Yesterday morning I woke up to a sweet text from my friend, Jaime. Here is what it said: Happy New Year, Darlin’! Can’t wait to see what this year has in store. Also, I am planning on doing this “thing” alongside you starting today. But FYI: last night I went out and binged on chips and queso. Here’s to an incredibly healthy year. I believe in you.
As I sit here in tears reading your words of encouragement, I just want to say "Thank You" for being vulnerable enough to put your journey out there for the world to see! It is definitely a huge encouragement for me. I will be doing this "thing" with you!! Like you, I have to start slow as well. I have been overweight ever since puberty and I am approaching 50 this year so literally a life long battle. I have been through all the fad diets, medications, programs, etc. and have been successful. In 2011, the day after I turned 40, I had gastric bypass as a last chance resort. I went from 384 lbs to 180 (and at 5'8" I felt really good about that weight) after the weight loss and removal of excess skin. In the last 6 years I have put back on 90 lbs of that and it makes me sick every time I think about it. The reason......just like you, I have never tackled my brain. This time, that is where I am starting. Sugar is my addiction and always has been. So I will start slow, mostly by eliminating the sugary snacks from my home and refusing to buy them again on my grocery store runs. I am also going to opt to chew a piece of sugar free gum any time my brain gets bored and tries to convince me to get a snack (even though my stomach is telling me it's full). I am going to put the fork down at the first feeling of being full instead of continuing to eat just because it tastes so good. That's where I'm starting. May seem small to some but for me, it's where I need to start otherwise my brain will fight me during this battle and I don't want another failed attempt. Thank you for sharing that you have "let go" of all your failed attempts in the past. I never realized that is something I need to do but I do. I have to let go of all the guilt of having tried and failed (even after surgery). You are such an inspiration and I can't thank you enough!
I’m glad to have a community to do this with. I’d like to lose 64lbs. I am doing intermittent fasting daily (16:8) and trying to stay around or under 50g carbs per day. I have decided to walk on the treadmill during the Rise & Radke lives every morning, and I’m doing a free 30-day yoga program (Yoga with Adriene) on YouTube. That plus daily dog walking should help me lose weight, slow and steady. I have very painful plantar fasciitis in both feet and arthritis in one knee, so increasing my walking will be a challenge. But, I’m taking it slow. Good luck to all of us!
How ironic! A cold pop tart I am eating as I read this. I’m drinking water with it, that counts, right? I read about the Daniel fast on Sunday, as I had read about a friend starting it. Am feeling like The Lord has convicted me about it. So, I’m preparing myself and starting next Monday. I began WW in 1/18 and lost about 30 lbs and began my Keto journey in 7/18 until 4/19, where I lost an additional 55lbs. I gain 25lbs back from 4/19 to 3/20. Pandemic! Lost my 52 yo sister (5’7” 140lbs! I didn’t get those genes) and have gained almost the rest back. Total mental game! You’re right. How do I get back to that motivation? I am lost right now. Thank you for the encouragement, that I can do this. That I don’t have to jump all in. I can begin slow. Slow and steady wins the race, right?
My son left for Air Force basic training on my birthday back in November, isn't that just rude? Well, I decided that if he was going through basic I would too, so I started exercising every day. Let me tell you I have not lost an ounce of weight but I feel better. Stronger, things are getting tighter. I am still hoping that the scale will begin to reflect all of my hard work but for now I will settle for the satisfaction of my body doing what I ask of it.
Our church started 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting today- the hubs is doing the Daniel Fast, the girl and I are letting go of gluten and sugar. We will absolutely be leaning on God daily as our bodies detox!
I hadn’t thought about a name for this amazing “thing” we’re doing until you mentioned it, but what about
“The Cobblestone Club”? Each stone is a different size, shape and color- some perfectly smooth, some rough around the edges, some missing pieces, but together they become a road that many will find their personal journey on. I don’t think we need fancy “club” notebooks made for us, if we wanted to we could decorate our own and post pictures of how we’re using our creativity as an outlet instead of binging on sugar or whatever.
Eh? It was just an idea.
I also let go of smoking (again for about the 50th time in 35 years) so I’m reading, sleeping and aiming to keep the body count at zero up in here. 😁
I love that you emphasize that there is not just one way to go about this. It’s easy to want to jump on a train that others say is the best way. Due to autoimmune disease, I do not eat gluten. Ever. And I am supposed to avoid dairy, soy and limit sugar. I’m great at the no gluten because it is non negotiable, but I have gotten bad with the others even though I know it’s best for me not to have them. For this reason, I started a round of Whole30 eight days ago to recommit and remind myself how I will feel without those things.
