Starting Weight Watchers right before Thanksgiving was.................. the best thing I could have done. I've lost 6 lbs since starting last week, and even though that's not a lot, it's a start.
During the holidays, it's so easy succumb to the lure of constant decadence. Every commercial, every storefront, every gathering.... all seem to worship food and its pleasure. As a person who loves food, these images have a strong effect on me. Am I a food addict? Perhaps... but by the very fact that we must eat in order to live, we all are AT LEAST dependent on food. That God created our taste buds and that He made some foods so very appealing indicate that He wants us to enjoy what we eat. It is without hesitation that I (and most others) happily participate in this relationship... that is, the one between man and food.
While God made eating enjoyable, it was only perhaps so that we would take the time to do so in order to sustain our bodies, His temple. Somewhere along the line, this mission got twisted. No longer was eating just a means to keep the body healthy and strong, but I started eating just for the joy of it, the comfort of it, and the feeling of it. My purpose for eating changed, and it no longer focused on God and the care and keeping of the temple of the Holy Spirit. It was now focused on ME and what I wanted. "Houston, we have a problem...."
So, I am refocusing. Now, this doesn't mean that I'm never going to indulge in something decadent. Trust me, dark chocolate will always be a part of my diet. But I am thinking more along the lines of, "What foods will make my body stronger and healthier and what foods will cripple my immunity and weaken my overall well being?"
So, more greens.
More beans.
More berries.
Fewer sugars.
Fewer starches.
Fewer trips to the Double Arches. :-)
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Blog #3
HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!!!
Can I just tell you how glad... RELIEVED I am that I've started Weight Watchers right before the major holidays??? I'm serious! Many people may think, "Oh, but the feasting is SO GOOD!" Of course, they're right, but let's talk about feasting for a second.
Thanksgiving: This is a holiday where the Puritans, after suffering almost unbearable hardship and famine, gave thanks to God for their plentiful harvest and His goodness. It can be deduced that the fare that day included wild foul, venison, nuts, berries, grains, and squash. I've read that sugar was in short supply and so if there was anything sweet, it was most likely sweetened with honey or berries. Whatever they ate, I hope it amazingly delicious... and that they ate until they were full... because it had been a long time since they could say that they actually had, had enough to eat.
Today, all we have to do is open our pantries or drive to the nearest corner and we too can have just about all of the above (save the venison in most parts) in the blink of an eye. Almost every day is a feast for most American families (although this could be changing since our economy is in its present state, but that's a chat for a different day). We have meat, vegetables, starches, sweets, fruits... and really we try to eat some of each every day. If we think about it, by the Puritan's standards and those of many other people currently around the world, AMERICANS FEAST EVERY DAY.
Of course, there are benefits to having healthy food at our fingertips. Scurvy is scarce. Rickets isn't rampant. We're tall, strong, and well nourished. Now the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction and our lives have become centered on food. Let me be more personal here, MY life has become centered around food. I love its aroma, the process it takes to put together something delicious. the satisfaction of swallowing something scrumptious, be it savory or sweet. Every day has become a bit of a feast... and that's what has gotten me to be the 328 lbs that I am.
So, back to Thanksgiving. Yes, Henry and I are having turkey, potatoes, cranberries, corn bread stuffing, and pumpkin pie and I will be counting my Weight Watchers points the entire time. This year we opted to purchase most of our feast precooked from our favorite grocery store. They do a great job and we just wanted some time to relax and reflect on how good God is and be thankful for all the blessings He's showered on us. Here are just a few that I'd like to share:
1.) Henry - I have the most patient and loving husband and I am so thankful for him. He was worth the wait.
2.) Selah - She is healthy, smart, funny, and just the most incredible joy. She was worth the wait.
3.) Our friends and family - I love you all dearly
4.) Our church - the teaching, fellowship, and oversight are a blessing and a rare treasure
5.) Our employment - work is hard, but are employed. Can I get an AMEN!?!?!?
6.) Our freedom and provision - Praise God that we haven't been starving and freezing and facing horrible living conditions as the Pilgrims did as they made their way to the new world and started a new life. And praise God that I still have the freedom to do just that... PRAISE GOD.
Again, Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Can I just tell you how glad... RELIEVED I am that I've started Weight Watchers right before the major holidays??? I'm serious! Many people may think, "Oh, but the feasting is SO GOOD!" Of course, they're right, but let's talk about feasting for a second.
Thanksgiving: This is a holiday where the Puritans, after suffering almost unbearable hardship and famine, gave thanks to God for their plentiful harvest and His goodness. It can be deduced that the fare that day included wild foul, venison, nuts, berries, grains, and squash. I've read that sugar was in short supply and so if there was anything sweet, it was most likely sweetened with honey or berries. Whatever they ate, I hope it amazingly delicious... and that they ate until they were full... because it had been a long time since they could say that they actually had, had enough to eat.
Today, all we have to do is open our pantries or drive to the nearest corner and we too can have just about all of the above (save the venison in most parts) in the blink of an eye. Almost every day is a feast for most American families (although this could be changing since our economy is in its present state, but that's a chat for a different day). We have meat, vegetables, starches, sweets, fruits... and really we try to eat some of each every day. If we think about it, by the Puritan's standards and those of many other people currently around the world, AMERICANS FEAST EVERY DAY.
