Mind Over Matter

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

I have never liked having my picture taken. I was always the one taking the pictures and that is the way I liked it. When video cameras came out and my brother got one he "videod" every gathering the family had. I hated that camera. Actually it was the way I looked that gave me the discomfort not the camera. When you weigh over 300 pounds you avoid really looking at yourself for fear of what you will see. The picture attached was taken this week at the office where I work. A friend, who is a "photographer", took this picture with her digital camera. She insisted and I obliged. I was really surprised at the results. Now mind you I have another 100 pounds or so to lose but I was pleased and surprised at the change the 60 pounds has made.

I have never had a problem with who I am. The Lord has been extremely good to me in my 56 years and I thank Him daily for His blessings!!! I had a good childhood and was taught to be the best person you can be. I trusted the Lord as my Savior when I was young and have been richly blessed through my relationship with the Lord Jesus. I enjoy my Christian life!! I have parents and siblings that love me, my husband loves me and I have a full and rich life. I say all this because with a great life and the love of so many I have learned to love myself. Not in a conceited way or a boastful way because I know that I am nothing without the help of the Lord. I have never sat and cried about being "fat." I have always "made the best" of my weight whatever it was.

I learned at a very early age to laugh at myself. Who I am and what I am does not depend on the number on the scales or other people's opinions. However, I am not happy with my health. I would like to not have to go to the "Plus Size" dress shops to buy my clothing. I would like to not have to order from special catalogs for "plus size" women. I would like to not have to take so much medication and go to the doctor every three months. I would like to be able to spend the day shopping without my feet and legs hurting so badly. I would like to be rid of diabetes medication, cholesterol medication, blood pressure medication and asthma medications. This is the road losing 60 pounds has started me on. The road to good health and healthier living.

I am sorry!! I meant to blog about MIND OVER MATTER:

The weight is coming off slower now. The first thing I think of is "you need to eat less." Whenever I do not lose 6-7-8 pounds as I have in the past months I tend to be tempted to cut back on the food I eat. Now I am eating three Living Lean Meals a day and three small 100-200 calorie snacks for a total of about 1350-1500 calories a day. I workout with Gloria, twice a week and do 30 - 45 minutes of cardio 5-6 days a week. So my meals are set and it is not a matter of counting calories because mine are already counted. But everythime I weigh and lose nothing or just a couple pounds that little demon, remember her, jumps on my shoulder and says, "You are eating too much!!!!!! You need to cut back on the calories!!!!"

This is a real problem, I believe, with people trying to lose weight. I have heard it over and over again. "I hardly ate anything and still did not lose." Our mindset is that eating alot is the cause of all the poundage. Sometimes it is in the beginning but when you are trying to lose weight after eating anything and all you want for so long. Cutting back on the food isn't as simple as it sounds. Many people I talk to have said this to me, "I hardly eat anything." There are two things wrong with this statement:

1. It is not always the amount of food you eat but what you are eating. If your menu, however small, is laden with fat and calories then the amount may be more harmful than you think.

2. Even the most nutritious menu is harmful if you are not eating enough calories. Eating too little triggers you body into thinking that you are starving and the pounds are security that you won't.

I have learned that eating too few calories can sabotage a weight loss, healthy living program as much as too many calories. It is very important to calculate the correct calorie intake for you individually. The time spent in doing this is so worth it. There are tools on the Body Dimension Fitness website that will help you do this. Or you can do like me and let Living Lean Meals do the calculating for you by ordering from their menu. However you choose to calculate those calories please make sure that you are eating a nutritious menu every day and don't get discouraged!!!! Get plenty of sleep, exercise daily and drink lots of water!!!!

Please let me know how you are doing. I would love to hear from others who are on a healthy lifestyle journey. If you have questions, comments or just want to chat email me at healthierfaith@bellsouth.net. Thanks for following along with me on my journey to a healthier me!!!