Seeking Some Godly Counsel in the Weight Area

Hi J.,

As your sister in Christ, I think you're right to want to trust Him with all aspects of your life, and we know that the Lord doesn't want us to have these issues that pull us down and fill us with guilt type feelings. I think you're on the right track there. Here are a couple other suggestions/encouragement I want to share...

The "dieting" mentatlity is such a quick fix - it never sustains healthy weight over a long term and it sets us up to feel like failures! If your insurance allows it, I would suggest being referred to a nutrisionist for some real-world advice. That sounds severe, but it's just help from someone who has made it their career to help people with their nutritional habits. You already know part of the problem - we have such a major issue with portion control in America (most all of us)!! He or she could help you pin point other downfalls which would enable you to realistically stay on top of things in a much less painful way. Sometimes we don't know our food issues because they're such ingrained habits we honestly don't realize they harm us.

I also want to tell you that as you add exercise to your schedule, don't forget to do some resistance training. Just counting on cardio is never as successful as when we add resistance. Some women are scared that they will build these manly muscles and look bigger, but we just don't have that hormonal make-up to create huge muscles. We do, however, change the shape of our body (which you will really start to enjoy) AND the added lean muscle mass boosts our metabolism! Muscle is "hungry" - it requires more calories even when it's relaxed. That's something we don't want to deprive ourselves of! This doesn't have to be major weight lifting by any means. Sometimes even our own body weight is enough resistance. I do reccomend having someone who knows what they're doing show you the "hows" and "whys" and help you with your form.

For women who are just getting into working out, I've heard excellent things about the "Curves" gyms. They're geared towards women who don't have tons of time (which with a baby, I know you don't) and they're said to be a very positive and helpful atmosphere.

I'm so happy you have love and respect for your body. I'm happier still that you trust our Lord! I think you're on your way to creating a happier healthier you and setting a healthy active example for your child all the years to come!

~ T. K

I agree prayer and handing this issue to God should help, but you still will have to have determination and do some hard work. You can't just pray about it and expect to lose weight. As far as a strict eating plan, if Weight Watcher worked for you before, why not do it again, and this time stick with the healthy eating habits for life!

I have been doing WW for a little over 2 months and it is working. One thing I love is that I can eat anything I want, but it also helps me make healthy food choices. The thing about diets is that they do not work. You have to make a whole lifestyle change and make a decision to eat right and treat your body better and God can help you do that. He can also give you the strength you need to get through it!

Quick fixes do not work, the best plan is a slow and steady loss so that you can keep it off. Keeping active will help to. Before I moved out of state I had a walking group with women at my church. It was great fun and didn't even feel like excercise!

Good luck!

I do think that prayer can help in all areas of our lives, but I haven't considered putting weight loss in God's hands before, since I do feel like it is something I have control over in terms of what I choose to eat and how active (or not) I choose to be. I have lost weight in the past, but lately I keep falling off the diet and exercise wagon.

A friend has had good success following the T-tapp program of diet and exercise. I haven't tried it myself yet, but I am interested in learning more about the diet plan, which emphasizes eating God-made over man-made foods.

I feel for you, I am very similar to you in your situation and experiences.

I hope I don't sound critical, but I think you are looking for God to make this easy for you. That is not how it works, in my opinion. God makes it POSSIBLE but He does not make it easy, especially if you are used to eating a certain way. It sounds like it does not have to be that difficult, as you say you already eat healthy and have lost the weight before using weight watchers. Weight Watchers is about as easy a way as you can get (as you can eat what you want) but you still have to watch your portions and limit yourself. God gives us the brain and knowledge and WILLPOWER to control ourselves, but I don't know anyone who has lost 50 pounds just by praying and trusting in God without also having some kind of method to watch what they eat. It's like praying to be rich. You don't say a prayer and wake up to find a pile of money on your front porch. You pray for God to help you find the way to make the money (such as find the right job). It is the same with weight. You pray God will help you find the way to lose the weight. But isn't going to happen without some effort from you.

I hope this helps and does not sound rude. I also need to practice what I preach to lose weight also, and pray more about it. So maybe I have learned something from you, rather than the other way around :). But I do know, it won't happen without a lot of effort on my part. But I do think God can make it easier (just not easy). Hope this makes sense, and bless you and your family.

