My One Page Miracle

With the Daniel Plan that I mentioned here a little while back, we have been encouraged to write (type) out our motivation for doing so. Welp, here goes nothing.

I have been doing this thing for about two weeks. It's not been wonderfully easy, but it's been beneficial. I have been doing what Rick Warren calls a "drug holiday" which means no sugar, caffeine, high fructose corn syrup, or processed foods. Can I tell you that I just feel better? It's amazing what eating healthy can do for your mentality. I have more energy. I'm fitting into my clothes better. This is great!
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I do have times where I want a coke, or something sweet to snack on. The weekends are the hardest. Eating is such a social thing, and I just want to go out to eat with friends, have a coke at that birthday party, eat a chicken nugget... It's not the cake, donuts, or brownies that tempt me. Oddly enough it's my coke & sweet tea- but only on the weekends.

This process has been made easier because I'm doing the Body by Vi shakes, too. Super easy. It's like a mommy's wonder diet. I just fix me a shake and can sip on it as I go. I don't have to prepare this intricate meal, sit down and eat, or clean up from cooking. I just pop it in my blender and go. Shoot, sometimes I just put it in a tumbler and shake it.

I'm encouraged because my friends and family seem to be noticing a difference.

God has really helped me with this journey. After giving myself a year of grace, I was just ready. Ready to lose the baby weight. Ready to be fit again. Ready to run & work out.

A weight loss meltdown.

maternity session from 2012
photo cred: photosbymoe.com

Yesterday I had a major melt down.
I mean major.

I'm struggling so hard with my body image and self confidence.
I went through a deep, dark battle with myself and told myself cruel things.

You see, I gave myself what I called "a year of grace."
The first year of Madison's life I was not worried about weight loss.

I did not beat myself up for having gained weight.
I did not bother with dieting.
I was breastfeeding and needed a ga-jillion calories a day anyways.

Well, that year is now over.
I am beginning to make healthier choices.

Husband and I were going on a spontaneous date last night.
Of course I wanted to look nice, but nothing really fit the way I wanted.

Before this day, I had been doing well.
Life is good.
I have a great new job.
I have a beautiful bundle of joy.
My husband is so supportive and thinks I'm sexy.
Something just snapped in my mind.

I had a meltdown.

"You don't deserve food."
"You don't deserve clothes that fit."
"You're ugly."
"You will never be pretty again."

I broke down.
I sat at the toilet telling myself I didn't need that last meal I ate.
I tried and tried to throw up.

I'm past that, and my husband and I had a wonderful date.
Bless him, it's such a paradox when a women feels ugly.
You tell her she's beautiful.
She thinks "You're just saying that."
You encourage her to work out and eat healthy.
She thinks you're calling her fat.

After my meltdown I simply cried out to God and said:
"I know you think I'm beautiful,
but I want to think so too!"

It's as if God is literally being my own personal cheerleader.
He is encouraging me just when I need it.
This morning I was introduced to The Daniel Plan.

I know there are plenty of mothers out there who simply snap right back into their pre baby clothes and have no problem with self image. I am jealous. I'm not one of those moms. I gave myself a year of grace regarding my weight hoping that it would allow me to be a better mother. Granted, I didn't gain any weight, but I surely didn't lose any. I played and loved on my baby with no regard to the weight gain. It came up a few times, but for the most part, I showed myself grace.

I have been running in the mornings and making healthier choices. Unfortunately that is not enough. I must be motivated by God's will  not  willpower.  This morning at church we started the Daniel Plan. It is a plan where God's desire and will for our lives is our motivation. God desires for us to make better choices. God gave us this body. He gave us this temple and we must take care of it.

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 

-1 Corinthians 10:31

In order to be smarter, sharper, healthier, and an all around better servant for the Lord, I must treat my body as the temple it is. A Sunday school leader reminded us of the specifics God commanded for the place he was to dwell. He specified the type of wood, dimensions, and so much more. If he cared that much about a building, think about how much he cares about our bodies. 

I know what it takes. I know it is a snow ball effect. Working out tends to make me eat healthier, and vice versa. With serving & pleasing God as my motivation, and God's will as my own, I will continue towards a healthier walk with him. 

"Apart from me you can do nothing"

-John 15:5

I am brand new to The Daniel Plan, so I can't do much talking about it, but here is the website for you to check it out: www.danielplan.com