Monday, December 8, 2008

Diet Report

Yesterday, while exercising, my shorts were falling off. And these are bike shorts. What an amazing thing.

I am at a 100 pound loss now. I just can't believe it. Since I've always struggled with my weight, I've always wanted to loose some. On a piece of paper I found a while back, my husband and I wrote down things we wanted to do before we die, it was dated 6/06. Of course, one of mine was "get skinny"!

When I was younger, I always wanted to be thinner to look better. Things have sure changed. Now I want to be at a weight where I can do the things I want to do: ride a bike with my 10-year-old, bend down to say prayers at the lower bunk with my 3-year-old, take walks with my husband, be around for my children's children's children.

Upon reflection, I think this is why I am having more success than I have in the past. These things really are more important to me. I can say no to myself and mean it because I truly want to be able to climb the stairs while caring my two-year-old. They need me to take them to bed at night and I want to be the one. Know what I mean?

Although I am feeling much more like my old self, I still have a ways to go. Sixty-nine pounds to go, if you want exact numbers. And it's coming off much more slowly these days. I want to keep going, though. I've come this far, it sure would be a waste to stop here.

Every day, I ask myself, "What have a done today to achieve my goal"? Am I writing down everything I eat? I am looking up the accurate amount of calories for each of them? Have I exercised today? Really, these are the only three things that I need to do. If I am consistent with them, the weight will come off.

It's really not even that hard, to be honest with you. There have been times in my life where I have struggled and struggled to just stop eating cake or whatever and it was so hard. The thing that I didn't understand that you have to go beyond that. The struggle does come to an end. Once you've done it, you've done it. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7 Once the devil flees (or your flesh gives up!), which is sooner than you think, there is no more fighting, you just go about doing what you know you need to do. Day after day, you keep it up and the finish line slowly becomes visible.

"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love." 2 Peter1:5-7 Here's where the spiritual growth comes in to the diet arena. Dieting is all about self control and perseverance.

These are some of the thoughts I've had along the way. I hope they bless you today. If you have a lot of weight to loose like me, don't despair. You can do it. It won't kill you. You can enjoy life along the way. Truly, life is much more enjoyable today than it was a year ago for me.

Be thinking along these lines: What have you ALWAYS wanted to do? What New Year's resolution do you make every single year but give up on my January 3rd? Think about these things, because 2009 is your year! Watch for my Get-It-Done challenge at the end of this month. I'd really like you to join me. Even more, I'd really like to see you have success.



8 comments:

Grace said...

Wow Jennifer, you have so much to be proud of! Will I even know you the next time I see you?

Blessings,
Grace

Anonymous said...

You lost 100 pounds? Wow, good for you! That's great! You have 69 more to go. That means that you were, roughly, in the same pickle I am in, only you are closer to the finish than the beginning. I haven't even started. Thanks for being so open, and for the encouragement.

Rachel said...

Jennifer, That is so awesome! I'll keep an eye out for your challenges.

Anonymous said...

You've lost so much weight, I'm so happy for you! I, too, have about a hundred pounds to lose and I would like to know how you did it? Maybe you've already posted about that, but I'm new to your blog and haven't yet read about it. Did you follow a plan like the Hallelujah diet, or The McDougall plan? I noticed that you often make "comfort" foods. Do you eat them too, or do you eat differently than your family?

In the past, I have lost 65 lbs. TWICE! I can lose large amounts and gain it all back, which is heartbreaking. Now my metabolism is all messed up, and I have a thyroid problem too. I'm asking the Lord to help me, but I'm not where I should be yet. Any tips you can give will be greatly appreciated!

Jennifer said...

Brenda,

I hear you - I feel for you. I know where you are at. I will answer your questions. Watch for my post right after Christmas. I want you to be the first one to sign up for the challenge.

Blessings to you - I will be praying for you!

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Jennifer, I look forward to your weight loss post.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jennifer. I am new to your site & enjoy it. I don't have as much to lose but took a year to lose 10lbs. I am proud of what I have lost & can't wait to join your challenge! April

Anonymous said...

I'm very proud of you honey! I know'll you'll do it this time. And this time IS different. Perhaps the reason is because you ARE doing it for others first. That helps me also. It doesn't matter to me what you weigh, it does matter how you feel about yourself, that you are healthy, and your SPIRIT is never on a diet. I love you!