Today we are jumping into Chapters 3 and 4 of Made to Crave and I am really excited about these chapters. I also just want to say thank you to those of you who have commented on the blog posts, stopped me with words of encouragement, or are reading along with us. It is such a motivator for me to hear your thoughts, successes, and frustrations! It lets me know we are not alone on this journey!
{Chapter 3- Getting a Plan}
There was a small part of me that wanted to skip this chapter, only because I know this is a big area of weakness for me. Friends, I am not a planner. No part of me likes to be nailed down to a specific plan. As a teacher, those plan books with the little boxes gave me an anxiety attack. My friends will tell you I like to be spontaneous, fly by the seat of my pants if you will. But I am learning more and more in this journey of health that planning is key. Probably one of the most important things we can do. And that takes me out of my comfort zone and adds another layer of struggle for me!
One of my great friends says this little saying all the time,
And I am finally starting to realize she is right. When I don't take the time to plan, I am setting myself up for failure. This makes sense to me in my everyday life, but I had not really thought it applied to my eating life! Part of the struggle comes in that I don't like to make decisions. Have you ever tried to go out to eat with me? My famous saying is, "I don't make eating decisions." So add that to having to plan out healthy eating decisions, whew, I am overwhelmed. But just like Lysa talked about on page 35, we have to invest time and energy to make it happen, to make anything happen. I am certainly one of those people who wants to see the results without having to do the work.
"My changes were always temporary; therefore my results were also temporary." (pg. 38)
One thing that I am probably the last person on the earth to actually do is to make a grocery list. This has really helped me when I go to the store. I am sure it is mental, but if it is not on my list, I don't get it. It is a choice, and yes, I can still put those chips in my cart, but the list is one little way I try to hold myself accountable! If it doesn't end up in my cart, it doesn't end up in my pantry! Another reason I think this is a struggle for me is that I am cooking for 1 which can be really tricky! I am not a huge fan of leftovers, so I have to be strategic in what I buy. I don't want to waste all that good food I am buying! What ways do you plan friends?
The word or thought that really stood out to me in this chapter was the word SACRIFICE. What an appropriate word to be reading about during this past weekend. In order for this to be a permanent change, one that sticks, I am going to have to sacrifice. And not just sacrifice no more salt and vinegar chips. For me it means also sacrificing time. Unfortunately going to the grocery story and food prepping don't happen by themselves. The sacrifice might not be my favorite in the moment, but in the long term will be the best thing for me.
What are your thoughts about Chapter 3? Please give this planning challenged gal some tips! :)
{Chapter 4- Friends Don't Let Friends Eat before Thinking}
"We must be aware that desperation breeds degradation. In other words, when what is lacking in life goes from being an annoyance to an anxiety we run the risk of compromising in ways we never thought we would." (pg. 42)
Wow!!! This chapter spoke volumes to me friends, especially that quote. This is something I have been fighting with for the past couple of years in my life. And the toll it has taken on my life has been devastating. I really think it is one of the reasons I am on the journey to becoming healthy. I made some choices, things I never thought "I" would do. But Lysa (and yes I use her first name because I am pretty sure we would be friends) makes such a great point, when we are anxious, are put in positions we didn't see ourselves being put in, when the immediate feeling overshadows the long term affects, we do things we never thought we would do.
I had never thought to lump food into that category as well. In my mind it was just the "big" choices in life. Not the everyday choices that were included. But she is right...everyday and every moment is a choice. And when we have failed to plan we get anxious and the unhealthy choice becomes the easy choice. Which for me leads to a path of bad choices. If I eat one bag of Starburst jelly beans, I might as well just go ahead and eat 2. I have already screwed up!
I love this verse, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert." {1 peter 5:7-8} I had never really paid much attention to verse 8, but is speaks volumes to me and this current journey. I must be self controlled and alert to be successful. And this is where having those friends to do this journey with you is so important!
I am so thankful for friends who have really stood by me in this slow and purposeful journey to get healthy. I know I would have never been able to step foot in a gym if it hadn't been for a dear friend meeting me there, saving me a treadmill, holding me accountable, challenging me to push myself!
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| This is us on our first workout of 2014! |
And I wouldn't have ever started blogging about this journey if it hadn't been for a reunion with a sweet friend as well!
I know my challenge in this area is a friend who I am more accountable to about my food. And I am totally on board with Lysa in this, I think the reason I haven't reached out to someone more about this is I am afraid of letting them know I failed. But what I have learned in the past few months over and over again is the importance of GRACE. If a day doesn't go as I think it should, tomorrow can be better. If I eat a cupcake, make tomorrow different. I am praying that the Lord would make it clear who I am to ask to help me in this area. I love the idea of sharing my eating plan for the day with someone. And probably the biggest thing I need to remember is to find people who will pray for and with me during this journey! I would be honored to pray for you friends as well, leave a comment on the post and I will certainly pray with you as you make the choices that are best for you! How do you hold yourself accountable?
Whew..that is a lot for these two chapters, but I am loving them! And excited about the journey ahead! So leave your thoughts in the comments, let's support each other! Chapters 5 and 6 next week...can't wait!
And for the even better news...Congrats to our giveaway winner, be on the lookout for an email! :)
Have a great week friends...
Ah!! No way!! Whoop!! Thanks Brooke! I never win anything! :)
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