Food Fight

Today, as I was driving home from the YMCA, I saw a lady whom I haven't seen in a couple of years. In 2007, I met her as I was once again beginning to battle with my weight. She was a source of encouragement to me because she had recently lost a great deal of weight, and we shared the same faith in Christ. However, my heart sank as I saw her drive past today. From just the quick glance I got, I knew instantly that she has gained a significant about of her weight back. I tried to reason that this must be a case of mistaken identity...as I am still replaying the scene and wishing this were true, but I am far too familiar with the truth of this situation.

There is a fight going on for so many of us. It has nothing to do with the size that we are or a number that we weigh. It has everything to do with a real and actual battle against a very essential thing in this life.... FOOD. I've spent a good deal of the last two years focusing on losing weight and keeping my eye on the scale and my clothing size. These things represented success or failure to me. If I was succeeding in my health, my weight was dropping and so was the size of my clothing. However, these things are truly just temporary. They are seemingly fleeting, always coming and going!

Now, more than ever, I realize that the fight is on. Christ wants all of me, and for this, I must fight. Maybe you know what I mean, and you too, have to fight this food fight. Perhaps, you're where I've been and still think this is all about calories in vs. calories out. Can I tell you that Jesus is way more concerned about you than that? So, when you've done all your dieting, counted all your calories, worked out everyday of the week, and tried everything to boost your metabolism, the food will still be there. And so will Christ! He is beckoning to be your (and mine) stronghold in place of all else. This is the reality that I know: this food fight is really a heart fight. (Disclaimer: For those of you who struggle, you know exactly what I mean. For those of you who are blessed with a great metabolism, I hope that you are good stewards of your bodies and that you are pressing on in the fight for your heart...in whatever areas you struggle with.)

I hope that I don't quit for good in this battle, and I am so thankful that Jesus is my strength to push through moments of weakness with food and exercise. When I fail, I am thankful that He is there to love on me and remind me that this is about so much more than a food fight. He is after my heart. Yours too.

Week 12

There are 12 weeks until Christmas. So, there are 11 more weeks beginning Oct. 5th for us all to get our shopping done, stockings hung, and cookies baked! For me, that means 11 more weeks to make my goal weight of 130 lbs. I know you are all just sitting on the edge of your seat with excitement over this...you know I am...NOT. This week has presented some challenges for me mentally. I usually weigh on Mondays for my official weigh in, but I generally weigh everyday. (You don't have to tell me that I shouldn't do that...Brandon says it enough for all of you.)

After losing so much weight previously, I still expect big numbers each week. Right now, I am settling for tenths of pounds! However, the mental trip is so different. (For all the readers that have been thin most of your life, please feel free to leave comments assuring me how difficult a 1 lb loss is!) In spite of a few moments of mental defeat and physical pain from an old exercise injury, I am pressing on. My diet has been good, and I've allowed myself 2 "dry" carbs...a 6 inch turkey Subway and a bowl of dry oats with skim milk and dried cranberries. (I crave dry oats with fruit and skim milk.)

As great as dieting and exercising is, I can assure you there have been much better things in life this week that are worthy of blogging about...but this is good for me to post about because I know that I have a small audience of acountability...who, of course, could care less about a number I weigh as long as I am healthy. (Love to you all!) So, without further ado:

Week 12 Stats:

Height: 4 ft 11 in (if you know of a way to grow taller, please comment)
Weight: 141 lbs (2 lb loss!)
Pant size: a looser 12p

O Blog, my blog!

How I've missed blogging! I am so surpised to see that 3 weeks have come and gone since my last post. Where should this update begin? (I apologize for the random thoughts that are about to spew forth!)

For me, the last 3 weeks have been going really great. For starters, I am FINALLY back into a good Bible study through CBS. We are going through the book of Luke. Although, I never eagerly get into a group study, I always look back on them with good thoughts. It helps me spend time in God's word. That, in itself, is a feat! I do wish that I could say that I am disciplined to have good study each day, but brace yourself, I don't. Good to get that out! :-) I am excited about Luke and my weekly meeting with other sisters in Christ. I signed up for this because of the children's programs that Libby and Clara get to attend, too. They have age appropriate Bible study, and it is a great program! They each have children in their classes that we see at church or our other homeschooling group. So nice for them to build those relationships!

Homeschooling has been going wonderfully! I love it, and both girls are doing well with it. Libby seems to be such an easy and quick learner. She respects us as her teachers. While the daily responsiblity falls mostly to me, Brandon has been teaching her some lessons, too. He really enjoys it. I've always thought he is a wonderful Bible teacher to kids...why shouldn't he be good at reading and math, too? A child's mind is an amazing thing, and it is fascinating to watch it grow. I give all the glory to God.

Okay, here is where I open a big can of worms for me. The major thing that has been consuming my time and energy (literally) for the past 3 weeks has been weightloss. UGH. Well, so maybe not a can of worms...more like a window to my soul or something...but worms seems more appropriate considering the subject, don't you think? I ran across an article from Weight Watcher's (I don't do this program, but am sure it is one of the best.) It mentioned setting a goal of losing 10% of your body weight. Turns out, that's about all I have left to meet my first goal...drum roll... 130 lbs. I set that goal in Jan. 2007. So, I read the article, got all my mental ducks in a row and got to it! I decided that pounds off would be the best Christmas and birthday present (which is a few days after Christmas). The downfall... I'm the only person that can give myself that. Then, I got even crazier and started thinking that maybe, just maybe, I could even be a size 8 in '08. Get it?? It would just be nice to make that 130 goal before Jan. 1. (A quick recap for those who may not know...I weighed 230 in Oct. 2006 when I delievered Clara. No, that was not baby weight. I have been at 200 lbs most of my adult life...well, just all my life probably.)

So, I've been exercising 4 times a week at least and banning all dry carbs (pasta, bread, rice, flour) and of course, sugar from my diet. This works for me, and I'm so thankful to find something that does. I am going to post my stats, and I hope to blog about this more often. In the meantime, if you don't hear from me for another 3 weeks, just assume I've blown away b/c my hard work is paying off!! :-)

Stats:

height: 4 ft 11 in
weight: 143 lbs (muscle weighs more than fat, ya know! Laugh.)
pant size: a loose 12p

Libby and I in my size 22 jeans.