Monday, January 26, 2015

Keeping the Balance

I find myself pondering a question:
     How do you keep a reasonable balance?

It's been advised that I read a book about women and fitness and so far, I'm struggling (I'm only like 29% of the way in-Kindle talk) with this concept...How do you know what the balance is???

As I read this book it seems the author is trying to convince me that fitness is #1-the most important thing.  Although I see the value in being fit, feeling good and able to care for my family-I feel like she is missing the main point.  For me the bottom line is not just about 100% focus on what I look like.  Yes, I want to be healthy, but I don't think (at least not today) I'm ready to sell out to 100% focus on my personal feelings!  My delight and joy comes from the Lord, I won't find it in my bodies appearance or even in my health.   Am I missing her point?

She has a particular affinity to "feeling sexy" --not my goal...I want to simply be healthy.  I want to have a relatively balanced diet, energy to take care of today and of my God given purposes.  I guess in a nut shell I'm saying, God's purposes for my life come first.

Maybe I'm just struggling with the semantics of her book.  "Feeling Sexy", "being the B ***H in the room", "dressing in skin tight clothes that give me confidence", and "looking like I know that every man in the room wishes his wife looked like me"...  THESE ARE NOT MY GOALS!!!!

In conclusion:  Finding the balance for me will not line up with the balance of the author of this book-I don't think.  I'm not interested in focussing all of my attention on having as little body fat as possible.  My focus is not having horrible results when my blood is drawn.  My focus is finding a balance that allows me to live -not just for me-but for the Lord.  This will require depending on Him for discernment and for guidance and for boldness.  I cannot get those things from my body.

I'm still reading this book.  I'm hoping her focus will change as she discusses nutrition later in the book.  Here's to pushing through.  No-I'm not discouraged...only disappointed in the knowledge that so many people are turning to fitness and "feeling sexy" in order to fill a void that only the Lord can fill.


Thursday, January 8, 2015

Surviving the Holidays with a New Perspective

Recap:  The Dr. Apt that changed my life=Nov. 11, 2014

It has been very nearly two months, that's just past 8 weeks.

I started Advocare Dec. 3rd, five weeks ago.

I've lost 16 pounds and 13 1/2 inches.

I'm feeling GREAT!

I'm noticing different things at this point, mostly related to how I'm thinking about food in general.

I went to a late dinner with a friend last night.  In preparation for that dinner, I caught myself perusing the menu online.  I was trying to decide what I'd eat-what would be a wise choice to consume.  I've caught myself thinking about what I would eat ahead of time often lately.  WANTING to make a wise choice before I even get there.  This is a new thing for me.

My tastes are different.  My sensitivity to salty and sweet are way heightened!  Before I might eat a whole candy bar, or two if times were "desperate".  Now, a simple bite is more than enough to suffice-if I would even choose something sweet for a snack.  More often than not-I'd choose a handful of unsalted nuts over something so overpoweringly sweet.  I've learned that it's ok to take a smaller portion and I can still have the same feeling of contentment as if I'd consumed a large portion.  This is a new thing for me.

I don't desire my "old favorites"!  Ex.  BREAD.  I used to LOVE bread!  Cheesy Bread, garlic bread, buttered bread, dinner rolls, crescent rolls, a good soft bun for my burger.  Bread, Bread, Bread.  After not having bread for almost a month, I thought I'd have a dinner roll over the holidays.  It tore me up for several hours.  Needless to say, my desire for bread seems to be gone.  This is a new thing for me.

I have new go-to's.  Balsamic Vinaigrette instead of blue cheese dressing, greek yogurt instead of sour cream.  I love Avocados now!  Just to name a few.  This is a new thing for me.

Cravings for fresh fruits and veggies are becoming more common for me.  I am thinking about how foods are processed, what they are prepared with now.  Where did that come from???  This "Fresh" produce tastes better to me now.  I'm noticing more flavor and a new joy in God's creativity about His food creation.  This is a new thing for me.

I'm enjoying finding good recipes to cook at home.  There is a comfort in knowing exactly what I've put into a meal and an intentionality to the portion sizes of that meal.  I'll be trying Spaghetti Squash tonight!  I'm enjoying cooking again!  I'm not thinking about eating out like I used to.  This is a new thing for me.

Ultimately, with the start of a new year, I'm looking forward to becoming more healthy.  I'm looking forward to passing those habits on to my husband and my children.  I'm still depending on the Lord to give me strength to fight my cravings, and to give me strength to serve Him while He continues finishing His work in me.  Oh, that I could honor Him in all I do!  Bring it on 2015!