Starting Over for the First Time
Published January 5, 2011Be sure to read to the end for a chance to win a copy of Made to Crave!!!
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How often have you (and I!) vowed to lose weight, started out of the chutes with gusto, only to fizzle within the first weeks (or days!)? Yes, I know, sometimes even by noon of the FIRST day!
Regular readers know this has & will always be a battle for me. And for many of my close friends.
After all, we gals bond over food, don’t we?
When we’re eating it.
Or trying desperately NOT to eat it?
A sister loses weight and we want to know the secret.
So we share and struggle; sometimes seeing success. Most times not, which leaves us back where we started.
Starting over AGAIN!!
Four years ago when I lost over 100 pounds, I was securing endorsements for a book I was writing and for my website. My friend & Proverbs 31 President Lysa TerKuerst wrote this:
“……Karen encouraged me to finally get serious about losing my baby weight. Twenty-five pounds later…I’m healthier and happier than ever.”
I thought, “Oh how sweet, I was an encouragement to her.”
Yes, Lysa & I bonded over tiny little pre-packaged, calorie restricted cakes & air-popped salty treats. We lost weight by working from the outside in; being a food Nazi about every morsel that went into our mouths.
It worked.
For a while.
Then, within less than two years, Lysa gained back all that weight.
A year after that, I gained back over a third of what I lost.
Then, Lysa, at her wits end, tried a very different approach.
An approach from the inside out.
And it worked.
I won’t go into the long story as you can read it for yourself, but the result was Made to Crave.
It is a book.
And a website.
And weekly webcasts.
No….it is a movement!!!
I encourage all of you who are also tired of starting over to check it out.
And, if you want to study this fabulous book (I’ve already read it!) with a group of over 1000 gals, check out our other P31 sister Melissa Taylor’s online study of Made to Crave.
Melissa is a fellow struggler. She and I have commiserated over the years as both our weights have meandered up and down the scale. She is such a shot in the arm with her sweet demeanor and warm, encouraging (yet often zany) ways. You will LOVE her!!!!
The study starts January 16th. You can sign up in the right sidebar of Melissa’s site here.
I’ll be there too. 
I want to start over again….for the first time.
How about you?
After checking out Made to Crave & Melissa’s online study, be sure to come back here and leave a comment. One gal will be chosen to win a free copy of Lysa’s Made to Crave book!!! Winner announced Friday.
Blessings,
84 Responses to Starting Over for the First Time
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What a great resource. I can’t wait to read it. I see that they have a group study set! My Bible study gals are looking for something new.
Thanking God for His gift of a new start each day!
Looks great, I can’t wait to tr it!!!!!!
I am so ready to be done with this struggle. I have been visited the motivated weeks that end in a greasy heap time and time again. But I am always just a visitor. I want to become a full time member!
There are so many challenges with food. I just want to be done with it. And more of God along the way? I’m IN!!!!
Looking forward to this journey with my favorite group of women – the P31 crew!
I am so ready to be done with this struggle. I have visited the motivated weeks that end in a greasy heap time and time again. But I am always just a visitor. I want to become a full time member!
There are so many challenges with food. I just want to be done with it. And more of God along the way? I’m IN!!!!
Looking forward to this journey with my favorite group of women – the P31 crew!
I know it has to be a very conscious means of watching what I eat. Sometimes I don’t even think I just pop it in my mouth and do that several times a day. That snacking that adds to calories. I would love to win this book to give away to my brother and his wife who are very overweight. I bought my own copy and I would love to do the Bible study with them.. that I have already signed up for. I love Lysa’s book styles. She is so easy to relate to and you also, Karen! Thank-you!
COUNT ME IN!!! CANT WAIT TO GET GOING ON THIS!!! i HAVE 3 SMALL CHILDREN AND ALL OF THE WEIGHT FROM MY PREGNANCIES WITH THEM TO LOOSE!!THANKS KAREN AND LYSA!!
