Ready or Not?

 

Ok... so I know that I have got to make a change.  I have gained 72lbs in the last 3 years.   YIKES. That is hard to admit.  Notice I didn't say my weight.  I am just not comfortable with that yet. However, my gain is {UNACCEPTABLE} !!

 My plan, with the help of the Australian mates, will be working to get it off and getting healthy.  This isn't just about losing the weight, or being able to shop in a store, do activities more comfortable.  It is more about being a role model for my family, friends, and clients.  It is about learning to love what God has given me and to use those things NOW to their fullest.  It will be about taking care of me and learning to work hard. 

I think that my sister's and I will be having a little friendly competition too...a little money might sweeten the pot.  

And to top it off-- I will be documenting my journey.  The good, the bad and the ugly!! I have lived this crazy, wonderful life and not documented much of it...but this I am going to document this journey, because who knows, one day I might be rich and famous!  More likely I will need a good dose of reality to see how far I have come.  Or...and so when I am old I can remember.

My plan of choice is the Trim Healthy Mama book. 

The PLAN is to stabilize blood sugar by establishing a healthy cycle of eating that includes two basic types of meals:

1.  Satisfying: uses fats for fuel and will include animal proteins, butter, oils, cheeses, nuts, seeds, non-starchy vegetables and berries. A typical "satisfying" meal might include a salad with dressing and cheese, baked chicken, and roasted veggies tossed with butter.
2. Energizing: uses glucose for fuel and will include animal protein and moderate amounts of starch from foods like beans, whole grains, root vegetables and fruits.  A typical "energizing" meal might include whole grain pancakes topped with blueberries, Sugar free maple syrup, and 0% Greek yogurt.

Children and those who are underweight or simply maintaining weight can (and should) mix both fats and glucose in the same meals. But for those who want to break the cycle of sugar spikes and insulin imbalance that are at the root of weight gain and other health issues, the idea is to take turns eating satisfying and energizing meals throughout the week.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

I am about to dump a whole lot of information from my head.  My heart is in a mode of preparation and I am pretty sure that I have wrecked myself-- looking for eternal things and outweighing those troubles.  So the following may include incomplete sentences, incomplete thoughts, some light stuff, some heavy stuff...

You have been warned.

I -- notice a capital i--made a decision to pursue a position working in Tulsa two days a week this summer.  Voluntary work while I finish my degree.  The Lord shut that door.  I am glad.  It has been very difficult to consider a career change.  In Dec. 2013, I will (most likely) graduate with my Master's in counseling and will be able to pursue my LPC license.  I will not be going back to teaching in the public school system.  Hard words for someone who has taught 11 years.  My plans as of now are in the Lord's hands and he hasn't shown me the full picture.  So in this time of recovery, I am in a state of preparation.  I happened up on a book by Jen Hatmaker called 7. I will be cutting out excess over the next few months.  It will begin with clothes.  Jen totally wore only 7 clothes.  I will be cutting out most of my wardrobe in order to focus more on simpler things, less pride and more God. 

I am going to be studying Ephesians.  Not sure what to expect.  I ask that the Lord speak to me and my family through this time of transition. 

Also, I have been having massive pain in my stomach. This is likely a side effect of bulimia.  Possibly an ulcer- who knows?  I am in process of cutting out wheat to see if that might be a solution.  I am terrified that cutting coffee might be the cure. I am sure the Lord will speak to that in the coming months.

Money.  We have some.  We have more than we need. We spend it.  We need to spend less, save more, give more, pay off more.  Dave Ramsey might need to be my friend.  My husband will faint when he hears this.  Again...I am sure this will be dealt with in the coming months as well. 

The road ahead is unclear.  I am keeping on the path.