My weigh in

Claudia and I seem to be on opposite weeks with our weigh loss. I lost the 6 pounds I had gained from last week, so I am back at the starting point. I am grateful for that weight loss, now I look forward to losing more. So, my prayer is that both Claudia and I will lose weight this week.

We made it through the one holiday. Now, we have the whole month of Christmas celebrations. I am asking for prayer on not to indulge on all those yummy treats that people will be bringing into my workplace.
I will also up my exercise time to help me with those extra calories. It will also help me to say no when I have just exercised. Doesn't that seem to work that way? Whenever I exercise faithfully, I seem to have more control.

Claudia doesn't know it yet, but she will here shortly..I am going to ask her to fast two days this month with me..Either two separate days or two in a row. What do you think of that? What are some suggestions that you may have?

I know that I am most thankful during this time that I have the support of Claudia and you who is reading this. Thank you!

Praise you Jesus!

Late Weigh-In Again

Sorry for my late weigh-in again! We didn't weight til Saturday this time. I was so dreading it. I knew I had gained weight. I could just feel it! I gained 3.

*SIGH*

I have got to get serious. I just got so lazy last week and took a break from my normal routine, partly so I could focus on cleaning and cooking for Thanksgiving.

So, I am praying, praying, praying that I will step it up this week by spending more time with the Lord, offering myself to Him every morning, by exercising THREE times this week (increasing it from 2 a week) and by just being more conscious of what I am eating and taking the time to write it all down and adding up the points.

I don't know what I would do if I didn't have the Lord. If I didn't have the security of knowing that He loves me and He accepts me no matter what, because of what Jesus has done for me. I would be in complete despair if I didn't have Him! Thank you, Lord.

Anchor Friday

We have just joined Anchor Friday, hosted by Joan over at moregodlessme. Here was her last post about eNcouragement:

As you see eNcouragement doesn't really begin with the letter N, but that's how important I view encouragment in our journey to living healthier. No one is an island. We are created to fellowship with God and with each other. This is a big part of Anchor Friday. We want to be an encourgement to each other and ourselves.
I want to encourage you that yesterday is the past. That turkey, gravy and dressing are in the past. What will you do today? I will probably eat leftovers, but I will use a small plate. I made extra veggies for leftovers too. Will I stay stuck on what I ate yesterday and tell myself that I failed? No. I will look at today and go forward. I will go to God for renewed focus, forgiveness and for the strength to forgive myself.
Today I will move more and eat less and drink plenty of water. Today. What will you do today?
Dear Father in Heaven,
Help us to encourage each other and ourselves to live for you and live healthy. Forgive us when we stray and lead us back to your light. In Christ's name, I pray. Amen.

Thanksgiving Blunders & Book Giveaway

Claudia and Natasha's first-ever Thanksgiving Book Giveaway!

If you're like me, you probably had at least one Thanksgiving Blunder today. Share it with us in the comments section, and Natasha and I will choose the funniest one and send you a book, absolutely free, compliments of us!

You can choose between these 2 books:


1- Dinner with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory








2-Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ by John Piper







Wanna hear my Thanksgiving blunder?? Here it is. Can you top mine??

"Here I am at 10am Thanksgiving morning, and I have already had my first blunder. I made some rolls that I had to cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise before baking.....and what did I do? I put the rolls in the oven with the plastic wrap still on it!!! I took it out and thought, "Hmm, wonder why they're so shiny?"

It was really difficult to peel it all off after it had melted onto the rolls. I got the big chunks off, but I think we'll all be eating a little bit of plastic today."

Cranberry Sauce from Scratch

One of the things I'd like to do regularly on this blog is share my favorite recipes with you all (healthy ones, of course!) So, I thought about sharing my cranberry sauce recipe.

Most people just get the canned cranberry sauce, and that's what I always had growing up. But I never liked it. I never liked the fact that it stayed in the shape of the jar when my parents plopped it onto the plate. And then they would just slice is up. Yuck.

Last year I made cranberry sauce from scratch, and loved it! If you don't make anything from scratch for Thanksgiving, you should at least make this because it's so much better and way too easy and quick.

