Fit 4 Jesus

Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me. For there is no truth in their mouths; their hearts are destruction; their throats are open graves; they flatter with their tongues.  (Psalm 5)

I am often a little surprised as I read the psalms at the open hostility that David pours out before God.  He wants God to strike down his enemies and give them what he believes they deserve--a taste of their own medicine. My life is so different than David's--I actually can't think of anyone who is an enemy.  As I think about this I wonder if this is such a great thing.  Now bear with me for a minute here.  I'm not looking to make some with this post.  But, I think that people who take a stand for righteousness can quickly make enemies.   The more authority you have (as David did), the more enemies as well.  Truly righteous people make waves and aren't afraid to do so.  I struggle with my own fear and my desire to be liked.   I don't spend enough time relying on God for the favor that I need--I get it from other people.  It's something to chew on for sure.

Again, I sit here and feel the need to respond to something I read that inspired me to think about my own journey and share how I stopped logging my food but did not start gaining weight.  I'm not sure if this will work for others...but it is how I did it.

Step One: I accomplished my weight loss goal and logged for a while afterwards. 

This is actually important because I then could refer back and see the kinds and quantities of foods I was eating while maintaining my weight. I knew that down the road I might need to look back on these entries because someone who had kept off weight for years told me I might find them useful if (or when) I struggled to maintain.  It is a good idea. 

Step Two: I started blogging with a fitness goal in mind.

This one is probably one of the more significant ones.  I started a challenge called "Journey to Bethlehem" just before Christmas and invited people to join with me and then I blogged about the experience.  I enjoyed the experience so much that I continue to blog to this day (obviously). I found this took the focus away from calorie-counting and into the more social aspects of the site.

Step Three:  I stopped logging absolutely everything.  

I was still mindful and logging, but at the end of the day if I knew I had a certain number of calories left, I would allow myself a snack and not bother to log it.  This first step was as much out of laziness as anything but it did start me to taper off logging everything.

Step Four: Logging became less and less frequent and then stopped altogether.

I kept eating the same basic diet but eventually stopped logging.  If new options or foods arose, I might check them out before eating them but other than that I just ate as I had been for months. I did make a conscious choice to stop logging but keep eating the same.  I had established a nice routine and I kept it.

Step Five: I started weighing everyday. 

While I was losing, I went to a weight loss group and weighed in once a week.  I actually stayed with the group after I finished losing for several months but I did not attend as regularly.  So, in order to stay accountable and to see the effects of my choices, I started weighing everyday.  I charted this way for several months and it helped me to see the effects of my choices.  Immediate feedback that I found motivating.  I found eventually that even this got tedious though because I did not want the scale to become the new dictator in my life so....

Step Six: I started weighing once a week.

I still check in once a week and I will probably continue to do this because it keeps me accountable.  Maybe one day I'll even move it to once a month.  I like once a week though because it usually helps me to smarten up if I see a steady increase and I know the changes I need to implement to make it happen.  I'm often surprised when I don't see a leap!

Step Eight: I developed more aggressive and long term fitness goals.

For me this came in the way of getting involved with races and specifically with triathlons.  It's something I can do for fun and continue to improve upon.

Step Seven: I stopped being afraid of counting.

Occasionally I am curious about how much I am eating and I check it out for fun.  I've also learned that it's also okay to fall back on calorie counting or look at those old journal entries to get back on track.  It doesn't have to be all or nothing anymore.  I also often log my exercise because I love the positive feedback about it and looking at the awesome burn on the screen.  I stay mindful of my choices and exercise regularly.

I sometimes laugh at myself a bit that I blog on a calorie-counting site because I don't count anymore! However, I still need the support and community and I want to encourage other people as they face this long and often complex journey. 

⁵ I lie down and sleep; 
   I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. 
⁶ I will not fear though tens of thousands 
   assail me on every side. (Psalms 3:5-6)

This psalm was written by David when he was fleeing his own son--he had an army come after him and they were seeking to destroy him.  The ultimate betrayal and one that pierced David's heart deeply.  Even with all that anxiety and uncertainty David is able to have a good night's sleep.  I don't know about you--but I sometimes find it hard to sleep when I begin to consider the family finances or some other trivial thing.  Ten thousand soldiers aren't knocking down my door.  He had such faith that God would sustain and rescue him that He could rest.  He put his trust in God even in such dire circumstance.  Surely I can do the same and give over my concerns and maybe get a good night's sleep in the process.

I read a post this morning--someone was complaining about not being able to post anti-religious (and I'm pretty sure specifically anti-Christian from the blog) forum threads.  It was one of the popular blog posts and I pretty much always take some time to check out what other people are writing--you never know when a really good post will come up or a fabulous recipe.  Anyways, I thought it was interesting because I've also seen posts of Christians complaining that they are not allowed to have religious posts in the forums either.

 I really wonder--why not?

Is it because the subject can be a touchy one for some people?  Because people feel strongly about it?  Well, good!!! People feel strongly about the right way and wrong way to lose weight and those opinions don't always match up either.  (Think HGC diet or Beachbody or Atkins people--there are strong opinions out there and there is faithful following for any number of diets).  Healthy and respectful debate should be encouraged and allowed.  I wonder why we shy away from open and honest dialogue about it.  Some may be offended at the mere mention of religion or atheism, but really---they could simply not read the post.  It's like reading the paper--you can go to the next page if you don't like the article.

It is because they believe that your faith (or lack thereof) has nothing to do with your weight loss?  Personally, I know that my faith played a huge role in my weight loss and it was as much a spiritual and emotional journey as it was a physical one.  I have purposed to even use the time that I am exercising to reflect and pray.  Since Christ is the center of my life it stands to reason that He has a part in this area as well.  There is no disconnect in my mind and thoughts.  I imagine the same would be true for someone who isn't seeking God.  They would approach the trials and tribulations of their weight loss in a completely different way.

I am glad that the blogs are still a safe place to have these discussions though and this is not intended to be an angry rant or a demand for change.  It just got me thinking about why we are so afraid to let religion (or lack of it) be part of the discussion.  Are we not adults who can love and respect each other enough to discuss openly the mysteries of life?  Maybe that is the problem.  Too often we want to tear each other down and we feel that we have the right to do that online because we don't have to face the person we have crushed with our harsh words and lack of tact.  Maybe most of us (me included) have trouble taming our tongues.  We all need to work on this.

 ¹⁰ Therefore, you kings, be wise; 
   be warned, you rulers of the earth. 
¹¹ Serve the LORD with fear 
   and celebrate his rule with trembling. 
¹² Kiss his son, or he will be angry 
   and your way will lead to your destruction, 
for his wrath can flare up in a moment. 
   Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (Psalms 2:10-12)

I think it's sometimes easy to overlook the wrath of God--we want a fluffy and comfortable God who puts up with our rebellion and deception.  I know that I don't often consider this.  I need to tremble--it's a sign that I understand the supremacy of God and my own humble state.  Definately something to chew on today.   

So, the last week has been not so great.  My hubby, the baby and I all have a cold.  More than that though I have been suffering with horrible malaise that I have yet to completely shake.  I've been avoiding blogging so that I don't share that with the world.  I know that I need to get back to basics though and I wonder which came first--me stopping blogging or this junky feeling and I am not entirely sure.  Writing my thoughts and reflecting on Scripture seems to be a good idea though.

  ¹ Blessed is the one