Weigh-in After Week 1

Well, today was marks the end of week one.  So, I stepped on the scale this morning and it said, 294.  I am down 8 pounds from what I was one week ago.  Praise the Lord, because it was through Him that I was able to stay focused and gain a victory.  I didn't expect to lose this much this week.  I missed exercising for three days and I felt as though I had failed.  Yet, even though I thought my body wasn't working at dropping the weight, IT WAS!!!! I have learned a tremendous lesson in this week! There are times when we are doing all that we can do and we feel as though God is not working.  Just because we can't see Him working does not mean that He has stopped.  Jesus never fails! His strength is perfect - I know, I've seen it this week! So, if you are beginning to wonder if God is even noticing you or your situation, wonder no more.  He is not only noticing, but He is at work too!

A Saturday Morning Walk

Last night, we went to Greenville to stay with my in-laws, because we had an early morning birthday party down in Piedmont.  We also celebrated my Sister-in-law's birthday last night with a birthday dinner and fun family fellowship.  After the events of the evening were over, I set my alarm clock, to get up and walk this morning.  My father-in-law said that he would walk with me and I welcomed his suggestion.  As we walked this morning, we talked and laughed and the "hard work" of walking early on a Saturday morning was replaced with sweet fellowship.  After our walk, I got to thinking.  What is it that I kept dreading about making this lifestyle change? It was the fear of me thinking that I was going to have to do it by myself.  The task before me seemed insurmountable on my own.  THAT WAS MY PROBLEM!  I had the wrong mentality about the entire thing.  I was called by God to take care of my body, but He doesn't leave me to do it by myself.  Instead, He walks with me each step of the way and He will remain there as long as I do not stray from His presence.  What a comfort to know that He is always with me, and the joy of His presence replaces the dread of the task ahead!

First Full Workout

I just complete my first full workout - 55 minutes of "hi-def sculpt" from the fitness series The FIRM! I can actually say that I LOVED IT!!!! Yes, I am sore, and yes I will probably wake up tomorrow with even more soreness.  The fact of the matter is, the soreness is proof that I am exercising my muscles.  The key to having a sculpted lean body is exercising consistently and working through the uncomfortable parts.  The only way that I can stay focused is by keeping my eyes on my Savior and clinging to the promises of His words! So, at 302 pounds, if I can do a complete 55 minute workout, you can do it too! I didn't do it on my own. NO WAY!!! Instead, the joy of the Lord is my strength.  Knowing that I am bringing Him joy by honoring God with my body and time spent in His Word is what keeps me keeping on! Is the joy of the Lord, your strength?  If He's not, then what's keeping you from it?  His strength is made perfect in our weakness!

"...Do not sorrow for the joy of the Lord is your strength." - Nehemiah 8:10

Where Do You Go for Comfort?

Here I am on day two of my journey and  I am thrilled at what God has shown me in His word this morning!  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says,  

"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price, therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are God's." 

I have read these verses before, but I have also never really lived them out.  If the body that I have is not mine, but God's, then all of these years, I have been deliberately mistreating God and disobeying Him by putting unnecessary food into my body.  This body that I am in is not mine, but God's and therefore, out of direct obedience to Him, I should take care of my body.  The body that I have is also "the temple of the Holy Spirit," and I have been destroying God's temple by not treating my body as such.  Food has become an idol in my life, and that is what motivated me to get rid of that which I put before God.  Instead of running to God's word for comfort, I turned to two candy bars and a Pepsi.  Those things could not help me cope any more than a pagan idol centuries ago could help people cope.  God longs to be our refuge.  What is it that you run to for comfort?  If it is anything else other than the precious Creator that fashioned you, it will never be enough!

No More Wasting Time

For years, I have battled with my weight.  However, I have never let it get so far out of hand.  This morning, when I stepped on the scale, it said that I weigh 302 pounds.  That is mind blowing and body-killing. I must admit that today was not the first day I saw that number on the scale.  I weighed yesterday and got the same result, and THAT MOMENT was when I realized that I HAD to do something to make a positive difference in my life enabling me to lose the weight.  So, yesterday I decided that I would blog about my journey in a way that would help hold myself accountable.  Each day I will blog about my struggles, my losses, my victories and all that God has shown me in the process.  I have realized that time is of the essence, and I am determined not to waste any more time.  So, today I started making positive lifestyle changes that will help me lose the weight and get my life back.  I have realized that I have already wasted too much time and NOW is the time for me to start somewhere.  So, I choose life and I am going to fight for life.  With each decision I make, I pray that God will bless my efforts in doing the best that I can to honor Him with every part of my life.  This life I have is not my own, so now I must firmly commit to change.  After all, I want to live - not exist, but really live where I am not overweight and fit enough to enjoy the things in life that everyone else does. 
I will be posting pictures as a form of accountability.  I will weigh each Thursday (only once a week) so as not to get discouraged and become obsessed with the scale.  I look forward to sharing this journey with anyone who wants to follow along.  Thanks in advance for the prayers, support, and encouragement that I may receive from some of you! To God be the Glory, GREAT THINGS He has done and WILL DO!!!