By the way, if you like raw foods, there is a biblical diet out there, about eating natural foods found in the Bible, and staying away from processed, I don't know the name but I am sure you could do a search on biblical diet and find it. I know a woman who did lose a lot of weight on it, and I don't think she had to count calories, but she could not have any processed foods.

OK, on re-reading my entire response, I think I sound insensitive. I think that you are looking for God to help you to be able to eat right without having to constantly struggle. At least, that is how I feel about it, as I also would love to have that happen. But I still feel each person has their own cross to bear, and for some of us, it is weight. I think it helps to realize that there could be much harder things to overcome, such as cancer, being in a war, losing a child, etc.. But I just want you to know I think I "get" what you are asking, and I'll pray for you, and anyone who wants to pray for me, I welcome that as I know that prayer can be so powerful!!!

Hi J.,

I believe you are on the right path! God can and will help us with weight as we do our part. He will guide you according to your personal needs! A friend who has struggled with weight and gaining victory over it, found the following book helpful; The Miracle Result of Fasting. It's by Dave Williams and can be found on www.christianbooks.com for only $4. It's small and quick to read. Looking forward to celebrating your success! R. : )

http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/courses/lords-table/

you are on the right track seeking God in this area! He wants to help. it won't be easy, but everything worth doing is worth the pain and tears. i have struggled so much in this area as well. i just had my second baby (he's a few days shy of 5 months) and i just think satan totally uses this vulnerable time to mess with our brains. we have so much going on and we're trying to adjust to our new life and for a lot of people (myself included) food is comfort. you will have to give this to God over and over and over again. i still have slip ups and sugar cravings, but i believe He has given me the knowledge and the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome...no matter how long it takes :)
i recommend these books..."love to eat/hate to eat", "the makers diet and the perfect weight" both by jordan rubin and "nourishing traditions and eat fat, lose fat" by sally fallon. also, timothy brantley's "the cure". pick one or 2 to start. they will change your life and how you look at food. please please let me know if i can be of help in any way! i'm a personal trainer (even tho' now i'm a SAHM) and would love to help.
God Bless and i'll be praying for you.
A.

God helps those that help themselves..

whole, in front of wheat,rye whatever.. and use extra vergin olive oil to cook with... we have went to oat flour to make things it is much healthyer than reg. white flour... lots of resh veggie, and fruits... and yes exercise, exercise, exercise... I wish you luck.. Blessing, gypsy

I'm not sure if this has been suggested or not but a book called Makers Diet might help. I have a friend who lives by it!

It sounds to me like you are putting a limit on God. You are putting him in a box and thinking He can't do anything about your weight, or mabye your not worthy of His help!!!

You have to assert yourself girl. In the name of Jesus, claim healing and deliverance over that part of your life. God knows your heart and your struggles before even you do. Its up to you and the amount of FAITH that you have in Him whether your needs will be met.

If He can part the Red Sea and allow the Isrealites to cross over on dry land, don't you think he can do what you need him to. If He can send His Son to die for a sinful race, don't you believe that you are worthy of all of God's blessings?

I believe He can do anything. I have seen some wonderful things happen in my life to others and to myself. We can not put God in a box!! He is so BIG, and so ready to meet your needs--all you have to do is have enough faith for it to come into existance.

Have a great day and God bless!

D. Mattern-Muck
The MOM Team
Raise your income and your rugrats at the same time!
www.formyrugrats.com
"The only thing that counts is faith, expressing itself through love." Galatians 5:6

I came across your story, and truly understand how you feel. I myself am a mom of a 18 month old child. I hear you when you say you have tried diets and so forth. I wanted to tell you after I had my child I was determined to get back into the shape I was in before hand. Now, I am a figure compeititor, and a personal trainer, with a private studio, "Fitt Life Fitness." I provide a nutrition plan that works for everyone, because it's not about "dieting" it's about portions and numbers. I provide, one on one trianing, as well as online training, and bootcamps. You need any help, or just advice let me know, I'd be the one to ask.

God Bless,
N.