Tag Archives: food plan

New Food Plan-ASK / Support Group

Posted on by

I’ve been reading a lot of blogs that encourage you to share your link and connect with others. Good idea! 

A few days ago, I wrote about my latest weight loss counseling session with the Lord. He instructed me to follow a new food plan. 

First, give up my desserts for 40 days. Then the most important part, ask Him for advice before eating my meals. This new food plan is called ASK because that’s the focus, ask God first, and seek His will concerning my food plan.

Several people said they wanted to join me. That’s good, because if img_8718God delivered me of over 90 pounds (94), He’ll deliver you too. 

You must talk to my weight loss counselor. He’s the best. Highly recommended. His plan worked for me, why not you too?

________

For there is no partiality with God. Romans 2:11 NKJV

___________________

I share my story  because I want others to find the same victory God has graciously given to me.

After seeking God’s direction for this evening, it just occurred to me, why don’t we form a support group to encourage each other?

________________

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4: 12 NLT

______________________

IMG_3034No diets and no judgments, this is not a diet group. The point of this is to seek God’s will concerning your food. God has a plan for you, a plan for a hope and a future. Yes, even a food plan for you. 

We can share with one another how God is leading you to eat, but we won’t tell each other what to eat.

IMG_4421

 

Post your  food plan for today (or just that you had victory today) in the comments. Write a blog post about it and post your  link so we all can connect and support each other on to victory.

 

MY OVERINDULGENCE

Posted on by

IMG_5235Lord Jesus, I weighed the other night at a retail store. I should have known better. I’d already ate two meals of the day, drank four cups coffee, one bottle of water, and three huge glasses of tea. The scales said I’ve gained weight. What did I expect?

The point is I do know I’ve eaten too much. Even though I ‘ve followed the food plan You gave me,  (Eat only three meals a day with half portions, and no snacks) I must confess I ate too many halves of too many desserts.

Oh, how easily gluttony raises its ugly head. How quickly I run to it. Ooh, sweets, ooh, chocolate. Let’s see, I’ll have half of this and half of that, oh yes, I’ll have half of this, that, too. Oh yes, yum. I want it. Give it to me, now. IMG_5411

Lord, I looked at these desserts for pleasure and comfort. Didn’t even asked Your advice. I just went on automatic and turned on the green light. Go, go for it. You can have 1/2 of it all. I told myself, “You’re still doing right because you’re only eating half. You’re still obeying the rules. It’s ok. Oh, look at that, you haven’t had any of that. Go ahead, get some, just eat half. It’s okay to get it, if you just eat half. Oh, get you some girl.”

IMG_5249Lord, I knew I wasn’t losing because I felt full. Even when it was time for the next meal, I still felt full from the previous meal. So I thought, “Let’s exercise. Exercise is good. You’ll work this off.” So I rode the stationary bike 5 miles a day, 4/5 days. I walked two miles some days.

Wrong, it didn’t work that way. I still gained. Got caught with my hand in the cookie jar. So what do I do now? I don’t want to get caught up in counting calories, bondage to dieting, or even excessive exercising to work off my overindulgence.IMG_4029

Lord, I’ve failed again. I’m ashamed at my behavior at the feeding trough. I followed the rules You gave me, but I STILL OVERINDULGED.  I don’t think more rules are the answer. I ‘ve been so distracted by so many things. Instead of looking to You for guidance, my eyes were on the pantry and the desert bar.

Maybe I can fast my desserts. Yes, I’ve done that in the past and it helped, but I do so enjoy a little sweet at the end of my meal.

My child, just don’t eat so many. Two halves do make one whole. Four halves do make two wholes. That’s part of your issue, too many halves. Limit your desserts to just one, one half of one.

Yes Sir. (Hanging my head.)

My child, you have also eaten out Mexican food three times this week and Chinese buffet once. You know these areas are difficult for you, but they both offer salad and vegetables.  You do have options. In the past, it has taken your body a week to recover from one Mexican meal. Now choose a salad or a simple meal, and leave off most of the starchy foods. Even though another person is choosing the restaurant, you choose from the menu. Choose wisely and your body won’t react as much.

