Common Thread?

 Someone mentioned that they worked out with their husband but he had had surgery so she was waiting on him to recover so they could get back to working out. 

Someone else stayed home from church because their spouse was sick. 

A friend mentioned she would like to lose weight, but her husband wasn't on board with making the changes. 

What is the common thread in each of these stories? 

It is basing what we do on what those around us are doing. 

"If your friends all jumped off of a cliff, would you?" 

It's a response many of us heard while growing up. When we asked permission to do something and told our parents, so and so is doing it. 

It shouldn't matter what so and so is doing - if we see that working out is important for our continued health, then let's keep doing it. 

If our spouse is sick and unless they really need us there or are contagious- let's go on and go to church. It helps encourage those who have to go to church by themselves all the time. 

If we want to get healthy then it shouldn't matter what other people in our household or families do. Let's put our health as a priority in our lives and move forward in that direction. 

Just because other people are doing this or that does not mean we have to follow along and especially if it's something that will hurt us- physically, mentally or spiritually.

So don't base what you do on what people around you are doing. DO the things that you know you need to be doing. 

“Ruth and Esther” | Sabbath School Panel by 3ABN - Lesson 11 Q2 2025

What Do They Have In Common?

 What if something you said to someone were to be what they remembered every time they thought of you? What if every time they thought of you, they not only thought of the words you had spoken but also the way you made them feel? Would this change how you interacted with others? Would you think more carefully before saying careless words? 

Last week I was exposed to chiggers and ended up with a cluster of bites on one foot. The one here and there have bothered me some but NOTHING like the cluster of bits on that foot. And even though I got the bites 6 days ago they have really bothered me. 

 So, what does this have to do with how I started out this post? Alot actually. Chigger bites and cruel, ugly words can cause pain and suffering long after spoken. But thankfully there is a balm for each. 

I tried several different remedies for the chigger bites, but this seemed to actually work the best. 

So how about those cruel, ugly words that tend to pop up and try to inflict when we think of the person who said them, what is the best balm for that? God's word and praising God. See people may not value us very much but God places a huge value on each and every one of us. That is why He died on the cross so that we could be saved and live with Him for eternity. So when the hurtful thoughts start to come into you mind - choose to praise God instead of dwelling on that negativity. 

The hurtful words that were spoken to me were of something that someone else had supposedly said about me. And when I thought of that person - I would remember the cruel words. But God helped me realize that I can choose to praise Him instead of dwelling of things that have no virtue. 

Our words are powerful. I don't know about you but when someone thinks of me - I don't want it to be some ugly words that I have said to them. I want my works to be encouraging and uplifting. Ugly words and chigger bites can stay with us for a while but since we have a balm - let's use it and soothe those injuries. And when we keep choosing to praise God instead, we will find that they sting less and less. 

Meditate on These Things

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Philippians 4:8 

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Aesop's Fables "The Tortoise and the Hare" Short Film 

Remember how I mentioned a few posts back that another diet craze has started up again? Well, several of my friends on Facebook have started taking it and one man is down 53 pounds, his wife is down 30 pounds and another man down 60 pounds, maybe, and it seems that they all started this diet plan that involves packaged foods after I changed my lifestyle. And truth be told when the photos and information hit Facebook - my first reaction what that I felt frustrated and agitated. Then I talked to a good friend of mine why is a nutrionist and she said - well they have achieved what they were looking for - quick weight lose but you are looking for so much more than that. Your goal is to be healthier and to lose weight. She said it will be interesting to watch and see what happens long term. They may have lost a lot of weight quickly but how is their health, really... And what will things be like when they return to eating regular food. I'm guessing that after feeling deprived for a while they will make up for lost time and could possibly gain weight back. 

So I maybe losing weight at a slower rate than they did but what I am doing is sustainable. I get plenty of food. I eat a good amount of really food. I get to eat fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts and seeds and those grains processed freshly for breads and oatmeal. And I am getting the fuel for my body that God intended me to get. Will I win the race? I don't know... but the cute little video did say: 

"Slow and Steady 

Wins the Race!" 

