Diet & Exercise

The two go hand in hand, really, and this quote sums it up rather well:

"You can't out-exercise a bad diet."

I've been watching my caloric intake daily, keeping it between 1200 and 1400, usually around 1300, and have also implemented an exercise regime.  I do a low-impact cardio routine for 30 minutes per day, and add a 20 minute weight training segment in three times per week.  According to everything I'm reading, I should be doing 45 to 50 minutes of cardio daily for sustained weight loss, but for now this seems to be working and perhaps in time I'll increase it. 

The interesting thing about my exercise routine is not so much that I've lost a bit, it's that I genuinely feel so much better physically since implementing it.  It's amazing how vigorously moving the body each day loosens up the tendons, gets the joints lubricated, and provides an overall energy boost.  We are fearfully and  wonderfully made indeed. 

"Lord, thank you for the strong, healthy heart and lungs you provided me with, for the sound limbs, muscles, ligaments and tendons.  Help me to use these good gifts to glorify You, the Creator, in Jesus' Name."

Dear Diary

Dear Diary,

Yes, I've been avoiding you.  For very good reason. 

"For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.  If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.  Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me."  ~ Romans 7:15-20

Sigh.

All Kinds of Gluttons*

*This excellent article can be found over at "The Christian Pundit" blog.  I'll give you a bit of a teaser here, but do ensure you click on the link and read the whole thing.  It hits the nail squarely on the head!

"Thing is, almost nobody is seeing the fat issue as an expression of a heart issue: an idolatry of food. That’s what gluttony is, whether or not our BMI is over 30. Because gluttony is a heart issue, it’s not just overweight people who are sinning here. There are all sorts of ways to be gluttonous while maintaining a socially acceptable figure. Here are a few:"

http://thechristianpundit.org/2013/10/02/all-kinds-of-gluttons/

Day Thirty

I've not been faithful to the Lord, nor to my plan.  I've allowed myself to become derailed, choosing licentiousness over obedience and, for the most part, I've chosen the former for the better part of a week.

Some, no doubt, would wonder at my using such a strong word as licentiousness in this regard, but when I consider it's meaning, I believe it wholly appropriate.

LICEN'TIOUSNESS, n. Excessive indulgence of liberty; contempt of the just restraints of law, morality and decorum. 

As Christians, we somehow think that God's Law, His morality, applies only to the "big" sins, sins like fornication and murder, etc., and yet, while thoroughly enjoying God's good gift of great food in moderation is just fine, making it an idol is not. 

IDOL'ATRY, n. [L. idololatria. Gr. idol, and to worship or serve. ]1. The worship of idols, images, or any thing made by hands, or which is not God.

Sometimes my thoughts are consumed by food, particularly when I choose to deny myself, and I've heard others say they experience the same thing.  I can't help but believe that I've set food up on a pedestal, given it a place of prominence in my life, as opposed to keeping it in it's lawful place, that place of sustenance, rather than worship.

I don't believe food ought not be thoroughly enjoyed, on the contrary.  It is, as I've said, God's very good gift to us.  As He's provided us with so much variety and the creative ability to prepare it in myriad ways, there's no doubt it's to be enjoyed in all of its forms and with great gusto.  The caution is to enjoy it while not permitting it to assume an unlawful place in our lives.  And therein lies my sin, my idolatry. 

"Lord, here I am yet again, bowing before you in humility, asking for forgiveness and for the ability to obey you in all things.  This I know, I can do nothing in my own strength, but rely wholly upon your equipping and enabling.   Help me, Father, to order every area of my life in a way which honours you.  I pray this and all things in the Name of Jesus, that One who alone is able to save and to help."  
    