1 pound whole, fresh cranberries
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup OJ
2 tsp. orange zest

Cook over medium heat until it thickens and most of the cranberries pop open, about 8 minutes.
Enjoy!

No Pigging Out on Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Natasha and I survived our day of fasting the day before our day of pigging out. NOT. If you read my last post, you'll know that Natasha twisted my arm to get me to fast with her today so that we will have more self-control on Thanksgiving Day. Pigging out is not an option!!

I have to confess....I was not having a good attitude today. Even though I agreed to fast, I was not completely sold on the whole thing. I really, really wanted to eat. The last time we fasted, I drank coffee with cream and sugar and Natasha said I couldn't do that anymore. So I was not happy with that.

And I didn't even really pray. While my family ate lunch, I sat on my bed throwing a spiritual temper tantrum. I held the bible in my hands and had my head down, but I wasn't really praying or communing with God. Not good.

Also, I didn't get much sleep last night, so I was really tired all day. I had so much cleaning to do to get ready for tomorrow, and I really just had no motivation to do it! So, I finally realized I just needed to take a nap and get caught up on sleep. I actually was able to take a 2 hour nap! I musta really needed that. I felt much better when I woke up.

We actually agreed to just fast breakfast and lunch. We both ate dinner like normal. So, that made me feel better too : )

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving. I would love to hear how it went for you, eating-wise. What kinds of yummy things did you eat? Were you able to control yourself and not pig out? I hope so! May God receive glory for the way we eat and enjoy ourselves on Thanksgiving Day!

Hungry

Hungry, a song that I sang last night at bible study. I am not sure who wrote it, but it is about spiritual hunger. I am not sure I feel this way all the time, but I want to.

Here is the song...

Hungry, I come to you for I know you satisfy
I am empty, but I know your love does not run dry
And so I wait for you , So I wait for you.

I'm falling on my knees
Offering all of me
Jesus you're all this heart is living for

Broken, I run to you for your arms are open wide
I am weary, but I know your touch restores my life
And so I wait for you, So I wait for you.

May this be my heart's cry. Praise you Jesus.

Weigh In

As we weighed in this week, I was not happy. The scale was not my friend. I had gained 6 pounds. Now, mind you, this was over two weeks. But, needless to say, this is not good.

In all seriousness, I have not been recording my food intake, nor have I been exercising like I should be. So, now I am picking myself up again. Again. I exercised Friday afternoon and yesterday. I have followed my eating program, and wrote everything down. Yes, I am not happy about this. I don't really feel like doing this, but I know that I have to. I want to feel better about myself. I want to be healthier. Most of all, I want to honor God. I do not want to separate myself from Him.

Another thing that Claudia and I talked about was the fact that we are not giving God the first fruit of our time each day. We made a commitment this week to do just that thing. Of course, I also suggested the all day fast the day before Thanksgiving. Wasn't that a funny post by her? I am serious about that. I am addicted to sugar and need to break that. I need to realize that Thursday is not a free pass to sin!

With all of that said. I know that God still loves me. I need to remember that. God is not surprised by my sin. Of course, it is not an excuse to sin, just a reminder that I can approach God at all times. He still loves me.

Praise you Jesus!

Late Weigh-In

Hi Everyone! I am so sorry I haven't posted....my computer has been down! And it isn't even up yet; I am on the computer at my husband's office. So, now I am trying to get caught up. I am going to have to keep it short because I don't feel like being here all night on Saturday night! {not that I don't love blogging and sharing my life with you guys :O) }

Natasha and I weighed yesterday and I was so amazed. I was down 1 pound. I was sure I would be up a couple pounds because I cheated at the beginning of the week, and then stopped writing my points down at the end of the week. But, I did exercise twice as much as what my weekly goal is {yay!}. So, I was pleasantly surprised.

I need to do better this week, though. I want to lose 9 more by Christmas, and at this rate, it ain't gonna happen! So, 2 pounds this week. 2 pounds. 2 pounds. 2 pounds. 2 pounds.

Oh, sure. Lose 2 pounds during the week of Thanksgiving. Mmm-hmm. Sure.

Well, Natasha had a great little idea for us. She is well aware of her weaknesses and they're the same as mine. When it comes to Thanksgiving, we have a tendency to treat it as a "free" day and allow ourselves to pig out.

