Today's date is 11/11 and our 11th day! We're on Chapter 10. Ten plus eleven equals 21! We're halfway there! It's kind of cool how today's date is the same as our challenge day. And to fall on Veteran's Day makes it all the more special.
Today I want to briefly recap the past 10 days. We personified our cravings into a form they represent. Mine was the big, comfy, white cloud with the index finger luring me in with promises of satisfaction and fulfillment. When I'd succumb it turned into a big green, taunting monster heaping guilt and regret on me. Then we began dismantling our wall of cravings brick by brick and replacing them with more intimacy with God.
I've talked about food plans, accountability, being made for more than that bad food choice and going deeper with God in a new and fresh way. I swore off the scales at least until the end of this challenge. Our numbers DO NOT define who we are. I haven't weighed myself, but do feel lighter and my clothes are a little loser. Already.
Making peace with our bodies and realizing they're a gift from God is crucial. Our body is His temple to live in, and how we take care of it reflects how we feel in our relationship with God. Ouch. That truth hit me hard. Exercise is also crucial. It's as important as all the food choices we can make.
The title of today's chapter is "This Isn't Fair!" Last night at the church picnic I walked by the two tables that were filled with every dessert imaginable. In the past I'd get a small plate and fill it with "just one bite" of each dessert that I just couldn't pass up. Last night I passed up both tables and had a blast mingling and talking with people I hadn't seen in a while.
Now, that's not to say that if I were alone with all those desserts, the temptation would be intense. I haven't had that temptation yet, but I know it'll come, especially with the holidays here.
Instead of telling myself "this isn't fair" that I have to deal with this issue when others don't, is going to be turned into seeing my food issues as a blessing. This is an avenue through which God is choosing to draw me closer to Him. This is the first time I've realized this. Thank you, Lysa TerKeurst for sharing your journey so women like me can have victory in this dark, terrible, frustrating, and even deadly issue....even at my age.
Thankful,
Terri
Monday, November 11, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Day 10 - Chapter 9
It's been ten days already since beginning this 21-day challenge. I'd committed to posting something everyday. I admit, it's getting harder to stick to that committment, which is why I have to rely on God's power and strength to keep it up. Just like I need His power and strength to stay loyal to a healthier eating plan. Now I have another new commitment to make. WE need to make. Exercise.
I used to love exercise. It was part of my life. I was a committed walker. I did it alone, with friends, whenever I had a spare afternoon or early morning. I enjoyed it because it was a great stress reliever for me. I also justified the junk food and overeating I did as I'd tell myself how much I'd exercised that day. Everything I did with eating was justified somehow.
I don't enjoy walking so much anymore. With the hip replacements it causes pain after walking a certain distance. I love biking, but it's getting colder outside. I used to swim laps at Johnson Park in Conyers, but its 35 minutes from my house and now it's always crowded with swim team practices. I know I have to find something and just go for it. So here it is: my neighbor is giving me an older type stationary bike. God is good, isn't He? Now I can exercise inside when the weather is bad. I'm keeping tennis shoes in the car so I can throw in a couple of 30-minute walks during the week. I have hand weights at home and will continue the strengthening exercises for my back that the physical therapist showed me. It's a start.
What about you? What's going to be your exercise plan? I'd love to meet any of you in town and walk the square or the track around the YMCA or wherever.
Are you answering the questions at the end of every chapter? Are you reading the emails with me? Are y'all out there?
Lysa's focus today was on how our bodies are where the Holy Spirit lives. It gives me a fresh perspective when I think of it that way. God has given us this one body as a gift. And it's up to us to treat it well and take care of it.
I'll be back tomorrow. Until then...
Let's start moving.
Terri
I used to love exercise. It was part of my life. I was a committed walker. I did it alone, with friends, whenever I had a spare afternoon or early morning. I enjoyed it because it was a great stress reliever for me. I also justified the junk food and overeating I did as I'd tell myself how much I'd exercised that day. Everything I did with eating was justified somehow.