Day Twenty-Two

Things have been pretty busy around here, so I haven't had much opportunity to post.  I'm still working on making lifelong changes, have had a few episodes of three steps back, two steps forward, but overall, I've been doing well, meaning, I haven't thrown in the towel.  :-)

The one thing I'm trying very much to remember is that every minute of every day is a new beginning, and that maxim is applicable to every area of life in which we struggle or have set backs.  Prior to this go-round, I was, in many respects, an all or nothing person.  I'm trying to re-set that mindset with the mindset of the Lord, remembering that He's a God of new birth, of new beginnings, that we don't have to become enslaved to past performance, to previous failure.  It's a bit of a learning curve. 

I had something of a test a week or so ago, with the Lord showing me my heart, compelling me to challenge my motives.  I've claimed since the beginning that this was a battle more of overcoming gluttony, of dealing with sin, than of weight loss, but the Word of God is so true, in every respect of course, but in this particular instance when it declares:

 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"  Jeremiah 17:9

I stepped on the scale and after a couple of weeks of eating moderately and of walking relatively faithfully, it indicated I'd only lost a pound.  I was so disappointed.  I was sure it would be more than that, particularly as you tend to get that little microburst of weight loss when you first begin.  I felt robbed. 

As I contemplated things, however, I realized that the Lord was challenging me to be honest about my motives, was compelling me to examine my heart, to ask myself, was this really about being an obedient servant of the Most High, or yet another selfish and self-centered pursuit?  The answer really doesn't need to be stated, does it? 

And so, I pray...

"Father, reveal my heart to me in this and every matter, that I may subject every area of my life to You and become a faithful daughter, one willing to stand upon Your Word and confess it as absolute without expectation of personal benefit.  Let my motive in all things reflect a deep and abiding desire to humble myself before You, to walk in obedience in this and every area, regardless of the cost .  I ask this, Lord, in Your Name, that Name above all names, Jesus."

Day Ten

I managed to walk today, 2.5 km., 30 minutes, and am glad I did so early.  It was hot enough then, but as the day went on it got quite warm.  Then later today we had quite a deluge, leaving massive puddles all along my route. It'll be quite muddy tomorrow, I'm sure.  I wonder what it would be like to briskly walk in rubber boots?  :-)

Eating-wise, I'm doing well, still managing to stay within my daily allotment. I think I need a bit more variety in the vegetable department though. 

I decided to keep this blog as a way of holding myself accountable.  It would have been easy enough to simply record all of my boring thoughts and ramblings in a journal, but there's something about going public which helps to keep one on the straight and narrow, I think.  It's the accountability factor. 

Many people struggle with hidden sin with few, if any, aware of their struggle.  Not so with people who are overweight.  Their sin is pretty evident.  That's not to say all overweight people are in sin, however, some have medical issues, etc., which sometimes can't be helped.  That's not the case with me, though, my problem is that I've not been moderate in this area, I've often behaved like that spoiled two year old who stomps his foot, crying and whining to get his way, wanting what I want, when I want, and as much as I want.  Shameful really.

"Lord, it's amazing how patient You are with this self-indulgent child of Yours.  You've been so long-suffering when it comes to me behaving immaturely.  Please forgive me, Father, for Christ's sake, because I surely don't deserve it in and of myself.  And please help me to grow up, Lord, to become self-controlled in this and many other areas.  I surely can't do it on my own, You know I've tried.  So I come humbly into Your presence, recognizing my great and never-ending need of Your help."      

Day Nine

Another busy day behind me, and I almost stuck to plan, except that I wasn't able to walk again today.  I left early this morning and was back too late.  No sense begrudging it, I'll just have to walk tomorrow if I'm able.  But I was able to make fairly good choices, food-wise, when in the city all day, which shows me it can be done and relatively easily.  I was about 100 cals. over at the end of the day, but again, it's really no big deal.  Eating between 1200 and 1400 calories is a guideline, it's not a hard and fast "rule".  Some days will simply be better than others and I certainly could've done much, much worse.  :-)

"Lord, Oh Lord, how majestic is Your Name in all the earth!  I praise You for Your loving kindness toward me, for each and every one of your blessings!"