose her foods. So, when I went back I knew exactly what I wanted and I only took a small spoon full of each item. -Doing good so far.- I chewed my food slowly and enjoyed every bite and morsel of food. I was in heaven. ---Then I fell into the trap! I could tell I was getting full but the sushi bar was calling my name. Where we were sitting I could see the chef's preparing the sushi with so much care and consideration. About that same time Rocky gets up to go pay for the food and go to the restroom. So, I went to the sushi bar and picked out three pieces of sushi. I knew I was going to over due it but did it anyway. Well, I paid for it later!!!! I was way to full and felt miserable. This lead to my mind tormenting me about how I was a failure and I will never get this weight off. Then the Holy Spirit spoke so clearly, "Just push the restart button and don't eat again until you are truly hungry." That is exactly what I did. We ate a really early dinner, @4:45pm, I did not need a evening snack. Today I am back on track. I am so thankful for the mercy God gives me. Some may think it is silly that God would care about how much or what we eat, but I know He does. I know that my over eating is a heart mater that God wants to deal with. Just confessing the slip up from last night has already got me on a good start for the day. I will overcome by the word of my testimony!!!!!

Chewing slowly

I have been doing some research the last couple of days. It's amazing how much information I have found on chewing your food slowly. This concepts dates back as far as the early 1800's. It really works. Over the past four days I have been experimenting with this new concept. I have found that chewing my food up until it is a liquid substance has made me slow down eating and my digestion is much better. I think over time this will be a key to permanent weight loss. My goals for this week have not been hard so far, 1. Cutting my food in half, 2. Only eating when I am truly hungry and 3. Chewing my food until it is a liquid. Making small changes has helped this time around. I am looking forward to weighing-in on Tuesday.

Nice Treat

I had a very special treat today. I had my very first pedicure with a very special friend. We had a good time of fellowship and relaxing. It is something I would like to do more often. I will definitely need to put it on the list of "special treats" as I lose weight. (Just a little incentive goes a long way!)

Before at 160

This is a picture I had my son Will take of me today. I am a week late getting my blog started so my picture reflects me 5 lbs lighter. Praise God!!!! My starting weight one week ago, Tuesday Aug. 19, 2008, was 165 lbs. My prayer is that the pictures to come will be a much smaller version of me. :)

A New Adventure

I am embarking on a new adventure today. This is my first time ever blogging. I have always wrote down what I was thinking on paper but with the encouragement of a friends blog I have decide to start my own. The word of God says, "They overcame by the word of their testimony." Each and every post will be my testimony of God's grace in every area of my life.

This new journey will be the documentation of my success and failures of overcoming bad eating habits and my walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.

One week ago, Tuesday Aug. 19, 2008, I decided to change my eating habits and my time alone with God. Last week I focused on getting in the Word of God every day and cutting my portions in half at meal time. This had an amazing result of me losing 5 lbs. WooHoo!!! To my amazement I did not starve or go around hungry all day.

With the refreshing momentum of last week, I have decided to take my new eating habit a step further by slowing down when I eat and chewing my food until it is liquid. This is not an easy task. I am use to shoveling in the food with chewing enough to get the food down my throat. I really have to think about what I am doing and I find counting the chews help.

Today, I have been reading in Romans chapter 6. Paul is talking about being dead to sin and alive in God. Paul talks about Jesus being raised from the dead by God and walking in His new life. If we who have accepted Jesus as our Lord and saviour and have been baptized should be walking also in a new life with Jesus Christ. Paul goes on to say, "knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin." What a word of grace and encouragement!!!! I no longer have to be in bondage to my sin. God has forgiven me. My poor eating habits are behind me and God is showing me a better way. He created this body of mine and I should love and take care of it. I know that God is faithful, He has shown me many times of His faithfulness. I will give this area of eating and losing weight along with every area of my life to God and let Him do His amazing work in me. AMEN!