Well, seeing as pigging out (eating too much) is gluttony, and the Bible is clear that gluttony is a sin, and is usually held up at the same level as drunkenness, then there is never a time when it's okay to do it.

So, Natasha proposes a *great* plan (hear the sarcasm in my voice?). It went something like this:


Natasha: Why don't we fast on Wednesday?

Me: {straight face. no response}

Natasha: I just think it will help us on Thanksgiving.

Me: {straight face. no response}

Natasha: When we fasted the last time {24 hrs} I found that I was able to control myself better the next day.

Me: {straight face.} Mm hmm.

Natasha: Well, why don't you just pray about it. Maybe we could fast for 2 meals, lunch and dinner.

Me: Alrighty. I will pray about it and get back to you on that. {straight face still.}


In all seriousness, she's probably right. But, my problem is, we just fasted! It was only supposed to be once a month, and it's only been like 2 weeks. I told her we should have just waited until this Wednesday for our first time fasting together. But, I will probably end up doing it.

Fasting really is an awesome thing for me spiritually. So I know it will help alot and I probably won't pig out as bad on Thanksgiving, and just be thankful for the food God gives me to enjoy and to sustain my body. Thank you, Lord!

Life's choices

Today I realized how much I was mistaken about my weight issues. I always thought that "all I had to do" to lose weight was eat less and expend more energy daily. Simple right? The bottom line is, in fact, less calories/more energy. But I know now how much my food issues are tied into some many other aspects of my life.

For example, I do not make the time each week to make a shopping list, shop, chop and plan meals. Instead I eat fast food, freezer meals or make dinner plans with others. (which leads me to not be a good steward with my finances)

I do not plan my exercise for the week. And if I do, I usually allow myself to be inticied by other social activities. (which again does not make me a good steward of money and time)

I do not like to be alone at home. I used to, but I think I feel more worthy if I am busy. So I fill up my days with friends/family/bible studies..anything to avoid being alone. These things are not bad in themselves, but sometimes I feel so overextended that I miss out on my ''rest'' with Him. (bad steward of time management)

Which the above things leads me to be tired. I am exhausted and anxious, then I turn around and eat. I stay up too late..do not sleep properly which is not good for me physically or mentally.

Then, because I am tired and conflicted, I usually become passive/aggressive. I do not confront situations that upset/hurt me and just stuff it down. Usually with food.

So, again, I realize that I must change other things in my life to stop this cycle of overeating. It is not just a matter of saying I will eat less. Maybe it is, but I am just making this all too complicated? I do not know. I am waiting patiently for wisdom to come.

Onto a positive note:
I love that God speaks to me through His Word. I love that He gave us His Words for us to read at any moment. I love that He is faithful when we are not. I love that I am forgiven. Thank you Jesus!

1-Meal Fasting

Today Natasha and I are fasting for just one meal-lunch. And, I think we agreed that we would not save those points/calories for the rest of the day; rather, we count them as if we used them (Natasha is doing a diabetic-type diet, and I am doing Weight Watchers).

This morning I was so tempted to just eat a little extra, knowing that I would be losing about 8 points at lunchtime. But I didn't. It kinda defeats the purpose, ya know? So, hopefully, by God's grace, I will control myself the rest of the day and just eat normal.

So, my normal snack time is 3:00, and it's 2:20 now. So, I plan to have a yogurt and maybe some pretzels. And then dinner will be at 5:30. Which reminds me! I need to get it in the crockpot!

Keep your eyes on the Lord and honor Him in all you do today!

Being Good and Choosing Christ

This post is a response to Natasha's....

It's so easy to compare ourselves to others and then conclude that we are "good people." But when we compare ourselves (contrast ourselves) to God, we realize what wretched sinners we are, and that only God is good ("dirty, rotten, stinkin sinners" as my friends and I used to say when I first got saved).

Paul says, "Oh wretched man that I am! Who will save me from this body of death??" He also called himself, "the chief of sinners." How could he think he was the chief of sinners?? No way, not Paul! But it's because God had made him well-acquainted with his sin. And that's the only we can say of ourselves, "I am the chief of sinners!" is when we know our sin so well, and we are so repulsed by it, and we just think, there can't be anybody as bad as I am! Shouldn't we think of ourselves this way?

