Friday, April 19, 2013
It's Working
Even though I am not tight on keeping every bite within the five-hour window, I do pretty well. Last night, at the TOPS meeting, I lost another 1.6 pounds. I'm cautiously excited. We won't meet again for two weeks. Can I keep going? Our leader has set up a facebook site for us that is very encouraging each day. I have a goal to lose 3 pounds in those two weeks. Even .5 would be good. I'm not going to be in a big hurry, but I do want to see a lower number each week.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Hanging My Head In Shame
Today in Ladies' Bible Study that we have on Tuesday mornings with the church, the lesson was on sacrifice. Real sacrifice. The kind of sacrifice that is not "convenient".
I have to say, that this daily fasting is what Angela rightfully called, "The Sacrificial Diet". I was drawn to her blog just because of that title! Fasting IS a sacrifice. This kind of fasting is for the purpose of losing weight, but also can be thought of as for prayer.
Now, fasting and prayer do go hand in hand (go read: http://sharon-mydailyfast.blogspot.com/2012/04/prayer-and-fasting-just-go-together.html ) I'm not downplaying that at all, but I'm fasting daily primarily so that I can lose weight. Is this self serving? Where is the spiritual significance of losing weight?
God created our bodies to carry around just so much weight. He designed this wonderful creation, wrapped it in beauty, and gave it to us. What we do with what He has given is up to us. To be overly concerned is not His plan, nor is His plan for us to under concerned. He wants us to have the healthy natural body for as long as we live here.
We can do this by not over eating, and by eating what He has grown out of the ground and following health guidances that we find are wise - like stay away from sugar, etc...
When we were reading and listening to our teacher about sacrifice, I had to bring it down to home. I likely won't be asked to sacrifice a child as Abraham was asked (it had a happy ending - God interrupted this request and provided a ram for a sacrifice), but I AM asked to "present [my] bod[y] a living sacrifice" ~Romans 12:1.
I know that my influence for Christ will be greatly enhanced when I am seen as a person who has her appetite under control. I know I can still be a great influence or Christ, but I can be greater. I don't want there to be any stone left unturned when seeking the lost. I don't want the cross to be for nothing in that one person's case that would be hampered by this.
Not only do I see this as being important in seeking the lost, but also in being able to be a better servant to anyone. When we feel good, we can visit the sick, cook a meal, clean a kitchen, taxi someone to an appointment, etc. The list goes on and on. Obesity brings with it many physical ailments, and they all hamper our abilities to serve.
I knew where one of my sacrificial failings was during class today, and I just hung my head in shame and asked God to forgive and strengthen me in this matter (and one other, which is off-topic here). Father, help us all to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to You.
I've still not gotten a good time locked in. I am going to have to quickly get the times down and stop being so wishy-washy. I am going back to 12-5. I can easily get supper prepared for everyone at 4:30. That would be best for all of us, actually. Noon to 5 o'clock it is!
I have to say, that this daily fasting is what Angela rightfully called, "The Sacrificial Diet". I was drawn to her blog just because of that title! Fasting IS a sacrifice. This kind of fasting is for the purpose of losing weight, but also can be thought of as for prayer.
Now, fasting and prayer do go hand in hand (go read: http://sharon-mydailyfast.blogspot.com/2012/04/prayer-and-fasting-just-go-together.html ) I'm not downplaying that at all, but I'm fasting daily primarily so that I can lose weight. Is this self serving? Where is the spiritual significance of losing weight?
God created our bodies to carry around just so much weight. He designed this wonderful creation, wrapped it in beauty, and gave it to us. What we do with what He has given is up to us. To be overly concerned is not His plan, nor is His plan for us to under concerned. He wants us to have the healthy natural body for as long as we live here.
We can do this by not over eating, and by eating what He has grown out of the ground and following health guidances that we find are wise - like stay away from sugar, etc...
When we were reading and listening to our teacher about sacrifice, I had to bring it down to home. I likely won't be asked to sacrifice a child as Abraham was asked (it had a happy ending - God interrupted this request and provided a ram for a sacrifice), but I AM asked to "present [my] bod[y] a living sacrifice" ~Romans 12:1.
I know that my influence for Christ will be greatly enhanced when I am seen as a person who has her appetite under control. I know I can still be a great influence or Christ, but I can be greater. I don't want there to be any stone left unturned when seeking the lost. I don't want the cross to be for nothing in that one person's case that would be hampered by this.
