Wow. I have a huge problem before I even start to write this thing: what to call it? "The Battle of the Bulge", "Fear of Man Otherwise Known as Identity Crisis", or "The Temple".
I'll make comments from all three perspectives and then maybe the winning title will present itself.
"The Battle of the Bulge". We've all been there. North America (and yes, that includes YOU, Canada) houses the (pronounced 'thee') most overweight, obese people on the planet. The diet industry is the number one industry in both Canada and the US. We're talking trillions. So what do I have to say that hasn't been said a million times before by at least a million people. Nothing really, except "this time, it's personal!" Yes, it is time for yours truly, to enter the ring and fight the good fight.
Okay. How about "Fear of Man, aka, Identity Crisis"? What's that all about? Well, it's simple - why am I trying to lose weight? So that I will look good to others? So that I can be that skinny girl we all hate when we see her walking down the sidewalk, fitting perfectly into her short shorts, sipping her extra large iced capp? Can I only feel good about myself if I fit into a size 8?
(Here is an interesting aside for you - did you know that clothing manufacturers have resized everything to reflect the "growing" market [pun intended!]. What used to be a size 10 is now an 8 or even a 6. Because no matter how big we grow, no one wants to wear a size 18!) So here I am, thick around the middle, carrying more extra weight than I did when I was 9 months pregnant, and I feel "not good". Is this who I am? Somewhere inside of me is that skinny girl of 19. Do I want to be her again? This really is an identity crisis!
And finally, we come to "The Temple". I'm referring, of course, to the Temple of the Holy Spirit. He resides in me, and the Bible makes it perfectly clear (I hate it when there is no wriggle room!) that my body, my physical body is the place He calls 'home'. What a simply horrid thought. The perfect and holy God of Everything is trying to get along in the mess that I call my body. How much space does He have? I'm going to say "hardly any". Because God certainly can't live in my muscles... they are underused and weak. And He certainly can't live in my stomach... it is too full of unhealthy junk. He probably has some room in my heart... I gave him permission to do an overhaul in there, and I must say, He's done an excellent job - I hardly recognize the place! God has tried to live in my feet. I know this because He wants to take me places.
I think I have answered the question I didn't even know I was asking. The answer is, ask God to overhaul my body the same way He fixed up my heart. He will do it once I've given Him permission. And, perhaps, a little cooperation!
So thank you for listening to this somewhat rambling blog. The title is "overhaul". (Which of course, you already know.... but remember, I wrote everything up to this point with the title screen blank!) BLESSINGS ON YOUR DAY, FOLKS!
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Hey Cherie. As usual, you did an excellent job painting with your words... (I hope it wasn't really 2:35 a.m. when you wrote this!)
ReplyDeleteThe Lord has been whispering to me for some time about the Temple that is our bodies. I have abused mine for a very long time. I am finally in the active listening mode and have just started the long process that will be my overhaul.
Well after reading your blog I feel like writing one called ''YO-YO'' That would depict my journey! I have lost 23 lbs once, 30 lbs once and last time was 12 lbs. All through Weight Watchers, South Beach and Atikins-- but I keep trying. I dont give up.
ReplyDeleteI hate the fact that it gets harder as you get older [good news eh?] Metabolism slows right now.. [Menopause slows it down too] And during menopause it causes the middle to thicken-- part of the hormone process to do this. lol
So much to look forward to!!
GOOD NEWS- you are starting now and I am praying that you stick with it all the way.
I know you will. You can do it! I know you can, I know you can.
This time my journey is slower but very steady. It feels like longsuffering for sure. I have learned I need to BURN stored fat off, while watching what I eat.[sugar and fat intake] I have obtained a TRAINER this time.
I think it is GREAT we are all trying to make those changes in our life style NOW to reap healthy bodies later. Even small changes now will reap a healthier you later.
I enjoyed South Beach.. where the results were evident so quickly~ [I love breads, and muffins, and bagels and cheese lol] So it was not easy.
Very important to note that I am learning as we get older our brain NEED the carbs! TO fire the neurons! Too much protein can contribute to the plaque and tangles [sticky stuff] in the brain. [learned that from all my Alzhiemerz Courses I had to take] I stay away from white sticky guey breads and eat WHOLE GRAIN, dark, and grainy..
Appearance is one thing but because I work in LONG TERM CARE some of the residents are 35; 52; 57, several in 60's;[those are all the health related residents] The older one are mostly dementia .[North America has the highest rate of Alzheimers/Dementia --our North American life styles.
Yes, we have many younger adults in LTC and I have learned through courses, studies and reading their charts - A LOT OF IT was food related and a NON active life. Heart attacks, High Blood pressure, diabetes onset late in life because of blood sugar[diet], osteoarthritis, stroke, COPD. A LIFE OF HEALTHY EATING AND DAILY EXERCISE COULD HAVE PREVENTED ALMOST ALL OF IT.. So now they live in long term care, in wheelchairs.. sad eh? So that is what gets me going ..I dont really care if I look like a model but I do want HEALTH for a long time yet so I CAN be about my Father's business and travelling and and and....
SO My hat is off to you my friend for your determination to do this NOW in your lifetime journey.. What you do NOW you will reap later.
YAY!!!! I am proud of you..
GO Cherie GO!!!!! Cheering you on!!!!
You are making good choice NOW.. Gal 6:9
xoxoxxo sharon