I don't enjoy walking so much anymore. With the hip replacements it causes pain after walking a certain distance. I love biking, but it's getting colder outside. I used to swim laps at Johnson Park in Conyers, but its 35 minutes from my house and now it's always crowded with swim team practices. I know I have to find something and just go for it. So here it is: my neighbor is giving me an older type stationary bike. God is good, isn't He? Now I can exercise inside when the weather is bad. I'm keeping tennis shoes in the car so I can throw in a couple of 30-minute walks during the week. I have hand weights at home and will continue the strengthening exercises for my back that the physical therapist showed me. It's a start.
What about you? What's going to be your exercise plan? I'd love to meet any of you in town and walk the square or the track around the YMCA or wherever.
Are you answering the questions at the end of every chapter? Are you reading the emails with me? Are y'all out there?
Lysa's focus today was on how our bodies are where the Holy Spirit lives. It gives me a fresh perspective when I think of it that way. God has given us this one body as a gift. And it's up to us to treat it well and take care of it.
I'll be back tomorrow. Until then...
Let's start moving.
Terri
Saturday, November 9, 2013
DAY 9-Chapter 8
What's your motivation for getting healthy and losing weight? All of my past motivations have been shallow and in vain.
I'm going to tell you what they are (were). I have a lot of skinny friends I'm close to. I love them dearly and they love me. They may even be reading this. But when I'm with them, I feel really fat. Most of them can pretty much eat what they want. Well, the truth is, they don't overeat and binge on food, using it as a comfort. I can't count how many times I've secretly vowed to myself I was going to lose weight so I can be thin like them. I know, I know, not healthy thinking.
Another motivation has been because I valued my worth by how big or small I am. I can't believe I even saying it. Oh, I'd say my motivation is to get healthy, be stronger, take all these pounds of pressure off my degenerating joints, blah, blah, blah. The real reason has been to be thinner.
One last motivation which is just as shallow as the first two is I care what people think about me. When they think about me, I haven't wanted their thoughts of me to include anything relating to "heavy", "overweight", "thick" or "chubby".
The permanent shift in my thinking is coming. Is yours? My motivation now and where I want to get to is much deeper than my past motivations. I hope and want for my satisfaction to come from one thing: obedience to the Lord.
"Lord, please let this be our new and permanent motivation. We can't do this in our own strength, we can in Yours."
Motivated,
Terri
I'm going to tell you what they are (were). I have a lot of skinny friends I'm close to. I love them dearly and they love me. They may even be reading this. But when I'm with them, I feel really fat. Most of them can pretty much eat what they want. Well, the truth is, they don't overeat and binge on food, using it as a comfort. I can't count how many times I've secretly vowed to myself I was going to lose weight so I can be thin like them. I know, I know, not healthy thinking.
Another motivation has been because I valued my worth by how big or small I am. I can't believe I even saying it. Oh, I'd say my motivation is to get healthy, be stronger, take all these pounds of pressure off my degenerating joints, blah, blah, blah. The real reason has been to be thinner.
One last motivation which is just as shallow as the first two is I care what people think about me. When they think about me, I haven't wanted their thoughts of me to include anything relating to "heavy", "overweight", "thick" or "chubby".
The permanent shift in my thinking is coming. Is yours? My motivation now and where I want to get to is much deeper than my past motivations. I hope and want for my satisfaction to come from one thing: obedience to the Lord.
"Lord, please let this be our new and permanent motivation. We can't do this in our own strength, we can in Yours."
Motivated,
Terri
Friday, November 8, 2013
Day 8 - Chapter 7
I'll start on Monday. Friday is the worst time to start a new eating plan anyway with the weekend ahead. There's this baby shower tomorrow and a pot luck on Sunday and dinner with the Vienersweets Sunday night. So, yes, I'll just wait until Monday when the week is fresh.
Monday comes and someone brings fresh homemade banana nut bread to work. Tuesday is Mexican day and everyone wants you to join them for lunch. Wednesday morning as you're packing your lunch for work, you see the leftover Lasagna from the prior weekend in the frig. Rather than wasting it (since you're a frugal person) you decide to have it for lunch. Thursday your husband or boyfriend wants to take you to Longhorn for dinner. You could get the shrimp and vegetables. But you'd rather have a steak and baked potato. Then you remember that Friday night is girls' night out. Oh, what the heck, I'll just start on Monday. Again.
