Archive for the ‘Healthy Living’ Category

Food addiction can be a hard thing to overcome.

For many of us it is our numbing agent, that thing we go to when life has us down and we just want to escape. For others of us, it’s a reward system, bringing joy for a moment until we realize we’ve overdone it. Inevitably, we beat ourselves up and end up feeling worse, which takes us back to needing a numbing agent: food. It’s cyclical nature is hard to break for anyone struggling with this sin. But asking the question of why we overeat (In Monday’s post) can bring much light to this otherwise shameful addiction.

After I realized I had a food addiction I started to do some research. Always loving words, I decided to look up the little word: EAT. Here’s what I found out.

Eating simply means: to consume completely.  It is the assimilation of energy.  When you eat something it becomes a part of you.  It is fuel for your body. Simply and only.

After realizing I had put food above God He taught me the same definition for food should be applied to Him.  He should be the one who numbs my pain.  He should be my escape.  He is my reward.

I can “eat” of God by spending time with Him, reading His word, and allowing Him to renew my mind. It is the assimilation of His energy, making Him a part of me that fuels my body, mind and soul.

Here are some other practical tips when breaking the addiction to food:

• Try a one, or three day water only fast. (When you fast, pray that God will break the stronghold that food has on your life.)
• Listen to your body. Instead of eating everything on your plate, eat slowly and listen to your body. When it tells you you’re full, you’re full! Put down the fork, sista and push it away.
• Ask a friend to keep you accountable to only eat foods that God made for an entire week. You’re eyes will be opened to just how much junk we consume without even thinking.
• Ask yourself what needs aren’t being met in your life, or what thing are you running from that you are using the addiction to food to cover up.
• Remember, that even though food tastes good, it’s purpose is to bring fuel and nutrition to your body. That’s it’s only purpose.

Most people will tell you it’s hard to just quit an addiction. Instead they say to find something positive to replace the negative, destructive behavior. Our replacement for overeating, has to be God. There is no rule that says becoming addicted to Him is wrong. It is in Him and Him alone that true freedom is found.

Before we get to the post, check this out: Top 55 Pastor Bloggers I’m #48 under Women Pastors. Pretty cool!  There are also lots of other awesome pastors who have great blogs. Check them out!

When overcoming any addiction the first step is always the same:

• Admit you have a problem

Simply admitting that food addiction is a stronghold in your life is one important step in overcoming it. Feel a little reluctant to admit? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

I received so much feedback on yesterday’s post, that I wanted to share a few stories of women just like you and just like me, who are also struggling with this addiction, and share with you some of the hope they have experienced.

I’ve spent my whole life battling food addiction. I was determined 2010 would be the year I break free from the bondage of food. I started Jan. 1 doing a Daniel fast and along with it, reading Fasting by Jentezen Franklin. Through reading his book I realized how serious my addiction for food really was. I let food consume my life and it affects every aspect of my life. My spritual life, my relationship with my husband, kids, family, and friends. He refers to it as “King Stomach”. Here is what he said that really spoke to me.

“We have an entire book of promises but some of them will never be realized as long as King Stomach rules your appetite and controls your life.”

One goal I had was to complete a one day no food fast, which I completed yesterday. It really showed me that food’s not that important because we have Jesus to sustain us. I’ve learned so much through this experience and I plan to make fasting something I practice throughout the whole year.

Another woman shares this story:

I have lost 10 lbs!  You were right.  The day finally came, and I decided that I am DONE with living in bondage.  I haven’t had any sweets and nothing with flour in almost 3 weeks.  Without even working out I lost the weight.  I am growing closer to God because I can’t do this without Him even one day!  This is my one thing…to be God addicted instead of food addicted!

These are just a couple of the stories I heard yesterday, which encourages me to know I’m not alone in this battle for freedom. Continue to share your stories and together we will discover how to break the addiction of food in our lives.

(Tomorrow’s post will include practical tips and guidelines on how to break the cycle of food addiction. Stay tuned, we’re not done yet!)

I got this message from a friend on facebook… There are many women who feel the same:

I’ve had two kids one is just 3 mos and I’m just so unhappy with my stomach and my hips and I just want to tone up a bit, I’m very limited on time and can’t afford a gym membership at all. I haaaate walking outside so much but we own a very nice treadmill. So I was wondering if you had any suggestions of what I could start with to work on my stomach and hips?

My suggestion:

• START DOING SOMETHING.

