My weight-loss success was short-lived. I had a gain this week, and it’s no mystery why. I ate an enormous amount of M&Ms (bought for Photobaby’s upcoming birthday party). And, okay, I ate two delicious cake donuts for breakfast on Friday. But mainly, it was the M&Ms. Evil candy-coated pieces of chocolate, they are.
[Turns out, I’m not the only one to believe M&Ms are evil. Check this out. Or this one. Or this one here.]
All joking aside, I really am down about this. I have been trying to lose weight for longer than I haven’t. I can remember trying to diet and exercise when I was 14! Yet, I’ve never really gained control over this struggle. Sure, I was thinner back then, but I wasn’t healthy. And now, I’m neither thin nor healthy!
You’d think I would be motivated. First of all, my health was seriously endangered last year at the end of my pregnancy. And even though the doctor said it wasn’t my fault, she also said being at a healthy weight and eating right could possibly prevent it from happening again, should we have another baby in the future. This should be big motivation, right?
Plus, I’ve passed every limit I set on myself, from “I’ll never have back fat” to “I’ll never shop at Lane Bryant” to “I’ll never weigh more than 200 lbs. again!” Each time, I prove myself wrong. I prove that no, I can’t do this. I can’t make the right choice, do the right thing, be a better person.
And how can I expect to conquer this problem? I mean, even Paul said, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” And if Paul had trouble, well, this mere mortal is doomed. Doomed!
Then again, maybe it’s not futile. (And perhaps I get a bit emotional and dramatic about this topic.) After all, Paul also said, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” And not to mention this: “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
So if Paul didn’t give up, I guess I shouldn’t either. Even if I gained half a pound. It’s a new week, and I’m back on the point-counting wagon. I know Weight Watchers is a good program that works. And I remember that I am capable of following the program and losing weight. And I’m praying that this week is the one where I start moving forward. Pressing on toward the goal. Again.
Seriously. M & Ms are evil. ;)
Thanks for having my back, Greta. Good luck on your new WW program!
Oh, Photo, I am so with you! You CAN do it! But yes, more importantly, God can do it for you. For me, that's what it this battle has to be about – as deep as it is – remembering that Jesus allowed his body to be broken so that mine could be saved and set apart for service … and who am I to treat it as if it were any less valuable than that? For some, it's alcohol or drugs or excessive risk taking behavior. For me, it's one harmless little m&m at a time. Or a handful.
Weight sucks! I want to gain it, you want to lose it- both of our health depends on it. Both of us had kids with health issues becuase of it! (I wish we could just trade!) At least we can encourage each other! I’ve been feeling really discouraged lately because my weight has dipped a bit again. I’m working on a reward/distraction thing right now- I get to call my friend if I eat while doing so- but so far not seeing any success. Arg!! I just want to be healthy!!!
I hope you have a great week and more encouraging results at your next weigh-in. You can do it!!! God is big!!!
I hear you, photo! With weight and plenty of other things. (I think I’ve quoted that “what I do…” verse from Paul several times on my blog;) It’s so easy to get discouraged and give up. (I have many times and continue to do so.) It all just seems so overwhelming sometimes! But it’s just like growing out your fingernails: if you mess up, you just start again right where you are. :) Don’t be so hard on yourself, as that accomplishes nothing (yes, easy for me to SAY — I know I don’t follow it!). God knows we’re weak and not perfect, and I think He’ll bless us for our efforts. Besides, we’re developing patience through this, right? Riiight… ;)
you have an added struggle, kimberly, because the rest of us who want to Lose weight have a hard time empathizing with your desire to Gain! (sorry — I will try to do a better job at being understanding & encouraging:)
I had preeclampsia with both kids…not fun!
I was where you are now last Christmas and I decided enough was enough (when my husband came downstairs in my jeans and a. didn’t know they were mine and b. wondered why they were so big on him as he put both his arms inside and had plenty of room to spare!)
Do you have a chance to go for daily walks by yourself? I suggest getting audio books of devotionals on tape and listening to them while you walk–fill up your craving for junk food with the fullness of Christ.
Oh and another thing that helps–stop drinking pop. I don’t know if you do or not, but pop (even diet pop) makes you crave junk food. It has been proven that people who drank diet pop gained an average of a pound a year. On the 6WBMO they want you to drink 100 oz of water a day. I can tell you that it makes it easier to resist temptation when you’ve drank all that water!
Also the biggest thing for me was just getting rid of all the junk in my house and not buying anymore. I made my family eat healthy because I needed to and I think we are all better for it! Of course that being said, I don’t like things like cheesecake and my husband does so I let him have as much of that as he wanted–and he has now GAINED 30 pounds!!! HA!! Now he thinks he’s fat and wants to eat like me! :-D
With God’s help all things are possible! You can do it Photo!!!
hmph — that pop thing hasn’t worked for me :( (the rest of those sound like good ideas though, honormommy;)
Thank you all for the encouragement. But honormommy, I hardly ever drink pop and usually drink close to 100 oz. of water. I call water my only good habit. :)
Well good about the water…that is a good habit! :-D It’s supposed to flush your system out and all that… I was a horrible pop drinker so that really helped me.
Hmmm…the only other thing is just keep doing what you know you should be doing–which as you mentioned in your post is the hard part–but you can do it! :-D
i believe you can do it, photo. you go girl!
I had no idea those M&M's were for the birthday party! I'm sure I probably would have eaten them anyway.
hey, it’s smitty! (welcome, smitty:)
Don't worry, smitty. That was one of many M&M incidents that week. You just saved me from eating your portion, too.
little things like m&ms are the worst. i can say no to a candy bar, but something like m&ms? 'oh, it's just a few.' 24 'fews' later and oops. and i agree with honormommy – just getting junk out of the house helps alot.
Well, since I ate all the M&Ms, they are no longer in the house. :)
:D
excellent :)