Friday, March 29, 2013

RESULTS OF STRESS---What's your body telling you?

THEY MISSED ONE!  INCREASED APPETITE! 
 
Thanks to my friend, Laura, for giving this chart to me.  It helps to acknowledge the ORIGIN of the symptoms that we deal with from time to time. This seems OBVIOUS when you look at it, but there's been many a time that I suffered various items in this chart....but didn't connect them to the STRESS I was under...or even worse-yet, the SILENT STRESS that my body was reacting to.  I'm sure there's a different name for it, but what I'm talking about is the way you can be "stressed" without even knowing about it! Your body knows, however, and responds in many, many different ways!  My quest is one of seeing and seeking out the underlying issues that lead to these unwelcome evidences of stress, both Obvious and Obscure!  For me, the most damaging one, OVER-EATING, is the most visible......finding all the "roots" of it is the task at hand.  Habit? Upbringing? Family history? or Stress? Diet is helping me deal with the weight. The rest is an ongoing learning process. 

Thursday, March 28, 2013

IS IT REALLY A BINGE?

Definition:  Binge eating disorder is characterized by consuming large quantities of food in a very short period of time until the individual is uncomfortably full. Binge eating disorder is much like bulimia except the individuals do not use any form of purging (i.e. vomiting, laxatives, fasting, etc.) following a binge. Individuals usually feel out of control during a binge episode, followed by feelings of guilt and shame.  Many individuals who suffer with binge eating disorder use food as a way to cope with or block out feelings and emotions they do not want to feel. Individuals can also use food as a way to numb themselves, to cope with daily life stressors, to provide comfort to themselves or fill a void they feel within. Like all eating disorders, binge eating is a serious problem but can be overcome through proper treatment.

WOW!

So, When does overeating become a binge? Something to think about....




TIP OF THE DAY!








Wednesday, March 27, 2013

IF ONLY



 Looking back, it appears that when I'm dis-satisfied with my life and weight, the IF ONLY mindset has ruled the day.  In 2003, we were living in Salem and I thought "if only" Walter had a full-time church Pastoral appointment things would be better. We moved to Florida in 2004, where I thought that I would be able to lose my weight and my health would improve.  Well, that didn't happen! I weighed 427 when we moved there and did nothing but Yo-Yo my way up to 478 over the course of the three years that followed.  As I struggled to lose the weight, I discovered that I hated the heat, I hated how different it was from Virginia, I hated that in order for my husband to be successful I had to "not hate" the people.  Again, the underlying mindset of "if only" took over. If only, I could "go home" I'd be able to lose weight and everything would be okay.....but going home was not an option.  It's a long story, but in the middle of a seemingly good situation (aside from me not being able to lose any weight) God used very painful and very unexpectedly events to uproot us from Florida, and did, indeed, let me GO HOME! Was I soooo happy that I immediately started losing weight? NO!  Being an emotional/stress eater, I continued to gain weight in response to a whole new set of stressors! The anger and frustration over not understanding what God was doing, Walter's unemployment, my inability to work and my weight-issues were all pretty overwhelming. Walter finally found a job, and a year later, had a heart attack! Walter's recovery was slow and my weight continued to climb!  At 513lbs the "if only's" were everywhere! I even thought, "If only" things would have been different in Florida!  What foolish creatures we are!  Looking back, I truly believe that just as God allowed Joseph to be sold into slavery for His Purposes, He has orchestrated the events in our lives to bring me to today. YES, He moved us 500miles in order for my son to meet a WS patient who had lost 200lbs. That was the spark of HOPE that he was searching for to help me lose weight.  I don't believe in chance, fate or coincidences! God knows what's he's doing! We're the one's that are in the dark, floundering around, entertaining thoughts of "if only" this, and "if only" that. I truly believe that it was God's plan that led me to The Weigh Station in December, 2009! It is His Plan that has put me here today, and will lead me through all of my tomorrows!  

Of course I've been tempted to think  "if only" I had met Dr. Shaffer earlier, but then we wouldn't have learned the lessons that God had for us along the way.


NO MORE 'IF ONLYS"! 

I choose to Live, Love and Learn everything
God has for me today!

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

IN WORD AND DEED

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, My Lord, my strength and my Redeemer! 
Psalm 19:14




Do I let the Lord control my mouth and the words that come out of it?  Do I think before I speak? Ponder the results of my words?
What about the meditations of my heart? 
Am I meditating on positive, Godly instruction? If not, why not?
Do I let the Lord control my mouth and the food that goes into it?
Like many other things, it's a matter of submission!
How do I respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit? 
Do I listen, or do I push him aside in order to do (and think) my own things?
Do I show the love of Jesus in my words and actions? 
Or do I say and do whatever I think is okay?

