So one of the reasons I started this blog is to get used to journaling. I am in a women's group through my church,lifechurch.tv, for weight loss. God actually started nudging me about turning to Him for my weight loss at the beginning of this year. I was having medical issues and had to stop working because of them. I started counting points (Weight Watchers method) at the beginning of December and had lost about 9 or 10 pounds by the first of the year. But I really got this nagging "feeling" that there was something more for me to reference-something biblical. So I started researching christian weight loss online. Some things popped out at me and others not so much. So I told my daughter,Jill, a secret desire I had- I wanted to lose weight with God's help and then start a group at church to share my journey. She said mom- you are meant to do it with a group- a journey together. Ugh, but the commitment of a group at my house and the lack of knowledge,what if I fail,etc etc...all the good old tapes playing in my head. So I asked her to pray and asked a friend to pray. But I didn't want anyone else knowing(inset rolling of eyes here). Then I asked another friend, then my pastor and I were emailing and I mentioned it to him, he thought it was a great idea. WHAT AM I DOING?? Can't I keep my fat mouth shut!! Come'on God, help me out here. Just let me know if you want to me to this or not. :) So I go to church that Saturday, a little more then a month ago. I started talking to the guy who heads up the lifegroups and said this is what I am thinking. Lifegroup for Losers. He loved it! All the while, i am still thinking..do you really want me to do this God? I don't know A THING about weight loss and using you for it. So Tony and I were standing there and our new full time volunteer,Katy, was listening. After Tony left, she said when do you think you will have this group? I was saying well IF I do..every other week..not sure..I don't know...she is just smiling she said I have to tell you- I was just praying about this on the way here! She starts telling me how she had belong to Weigh Down Workshop before moving to TN and she had lost 70 pounds. She was wanting to join the one here but it costs money and the nearest one is about 40 minutes away. She was interested in coming to whatever group we do. I didn't want to tell her that this past week when I was praying to God- I said if I do this I AM NOT doing Weigh Down Workshop God!! I had spent a lot of money years ago and it was soooo boring! No way ,no how! you know how to make God laugh right? Tell Him your plans! So I go into the baby room where I was helping out and a few minutes later my friend,Kim, comes in. Guess what was in her hand? The WDW book! She said "did you get my email? I thought I would show you this book." Seriously,God????
So, of course, that is what we are doing. At my house,every week, the WDW! God sure had to thump me over my head all the while laughing at my plans, that is for sure! The cool thing is-He provided me with a leader- Katy. All I am really doing is hosting it at my house-He knew what He was doing! I didn't have to have knowledge or even really a plan. He took care of it all.
The ladies in this group are so awesome and this group is just close knit. We might not hang out together during the week, most of us have families to take care of but I can guaranty you if one of us needs something, the rest would come calling. Some of us came from the women's group we had-so we just stopped that group since this is really a weekly needed check- in and learning experience.
Here is the cool thing- it is almost a dumb blonde feeling- we turn to God for all other aspects of our lives but when it comes to weight loss-where do we turn? Magazines,programs,books,videos anything sowing us how to count calories,fat grams,etc but the one place we do not turn is to God. I know- what a concept!! And it is awesome, god made our bodies. He programmed them to let you know when you are thirsty,hungry,sleepy. All we have to do is listen. The idea is so simplistic. Eat when you are hungry. Turned to God when you aren't but you want to chomp away. When you do eat,pray first, eat slowly,drink in between bites and savor. Start with what looks appealing to you on your plate. Not that I have done perfectly, believe me, this past week I did it more my way then God's but it is easy to hit the reset button and start again. Best news? I don't have to count points,grams of anything and I am at a total of 19 pounds gone so far!!
I eat what I want-it is great. I have been heavy almost all my life whether it was 20 pounds or 50 pounds or....
I have to run for now but this is really an awesome journey and I can't wait to share more!