Yay! Ten pounds lost! Thirty more to go!

"Carmelizing" sweet Vidalia onions. It is one of my favorite healthy ways to satisfy my sweet tooth!

Sorry to the few who were actually following my weight loss journey! Last year I gained a good 30 pounds (this was the largest I have ever been) during a struggle with depression while un-employed. I finally decided to do something about my unhealthy habits last month after some encouragement from some friends and family. I was kinda discouraged for a couple weeks, because my weight loss had reached a stagnant point. For two weeks, I did not lose one pound. I tried to be hopeful that at least I did not gain! Now that I am home from school for the summer, I no longer have access to a free gym so I rejoined Planet fitness this week. I also have been eating much healthier food now that I am no longer forced to eat in the school cafeteria. My favorite snack recently is oven-roasted asparagus (thanks to my sister for introducing me to this awesome veggie)! I cover it with basil, oregano, a little garlic, a couple teaspoons of olive oil, and a couple teaspoon of parmesan cheese and put in the oven on 425 for 15 minutes. So good! Anyway, I am feeling hopeful! I attribute my diet success so far to friends who pushed me, healthy eating, exercise, and drinking tons of water!

I was talking to a friend about three weeks ago about my discouragement about my weight. We started talking about how our bodies are holy temples of the living God. Our bodies are not just our own if we are joined with Christ through salvation. We are taking care of Christ's dwelling place. I do not want to make anyone feel guilty, who also may be struggling with weight! It was just a great joy to me to think that my Savior is joining me in my journey to become a healthy person. I want to honor Christ with my body - even by the foods that I eat! So this journey to lose weight is more than my self-image - it is about my Christ-image! It is a spiritual journey!

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Confessions of a Dieter

Workout of the week: Recently I hiked up to Camp Hydaway. I love nature!

If you have been following my posts the past couple weeks you know that I have been doing a workout challenge with the weekend mom. Unfortunately, I am forced to take a break! :( I fractured my spine several years a go while I was working as a gymnastics coach. Since then, I have had a lot of problems with back pain, sciatica, and scoliosis (I did not have it until after my injury. I assume I was left with a curvature, because I did not stop moving like I was suppose to). This injury seems to be revisiting me this week after a fall (literally tripping over my own feet in the computer lab. Embarrassing! :'( ) Anyway, the pain is very severe. It is painful to even get out of bed. Not even my true back or my back brace seem to be helping much. So, no work outs right now. But I am still doing the rest of the challenge with my dorm. This week we cut out whites (bread, rice, and any other white carbs) in addition to sweets and soda. I must confess, I took a break from my diet yesterday. I have ate nothing but salads, sandwiches, and fruit for ten days, but yesterday I had sausage for breakfast and then went to bloop for frozen yogurt last night. I had my final presentation for one of my courses, yesterday, and I succumbed to stress eating! I am not proud of it, but yet at the same time I do not feel too guilty. Every one needs to enjoy themselves occasionally. Well, I am back to my diet, today. Going to get me some oatmeal for breakfast! I confess that I can't help wishing it was oatmeal cookies, instead!