WLWed: Evaluations

This week's topic is…

Evaluation

Where are you at in your weight loss journey?  Let's be honest and real.  Look at how far you've come and set a real workable goal.  Maybe it will be about a number on the scale or maybe it will be about a fitness goal.  The point is to objectively look at your journey and evaluate where you are and where you want to go.  I hope you'll join us!

I last week I shared with you my shock over reaching goal.  So I thought I would explain how that works with Weight Watchers.  On their plan, you then have six weeks of maintenance.  If you are within two pounds of your goal weight at the end of that six weeks, you are considered a Lifetime member.

I just finished my first week of maintenance.  I must confess that this was an odd week for me…both emotionally and physically.  I was allocated a few extra points every day…which means more food.  This was harder than I thought it would be. 

I've been fairly consistent in my daily calorie intake and I didn't feel deprived.  So it was an interesting dilemma to think about what to eat extra.  I splurged a little, but I tried not to overdo it.  Today's scale results showed that I must have overdone it because I gained 2 lbs.

That 2 lb gain was a little frustrating.  But I'm not sure that it was all tied to my diet.  I think my body is having a few hormonal issues of it's own.  But I am going to be a little bit more careful about what I eat. 

What has surprised me even more this week is the impact of maintenance on my emotions.  I first started having weight issues shortly after I got married almost 18 years ago.  I lost the weight.  Then I got pregnant.  I have struggled with my weight ever since my son was born.

I have lost 10-15 pounds several times in those 15 years.  But I would always get complacent and go back to my old habits.  It's an interesting feeling to finally have lost the weight.  After 15 years of struggling with my weight, I no longer have to say, "I need to lose weight."

I'm not complaining, mind you. 

It's just a different emotion.  I'm still processing all of it.  I think at the heart of the issue is fear.  There's a huge fear that I'll go back to my old weight.  My emotions say this is only temporary.

But that is not truth.

Over the last few weeks, a scripture has been repeated in my heart over and over and over again…

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.  2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV 1984)

or in the New King James Version…

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  2 Timothy 1:7

In my mind…especially when I'm running, the two versions get combined and translated this way…

For God did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control.

When you get right down to the heart the matter, this one verse could describe my whole weight loss journey over the last 16 months. 

For God did not give me a spirit of fear that said I couldn't do this.  Instead He gave me the power to do the unimaginable.  He gave me the love to love myself enough to make a change.  And He gave me the self-control to make the change possible.

And it now applies to my journey into maintenance.

For God did not give me a spirit of fear that I have to be afraid I'll go back to my old ways.  Instead He gave me the power to continue doing what I know is right.  He gave me the love and support of others to encourage me in my journey (thank you, Lisa H for that wonderful phone call yesterday).  And He gave me the self-control to add old favorites back into my diet without over indulging. 

Isn't God amazing?!?!?

My friends, the same is true for you. 

You are stronger than you think you are.  You have everything you need to make a difference in your life.  I believe in you.  But even more importantly…God believes in you.  He loves you enough to encourage you to change.  And He cares enough to see you through it.

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19

How are you doing with your weight loss goals my friend?  Why don't you join us for Weight Loss Wednesday and share?  Remember…we're all in this together!

It's easy.  Write a blog post about this week's topic and link back to this post.  Then register with Mr. Linky below.  Please know, though, that I reserve the right to delete any link that does not conform to the spirit of Weight Loss Wednesday.  You can also join us on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #wlwed. 

Also please remember to visit some of the other participants as well.  It's very encouraging to know you are not alone in this journey.

Next week's topic is…..Road Trips.

I am getting ready to take a road trip to in a little over a week to Michigan to visit my sweet friend, Kaira.  I'm a little bit concerned about controlling my diet on this trip.  I've done it on vacation, but never on a road trip when I don't have complete control over meals & activities.  So I'm curious, how do you handle road trips?  How do you continue to eat healthy & stay active when you're on the road and out of your normal routine.  I can't wait to hear your ideas.  So I hope you'll join us!

In the meantime, remember….

Quitting is not an option!