So, here I am, 2 weeks after my last real post, and feeling more "not beautiful" than ever. Now hear me on this....I know who I am in Christ....I know who I am in the eyes of my Creator....I know the Truth.......not feeling it though! And it's really a result of my poor choices and circumstances.
I couldn't exercise and won't be able to do strenuous physical cardio activity for quite some time. But I haven't eaten in a way that has helped too much either. While I've had some tasty meals made by some great cooks and well meaning friends, I definitely did not do what it takes to love my body and drop the excess fat that is keeping me from being my best.
I don't ever want to confuse weight loss with beauty. But I feel so much better when I am about 15-20 pounds lighter than I am today. Today I feel fat. I feel frumpy. My pants are tight. It is the lack of discipline during hard times that got me this way. As I've stated in previous posts, I'm committed. I believe I'm beautiful and aim to live that way. Not treating my beautiful God made self poorly. I never intend to mess up. This is my life struggle.
Thank the Lord, He does not condemn me for my mistakes. He knows my heart and knows how hard I try. So, I'm thankful for today. For a brief time, during these 1st 2 weeks of recovery, I lost my vision and focus. I'm back. (again)
How about you? I need partners here. I need encouragement. I need accountability. And I want all of these things. I don't care if you are on Weight Watchers, LA Weight Loss, Slimfast, the Hollywood Hoodia Grapefruit Diet, or Dexatrim....if you want/need encouragement and accountability for your journey in weight loss (or gain...bless your heart), self image, feeling beautiful and good about yourself....then I ask you please to post here. Share your struggles. Share your goals. Two are stronger than one. Three even better..."because a triple braided cord is not easily broken." (Ecclesiastes)
On Monday, I'll begin posting scripture, goals, goal date, and any inspirational thought that comes to mind. I'd love to hear yours too. If you are a Christian (not required) please also include a verse, prayer, or book that has helped you. And if there is a story you'd like to share, I'd love to have you as a guest poster sometime.
Right now, I'm claiming the verse that is at the top of this page..."I am fearfully and wonderfully made." I fear God because I don't want to disappoint Him. I'm wonderful because He made me...and that was no mistake.
Have a great, good, healthy, beautiful weekend. Pray about joining me and setting some realistic, God driven, healthy living goals. If you are interested, let me know.
Oh yea, to answer the question asked in the post title..."Am I Beautiful?" Well, the answer to that is easy. "YES!"
Love,Melissa
***My next give away will be on this blog. Tune in Thursday, March 6th for details.
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9 comments:
Hi Melissa,
I found you from Lysa TerKeursts blog. I too am trying to lose some weight only I need to lose more like 70 pounds. My goal for this year is 50. I had lost 10 and then this past week I had the bad stomach virus and haven't exercised in a week or eaten right. So I have put a couple of pounds back on. While being sick I went back to only eating carbs and haven't shook it since! So tomorrow I gotta get back on it and do better. I an not doing any program, just exercising, drinking mostly water and eating better choices and less food. Thank you for this blog, I need the encouragement!
Mels, my scriptures are off the top of my head so they are Deniseatised.... here are some.... If it is so encouraging then encourage one another!1 Thess.5:11
Not that I have claimed all this but one thing for sure, is that I press on, not looking back but hold on to the future. Phil.3:12-14
Apart from me you can do nothing John 15:5 and similarily, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength Phil. 4:13
See, I am about to do a new thing, a matter of fact I have already begun! Isaiah 43:19
Ahhhhh truth for the trials and journey, it is all worth it, as we all press on and into Him!
LOVE U Sista!
D
Hi Melissa,
It was just recently I wrote a comment on Lysa's blog about needing accountability in regards to weight loss and exercise. I don't want to loose much weight, but need to be doing something to keep fit. Because of my love for writing and reading, my spare time is spent sitting and I know I need to be excercising my body as well as my mind. So, this idea is great! I will definitely be checking back in.
The verse I'll leave with you is challenging me is 1 Corinthians 6: 19,20 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
Praying for you,
Joy
Hi Melissa,
Great idea! It's easier to suceed when you've got support!
My goal is to get healthier by eating right and exercise--not to reach a certain number. I think if I do that, I'll end up the size God intends for me to be--and feel great, too!
Love,
Micca
Hi Melissa,
I would like to lose about 20 pounds. I had been doing fairly well with walking each day until Winter hit. I have a hard time convincing myself to go out in the cold. I have a walking partner and we walk once a week to exercise as well as share prayer requests and pray for each other. Unfortunately she will be moving to Georgia at the end of this month. :(
I could use some accountability with exercise as well as eating more healthy.
Melissa,
I am with you. I gained back some of the weight I lost in 2006. I have been good this year so far. Accountability would be very helpful. I did just have a frosty fix n mix from Wendy's (I am okay with that because I exercised this morning and went for a walk this afternoon). A book that I loved was "You are not what you weight" by Lisa Bevere. She is very candid in this book
I also wanted to say thanks for the camp out idea. We had a great time last night. I took some pictures, I will get them on my post. We are going to repeat it tonight too!!
Love you beautiful!!!
Charlene
Melissa,
This is Diane from the speaker group from last confrence. I too struggle with weight. For me I suffer from chronic pain and I have to equate pain and pounds. I did WW last fall and lost 15 pounds, but stopped during the holidays. I have been in a BIG depression. But a couple things that I keep playing in my mind are:
* If I stop or quit a proper food plan then my alternative is to get fatter.
* the other thing is that I have to "trust the process". It didn't all come on over night and won't go away overnight either.
I wrote a poem awhile back and it is called "A Flaw in my Mirror Today.
Here it is:
I saw a flaw in my mirror today
It changed how I saw you
Your care got all twisted with acts that were untrue.
I saw a flaw in theory today
It changed how I saw the world
No peace could to be found, none did I seek.
I saw a flaw in my mirror today
It changed how I saw me
Beauty is there, but none can I see
I felt a flaw in my heart today,
It was my self worth and my doubt
My outward appearance covers the hurt
I saw the flaws were still in my mirror
Immediately I ran and to get another
I looked at it and saw the same
The inside pain was still there
No cleaner or new one could hide my despair
To change the view I put down the mirror
Closed my eyes and looked inside
There my true heart resides
The next time I reached for a mirror, no flaws did I find
In fact I saw my real beauty divine
The beauty He made when He created me
In that secret place made just for Thee
Every hair on my head counted one by one
Every tear is caught on His Mighty Throne
No flaws in my mirror I ever will see
A reflection of Him forever I’ll be
A new found hope forever will reside
In my soul, my heart, and in my mind.
Diane Conklin Applewhite
Hey Melissa,
You are beautiful and I am so glad that you want to help others. First, I thank you for your prayers for my son, David. Things are going much better but unfortunately during that time my diet consisted mostly of chocolate. Funny how chocolate can soothe--for awhile. Now I'm paying the price. My goal is to get to a healthy weight. My body is God's temple and right now It's looking pretty dumpy. For this week I commit to exercising on my treadmill at least 3x's for 30 min.
And tracking my points for weight watchers. Thanks for your encouragement.
Lori
Yeah! Lori, thanks for leaving your goals! Girl I'm going to be checkin in on ya!
And to the rest of you, thank you for posting your plans for healthy living and encouragement. You inspire me like you just don't know.
I loved the poem by Diane..that was so beautiful girl. I'm going to print it.
Love,
Melissa
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