One of my favorite shows is The Biggest Loser. Most people would probably think I was nuts if they were to watch me watch the show. I get so excited I can't stay sitting and I get so sad, tears come to my eyes. When I see the trainers push the contestants I get pumped and wanna say, "One more!!! You can do one more!" I feel like cheering for them right beside the coach! Over the last year, I have become so passionate about helping others in this area. I have been to the place where everything seems impossible...even sometimes, probably half the time, now somethings seem impossible...but it's not. I think one of the gifts God has given me is the gift of encouragement. I want to tell people that it's possible for them and I wanna ride that roller coaster to the end with them.
I still totally struggle on some days, I don't have it all together, but just like Apollos in Acts told only of what he knew (only of John's baptism), that's what I can do. I know what I've experienced, what helps me, and I can tell others and cheer for them on their way. I'm still on my way. My mom was telling me of a large woman that she knew that had almost always been overweight and she can't find clothes, etc. My heart broke and I wanted, with my whole heart, to fly to WV and go to her house and say, "Come on, we're gonna overcome it and win it this time!"
Let's come together and be each others cheerleaders. Let's love each other, pray, work out, be accountable and come alongside one another as encouragers...we can overcome, with the power of the Holy Spirit and the strength of our friends. We are more than conquerors...on so many levels. Romans 8 is fabulous.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Monday, October 1, 2007
Tifiny and John's diet
You know, I bet John the Baptist was a pretty fit man. All the exercise he did in the wilderness with the diet of locusts and wild honey. Anyone wanna join me on John's road to a healthy life? hehee
Monday, September 24, 2007
Glorify God in your body
"For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 cor 6:20
It's crazy to think that my body is not my own. I don't even own the skin that's on me...God does. I don't have the right to treat it however I "feel" like treating it because my body is not mine. Just a thought to dwell on.
It has been a month since I have had any sweets/desserts and I feel great. In fact, I don't even miss them. I know that I can't control myself and they don't satisfy me, so I'm thankful that I'm not dealing with that bondage right now. I made a goal last month of staying away from sweets (among some others) until I go to Hawaii on Nov. 19th. So, I have a little less than 2 months more to go. I'm psyched!
I think every girl deals with her bloated days. It's crazy how one day I can feel as if everything is fitting so loose on me, and then the very next day everything is way too tight...etc. I have realized here lately that that is just going to happen, period! I just need to learn how to deal with it. The best thing I have learned is to get over it. Do the best you can do with eating and exercising and wait till the next morning sun comes up...and it will probably be a lot better.
It's crazy to think that my body is not my own. I don't even own the skin that's on me...God does. I don't have the right to treat it however I "feel" like treating it because my body is not mine. Just a thought to dwell on.
It has been a month since I have had any sweets/desserts and I feel great. In fact, I don't even miss them. I know that I can't control myself and they don't satisfy me, so I'm thankful that I'm not dealing with that bondage right now. I made a goal last month of staying away from sweets (among some others) until I go to Hawaii on Nov. 19th. So, I have a little less than 2 months more to go. I'm psyched!
I think every girl deals with her bloated days. It's crazy how one day I can feel as if everything is fitting so loose on me, and then the very next day everything is way too tight...etc. I have realized here lately that that is just going to happen, period! I just need to learn how to deal with it. The best thing I have learned is to get over it. Do the best you can do with eating and exercising and wait till the next morning sun comes up...and it will probably be a lot better.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Hard Yesterdays
Yesterday I had one of those lethargic days where I didn't want to do a thing. I just wanted to stay in bed all day, eat whatever the heck I wanted, and forget about any kind of motivation that I had this past month. I felt bloated the whole day and my calorie intake was more than it should have been.
As I put my exercise clothes on, I felt about 2 sizes bigger than the previous day. How could these things get so much tighter in one day? Granted, I do have a powerful mind that can "play" tricks on me. Even after I exercised I didn't feel any better. I made sure that I didn't eat anything after dinner and drank some green tea before bed.
Waking up this morning I felt much better. I started praying that the Lord would give me strength. That He would be my Rock that does not move...even when I want to. So, I've set in my heart to forget about yesterday and "press towards the goal..." There are always gonna be hard "yesterdays," it's the "todays" that count.
As I put my exercise clothes on, I felt about 2 sizes bigger than the previous day. How could these things get so much tighter in one day? Granted, I do have a powerful mind that can "play" tricks on me. Even after I exercised I didn't feel any better. I made sure that I didn't eat anything after dinner and drank some green tea before bed.
Waking up this morning I felt much better. I started praying that the Lord would give me strength. That He would be my Rock that does not move...even when I want to. So, I've set in my heart to forget about yesterday and "press towards the goal..." There are always gonna be hard "yesterdays," it's the "todays" that count.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Run to God
Today has been a bad day for me. My reaction was, I need/want to go run this out, deal with my emotions with the treadmill instead of on my knees with the Lord. There I will get my 600 calories burned and will also feel less stressed at the same time. Wow, where is my heart?
