#Weight loss

1 Corinthians 3:17
"If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple."

We have all wondered about either how to lose weight or get in shape. Who hasn't looked up #weight loss? Okay, maybe it's just because you didn't understand hashtags? I will explain that in my next Blog. Smile, I know you want to. On a more serious note why am I mentioning weight loss right before Thanksgiving? Because there is always a reason to wait to start watching what we eat. Someone, somewhere, is having a birthday. But what about Christmas? Well, then there is Easter? See what I mean? I want to share my year long journey with you. On October 15, 2018 I began a weight loss journey. I use the word journey because it took me almost a year. But, I lost thirty pounds and have kept it off. I got rid of my fat clothes and have made a commitment to stay a healthy weight for my body. I made a lifestyle change.

So, you're probably asking what I did to loose thirty pounds? I changed the way I ate and the what I ate. I actually started eating more and more often. Really. I eat every two and a half to three hours. I eat smaller portions and drink lots of water. Did you hear that? I drinks lots of water. Drinking the water was the hardest transition to make. At first it made me sick and kept me running to the bathroom. Then, I adjusted or should I say my body adjusted? Now, I legitimately get thirsty. I don't burp all the time and I don't constantly run to the restroom. I feel amazing most of the time. It is only when I fall back into an old patterns that I begin feeling really bad again. I have had that happen so many times, I have finally chosen to stay with what is working and not go back to my old habits of eating bad. It is just not worth it. I feel hungry when it is time to eat and satisfied once I have eaten. That's a big deal for me because I would starve myself and then eat everything I wanted. My body was totally abused, not at all the way I should have treated the temple of God. 

Today, i weigh a healthy weight and no longer concern myself with what to wear, and does this make me look fat? I get dressed in half the time. I am more comfortable in my own skin. I have less aches and pains and more energy. I've learned more about food. I know what a protein, a fat and a carb is and how to combine them to fuel my body and not cause me to gain weight. I am a fat burning machine operating the way God created me to operate. I am grateful for the journey and for all the help from from folks who went ahead of me and shared their journey. I hope this helps you. I started right before Thanksgiving in 2018 and now before Thanksgiving 2019 I have a lot more to be thankful for. Do I still eat a cookie, or pizza or drink a Starbucks from time to time? You bet I do! I am human. But, it just doesn't taste the same and for the most part not worth the sick, feeling bad, aches and pains that accompany that short taste good feeling. 

I changed my mind about what I wanted to weigh to how I felt and what was healthy, and the weight came off. I told myself what to do instead of my flesh telling me what it wanted. I planned my meals and prepped them accordingly, then ate what I prepped. My husband started eating what I ate and lost weight too. Now, we are both a good weight and enjoy our new way of eating. We are both well over fifty years old and we feel thirty again. I even began running again and in May did my first marathon since I was in my twenty-to-thirties. If you want more information reply here or email me a pastarena@aol.com for more information.

ACTION STEP: Make a decision. Start ruling your body and stop letting it rule you. Philippians 3:18-20 says, "For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,"  There are so many verses in the Bible about weight. Read them. Find out what works for you and treat your body like the temple it is. Remember the scripture I opened with, 1 Corinthians 3:17 "If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.​" Eat to live. Proverbs 23:2 tells us, "And put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite." Wow, that's a really tough statement! I haven't done that--but somedays in the beginning it did feel that way, lol. But, be encouraged you can do this! Your body will thank you!