Not only do I see this as being important in seeking the lost, but also in being able to be a better servant to anyone. When we feel good, we can visit the sick, cook a meal, clean a kitchen, taxi someone to an appointment, etc. The list goes on and on. Obesity brings with it many physical ailments, and they all hamper our abilities to serve.
I knew where one of my sacrificial failings was during class today, and I just hung my head in shame and asked God to forgive and strengthen me in this matter (and one other, which is off-topic here). Father, help us all to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to You.
I've still not gotten a good time locked in. I am going to have to quickly get the times down and stop being so wishy-washy. I am going back to 12-5. I can easily get supper prepared for everyone at 4:30. That would be best for all of us, actually. Noon to 5 o'clock it is!
Monday, April 15, 2013
New Week, New Verse
The verse of the week to inspire me to lose weight is 1 Peter 2:11,12.
Would my conduct be more honorable among "the Gentiles" (in our case today, the unbelievers) by eating properly? I think so. I can only imagine what people must think of watching a fat woman driving down the road eating chips, fries, etc, or even grapes for that matter. I know what I'd think. "How deplorable seeing a fat person eating".
When we are at a gathering, it is more honorable to visit with each other, listen to another person, be attentive to needs of our fellow man than it is to see what sort of goodies are spread on the table free for the eating.
As a Christian, I represent to the world, Christ and the Father. I am to be a good example to weaker Christians. How can I do that if I put food above them? How can I glorify God by my conduct if my conduct is seen as continually eating?
We can easily see the answer if I were to compare flirting with married men, but eating rather than visiting people is more "acceptable". Not in my case. Now, let's get more personal.
What about eating in private? Part of the TOPS pledge says, "even though I over eat in private, my excess poundage is there for all the world to see". Private eating is just as much a stumbling block (if not more) to unbelievers and weaker brethren as over eating at a potluck (for example). It's also more difficult to control.
I looked up the twelve steps of the AA and wrote them down to go along with my own addictions - food being one, laziness being another. Look them up and you'll see how those 12 steps can apply to any bad habit. It's easy to see that drinking alcohol in private is detrimental to all those around the drunkard after the private abusive drinking. In the same way, over eating in private is detrimental to all those around me. I can't do things for others as I should. My energy level is very low. My feet hurt quickly because of my weight and I have to rest more often than I should. I'm a bad example, and I am seen as one who can't control her indulgences. We all admire slim fit people. They control their eating and they give up something to get out and exercise to be that way. Mindless eating in front of the T.V. or computer when no one's around just doesn't bring admiration. A Christian, especially is open to criticism in this regard.
These verses have helped me each week. I was careful what I bought when I put up Isaiah 55:1-3. I ate only until I was satisfied and still had leftovers when I considered Ruth 2:14,18. Other verses helped me. I hope they are helping you. God's ways are perfect.
Now, I'm considering including pictures of my progress, eating, etc. It won't be easy for me, but I may break through my timidity here and make this blog more interesting that way. I know I like blogs that have pictures better.
Have a great week watching what you eat!
"Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation."Peter may not have meant the fleshly lust of over-eating, but it's my own fleshly lust and it certainly does war against my soul.
Would my conduct be more honorable among "the Gentiles" (in our case today, the unbelievers) by eating properly? I think so. I can only imagine what people must think of watching a fat woman driving down the road eating chips, fries, etc, or even grapes for that matter. I know what I'd think. "How deplorable seeing a fat person eating".
When we are at a gathering, it is more honorable to visit with each other, listen to another person, be attentive to needs of our fellow man than it is to see what sort of goodies are spread on the table free for the eating.
As a Christian, I represent to the world, Christ and the Father. I am to be a good example to weaker Christians. How can I do that if I put food above them? How can I glorify God by my conduct if my conduct is seen as continually eating?
We can easily see the answer if I were to compare flirting with married men, but eating rather than visiting people is more "acceptable". Not in my case. Now, let's get more personal.
What about eating in private? Part of the TOPS pledge says, "even though I over eat in private, my excess poundage is there for all the world to see". Private eating is just as much a stumbling block (if not more) to unbelievers and weaker brethren as over eating at a potluck (for example). It's also more difficult to control.
