My team at MyWeightLossTeam.com has lost over 20 pounds this month! We’ve had a ball and are looking forward to next month. Meridian Teams for June are forming now and you can sign up for free at https://www.myweightlossfriend.com/meridian_mwlt.html . After joining, go to Community, then scroll down to “Meridian” for instructions. See you there!
Today’s Scripture : “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”
(Genesis 18:14)
I was with some friends recently where we were all ordering t-shirts for a special event.
“As much as I’d like to order a medium, better get me an X-tra large!” said one of the women with a laugh. “Some things will never change, as much as I wish it would!”
Other women have also laughed about seemingly impossible changes: For example, Sarah, the wife of Abraham, laughed when she heard she was going to bear a child in her old age. The miracle occurred and she did, indeed bear a son.
The powerful admonishment in the scripture above was the Lord’s response to Sarah to prove his might and glory – and these words can just as easily be ours to lean on when doing all that is required to healthfully lose weight just seems too hard. The next time the miracle (and it does feel like a personal modern-day miracle when it happens!) of both the body’s ability to lose weight and the spirit’s ability to remain enthusiastic about it seems elusive, we can take a lesson from one of my readers named Diane. She sent pictures of herself down 40 pounds and shared how she got herself through some very low periods:
When the journaling, exercising, and mindset seemed too hard, I’d just remind myself of how hard it is to:
- Shop in specialty clothing stores or online because your choices are limited;
- Miss out on outdoor activities because you’re too embarrassed or can’t keep up;
- Not being able to wear your favorite outfit because it’s too small;
- Not wanting to hug those close to you because you don’t want them to feel your rolls of fat;
- Not going to the movies, because squeezing into the seats for 90 minutes is too uncomfortable;
- Not attending family gatherings because you don’t want people to see how big you’ve gotten;
- Insist on taking the photos at special events, rather than being in them;
- Not sit down at picnic or summer barbeques because you’re afraid the lawn furniture won’t hold you;
- Not attend your high school reunion because you don’t want friends thinking “what happened to her?”
- Not ride on amusement park rides with your kids or grandkids because you can’t fit in the safety harness or the seat;
- Not fit in the booth at your favorite restaurant because there isn’t enough space between the bench and the table for you to sit;
- Having to ask for a seatbelt extension on the airplane and
- Not making important doctor’s appointments because you don’t want “the lecture.
When you think about it, it’s as hard to live with the extra pounds it as it is to face the hourly challenge and lose them. The dilemma of the ongoing battle brings to my mind a Visiting Teaching/Home Teaching Seminar where an inspired bishop lovingly challenged us to be as creative in fulfilling our duties as we were in procrastinating and making excuses to ourselves, partners, and the Lord. “You know what to do and there’s a whole month’s worth of peaceful rest waiting for you,” he said with a smile, “if you’ll just pray and commit to becoming diligent!”
Here’s a wonderful way to remind ourselves that nothing is too hard for the Lord: Simply carry a small, hard rock in your pocket. Place another on your windowsill in the kitchen, on the bathroom sink, and other places where you’ll seem them often. Each time you see them, or touch that hard rock in your pocket, use it as a reminder of your goals and say to yourself, “Nothing is too hard for the Lord. With His help, I can lose weight, I am losing weight and I will lose this extra weight to serve Him and find joy.” Then picture Sarah holding her precious baby boy, and you at a healthy weight!
Miracles happen every day, and yours is in the making even as you read this and take action now.
Today’s Empowerment: When all the steps required to lose weight feel too hard, I remind myself that it is equally difficult to live with it, say “Nothing is too hard for the Lord” and just keep a-going.
Journal Prompts/Discussion Starters:
- Make a list of the things that are hardest for you in following a healthy eating and exercise plan.
- Make a list of the things that are hardest about being overweight.
- Compare the two and prayerfully consider your areas of focus this week.
Today’s Recipe: Pickled Beets
Here’s a wonderful pick-me-up snack to keep cold and chilled, front and center in the fridge
1 cup apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp. honey
1 cup water
3 peppercorns
1 bay leaf
2 whole cloves
1 cup sliced onions
5 cups beets, cooked to barely tender, peeled and sliced (or 2 cans)
Combine vinegar, honey and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add peppercorns, bay leaf and cloves. Let simmer for 10 minutes. Place onions and beets in the bottom of a heat-proof jar or bowl. Pour hot liquid over vegetables and cover. Keep in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 1 day before serving.
(3 g Dietary Fiber; 45 calories; 0 g Fat; 11 g Carb)