I do want you to enjoy your food, but I don’t want you to consider food as the source of your joy. Look to Me for your joy. Yes,  your eyes focused on your food pleasures, not on Me.

Feed on My Word and renew your mind. Feed your spirit and be strengthened. As your spirit grows stronger, the fleshly desires will decrease. If you are full of Me these strongholds and weights that so easily entraps you will leave. It is My Presence that gives you strength to resist temptation.

Now about that pity party you had last night over what that machine told you. Did it make sense for you to overeat at supper because you saw a weight gain? Yes, you still followed the plan I gave you. But you ate half of yours and then some of his half too. You told yourself it’s just half and the “I’ll eat now because I’ll do better tomorrow.” Has that plan ever worked for you before?

No Lord, it never has. It only increased my struggles to break free.

I see. . . My child, today is a new day. You will start over, this time with a new mindset. I am a God of second chances. I specialize in new beginnings, new life.

That’s what I want, a new life free of this bondage to overeating and excess weight. Lord, will this temptation ever go away?

My child, temptation is always there waiting for the opportune time to come forth, but as long as you stay full of My Presence you will have the strength and mindset to resist these temptations. I did not come to give you more rules to follow, I came to bring you freedom. I’ve come to set you free

____________________________

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”                   John 4:24 NKJV

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  I Corinthians 3:16 NKJV

Just because something is technically legal doesn’t mean that it’s spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by with, I’d be a slave to my whims. You know the old saying, “First you eat to live, and then you live to eat”? Well, it may be true that the body is only a temporary thing, but that’s no excuse for stuffing your body with food, or indulging it with sex. Since the Master honors you with a body, honor him with your body! I Corinthians 6:12-13 (The Message)

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4: 7-8 NKJV

IMG_5409IMG_5125

TIBITS/ HELPFUL HINTS – WHAT I LEARNED ON MY WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY

Posted on by

(Disclaimer: I’m allowed sweets on my food plan though I can only eat half or less. The following list explains how I eat my sweets. I do find it interesting that since I’m allowed sweets, they just don’t entice me as they once did. Don’t get me wrong. I do love my deserts, but they no longer call my name. Sometimes I’m just not interested. Imagine that. God has set me free.

I do apologize to my friends that are on restricted diets for one reason or another. God gave me a food program I could live with for the rest of my life. He has a plan for you too. IMG_9469Everyone is different. This is just what worked for me. It was a slow process, but it was the easiest process for me. God knew I couldn’t stick to a diet after 41 years of dieting failures. So He gave me a plan I could stick to, which included some sweets.) Continue reading

HOPE AND VICTORY

Posted on by

IMG_1881 I have joined a writer’s group that submits a story every week based on a scripture cue. I would like to share them with you, although they won’t all relate to weight loss. Then again, they may. Hope you enjoy.

I have enjoyed writing for this group. My stories are a little odd, but I pray asking God for guidance each week. I also draw from my personal life/feelings as I write about the characters. It’s fun. I enjoy it.

The following story, although it’s about a prostitute’s journey, it does relate to my weight loss. For years I would worship God, ask Him to guide me to His will, and then I ran to my other lover, the pleasure of food.  Yes, I admit my other lover was food pleasure. Therefore I sold out my body to another, I was a prostitute. Continue reading

SHOULD I EXERCISE?

Posted on by

IMG_3113 Today Lord, I decided to go for a walk. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, birds were singing, and there was  a light breeze. The sunshine felt warm and wonderful. I enjoyed visiting with a couple as they decorated their yard. Further down, I talked with a  young mother as she supervised her daughter.  Instead of it being the drudgery of exercise, this walk was a pleasure.  At one point I was singing praise songs to You and I felt Your Presence with Me.

