Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

So when I started this program I had to come up with a list of why's. A list of things motivating me to change. Things that would drive me to keep going when I didn't feel like it. In June I wrote a blog post entitled Loving the Girl in the mirror. In this post I recognize that I need long-term permanent lifestyle change. I also recognized that I needed to start loving the person I am now. What's interesting is when I composed my list of Why's, I wrote that I wanted to recognize myself in the mirror. I realized at the time when I looked at the mirror I didn't recognize myself staring back. I couldn't believe the person I had become. I saw a large, sad, hurting woman who was in excruciating pain. So I don't do it often but as I was washing my hands yesterday I looked up at myself in the mirror. I had the same realization but for different reasons. I once again didn't recognize the girl in the mirror. I have been transforming. So much so that I did

I'm down 73 pounds. Wow. As I type that... I realize that's a lot of weight. One thing that has happened as I've lost weight is that I've had a lot to to think about.. A lot to discover and process and explore. My feelings... for sure. But also my thoughts. How do I view myself? Have I magically become a "better" person because I'm thinner?         Nope. Has the essence of my being changed because of this weight loss?         Nope. Do I still have struggles now that I'm getting closer to my optimal weight?       Absolutely! Losing weight doesn't change the core of who you are. It reveals who you've always been. I am finding I am truer to the self I was created to be. Does this inherently make be a better person? No it doesn't. I know our society has taught us to value youth, being fit and looking sexy. But here's the deal, y'all. It's still about our hearts. Who we are doesn't alter just because we drop

I had a dream last night that I ate sugar. In my dream I ate a cupcake and drank a large cup of sweet tea. I woke up with a headache. So weird. I think this new way of eating is getting into my subconscious. It's amazing to me how I have been able to jump past hurdles like Halloween, Baby Showers, Birthday Parties, and even Thanksgiving. This program really helps keep my sugar levels balanced and the cravings down. I was talking with one of my clients and she was saying that what she experiences isn't true physical cravings for food but the emotional effect she'd have from eating those foods. E.G. Chocolate- Endorphins. What she is truly craving is the effect. I can relate. As I approach my sister's birthday this week and recognize that she would have been turning 37 I realize how tempting it is to want to turn to food for comfort. For a quick fix. For a temporary high. I used to used food to reward myself and to punish myself. It was a sick cycle. Now, it'

I can’t believe where I was a year ago and where I am today! God has brought me so far. I am so amazed! I gave blood Wednesday. My iron was awesome, my blood pressure phenomenal and I was 44 pounds down from when I donated 2 months ago. What a difference being healthier has made for me even in my blood donation! I didn’t get a headache afterwards. I felt strong and full of energy the whole day! I didn’t overeat for Thanksgiving and I felt no deprivation. So thankful for this journey! God is so faithful!

I went from losing 18 pounds last week to dropping over another 4 this week. I find it AMAZING- especially with the stress I’ve been under and all the emotional triggers of Samuel’s 4 hour CHKD appointment with the “late effects” clinic. I am shocked how I’ve continued to not eat donuts or birthday cake. I’m not touching soda or sweet tea. Eating this way seems to really have broken my sugar addiction! I’ve been doing this 5 weeks and though at times I wrestle with my desire to emotionally eat- I have not caved once! I’m not a super self control queen- honestly, it’s been Jesus and this program! I’m so incredibly thankful! I’m down a total of 32.6 pounds. The first ten was using CPAP therapy. The other 22.6 is from my nutritional program. So incredibly grateful for the energy I feel! In awe of God at work!

I'm thankful that even now before the throne of God there is One who lives to intercede for me. Pizza will never fill the hole in my heart. Only God can. What does intercede mean? to act or interpose in behalf of someone in difficulty or trouble, as by pleading or petition: to attempt to reconcile differences between two people or groups; mediate.  I don't know about you but I need an intercessor. There is no way I could, on my own, make myself right with God. Jesus is my Savior, my Redeemer, and my Intercessor. He is every pleading on my behalf. I'm not left to manage myself alone.  My heart has been hurting lately. Yesterday was a day of pizza temptation. I had this huge hole in my heart that was looking for comfort and my kids had pizza for lunch and dinner. I've been able to look past what they're eating pretty easily... but yesterday was different. I wanted COMFORT... and comfort looked like PIZZA. BUT I SAID NOPE! I didn't give in t