I am that broken down city without walls referred to in Proverbs 25:28, because I have failed to rule over my own spirit, my sin nature.
Like many, I struggle with self-control in various areas, but in particular with regard to overeating and lack of attention to regular and health building and maintaining exercise. My body readily tells the sorry tale.
Today is my birthday. I'm 54. And, I'm 70 lbs. overweight.
My birthday gift to myself, beginning today, is to purpose to faithfully strive for whatever measure of health the Lord will grant me by making the steady and sensible changes I know I have to make, but have continually put off.
I can't imagine anyone being even remotely interested in what I have say about the matter, so this blog is merely an attempt to chronicle my journey as a reminder to myself of the necessity of rebuilding, brick by painstaking brick, the wall of health around the city, as well as the city itself.
"Lord, the task is surely too difficult to embark upon on my own. I've tried and failed in my own strength so many times before. This time, with simple words devoid of even the most remote attempt at eloquence, I call upon You, in the Name of Your Son, Jesus, and humbly, but necessarily, ask for Your help."
Thank you for your courage to share. I also need to commit to taking care of the body God has given me. Exercise...I do not. I am married to probably one of the most fit men around, and most of my girls faithfully exercise. I should. I don't.
ReplyDeleteOn the eating side of things, we have benefited SO much from a few books: The Schwartzbein Principle; Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon; and The Maker's Diet by Jordan Rubin. The first set us off on(or got us back on)a good track to eating in a balanced way. It made a BIG difference in some of our weight/shape issues! My girls are my good cooks, and don't indulge us in carbs. We reserve sweet treats (for the most part) for birthdays. Dark chocolate is GOOD for you, so one square a day is allowed. Ingesting fermented products is essential, too!
Upper Cervical Care was the next step towards health. It changed SO MUCH for me. It is not the same as regular chiropractic care. I don't know what you have up your way, but we go to the Upper Cervical Health Center of America down our way, in Glen Carbon. Our YOUNG doctor is a Christian, dedicated to getting people to take charge of their health, for God's glory. He takes care of our whole family, and the fact that this is his vocation shines forth on each visit. He is ever-learning, ever-sharing his knowledge, and encourages us all. He encourages me to exercise...
I MUST commit to this. All I do is run through the yard to check on the chickens. Maybe writing this to you will help make ME more accountable!
Thank you for your transparency!
To God be the Glory.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of Nourishing Traditions from a number of sources, Anne, I'll have to get myself a copy. I've never heard of the Schwartzbein Principle, maybe when I get a moment I'll look it up.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I've concluded is that there's so much dietary information out there, often conflicting, that maybe we'd be best to keep it all as simple as possible. Truth is, my old brain just can't manage all there is to know!
Here's to obedience in this and every area, and to health!
I too want to be held accountable Deb! Thanks for starting this blog! I was diagnosed with Adrenal Fatigue in 05 and went to a naturopath who put me on a regimen of herbs/supplements but also suggested the Schwarzbein Principle. http://www.amazon.com/The-Schwarzbein-Principle-Healthy-Feeling/dp/1558746803 I got the book from the library. Truthfully it was a little too techy for me, though I did read it. But what I loved in the back of the book was a meal plan for 30 days. It was a very very simple meal plan with things I would already have from a regular grocery store. This helped me SO much as when I read other good diet type books (like Trim Healthy Momma and Nourishing Traditions) I get overwhelemd and make long lists and then can't seem to 'do' them more than one day! ha ! This one was different! I lost the 10-15 lbs that I needed and felt great. But slowly it has mostly all come back as I have sadly abandoned that way of eating. You have inspired me again!! It is sad to me that I was only mostly willing to do it gung ho in 05 b/c of how sick I was (in bed). Why do I wait until I am THAT BAD before I will take care of myself!! argh!
ReplyDeleteMy new dr also gave me this book to read, which I read over vacation this week, and I think that he is perhaps on to something too, with my age (51) to have my hormones checked. It CAN be so discouraging, as others more disciplined than me have shared, to work so hard on the eating /exercising and still not see the pounds 'drop off' as others say is happening for them. So, if you can find someone there who can have your hormones checked, I'd highly recommend that as well. The stories in this book were very inspiring: http://www.amazon.com/How-Achieve-Healthy-Aging-2nd/dp/0971000735/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378304526&sr=1-3&keywords=rozier I am going to go home and have my hormones checked (my new dr does this) and see if adding some natural bioidentical hormones to my daily regimen might help me STAY MOTIVATED with my eating/exercise regimens. God bless you sister as you give this area over to Him, the Master Physician and Healer. Amen. Love, Julie
Amen, Tara, Amen!
ReplyDeleteAnd may God bless you, too, Julie, as you endeavour to walk in obedience in this and every area. (((Hugs)))