I’ve been having some success at losing weight and I think this book would put me in the right frame of mind to keep it going. I’m signed up for the webcasts and getting excited!
Every year, I think this is the year. I’m going to finally get a hold of this. I’m still hanging in there, craving mostly to be healthy more than anything. Looking forward to the online study as well as a chance to win this book. Thanks, Karen!
My weight is a constant struggle for me. I know all the right things to do & not do, but too many times i fail to stay on track. I am so ready to start again…for the first time! I already feel this journey will be successful as a partner with you P31 ladies and God!!
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I had lost 95 lbs but could not break that barrier. Then health issues got in the way and here I am 45 lbs heavier. I still have a way to go. I need help. Battling with depression and major life situations I am very limited on resources to purchase anything. I would love to win a copy of the book. I love P31 and the daily devotionals. I am doing the K-love 21 days also. I know food has been my crutch for many years. I want to win this battle of the mind (and my heart)once and for all! Thank you again for sharing.
Sounds GREAT!! I cant wait to start. Thank You for the encouragment!!
Im on board! I lost 25 poounds with Weight Watchers, but it has gotten a little expensive for me! Cant wait to nourish my soul along with my body! I have been struggling with both a lot lately and I think this is just what I need! Thanks as always for sharing your faith and stuggles!
Not sure how I have missed this! Sounds like something I could definitely use!
I saw an email last week about it and started praying about hosting a Bible Study. 2011 is the YEAR and I will not be held back any longer by the weight, the health issues, the obstacles. I am breaking through with FIERCE DETERMINATION. God has placed a calling on my life and I am too tired to do it because of the extra weight I carry. He died on the cross so I wouldn’t have to bear the burden so I am laying down at His feet. I just went to look at more information on this last night and saw the online study so I signed up. Looking forward to having so many other faithful sisters to share the journey with. Happy New Year Karen, thanks for being such an amazing blessing.
Hi! I’m so thankful you are going to go that “extra mile”and bring a much needed message to SO many women!
I already have the book, so i don’t want to win a copy for myself, however, I would love to win a copy for my sweet Mama, who needs this message, too!
I can’t wait to read this book!! Last year my daughter and I lost 30 and 20 pounds but have since gained some back. This book would be awesome to read together.
Sounds like an awesome study. Weight is something I have struggled with but have never made it a priority to change.
I need this book. I have dropped 70 lbs and I don’t want to put it back on. I have a 109 lbs to go and right now the enemy has hit me and my family from every angle from finances to a run away child to cps knocking at my door and I don’t want to indulge in food for comfort,that is what got me here. I want to go to the author and finisher of my faith. Please keep me and my family in your prayers.
I would love to win Made to Crave. I am already a blog follower of Lysa and I have signed up for Melissa’s bible study and also to follow Amy Carrol’s blog on Fridays for Made to Crave. I need to lose 15 lbs and life the rest of my life craving for God and be healthy.
Yes Karen we are in this together.
I have been slowly losing weight this past year. I don’t have a whole lot to lose, but I do keep trying to get this last “baby weight” off. And my baby is almost eight! Thanks for the post!
I got the Kindle book a few days ago and am excited to get started, count me in!! I’m so sick of the up and down the scale has taken (mostly up in the last few years). For the first time ever, my weight is affecting my health, Ugh!
I’m in!
Oh, oh, pick me, pick me!!!!!! I am a lifetime WW, and also a SB dieter–always interested in finding the life-long solution to the puzzle. Can’t tell you how many diet books I have, and would love to replace all of them with Lysa’s MADE TO CRAVE.
I lost over 70 lbs after my husband passed away–I have since put back 45 maybe even 50 or so after the hoilday!!! I felt so much better when I was thinner–I would so like to be a part of your journey but money is my problem–I would love a copy of the book–maybe,hopefully I might win!!! Good luck to everyone on their journey!!! Barb
Ordered the group study set yesterday!! I know we will be working on this one this year! Looking forward to all God will reveal to me!