“Upon Whom the Ends Have Come” | Sabbath School Panel by 3ABN - Lesson 1...

More Battles Than I Even Imagined

"The LORD will fight for you, 

and you shall hold your peace." 

NKJV

"The LORD himself will fight for you. 

Just stay calm."

NLT 

 "This verse is interpreted to mean that Christians should remain calm and trust in God's faithfulness, even when they don't understand what's happening. It's also about replacing fear and outrage with joy and awe at God's majesty." ~Google search of this verse, explanation 

 This has been a favorite verse of mine for quite some time. I'd say at least 15 years or longer. I always had thought that God fighting for me in a me against them situation, but over the last several months I have come to understand that God is more than capable to help me fight against myself. Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy. When our sinful nature tries to dictate what we do, what we say and even what we eat. If we will surrender ourselves to God - He sends the Holy Spirit to fight for us. There have been many times when situations have come about that I have had to lean heavy on the Holy Spirit and allow Him to bring to my mind that I don't eat that anymore. And it has even surprised me at how quickly it pops into my mind - that is why I know it is not me that is fighting the battle anymore. And I am thrilled to have this awesome support! 

So yes - The LORD will fight for us - we can stay calm - whether it is a situation where someone is being ugly to us or when temptations come our way - the LORD is more than capable to fight the battles for us!! 

It's been 6 Months

 Today marks the 6 month anniversary of my healthy journey. Little did I know that when I named my blog that it would have so much truth to it. It has been a journey to the real me. It has taken a lot of ups and downs throughout the years, but I can see how God has guided me so I could arrive here today. 

So first I am sure you are wondering - how much weight did I lose over the last month- 6 pounds!! And that brings the total up to 44 pounds!! I could not have done this without God giving me the victory. I know I have mentioned that it seems like every time I turn around there is something else that happens, and I know it is the adversaries attempts to kill, steal and destroy. 

In about 1992 I read this book: 

I learned one of the most important things about dieting from this book. Fat is what makes you fat! It's true. This author does a really good job explaining all of it. And a very cool thing is that you don't have to worry about calories any more. Just understand the fat content of foods and make wise choices according. Since then I have learned that there are healthy fats that we do need. So don't cut your fat out too low. 

When I asked Bing how many fat grams that this book recommended for men and women - this is what I got as an answer: 

25-35 grams per day

The T-Factor Diet recommends a low-fat intake of 25-35 grams per day for both men and women1. It emphasizes consuming 7 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables each day, along with whole grain products, to partially replace fatty foods and promote satiety2. The diet shifts focus from counting calories to tracking fat grams3. In comparison, dietary guidelines from the World Health Organization recommend a daily fat intake between 20% and 35% of total daily calories4.

 

If I remember correctly, it was like 20- 30 grams for women and 30-40 for men. There is a copy of the book at a local thrift store- the next time I go I will check and I will share if numbers are different. 

All I know is that your body does need healthy fats. There are some important vitamins that they body is able to use easier if there is good fats. 

Just in case someone may not know what healthy fats would be, here is a list: 

• Nuts 
• Seeds - chia seeds, flax seeds  
• Avocados
• Olives 

A bit of a warning on the seeds- Flax seeds need to be ground up or they will just go right through you with no benefits from the flax seeds. I would also buy the seed and grind the yourself with a coffee bean ginder- because once they are ground they tend to go rancid pretty quickly. And Chia seeds- it is best to mix them with water and let sit for a bit so they absorb the water and makes it safer to use them. I put them in with my overnight oats, along with water and a bit of soy milk, and raisins or date pieces. Yummy! These seeds give your body the Omega 3 that it needs so it's recommended to get at least 1 tablespoon of them a day. This is a fat the body needs. 

With fruits and veggies and beans - I don't worry about their fat contents at all because it is such a small amount. 

It is so much easier to just watch the amount of fat than it is to count calories. And when you cut out dairy and sugar and meat - it makes it all even that much easier. 

So 6 months in and I am still thrilled that i finally listened to the convictions of the Holy Spirit and made the changes that I have made. When you let God control the journey - you end up where God meant for you to be - the real you! :O)