Unrealistic expectations set us up to fail all the time. How many of us made New Years resolutions on January 1, 2010 and did not see them through? Yup, just as I thought, way too many! Mostly we do this every year because the world has so much hype about it. We get caught up and carried away. Not really thinking through a plan of action that makes sense. Just as the Christmas shopping season is the make it or break it money time for retail, so is January for weight loss centers, gym memberships and exercise equipment. It is their biggest money making time of the year. Why is that? Because so many Americans (ranked #1 as the most overweight country in the world) decides it is time to lose weight and get fit. That is a good thing, but the problem is the way we approach it...Hype, hype, HYPE!!!
As a Believer we should approach our issues and problems from the standpoint of trying to get to the root cause of the problem. Excessive weight (if not due from medications or a medical condition) is a symptom of a larger problem. Women overeat for different reasons, but there is still an underling problem or root cause.
Setting a certain number of pounds we want to lose in a certain amount of time can be defeatist from the very beginning. And the reason I say that is because it doesn’t look at what has brought us to the place of being overweight. It was a lifestyle of something that helped us put on the weight and it will be a lifestyle change that will help us get it off and keep it off.
Setting goals: Let’s make our first goal, “We will no longer overeat!” So what does that entail? Counting calories, counting fiber, cutting out or cutting down on sugar, eating smaller portions, and ditching junk food and take out? No longer overeating is going to mean something different to each of us, but it is a good place to start in the natural. Spiritually we should be praying and seeking God as to why we are using food in a way that is not healthy.
I’ve found that single women without children, young children or only one child, have a tendency to eat takeout more than cook. They often opt to buy lunch versus pack a healthy meal from home and pickup food (a few times a week) on the way home for dinner instead of cooking. This is not only expensive but also not the healthiest of lifestyles. So this would mean they would have to come up with a plan for healthier meals. Picking up a roasted chicken from the market is easy and inexpensive and adding a fresh salad, steamed veggies a little pasta or baked sweet potato is an excellent meal and you still don’t have to cook a lot. Baking fish is quick and easy; add a salad and small whole grain dinner roll and you’ve had a great heart healthy meal. Cooking for one or two can have its challenges, but there are websites with all type of suggestions and quick recipes.
Women who have husbands and families find it very challenging to eat differently without cooking two separate meals and that can become a drag and expensive after awhile. But there is hope for you too sisters, you just have to do your research and network to come up with healthier low fat , whole grain, flavorful meals that you and your family both will enjoy. Thank God for the “World Wide Web” and great cook books!
If you are one who doesn’t like to cook, then prayer to help you overcome that is needed, because the best and healthiest foods will come out of our own kitchens.
Making change is usually never easy, but a must in this life we live. So once you can begin to see that it has become easier to not eat after a certain time of night, or that you are not craving something sweet all the time and you’ve replaced mindless eating with something productive, then it is time to add another layer to your new lifestyle. Physical activity is a must for better overall health. Walking does wonders for you and if that is all you are able to do then do that. Everyone can’t afford a gym membership (and even when we can they often go to waste) but most of us can walk. Zumba (dance) classes run around $5.00 per class and that might be an option for you once you build up your stamina. If you are having problems with your knees or joints, look into water aerobic classes.
Sisters, doing one or two things slowly is better than doing nothing at all, which is usually where we end up a month or so after our great New Years resolution to do it all in one big swoop. We peter our and give up. But we can avoid that this time if our approach is different.
If our goal is to get healthy spiritually, mentally and physically, then the weight loss becomes the gravy of it all, not the heart. Finding out why we do the things we do that are not good for us is very important in living the good life that the Messiah died for us to have. Taking one step and one day at a time, most often reaps the best benefits in life.
So don’t put expectations on yourself that you cannot keep and set yourself up to fail. Start with prayer and the desire to change that which hinders you, in your relationship with God and others. And then just take it one day at a time with the Holy Spirit guiding you along the way.
Love & Hugs
Ponnie
Monday's Blog: "Encouragement on our Finances or Lack of!”
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