WLW: Listening to My Body

Please visit Alicia at Confessions of a Snowflake to join in the sharing of your weight loss journey.

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I thought for sure that I lost weight this week. Because I was dealing with my nasty virus, my diet this week consisted mostly of Advocare's Meal Replacement Shakes and soup. No, I wasn't active at all, but I was still convinced I would see a victory on the scale. Not so much. I'm still exactly at the weight I was two weeks ago.

I was going to dwell on this seemingly negative fact, but I realized that I gave my body exactly what it needed at the time - rest. This morning, my body woke up at 4:15 AM craving movement. I listened and spent an hour on the treadmill. It wasn't a strenuous workout by any means, but I felt great afterwards. I think it's because I gave my body exactly what it needed.

I have to trust that the Holy Spirit will always speak to me about what my body needs. I just need to obey when He speaks. (Which isn't always easy for someone as stubborn as me!) Only then will I see the positive results that I know lie ahead.

Romans 8:11 - "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."

WLW: Surrender is the Key

Please visit Alicia at Confessions of a Snowflake to join in the sharing of your weight loss journey.

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This morning I was listening to a worship song that proclaimed, “There is freedom and joy in your presence, Lord.” I started pondering what true freedom and joy looks and feels like, and I came to the conclusion that I haven’t quite experienced it to the fullest yet.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

I look at my overweight, unhealthy, lethargic body and realize that I am not honoring God with my body. I don’t think I can ever really experience true freedom and joy until I get to a healthy body weight – living life to the fullest in the body that God intended for me.

Yes, I want to lose weight to look better and feel better. I want to stop feeling tired all the time. I want to be a good example for my daughter. I want to be more attractive to my husband. But more than any of that, I want my body to reflect God’s glory. Just as the Temple was designed with immense care and furnished with greatness because it was to be the house of God, I need to treat my body with great care. If the Holy Spirit truly dwells within me, I need to tidy up a bit to show Him the honor and respect He deserves.

I also know that I need Him more than ever as I embark on this new weight loss journey. I have been struggling with my weight since I was in elementary school, where I was always the “big” girl in class. If this time is going to be different - if this time I will see real and lasting change - the first thing I need to do is surrender all control over to God. I can’t do this on my own. I have tried in the past and have failed. This time, it all needs to be in God’s hands. Only then will I succeed.

24 Day Challenge

Chelle is an Advocare distributor who is very passionate about the company’s products. It’s true that enthusiasm is contagious. After months of reading about her positive experience and seeing her before and after pictures, I decided I wanted to jump on the Advocare bandwagon, too. Me being me, I was ready to jump in head first and just place an advisor order. (But me being me also ultimately got me in $17,000 worth of credit card debt.) So me with my husband’s voice in my head decided that I would try the products as a retail customer first before I gave any serious consideration to the business opportunity. (And who could blame me after my not-so-successful attempt to start a Pink Papaya business.)

I had to beg and plead, but my hubby finally agreed to let me try the products. I purchased the 24 Day Challenge Bundle. Days 1-10 are spent in the Cleanse Phase, which is aimed at cleansing your body of toxins and preparing for optimal nutrient absorption. Days 11-24 take you to the Max Phase which gives your body the best tools you need to achieve your next weight management goal. The average weight loss during the 24 days is 15 pounds.

I started my Cleanse Phase yesterday. Just to clarify, you are not fasting during this time. You are simply eating more clean – filling up on fruit, vegetables, lean protein and complex carbs. Like Chelle said, “it’s the food we should be eating anyway.” You are also not constantly running to the bathroom, so you can take part in the cleanse without interrupting your normal routine.

For me, Day 1 was a little hectic. I have a grant application due today, so I was working diligently to get it done. I completely skipped my mid-morning snack and almost skipped lunch, as well. I realize this isn’t healthy, but once I’m focused on a task, I like to get it done with little interruption. Anyway, while I was at work, I ate strawberries, 2 egg whites, and a rice cake with peanut butter. I also had a Spark around 3:00 PM. After work, I picked up Bianca and went to Harry’s basketball game. I didn’t get home until close to 8:00 PM. At that time, I took my OmegaPlex and had the salad that I originally packed for lunch. For dinner you’re supposed to eat a lean protein and steamed veggies, but basketball season makes it a little difficult to cook. A few hours later, I took the Herbal Cleanse pills. I had hoped to fit in some exercise, but it just didn’t work out.

So how am I feeling after Day 1? Honestly, not much different. In fact, (this may be TMI) I haven’t even had a bowel movement yet. My energy level hasn’t picked up any; I still hit the snooze button when my alarm got off this morning. And I was craving both pizza and chocolate like crazy yesterday. But I know that if I stick with it, I will feel better and look better in the end – which will be totally worth the effort.

Last Thursday, as I was moving a chair out of the conference room, someone said to me, “Are you expecting? If you are, you know you shouldn’t be lifting anything.” I was a bit mortified. I knew that I was gaining weight. I just didn’t realize it had gotten to the point where people were wondering if I was pregnant. If I didn’t already have any other reason, that comment alone gives me motivation to stick with the program!