I also rely on my faith to see me through every situation in my life. Wishing you the best in your journey!
I love this! You are such an inspiration. I lost 60lbs 3 years ago doing low carb/no sugar with intermittent fasting. I allowed myself to begin eating unhealthy again and but back on 10. You have inspired me to finish strong. I want to be healthy and feel good again. So on Jan 1 I began this journey again and will see it through and lose the last 25lbs. I have been walking 4 miles but have a goal to run a 5k this year. I am not a runner AT ALL but was able to run 1.3 miles yesterday without stopping! I was so proud of myself. Please pray that I can stick with this. Prayers for everyone on their new journey ❤️
My husband walks every night rain or wind. Every night he asks me to go and as I am lounging on the couch, bed or chair I say no. Well started Jan 1 I have said yes. Yes to going on a 30 nope not that ambitious 20 minutes walk with my husband. I am also trying the intermittent fasting. I started Jan 1 but ate snacks while watching tv so I tried again the next day and then the next day. I am doing this to hopefully maybe not need my CPAP machine. It’s only 8:22 am and been up since 7:30.... already need a nap. So yeah I need to do something to get rid of this poundage I have acquired.
The Daniel Fast looks a lot like Dr Joel Fuhrman’s Eat To Live book and Nutritarian program that reverses autoimmune and cardiovascular issues and you get to eat volumes of fruit and non starchy vegetables. Others are limited such as nuts and seeds and beans that you eat daily. Water sauté your veges. Nutritional excellence keeps the body satisfied. Pain disappears. The brain struggle for the standard American dies (SAD) does not go away but does diminish. Try putting beans in your almond/oat or coconut milk smoothies. Adds to the feeling of fullness. Lots of support groups out there on that. This is a non punishing program. The Daniel Fast looks great. After it is over with do incorporate it into your regular eating patterns. My stats have plummeted. Blood pressure, cholesterol, A1C. No longer prediabetic.
Hi, Melissa. I pray you will rock this Daniel fast! I started out with a bread fast which is eating bread whenever I was hungry & then moved on to Eat Like A Bear. You might want to check it out. It’s simple & I like that a lot! 🐻💕 I am leaning on God & trusting He is doing a work in me. He is faithful to complete the work He has begun in us. Blessings to you & your family.
My husband and I started the Daniel fast on Sunday! I feel like we are cut from the same cloth, (although my section of the cloth probably came from burlap - a little rustic and irritating after messing with it too long). This is our 3rd or 4th year giving God the beginning of our year with the Daniel fast. It has been a blessing to us over the years, but seriously does NOT feel like a blessing in the process of it. That’s where God has me right now - to notice the process of it all - growth, obedience, maturity, all of it. I’m praying for you, Melissa! I have battled body image, scales, and health for a very long time. Gastric surgery was a good choice for me but everyday is still a battle, and the extra 30 pounds that have creeped back up proves it. Enjoy journey and be sensitive to the process. I can be a beautiful thing! ❤️❤️❤️
Not only have I struggled with weightloss. I have been in spiritual upset for awhile now and when I read your message today I knew I was led to this for more than just weightloss. Really haven’t come up with a plan just yet.
Thank you for sharing and being vulnerable and funny. We all need to laugh and I love your precious laugh! I am on this journey as well after circumstances the last few years left me completely devestated. Now that my Spiritual health and emotional health are in check, because I understand who is in control, I am ready to glorify God with the habits he has placed on my heart, for my benefit, so I can edify Him and love on others. It is going to be an awesome year!
In March of 2020 I began a plan that brought me an 80 pound weight loss. You can do this. I am now a coach because I just want to help other people have the same freedom that I have. The health and wellness program I am doing does not believe in telling and selling but sharing and caring. I have tried those other programs you spoke of and like you they worked for a short time. I gained a little weight in December so I am now 14 pounds from my goal weight. I encourage you to do what works for you, everyone is different. If I knew how to attach a picture I would send you my before and after pictures. Blessings to you and I will enjoy the ride with you!!
