The Sugar Diaries: Day 3

One of the reasons I love doing the 21 Day Sugar Detox ( http://21daysugardetox.com/ ) are the bowel benefits. By Day 2 I am moving from Type 4 into Type 5, which is ideal.

Yesterday I did have a moment of serious sugar craving. There was nothing that sounded good but something sweet. I crunched on salty almonds until the moment passed. 

I'm not monitoring quantity this week. I just want to avoid sugar temptation and next week I will track and look at calories. 

The Sugar Diaries: Day 2

Today I'm calling good. Although I did have a bite of baked beans and one slight sip of a chocolate milk shake, today was the Fourth of July and I kind of jumped into the detox with very little prep or planning. I think I did good considering my mental state and all the business going on around me. 

My goal for tomorrow is to exercise. Some way, somehow.

The Sugar Diaries: Day 1

Note to self: 

Why am I doing this?

My Utmost for His Highest, June 29

If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell —Matthew 5:30

Jesus did not say that everyone must cut off his right hand, but that “if your right hand causes you to sin” in your walk with Him, then it is better to “cut it off.” There are many things that are perfectly legitimate, but if you are going to concentrate on God you cannot do them. Your right hand is one of the best things you have, but Jesus says that if it hinders you in following His precepts, then “cut it off.” The principle taught here is the strictest discipline or lesson that ever hit humankind.

I have long struggled with food. This is "my story." Food is a gift from God. Sugar is a good thing. It's a good thing that I must cut off. Praise God that many of his children may enjoy it to His glory. This has not been my experience. 

I continue to desire sugar. It's more than a good thing to me. It's a friend, a comfort, an analgesic when I choose this inanimate substance over the Living God. It is permissible for me to eat sugar. But not beneficial.

So when someone questions me...when I begin to question myself...let this note stand to gently but confidently remind me that I'm not running aimlessly or as one beating air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:27). This is for Gods glory. Get behind me Satan.

About that Bikini...

This morning I was thinking about a blog post I did a long time ago. I had been about 3 months into my journey and decided to do a video post about swimsuits. I confidently proclaimed that I would be wearing a two piece bathing suit that summer on a beach somewhere. Never would I wear one of those granny suits again, I promised.

Well here we are  about 4 years later and suffice it to say, granny suits aren't getting such a bad wrap from me these days. Am I where I wanted to be back then, right now? No. But that's honestly a wonderful thing. What if God just gave us everything we wanted right when we wanted it? Oh man.

In place of a two-piece body I have received some things I wouldn't have ever even dreamed of asking for.

A love for honesty and facing reality.
Desire to deal with conflict.
Experience in perseverance.
Acceptance of my body as God made it.
A truly free spirit that has almost stopped making plans of her own.
Understanding of why I weighed nearly 230 pounds (and it's not because "I just love food.")
Guidance on how to be really beautiful. (See 1 Pet.3)
Grace and compassion for others who suffer from addictions, bad habits & hurts.
A deeper relationship with Jesus.

Basically, I asked for scraps and God provided  a feast.

A Nail-Biter

Took a counseling course a couple years ago and one of the projects was a "sin" project. Fun times. I had to write a whole paper that was focused specially on a personal sin. It was actually very liberating believe it or not.

We were instructed to focus on something we might consider "not a big deal," something as seemingly insignificant as say...biting your nails.

Huh? Biting nails is a sin? 

Well not exactly, but the roots of why a person might bite their nails can reveal deeper sin struggles. I did not use that for my project but it has been something I think about a lot. Because I have been biting my nails for as long as I can remember.

When do I bite my nails? Why?

When I am afraid, overwhelmed, worried. I usually don't even realize Im doing it until one starts bleeding.  Is there any connection between putting nails in my mouth and putting food in my mouth when I am afraid, overwhelmed, worried? I imagine there is. 

Will-power has never been a sustainable method for me to change things like these. Hot pepper juice can't even keep my nails out of my mouth! The hope of a cute bikini bod can't even make me eat less. There is no man-made way or incentive for me to be made whole.

But turning to The Sustainer, the God who holds me...for peace, comfort and wisdom will--in the long run--change me. Change everything about me, right down to the state of my fingernails.

The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:9-10

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Col 1:19-20

I have not had finger nails in my mouth for over a month. Also down 15 lbs since Jan. Thx Jesus.