THE CHOICE OF WORDS IS MINE!
THE CHOICE OF BEHAVIOR IS MINE!
MAY I CHOOSE WISELY THE THINGS I DO AND SAY!
MAY I SHOW TO OTHERS THE GRACE AND LOVE 
THAT THE LORD HAS SHOWN TO ME!












Saturday, March 23, 2013

FACING TEMPTATION AND WINNING

So, You have a social event that you must attend and participate in, how are you going to stay faithful to your eating plan?  First of all, preparation will end the fear of the situation.  







What's the worst thing that can happen if you absolutely see 
NOTHING that you can eat? Bodily harm? Embarrassment?
Starvation? I don't think so!



POSITIVE ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE:

Enjoy the event and the company you keep;
Drink water, coffee or tea
Know that sugar and starch will hurt you and is your enemy!

If there is no protein or veggies at an event,just do not eat!
Pretend you don't feel well, or you are not hungry, or whatever! 
Just don't compromise merely for the sake of doing what everyone expects!

Carb-Addiction: If people were trying to pressure you into taking a drink of alcohol just to be sociable, would you do it? I don't think so!! So, if carbs are our addiction, we must abstain from them the same way we would if our problem was with alcohol! Who cares what other people think?!?! You are protecting your LIFE! Don't throw away all your hard work this week, just to "fit in!"


PROOF:  I've been through my daughter's wedding, my neice's funeral, countless cross-country trips, church dinners and 3 ladies' retreats....YOU CAN DO THIS!!

I'M ALLERGIC, I BREAK OUT IN FAT ALL OVER!  We joke about this, but it is more TRUE than jest! Some people are deathly allergic to certain foods and you can be assured that they DO NOT EAT THEM, just to be polite! Treat sugars and starches the same way you would treat something that was going to make you break out in Hives or cause you to have a migraine headache for 3 days! It's a lot easier to avoid them if you can associate physical PAIN and DISCOMFORT as the result of eating them. Be strong, and know that my thoughts and prayers are with you!


Ephesians 6:11-17 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against therulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore takeunto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and havingdone all, to stand . Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on thebreastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word ofGod:

Friday, March 22, 2013

GENERATION TO GENERATION

 Even when I am old and gray, God, do not abandon me. Then I will proclaim Your power to another generation, Your strength to all who are to come.  Psalm 71:18

When it comes to being "old" I am sure that I am in denial of the years accumulating on my life.  I have been blessed with grandmothers who lived into their nineties, and my mother who will be 96 in just a few weeks!  I'm sure it is because of this, that I don't feel that 50-something is OLD. My hair folicles are the only give away; but of course, theres always MS. CLAIROL to take care of those!


But, on a serious note, occasionally I am made mindful of the question posed: "What will be my legacy?"  Will I be the mom who was sick all the time, too large to move around and have fun, became bed-ridden due to massive weight-gain? A mom who became defeated, depressed and 'gave up' on her life? Heaven-forbid!! I was on-track for these things to be true, but NO MORE!

 The legacy of a woman who was once helpless, super-morbidly obese,  nearly bed-ridden, having given up any HOPE of life being different in the years to come....has and is being changed day by day!  Luckily, I probably have a few more years left to build a new and better legacy for my family! A legacy of Not giving up! One of having a message of hope and help for the generation to follow! The legacy that I desire to build and leave for my five children and their families is one of FAITH IN GOD, VICTORY OVER CARB-ADDICTION, and the physical and emotional evidence of the POWER OF GOD manifested in a MIGHTY WAY!

There are very few pictures of me at my heaviest weight, but there will be plenty of me at a normal weight to share with my grandchildren! God will be glorified in the miracle of my life! I have not arrived...but the journey continues.   Praise God, I can WALK enough to "Put one foot in front of the other!" May I never forget the past as I forge ahead toward a better and healthier future! Building a positive legacy as I LIVE day-by-day in HIS POWER!



  • Day by day, and with each passing moment,
    Strength I find to meet my trials here;
    Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
    I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
    He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
    Gives unto each day what He deems best,
    Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
    Mingling toil with peace and rest.
    Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
  • With a special mercy for each hour;
    All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
    He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r.
    The protection of His child and treasure
    Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
    “As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,“
    This the pledge to me He made.
  • Help me then, in every tribulation,
    So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
    That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation,
    Offered me within Thy holy Word.
    Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
    E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
    One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
    Till with Christ the Lord I stand.







