1 year and 75 pounds...all things are possible

When you ask God "Please help me. I will do whatever you want me to." and really mean it. Crazy things will happen in your life.

On December 30th, my life changed. God spoke to me a in a way I had never felt before. I was at the bottom of the bottom regarding my health and my weight. I put on a good show to my friends, family, co-workers and even to my husband, but God knew the pain of my heart.

I started my weight loss journey on December 30, 2010. Most people would ask why I just didn't wait till January 1st and enjoy a few last days of "freedom." The life I was living wasn't freedom, it was prison. I contemplated having a "last meal" before this drastic lifestyle change....but I have had 100 "last meals" before and where did that get me? I would always say, "I will start on Monday" or "I won't eat this for a long time, so I should enjoy it one last time" and so on. No more last meals. No more excuses.  I called it a "plan" because the word "diet" had never worked before and this was more than food choices this was a whole "plan." This time it felt real...scary and real but this time I had something new in my weapons against this issue....Jesus.

"I'm not on a diet. I'm on a journey with Jesus to learn the fine art of self-discipline for the purpose of holiness." Lysa Terkeurst


Once again, I want to thank Lysa Terkeurst for having the courage to write the book Made to Crave. God used this book to change me in so many incredible ways.

When I look back at the past year...I don't feel that I "missed out" because I didn't have cake at that birthday party. I am not sad that I had a salad when my friends had pizza. I could care less that I special ordered almost every meal I ate at a restaurant. Even thinking about holidays and birthdays...my food choices did NOT dictate my ability to enjoy those moments of my life.

I could list thousands of great memories this past year that DID impact my enjoyment. My grandma almost in tears when she saw me at 50 pounds lost. Shopping in the "regular women's" section at any store. Riding a roller coaster on my birthday...and fitting in the seat. Running with my husband and seeing pure joy in his face. Growing closer to God every single day, regardless of what the scale says.

The best thing I remember is the countless times I was asked, "How did you do it?" and replying "I read a book that God used to change my life." I have had more chances to tell people about God through my weight loss than I could have ever imagined.

If you feel the way I did in December of 2010...2012 is the year for you. God is just waiting with open arms to walk you through this whole process. It is not possible without Him. Take the leap...

Before 

In Progress

Matthew 19:26 ...Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”