As far as choosing to follow God it is never the easy road. As long as we are in this flesh, we will never find it easy. But, it's always the most rewarding, most satisfying, most fulfilling choice. "Broad (easy) is the way that leads to destruction, and narrow (hard) is the way that leads to life." I love what you said, Natasha, about our flesh seeking out sin. We are not neutral. We are looking for temptation, and that's why when it comes to us, it's so easy to say, "YES!" I never thought of that verse in James as meaning that. But that is what it's saying!

"But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire..."

Yes, God has chosen us (hallelujah!) and He wants us to choose Him everyday. And since it's so difficult, He gives us fellow believers...Christian friends...fellow sisters in Christ who love us enough to hold us accountable and ask the hard questions and get in our kitchen when we need it!!! Thank you, Natasha, for being that friend for me. And I hope I can continue to be that friend for you.

And for all you fellow sisters in Christ who are struggling in this area, just rest in Christ and trust in His love and power for you. Don't focus too much on your failure....acknowledge it -yes-grieve over it-yes- repent of it -yes- and then embrace Christ's victory for you!

"We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin....for the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So YOU ALSO MUST consider yourselves DEAD TO SIN and alive to God in Christ Jesus." Romans 6

God's Holiness

God's Holiness

As I continue to strive towards God's Holiness, I realize that I compare myself to the world's standard and not His. Of course, I would like to think that I am "better" than most, but in reality, I am NOT! I continue daily to struggle with my choices to follow God's standard or "my standards". It should be easy right? Sinning is much easier and much more desirable to our flesh. In James, (1:14-16) it talks about how our flesh seeks out our worldly desires. In my case, food, and lots of it. Not only the amount, but the fattening and unhealthy foods. I use food to replace the void that only God can fill. Why? I don't know. Maybe because I am lazy. It is easier to turn on the t.v. or get on email than to get on my knees before Him. It is much easier to drive through a fast food restaurant than to plan the meal, shop and prepare it at home.

One thing I know. God does not want this for me. He wants me to choose Him. He has chosen me. May I be reminded of this. Praise you Jesus!



James 1:13-16 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Hello Everybody! I'm checking in tonight....I did not have a good day. I did not want to even post tonight but Natasha and I agreed we'd take turns posting everyday. I don't want to discourage anybody with my lameness.

So, take this as a lesson in what NOT to do. I mentioned before that I have a hard time when I am in a relaxed, fun atmosphere. Today I went out with my family to a restaurant and just decided to eat whatever I wanted. I was more concerned about not spending too much money rather than picking the healthiest thing. I also wanted something my kids would like in case they wanted to have some of mine.

And it wouldn't have been a big deal if I had just eaten half of it. But I ate about 7/8 of it. I left some on my plate so I wouldn't look like a total pig. Goodness. I think I do better when I am fasting. Even though it is hard, it's actually easier not to eat anything, than to just try to eat a little bit.

I also have not been offering myself to the Lord at the beginning of each day, like I should. To offer my body to Him as a living sacrifice. I haven't spent much time with Him these past few days.

So, I guess I need to spend some time with Him tonight before I lay my head down to sleep. Keep me accountable, everybody! Ask me if I did it!


Psalm 63:3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

Weigh in

The last two days were wonderful. I had a great time supervising my niece's "dance" party. Not to mention all the exercise I got from running up and down stairs and just having fun with the kids.



I have not weighed in like Claudia has. Not because I am afraid of what will show, but because I want to wait until next Friday. The day, in my mind, that I am holding myself responsible to.



I had small victories this weekend. I kept myself focused on my relationships to others, not food. I spent time taking care of my body by exercising, not by eating. I prayed a lot. That is my saving grace in all of this. We have a God who wants to talk to us all the time. And boy, I can talk. But, it is great that He never gets tired or weary of that. It is comforting to know that I am not invisible to Him, like I feel sometimes in this world. As a heavy person, I do not feel heard or seen sometimes. God sees our heart.

Praise you Jesus!

Weigh-In Update

Today was Natasha's and my weigh-in day. I lost 2 pounds. I am pretty happy about that, needless to say. But, tonight, I feel yucky because I ate too many snacks while watching a movie with my family. My stomach is too full.

