Weight Loss Wednesday Guest

 

Hi all! Glad to have a place again for us to check in with each other and find support and encouragement.

My week has been crazy-busy with numbers!

A 39 page proposal with 3 book ideas due to my agent in less than 24 hours, 8 baseball games, 3 practices and 1 daughter flying home for the weekend bringing 1 friend (Lysa TerKeurst’s daughter) for her birthday party where 16 relatives from both sides of the family will be present.

I have not done well in my eating.

I haven’t even weighed in yet for the week. In fact, I am actually writing this Tuesday evening and setting it up to automatically post in the morning. I have to spend tomorrow starting at the crack of dawn, proofing my proposal, getting groceries, planting flowers and making food for the upcoming weekend.

Time for a Weight Loss Wednesday guest post to come to my rescue!

Many of you have already met Lindsey Feldpausch, the wonderful mom of three young girls who guest posts here occasionally. What you don’t know about her yet is that she, like us, struggles with weight issues.

I’ve seen her not only lose weight, but speak to the spiritual side of the whole dealio. I’ve interviewed her below on her journey.

Find encouragement in her post here today and don’t forget to leave a comment letting us know how your week went or simply saying “restart” as in the case of yours truly. Okay now…..

Here’s Linsdey:

So here I am a diet dropout, running-impaired, stretch mark-scarred, carb queen-confessing, weak, broken sister ……who knows that freedom will come by nothing that I do, but by everything that Christ is.

This is how I introduce myself in the book I am writing (my first one that I hope to get published soon!) and this is the best way I can think of to introduce myself to you right now. I am not worthy of the opportunity that God has given me to be the guest for today’s Weight-Loss Wednesday, because I am not a success. I am a heap of fitness failures. Jesus is the success and He has made himself glorious in the area of my life that I was most failing.

Tell us a little bit about your struggle over the years with weight issues.

I wanted to find a way out but couldn’t locate the door.

What made you decide to make a change?

For me, the change didn’t occur as a result of me realizing that it was time to take action. It was a result of me realizing that God’s power was the only force that could redeem my diet-crash-and-burn lifestyle. When I gathered up all my baggage and placed it before God, I said “I’m ready to do this your way.” He said “Let’s go.”

God revealed to you that this was a spiritual issue. Tell us what you mean by that.

Like every person struggling with weight, I asked myself “why do I do what I do?” Proverbs 4:23 says that our heart is “the wellspring” of life. My life flows from my heart. If something is wrong in my heart, it will be expressed in my life. I didn’t want to alter my habits. I wanted to alter my inward being.

We serve a God who alters, changes and makes all things new. He is the only One who can change winter to spring, night to day and a small, dull seed into a breathtaking rosebush. …. And that’s the kind of change I needed.

What does your eating and weight management look like now on a daily basis?

Everyday I come before God and ask him what to eat, and how to move. Straight up. Then I know what it is to obey and what it is to disobey. Otherwise, my stomach and taste buds will try negotiating more and more and more. It’s not up to them.

How does being a mom of small children affect your healthy eating quest?

It reminds me that the sweetest treats are found in giggling toddlers playing tag. The most savory moments are in my four year old still wanting to snuggle. The richest delicacies are in the realization that it’s a privilege to turn on the bathroom light for those that can‘t reach….one more time.

Being the mom of three small girls has taught me that God has created all things good. From cheesecake to peas. It’s all to his glory. All to be enjoyed inside the boundaries that he gives us. Not because God is withholding something good, but because he’s protecting us from harm.

Just like in Eden.

Everything in Eden was good, but there were certain commands God established. He knows how to give us good things and he knows that we need boundaries to keep the good things good.

Any words of encouragement you might have for our readers?

There comes a time in each of our lives when we’ve been reduced to ashes. We’ve crashed, we’ve burned, we’ve smoldered and now….ashes. It is in this moment that God may look upon our beautiful helplessness and say “the fullness of time has been reached. The old has gone, the new has come.”

How will we know if today is that day? We may never find out unless we realize that winter didn’t make itself spring, night didn’t determine to be day and the seed didn’t will itself into a rosebush. God transformed.