  • Tuesday, March 19, 2013

    SURVIVING CELEBRATIONS!


    So, What are we to do about all the Social Events of Holidays, Birthdays, Summer outings, vacations, etc? We celebrate EVERYTHING with FOOD! You've just gotten started on a weight-loss program, or maybe you've been on it for awhile, and WHAM! There are parties, vacation trips, Baby Showers, one right after another!! What are we to do? Here's my two cents worth on the subject....

    * As long as you are determined, and PLAN AHEAD, you can have a GREAT TIME at each of the events. (Contribute items that you can eat, carry cheese sticks in your purse, ALWAYS carry a bottle of water with you and ALWAYS carry a few of your diet supplements with you.)

    * Smile, Be Happy, and if people want you to eat, or offer you stuff that you don't want to eat...blame it on your doctor! I discovered that once people knew that I was under a Doctor's care and following the Dr's orders, they would leave me alone! Also, if you're happy in your decisions, less people will try and talk you out of them!
    BE PREPARED!

    *Stay focused on others, and they won't be so interested in what you are or aren't eating! Try not to let your "diet" be the subject of conversations; turn it back around in order to get others to talk about what they are doing, or things that they are interested in; be a GREAT LISTENER!

    *If you're all pouty-poor-pitiful-me about not being able to eat, then there will be those who will be right there with "oh, you can have just ONE BITE!" and eager to debate "the list" with you, concerning what foods are healthy for you. (for example: carrots, cantaloupe and tomatoes)

    *Be IRON-CLAD about the LIST (MEMORIZE IT) and have it settled in your mind that what you are doing is really what you WANT to do, and that it is the best thing you can do for yourself!

    *Above all, have a Cheerful, Confident "No Thank You, I don't care for anything." ready on your lips at all times!

    *There are occasions where if your hostess knows that you are dieting, she will ask ahead of time what you CAN eat. My pat answer is "most any kind of protein, eggs and veggies, with a small amount of certain fruits and berries" ...or better yet, NO SUGARS OR STARCH....It kinda' just depends on how helpful the person I'm talking to is; are they really/sincerely interested? or are they just trying to cause me trouble? Usually, the less information and discussion about your program the better (at least when you're just starting out). Be assured, it DOES get easier, especially if you are CONSISTENT! Eventually they will see your results, and admire your determination! Of course, all this is just my opinion and drawn from my own experiences, but I thought I'd share it with you.

    STAGES OF CHANGE




    THE SECRET TO SUCCESSFULLY CHANGING?  Be willing to accept the stages of change! Work with them, adjust where needed, and take another step! Instead of feeling like we're stuck in a downward SPIRAL, we need to turn around and take a look at the STAGES OF CHANGE!



    I am just beginning to learn the concept of the "Stages of Change." I constantly struggle to be in the ACTION stage, headed toward MAINTENANCE. The truth of the matter is, there are hundreds of mini-steps along the way of relapse, comtemplation over how to proceed, preparation for the next step, and then once I think I've made it again.....a new step presents itself!  This thing we call "changing our life" is much more complicated than we think. We are not only changing in one area of our life; each area affects another, and I am at a different 'stage' in each area! Like I said, it's complicated!  The great thing that I am discovering is that, accepting this concept has a positive result of diffusing guilt and self-recrimination! Accepting the ebb and flow of change as being normal leads to more rapid and consistent movement forward in the spiral UP toward maintenance!

    Monday, March 18, 2013

    NEVER GIVE UP!

    TODAY'S Temptations are not CARBS!
    The biggest temptations are the lies that the enemy would entice me to give in to:
    Take the "easy way out" and just QUIT!
    Accept the inevitable and just QUIT!
    Determine that the road is too long, and just QUIT!
    Be ashamed of personal failures, and just QUIT!
    Go HIDE from the world, and just QUIT!

    Guess what, I WILL NOT QUIT! Just like this darling frog, I've got my addiction by the throat and I will NOT be swallowed up by it, nor will I give any credence to the temptations or lies that come in like a flood!
    When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him(Isa 59:19b)


    What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:28-31

    For we are co-workers in God's service; You are God's field, God's building. I Corinthians 3:9




    Saturday, March 16, 2013

    TIPS: The Day After a Binge

    We all know that no weight-loss journey goes without an occasional "falling off the wagon".....so what do we do, "the day after?"

