A Long Journey

 Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5

 

A few posts ago I mentioned God giving me a spiritual makeover and helping me to realize the cause of my being overweight.  I have taken a few steps to help with losing the weight.  I joined WW and also marathon training group.  That's right...  I am currently training to run a half marathon!  I train 4 days a week and do weight lifting 2 days a week.

Lesh and I have several friends who have completed marathons and we have gone to their races to cheer them on and have enjoyed it so much.  Lesh ran the last five miles of the full marathon with our friend Garth and it inspired him to train for the race this year.  So I decided I would train for the half.  Crazy!!

If you have never gone to a marathon as a spectator/cheerleader I urge you to go!  It is an amazing atmosphere and inspiring seeing all those thousands of people pushing thier bodies past their physical limit.  I remember seeing people crying as they crossed the finish line.  Wow.

So since I have been watching what I'm eating, running and trying to give my overeating urges to God, I have lost 17 lbs.!  I know that God has been my rock and my comfort.  I am learning to lean on him to comfort me and not food.  I am by no means perfect and never will be.  My whole life I have used food to make me feel better.  How many of us when we have a bad day crave chocolate?  Ice cream? Why do you think "Comfort Food"  has that name?  In my case I've overdone it on comfort food. 

I'm excited to share this LONG journey with you for a couple of reasons.  One is that you can help hold me accoutable.  Two because I believe we should share the great things that God does in our lives to encourage others who may be going through the same journey.  It will take me over a year most likely to get to my "healthy" weight and I know I will only achieve that goal if I continue to allow God to help me through this journey.

Have you ever tried to lose weight before?  It is plain hard work.  I'm not complaining, I'm just saying it's a lot of work.  Have you seen Biggest Loser?  Yikes!  You have to exercise lots of will power which I call "God Power."  And you have to physically push your body into uncomfortable situations.  I do have to say that I thoroughly love the feeling I get after I finish running.  I get a great sense of accomplishment and I praise God for helping me get through the run. 

One of my favorite verses is Psalm 139:14.
I praise you because I'm fearfully and wonderfully made.  Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Do you know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made?  No matter if you are overweight or don't think of yourself as beautiful, You are God's creation and ALL His works are wonderful!  When I'm having a bad day I say this verse to myself in the mirror to help me remember that I am a daughter of the Most High.

I plan on continuing to share my journey with you and if you think about it say a prayer for me that I will continue to let God have control and that I would seek him for all of my comfort.

Thanks so much!!