Of course, there are benefits to having healthy food at our fingertips. Scurvy is scarce. Rickets isn't rampant. We're tall, strong, and well nourished. Now the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction and our lives have become centered on food. Let me be more personal here, MY life has become centered around food. I love its aroma, the process it takes to put together something delicious. the satisfaction of swallowing something scrumptious, be it savory or sweet. Every day has become a bit of a feast... and that's what has gotten me to be the 328 lbs that I am.
So, back to Thanksgiving. Yes, Henry and I are having turkey, potatoes, cranberries, corn bread stuffing, and pumpkin pie and I will be counting my Weight Watchers points the entire time. This year we opted to purchase most of our feast precooked from our favorite grocery store. They do a great job and we just wanted some time to relax and reflect on how good God is and be thankful for all the blessings He's showered on us. Here are just a few that I'd like to share:
1.) Henry - I have the most patient and loving husband and I am so thankful for him. He was worth the wait.
2.) Selah - She is healthy, smart, funny, and just the most incredible joy. She was worth the wait.
3.) Our friends and family - I love you all dearly
4.) Our church - the teaching, fellowship, and oversight are a blessing and a rare treasure
5.) Our employment - work is hard, but are employed. Can I get an AMEN!?!?!?
6.) Our freedom and provision - Praise God that we haven't been starving and freezing and facing horrible living conditions as the Pilgrims did as they made their way to the new world and started a new life. And praise God that I still have the freedom to do just that... PRAISE GOD.
Again, Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Monday, November 19, 2012
Day 2....
I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and encouragement I have received already from so many people! You all have no idea how much it means for you all to know where I am at the inception of this endeavor and instead of judging me, you've come along side of me. Bless you and THANK you. I'll be leaning on you, even when you don't realize it.
As some of you have seen on my facebook through various discussions, I do have some other health issues that make this weight loss and transformation more pressing. First of all, I have Lupus. Fortunately, it's not very serious and it's in remission. However, every now and then it makes itself known in its all-too-charming "syndromatic" ways. My joints get very sore and I get rashes (not the typical butterfly rash) on face and body. These are annoying, but the more problematic health issue I face is a severe IgA deficiency. What is an IgA deficiency? I'm so glad you asked. :-)
Back in college, I used to get sick... VERY sick... often.... VERY often. I thought it was caused by late nights, being involved in too many activities, and being overly social. While those things didn't help the situation, the sicknesses didn't stop after college. Bronchitis would come and go at least 4-5 times a year. This was devastating to a vocal major who depended on her voice for a possible future occupation. Finally, it became very clear that my health wasn't stable enough for me to pursue that dream and I was going to have to choose another route. After seeing doctor after doctor, and being on COUNTLESS antibiotics, it was finally discovered that I am missing a protein from my blood (immunoglobulin A) that helps protect the body against viral and bacterial infections. (Click on this link for more information on IgA Deficiency.) Being sick so often and then having such a long recovery time has greatly inhibited my activity level. It's not that I can't be active... it's just that when I come down with an upper respiratory infection, it usually takes a few weeks before my lungs feel normal again and are ready for any kind of real exertion. There's no other way to describe this other than it's a real pain and is extremely discouraging at times.
My faith in Jesus Christ and the sovereignty of God is what has carried me through the ups and downs of all of this. I know my health could be a lot worse and I am grateful for the moderately good health that I enjoy most of the time. In that vein, I feel that it is my responsibility to strengthen myself and fight against forces that are trying to destroy my body.
So again, it brings me here... to Weight Watchers and to this blog to document my journey.
Tomorrow, I am going to talk about how I'm also going to incorporate eating gluten free.
I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and encouragement I have received already from so many people! You all have no idea how much it means for you all to know where I am at the inception of this endeavor and instead of judging me, you've come along side of me. Bless you and THANK you. I'll be leaning on you, even when you don't realize it.
As some of you have seen on my facebook through various discussions, I do have some other health issues that make this weight loss and transformation more pressing. First of all, I have Lupus. Fortunately, it's not very serious and it's in remission. However, every now and then it makes itself known in its all-too-charming "syndromatic" ways. My joints get very sore and I get rashes (not the typical butterfly rash) on face and body. These are annoying, but the more problematic health issue I face is a severe IgA deficiency. What is an IgA deficiency? I'm so glad you asked. :-)
Back in college, I used to get sick... VERY sick... often.... VERY often. I thought it was caused by late nights, being involved in too many activities, and being overly social. While those things didn't help the situation, the sicknesses didn't stop after college. Bronchitis would come and go at least 4-5 times a year. This was devastating to a vocal major who depended on her voice for a possible future occupation. Finally, it became very clear that my health wasn't stable enough for me to pursue that dream and I was going to have to choose another route. After seeing doctor after doctor, and being on COUNTLESS antibiotics, it was finally discovered that I am missing a protein from my blood (immunoglobulin A) that helps protect the body against viral and bacterial infections. (Click on this link for more information on IgA Deficiency.) Being sick so often and then having such a long recovery time has greatly inhibited my activity level. It's not that I can't be active... it's just that when I come down with an upper respiratory infection, it usually takes a few weeks before my lungs feel normal again and are ready for any kind of real exertion. There's no other way to describe this other than it's a real pain and is extremely discouraging at times.
