Weigh-In Week 1... Now what?

Starting Weight: 242 pounds
Current Weight: 236 pounds
This week's results: -6 pounds
Total results: -6 pounds

Whoo! First week is already over, and I did pretty well for myself, I think. I worked out 4 days last week, and 4 days this week so far, including Sunday afternoon. I'm making going to the gym as much a regular part of my day as brushing my teeth. If I can keep up the routine, after about a month it should be a habit. Right? I'm really enthusiastic and optimistic. I'm so perky I'm sure my family is ready to slap me silly.

Has the following ever happened to you?

When I'm first working on getting fit, I'm all gung-ho; get out the workout tapes or DVDs, maybe buy a new workout outfit or sneakers, clean out the kitchen cupboards and only stock healthy food in the fridge, that kind of stuff. As I lose weight, I get rid of my fat girl clothes, and smile at everyone each time I leave the house. I have a spring in my step, a song in my heart, and all the cartoon birds and little animals from Snow White accompany me everywhere I go.

A little while down the road, I get more relaxed about everything. I know what my portion sizes should be without measuring (um-hmmm). I don't drink as much water as I should to flush my body of toxins. I don't work out quite so often (okay, truth: I never worked out before!), I end up at Campbell's Dairy Land and order a tin roof sundae instead of the fat-free Dole whip, and I just generally relax my standards all around. 'Cause I KNOW what I'm doing. Then I snap at friends I'm having dinner with when they ask, "Are you gonna order THAT?" I get mad at my husband Carl when he offers suggestions on how I can get back on track. I'm surprised that the losses each week either become a lot less, or I start to gain again. Ultimately, I just give up. I get upset with myself, and then finally I just don't care anymore, and the weight comes back, plus 10 or 15 (okay 50!) pounds for good measure.

I was a member of Weight Watchers at least 7 times, maybe more, and have been very successful. I even earned a 75 pounds lost magnet once, but never reached the coveted lifetime membership, which would have meant I had reached my goal weight. I've been on Physicians Weightloss, I've taken Hoodia, Dexatrim, Alli, and tried all kinds of popular short-term diets (the grapefruit diet, the cabbage soup diet, to name 2).

I've always initially done great. I've always done all the things a good dieter/Weight Watcher is supposed to do. I've been encouraging and inspiring to other people in my group. But, I've always failed. I've always felt bad about myself. I've always quit. I've always regained the weight plus several pounds, and felt even worse than I did before. Sound familiar?

Why is this time going to be different? Well, for several reasons. First, I've made a very public confession of my past sins when it comes to being overweight. I came about a mile out of my comfort zone and proclaimed to anyone who cares to listen that I weigh 242 pounds! ON THE RADIO! I don't DO things like this! I might fail again! I might succeed, and that's just as scary!

The main reason this time is already different, though, is because of Christ. Because of Him, if I do falter and swill that sundae, He's going to whisper in my ear that its okay, that I will do better next time. If I don't go to the gym, He's going to remind me that there's a treadmill on my back porch and I have just enough time left in my day to use it for 30 minutes. When I remember that He never gives up on me, I'm not going to give up on myself either. Well, let's be realistic! I might forget for a time, but I'm sure He's going to put someone in my path that will bring me back to my senses and straighten me back up. If He loves me, then there must be something lovable about me, right?

I want lots of things. I want to reach my goal weight and I want to keep the weight off. I want my doctor to tell me that she's taking me off some of the 7 or 8 prescription drugs I'm currently taking for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, low thyroid (something's low!?), acid reflux, and anxiety/depression. I want to believe, REALLY believe, Carl when he tells me that I'm beautiful. Heck, I want to believe ANYONE who tells me I'm cute, or attractive, or that I've inspired them to get healthy! I've never believed a physical compliment made to me; can't they see what I do? I want to really look in the mirror at myself as I am and have the mental image of myself and the real one match. For once, I don't want to be disappointed in what I see.

I have a lot to work on, obviously. But I can really see that this time, because of Christ and what He means to me in my life, we're gonna get through it. I even have a person to look to in my own household who has shown me what it takes to do this weight loss thing and be successful. My daughter, Lindsay, lost almost 100 pounds IN BETWEEN BABIES that are 20 months apart in age. She has literally worked her butt off. She is currently training herself for a 5-k race. No one was watching her or encouraging her apart from immediate family, she just did it. In that, I have a distinct advantage. I have a whole boatload of community and A RADIO STATION who are all rooting for me. I'm not worthy, but I'm definitely blessed!

I'm praying for you, dear friend, for whatever struggle it is that you're currently going through, whether its weight, addiction, finances, loneliness, or anything else that is dimming your light at this time, that you will feel Christ's presence in your life and know that He is your support and mainstay even when everything else isn't.

Its time for me to get to the gym. If you see me at the Campo Family YMCA in Brandon, say hi!

Stay posted! My next blog: "Got Any Goals?"