Oh yes – starting over again for the first time FROM THE INSIDE OUT THIS TIME!
I’ll be joining Lysa for her webcasts and I can’t wait! I don’t have the book.
Would love to win it!!!
Blessings,
Dori
I’m in!
His mercy is new every day! How I need that.
I found Melissa’s last words so encouraging:that we shouldn’t ask: “how much weight do I want to lose?” but think, “what lifestyle changes can I realistically make?” and “what changes can I make that will benefit my mind, body, spirit, and draw me closer to God?”
As a fellow sister who constantly struggles with weight, I’m into getting healthy, spiritually, emotionally and physically. Here’s to all the women who have struggled over the years committing to losing what weighs them down, through God’s grace and help! Made To Crave will definitely help us all with our goals.
I’m sick of being sick and tired – both soul and body, so I’m in!
Karen, this is just what I looking for. I know WHAT to do to lose the weight healthily, but more often than not, I don’t WANT to do it because I know that I am craving the food more than my heavenly Father. I want this so bad I can taste it…pun intended. Looking forward to truly getting to the root of the cravings for me.
)
Thanks, Karen!
Marcia Jordon
I have already ordered the book and signed up for the bible study! I am so excited, this sounds like something totally diffent that what I have tried in the past to lose weight and only to put it back on again. I would love to win the book to give to my sister!
God Bless,
natalie
This sounds intriguing. However, I do not think I can participate in the online bible study due to the live webcasts and videos/vlogs. Why? I’m deaf.
But, I am interested in the book. Sounds like a good one!
I’m in!
I can’t wait to read and start this journey! Looking forward to it.
I have been praying about doing the study with Melissa. I have actually signed up. But I have tried so many different things before and wind up just having to start over. If I do this I want it to be different and life changing. Not about the weight loss but more about growing in Him and giving all things over to Him.
Can’t wait to read it!!
I’m ready; just let me know when I’ve won!
Thanks for sharing Karen, I signed up for the study last night , but not because I have a weight issue but because I was made to crave for joy, peace and happiness. I hope this book in another way allows me to stop a vicious emotional cycle
As a breast cancer survivor I have tried to lose weight – knowing it would improve my chance of cancer not returning. Other things have not helped – I am going to do this and see if it helps. Thanks.
i can relate to your post so well it’s as if I wrote it myself. Weight has been an up and down struggle for the last 6 years. I am finally to the point of ‘enough’ and here comes along Made to Crave. Can’t wait to get started.
I am on the precipice on having weight loss surgery because of a truly life-long struggle with weight. I am fully aware that our relationship with food has a deeply spiritual implication. It would be wonderful to win this book and to begin this journey to knowing God more. I joined the online Bible study as well. Thanks for making this available and for sharing your story.
Made to Crave looks like a much needed resource and the site looks great. An on-line study will work out really well, too. Thanks, Karen!
~Suzanne
I have struggled with weight for about 10 years now. My parents got divorced, and my sister and I both gained a lot of weight because of stress-eating. I’ve always been about 50-60 lbs over weight, and am currently still about that much over weight. I’ve been trying to figure out any and every way to lose the weight. Thank you for your thoughts.
I have already ordered me a book, but would love to give one away to a friend!
Judy
Sounds great! Looking forward to the webcasts!
I am so excited about this! It’s going to CHANGE some lives! I hope one of them is mine!
I’ve been listening to Lysa all over the radio (Klove)and over at her blog!
I’M PSYCHED!!!
I’m so excited about this book! I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.
Thanks for your encouragement and being… just you. We love you!
I would love a copy of Lysa’s book! I’ve been following her blog for a while and I know it will be great!
I am definitely interested in a copy of Lysa’s book. I will buy one soon, but could share a copy with someone else. We plan to start her training DVD with a church discipleship group very soon.
I am excited about this book! I have personally taken on the task of becoming healthy since my second child was born, and it is about time that I made God the biggest part of the equation.
