11

11 . . . The number of pounds I want to am going to lose.

Now just so you know, this isn't a post where I'm secretly wanting a bunch of comments about how great I look and how I'm not fat.  Really.  I know I'm not fat and I don't have a super low self esteem because of my weight.

I have a God who created me wonderfully and how He sees me matters most.  I have two kiddos that will hopefully think I'm the most beautiful woman in the world for at least a few more years!  I have a husband who not only thinks I'm beautiful, but tells me so.

This is what I found one morning as I went to step on the scale.  What a great man God has given to me!

So I'm not depressed about my weight or needing a flood of compliments.   But I do realize that I weigh more than I need to and more than I would like.  I want to be healthier.  I want to jump back in to some good habits that I've let slide.

And it is also a bigger issue that just the pounds.  It is an issue of the heart.

According to Galatians, self control is a fruit of the Spirit.  Well let's just say that this particular fruit is not growing in abundance in this life!  Seriously though, I've realized that I am in general not practicing self control and not just in the area of food.  But there is something about gaining control over your stomach that breeds self control in other areas as well.

I gave up sweets for Lent this year (my first time to practice Lent).  And I did it!  40 days without so much as a taste of a dessert.  I did it to honor my Savior.  But the self control that I practiced in this area for 40 days definitely had a difference in other areas too.  I was more aware of the words I spoke . . . major area where self control is needed.  I was more patient with the kids . . . controlling anger and frustration came a little easier.  I had more self control in how I spent my time . . . saying no to an hour on Hulu and choosing to spend extra time in the Word.  I totally saw the impact that saying "no" to my sweet tooth had in other major areas of my life.

I also realize how unhealthy living could be a stumbling block as I share the Gospel.  I'm not saying we have to be perfect to share the love of Christ, but calling people to surrender to Jesus as Lord when I'm clearly not letting Him be Lord of my stomach is just plain hypocritical.  And if I'm serious about my mission to make disciples of all nations, then I don't want there to be anything in my life, including my food habits and weight, that could give people a reason to doubt the Truth I share.

Over the top?  I don't think so.  If more followers of Christ looked at the way we eat and exercise as a heart issue and an area of holiness, then we wouldn't be tipping the scales and leading the studies on obesity.  Just sayin'.  (I do know that there are people who struggle to lose weight and it isn't because they aren't desiring to honor God . . . not trying to be insensitive.  But I think the majority, like me, fall into the category of not showing the fruit of self control that the Spirit has given us.)

So anyway . . . I want to lose 11 pounds.

Why 11, you ask?  Well, my original goal in January of this year was to lose 20 lbs.  I made changes this Spring and by May had lost 11.  And in the last two months I've gained 2 back . . . not too bad considering I've had two vacations.  So I've got 11 to go!

I have had a much harder time getting off the baby weight after Grayson than I did with Ava.  When Ava was 9 months old, three friends and I did our own version of The Biggest Loser.  Evidently the shame of having to share my weigh in number every two weeks was just the motivation I needed.  :)  That, and the fact that there was a prize.  $75 to the winner.  I've definitely got a competitive nature so that kept me focused for 4 months.  I lost 11 pounds and won!  (If anyone has a prize to offer me for this round I won't turn it down!!)  The best part was that I didn't just go back to my pre-Ava weight.  I made it to my pre-Katrina weight!!  (Doesn't everyone mark their weight goals according to traumatic events?!)

So this 11 lbs I'm looking to lose would again take me back to that glorious pre-Katrina number!

Speaking of Katrina, I will not be doing this by some crazy diet.  I tried that.  The week before Katrina in fact.  It was seven days of fruit, vegetables, and this gross miraculous soup.  I went to Taco Bell for dinner on Day 1.  Such a wimp!  And that horrid soup was still in the fridge in my beautiful brand new soup pot when Katrina hit.  My pot, lost forever in a sea of mold, all because of that crazy diet.  Grrrrrr.

I also tried the HCG diet last year.  My mom lost 30 lbs.  Surely I can do this one, right?  I made it 6 days.

So I've learned my lesson.  No more diets.  I will lose this weight and get healthier by . . .

Eating better.
Eating less.
Exercising more.

Ground-breaking I know.  But it really is just that simple.  If I do those three things, I will reach my goal.  I'll have more energy.  I'll fit into my stack of clothes-I-can't-wear-but-I-refuse-to-get-rid-of that have been sitting in my closet.  I'll be practicing self control.  I'll be honoring my Savior who gave His life for mine.

In January, I made these vases into my way of celebrating pounds lost.  I would let Ava move one of the colored paper balls from the "To Lose" into the "Lost" every time the scale dropped.  Actually Ava just asked me this morning why she hadn't gotten to move the paper balls in a long time.  Hmmmm . . . mommy needs to get to work!!

So since I'm putting this out there, I'd love your encouragement and your help!

Accountability is so good for me so I'll update pounds lost every once in a while . . . I'm not about shame, but in this situation it is definitely some motivation to put the chips down and pick up carrot!

I would also love any recipes that are healthy and yummy.  Especially for vegetables.  I can't handle eating the same things over and over each week so I need a variety of ways for us to eat some good stuff!

If you were nodding your head as you read, do it with me!  We can hold each other accountable privately (only pounds lost will be shared on the blog, no actual weight numbers . . . just no reason for that!), keep each other going during tough parts, and trade healthy recipes or tips!

And if you see me reaching for a cookie . . . feel free to pop my hand!!