Dust, like ashes, is the very material that God used to make man. “the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7)

Into our beautiful helplessness God can breath new life. And as long as you and I awoke this morning, to see that He changed the night to day…

…..today, could be that day.

Love to you all,

Lindsey

34 Comments

  1. hey Lindsey,
    Wow, I love your perspective on the memories with the three girls being so much more tasty sweet than any form of food. So true! Thanks for being genuine in your quest to freedom in Christ…especially in the area of food. We serve a heavenly Father who can make something beautiful out of broken peices. You are such an inspiration girl! God bless ya!

  2. Wow, I loved Lindseys post. Thank you! Just when I felt I really couldn’t come onto the list today, feeling very sad about how the last two weeks have played out. Blessed to have a loving forgiving Father who can make all things new.
    Thank you for your continued prayers and support. I will start again, new. Bless you all in the coming week!

  3. No discipline seem pleasent at the time but painful. However it produces a harvest of rightousness and peace for those who are trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

  4. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

    lost the 5 lbs. I had gained and am continuing where I left off.
    Thanking God for all His help and for you Karen and everyone’s encouragement.

  5. Ive had a crazy week… I think i say that every week. I’m down two and a half pounds!! which is awesome since i haven’t exercised in 3 weeks..yikes.God has been revealing himself to me and changing my heart and mind through the book by Beth Moore about insecurities. So much of my life and value has been tied to the wrong things. I am beginning to see myself the way God created me and Im beautiful because it is Christ that is in me. I believe that my lack of exercise is just so that God can prove to me that I am doing this weight loss thing because of my dependency on HIM and not on my time in the gym. We are wonderfully made ladies, and I am praying for yall!

  6. Hi friends,
    for me it has been a good week , no panics, because like lindsay, [I presume that photo of you is since you lost weight as you look very slim] I have given it to God to direct my way with my food intake, also since I have given it completely to Him I am hardly thinking about food until I am hungry, I feel free to be the women God wants me to be. A friend recently told me if we cast our cares on the Lord [ in my instant food] we don’t need to be pre occuppied with what or how much we eat, just listen to that still small voice saying, wait, do you really need that, and leave the rest to the Lord. I have found it great to be able to know I can have any foods, and because of knowing that, the un healthy ones I craved for because I could’nt have them, I now don’t really want! Also if you want a good website to help look up http://www.fitforlifeforever.org set up by a christian lady who herself struggled for years and with Gods help lost 60lbs, and amazing story. As for weight loss well I’ve not weighed, but I do feel less bloated, and much brighter. Have a good week, don’t they go quick!

  7. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11
    I was excited to memorize this verse. It was definitely convicting. I really needed it in the area of bedtime. I need my rest, and God has been working on me to change my thinking so that I desire a good bedtime. When I’m tired and not feeling the best, I tend to crave junk foods to keep me going. When I’m rested and thinking more clearly, I will take the time to peel an orange or slice an apple.
    I’ve also been convicted about wasting food. I’ve bought romaine hearts and let them sit in the fridge until they get bad. I’ve done it more than once, sadly. :-( Last week, I realized I had some in the fridge, so I took the time to cut it up and wash it and prepare ingredients for salad for the next night. It felt great! I was thankful that we were using what we had (helps with the grocery budget, too!), and we were eating better.
    I need to get moving again. Yucky weather has been a factor, plus a busier schedule. I had mentioned my neck pain, and my physical therapy seems to be helping. I am disciplined about my exercises at home, thankfully. I think they’re helping to slim me down, as well!
    Over the weekend, my sister commented about my figure. I told her I’m working on it. :-) No weight lost this week, but none gained, thankfully!
    Have a great week, ladies!!

  8. Not a good week. This is a re-do. But I’m trying to do it God’s way this time like Lindsey said. I’m going to try and lay it all at God’s feet and give it all to him. Please pray that I will do this and not grab it back because I “think” I can do it.

  9. So here I am “starting over” AGAIN!! I haven’t posted for a while. It’s been a LONG few weeks. Thank God spring soccer season is over with. Maybe our lives can get some what normal again. Maybe I can actually get my laundry all washed up and my house clean! That’s my goal before the girls get out of school!!

