...it's like a knock upside the head. Okay, I get it already.
Anyhow, that was the case for me today. I've been sharing frustrations, and mostly small successes with Amy about our struggles with losing weight. I've been working at it for nearly a year now after my doctor kindly suggested (without saying exactly) that if I'd like to live to see my kids grow old, I'd better take control of my weight. Enough said. I've not dieted, but I've made small lifestyle/eating changes (i.e. portion control) that has equaled a 34# loss so far. The next big stepping stone for me is exercise. I'm signed up for a 5k this weekend which I was planning to run, but without practice, it appears as though I'll be walking most of it.
As I pondered Amy's latest entries, I realized that I'd kinda hit a road block, and have started reverting to old ways. I want to be my best, healthiest self, but it's so easy just to go with what feels good, even when we know it's not what's best.
This afternoon as I opened "My Daily Bread" for some prayers and daily reflection, the words jumped right off the page to me. Certainly, I was to be reading this at this exact moment. The Holy Spirit is working on me, and I do know that God wants me to be my best, healthiest self as well.
The issues I have with food, and my struggles over the years with weight loss (and trust me they started well before having these beautiful babies) are just one of my many human weaknesses, the "restless, lower self within me." I'm grateful for His support as I continue in the right direction towards the me He wants me to be!
Anyhow, that was the case for me today. I've been sharing frustrations, and mostly small successes with Amy about our struggles with losing weight. I've been working at it for nearly a year now after my doctor kindly suggested (without saying exactly) that if I'd like to live to see my kids grow old, I'd better take control of my weight. Enough said. I've not dieted, but I've made small lifestyle/eating changes (i.e. portion control) that has equaled a 34# loss so far. The next big stepping stone for me is exercise. I'm signed up for a 5k this weekend which I was planning to run, but without practice, it appears as though I'll be walking most of it.
As I pondered Amy's latest entries, I realized that I'd kinda hit a road block, and have started reverting to old ways. I want to be my best, healthiest self, but it's so easy just to go with what feels good, even when we know it's not what's best.
This afternoon as I opened "My Daily Bread" for some prayers and daily reflection, the words jumped right off the page to me. Certainly, I was to be reading this at this exact moment. The Holy Spirit is working on me, and I do know that God wants me to be my best, healthiest self as well.
" ...I need not be surprised at my changing feelings and moods. They are not the
higher self within me. God will honor me only for what I am trying to be. I
would improve much if I begged His help more frequently by prayer and the
sacraments. Too often I fail to put up a fight against my unreasonable feelings
and blind desires. At other times I try to fight them alone. Only with God's
help can I make any permanent progress. With the knowledge He gives me through
His holy church and with the strength He offers me in His sacraments, I can live
a Holy life in spite of the restless lower self within me.
pray:
Dear Lord, my smallness and weakness are perfectly known to you. Have pity
on me. Pull me out of the mud of self, so that I may not be stuck in it forever.
Consider the labors and trials of my daily life. Please stand by me in my
efforts. Strengthen me in my resolutions. I have often failed because I depended
on myself alone. Now, however, I shall seek advice and direction as often as I
need it. Only in this way can I hope to make progress in true and solid virtue.
Make me wise and honest in my daily efforts, so that I may no longer waste
valuable time. I hope to become at last the kind of person You want me to be.
Without you I can do nothing. Lord, help me. Amen. "
The issues I have with food, and my struggles over the years with weight loss (and trust me they started well before having these beautiful babies) are just one of my many human weaknesses, the "restless, lower self within me." I'm grateful for His support as I continue in the right direction towards the me He wants me to be!
