I am not sure that I am qualified in any way to write on
this subject. However, from my own blood, sweat, tears, prayers and study. I
have decided to write what I have learned. We have all dieted at some point in
our lives. I know my entire life I was told by someone I was unattractive, fat,
and ugly. Of course when you spend a lifetime hearing these things you begin at
some point to believe it. Once you are convinced you are all these negative
things it is almost impossible to believe anything else about yourself. Till
this day my dad makes comments about my weight.
No too long ago I had said something to the effect my older sister and I
were overweight and he said “Mandy is not fat.” So therefore I am the fat one?
My entire life he has constantly made snide remarks about my weight. A few
years ago after losing 80 pound my brother lovingly said “oh my your half the
woman you used to be.” A proud moment for me. Then the pride was gone as fast
as my Granddad could say “yea the bags under your eyes do look smaller”. Even as
a freshman in high school a guy I was dating broke up with me informing me my butt was too big to take to prom. I was 5’4”
and 140 pounds. Well within my height weight ratio. My second husband
constantly told me how fat and lazy I was. This is just a few examples. This
was a constant battle. I have yo-yo dieted since high school. It has been an emotional roller coaster.
Society tells us were to be thin. The thinner the better. I
was watching a special on OWN, they were showing a story on eating disorders in
Hollywood. One model ate cotton balls drenched in juice and would take up to 20
laxatives a day. One actress lived on
150 calories a day. Another binged and purged to the point her teeth looked
like a meth addict. The stories go on and on. I can guarantee you these women and
men. Yes, men! Are far from healthy and closer to heart failure than someone 20
to 40 pounds overweight. Hollywood tells
us through the magazine racks, movies, television shows and books the thinner
the better. Not ever taking the physical, mental or emotional health of
ourselves or our daughters in account.
I found a journal, one I thought would tell me about my daughter’s
crushes, hopes and dreams. However, this was not the case it was columns of food
she had eaten, calories and any exercise she had done that day, she is 14. She
is 5’6” and weighs 125. So far from overweight. Yes, I think my daughter should be healthy.
However I do not think she needs to be worried about calories consumed at the
age of 14. No matter how many times I
have told her since birth how beautiful, sweet and wonderfully made she is. It wasn’t
enough society still took a hold. She still worries about her weight. Where did
I go wrong? What could I have done different? Absolutely nothing.
I’m big in to the low-carb diet. However I’ve not lost a
pound in over two weeks. And I’ve been praying about it and God has shown me so
many things. To assist me in weight loss that has absolutely nothing to do with
the word DIET!!
Everywhere you look there is a new diet and exercise regimen
being hailed: Weight Watchers, Weigh Down with Gwen Schamblin, Jenny Craig,
Atkins, South Beach, Cross Fit, Curves, and your best friend’s unique method?
Everyone has a different take on the best way to lose weight, but they all have
one thing in common: we must get skinny. So, over the last few weeks/days God has been
dealing with me. He had dealt with me spiritually, emotionally, physically and
with my heart. I am going to share with you some of the things he has shown me
in this season of my journey to fitness. Everyone and including me forgets it
is a matter of getting fit and being healthy for the glory of God.
There is not one
scripture in the bible says we need to be or have to be skinny! No one
scriptures tells us we need to weigh a certain amount. Nor does it give us
specific diet directions with recipes. It does however say in Genesis 1:29 (ESV)
And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on
the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have
them for food.” And in Genesis 9:3 (ESV) every moving thing that lives shall be food
for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.
God specifically states he made the plants and animals for
us to eat. I am going to go out on a limb and say animal products too (butter,
milk, eggs). I think it’s pretty simple.
We’re killing ourselves counting calories, fat grams and carbohydrates. No
matter where or what we are eating. I am guilty!! Yes guilty, of the gluttony
(over eating) I mean come on if its carb free I can eat as much as I want,
right!? Uh nope! I mentioned above God
made it all for us to enjoy. We just have to practice three simple things.
1.
We should eat and exercise in a spirit of
discipline and self-control. Not out of fear of gaining a pound or fear of fat/calories/carbs.
a.
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV) But the fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
b.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) For God has not given us a
spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-control. I still
workout daily, it just does not consume me.
2.
We should eat and exercise in a spirit of
thankfulness.
a.
"Everything God created is good, and to be
received with thanks. Nothing is to be
sneered at and thrown out. God's Word
and our prayers make every item in creation holy." 1 Timothy 4:4-5 (MSG) we
can eat that cookie grandma made us. Just not the whole dozen.
b.
"He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors
me; and to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of
God." Psalm 50:23 (NASB)
3.
Eating and exercising to glorify God
a.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV) so, whether you eat or
drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
b.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV) Or do you not know
that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from
God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in
your body. I make it a point to play only worship music while working out. It
not only pumps me up, but I get to have one on one with God.
Follow these simple three things and you
will change. Not only physically but mentally and spiritually as well. No it will
not happen overnight. It will not happen in one week. You will notice small
changes in your appetite, mood and your relationships. Because food no longer
controls your thoughts, actions or your life. But, it
will happen. Remember when you get discouraged Philippians 4:13 (NIV)”I can do
all this through Christ who gives me strength” and Philippians 1:6 “Being
confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will
perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”.
Rely on Christ in prayer and follow the three
suggestions and be confident and claim his word. He who begun a good will
continue the work. I pray this blog may help you in your journey to spiritual
and physical fitness.