The cycle goes on. I've soooo done this. Monday never comes.
I've also started many diets on Mondays. I eventually would use up all my willpower though and the little progress I made ended in defeat when my food choices hadn't become permanent ones. I always told myself if I could just get down to a certain number on the scale I was sure I could keep it there. I am obviously not able to do that.
In Chapter 7 Lysa talks about our worth and identity in Christ. The numbers on the scales do not define our worth. It's only a number that indicates our body weight. Period. Then why do I feel so irritable if I weigh myself and the numbers don't budge or the only direction they go in is up. Or why do I feel elated when the numbers drop? This is an area I need to work in. So, as I said the other day, I'm not weighing myself.
I want a more intimate connection with the Lord before I try to make this about numbers. If this is going to be a permanent change for me, the scale has to go bye-bye for now.
What about you? Let me hear from you about how you're doing. terrijwebster@gmail.com.
No longer defined by numbers,
Terri
Monday comes and someone brings fresh homemade banana nut bread to work. Tuesday is Mexican day and everyone wants you to join them for lunch. Wednesday morning as you're packing your lunch for work, you see the leftover Lasagna from the prior weekend in the frig. Rather than wasting it (since you're a frugal person) you decide to have it for lunch. Thursday your husband or boyfriend wants to take you to Longhorn for dinner. You could get the shrimp and vegetables. But you'd rather have a steak and baked potato. Then you remember that Friday night is girls' night out. Oh, what the heck, I'll just start on Monday. Again.
The cycle goes on. I've soooo done this. Monday never comes.
I've also started many diets on Mondays. I eventually would use up all my willpower though and the little progress I made ended in defeat when my food choices hadn't become permanent ones. I always told myself if I could just get down to a certain number on the scale I was sure I could keep it there. I am obviously not able to do that.
In Chapter 7 Lysa talks about our worth and identity in Christ. The numbers on the scales do not define our worth. It's only a number that indicates our body weight. Period. Then why do I feel so irritable if I weigh myself and the numbers don't budge or the only direction they go in is up. Or why do I feel elated when the numbers drop? This is an area I need to work in. So, as I said the other day, I'm not weighing myself.
I want a more intimate connection with the Lord before I try to make this about numbers. If this is going to be a permanent change for me, the scale has to go bye-bye for now.
What about you? Let me hear from you about how you're doing. terrijwebster@gmail.com.
No longer defined by numbers,
Terri
Thursday, November 7, 2013
DAY 7 - Chapter 6
This post is coming late at the end of the day. This is the end of the first week of our 21-day challenge.
The Day 7 email titled, "Finding My Beautiful" hits home for me. Does it you? If you haven't signed up for the emails you can still do so. Go to www.madetocrave.org and click on 21-day challenge.
Have you ever compared yourself to other women? Physically? Financially? Vocationally? I think we all have the same answer to that question. It's hard not to. Why do we do it? How can we stop?
There are some things I can't change about my body. There are things about your body you can't change. God made us all uniquely special for His own purpose. I've always hated the space between my front two teeth. For some reason, God made me with that space. I could've paid to have it fixed, but never did. I can't change my voice or the color of my eyes or skin. I can't change my height or broad build. I'll never have long legs. So I'm just going to accept what I can't change. I'm going to change the things I can and pray for the wisdom to know the difference.
If you're a female reading this right now, will you work with me in finding your beautiful? I must admit, this is going to take more than a day, week, month. Could it start with being thankful for all the good and yes, beautiful things about our body? Being thankful for the body we do have will help us to want to take better care of it. Not so we can be thinner or fit into certain clothes. It will be so we can serve Him in the capacity that He's called us to.
"My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work." John 4:34.
Being thankful and finding my beautiful,
Terri
The Day 7 email titled, "Finding My Beautiful" hits home for me. Does it you? If you haven't signed up for the emails you can still do so. Go to www.madetocrave.org and click on 21-day challenge.
Have you ever compared yourself to other women? Physically? Financially? Vocationally? I think we all have the same answer to that question. It's hard not to. Why do we do it? How can we stop?