Luke 12:34 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." We always think of money and material things...but in my circumstance, I treasure working out. I treasure the feeling afterwards. I treasure feeling "a little bit lighter." ...and today was a tale tale sign that my heart is there also. Lord forgive me and teach me balance.
Luke 12:34 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." We always think of money and material things...but in my circumstance, I treasure working out. I treasure the feeling afterwards. I treasure feeling "a little bit lighter." ...and today was a tale tale sign that my heart is there also. Lord forgive me and teach me balance.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Partner
Do you ever feel like you need a friend to work out with you or to keep you accountable for eating and keeping on track? I remember over a year ago, I was praying that God would give me somebody to workout with. I knew I needed the encouragement and motivation of working out with somebody. Within months, God brought me a girlfriend and we started working out together. It was what I needed and got me rolling. Even after we couldn't go anymore together, it was okay because I had been on such a roll because of having an accountability partner for a few months.
So...if you feel like you really need a partner, pray. God knows your need, HE is your provider.
So...if you feel like you really need a partner, pray. God knows your need, HE is your provider.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Website
I found this amazing website this morning. It is www.diet.ivillage.com You can find all kinds of goodies on this site. I found my BMI (body mass index)...just type in your weight and height and it will calculate it for you. It will also tell you what range you should be in.
If you go under the category of quizzes and tools, there is a calculator that you can type in any food and it will tell you the calories, fat and carbs in it . I think this is awesome because I am starting to count my calories. The hardest part about doing that is actually knowing how many calories are in the food you are eating. Tools like this prove to be so helpful.
Last night I got a printed "daily food diary" from a trainer at the gym. It's just one page for each day. You write down everything you had for breakfast, snack. lunch, snack, dinner and the last snack. On the side there is a place for the calories, protein, carbs, and fats. At the end of the day you count them up and see how you did. Then you can adjust for the next day.
The trainer, Alex, who is a believer...yay! said that our metabolism is like a fire in the fireplace. Food being the wood that goes in it. If you wake up in the morning and load some wood in it, you don't wait hours until you refill it. You continually put a little bit of wood in it all through the day. Same with our metabolism. Instead of filling our tummys big time, 3 times a day, we should continually fill it throughout the day in little portions...to keep that metabolism up, to keep that fire going. If we have a big lunch or dinner that we are going to eat, don't eat it all at once. Eat half of it and then save the other half for a little later. I don't know about you, but I kinda like that. I love to eat, so let's break down the portions and eat more often!
If you find anything on the website you find helpful, please share it. We're in this together. Also, if you want me to make you a copy of the daily food journal, I can. I will send it over email...just let me know. And always remember...pray.
If you go under the category of quizzes and tools, there is a calculator that you can type in any food and it will tell you the calories, fat and carbs in it . I think this is awesome because I am starting to count my calories. The hardest part about doing that is actually knowing how many calories are in the food you are eating. Tools like this prove to be so helpful.
Last night I got a printed "daily food diary" from a trainer at the gym. It's just one page for each day. You write down everything you had for breakfast, snack. lunch, snack, dinner and the last snack. On the side there is a place for the calories, protein, carbs, and fats. At the end of the day you count them up and see how you did. Then you can adjust for the next day.
The trainer, Alex, who is a believer...yay! said that our metabolism is like a fire in the fireplace. Food being the wood that goes in it. If you wake up in the morning and load some wood in it, you don't wait hours until you refill it. You continually put a little bit of wood in it all through the day. Same with our metabolism. Instead of filling our tummys big time, 3 times a day, we should continually fill it throughout the day in little portions...to keep that metabolism up, to keep that fire going. If we have a big lunch or dinner that we are going to eat, don't eat it all at once. Eat half of it and then save the other half for a little later. I don't know about you, but I kinda like that. I love to eat, so let's break down the portions and eat more often!
If you find anything on the website you find helpful, please share it. We're in this together. Also, if you want me to make you a copy of the daily food journal, I can. I will send it over email...just let me know. And always remember...pray.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Weekends
The weekends are the hardest days for me during the week. I am a person who needs structure and when the structure goes away during the weekend, I'm thinking about food the whole time. Growing up, I always related having fun with having food. When I would go to the movies or go do this or that for fun, food was always involved...not just food, but bad food. Now I'm trying to renew my mind...taking the relationship apart. I'm trying to realize that fun happens outside of the food we bring into it.