    My eating habits have really been terrible here lately. I’ve over ate a lot more than I should’ve, stopped exercising and practically “gave up”on my weightloss. I hate when I start feeling that way! I get this feeling that I’ll be “fat” for the rest of my life or I guess this is how God made me. Then the Holy Spirit spoke to me that “God will never leave me nor forsake me”, I was made for more, “Gods strength is made perfect in my weakness…for when I’m weak He is strong”, “..Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest”. I then read the passage Hebrews 6:12-20 mainly focusing on verses 17-19 (Accordingly God also, in His desire to show more convincingly and beyond doubt to those who were to inherit the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose and plan, intervened (mediated) with an oath. This was so that, by two unchangeable things [His promise and His oath] in which it is impossible for God ever to prove false or deceive us, we who have fled [to Him] for refuge might have mighty indwelling strength and strong encouragement to grasp and hold fast the hope appointed for us and set before [us]. [Now] we have this [hope] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it–a hope] that reaches farther and enters into [the very certainty of the Presence] within the veil…)
    God knew I was in my lowest of lows. He met me in my weakest, my downfall.

    I LOVED Lindsay’s post. It was very inspiring. I’ll be making her blog a daily read as well.

    I weighed this morning and I’m up 4 pounds but I’m looking forward to next Wednesday! I know that God’s strength is made perfect in my weakness!

    I didn’t get a chance to memorize the verse but that’s my plan for this week.

    Praying for strength for everyone this week!
    Be Blessed, Treva

  10. Since I’m pms-ing, no change in weight this week. Hubby is without work at this time, so has time and is making healthier meals for us. We read that blended asparagus can counteract cancer cells in the body, and since my dad is fighting colon cancer and I have a potentially pre-cancerous virus, we are drinking raw blended asparagus thinned out with water. NOT YUMMY, but good for you.
    I really appreciate Lindsay’s post and vulnerability. God is the only One who can control our physical appetites!
    God bless you all, Sisters!
    Jennifer

  11. After starting this healthy eating program on March 15, I am so happy to report that I have had a gradual but steady weight loss. The first few days were the hardest as I struggled with the withdrawal from sugar addiction (as in baked goods, candy and ice cream) but since then I discovered that fruits and vegetables are more appealing.

    Since they are now my desserts, I am creative with the fruits, often mixing a variety of fresh fruits with vanilla yogurt and just having that for a meal. A smoothie is also great and is quite filling especially if slightly frozen and served with ground flaxseed sprinkled atop.

    Creativity makes eating vegetables enjoyable, too–sometimes roasted, other times steamed with a touch of butter and herbs. Another thing that is really good is a plate of spring greens drizzled with a healthy salad dressing.

    I eat lean meats and eggs for protein and limit starches to small portions of whole grains. Also, because I am in my 50’s, I am conscientious about getting plenty of calcium.

    After eating “clean” like this I find that looking at gooey, sweet baked goods somehow seems vulgar!

    Something my grandma used to say has been so significant: “eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.” Truly I do feel better when I eat lightly in the evening. And in the morning, what a thrill it is to notice that my tummy is noticeably flatter.

    I think the catalyst for me was when I realized that I weighed 30 pounds more than I did when I went into the hospital to give birth! My goal at this time is to get down to that weight, for starters. A secondary goal is to get off of high blood pressure medicine.

    Another thing that really encourages me is to try on clothes that have been too snug and notice how much better they are beginning to fit. I know there will come a time when I will become complacent when those clothes are fitting comfortably and I will somehow convince myself that having seconds or indulging while at a picnic won’t hurt. That is when I really need to keep my guard up because therein lies the slippery slide to defeat. How nice it is to come to WLW and be accountable! More than anything, though, I need to remember I can never do this alone, but only through strength from the Lord.

    Hope these tips help!

  12. Thought I’d need a restart but I’m down .2 – that still counts, right?!? :-)

    I can’t do it verbatim, but….Discipline is not pleasant at the time, however later it produces righteousness and peace for those who have followed it.

