Through Christ....I did it!!!

When I went to my lung doctor at the beginning of May I got a wake up call that I didn't see coming. When the nurse weighed me I was hovering close to 200 pounds. Yes, I had a mini freak out in my mind. Then the doctor told me that my lungs look awesome and if I take off at least the 25 pounds I gained being on prednasone I will stay in remission longer. So I decided that is what I will do. I didn't know what to do. I started off slow, but then the Lord made it clear that if I don't find my identity in Him I can not suceed in any area. I lost myself these past few years taking care of my family. I let myself go. So I chose to change. I had to conquer many mountains that I didn't know were standing in my way. The biggest one was dealing with rejection. I had to come to terms that some people will always see me a chubby girl, that it is easier for some to regift their junk to me instead of taking the time to get to know me (not saying regifting is bad, the motive behind it can be wrong and a form of rejection), and the biggest one was that to some I will never be good enough. I worked through all that and healed most of the way, I am human so things will try to creep back in. The other thing I had to work on was that I needed to believe what I know to be true. Example: I know that my husband thinks I am beautiful, I had to believe that to be true, I know Christ wants the best for me, but I had to learn to trust Him, and so on. I am so excited I am going through this personal journey.

The other side of weight loss is food and exercise. I had to come to a place where I had no relationship with food. It was just food, and I needed to eat three healthy meals a day. I have to think about what I am putting in my mouth and is it healthy. I didn't take anything out of my diet I just changed my mind set. As I ate more veggies and ate healthier meals my taste for things has changed. I crave veggies over sweets. I get sickish inside if I go two or more meals without fresh veggies or fruit. Joe and I joined a CSA (community supported agriculture). We get a box of farm fresh veggies and fruit every week. We have been forced to eat more veggies and that has done wonders to our family's health. My kiddos love eggplant and are excited when we get some from the farm. Exercise wasn't any issue for me. I love to walk. I blessed to live in a neighborhood with many hills. Our family loves to be active!!

So with all these combinations of things I did what I set out to do. I lost 23 pounds in 4 months. I am on a mission to loose two more pounds by the end of the month. Then I will work on the next 25 pounds. I am looking forward to the challenges of fall and winter when it comes to food, and exercise. The journey is long and challenging at times, but when I slip into my pants that I haven't been able to fit in in almost 5 years it makes all this worth it! For the first time in a really really long time I feel beautiful. Thank you Lord for holding my hand and walking with me through this!!