Living With the Lights On

Are You Okay With It Taking Time?  Every change we make, every accomplishment we achieve takes a certain amount of time.   We could even agree that the greatest accomplishments take more time.   But when it comes to losing weight, we want it to be fast.  This messes with our mind, our emotions and our commitment. I want you to think about when you enrolled in college.  You decided on a field of study and a degree you set out to earn and graduate.   Or, you can think about High School.  You set out to graduate.   When you signed up, you expected that it would take a number of days you would need to continue taking action.  You made a plan, followed through and repeated.....Over and over and over.   When you were a sophomore, did you say to yourself, "I haven't graduated yet I think I'll quit?" In the 6th month of your Senior year did you throw up your hands and stop completing the requ...

Does Worry Lead to Weight Gain?  Do you find yourself worrying?  Is is it helpful? OR Is it harmful?  In my life, weight and eating psychology training,  I have learned that the thoughts we choose trigger responses in our brain and in our whole body.  These can be responses that trigger endorphins and relaxation response.  This responses help our body assimilate 40-60% more of the nutrients in our food.   But, when we choose thoughts that trigger cortisol and stress response, we limit our own bodies ability to use food for fuel.  We trigger and insulin response that stores fat.  I was studying Dr. David Jeremiah's Slaying the Giants this week.  The "giant" this week is worry.  Worry definitely triggers a stress response in the human body.  But there is hope.   Here is what I learned from Dr. Jeremiah about worry. In the verses of Matthew 6: 25-34, he shows us the results of worry and how ...

How to Stop the Mindless Eating Have you ever looked down at your hands and seen the empty potato chip bag, or looked at the pan of brownies and noticed you have eaten the whole row?  I remember these experiences and I remember the sinking heart I felt afterward.  I felt so out of control.  I didn't think there was any way to help.   My instant reaction was to restrict more, criticize myself more and look for a new "diet" plan.   I din't know that each of those steps would just lead to more mindless eating, more self-loathing and the cycle repeated.   Then a ray of hope cam and it came from a place I never imagined would work- my mind and my spirit.  When I learned that it was my thinking that was creating the results I was having , that was both bad news and good news.  I was the one responsible for my thoughts feelings and actions.  Every bite I took was a choice.  When I realized that my min...

If You Don't Like You, How Can You Love Others? I was listening to Joyce Meyer, and she asked this question.  It reminded me of all the years I self- criticized  and beat my self up with my self talk thinking it would help me meet my fitness and weight goals. What I didn't know, it that when we think thoughts that are negative, very seldom do they give us a positive result.  We end up in comparison, competition and perfectionism.  It's like dumping in garbage and hoping roses will be the result.   "The greatest gift you can give to the world is a healthy you." Joyce Meyer Mentally healthy, physically healthy, emotionally healthy and spiritually healthy.   For God's kingdom does not consist of food and drink, but of righteousness, peace, and joy produced by the Holy Spirit.   Romans 14:17 If you are against yourself all the time, you will not have peace.  This is the order: Start with the righteousness that Christ provided....