There are some things I can't change about my body. There are things about your body you can't change. God made us all uniquely special for His own purpose. I've always hated the space between my front two teeth. For some reason, God made me with that space. I could've paid to have it fixed, but never did. I can't change my voice or the color of my eyes or skin. I can't change my height or broad build. I'll never have long legs. So I'm just going to accept what I can't change. I'm going to change the things I can and pray for the wisdom to know the difference.
If you're a female reading this right now, will you work with me in finding your beautiful? I must admit, this is going to take more than a day, week, month. Could it start with being thankful for all the good and yes, beautiful things about our body? Being thankful for the body we do have will help us to want to take better care of it. Not so we can be thinner or fit into certain clothes. It will be so we can serve Him in the capacity that He's called us to.
"My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work." John 4:34.
Being thankful and finding my beautiful,
Terri
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
DAY SIX - Chapter 5
Hi Everybody,
If you're on this journey...I mean truly on this journey, you're most likely experiencing the honeymoon phase that Lysa mentiones in Chapter 5. How did she know this? That's exactly what it feels like to me. I'm excited, pumped and determined. I think about it all my waking hours. It's like a new relationship. In a way it is. A new relationship with food. Then the honeymoon will end. Bummer.
I know it's not always going to be this easy. In addition to a new eating plan on this journey, I know I have to add exercise. I used to love exercise. I always had my walking shoes with me and every chance I got that's what I did. Walked and walked and walked.
I was at a crossroads this afternoon when I sat at the red light at the intersection of Hwy 278 and Alcovy Rd., in Covington. I could either turn left and go home where I knew I wouldn't walk. Or go straight, park my car at the YMCA and walk the outdoor track. My tennis shoes stared at me from the floor on the passenger side. I had no excuse. The weather was gorgeous. I had no place else to be and it wasn't even 4:30 yet.
So I did it. I went straight through the light to the Y and parked. I walked 2 miles in 34 minutes. Not bad for someone with 2 hip replacements and chronic low-back pain. All I could think though was how much easier it's going to be when I'm 30 pounds lighter.
We are made for more y'all. You are a child of the One True King. I am a child of the One True King. We were made for more than our present physical state. I want to be able to serve God in the capacity He's called me to. Don't you?
Friends don't let friends eat before thinking. That's the title of today's email for Day 6. Think first. Always think first. This is where I'm going to have to retrain my....thinking. Think before my compulsion takes control.
Remember to email me at terrijwebster@gmail.com to share.
If any of you want to meet somewhere and walk together or share our journey, let me know.
In the honeymoon phase,
Terri
If you're on this journey...I mean truly on this journey, you're most likely experiencing the honeymoon phase that Lysa mentiones in Chapter 5. How did she know this? That's exactly what it feels like to me. I'm excited, pumped and determined. I think about it all my waking hours. It's like a new relationship. In a way it is. A new relationship with food. Then the honeymoon will end. Bummer.
I know it's not always going to be this easy. In addition to a new eating plan on this journey, I know I have to add exercise. I used to love exercise. I always had my walking shoes with me and every chance I got that's what I did. Walked and walked and walked.
I was at a crossroads this afternoon when I sat at the red light at the intersection of Hwy 278 and Alcovy Rd., in Covington. I could either turn left and go home where I knew I wouldn't walk. Or go straight, park my car at the YMCA and walk the outdoor track. My tennis shoes stared at me from the floor on the passenger side. I had no excuse. The weather was gorgeous. I had no place else to be and it wasn't even 4:30 yet.
So I did it. I went straight through the light to the Y and parked. I walked 2 miles in 34 minutes. Not bad for someone with 2 hip replacements and chronic low-back pain. All I could think though was how much easier it's going to be when I'm 30 pounds lighter.
We are made for more y'all. You are a child of the One True King. I am a child of the One True King. We were made for more than our present physical state. I want to be able to serve God in the capacity He's called me to. Don't you?
Friends don't let friends eat before thinking. That's the title of today's email for Day 6. Think first. Always think first. This is where I'm going to have to retrain my....thinking. Think before my compulsion takes control.
Remember to email me at terrijwebster@gmail.com to share.
If any of you want to meet somewhere and walk together or share our journey, let me know.
