As we walk...or run!

Times are often the hardest for us when we choose to walk alone. When we don't ask our fellow sisters (or brothers) to come along side us and give us strength. Christine Caine refers often to running our own races....but their are lanes on either side of us. Those people on either side, are we coming along side them or trying to run in their lanes? Do we seek to find our place in the space or just to continue to bump into them? God's word tells us a friend is closer than a brother... to seek that guidance and support along the way is so worth our while. I am so grateful for the "crew" of ladies that God has blessed me with. We are all on separate races in differant lanes but, serving the same God! What an honor to know they have my back and even will be my guard rails along the way!
As I run this race, my lanes have had many turns, changes in terrain, weather shifts, but my Lord has always been there to receive me! What an honor! The lane I am in right now is teaching me so much. As the weight is coming off, so are some of the shackles I allowed myself to wear. Things I have hidden behind. Praise God for those who are there to wipe the tears, correct my words and give me strength! We are in this journey together, just in different lanes...

Down to 264.4 lbs! Wow!

The Love of Christ...

In the Word, God tells us to Love one another...In our walk with Him, we are challenged every day to share our love. Have you ever just smiled at someone and seemed to change their entire facial expression? Friday I had the opportunity to do this several times and was very moved by the Love that came over these ladies. WalMart employs aren't always the happiest...a simple smile and some easy conversation really seemed to change her day. Starbucks later that day, Sterling cut up with the young ladies working at the Avenues location...a few gracious comments and some "lessons" on how to create iced coffee with their via and a next thing we know, he gets to try something coming out in July...their version of instant iced coffee. Not to mention a coupon for a free beverage his next time in! Do you think God sees these acts?
Also, this past Friday I went to see my surgeon...we are down 272lbs. WOW, and you know, sharing my faith with him even seems to be making an impact. I am coming to see that taking care of ourselves is also an expression of this Love! If we are healthy and strong, we can minister more effectively and from a more healthy place. Also, time in the Word! Absolutely essential! How can we even begin to share His Love without first allowing it to impact us first!?!

Blessings and love,
Regina xoxo

It's just a speck...

When you sit back and realize that in the scheme of things, that bag of Doritos or Oreos really aren't that important! Knowing that is will have longer negative effects on our bodies than the few, very few moments of what we consider satisfaction, really doesn't weight out just right?!? Now does it!?!
God has given us these wonderful bodies and the minds to go with them. Are we to take care of them, well yes! Very few people in this day and age can honestly say they don't know what is "good" to eat and "not"! So, why don't we make the choices that will benefit us the most? I truly believe it is because we are conditioned not to! That and we simply choose not to also! We grow up with our Mom's telling us to clean our plates or we don't get dessert; we celebrate most occasions with cake; we can't seem to sit and visit with others without food involved! When was the last time you sat down with a friend and nothing to eat or drink and just visited! You know, even with our kids! I am just as Southern as you can come...okay, not knocking that but, you know, we have got to make some changes or we won't be able to fit in the kitchen door! Really!
I am challenging myself to find another way to celebrate things! Celebrations that don't have to be about food! For example, been on a date with your spouse or special someone and NOT gone out to eat!?! Sterling and I are rethinking how we spend time together! After 19 years of eating together, we love to eat and could tell you where to go anywhere in Duval and a great portion of Clay and Nassau counties. OKAY, that's alot of hours we've logged over plates! So....now what!?! Well, a few weeks ago, Smoothies won! It fit with both our food plans and was fun!
You won't know you can make a change until you make up your mind to!
Our speck in the timeline of eternity may well depend on just how healthy we are and the time we spend with others!

Where there is a will...there is a WAY!

Jesus is the ultimate WAY! You know the Bible promises us in Ephesians 1:19-20 that the same power that conquered the grave lives in ME and YOU! Do you walk in that power? Do you believe that it is true? He also tells us that we are able to do above and beyond more than we could ever think or imagine in Ephesians 3:20-21. We read God's word and apply it to our lives we can do and be way more than our human minds can conceive!
You know, families are a blessing...for some not so much I know, but, when we take the time to really seek and know...wow, what we can learn. We even learn about ourselves when we take the time to reflect. In doing so myself, I have realized that as my Mom struggled to deal with the things in her life, I struggled along side her. Realizing that my weight increased as hers went up and down also. When we cleaned out her closets, now about 15 years ago, I remembered there being clothes carefully packed away that were size 12 to 24. WOW! Bet the Vietnam Vets loved that pick up...so many sizes at one time! lol In working this out and seeing the effects of this on my own children...I pledge to change my family tree. Making a difference in my house with my own 5 children! When you stop and think about the way your choices affect soooo many, we really need Jesus to show us the way! What a blessing!
I challenge you to take the time to see things in your life that God has/is giving you the strength to make a difference in you life with and you will see God doing more than you could ever think or imagine! Our will surrendered to HIS way!

today 274.6

Weekends...how to handle them?

This weekend was really busy but very rewarding! My niece graduated and we celebrated on Saturday. Spent a great day serving at Church on Sunday. All event that take you/us away from our daily routines and food choices. How do you make the "right" choices. I hope I didn't do too bad and mess myself up. I was careful to eat lightly and cautiously but you know, sometimes you start to doubt it's worth it! But, I did over come and came home to eat my Healthy Choice meal and yummy, Salisbury Steak and potatoes w/ green beans for a mere 170 calories! Sweet victory and NO quilt! lol Sundays are tough! We are used to going out to eat as a family and our "usual" places aren't necessarily the healthiest! Did choose broiled fish and salad today and think that was okay! You know, we find so much comfort in the "usual'/routine in our lives that sometimes anxiety comes when we change that.
I have really been seeking God during the last couple of weeks. I know that after our time studying Christine Caines book "Can I have and do it all please?" that I really do have to make some changes in my life in order to run the race and WIN! Staying in my lane will have to include sticking to the decisions that are for my best. Those choices can be food, but you know that your choice in friends and places is just a important! Time and prayer has shown me that going out to eat is the "way" I've done life, probably since I could drive myself! McDonald's on the way home from school, dates eating out, even the time Sterling and I spend together is eating or eating out! We are having a difficult time deciding what to do together...between my calorie count and his dietary restrictions, wow we are a ton of dining fun! BUT, you know what, God is showing us other ways to spend that time. I am sure there are going to be friends that won't "enjoy" our time together as much because of this. But you know what, God will NOT let that void remain!
Trusting God that as our new groups begin, I can stick to my "guns" and not allow myself to slip!
How do you handle weekends? Please leave me a comment!
today...275.0

Let's get started...

Today I am going to begin this blog to share a journey I am going to be taking! Monday, June 24, 2010, I met with my surgeon to begin the process towards a healthier ME! For the next three months, 10 more weeks, I will be loosing 10% of my body weight to prepare me for surgery! The plan is for me to have gastric bypass. I have been on the heavy side since elementary school. I am not about be skinny mini, just a healthier me, able to have more endurance! I want to see my grand kids graduate high school. Not so sure this body will make that happen! Time is ticking away and I know that this journey is going to be a test. A test for me mentally/spiritually, physically, and socially! My desire for doing this blog is to share these aspects of the journey. My preparation for the surgery and my ultimate weigh loss, my food and exercise choices and the way others receive all it along the way! Trusting this will be a safe place for people to share their experiences and maybe even receive encouragement!
God has blessed me in so many ways and I see this as a way to bless others! Let's enjoy the journey and see where God takes us!
I will post my weight and food choices at least three times a week! We can be accountable to one another!
Here we go!
Today's weight:276.0