Seven Months In...

    (Well....79.8 to be exact.   Close enough, don't you think?)   

I think one of the key factors in my success thus far, other than Christ, of course, is my attitude.  I am not stressing over every calorie, fat gram or carb that goes into my mouth.   I stay away from cookies, cake and candy (though I do have sugar free treats).   

I read blogs where people are meticulous about every morsel that goes into their mouths, and just as conscientious about weighing each day, and each pound they gain sends them into a frenzy.  They analyze and get depressed...and remember all the hard work and the things they were deprived of...and want to eat even more.  I used to be this way...and every time I made "wrong" choices, it usually began the demise of everything I'd struggled to accomplish.   (And every pound was usually a struggle.)  

Wouldn't you agree that's not freedom?

During my journey, I have fluctuated.   I have had "bad food" days and even "bad" weekends (never sugar-laden, but certainly carby), and I've gained some pounds here and there...but it was always temporary.  I never lost sight of the fact that I am free; though there are times I have to remind myself that I am free, and free indeed.   When I eat too many carbs, I end up just wanting to eat.  Those are the times when I have to tell myself that I don't have to keep eating, and those days are the only days when I have to fight the thoughts that "...maybe I'm not really free..."   That's why I choose to not eat sugar, I can certainly have a cookie, and at this point, I believe I could eat only one or only two, but I think I may have cravings later, and the taste of a cookie isn't worth the cravings, nor do I want to spend carbs on cookies.   That's what works for me...a few cookies and no pizza may be what works for you.

Do you talk to yourself?   Out loud?   You should!   Words are powerful.  When I struggle to believe the TRUTH, such as "I am free," because what I really want to do is eat, I say it out loud.  "I AM FREE!"   And if I don't believe myself, I say it again.   I quote the scriptures that I have tucked away in my heart about freedom.   We prevail...Christ and I...and I continue on my freedom journey, with Him at my side, (or sometimes leading me).  

Please do not think that I think I have all the answers.   I sure don't (But He does).  And I am in no way being judgmental toward anyone else's journey and how they are choosing to lose weight, nor am I being negative towards those who are struggling.  I'm only telling you my experience; that I keep believing I am free, and I keep walking in freedom.   When I have pizza or bread, I do not stress about it and think "I've blown it, I may as well eat a pack of cookies, too."  What I do is eat a slice or two of pizza, or eat a Subway sandwich, and I go on about my day.

I try to not eat when I'm not hungry, but sometimes I do.  It's a lot easier to stop when I'm full when I'm not full of sugar.  (I'm still working on slowing down!)

I'm not exercising very much, nor very regularly.

I am not counting carbs, nor calories...I'm only counting the pounds lost.

I am not obsessing about what I eat or don't eat.

I do not rely on my own strength.   (That's the big one.)

And I believe.   You really should remove the "I can't" from your vocabulary.  No more:

• I can't do this.
• I can't eat only a little of that.
• I can't lose weight.
• I can't. 

• You can do this.
• You can choose to eat only a little or none at all, but the choice is yours.
• You can lose weight (or do whatever you need to do.)
• You can.

Coming Soon:   Have you ever heard of the Weight Watcher's Core Plan?   Are you unsure what's the best plan of action for you?  I've done a little research I'll share with you.