I have been reading about all the exercise programs that others are doing to lose weight. Do You think I should be exercising? With Your help I have already lost 63 pounds, but all these others are working so hard with their plans.  After yoga, aerobics, and running, one lady said she dances while she cooks supper. I think I’d die if I tried to keep up with her. I get tired just reading about her exercise.

IMG_2284Although, I am beginning to wonder if I need to do some type of exercise. A sister in law used to talk about taking belly dancing lessons. After looking at this outfit I decided that belly dancing is not for me. Lord, You have seen my belly and it’s not a pretty sight. Sometimes, it even dances by itself. No, I don’t think belly dancing is for me.

I downloaded an app to measure my steps as I walk and was able to walk a mile today. That was quite an accomplishment for me since I was considering a nap instead. Everything in me screams in rebellion at the idea of a structured exercise program. Everywhere I look people are working hard to work off their excess weight. I rather curl up with a good book. Lord, what do You think I should do?

IMG_2951-1

Ernestine Shepherd- Oldest female body builder- 77 years old

I designed your body for flexibility and strength. You have heard that if you don’t use it, you will lose it. That’s true. Exercise for the joy of moving is good. When the exercise program becomes the focus of your life, that’s not good. Your focus should be to help those struggling with life, rather than the number of repetitions in your workout. But, you do need to move those body parts to keep them loose and moving freely. Otherwise early stiffness will set in just as rust will set in metal that has been sitting in place.

      My child, you get to choose to exercise or not. Your decision to or not does not affect My purpose or My plans.  Did you see My daughter that chooses to work out and run 10 miles everyday? She is 77 years old with a body any 20 year would love. The difference is that she shares about My love and the strength that is found in My Presence. She reads My Word every day and that is her greatest exercise.

I have given you free will to chose and  I have made a provision for you in case you choose not to exercise.

IMG_2542-0

THE TUMMYACHE! (Past writing ** see note at end.)

Posted on by

IMG_2516

Lord, forgive my gluttony last night at supper.  I was so tired from helping my parents prepare their house for their out-of-town company. After I got home I just wanted to go to bed, but then I had company of my own coming! I had to prepare our supper and then clean up. I just wanted to lay my head on the kitchen table and go to sleep! My supper consisted of bought fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn on the cob, and for dessert “hot apple pie”. Then because I  was so very tired and stressed out, I searched the kitchen for more food! I found a Snicker Bar,  peanut butter cookies, and a nice piece of Boston Crème pie.

Continue reading

A NEW DAY, EXPECTING NEW VICTORY!

Posted on by

IMG_0336     Lord Jesus, forgive me. I broke down last night. It really started yesterday morning when I was more interested in the news than my “sweet time” with You. Then last night I really broke when I started eating all the sweets. There are several sweets in this house due to others here, and I just completely broke down. For two days now, I have struggled against the pull of this temptation , but last night all my resolve just collapsed! Continue reading

WALK BY FAITH, NOT SIGHT!

Posted on by

IMG_9445Lord, I want to stand on those scales really bad! I wonder if I have lost any weight this week?

(Wait My child, obey Me in this! Wait until the appointed time. Remember that your success is not determined by a number from a box you stand on. Your obedience and submission to Me determines your success.)

But Lord, what if I haven’t lost any weight?

(Then, what will you do, My child?) Continue reading

THE MESS! (Writings from last year)

20130926-194042.jpgLord, I have really made a mess of things, haven’t I? I am overdrawn at the bank, overweight, and I haven’t sought You or even listened. Now I ask for help, now that I am in a hole. Lord, how do You put up with me? Lord, I want You, but I seek pleasure in other things. Here I am, a mess, expecting You to put back the pieces! How dare me? Continue reading

DANCE OR DESPAIR!

20130925-194457.jpg[Written over a year ago:]

Lord, I am the lowest I have ever been. My belief level is so low. I am on the edge of just giving up on all my prayers.

(My child, I see and know. I am in charge. I told you that I would not let the enemy win. Why do you doubt what I say? Why do you look at the circumstances? What do you see instead of looking at Me? Continue reading