I have had so many weekends where I do great throughout the week with portions, staying away from junk food, exercising...all of it. Then the weekend comes and I seriously blow it. It's like all that hard work was done for nothing because of what I did during the weekend. I got sick of working hard for nothing. If I'm going to work hard, I want to see results. When I eat everything in sight during the weekends, and Monday comes around, I'm not feeling very up to exercising b/c I feel bloated and huge.
So, this past weekend was a long weekend and I was a bit nervous about it. But over all I think I did pretty good. I prayed a lot and thought about Tuesday, remembering how I want to feel starting the structured week off.
But remember, if you did blow it, press forward, not thinking about yesterday. Today is all that counts.
I have had so many weekends where I do great throughout the week with portions, staying away from junk food, exercising...all of it. Then the weekend comes and I seriously blow it. It's like all that hard work was done for nothing because of what I did during the weekend. I got sick of working hard for nothing. If I'm going to work hard, I want to see results. When I eat everything in sight during the weekends, and Monday comes around, I'm not feeling very up to exercising b/c I feel bloated and huge.
So, this past weekend was a long weekend and I was a bit nervous about it. But over all I think I did pretty good. I prayed a lot and thought about Tuesday, remembering how I want to feel starting the structured week off.
But remember, if you did blow it, press forward, not thinking about yesterday. Today is all that counts.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Discipline your body
"Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection..." 1 cor 9:27
This verse is talking about running for the crown...an imperishable crown. But for this purpose I want to bring this verse to show that we can bring our body into submission. It seems as if we can't control out habits, addictions, cravings, laziness, etc., but we can. We are ultimately the one who makes the decision. If we are dying to have a brownie and know that it will be the beginning of a downward spiral...we don't HAVE to eat it. We can discipline our body to resist the temptation. "...God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." 1 cor 10:13 There are so many times that I get my comfort from junk food instead of from the Lord. Sometimes it seems as if the craving is so strong I can't resist it but yet the Lord tells us we can through Him. I have heard that a craving lasts anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes. Ride it out!
Also, if we know that we should go and exercise, yet our body is feeling tired and lazy...we don't have to give in to that. Let's take our bodies and discpline them!
I have been running 5 miles 3 times a week and the other days I do something else. During each mile of my 5 miles, I have to talk myself into running the next mile. It's almost more of a mental thing than a physical thing. I know my body can run those 5 miles, yet my mind is trying to talk me out of actually doing it. Ignore those thoughts and press towards your goal, walking or running in the power of the Holy Spirit...and you WILL achieve. Don't forget to pray before you exercise...or even during. A great way to rely on the Lord and also to spend some time with Him!
This verse is talking about running for the crown...an imperishable crown. But for this purpose I want to bring this verse to show that we can bring our body into submission. It seems as if we can't control out habits, addictions, cravings, laziness, etc., but we can. We are ultimately the one who makes the decision. If we are dying to have a brownie and know that it will be the beginning of a downward spiral...we don't HAVE to eat it. We can discipline our body to resist the temptation. "...God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." 1 cor 10:13 There are so many times that I get my comfort from junk food instead of from the Lord. Sometimes it seems as if the craving is so strong I can't resist it but yet the Lord tells us we can through Him. I have heard that a craving lasts anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes. Ride it out!
Also, if we know that we should go and exercise, yet our body is feeling tired and lazy...we don't have to give in to that. Let's take our bodies and discpline them!
I have been running 5 miles 3 times a week and the other days I do something else. During each mile of my 5 miles, I have to talk myself into running the next mile. It's almost more of a mental thing than a physical thing. I know my body can run those 5 miles, yet my mind is trying to talk me out of actually doing it. Ignore those thoughts and press towards your goal, walking or running in the power of the Holy Spirit...and you WILL achieve. Don't forget to pray before you exercise...or even during. A great way to rely on the Lord and also to spend some time with Him!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Worldly counsel
This has been a tough summer for me. I went through a couple of months of depression and spiritual attack. I also could not quit eating! I seriously do have an addiction to food. No matter how long I can control myself, that addiction is always there. If I have a bowl of ice cream, that will never be enough for me. I will always want another one or something else. When I begin to eat unhealthy, there is no stop to my rampage.
Well, this is something that I struggled with so much this summer. I just couldn't get out of the rut I had put myself in. Then, if I'm not eating right, of course I'm not gonna go and work out, sweating out the huge shake I just put down..no way! So I got to a point where I just wanted help.
Esteban and I had been watching this show Intervention. It's about drug addicts getting intervention from their loved ones. My mind started going. Why is it that they have these things for drug addicts but not for food addicts? I feel that I'm in as much bondage to food as they are to their drug. I was ready to go see a doctor. Then I spoke to my hubby...He began telling me that I have all the tools I need to be an overcomer in this area. I have the Holy Spirit inside of me and I have God's word. One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control. Yikes. The world says that there is medicine that can help, or counseling. That's deception. I have God inside of me, more powerful than anything on the earth...yet I'm deceived to think He can't help me.