As I sit here in tears reading your words of encouragement, I just want to say "Thank You" for being vulnerable enough to put your journey out there for the world to see! It is definitely a huge encouragement for me. I will be doing this "thing" with you!! Like you, I have to start slow as well. I have been overweight ever since puberty and I am approaching 50 this year so literally a life long battle. I have been through all the fad diets, medications, programs, etc. and have been successful. In 2011, the day after I turned 40, I had gastric bypass as a last chance resort. I went from 384 lbs to 180 (and at 5'8" I felt really good about that weight) after the weight loss and removal of excess skin. In the last 6 years I have put back on 90 lbs of that and it makes me sick every time I think about it. The reason......just like you, I have never tackled my brain. This time, that is where I am starting. Sugar is my addiction and always has been. So I will start slow, mostly by eliminating the sugary snacks from my home and refusing to buy them again on my grocery store runs. I am also going to opt to chew a piece of sugar free gum any time my brain gets bored and tries to convince me to get a snack (even though my stomach is telling me it's full). I am going to put the fork down at the first feeling of being full instead of continuing to eat just because it tastes so good. That's where I'm starting. May seem small to some but for me, it's where I need to start otherwise my brain will fight me during this battle and I don't want another failed attempt. Thank you for sharing that you have "let go" of all your failed attempts in the past. I never realized that is something I need to do but I do. I have to let go of all the guilt of having tried and failed (even after surgery). You are such an inspiration and I can't thank you enough!
I’m glad to have a community to do this with. I’d like to lose 64lbs. I am doing intermittent fasting daily (16:8) and trying to stay around or under 50g carbs per day. I have decided to walk on the treadmill during the Rise & Radke lives every morning, and I’m doing a free 30-day yoga program (Yoga with Adriene) on YouTube. That plus daily dog walking should help me lose weight, slow and steady. I have very painful plantar fasciitis in both feet and arthritis in one knee, so increasing my walking will be a challenge. But, I’m taking it slow. Good luck to all of us!
How ironic! A cold pop tart I am eating as I read this. I’m drinking water with it, that counts, right? I read about the Daniel fast on Sunday, as I had read about a friend starting it. Am feeling like The Lord has convicted me about it. So, I’m preparing myself and starting next Monday. I began WW in 1/18 and lost about 30 lbs and began my Keto journey in 7/18 until 4/19, where I lost an additional 55lbs. I gain 25lbs back from 4/19 to 3/20. Pandemic! Lost my 52 yo sister (5’7” 140lbs! I didn’t get those genes) and have gained almost the rest back. Total mental game! You’re right. How do I get back to that motivation? I am lost right now. Thank you for the encouragement, that I can do this. That I don’t have to jump all in. I can begin slow. Slow and steady wins the race, right?
My son left for Air Force basic training on my birthday back in November, isn't that just rude? Well, I decided that if he was going through basic I would too, so I started exercising every day. Let me tell you I have not lost an ounce of weight but I feel better. Stronger, things are getting tighter. I am still hoping that the scale will begin to reflect all of my hard work but for now I will settle for the satisfaction of my body doing what I ask of it.
Good afternoon, everyone!
Our church started 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting today- the hubs is doing the Daniel Fast, the girl and I are letting go of gluten and sugar. We will absolutely be leaning on God daily as our bodies detox!
I hadn’t thought about a name for this amazing “thing” we’re doing until you mentioned it, but what about
“The Cobblestone Club”? Each stone is a different size, shape and color- some perfectly smooth, some rough around the edges, some missing pieces, but together they become a road that many will find their personal journey on. I don’t think we need fancy “club” notebooks made for us, if we wanted to we could decorate our own and post pictures of how we’re using our creativity as an outlet instead of binging on sugar or whatever.
Eh? It was just an idea.
I also let go of smoking (again for about the 50th time in 35 years) so I’m reading, sleeping and aiming to keep the body count at zero up in here. 😁
Hope ya’ll have a wonderful day!
I love that you emphasize that there is not just one way to go about this. It’s easy to want to jump on a train that others say is the best way. Due to autoimmune disease, I do not eat gluten. Ever. And I am supposed to avoid dairy, soy and limit sugar. I’m great at the no gluten because it is non negotiable, but I have gotten bad with the others even though I know it’s best for me not to have them. For this reason, I started a round of Whole30 eight days ago to recommit and remind myself how I will feel without those things.
