"Reshaping It All"...Really?

Ugh! It's been a busy week! I can't remember a week this hectic in a long time. Part of it is my own fault, because I let some things go. On the other hand, it was an accomplished week of tying up loose ends.

But have I reshaped anything? Oh, yeah, I did. In the wrong direction! When I'm in weight-loss mode, my body gives me some nice feedback. I'm not getting that. It's so frustrating for me, because in the more recent past, I would lose a few pounds, feel good about myself, and then gain it all right back. I do NOT want to do that again!

I'm not considering myself a failure. God doesn't see me as a failure. As it is written in Psalm 103:

13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

God knows where I came from, but, more importantly, He knows where I am going. So He knows that I am weak. I can't do this on my own strength. I MUST rely on God's strength, or I am not going to succeed. With that knowledge, I did write up some verses on a piece of paper. This paper is on the wall right over my laptop.

I have a lot on my wall over my desk, but in the center of it is my list of verses. When I'm working, I can glance up and get some encouragement from God's Word. The bad thing is that I haven't done much work at my desk this week. That should change soon.

In Chapter 4 of "Reshaping It All" Candace talks about the importance of setting a goal, formulating a plan, and counting the cost of that goal. Formulating a plan needs to be more than just "cutting back." It is so important to be very specific about what we are cutting back. Candace asks three questions that help with getting specific about a goal and how to get there. I want to share my responses in hopes that putting it all out there will help me stay accountable to something for my goals.

1. What goal do I hope to attain?
   I would like to at least get back down to the weight I was when I got married. This means that I need to lose 12 pounds to get to that goal! That's it!
2. What do you hope to attain by reaching this goal?
   I will feel comfortable in my own skin again. I will feel attractive to my husband. I will have the energy to do what I need to do.
   
3. What is the cost?
   
   1. Eat only when I'm hungry.
   2. Reserve sugary treats for special, SCHEDULED times.
   3. Don't eat after 7pm.
   4. Eat at least 5 servings of produce.
   5. Use smaller plates for dinner.
   6. Drink 8 cups of water daily.
   7. Exercise 4 days/week.

Hmm...I forgot one thing that needs to go under number 3: Read my Bible daily. My life falls apart when I'm not in my Bible every day. So this is really essential. Some parts of my plan may need to be tweaked as I go, but overall I think it's a good place to start. Especially when it comes to eating only when I'm hungry. I love food. I love the way it tastes. I don't want it to go to waste. Thus, I end up eating more than I really need. I don't stop when I am satisfied. However, God saved me from other things that I loved that were destructive to me. He can--and will--save me from my love of food.

Here is one of the verses that I have up on my wall:
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." --I Corinthains 10:31