I would love a copy! This book sounds great.
I would love a copy. And, if I don’t win, I’ll be buying one soon.
I would love to win. Thank you for the chance.
koinonia572001@yahoo.com
My mom is reading it now & I want to, too. Thinking about doing the web-study starting Monday.
I have currently been walking 7 -11 miles a week with my husband (a great bonding time for us) and journaling & sticking to my calories. I’ve lost 3lbs & almost 3 inches over the holidays!
Hello,
I know entirely too well the struggle and ups and downs with losing (and gaining!) weight. I’ve come to realize that I should focus on each day-not the total end result. Yes, it’s important to have an end result, but it can also seem way too overwhelming. I like smaller, more attainable goals to encourage me along the way.
This sounds like a great book!
~Amy
This would be a great book to win since my news years resolution is to use my new tread mill every day & so far so good but could always use some inspirational help!
Love the idea of Made to Crave!
I have been reading about this book and can’t wait to read it.
Would love a copy of Lysa’s book. Great concept-inside out! I’m starting over again-for the first time too!
If I win I will give it to my daughter because I’ve already got mine on order, have signed up for the online Bible study, and have the webcast marked on my calendar! I am SO ready!
Great Karen – I will join you in Melissa’s online Bible Study. I am so excited!!!
Would love to win the book! My daughter and I are doing the study together.
Karen,
I’m ready to start over for the very first time as well. I ordered the complete study package and can’t wait to get started. If I win the book I have a very dear sister In Christ that will get it as a gift. Have a blessed New Year.
Joyce O
I really need to start over when it comes to weight loss. I would love to win a copy of Lysa’s new book.
I read the book, signed up for the Bible Study, encouraged some friends to do it and I have not craved food for FIVE WHOLE DAYS….CAN YOU BELIEVE IT???? The book really did something to me, though I admit reading it at first wanting Lysa to just tell me what to do. When I got to chapter 8, The Curse of the Skinny Jeans, it all started to come together for me. I think I may actually do it this time, because I am doing it for obedience to God and nothing else.
Good luck to all on this journey.
This is great! I would love to read this book, and would love to pass it to a very dear friend of mine that struggles with her weight quite a bit! So, I would love to win it, but if I don’t I’ll be buying it!
Can’t wait to read the book and participate in the study!!
Love everything Lysa does, I can’t wait to read her book and start the study.
Ready to start over again…for the first time!! Thanks for your blog!! Would love to have the book!!
I think this is just what I need. My friends and I are always talking how it’s a dependence issue. We all know what to do, but do what is wrong, because we are giving it to the Lord. Thanks for this information. Love what you are doing.
I would love to win this book! Thanks for sharing.
Just signed up for the study! I picked up a copy of the book from the library, but would love to own a copy!!!
I love Lysa and would love this book!
Either way, this is the year I am doing it and God is my helper – I am not afraid! 
I need this. I signed up for the study. I have to do this for me. I’m so unhappy in this body. I’m so tired of obsessing over food and turning to it for all the wrong reasons. I have to get focused on God and do it right this time. Thank you so much.
I would like to win Lysa’s book! Very interested in doing the online study as well. Good stuff! Thanks for this chance, Karen.
I decided in October that I was going to make changes and become the Me that God wants me to be. It’s been baby steps. I can use the focus, and have signed up for the online Bible study. Thank you for the opportunity!
Would really love to win the book and participate in the study. I cannot seem to rid myself of this “baby fat” that has lingered for almost 2 years now…..maybe this will give me the boost I need to get it off and keep it off!
I have signed up for the bible study, been reading the blogs and emails, and viewing the website only thing left for me to do is get the book! You are such a blessing Karen for helping a lucky reader with what is sure to be an awesome read and study group. Thanks for your kindness.
The study looks great!
I’m so excited about the message of this book! I’m giving a copy to a friend today. Happy Friday!
Lisa
Signed up for the study and am encouraging my friend to join me.