January 2, 2013

Weigh-In & Planning



I wish we could talk about this over coffee. (Sigh). I weighed in yesterday at 203. It's kind of weird to think about how long ago it was that I was writing about making it into "Onederland." I vowed to never go back. Never say never, huh?

There is a verse of scripture from the book of James: But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. (James 5:12 ESV) 

Interestingly, the few verses before this instruct believers to be patient, establish our hearts before the Lord,  not grumble, to be steadfast... compassionate... merciful. I have lost patience many times with this process. Usually when I realize I'm not in control or when things aren't going the way I think they should be. Then I think that if I make new promises, bigger vows that will somehow put me back in control. But really it just sets me up for condemnation--from myself.

How many of us have condemned ourselves for not keeping our vows, for not reaching the lofty goals that we set? And then what happens? Well, I get grouchy. A real pain in the butt, I tell ya. I might even begin to compare myself to others and look for anything in someone else that could make me feel better about me. Enter the grumbling. Exit mercy and compassion. It's such an ugly cycle.

But above all, says James, just let your yes be yes. And your no be no. Just do what you know is right. Don't talk about it all day and night--of which I am guilty--but just do it. Just DO IT. If we get this part right, then everything else sort of falls into place. We are content, free to think of ourselves much, much less. Now that's the way to truly live.

So I know what to do. And I know that if I do what I know I need to do the result is generally really good. So what's the problem?

 I think the problem is that there is an oft overlooked key element between the recognition of what must be done and the doing of what must be done. And that, my friends, we call planning. These are some things that I know I must PLAN for or they will not happen in a good way:

*Weekly meal & snack planning
*Semi-weekly Grocery Store trip
*Work-outs
*Quiet/Bible study time
*Prayer time
*House-cleaning

Know what to do > Make plans to do it > Do it >Keep doing it, steadfastly

Need breakfast plans? Here's a great idea!


"Many good things do not happen in our lives for the simple lack of planning." John Piper
Photobucket

10 comments:

BEE said...

never say never is so true i am there with u hit the 200s again and it sux

but sounds like u have a great plan

u got this

Breathing In Grace said...

Well, I'm only 5 lbs under you. I had gotten down to about 165 and am now at 198...actually 198.8! My goal this time next year is to be in the 150's even if it's 159!!! So proud of you being transparent.

Can do mom said...

So true, so true...

I'm stealing John Piper's quote for facebook. Such a good reminder of a simple truth!

Marla said...

I am also back in the 200s again and it feels awful. I have no one to blame but myself. You hit the nail on the head with planning. It doesn't work out too well for me if I do not plan things out. We can do this.

JennyKozar said...

UGH!!!! I have NEVER been heavier in my life - including during my 3 pregnancies. I am admitting I cannot do this alone. I know I need to plan and I do but then I don't cut my veges up and they go bad. I am all for the quick no work involved. I honestly don't know when I got so lazy but it is completely discouraging. I too need the transparency and accountability. Thanks for giving me a place to be me.

Maria said...

I can relate to the condemning yourself part. I would NEVER talk to a friend the way I talk to myself when I have an "off" day, so why do I talk to myself like I do? I don't know why, but I have decided that I am going to aim to look at me as God looks at me and make the next choice a better one, a healthier one, etc. The last year has been a rough one with an ill parent, then burying that parent - my last living one. Then came the death of my grandmother, my aunt, handling Dad's estate, hubby's job reduction, our continued failed fertility issues, and I confess, a 12 lb. weight gain. Ugh. However, it's time to dig myself out, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually and it's been good for me to come clean and say it out loud. Beth Moore once said that if we confess our sins and weaknesses the enemy can't hold them or use them against us and God already knows what we need before we need it and He will supply what we need if we ask. I am asking for strength to pick up the baton and start running to complete this race. Happy to be out here with you, Keelie! I am thankful that you have always been real in your journey! We can do all things through Him...

Cole Walter Mellon said...

But remember what else it says in the Bible: "Neither a borrower or a lender be..."

Okay, I'm not a big Bible reader. YOU CAUGHT ME!

Anyway, here's hoping you have a year filled with health, hope and happiness.

Absolutely, Positively Josie said...

Nice one, and a good approach to a new day and a good habit! His mercies are new every morning; His compassion faileth not. (Lamentations 3:22-23.)

PS: I really appreciate housecleaning on the list of things needed to be planned for to happen in a good way. Oh, what conviction coming this way. :)

Traveling Light said...

Oh, I know what that splat into Twotersville feels like. :( When I first saw 203 on my scale, I was simply astounded.

"Surely, not," I thought. It was a lot like when someone says they don't know how they got pregnant. Really. We all know how.

We know how that 2 got on our scales, too. Which means, Keelie girl, we know how to make it go away--just like you said in this post. :D I'm pretty sure that's good news.

We're traveling light, now!

Deb

Iris Took said...

I admire your strength for posting again and getting back on track. It's so hard. I have been there too. So many times. I swore I wouldn't and then one day I woke up again in the 200s. How? Why?

My support to you and I will be reading. Fresh new year, right?