Sharon Smith Journal

Hi Team,

I think I may be finally getting the consistency I need. I had been a bit challenged by the diet, because it would have caused a bit of extra expense. So I drew up a menu plan, and precook as much as possible so I have more time for workouts. I concentrate on portion size and limit snacking. This will work for me right now, and I will gradually be able to substitute healthier food as my budget allows. My physical activity is much more consistent as well. Going to the gym is becoming routine, and now that it is warmer out, I can finally spend some time outside. It's been slow going, but I feel good knowing that I am not giving up, and I know that God is blessing my effort to be obedient.

Sharon

One thing I have found during this journey is that there are times when I have had to just sit down and refocus on what being fit to serve will accomplish in my life. Yes, I need to lose weight. That’s an obvious answer. But what about the answer that is not obvious to others? What is this doing for my witness? From the beginning of this endeavor I have had one challenge after another. There have been times when I have wanted to give up. What does it show when I hit a plateau if I just give up and decide not to exercise, or to eat that extra serving? It shows the “world” that I simply lack willpower. But it shows God that I am allowing my will to overrun His. If I can finally see that I am not the one that has to bear this task, then I will finally be able to accomplish what God has set out for me to do. If I can let Him have this, then I can let Him have it all. But my downfall is that I want it to be easy. This has been the hardest thing I have ever done. It was easier when I went on a “diet” because that was all about me getting into those skinny jeans, or pleasing my husband, or showing off for all those who waited for me to fail. This is harder because it is not about any of those things. This is about Christ, and honoring Him with the only thing I have. It’s about being a living sacrifice. Laying it on the altar. Dying to flesh. There is no glory for me in this, but there is glory to God in this. That’s why I am being challenged in ways that I never imagined. So my focus must remain on the cross. This has to be a love offering. Some may say “it’s only a diet, lighten up!”, but those who say that miss it completely. It’s the small compromises that creep into life that can open the door for the larger consequences. We must all “beware the little foxes”.

As I looked over my team members profiles at the beginning of the challenge, I saw that I was the heaviest, and one who has had not athletic experience. I felt so intimidated, because I knew I would have to maybe struggle a little more to reach my goal. Today I am just going to be honest and say that I am so discouraged and tired. I can't speak for anyone else, but I can look in the mirror, be honest and speak for me. I know that a lifestyle change in diet and fitness is not a quick fix. Prior to connecting with Coach, I was on a prescription diet pill and lost about 26 pounds. I felt in my heart that was not the way to go. Fitness must be a discipline-a sacrifice to the love that Christ showed me when He died on the cross, and shows me every day of my life. Easy weight loss with no fitness is not a gift to Him, but to my flesh. My flesh is so resistant to this change. It seems if I eat clean, I slack off the workouts, but when my workouts are clicking, I over-eat. I feel as though I am at a standstill, and I am tired. I have not lost the weight I thought I would by now. But this is a declaration to myself and to everyone on the team. I will not give up because I know that in this trial is a testimony. There is too much at stake and the enemy thinks he has me licked. If you are reading this entry, know that I am still in this fight, and I ask for your prayers because I know that I cannot do this out of my own strength.

I want to say hello to my team members and may God bless us all in our journey. I don’t know what to expect, but I know we will all have wonderful testimonies to share as we go through it.

I have been challenged in the past few weeks more than ever. It seems that when I decided to accept the challenge of rebuilding my temple, I was more tempted than ever to deviate from eating healthy, or find an excuse not to exercise. Sometimes I just wanted to give up because it seemed as though I had taken on a journey that I could not complete. I had to pray and ask the Lord for help, and that is when I received the “light bulb moment”. I will not be doing this by myself. And I cannot do it out of my own strength because if I could I would have lost this excess weight a long time ago. This journey is about submission to God’s will and obedience within it. I know how to be healthy. But I’m overweight because I chose not to be obedient to those principles for healthy living that God set out for me. So as I lose each pound and each inch, as I am able to breathe easier and play harder, I will be able to be a living testimony. It is wonderful to know that I must be accountable not only to God, but to Coach Powers and each of you as well.

I use Coach Powers DVD in the mornings, and after work I go to the gym at the minimum of four days per week. I am trying to work up to six days. Believe it or not, when I joined at the beginning of February, it was the first time I had ever joined a gym in my life. It was very intimidating, however each day I just stay focused on my goal, even though I still feel a bit awkward. I am working up to some organic foods but I try to stick with those things that my husband and son will eat. Eating my largest meal at breakfast is pretty easy, but I still eat too much at supper, and I am still having a problem with my sweet tooth. Any advice on getting over those humps would be greatly appreciated.

Blessings to each of you!

Sharon