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Proverbs 10:22 (NKJV) 
    The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

How blessed I am feeling today…

There’s a new digit in town!  It is so exciting to look at the scales and not see that TWO in front.  How many years has it been?  At least six years since I weighed in under the 200 mark.  The number is nice but there are other things that make this so exciting.

I “shopped” my closet this week, looking for things that had been sent to the “too-small-to-wear” corner.  I was amazed to find 7 pairs of jeans I could now wear.  This week I will dig deeper and try to find more blouses because I really need some tops that aren’t billowing.  The too-big clothes are going out soon.  I will keep one pair of pants and a t-shirt just to look back and have some perspective of where I came from.

This may be TMI, but I have “under-grown” my underwear!  That’s not a problem, because I just happen to have 2 smaller sizes tucked away in a drawer.  No shopping in that section of the store will be necessary for a long time.  I got to remove the bra extenders I have been using for several years… not needed any more!

I saw a friend that I had not seen in a couple of months, and she commented on my new shape.  Now THAT is a wonderful feeling!  Those I see often, who know the journey I am on, offer lots of encouraging words… but for someone else to notice that I have changed… that is great!

Even more exciting is, this journey does get easier as I go along.  God’s grace IS new every morning to guide me along!  I think that is because I am getting more established in my routines.  I don’t have to wonder what I will have for breakfast because most days I eat the same thing.  I was feeling bad about this, but after reading Weight Loss Boss, I discovered that he did the same thing.  Not having to decide what’s for breakfast helps me get up and get going without a hassle.  I put lots of variety into the other meals and snacks, but breakfast is my easy meal.

On the slightly down-side, my BP has started creeping back up after getting off the diuretics.  It is not extremely high, but I can tell something needs to be done about this.  I guess my body has adjusted to my exercise routine.  I don’t consider this a major thing because my doctor told me this might happen. I started back on the diuretics to see if this brings it back to the level I want.  If not, then I’ll schedule another visit with my family doctor. 

So, I have lots of be thankful for today (and every day)!  I am truly rich in all sorts of blessings from the Lord.  I am reminded of the praise song, “Blessed Be The Name Of the Lord”.

Every blessing You pour out I’ll give back in praise!

Blessings…. wonderful things!  Let’s count them and praise Him for sending them our way!

KAT

Milestone Reached

Today is a special day for me in my WLJ.  Today I reached my 10% weight loss goal.  When I started this journey on March 15th 10% looked WAAAYYYYYYYY out there, but today I looked it in the face.

So what exactly have I achieved?  It is MUCH more than a number on the scales, as nice as it is to see that number.  The WW web site informs me that by losing 10% of my body weight and keeping it off I have lowered my cholesterol, reduced my blood pressure (I had to get off my blood pressure meds a few months ago because my BP was going too low.), and I have lowered my risk of diabetes… that is a “biggie” for me because diabetes runs in my family, and so does obesity. 

I have not wanted to really ponder on the connection between those two things before but now I will shout out that according to David Kirchoff’s book, Weight Loss Boss, by losing 7-8% and keeping it off we lower our risk of diabetes by a whopping 58%!! YAHHH for my health and future!  You see, it really is about MUCH more than a number on the scale.  It is all about my quality of life for the rest of my life.

If you have not read this book you MUST get it!  This book offers lots of advice and strategies for your weight loss journey and is applicable to ANY weight loss program.  You do NOT have to be doing Weight Watchers to benefit from this read.  I guess many WW members will get this advice from going to their weekly WW meetings but since I am doing this on-line only, I found the book to be very inspirational and helpful.  Check it out…  Weight Loss Boss,  by David Kirchoff.  It is available in lots of places.

My next weight goal will be reached soon; a new “digit” will appear in the hundred’s place and I’ll weigh less than I have in about 7 years.  I will really celebrate that “changing of the digits” moment!  Then I will probably set 10-pound goals until my lower-than-I-want-to-think-about final goal weight is reached.

And now, I am off to celebrate by quilting like crazy.  I have a quilt in the machine that must be finished by noon today so I can deliver it. 

Well, just let me celebrate a little more…

YAH me!  Way to go!  Keep it up, gal!  WOO-HOO!  But the most important celebration..

Thank YOU, Lord, for leading me down this path, for sustaining me when things were hard, for giving me strength for the journey and blessing my efforts!

Have a blessed week.

KAT

Too Much of a Good Thing!

Genesis 3:6 (KJV) 
    And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes,… she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat…

Just as in the above Bible account of woman and food, I have fallen to the lure of fresh fruit.   I seem to have over-indulged this week and have a 1 pound gain to prove it.  Watermelon, fresh cherries, bananas, strawberries… oh, and the FRESH FIGS off the trees in the yard.  We certainly can’t forget them since they are absolutely LOADED with sugar.  I can justify my behavior by lamenting, “But fruit is a FREE FOOD on WW!”  Yes, it is, but it is still loaded with calories.  Even though it does not cost me “points”, it does still increase my caloric intake.  “But summer fruits are so yummy and plentiful right now, and they won’t be around in a few months!”  Yes, but the facts are still the facts.  “But they are so good for you!”  Yes, but so also are tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, etc. which we also have plenty of right now.

Fruit has been placed on the throne of my life this past week, and today it is being “dethroned”!  What part of “addicted to food” do I not get?  Even good foods in excess, and eaten when I am not really even hungry, are a cause for concern.  The poor behaviors I have worked so hard to change in the last several months are trying to return, sneaking in through the guise of “good for you foods”.  The thing is, when I reached for those fruits I sometimes could plainly hear the voice of the Holy Spirit reminding me of the above facts, and I just chose to ignore it because “fruit is good for you and it is a free food”.  What WAS I trying to feed?  It certainly wasn’t my body in many cases, because I realize now often I was not hungry when I reached for the fruit. 

No more of THAT, Missy!  Today I remind myself that this journey is as much a spiritual battle as it is a food battle.  I prayerfully repent and place Jesus back on the throne of my heart.  My obedience to His call to live a healthy life style is the number one indicator as to exactly Who or what sits on the throne of my life.  Before I reach for food, I must stop and see if I am really hungry or just wanting to eat.  If hunger is indeed the cause, then I must reach for the cherry tomatoes rather than a big load of fruit. It is funny that I will eat a whole handful of cherries, but only 4 or 5 tomatoes. 

I’ve recognized the problem, indentified the underlying issue, repented, and am moving on toward my goals.  I will not beat myself up over this, for condemnation is not from Jesus, but I will remember this lesson and move forth in wisdom.  Next week’s weigh-in will be better.

Cherry tomato, anyone?

Have a blessed week!

KAT