Reshaping it All

I have wanted to write this post for awhile but where to begin! I have been on a diet and losing weight. I gained a little over the holidays and then lost it again. I have officially lost 25.5 pounds. I have done it by doing an hour of cardio 5 days a week (at 5:30am!) and then I have tried to cut out sugar, white flour, and dairy.....and Diet Coke(ouch!) But that is not why I am writing.

The Lord has been working on my heart over the last couple of years about food being an idol of my heart. I love food, love to eat, get excited about recipes, love to cook...and athough I don't think there is anything wrong with loving to do those things as activites, I think it is the time I spend thinking about it. Sometimes it consumes me. Then let's not even talk about the quanity of food I can eat. I think I can out eat my husband easy!

Before Christmas, I started reading a book by Candace Cameron Bure ( You know, DJ from "Full House"?...and my childhood crush, Kirk Cameron's sister?)called, "Reshaping it All". In the book she shares her struggle with food growing up and how it became a sin issue in her life. It is also something that she has overcome. She wrote that she used to be a person that was obsessed with food and thought about it constantly and now it isn't really something she thinks alot about during the day. I wanted to almost cry. I can't imagine a life like that. She gives a lot of practical advice in her book. She writes,

5 important steps to reaching your goals:

1. envision your goal.

2. formulate a plan.

3. Consider the gain.

4. count the cost.

5. Do the neccesary work to achieve it.

The other thing that I am woking on in my life this year (that has a lot to do with food, is the area of self control.) I NEED to bring self control to so many areas in my life. Candace writes,

"In many cases a healthy body is a reflection of an inner life that is balanced and is one that has excercised self control."

She also talks about her keys to success,

1. Willpower

2. Belief

3. Decision

4. Action

She says that you HAVE to have all four for your new way of life to work. Another tip,

1. Stay in communication with God. (on this issue of food)

2. Monitor your behavior.

3. Buddy up, and be accountable to a partner. ( Shout out to Wendy! Holla!)

She goes on to explain all of these priciples. She has scripture verses at the end of each chapter, helpful hints, good recipes, and fun stories about growing up. I am only halfway through the book!

About 10 years ago, I lost 70 pounds and then came....my baby weight. (remember my kids are adopted). I worried, stressed, and was looking for something to make me happy and nothing makes me happier than a cheeseburger, fries and dessert! I had focused on losing weight but I had not fixed the problem of food being an idol in my life. I am working on that now.

Candace doesn't deprive herself of anything. She just makes really healthy choices most of the time. She limits dessert to once or twice a week. Last night I had 1 cookie and I didn't feel too bad about it because I had such a good week and I still lost 4.5 pounds this week! I have 57 more pounds to lose to hit a personal goal that I have. Praying that I do it. If you struggle with this at all buy the book. It has been the best cheerleader yet!