I looked up the twelve steps of the AA and wrote them down to go along with my own addictions - food being one, laziness being another. Look them up and you'll see how those 12 steps can apply to any bad habit. It's easy to see that drinking alcohol in private is detrimental to all those around the drunkard after the private abusive drinking. In the same way, over eating in private is detrimental to all those around me. I can't do things for others as I should. My energy level is very low. My feet hurt quickly because of my weight and I have to rest more often than I should. I'm a bad example, and I am seen as one who can't control her indulgences. We all admire slim fit people. They control their eating and they give up something to get out and exercise to be that way. Mindless eating in front of the T.V. or computer when no one's around just doesn't bring admiration. A Christian, especially is open to criticism in this regard.
These verses have helped me each week. I was careful what I bought when I put up Isaiah 55:1-3. I ate only until I was satisfied and still had leftovers when I considered Ruth 2:14,18. Other verses helped me. I hope they are helping you. God's ways are perfect.
Now, I'm considering including pictures of my progress, eating, etc. It won't be easy for me, but I may break through my timidity here and make this blog more interesting that way. I know I like blogs that have pictures better.
Have a great week watching what you eat!
Friday, April 12, 2013
Hurray!
Well I am back on losing weight. There's lots of obstacles, curves and hills in the way of losing weight. The main thing is to keep at it.
Last night, at TOPS weigh-in, I lost 1.6 pounds. Yay!
I'm still not following the fast-five perfectly, but I do keep pretty well inside the five hours. My main falling on it is the actual food I eat. The book says that you will lose weight if you use the time frame no matter what you eat, and it's right! However, I know that soda pop and chips are not at all healthy. This week: no chips, more water.
The hours I'm following now are trying to get to the 2-7 range. When I eat the first time of the day, I just count to the next five hours for my stopping place. Ultimately, beginning at 2:00 p.m. will be best or me because I sometimes don't get out of work until about that time. I just type right through lunch.
Goal loss for next Thursday: two pounds!
Last night, at TOPS weigh-in, I lost 1.6 pounds. Yay!
I'm still not following the fast-five perfectly, but I do keep pretty well inside the five hours. My main falling on it is the actual food I eat. The book says that you will lose weight if you use the time frame no matter what you eat, and it's right! However, I know that soda pop and chips are not at all healthy. This week: no chips, more water.
The hours I'm following now are trying to get to the 2-7 range. When I eat the first time of the day, I just count to the next five hours for my stopping place. Ultimately, beginning at 2:00 p.m. will be best or me because I sometimes don't get out of work until about that time. I just type right through lunch.
Goal loss for next Thursday: two pounds!
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Changing Back
This time, 7:30 to 12:30 isn't working for me. I don't know if I should change back to 12-5, or go to 2-7. I almost think that would be better for me right now. I still don't know how I'll handle being back home. Either I'll move it ot the morning to early afternoon, or even out light eating all day, which doesn't work for me unless I'm eating all raw vegan.
Okay, so it's 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. at least until school is out.
Okay, so it's 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. at least until school is out.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Time Change
I've been thinking that it would be good to do a bit of a time change. I'll try it, but this 12-5 eating window may still be the best.
I think I would like to try eating a large breakfast with my family rather than a large supper. My reasons are:
New verse for the week - I skipped a week, sorry. Ruth 2:14:
I think I would like to try eating a large breakfast with my family rather than a large supper. My reasons are:
- I've learned an internet friend who is thin and healthy eats a very big breakfast, but trails off on food the other two main meals.
- The main problem with food when visiting my mother was that I didn't eat breakfast. Mother served a big supper as well as a big breakfast, but even she said that skipping supper would be better than skipping breakfast. I really had a hard time there eating 12-5.
- My family would enjoy a big breakfast more than me trying to figure out what to serve as a big supper, because I'm not prepared as I should be for other meals, but I think I do better for breakfast.
- Breakfasts, to me, anyway, are more fun!
- I'm hoping this will keep the hunger bug away.
New verse for the week - I skipped a week, sorry. Ruth 2:14:
Now Boaz said to her at mealtime, “Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed parched grain to her; and she ate and was satisfied, and kept some back.Lesson - eat until you are satisfied and don't worry about having some left over. Ruth took her left-over parched grain and took it to her mother-in-law, Naomi in verse 18.
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