Strange post title I know. But it's catchy so I went with it.
Let me explain. I've struggled with my weight as LONG as I can remember. But the past 5 years I've REALLY struggled. I've wrestled with what it was that I was using food to comfort or fix and to be honest I still don't have the perfect answer to that. I do know that over the past two years I've come to understand more what goes on inside me at the heart's level and also understanding what is most important in life. I say that as someone who doesn't have those things mastered but as one who is striving to "go there" and live for what matters, and fight the things I know shouldn't be there, and one who is trying to tap into who God wants her to be day in and day out.
I could go on and on about how freakin busy and complicated my life has been the past 5 years but I'll spare this post that novel. I have carried so many different weights and still battle picking them up. From working too much, to worrying about finances, to scheduling unwisely, to wanting to please others, to just wanting immediate gratification, Ultimately, I was chosing not to depend on God and trusting in His plan for my life. Those are all things I know have impacted my struggle.
But I want to live as one who is living in the strength and power and wisdom that God freely gives each and every day to His children. I want to really live out all He has for me and to impact as many for Him as possible without the burden of this extra weight draining much needed energy from me.
I can't tell you how many times I've tried to fight this and even more so how many times I've talked myself out of trying because of fear of failure or just a complete inability to see God's power play out in my day to day life. Often I was doing so much at any given time I couldn't see how God would give me more strength to do any more.... or even more so, the strength to back away and do less.
I am at a place in life where God has given me grace upon grace in understanding some (just some of the many) of the battles that go on in the depths of my heart. He's also brought me to a place over the past 2 years that I have been forced to slow life down, to see how frail life is, to see how many burdens are lifted when I am living the role God designed me as a wife to live, to see how rewarding being a mother is, to long for and work towards the Hope in Christ for future generations.
All that to say, is that NOW is the time where with God's strength I am fighting and fighting hard in this area of weight. And just as you have walked with me through some of the darkest nights of my life, I am hoping you will walk with me through this battle. I"ve gained the strength encouragement brings and felt the power of prayers. I need them again.
So, with a goal of just over 2 lbs a week to lose I'm striving to LOSE 111 pounds by January 11th, 2011. (now, that doesn't get me to ideal but it does get me to where I haven't been in a long time)
I don't want this blog to be all about weight loss and calories so I'll only be posting about it once a month...... on the 11th of course! :o) Then is when I'll update you and share my journey and journal things that have helped or hindered me in that area. And most of all give God glory for His enduring mercy in my life month after month.
This being the 11th I'll give you my first update: I've lost 6 pounds. I'm simply counting calories and exercising a few times a week. One tip I've found, My Plate is a VERY helpful tool and makes the counting aspect a lot easier.
I love you all and Thanks for your friendship and support!!
** and I hate blogging without putting a photo too... so enjoy this one, it's a tree on the seminary campus here and I think it's so majestic and big!
You and I have come a long way, we are still going very strongly in life. I wanted to thank you so many times just didn't know when or how. I guess I'm saying it right now to ypu THANK YOU!! LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH,April&Tash here is my email ([email protected])
Posted by: April Hitchcock | February 18, 2010 at 04:57 PM
I was going to wait until 11:11 to post, but I hope I'm not up that late tonight! I am excited for you and your goal. I have found little goals can help me reach the long term goal a lot easier. Plan something fun in the spring or summer and make that a short term goal to get excited about. That has helped me in the passed... need to do it again! Love you girl! Miss you!
Posted by: Jessica Jones | January 21, 2010 at 09:18 PM
Girl you are such an inspiration, not by the things you goal to do, but simply by who you are!
I know how hard the weightloss fight can be, but we have found great success by changing our diet completely. If you want recipes or tips you can check out my blog www.doodlingdragonfly.com. Patrick lost 42 lbs in 4 months and is still losing just by eating healthy, thats it! Lowered his cholesterol, blood pressure, etc. Our main key, no white, no soda, no fried, seems terrible, but it's not and completely changes the way you eat for good. Beats any diet we ever did.
Love you and praying for you, you can totally rock this!
Posted by: Heather Janson | January 15, 2010 at 09:18 AM
Congratulations on the 6 pounds so far! That's awesome! It feels so great when you get started losing and you drop those first few pounds, because it's such a motivator to keep going! I'm so proud of you, and you can totally do this!
I lost a bunch of weight before my wedding and have gained over half of it back, so I'm aiming for that scale to post some lower numbers, too!
Much love, and I can't wait to hear about your journey!
Posted by: Ashley "Ammons" Donovan | January 12, 2010 at 08:58 PM
Hi Casey. We don't know each other, but I feel like I've known you forever. I "found" your blog while you were preg. with Asher. Your story has touched my heart and helped me in many ways. But the reason for my comment today is that I'm on the journey with you too!! I started my journey on 1/11/10 with a similar goal as yours. Amazing huh? I know "we" can do it!!! Good luck and I look forward to reading more updates.
Posted by: Lynn Riddle | January 12, 2010 at 02:09 PM
What an inspiration! It will be a tough journey I am sure, but well worth it! I've gone on a weight loss trek of my own in the past. I will look forward to your posts.
Posted by: Joy | January 11, 2010 at 10:21 PM
Good for you girl! I know you can do it!
Posted by: Zsera | January 11, 2010 at 03:55 PM
This is great! I am for you!!!
Posted by: Angey Price | January 11, 2010 at 02:55 PM
I'm right there with you! A few health issues have left me with not a lot of choice in the matter...but I'm excited now that I've started losing that I feel so much better. It's work and discipline but that's something I need in my life. Way to go! Can't wait to see your progress!
Posted by: Rebecca Marchbanks | January 11, 2010 at 01:47 PM
Casey, I am here for you girl. I know you have the strength & support to achieve your goals, no matter what they may be! Thank you for telling me about MyPlate too. What a great tool!
Posted by: Genna Harris | January 11, 2010 at 01:42 PM
You can do this! See yourself as having done this and do not let the thought "I can't" exist in regards to this! Don't think of the 111 every day, but instead just take it one day at a time. That goal is on average 10 pounds a month, 2.5 a week. That is a very achievable goal. I've seen it done time and time again.
Drink lots of water, no soda (either regular or diet), good wholesome food and move every day.
It's a process and each day will build upon the day before and like compound interest those little positive choices each day will add up big time!
God will continue to provide His grace as you work toward bettering your health. Hang in there!
Posted by: Keith Williams | January 11, 2010 at 01:40 PM
You can do it Casey!! I'll be praying for you. My Plate is where I started in Oct 2006. I lost 70 pounds mostly by keeping track of my calories on that site. So it is doable!! :) Love you!
Posted by: Eileen | January 11, 2010 at 01:38 PM
Thanks for your transparency. I am so excited for you and look forward to your monthly updates! God is the best strength and motivation and will power. You'll get there, friend, with the proper focus!
Posted by: Cheryl | January 11, 2010 at 01:37 PM
YAY! I'm so happy that you've decided to do this! I started my journey on August 23, 2009 and have lost 43 pounds so far. I gained a few over the Christmas holiday but have since lost that and am back on track to losing 100 pounds probably (hopefully) before August 23, 2010! I have battled my weight almost my whole life as well. I look forward to hearing updates of how you're doing and what you're doing!
Love ya!
Posted by: Liz | January 11, 2010 at 01:36 PM