Weight Loss Isn't for Sissies

           “You would feel so much better if you would lose thirty pounds,” my family doctor said. “You might even be able to quit taking some of the medicines you’re on.” They were two enticing reasons, but not enough motivation to make me embark on a weight loss adventure.

            Four months later at check-up time, she backed it down to twenty pounds, and by the next check-up, she was down to ten pounds. She is very encouraging, noticing even a one pound loss.

            I’m not sure what it takes to get someone to do the things they know are good for their health and well-being. Nothing she said broke through the fog of my own self-will. I know I don’t have any will power. I’ve tried it before but when I hit the first plateau, my thoughts turn to what’s the use. The struggle isn’t worth the effort. I know some of you have been at that place.

            I don’t know what happened in my head to motivate me to begin a medically supervised weight loss program a few weeks ago, but I went to the information session and signed up. Do everything they recommend and you can lose five pounds a week. I’ve now figured out, four weeks in to the six week agenda, that I am not normal. Weekly weigh-ins have shown my loss at  5.4 pounds, .4 pounds, and 5.6 pounds. I have another weigh in tomorrow and it looks like it will be about 1.1 pound.  At this rate, I will only lose fifteen pounds of my thirty pound goal.

 I’ve kept a food diary, recording every bite I put in my mouth. I’ve eaten the correct proportions and drunk nothing but water, maybe the hardest part for me. All meat has been broiled, baked or grilled. All salad dressing has been fat-free. I’ve taken the supplements they recommended based on the answers I gave to a battery of questions. I’ve gone twice a week for acupuncture treatments designed to curb cravings.

            In spite of the lackluster weight loss, there have been some benefits. I do feel better physically. It’s been a long while since I actually felt like doing some of my household chores. I’ve had to force myself to do them. This week I actually found myself doing some of those things willingly and feeling good about it. I have more energy. My pants are loose enough that I have to wear a belt, and that hasn’t been the case in twenty-plus years.

 The Bible tells us “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God. You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
                                                                                          (I Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV)

My desire is to make my body a suitable temple for the Holy Spirit – regardless of what I weigh or how my clothes fit. “O Lord, make my body a fit vessel for your Holy Spirit’s home. Help me present myself before you as a living sacrifice. Amen.”

I’m going out with joy today, praising Him for my healthy body-

Cathy

P.S. Hi! It's Friday afternoon and I am just checking in after my weigh-in today. I came in at 3pounds lost this week - better than I thought. That puts my total at 14.4 in four weeks. Maybe there is a temple hiding in there somewhere! See you next week.