My good friend, Barbara, was telling me the other day about how she got the victory over her filthy mouth shortly after the Lord Jesus saved her. She said she would pray and ask God to make her THINK before she opened her mouth. And he did. She would think first and cuss anyway! Then she began to pray that the Lord would not only help her to think, but to make the right choice about the words that she would allow to come out of her mouth. And he did that, too. Pretty soon Barbara stopped cussing and using sailor talk, to the credit of Jesus Christ.
Now Barb is on a diet. When she asked God to help her to THINK before putting food in her mouth, she did, and then ate it anyway. Now she is using the same prayer tactic as before, but asking God to help her make the right choice. It's working; God is helping her, and she is losing weight! That's a great victory!
About every ten or twenty years I reach the point at which I can't stand myself one moment longer, and I, too, actually make an effort to lose a few pounds. (In between I just complain about it.) This is usually brought on by comments (from people whose names will remain unmentioned) such as, "What size skirt are you wearing now?" and "Mommy, you are a good cushy pillow." After four weeks on Slim-Fast-Slow shakes twice a day, I am down 10 lbs. But I think half of those pounds I lost on my own before my first weigh-in. SO that means maybe five pounds in twenty-one days.
That's not too shabby, but it's definitely not FAST. The first week I GAINED five pounds and then lost five pounds. How discouraging is that? I had great expectations from a product called "Slim-Fast"! The can says on it, "Do not lose more than two pounds a week after the first week." Or something like that. So you can see why I expected to lose significantly during the first week. The second week I lost two pounds. Week three I lost two more pounds. Last week I lost one. And this week I am at the same place, which is better than gaining, but still.
Now, don't anyone tell me that the reason I can't accomplish any substantial weight loss is that I like to add peanut butter to my chocolate shakes, or maybe fruit and yogurt, if I am using vanilla. Or because I crave salt and fat at snack time, and not fruit and veggies. Or because I don't get any exercise. OR because I haven't asked the Lord's help. (That would mean I was really serious.) If I am going to SUFFER, I am going to do it my way!
Amy Scott, whose blog I enjoy, gives her own rationale for not losing any weight. It's different from mine, and for that I am thankful. (Amy had lasik surgery gone bad. That is a good excuse, don't you think?) Read here and laugh.
He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:30
Now Barb is on a diet. When she asked God to help her to THINK before putting food in her mouth, she did, and then ate it anyway. Now she is using the same prayer tactic as before, but asking God to help her make the right choice. It's working; God is helping her, and she is losing weight! That's a great victory!
About every ten or twenty years I reach the point at which I can't stand myself one moment longer, and I, too, actually make an effort to lose a few pounds. (In between I just complain about it.) This is usually brought on by comments (from people whose names will remain unmentioned) such as, "What size skirt are you wearing now?" and "Mommy, you are a good cushy pillow." After four weeks on Slim-Fast-Slow shakes twice a day, I am down 10 lbs. But I think half of those pounds I lost on my own before my first weigh-in. SO that means maybe five pounds in twenty-one days.
That's not too shabby, but it's definitely not FAST. The first week I GAINED five pounds and then lost five pounds. How discouraging is that? I had great expectations from a product called "Slim-Fast"! The can says on it, "Do not lose more than two pounds a week after the first week." Or something like that. So you can see why I expected to lose significantly during the first week. The second week I lost two pounds. Week three I lost two more pounds. Last week I lost one. And this week I am at the same place, which is better than gaining, but still.
Now, don't anyone tell me that the reason I can't accomplish any substantial weight loss is that I like to add peanut butter to my chocolate shakes, or maybe fruit and yogurt, if I am using vanilla. Or because I crave salt and fat at snack time, and not fruit and veggies. Or because I don't get any exercise. OR because I haven't asked the Lord's help. (That would mean I was really serious.) If I am going to SUFFER, I am going to do it my way!
Amy Scott, whose blog I enjoy, gives her own rationale for not losing any weight. It's different from mine, and for that I am thankful. (Amy had lasik surgery gone bad. That is a good excuse, don't you think?) Read here and laugh.
He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:30
Just wanted to let you know that the link to Amy Scott's blog is not the right link and I don't think you want people going to that blog. I went there and clicked out really quick.
ReplyDeleteGreat post though!
Melissa
Sally,I feel your pain. I have been working at it for awhile and have made no progress on the scales end, BUT, I am making lifestyle changes. Hopefully, one day these changes will start to add up. And it is so good to be reminded about not leaving God out of this journey. Guilty as charged! Thank you. And more thanks for your answer to my question. Very helpful!
ReplyDeleteJenn
No problem about the link, but I knew that I had read that blog before and that wasn't it!!
ReplyDeleteI do not know Jenny from Frontier Freedom personally but she is a friend here at hsb, I really enjoy reading her blog, she is my contrast. We live in town and live like most people in the lower 48 minus some of our food sources and they live a subsistence bush lifestyle, very neat!
Melissa
1st I think you look great! I have gained and lost the same 15 pounds now for a few years. My main doctor tells me I am 10 pounds over, my sleep doctor tell me I'm a "Small Woman"! Wish they would compare notes!!!
ReplyDeleteAnyhow - if you want to take off a few pounds and you feel good - then go for it, just don't carried away.
Believe me, there is <b><i>no</i></b> danger of me every getting carried away. :o) And thanks for saying I look fine, but you know how it is when you have a closet full of clothes and NOTHING fits. I have to lose a few, because I can't afford a new wardrobe (and don't want one, either -- clothes shopping is a drag)!
ReplyDelete:o)