"Welcome to my blog space. I believe that God has carefully placed gems in our paths to fill our days with joy. The challenge for us is to take the time to notice them. My desire is to share the gems in my life so that, hopefully, you will see the ones He's placed in yours. I hope what you read here will be worth your time and you'll want to return often." - Cathy

Thursday, April 4, 2013

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.

15 comments:

  1. I'm so proud of you. You can do this! Yes, it takes non-stop diligence and it isn't always fun, but the benefits will make it all worth it.

    I work in a medical clinic and have seen people who have lost weight and were able to get off all of their medications. I've also witnessed my husband's hard work at losing nearly 100 pounds and watched in agony as he gained it all back as soon as he quit the weekly check-ins at what he called "fat school".

    It can be depressing, it can wear you out, it can grate on you like nails on a chalkboard, but it is so worth it to be at a healthy weight and be able to do more physicaly activity.

    Sorry to be so long-winded, just one more thing.

    I have never been a runner, but a co-worker has talked me into running a 5K with her in June. I tell myself, it is only 3 miles! But so far I haven't run more than 3/10 of a mile at one time. But then I walk, then I run some more, then I walk, until I get in a full mile a day. I can do this, I tell myself as I am huffing and puffing and feel like my lungs will explode.

    We can do ANYTHING we put our minds to, with the grace of God backing us.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks so much for your encouraging comments. I would love to get off all of my meds. That would really motivate me if I knew that would happen. I can't imagine myself doing a 5K at this point, but who knows where the future will lead. I'm proud of you for taking it on and especially for training so you will be ready for success. Amen to doing it all with God's help. Blessings on your journey,Chris.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congratulations and may God encourage you today! He is with you on this journey! Also: A little $4 e-book may hold some helpful answers. It explains the science of weight loss (body chemistry, blood chemistry) without turning into a science book. It's a fun and at times funny read. And it's about the price of a coffee drink. The e-book is called "The Skinny Genes Diet" and it's a wise $4 investment in learning how to lose weight. On Kindle and Nook.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for stopping by to encourage me. I love the title of your book. I'll buzz on over to Amazon and look for it. A little knowledge about blood and body chemistry might help me make better food choices. You are one of God's gems. Shine bright for Him today.

      Delete
  4. Cathy, I am very proud of you. We can all help by praying each other through this.
    This week I decided to help the weight loss by taking the weight of the world off my shoulder and giving it to God. I prayed about it. Seems I was reminded that stress does cause weight gain. So, I lay it down... which is not mine... to let God pick it up.
    WE CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENS US. Right?
    Love you and pray blessings you and your goals.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Mary! I know you understand where I am because you've been there too. Sunday, a lady at church testified that she gave a major problem to the Lord that week and she had seen miracle after miracle happen since then. What He does for one, He'll do for all so keep your eyes open Mary. I want to hear about what you see. Love and blessings to you!

      Delete
  5. Cathy - I am right there with you, girlfriend. I have lost over 100 pounds, and it wasn't easy. I wrote a book titled IF MY BODY IS A TEMPLE, WHY AM I EATING DOUGHNUTS? http://www.amazon.com/Body-Temple-Eating-Doughnuts-ebook/dp/B008XC1OPW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1365165754&sr=1-1&keywords=if+my+body+is+a+temple%2C+why

    Check it out! I hope it will be an inspiration to you on your journey.

    Blessings and smiles,

    Carol Howell
    www.seniorlifejourneys.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Congratulations on your weight loss! I hope my will power holds out until I reach my goal. I have noticed changes in my eating habits and my energy level already so I'm thinking I am well on the way to success. I'm buzzing over to Amazon now to look for your book. Blessings!

      Delete
  6. Yeah you! I know you can do it, Cathy. A couple of years ago my husband and I read "Younger Next Year". Although we disagreed with some parts of the book, it really changed the way we thought about aging! It isn't easy to change habits, but it IS doable. Think of it as one tiny decision at a time. Should I have this donut or have a muffin? Any change like this is really a matter of what you THINK rather than what you DO. Think and pray without any doubts about your success. I will be praying for you as well.
    Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Deb! You are such a blessing to me. Thanks for being my cheerleader. Like I said in another comment, I can already see changes in my decision making about food choices. And my energy level is higher so that will help as well. It feels good to feel like doing something (and my house is benefiting from that this week. Clutter, be gone!)L.ove and blessings coming your way

      Delete
  7. 14.4 pounds in four weeks doesn't sound too shabby to me! I've been there myself and yo-yoed in between losing. Now I have been able to keep off the 30+ pounds I lost for almost three years. The secret? Lost it slowly - I know we all want it to fall off tomorrow. But, by slowly losing it, I've been able to maintain this loss like I was never able to do before. Just like many things in life - it's not a sprint but a marathon. Keep at it. Don't get down on yourself. I'm pulling for ya!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bless you, Paula, for your sweet words and your advice. I am realizing more everyday that the changes I've made are going to have to be forever changes in order for this to work long-range. Congratulations to you on maintaining your goal for 3 years - an amazing feat! Blessings to you and yours,dear Lady.

      Delete
  8. Congratulations! A loss of 14.4 pounds is great. Please don't get discouraged. You are almost halfway to that original goal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Friend! With encouragers like you on board, I will definitely make it to my 30 pound goal. Blessings to you and yours and the work of your hands.

      Delete
  9. Yay! Good work, Cathy! My mom was excited about the prospect of reducing meds by losing weight, and she did it for awhile, but then the weight crept back on. For her, it's reading. If she's reading, she's snacking. So, if you have a "trap" like that, you have to find something else satisfying to do so that you don't gain back what you lost. It is so wonderful to have energy and feel good!

    ReplyDelete