Something is always better than nothing. You have a treadmill, or piece of exercise equipment, USE IT! Put it on a high incline and walk hard for five minutes. Squats are great for working hips and thighs. Do ten squats any time you get a free minute. You can even do squats while holding your little one.

A lot of people think they can’t work out because they don’t have an hour to spare. Don’t buy into that lie. Even if you’re doing five or ten minutes several times throughout the day, chances are that is more than you’re doing now. Just start!

Well, gotta run and pay my visit to the gym! What about you?

Fact: If you’re trying to lose weight, don’t eat anything past 9pm. (or 2 hours before you go to bed.)

Eating food right before bed doesn’t give your body enough time to work off those calories. And when you’re trying to lose weight, working off calories is what you want!

#1

• Even when working out is the last thing you want to do, go to the gym. It’s better to get in a light workout, than no workout at all.

That’s where I’m heading now! Gotta run!

How bad do you want it?

This phrase has marked my journey for the last four years. I now realize it is the question that holds most people back from the things they want the most.

I’ve often heard people say things like:

“I want to  lose this extra weight.”

“I want to get that promotion at work.”

“I want to go back and finish school.”

“I want to find my soul mate.”

“I want to fulfill my dream.”

I hear these phrases often, but just as often, nothing happens. Here’s the question I want to ask when I hear those phrases.

How bad do you want it?

Can you see it? Can you feel it? Does the lack of progress make you angry? Can you taste it? Can you hear it? Do you want it? Do you WANT it?

How bad do you want it? The answer to this question will take you to your next step. So…

…How bad do you want it?

Recently I heard something that really got my attention. “The three most important areas of life are: our thoughts, our words and our actions.”

I know this is true from personal experience. When I was overweight I used this method to help me start losing.

I started thinking more positively about myself. Instead of looking in the mirror and telling myself I was fat, I looked in the mirror and told myself how hot I was going to look after I lost my weight.

Then I started telling everyone about my goal. “I’m going to lose 20 pounds.” I told everyone, my parents, friends, enemies, and even strangers at the gym. Speaking it out loud made it final. Speaking it out loud made it MINE. (Note: I didn’t say, “I want to lose 20 pounds.” I said, “I AM going to lose 20 pounds.” There’s a big difference.

Then of course, I started working toward my goal. There’s something about telling everyone you know about your goal that actually makes you do it. It’s accountability in the worst and best way! So…

Is there something in your life you want to do? Some goal you want to accomplish? Some sin you want to overcome?

• It all starts with your thoughts. Focusing your thoughts can bring huge changes in your life. Start thinking about what you want to do.

• Then you speak it. Speak whatever it is to anyone and everyone who will listen.

• After you’ve done those two things, you take action. Do what you’ve been talking and thinking about doing, and don’t worry about failing.

I know that if you can master those three areas of life nothing can hold you back.

Is there something in your life that you want to accomplish, or change?

Think it, Speak it, Do it!

Take Five!

I hear it all the time! “I don’t have time to work out!”

Maybe you don’t have an hour to spend on the treadmill, but you do have five minutes!

Take five minutes and do one of the following:

Pushups for five minutes (as many as you can)

Sit ups or crunches for five minutes (maximum reps!)

Squats for five minutes

You’ll be amazing what five minutes does for you. Don’t believe me? Try it!

Take five!

Pour 1/2 a cup of Egg Substitute into a mug

The Egg Mug Classic

Cut up one wedge of Laughing Cow Light Swiss Cheese, into eggs and stir.

Put in the microwave for 35 seconds. Take out and stir.

Cook in microwave for another 35 seconds and enjoy! I know I did. I almost forgot to take a picture of the finished product I was so excited to eat it!

The Egg Mug Classic

I haven’t been blogging a lot lately. My life has been a little busy over the last couple months. But I want to share some tips this week that have helped me stay on track even when life seems out of control! 

Bag It Up

I love fruit. Not only is it sweet and tasty it is an amazingly healthy snack that keeps me on track. Since I’m always on the go it’s hard to keep a variety of fruit close at hand, and easy to grab as I’m heading out the door. To fix that problem, I take the opportunity of a free night to do a little chopping. 

Buy a carton of strawberries and after washing them slice them into pieces. (Eat with yogurt for a yummy, healthy snack!)

Divide pieces into little baggies and store in refrigerator.

Do the same with a bundle of grapes. 

Add apples or plums or peaches and you have a nice variety of fruit to grab as you’re heading out the door!