But I think yesterday's question is by far, the most difficult question I've ever been asked by a child of mine. As I was brushing Avery's hair for school, she asked me, "When are you going to lose that baby belly?" Ouch! I don't like to talk about my weight. I don't like talking about exercising or dieting. And I don't like watching what I eat, and then having to talk about what I'm not eating (or what I did eat but probably shouldn't have eaten). I don't.... Why? Well because they are difficult subjects for me. I've opened myself up to Avery on more than one occasion with these subjects in the past when she's asked questions, mainly because I want her to know that we're all different, and that just because someone is overweight it doesn't mean they lack the ambition or desire to be healthier. I've been honest with her because I want her to know that this subject is not taboo. I want her to know that she can talk to me about it now, and in the future.
I probably shouldn't have been all that surprised with her question. And even though I wanted to bust-out singing my best rendition of Hannah Montana's Nobody's Perfect, I instead simply told Avery that I was trying my best, but that these things take time. It's hard work... And then Avery said to me, "Well you're doing a good job, but I think you need to try harder." She wasn't being mean, just honest. And I truly appreciate her honesty. It was refreshing, and at the same time it was the honest slap in the face that I needed because I've been slacking off a lot lately...
So, here I go! I'm going to be honest with all of you. I've been trying to lose weight for some time now, but I've been going about it half-heartedly. I don't enjoy dieting or exercising. In fact, I fight it tooth and nail. I can always find an excuse to not exercise, and I can always justify eating something I shouldn't. But, as much as I hate all of those things, I hate being overweight even more. And I'm tired of making excuses. Why is it that I can take care of everyone else in my life without even thinking twice about it? I give my all to them, to ensure that they are happy and healthy. But when it comes to myself, I struggle. I struggle to keep myself happy and healthy, and to do the basic things I need to do in order to maintain that "happy and healthy" lifestyle for myself.
In the past 9 months, I have lost 31 pounds. There! I said it! I'm not telling all of you that because I want credit for it. I'm telling you all because I still have such a long way to go, and I've lost my momentum, my drive, my fight. So I'm opening myself up here on this blog, and I'm scared about it. I don't want to talk about it. I don't. But I'm doing it because I've realized that I can learn a valuable lesson from Avery's difficult question. Even though it's a difficult subject for me to talk about, maybe if I'm honest with everyone reading this, then maybe I can finally be honest with myself as well. Maybe if I allow the wall of shame and embarrassment that I've built up around myself to be torn down, I can open myself up to your prayers, your encouragement, and to the occasional honest slap in the face that I so desperately need!
And so I ask all of you to come along with me on this journey, as I continue down the path towards a happier, healthier Patty. I'll make a point to post updates on here, as far as my progress (and set backs) go. But I'll also be asking you all for tips and suggestions as well. Tomorrow is Thursday, which means it will be time for another Take a Tip Thursday blog. I'll be posting a few tips tomorrow, that I have found truly helpful when it comes to dieting and exercising. But I have so much to learn, and I know that I have tons of people in my life who know tons of great information about these subjects. So, please make sure to check out my post tomorrow, and leave me a tip!
-31 pounds, and counting...
4 comments:
You did a great job answering Avery's question. How about that girl? Hummm I feel another woman pastor in the making!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this post! your honesty rocks. I'm right there with you.....
To answer Avery's question. Jesus was God robed in flesh or God incarnate. Scripture calls Him the second Adam. God the Father made his body and placed it into Mary's womb. Since a baby's blood comes from their father,His blood was God blood.Different from ours in that it was pure blood. He has no soul because He was and is God who is spirit. Only now we can see God in the person of His son who came in the likeness of a man to die on a cross to pay a sin debt for me that I could not pay for myself. All I had to do was accept His gift and make Him my Lord and Savior. His gift is for everyone. Being a Christian is not a religion it is a relationship with Jesus. Hope this helps.
I am so proud of you. Don't be so hard on yourself. Eat healthy, chose something physical like walking or swimming,eat five small meals a day, get the word diet out of your vocabulary, and when you do eat carbs ( like pasta, potatoes or bread) eat them with you night meal only and in small portions. Eating them early in the day stimulates your appetite. Do not drink diet drinks, they mess up you system. Do not eat a lot of salad unless the produce comes from your garden. Stay away from meats that have been given growth hormones-they are being passed on to the people eating the meat and they make us gain weight. Do not eat frozen foods, too many chemicals.Some Doctors are calling it chemical weight. It can be stopped by eating healthy and staying away from foods loaded with chemicals like store bought strawberries,lettuce,spinach,tomatoes. These are called fragile crops because they require a lot of chemical spray on them to get them to market. Hope this helps.
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