Craving. . . . .

Last year was a huge year for me. Not in the area of weight loss but in a spiritual and emotional way. God brought me through some tough issues that had me bound for a long time and was and is directly linked to my obesity. I have struggled with losing weight for as long as I can remember. The first diet I dieted I was 12. Twenty years is too long to be fighting the battle of the bulge. Twenty years of new years resolutions. Twenty years of yo-yoking around but ultimately over the years just gaining more and more. I knew there were deeper issues and now I feel more equipped to deal with things without burying them in brownies. So I'm starting this year off with reading a new book. I have already made other decisions concerning food and how it relates to my health but as I continue to fight the emotional eating I'm reading Lisa Terkurst's book, "Made to Crave". I feel like every step is another key to unlocking this shackles and give me more freedom on this weight loss journey.

I will be blogging here more consistently about my journey. Hopefully, by God's and with His strength, this will be my year to make it to fabulous.

Stats as of January 1:

Weight---331.4

In Jesus name, that will be the last time I ever see that number!!

Two Snacks and a Success

I am off to a great start this year and I plan on keeping this momentum!! I am ever searching for little snacks that will help keep my metabolism going, get me within but not over my calorie range and that are yummy! The other night I decided that I wanted an apple. So I sliced the apple and then I sprinkled the top with just a little cinnamon and then on the side I put 1 tablespoon of peanut butter (1 TBSP is half the serving size!). YUM-MY!! So good. Then today after my morning workout I needed a little snack and REALLY wanted a chicken wrap, but I didn't want a lot of calories for a snack. So here is it:

Mini Chicken Wrap:

1/2 of a whole wheat tortilla
1 tsp. of miracle whip
A pinch of shredded cabbage
Shaved chicken
About 10 matchstick carrots

Spread on the miracle whip. Then put on your cabbage, enough to make a little trail about 2 inches wide in the middle of the wrap. Then top the cabbage with the chicken and carrots. Fold the sides in and enjoy! Sprinkle with black pepper or cayenne pepper for a little kick! This little snack is a combined total of only 144 calories, 17 carbs, 3g fat and 13 g of protein! Most importantly, I was satisfied and won't eat now until lunch.

I had a major woo hoo moment yesterday. It didn't start out that way though. Yesterday for whatever reason possessed this crazy head I bought a Zero bar. In the checkout line at the grocery store, my eye caught it and I wanted it. On impulse I picked it up and bought it. It was a King size bar. I don't know why I wanted it, I haven't had a Zero bar in years, I mean years! Normal vices are Reese's or Hersey Bar, not Zero. I got in the van to come home, opened it up and broke off about one third. I ate it. I didn't enjoy it. I thought, "why did you do that, you didn't need or want that". The rest of the bar went into the trash. Why is this a Woo Hoo moment you ask. Because I didn't finish it. The old Joy would have considered the day a loss and finished the bar whether she liked it or not. Progress, slow but sure progress!! And even with the momentary insanity, I still kept within calorie range yesterday!!!

When I started this year I made a commitment to myself and my family that I would get healthy. But I also committed my efforts to God and He is helping me, daily, to meet my goals. I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.~~Philippians 4:13 GWT

This year I am doing it right~~through Christ and one day at a time.

Jump Start Week

Yesterday day I started my jump start program, you know the one that gets your metabolism going again. I am eating my Veggie, Veggie Soup Baby soup this week (started Tuesday) and I am also eating it again next week. I will probably hate it by then, but it does it's job. LOL

I am also jump starting my exercise by, well, exercising consistently for one thing and also by doing more cardio than I normally do. I have fibromyalgia and some arthritis and so cardio is sometimes (most times actually) painful, but I have to push through it and do it anyway. I love strength training and I do a lot of calisthenic type exercises. I also plan on walking some outside with my kids, but this crazy rain keeps me in doors right now.

I have to say that dieting is probably my least favorite thing to do, but it has to be done. A lifestyle change is necessary, I'm saving my life by making these changes. Fortunately I am not alone. God is strengthening me and my resolve to GET IT DONE. My scripture focus for this week is, "I can do everything through Christ, who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 I realize that I got myself into this oversized problem, but I know that God loves me enough to give me the strength I need to finish the job.

My Veggie, Veggie Soup Baby recipe is in the post right below this one. Take a peek, you might like it!