Whenever I'm eating healthy snacks, I feel like it's not a big deal to have take an extra bite here and an extra bite there. But then it ends up being too much.

I am on Weight Watchers, so I know what my point limit is. But it's just so hard when there's sort of a "party" atmosphere and I'm relaxed and having fun.

Here's where you're supposed to say, "That's no excuse!" That's what Natasha would say, right Natasha? I need to stick to my points if I'm going to continue to lose weight!

So, now I'll try to make up for it tomorrow by exercising! My goal for exercising is not a high and lofty goal....2 days/week, 15 min/day. Eventually I will increase that! But for now, it is easily attainable and I need to take "baby steps."

So, anyway, this is not any kind of an exciting post. Just a little update for you to know how I did today! Natasha can post tomorrow and let you know about her weigh-in and her night with her family at a birthday party.

She can also share with you this really awesome thing she read in the book about holiness that she's been reading. It was very convicting! But good.

Thanks to those of you who've been commenting! Natasha and I are soooo excited to have people reading and interacting! God bless, goodnight!!

My Eyes are on You

I woke up this morning feeling glad. Glad because after a very long, difficult day of fasting yesterday, I now can eat.

Natasha and I decided we are going to fast once a month, and yesterday was our first time. No, this is not a weight-loss tactic. We want to fast in the biblical way and that is, to fast and PRAY. Pray for ourselves to honor God in our eating and in the way we care for our bodies.

It's amazing how fasting makes me think about God more, and my relationship with Him. Yes, fasting also makes me think about food more, BUT, when I think about food and how much I want it, I always ask myself, "Do I ever want God this much? Do I ever ache to have God like this?" And the answer is always, "no."

But I want to!! I want so badly to have stomach pains and a headache and lack of concentration when I don't get God's word in me and spend time with Him. I want it to affect me like that. I want to desire God more than my daily bread. I want to find my satisfaction in God regardless of if I get satisfaction from food.

So, last night, I was so hungry when I went to bed. And at first, the only thing that was keeping me from eating was Natasha. I couldn't bear the thought of telling her the next day that I blew the fast. But then, as I lay myself down, I started thinking about people in the world who have to feel like this everyday. They don't get to eat everyday. They don't know where their next meal is coming from. And here I am, I have a whole kitchen stocked with food, and I know I will get to eat the next day.

So, I stopped complaining and went to sleep.

When I woke up, I wasn't feeling the same hunger pains that I went to bed with. So, I was glad. I was able to just take my morning in stride, and not raid the refrigerator and start stuffing my face. I just made my coffee, toasted my bagel and enjoyed my break-fast.

God is so good to me. I have absolutely nothing to complain about.

I also read this article this morning that has nothing to do with eating, but it sort of piggy-backs off what Natasha said in her post yesterday about trusting Jesus to fight our battles for us. Here's the key verse:

“We are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. (2 Chronicles 20:12)

I LOVE that verse!! We do not know what to do but our eyes are on You!! You really should read this story from 2 Chronicles 20 about Jehoshaphat facing the armies of Moab, Edom and Ammon. God is so amazing.

http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/

Jesus fighting the battle

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord (Acts 3:19).

I am exhausted. Tired of fighting this same battle. ME, fighting this battle. Not the Lord, not allowing Him to do this for me. The above verse tells me that if I truly REPENT, and TURN to God, my sin will be wiped out. My sin of gluttony. My overindulgence. My pride and selfishness. Not just turning from overeating, but doing a 180 turn away from gluttony to God. I cannot just turn 90 degrees away from eating, but I must also turn that other 90 degrees to God. How does this happen? What must I do? I desire rest.

Matt 11:28-30 tells me how! Jesus says,"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

It will not be easy to take his yoke. I will have to let Him lead me. I cannot lead, I must follow. That means I must turn down that second helping. I must stop eating candy when I should be eating fruit. I should cook dinner instead of going through the drive thru. Learning to say no to all of my cravings at all times and yes to my Savior. Glorifying Him in my food choices.


Spending time with Him. Finding my rest in Him. Not food. He promises. I will find rest and refreshings times.



Praise you Jesus!