The Bible says in 1 Cor 3 "Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God...Therefore let noone boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come-all are yours. And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's."
We are in Christ! We have Him...what more do we need? Let's use His power to help us, to set us free!
Well, this is something that I struggled with so much this summer. I just couldn't get out of the rut I had put myself in. Then, if I'm not eating right, of course I'm not gonna go and work out, sweating out the huge shake I just put down..no way! So I got to a point where I just wanted help.
Esteban and I had been watching this show Intervention. It's about drug addicts getting intervention from their loved ones. My mind started going. Why is it that they have these things for drug addicts but not for food addicts? I feel that I'm in as much bondage to food as they are to their drug. I was ready to go see a doctor. Then I spoke to my hubby...He began telling me that I have all the tools I need to be an overcomer in this area. I have the Holy Spirit inside of me and I have God's word. One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control. Yikes. The world says that there is medicine that can help, or counseling. That's deception. I have God inside of me, more powerful than anything on the earth...yet I'm deceived to think He can't help me.
The Bible says in 1 Cor 3 "Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God...Therefore let noone boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come-all are yours. And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's."
We are in Christ! We have Him...what more do we need? Let's use His power to help us, to set us free!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Content with myself
One thing that I think a lot of women struggle with is being content with the body that God has given them. I know that before I lost weight, I had in my head that when I got down to a certain size, I would love my body. Now that I have lost a bit of weight, I realize I will always have something about my body that I don't like or wish I could change. I will always want to be smaller, be more toned, etc. I believe that God does want us to be of good health and take care of His temple...but it's so easy to get obsessed with "being healthy" and getting the perfect body.
So, I have been trying to let the Lord renew my mind and my thoughts. In Hebrews it says, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you.: So we may bodly say: THE LORD IS MY HELPER; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" 13:5-6
There are so many days when I just want to give up on this journey to a healthy lifestyle. I feel as if I don't see any results, I'm sick of working out, I feel down about my looks...but there is always a life line waiting for us. The Lord is our helper. In times of temptation to throw our hands up and "forget about it," let's turn to the Lord and seek His power and control. "Cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 peter 5:7. I pray I learn to seek comfort from the Lord and not from the pantry.
So, I have been trying to let the Lord renew my mind and my thoughts. In Hebrews it says, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you.: So we may bodly say: THE LORD IS MY HELPER; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" 13:5-6
There are so many days when I just want to give up on this journey to a healthy lifestyle. I feel as if I don't see any results, I'm sick of working out, I feel down about my looks...but there is always a life line waiting for us. The Lord is our helper. In times of temptation to throw our hands up and "forget about it," let's turn to the Lord and seek His power and control. "Cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 peter 5:7. I pray I learn to seek comfort from the Lord and not from the pantry.
Monday, August 27, 2007
The Beginning...
This is a bit scary for me but I feel as if I need to do this. I have struggled my entire life with food and working out. I grew up not even thinking about eating healthy or exercising...it wasn't part of my life in any way. In the last three to four years I have realized the severity of my addiction to food. It is a daily struggle for me and the only way to overcome it each day is by relying on the Holy Spirit to give me strength.
A couple of weeks ago I was considering to begin a blog and the thought crossed my mind to start a daily health journal. One where I am completely honest with how I have done each day and with the scripture that I have used to give me strength. I decided against it, realizing there would be days that I would be embarrassed with how bad I actually did, and began a regular blog on my life.
This weekend I went to a retreat, and late at night my friend started asking me about journals. She began to tell me that she thought the Lord was urging her to begin a health journal and challenged me to do the same. I hadn't even told her or anybody else about the thoughts I had previously. Her thoughts on what to do with the journal were the exact same as mine...and I thought, this must be confirmation to just go and do it.
Here it is...if you struggle as well, I pray that this offers encouragement, comfort and hope for you. If you don't, then your prayers would be much appreciated as we go through this journey of physical and spiritual health!
A couple of weeks ago I was considering to begin a blog and the thought crossed my mind to start a daily health journal. One where I am completely honest with how I have done each day and with the scripture that I have used to give me strength. I decided against it, realizing there would be days that I would be embarrassed with how bad I actually did, and began a regular blog on my life.
This weekend I went to a retreat, and late at night my friend started asking me about journals. She began to tell me that she thought the Lord was urging her to begin a health journal and challenged me to do the same. I hadn't even told her or anybody else about the thoughts I had previously. Her thoughts on what to do with the journal were the exact same as mine...and I thought, this must be confirmation to just go and do it.
Here it is...if you struggle as well, I pray that this offers encouragement, comfort and hope for you. If you don't, then your prayers would be much appreciated as we go through this journey of physical and spiritual health!
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