    I found this article online, and thought if would be helpful to keep and pass on to anyone reading this blog. 
    It's not about what causes a Binge, as that is for each individual to discover for themselves, but provides information on what to do the day AFTER. See the website noted at the end for the complete article, these are the specific TIPS offered.
    You wake up the next morning feeling awfully hung over, bloated, and worst of all, guilty for the binge AND the work you probably canceled out at the gym.  So before you go crying and beating yourself up, think logically. Here are the steps for your recovery!

    1. WAKE UP - water + 20-30 minute walk.
         Drink 2 cups water to get rid of those toxins in your body and help alleviate bloat. And, move move move! Use up some of the stored carbs!!
    2. BREAKFAST
         (Oh, before breakfast, try to unload some of the foods from last night before you begin putting more in your tummy.) 
          DO NOT skip breakfast. You may think eating more is just ingesting more food aka eating more and storing more fat; this is truth only if you eat carbs. So eat a light breakfast of egg whites and some fat free cheese or something. PROTEINS ONLY. Then drink water :)
    3. THROUGHOUT the day
         Go really light on carbs. Use what you ate yesterday. Keep drinking water. Keep moving! Keep eating PROTEINS 2-3 hours.
    4. MOST importantly
    Learn! Write down what triggered your binge yesterday, how you felt throughout the process, how you felt afterwards, and how you feel NOW. For the next couple days you will be using those stored carbs so keep it low carb. Remember it takes about 48 hours for those carbs to really settle in as weight gain and as water weight, so if you go to the gym in the next two days, don't expect to see weight loss. Just try to counter all those carbs you ate.

    One more thing, I mentioned above. You must  remember that your body is smarter than you think. IF you restrict, it will know and will only hurt you. Restrict carbs yes, but proteins, no. Also, your body recognizes changes instantly and adapts accordingly. That's why you cannot ingest 3,000 calories of carbs, sleep, and then just burn them off the next day. Your body is quick to response and will imeediately use those carbs for energy, or store them.

    So your job is not to feel regret or guilt, but to LEARN and move on. Make your body adapt to your new habits - healthy proteins for the next couple days, minimal carbs, and exercise. After 2 or 3 days, you'll be looking good as new.

    http://caloriecount.about.com/forums/weight-loss/binge-tips-1

    Thursday, March 14, 2013

    ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER




    What am I wishing for? You fill in the blank...........My answers are probably very similar to yours.
    Personal success: How is that measured?
    Weight-reduction:  How can we be happy with our progress and yet dissatisfied enough to continue at the same time?
    Spirtitual growth: There's no measureable limit on that!
    Family maturity and unity: Another area of constant growth and change!
    Physical health: Of course, this is measured on many different levels and areas.


    So what do we do? Sit around "wishing" for things to be better, seem better, accept the present, resent the past, fear the future, ignore the present in our striving for the future?  NO!  Wishing won't get us one step closer to any of these illusive goals, hopes or dreams! Wishing will not change the past or present ills! The only positive action we can take is to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!  What will you DO today? What can I DO today to move me closer to having my "wishes" granted?

    It seems clear to me that any form of "DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT" is better than WISHING!

    BE PRAYERFUL < BE THANKFUL < LEARN ALL YOU CAN < SURRENDER < BE OBEDIENT > MOVE AHEAD "One foot in front of the other!"  Have a great day! Make it happen!


    Wednesday, March 13, 2013

    CHANGE IS A PROCESS


        When I think about change, it seems that I tend to think of it as something that happens around and to me, rather than something that I consciously set out to do! I am beginning to realize that the specific changes that I want to make in my life, when implemented, result in unknown and unexpected consequences. Those are the things that throw me off-balance at times. It's not the changed behavior of "being on a diet," it is the "results of the diet" that cause the most issues for me. Changes in appearance, attitude, confidence level (not always raised, sometimes feeling LESS confident and secure), interaction with others, and personal self-awareness are ALL changing. More and more, I am gaining the ability to accept the fact that what I am feeling, is simply the process of change, and that it's okay. 




    "Change is hard because people overestimate the value of what they have—and underestimate the value of what they may gain by giving that up."
    — James Belasco and Ralph StayerFlight of the Buffalo (1994)

    Friday, March 8, 2013

    A BRAND NEW ME?

