Weight Loss - Beginning Thoughts

            I was considering starting a separate weight loss blog, but I think that I'll just post my weight loss stuff here.  I mean, my life consists of being a wife, mom, homeschooler, losing weight, and a million other things, right?  So, why should my blog only cover a few of those and not the total package?

           I am approaching this weight loss journey with my eyes on God.  My goal is not to look good, not to feel good, but to glorify God.  I've started and quit the Bible study The Lord's Table @ www.settingcaptivesfree.com many times.  It is hard to keep up with, but I do believe that it teaches truth.  When the world talks about weight loss, they always discuss it in terms of health and attractiveness.  Those reasons are WRONG reasons to lose weight.  They are selfish reasons.   Stay with me, I know this is hard to understand.  I had to go through that teaching a few times before God really started working on my stubborn heart.

          Our only reason to lose weight should be to glorify God.   1 Cor 10:31 says "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."  I believe this is one of the biggest reasons that God has not given me victory in this area.  God didn't say "So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it so your butt looks good. "  He said "Do it for MY glory."  I am a very vain person.  My heart's desire is to be so attractive and young-looking that people would be amazed that I am a mother to four children.  That is a selfish desire, and I don't believe God will honor it.  I am beginning to see that my desire can only be to honor the Lord.  I have to want please Him, and when I desire to please Him, my desire to overindulge my flesh will be disgusting to me. 

          Another way that I think we get confused in the area of dieting is by the idea that we should completely restrict certain foods.  Look at these Col 2 verses:

20Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 21"Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? 22These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

We are told by "experts" that if we cut out a particular "bad" food, we will be healthy and we will be thin.  But the Bible is clear that the idea of "Do not taste! Do not touch!  Do not handle!" is not how God wishes us to approach food.   While there are foods that are more nutritious than others, and therefore more "profitable"  (1 Cor 10:23), the crux of the problem isn't WHAT we are eating, but HOW much and WHY.  The weight isn't the problem, its the symptom of the problem.  The problem is that those of us who are fatties are overindulging our flesh.  My husband and I have been on Atkins several times.  Why do we keep doing this diet?  Because we can eat as much as we want (of certain foods) and we'll lose weight.  I understand the science behind it, and I'm not arguing the science.  I do believe there are medical reasons why people must limit certains foods (sugar, carbs).  But any "diet" or "weight loss program" that doesn't teach us to master our flesh, will only provide temporary results. 

          I am a morbidly obese person.  I am the epitome of the Lord giving someone over to the "sinful desires of their hearts" (Rom 1:24).  How many times have I rejected God and turned to worship his creation - food?  How many times have I failed to seek His face during my sadness and despair, and instead, filled my heart and stomach with mindless overeating?  Understanding that these sins are the foundation of my weight issue will set me free to follow the Lord and learn to please Him with my eating habits.

          My goal this week is to listen to the Lord's prompting when I eat.  I will try to pray whenever I put something in my mouth, and asking for His supreme direction.  I will have to make myself like a little child "Daddy, can I eat this?"  "What about this?  Is it okay?".  He has already proved faithful.  We had Burger King for dinner and I ate a Whopper Jr.  and four or five fries!  That's it!!!  I didn't eat the whole box of fries!!  The Lord told me that I didn't need them, and He was right.  I was full.  I was satisfied.  That is an awesome feeling.

          I'll post my weight and measurements tomorrow.  While my goal isn't to lose pounds or inches, but to fix my heart upon Jesus, the pounds and inches are an outward indicator of the Lord's work in me.

8:48 PM - Oct. 13, 2007 - post comment

=)

I'm proud of you cousin! I'll be praying for you everyday.
Much love,
Heather

growinginhisgrace - 10:03 PM - Oct. 14, 2007

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You would really enjoy the book called the diet alternative .... I got my copy at paperbackswap ... request it .... it talks of everything you are needing encouragement on.

hth

oh and I am going low carb because it is good for those with pcos (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and to avoid becoming a diabetic.

noahsmom - 10:38 PM - Oct. 14, 2007

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