In the honeymoon phase,
Terri
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
DAY 5 - Chapter 4
Hey y'all,
I'm aware that the comment section isn't working. I've enabled all my cookies and done everything I know to do. If you want to email me, please do so, I want to hear from y'all. My email is terrijwebster@gmail.com. If anyone knows about Blogger and can help me or knows someone who can, I'd very much appreciate it. I have my limits with technical issues.
We're on Day 5 and Chapter 4. It's interesting how withdrawal from certain foods can cause so much physically. I don't doubt that all processed sugars and artificial sweeteners are addictive along with all the preservatives, hormones and chemicals that are added to convenience foods. Our bodies are full of these and have been our whole lives, especially here in the land of plenty. So, we can expect withdrawals. They might not hit until after we complete the 21 day challenge. I just want to let you know that for me this won't stop at the end of 21 days. I plan to continue this somehow with anyone who wants to do this permanently. By then I'll have the blogging part figured out and a different site from this one.
Aanyhoo, today Lysa shared her intense struggle with withdrawals and how they didn't hit until several weeks into her new eating plan. We've just started, so I do expect the hard, bad days to come, especially as life will not stop for us to get healthy. Life will still hit us in the face everyday.
Yesterday I mentioned my own health issues with my thyroid and arthritis. I want to hear about yours (terrijwebster@gmail.com). So I know for me, I have to eliminate gluten and sugar. Before I make it too complicated for myself, that's all I'm going to focus on. That's a lot of food to eliminate though, right? Fortunately I have been working on that for a few months, which resulted (I believe) in my thyroid meds being reduced. Even though my doctor stated to me it didn't. It just makes me that much more determined to continue on this journey.
Chapter 4 also mentions the need for strong accountability, which we all need. We're not meant to go through life alone, so please know how thankful I am for you all as we try to get healthier and allow Jesus to become the power we need to get there. Without Him, I know I couldn't do this. Without Him, I couldn't do anything. All praises to Him!
Don't forget to arm yourself with healthy snacks while you're running around today doing for everyone else. We are precious in God's sight and He really does care what we put in our bodies.
Your accountability friend,
Terri
I'm aware that the comment section isn't working. I've enabled all my cookies and done everything I know to do. If you want to email me, please do so, I want to hear from y'all. My email is terrijwebster@gmail.com. If anyone knows about Blogger and can help me or knows someone who can, I'd very much appreciate it. I have my limits with technical issues.
We're on Day 5 and Chapter 4. It's interesting how withdrawal from certain foods can cause so much physically. I don't doubt that all processed sugars and artificial sweeteners are addictive along with all the preservatives, hormones and chemicals that are added to convenience foods. Our bodies are full of these and have been our whole lives, especially here in the land of plenty. So, we can expect withdrawals. They might not hit until after we complete the 21 day challenge. I just want to let you know that for me this won't stop at the end of 21 days. I plan to continue this somehow with anyone who wants to do this permanently. By then I'll have the blogging part figured out and a different site from this one.
Aanyhoo, today Lysa shared her intense struggle with withdrawals and how they didn't hit until several weeks into her new eating plan. We've just started, so I do expect the hard, bad days to come, especially as life will not stop for us to get healthy. Life will still hit us in the face everyday.
Yesterday I mentioned my own health issues with my thyroid and arthritis. I want to hear about yours (terrijwebster@gmail.com). So I know for me, I have to eliminate gluten and sugar. Before I make it too complicated for myself, that's all I'm going to focus on. That's a lot of food to eliminate though, right? Fortunately I have been working on that for a few months, which resulted (I believe) in my thyroid meds being reduced. Even though my doctor stated to me it didn't. It just makes me that much more determined to continue on this journey.
Chapter 4 also mentions the need for strong accountability, which we all need. We're not meant to go through life alone, so please know how thankful I am for you all as we try to get healthier and allow Jesus to become the power we need to get there. Without Him, I know I couldn't do this. Without Him, I couldn't do anything. All praises to Him!
Don't forget to arm yourself with healthy snacks while you're running around today doing for everyone else. We are precious in God's sight and He really does care what we put in our bodies.
Your accountability friend,
Terri
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