    Thank you Lindsay for your words. I, too, like the idea of asking God about what to eat and how to move. Then – the hard part – to listen for Him to answer. And Andrea got it right for me, too. Obeying is not easy for me. What IS easy is making all the excuses I make to not eat right, not move around more….you name it, I can rationalize it.

    It’s a good thing God is so patient and understanding. I’m sure He shakes His head in wonder about how stubborn I can be. But He still loves me. Praise Him!

  13. Lindsey–

    I LOVE how this post is so in tune with my battle this week. I am using the Thin Within book as a daily devotional, and it is totally about letting the Holy Spirit tell you when and what to eat, and directing your activities each day.

    I have had a decent week–a few slip-ups: eating before I am completely hungry or eating a bit more than I need to be comfortably full. I am the same as last week (I dropped 5 lbs in one week last week, so I am okay with that). I am learning to trust my Father more with all aspects of my life, and that has caused me to feel more at peace.

    I am down about 7 lbs in the 3 weeks I have been actively working on this, so I really can’t help but be satisfied with my results. A co-worker noticed that I had dropped some weight, so that is encouraging.

    Andrea–
    I also work at a sedentary desk job. We have a break room full of junk food at work, too. I have found that I am better off spending my break time walking either in the hallway or outside–it gets me moving, and keeps me away from the “teaser” and “total reject” foods that call out to me when I am not physically hungry. I pray while I walk–for whomever or whatever God puts in my mind. That helps keep me spiritually filled up.

    I pick up my 14 month old son on my way home from work, so I understand no time when you get home, and how tired you feel at the end of the day. God is still faithful! He made our bodies, and put us in our current situations. He knows what we need.

    God’s blessings to all of you!

    “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11
    I am going through a big disciplinary period right now–I know His plan is right, and it will be worth it.

    Keep on fighting the good fight, Sisters!
    Carissa

  14. Thank you for guest posting Lindsey.

    I’m up 1/2 a pound this week. I did celebrate my birthday this week, as well as Mother’s Day…and I think I “celebrated” every day since! I was on the treadmill 6 days so that went well. Time to focus more on my food choices this week and water intake as well.

    No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

    I memorized Karen’s verse (above) this past week and also since it’s been a bit stressful…a friend called me and pointed me to 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

    I’m thankful that God is with me along this journey I call getting healthier and parenthood! Have a good week everyone!

  15. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

    I’m feeling great. My clothes are fitting better, and my husband is noticing the fruits of my labor. However, the scale seems to be stuck in the same spot. What’s up with that? I registered for a fitness challenge at the gym that begins on the 17th. Hoping that participating will keep me motivated. (My husband is hoping I win a flat screen t.v.)

  16. Lindsey’s post was awesome and like Nancy, I love the part about giong to God and seeking His direction in what to eat and what to do. I’m adjusting because I am carpooling in the morning now and that used to be my prayer time, me and God in the car on the way to work. I’m trying to figure out when and where is my God time?
    On the weightloss side…I haven’t even weighed in a few weeks. I’m still having abdominal pain issues, and I think it’s all “female” related. I am trying to maintain good choices in my eating, and think I’m doing pretty good there most of the time. Maybe I’ll get on the scales this week…I really want to get back on the Wii…I LOVE that rythm boxing.

  17. Well, I didn’t donate platelets this week like I was scheduled so I didn’t get weighed. I have no idea if I am up or down or sideways. I purposely don’t have a scale at home so that I do not obsess over the numbers but when I miss my platelet appointments I wish I had one. (I had a cold, you can’t donate with a cold.) I have been having an easier time of paying attention to my eating choices, though. I went to the All Church Baptism and Barbeque last weekend and was complimented on my weight loss, so it must be starting back downwards again! WooHoo!!! I also paid attention to what I ate there and it was not easy as we have some awesome cooks at my church. :)

    I also got back on my bike for the first time since the diabetes ride. My town is making it easy because they are having a “May is Bike Month” celebration and if you log your daily miles you are eligible for a prize. I’m not really interested in the prizes they are giving but am uber competitive and so need to log a bunch of miles. LOL!

