God's timing is amazing!!!

Something that was very recently pointed out to me is that my stress level is high.  While this is not really new news to me, it made me realize that I need to be more aware of my stressors and how I deal with them.
For example, I absolutely HATE the fact that I'm overweight, yet I overeat to (supposedly) cope with stress.  Now isn't that a healthy solution???

The Bible CLEARLY states...

"Be not anxious for what you shall eat, or what you shall drink ... 

or what you shall wear ... Isn't life more than food?

 ...and the body more than clothing?"  -Luke 12:22; 29

"Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds 

from the mouth of God."  -Matthew 4:4

"The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, 

but righteousness and peace,

 and joy in the Holy Spirit."  -Romans 14:17

"Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit ... 

therefore, glorify God in your body."  -I Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20

Beginning tomorrow, October 27th, I have to keep a food diary for one of my classes.  This accountability will be great for me!  Here are the instructions for the assignment: 

"List all of the food and drink you consume and estimate as closely as possible the quantity and caloric content of each item.  Provide responses for the columns labeled Time, Meal or Snack, Where Consumed, Feelings Before Eating, and Alone."   

The template also includes several questions at the end of the daily chart.

I would like to ask that you please pray for me, that I will begin to (once again) have the will power to turn away from food and turn TO our Heavenly Father.  That is the ONLY way I will truly be able to overcome this horrible habit and also eliminate some of this pointless stress in my life!  I need to be healthy in order to be who God designed me to be! 

12 Week Challenge, DAY 2...

Yesterday went well!  I had a chance to get OUT and walk.  It is so nice outside right now.... I LOVE Autumn in Arkansas!!!!!!
Still haven't weighed... not sure I will... not sure it's worth the stress.  I'm just going to continue on the path I'm on and see what happens!  Maybe I'll be out of my "fat" jeans by Christmas!
I know I said 12 pounds in 12 weeks.  If I don't weigh, I'll never know how much I've lost.  Hmm... decisions.  Is it better to know some NUMBER that really doesn't matter, or is it better to feel good about yourself and how your clothes fit?

Twelve Week Challenge, Day ONE...

Well, it's day one of my 12 wk challenge.  I'm actually feeling pretty motivated today! 
One of my biggest challenges right now is finding ways/time to be more active.  When I got to school this morning, I decided to park in the furthest spot possible from where I was going on campus.  I know it's not that big of a difference, but I figure every little bit helps! 
I've also decided to try and walk in the afternoons before I pick up Camryn.  I should have just enough time when I get out to go tan and them park and walk in the neighborhood by the school for about 30 minutes.  Again, every little bit helps!  If I can get more physical activity in when I get home that's great, but at least I've done that much more than I typically would.
I haven't weighed myself in over a month.  One of the kids broke the scales.  I'm thinking I may wait to do it and see what happens.  Hmm...

12 Week Challenge...

There are only three secrets to a successful diet:

Less food, more God, more exercise.

I need to focus on not one, but ALL of these.  For the last several months I've made excuse after excuse.  It's time to make some changes.  I'm tired of not being comfortable in my own skin. 

My biggest fear right now is that my fall/winter clothes won't fit.  I lost so much weight last summer and so I had to get smaller clothes.

I refuse to go on some crazy weight loss program.  It's not worth the money OR the stress on myself and my body.  There's nothing healthy about setting some crazy goal like losing twenty pounds in a month.  I read that most people (95%) that do stuff like that gain it all back and then some.  I DO NOT want to be that person!!!!

While I have gained some of my weight back, I do believe that I have kept the majority of it off by losing it slowly.  If you lose weight slowly, you have to work to keep it off while you are in the process of changing your lifestyle.

I would like to lose ONE POUND A WEEK until Christmas...  that's TWELVE POUNDS IN TWELVE WEEKS!

One week ago today I started journaling everything that I'm eating.  It is something that is so simple, yet it makes such a huge difference!  I'm amazed at how knowing I'm writing something down for myself at the end of the day causes me to change my mind about eating something.  It's not like anyone is going to know... except me.  I'm not going to post everything on here everyday.  I honestly don't have the time and if I do, I need to be doing something else.

Which brings me to another conviction I've had lately... Facebook.  I'm spending WAY too much time on Facebook.  This past week I have also been including the amount of time I'm on Facebook in my journal.  I need to keep track of it! 

If I have that much extra time, I need to spend it doing something worthwhile.  Time in the Word, time in prayer, time with my kids, time doing something healthy (exercise), and time studying/doing homework.

I welcome any comments or suggestions.  I really need quick reads, or relevant scripture that I can check out when I'm struggling.  Most of all I need your PRAYERS!!! 

Would anyone like to join me on my twelve week challenge???