    The scariest things about massive weight-loss are the changes in personality and emotional adjustments that are coming with it!  The woman who, in 2009, was afraid to speak up when wronged, tried to be invisible, hid from the world and often refused to voice her opinion, seems to be LONG GONE!  I discovered this phenomenon awhile back, but became instantly fearful of her arrival on the stage of my life. This new woman is a not a stranger to me, more like an old friend that has been gone for so long that it will take awhile to get to know her again!  She and I are just beginning to become re-acquainted, but I am sure there was a time that she was alive and well!  She tends to have a "free to be me" attitude that refuses to be ignored!  I have a feeling that the rest of my journey is going to be a very interesting ride!

    Thursday, March 7, 2013

    ON EAGLE'S WINGS



    Today is a day to rest in the arms of the Savior! I suppose this is where we are to be EVERY DAY....but we fool ourselves in thinking that we are flying in our own strength at times!   I thank the Lord for good friends who are His ministering Angels and for His Word and presence that never fails.  This video is beautiful and I thought I would share it with you today.


    Isaiah 40: 28-31 Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard , that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary ? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary , and the young men shall utterly fall. But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary ; and they shall walk , and not faint .

    Wednesday, March 6, 2013

    JUST DO IT!


    My "diet" is not a "do it when you feel like it" lifestyle....it works best when we consistently BAN SUGAR/STARCH from our eating choices. When they are gone, we FEEL LIKE IT.....when we mess up a little and let them back in, we DON'T FEEL LIKE IT!  The carbs & sugars cry out for MORE carbs and sugars! The ONLY way to stay motivated and in control of our appetite is to STAY AWAY from foods that are not on the list!  You can do it! I can do it!  We've already proven to ourselves and others that it works.....it's just a matter of CONSISTENTLY using the tools we have been given. Do you WANT to lose weight today? Then JUST DO IT! Regardless of how you feel!!

    Tuesday, March 5, 2013

    LORD, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE!

    Matthew 19:26 - But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

    Mark 9:23 - Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth.

    Luke 1:37 - For with God nothing shall be impossible.

    Matthew 17:20 - And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

        Today is one of those days when my mind is everywhere and nowhere at the same time....don't know what to say to others, just focusing on moving forward, "One step in front of the other!"  

    With a snowstorm coming in, my mind is cluttered with all the what ifs that the threat of possible power-outages brings with it. So...It is a day to claim the promises of God that "all things are possible"....EVEN staying focused on one step at a time, one food decision at a time, one diet storm prep at a time....and simply refuse to be de-railed by any of the unknown events of the next 24 hours.

    Luke 18:27 - And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

    Monday, March 4, 2013

    BATTLEGROUND of the HEART

    March 4th, 2013

    Discover the Joy women's conference was a wonderful experience. Jennifer Kennedy Dean from www.prayinglife.org was the guest speaker, and had absolutely life-changing messages for us.  I will forever be ALTER'D by her insights into the examples of "flesh" that need to be "crucified" by the power of God in us! Be sure to check out her site for more information. Her book, ALTER'D, is worth every penny!

    I stayed on track with my eating plan and actually lost two pounds!  The war with weight really is won in the heart and mind! When I am focused on my goal and WILLING to take the steps necessary to get there, the War is almost won! Yes, of course, we have to take one step after another and WORK THE PLAN, but being at peace with our decisions is where the victory begins! Being constantly in flux and indecisive about what we want, only leads to failure! When we learn to have a "live and let live" attitude about what those around us are doing, and expect the same from them, we can avoid needless battles over food choices.



    “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:4


    Friday, March 1, 2013

    WHY BOTHER....REPRISE! CHOOSE SUCCESS!


    Satan's LIE and ACCUSATION: "Why bother to diet? Just have FUN, EAT and ENJOY YOURSELF!  You can make up for it later! You haven't lost much all year, anyway!"

    TRUTH: I have MAINTAINED a great deal of weight-loss!
    This is my LIFE I'm fighting for, not just vanity!
                  I have worked hard to lose any re-gained pounds this year!
                  Letting down my guard results in regained weight!
                  Re-losing is harder than gaining!
                         Lessons and life-skills are being learned every day!
                  Satan is the father of all LIES and he is not MY FATHER!
                  I  can have wonderful happy days and still maintain my low-carb lifestyle!

    "With GOD all things are POSSIBLE!"  "He is Faithful, and with the temptation, prepares a way for escape!"  ONCE AGAIN!  Today, I'm claiming HIS TRUTHS and rejecting the LIES of the Devil!