My faith in Jesus Christ and the sovereignty of God is what has carried me through the ups and downs of all of this. I know my health could be a lot worse and I am grateful for the moderately good health that I enjoy most of the time. In that vein, I feel that it is my responsibility to strengthen myself and fight against forces that are trying to destroy my body.
So again, it brings me here... to Weight Watchers and to this blog to document my journey.
Tomorrow, I am going to talk about how I'm also going to incorporate eating gluten free.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Ok. Here's the disgusting truth. I stepped on the scale today and it revealed a MAJOR problem.... One which I've ignored and battled off and on for years. I've NEVER been this heavy and YES, I am what the medical professionals consider morbidly obese. Shoot. Forget the medical professionals. I KNOW I am morbidly obese. This has to change. Permanently.
Growing up, I was never fat. In fact, I was a tall and skinny kid. Even though I didn't have a weight problem, I wasn't the most athletic or fit child either. At one point in my teen years, a nutritionist told my parents that I had a propensity toward obesity because of my BMI, which I truly don't remember what it was now. This hurt my feelings, but didn't change the way I ate or thought about food. I just sort of kept cruising ... and then came college.
I didn't gain the freshman 15. It was more like the sophomore 50. In between my freshman and sophomore years of college, I spent a summer working in the churches of Mexico City. While there, I contracted a parasite that 1.) made me feel TERRIBLE and 2.) made me lose a TON of weight. I went to the doctor in Mexico and he gave me a pill... just one pill. I felt better. One year later I was at least 50 lbs heavier.
Over the next few years I ballooned and ignored the issue. Throughout the past two decades, I gained and lost weight here and there... and then I got married. Now, I'm not blaming marriage on my weight.... but something happened. My husband and I finally had found one another and suddenly exercise seemed to go on the back burner. Life began to pick up speed and ....
Here I am, now 40 years old, and I weigh 338 lbs. You have NO idea how hard that is for me to broadcast. I'm embarrassed and ashamed by my apparent lack of concern for my health, appearance, well-being, and family However, I have to share that with you so you all know the gravity of this issue. It's time to shift gears and I have a few reasons why it is NECESSARY for me change NOW and blog about my journey:
1.) I now have a daughter. So far, I don't have type 2 diabetes, but I know that's right around the corner if I don't change IMMEDIATELY.
2.) Perhaps someone else, if anyone else ever chooses to read this blog, will resonate with my situation and be encouraged.
3.) Those of you who read this can pray for me as I begin my personal reformation.
4.) By blogging about my journey, I can remember where I started... how I started.... how I felt as I started.
5.) As I move forward, I can write out my goals, celebrate my victories, and bemoan my failures as a press on.
Well, that's enough for a first blog. There's a lot more to share, but my last thought on this for today is this:
My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Really, He doesn't need this big a temple.
Growing up, I was never fat. In fact, I was a tall and skinny kid. Even though I didn't have a weight problem, I wasn't the most athletic or fit child either. At one point in my teen years, a nutritionist told my parents that I had a propensity toward obesity because of my BMI, which I truly don't remember what it was now. This hurt my feelings, but didn't change the way I ate or thought about food. I just sort of kept cruising ... and then came college.
I didn't gain the freshman 15. It was more like the sophomore 50. In between my freshman and sophomore years of college, I spent a summer working in the churches of Mexico City. While there, I contracted a parasite that 1.) made me feel TERRIBLE and 2.) made me lose a TON of weight. I went to the doctor in Mexico and he gave me a pill... just one pill. I felt better. One year later I was at least 50 lbs heavier.
Over the next few years I ballooned and ignored the issue. Throughout the past two decades, I gained and lost weight here and there... and then I got married. Now, I'm not blaming marriage on my weight.... but something happened. My husband and I finally had found one another and suddenly exercise seemed to go on the back burner. Life began to pick up speed and ....
Here I am, now 40 years old, and I weigh 338 lbs. You have NO idea how hard that is for me to broadcast. I'm embarrassed and ashamed by my apparent lack of concern for my health, appearance, well-being, and family However, I have to share that with you so you all know the gravity of this issue. It's time to shift gears and I have a few reasons why it is NECESSARY for me change NOW and blog about my journey:
1.) I now have a daughter. So far, I don't have type 2 diabetes, but I know that's right around the corner if I don't change IMMEDIATELY.
2.) Perhaps someone else, if anyone else ever chooses to read this blog, will resonate with my situation and be encouraged.
3.) Those of you who read this can pray for me as I begin my personal reformation.
4.) By blogging about my journey, I can remember where I started... how I started.... how I felt as I started.
5.) As I move forward, I can write out my goals, celebrate my victories, and bemoan my failures as a press on.
Well, that's enough for a first blog. There's a lot more to share, but my last thought on this for today is this:
My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Really, He doesn't need this big a temple.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)