I also rely on my faith to see me through every situation in my life. Wishing you the best in your journey!
I love this! You are such an inspiration. I lost 60lbs 3 years ago doing low carb/no sugar with intermittent fasting. I allowed myself to begin eating unhealthy again and but back on 10. You have inspired me to finish strong. I want to be healthy and feel good again. So on Jan 1 I began this journey again and will see it through and lose the last 25lbs. I have been walking 4 miles but have a goal to run a 5k this year. I am not a runner AT ALL but was able to run 1.3 miles yesterday without stopping! I was so proud of myself. Please pray that I can stick with this. Prayers for everyone on their new journey ❤️
Good morning
My husband walks every night rain or wind. Every night he asks me to go and as I am lounging on the couch, bed or chair I say no. Well started Jan 1 I have said yes. Yes to going on a 30 nope not that ambitious 20 minutes walk with my husband. I am also trying the intermittent fasting. I started Jan 1 but ate snacks while watching tv so I tried again the next day and then the next day. I am doing this to hopefully maybe not need my CPAP machine. It’s only 8:22 am and been up since 7:30.... already need a nap. So yeah I need to do something to get rid of this poundage I have acquired.
Yesterday I ate 8 Hershey kisses, but drank 64 oz of water and did Yoga! I'm calling it a win!
The Daniel Fast looks a lot like Dr Joel Fuhrman’s Eat To Live book and Nutritarian program that reverses autoimmune and cardiovascular issues and you get to eat volumes of fruit and non starchy vegetables. Others are limited such as nuts and seeds and beans that you eat daily. Water sauté your veges. Nutritional excellence keeps the body satisfied. Pain disappears. The brain struggle for the standard American dies (SAD) does not go away but does diminish. Try putting beans in your almond/oat or coconut milk smoothies. Adds to the feeling of fullness. Lots of support groups out there on that. This is a non punishing program. The Daniel Fast looks great. After it is over with do incorporate it into your regular eating patterns. My stats have plummeted. Blood pressure, cholesterol, A1C. No longer prediabetic.
Hi, Melissa. I pray you will rock this Daniel fast! I started out with a bread fast which is eating bread whenever I was hungry & then moved on to Eat Like A Bear. You might want to check it out. It’s simple & I like that a lot! 🐻💕 I am leaning on God & trusting He is doing a work in me. He is faithful to complete the work He has begun in us. Blessings to you & your family.
My husband and I started the Daniel fast on Sunday! I feel like we are cut from the same cloth, (although my section of the cloth probably came from burlap - a little rustic and irritating after messing with it too long). This is our 3rd or 4th year giving God the beginning of our year with the Daniel fast. It has been a blessing to us over the years, but seriously does NOT feel like a blessing in the process of it. That’s where God has me right now - to notice the process of it all - growth, obedience, maturity, all of it. I’m praying for you, Melissa! I have battled body image, scales, and health for a very long time. Gastric surgery was a good choice for me but everyday is still a battle, and the extra 30 pounds that have creeped back up proves it. Enjoy journey and be sensitive to the process. I can be a beautiful thing! ❤️❤️❤️
2021 Exercise Routine
Bow your head in prayer
Kneel at the altar of repentance
Raise your hands in praise
Stand up for what is right
Walk in truth
Carry the gospel
Dive into the Word of God
Repeat at least once a day, everyday
Not only have I struggled with weightloss. I have been in spiritual upset for awhile now and when I read your message today I knew I was led to this for more than just weightloss. Really haven’t come up with a plan just yet.
Thank you for sharing and being vulnerable and funny. We all need to laugh and I love your precious laugh! I am on this journey as well after circumstances the last few years left me completely devestated. Now that my Spiritual health and emotional health are in check, because I understand who is in control, I am ready to glorify God with the habits he has placed on my heart, for my benefit, so I can edify Him and love on others. It is going to be an awesome year!
Melissa,
In March of 2020 I began a plan that brought me an 80 pound weight loss. You can do this. I am now a coach because I just want to help other people have the same freedom that I have. The health and wellness program I am doing does not believe in telling and selling but sharing and caring. I have tried those other programs you spoke of and like you they worked for a short time. I gained a little weight in December so I am now 14 pounds from my goal weight. I encourage you to do what works for you, everyone is different. If I knew how to attach a picture I would send you my before and after pictures. Blessings to you and I will enjoy the ride with you!!