    I like the idea of coming before God each day and asking Him what to eat and how to move. That makes complete sense to me. It’s all part of surrendering all aspects of my life to Him. I can feel Him helping me with this part of my life, I just forgot to give Him credit before. He is faithful even when I am not. I am going to live this week in a more intentional way. Thank you Karen and Lindsey!!!

  18. Thanks for putting me onto Lindsey. Her post was awesome. She is a very gifted writer. I am going to add her to my daily reads.
    Well, WLW. I weighed in this morning. I have lost a total of 6.5 pounds since April 11. It hasn’t really been as hard as I thought it would be to keep on my regiment. Although, I have really fought the discouragement of keeping on the regiment and not seeing the results that I would like. That has been the hardest.
    My first goal was to stay off of sweets for a month. Praise the Lord, we did it.

  19. Hi,
    Thank you Lindsey, great post! :)
    I really need to remember that the battle is God’s and I need to be obedient to His will.
    I can really relate to what Andrea was saying. I have a desk job and when I get home I am mentally tired and its really easy to not exercise. Also we have had rain and snow for almost two weeks straight, so going outside is not very pleasant.
    Please pray that I will be able to get past this and do something physical, and that I will be obedient to God’s will for my life.
    Have a great week girls. I’m praying for all of you.

  20. Andrea–I can really relate to what you said about being afraid to give it to God because then you have to obey. About 4 weeks ago I made the decision to try and obey Him (like not buying those foods I like to binge on…keeping my house ‘clean’ in the pantry department). I am so much happier! I thought I would direly miss those foods, but I am surviving. The first week was the hardest. I didn’t realize how much I gave in to any and every craving. I am still probably eating too much at a time, but the foods I’m choosing to eat are mostly healthful in moderate amounts and I’m able to say ‘no’ to the foods I know I was killing myself with. As a result of the lack of binging, I have been able to keep up with my 2-4 mile walks every day and actually look forward to them. (It’s hard to get motivated to exercise when you know you just ate triple what you’ll burn off!) I have only lost about 6 pounds so far, but this change has given me much more freedom than I expected.

    Lindsey–good post! I especially liked the part about coming before God each day and asking Him what to eat and how to move. I need to be more intentional about that part.

  21. Loved Lindsey’s post today…it really spoke to my heart because I know that I really need to give my weight loss issues over to God but must admit that I am scared in some ways. If I give them over to God, then I must obey Him and that means no binging on foods that I really like and enjoy. That seems to be one of my problems. I can’t eat just one :-(
    My other problem is getting my behind off the couch and really doing some moving around. I do water aerobics 3 days a week but I am getting tired of that and am getting that feeling of wanting to quit. My job is a sit down job so I don’t get any exercise there and then when I am home I come up with all the excuses of why I can’t exercise. Help….I really need prayers and encouragement. The weight is coming off but at a very slow pace…like 1/2 pound here and there and then up some here and there.

  22. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11.

    First I’ll say what a blessing you are Lindsey! Thanks so much for sharing. I’ll look forward to your book!! God bless.

    Secondly, I’m down 1 1/4 #’s this week.

    Third, I have no idea how I’m down, and can’t help thinking what an over the top week I would have had, had I been faithful and obedient. I was not. I made bad choices and showed little self contol. We ate out several times, some of the times I made good choices, sometimes I did not. So I will be thankful for the times I was given strength to make the good choices!! Thank you Lord!! :) I also did not excercise OR work in the yard. I worked on a craft project. I had a blast, but it’s now scattered all over my living room because I don’t have my craft room set up yet!!

    Well, have a wonderful week ladies. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

  23. Claiming a Re-Start this week! Glad to have this accountability and encouragement to get back after this battle!

  24. Hi just alittle thought on my week of weight loss, I did fairly well this week even though mother nature decided to visit. I always get cravings for sweets. My husband decided to make a sugar free banana pudding and my sister in law made a cherry pie that was sugar free for Mothers day. That sorta satisfied my craving. Still walking just about everyday unless the weather decides not to cooperate. Some days it is still a struggle but I am continuing because I really want to do it this time.

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