Freeing the Fat Friday ~ When Emotions Rule!

I am finding that changing your habits can be very challenging and sometimes a very emotional process. I wish I could just decide to do something and then just Do IT!

But, losing weight is just as much an emotional break through as it is a physical one.

There are days that I am really proud of myself and then the next day I can get really discouraged. For a few days I can think, "Wow, I can really do this!" Then a few days later I will wonder why I even should bother. I know that some of this is just because I am a woman and frankly we just go through phases in a month. However, I have discovered a life change with your body usually also involves your heart, mind and soul.

God's Lesson for Me

God wants to change us from the inside out. You can not just change one part of you without changing your entire person. I can change what I look like on the outside and still be "fat" on the inside. When I use the term "fat" I mean not under the submission of my creator. I can allow my heart to become weighted down and full of worry. I can let my mind become undisciplined and lazy and allow my thoughts to go where God never intended for us to go. I can let my soul drift from the Lord and can become weak.

Matthew 22:37 (New Living Translation)
37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’

If I focus on just changing the outside then vanity creeps in. Vanity is at the root of a lot of my emotional issues in regards to my body. When I love the Lord with my all my heart, all my soul and all my mind there is no place for self. I need to let God rule my emotions and realize that he wants to change the "whole" of me for His glory.

Please permit me to get on my soap box.....I have discovered that through this process of "letting go of this fat" and bringing my thoughts and will into submission I have become very aware of how other women see themselves. I have heard women talk about themselves in a negative way. I have heard women talk about wrinkles and getting old as a bad thing. I have heard women talk about others and how they have "gained weight' . I have heard women talking about losing weight for a spouse. I have seen women view their looks as one of most important things in life. Sadly, I have thought, said or acted out some of these things myself.

I implore you women to rise up and change how we view ourselves. We are creations of the most high. We are His works of art! Who are we to label others? Who are we to say what God has created as ugly? Let's not look for the accolades of others; but only desire how God sees us as true beauty. We need to be examples of inner beauty and not fall to the pitfalls of this world that says we are anything less. We have a duty as Christian women to model true beauty from the inside. This verse says it all....

1 Peter 3:3-4 (New Living Translation)

3 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.

4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

Meals for the Week!

This week was rough for meals. I just tried to keep it around 1,200 calories. I did not keep to a specific schedule and I did not count exactly my daily intake of calories, carbs and fat. My budget could not afford to keep to my meal plan....sad, I know. I hate that the healthy foods cost so much. It is one of the challenges of eating healthy. This week should be better.

Exercise

Woo Hoo! I have exercised 5 days this week using my "Walk Away the Pounds" video. I think I can maintain this momentum to continue working out. My hubby is being a great encourager. He has really helped me be motivated in a really positive way. I hope if you are reading this you can find someone who can encourage you as well maybe a spouse, relative or a good friend. Two are always better than one.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 (New International Version)
Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their work:

How True!

Food's Favorite Friends!

Pickles.... and not just any pickles they have to be Claussen pickles! You can usually find them near the sandwich meat part of your supermarket. One half of pickle is 5 calories, 0 fat and 1 Carb. I love pickles and they can be a nice addition to your lunch to replace those yummy chips you don't eat anymore. Or they can be a nice salty snack. Watch out if you are on a low sodium diet though. Thankfully, I am not! Thank you pickles for being so yummy!

Funny side note...My 2 year old calls his grandpa "Pickle".

Life Change Challenge!

I need to go back to an old one...stop eating off my kids plates. It is a wretched habit!

Next Week!

Use my strict 1,200 calorie meal plan & exercise!

I think I am going to go eat a pickle now....