For my year in review, I am grateful for the determination that I set on Jan. 1, 2016 and like most of Americans, I set to reach a specific weight loss goal--which I did NOT hit--BUT I did stay consistent all year long with eating right and exercise, and for that I am proud!
You see, I have been on a journey nearly all my life to loose weight....I would say, "I just want to be at a healthy weight" over and over. But it wasn't until 10 years ago that my focus changed. It went from "I just want to loose weight" to "How can I honor you, God, with all of me?"
As, my focus changed and I my view turned from being on a "diet" to "how can I honor you Lord with what I put in my mouth".....my attempts always seemed to fall short.
As you know with weight loss and attempts at remaining healthy ebbs and flows; seems to me that you are either gaining or loosing.
Well last Dec (2016), I was SICK of my roller-coaster of gaining and loosing, and at that point I was up 30lbs. I was so down. So frustrated. The rollercoaster of up 30lbs, down 30lbs, up, down over and over as the cycle goes, HAD to stop!
I was determined.......through a friend, I found out that my work provides a dietician that I have FREE access to!! So I lowered my pride and went in on December 15, 2016 and cried and cried at how I was frustrated at myself for getting to the place I was AGAIN---UP 30lbs!
My dietician, turned dear friend, told me December was the worst time to try to come in and start a weight loss program, but I assured her that no, it was the best time. So I began, and I set a goal to loose 30lbs by Dec. 15, 2017.
Which I did not do....I am currently only down 22lbs, but I think the proof is in the picture.
While I did not reach my goal of loosing 30lbs, I gained so much more. I have a new perspective on health, and I gained a dear friend. She helped me see where I was blaming others for the choices I have made all my life. She believed in me, empowered me and gave me hope that I too could succeed in this journey I have failed at most my life.
More importantly, I have learned to rely on the Lord in a deeper way. I am no longer a slave to my mouth and what I put into it. Sure have there been slip ups? And will there continue to be at times? You bet ya....but as my dietician said, just get back up the next day, do not let it keep you down!!!
I bought a necklace for myself yesterday and it says:
Still, I rise.
And in 2018, still I WILL rise, until my goal is met. The Lord is with me and ever so present. Its not even about the number on the scale (even though it doesn't read what I want it to at times), but what truly matters is the health of my mind, soul, and body. I feel empowered and with the Lord behind me, still, I rise.
Hope and pray this inspires you, sure inspires you in a way to reach the goals you too have set for yourself if you have weight loss goals, but more than anything, I pray it inspires you to seek and find the Lord in ALL areas of your life. I pray that when you read these words in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "But He said to me, "My grace IS sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me" that you would gladly boast in the magnificent power of Christ in you, too! Seek and find Him, he is waiting.
What a work he has done! To HIM be the glory, now and into 2018 too! xoxo
