Clearly, as I have had a generally positive tone to my blog for a couple of weeks, it is time for it to take a downward slope. I've not been on track now for awhile. The two meals I made for last week just didn't do it for me, so I ate out excessively. Today I had a delicious lunch that I brought from home, but I ate it at 10:15. I was just really hungry, which I usually am at that time, and didn't want to stay hungry so I decided to eat my lunch instead of my snack. Then, of course, when lunch time came, I was hungry again so I went to the student center for Popeye's chicken and snack food.
Funny, I've started reading some other healthy living blogs recently and these bloggers all seem to be all success all the time. I can't figure it out - is it because they've just been doing it longer and have less drastic ups and downs? Is it because they just don't talk about the bad days? Is it because I am crazy?
It's not easy to blog about my down days. I want to hide it from you and from me. In the end, however, I usually end up telling you the truth, eventually. Mostly, I don't want any of you to have me on some pedestal, thinking I'm some health and fitness supergirl because my blog makes it sound like I am. Dieting is hard, hard, hard. It takes discipline, and it's much easier to roll over and give in to the temptation.
Lately, I've had this verse keep popping up in my head:
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. " 1 Cor 10:13.
It's just the first part of the verse that I keep hearing. Nothing has "seized you except what is common to man." Both because of this verse and because more and more people are sharing their struggles with me, I'm realizing that many people have a similar problem with food. That is comforting, even if it is hard. I do wish, though, that I could remember and believe the second part of the verse about God providing a way out from the temptation.
Tomorrow is a new day.
How have you guys been doing lately with health and fitness?
1 Corinthians 10:13 has been a persistent nagging and comforting verse in my heart since I was in the 6th grade, but I have never thought to read it in context until now. It's a warning to the new church that they are just as susceptible to fall into idolatry as the Israelites were in the Old Testament, even after they had been baptized. When I say that I "need" something more than I need to do the good and perfect thing God has commanded, I am making that thing, be it ever so intangible, an idol. I think our only hope of not falling into temptation is to constantly pray to keep our heart, soul, mind, and strength so completely focused on Him--his greatness and love--that sin cannot penetrate our hearts. Our praise to God acts like a force-field against the Evil One, but if our eyes are trained on any thing else, we make ourselves vulnerable--like walking unarmed in an open field that is also an expert paint ball range. The pain and shame we experience because of our sin cause us to recoil and want to hide, but you show the power of God in you by confessing your sins here, and in that you show that you are seeking to honor him with your life, which is progress : )
ReplyDeleteHe is making you glorious!
As for my health and fitness, I guess I'm on a little bit of an upswing, but it is one of my non-bottomless-pit weeks : )
LOVE!
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Personally? Of all the fitness and "foodie" blogs I read, I like yours the best BECAUSE you don't pretend weight loss is all sunshine and rainbows. I think some health bloggers have the tendency to act like they're always on track; they're never tempted by any processed foods; and they never miss a workout or (gasp!) eat candy. That's fine for them if it's true (I doubt it is), but it's too much pressure for the rest of us who live in reality.
ReplyDeleteI agree with M. Carter - I like your blog better because it's REAL. Most of these women who are health and fitness bloggers are making money off their brand and it rather behooves them to make everything sound like puppies and sunshine and rainbows. Fitness, health, recovery -- whatever -- is NOT puppies and sunshine and rainbows. It's hard work and if it wasn't, everyone would do it. You're just being honest about the fact that it's HARD work and I think people respect you all the more for it. I know I do.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I should have asked earlier, but I think you should join the Blogger Book Club. The first book we're reading is all about women and their struggles with food. See what ya think. Books a Million usually has at least one copy of EITLOTM on their shelves: http://bloggerbookclub.wordpress.com/
Oh, and because you asked, my health and fitness have taken a swan dive lately, too. Well, actually my fitness is through the roof -- unfortunately for me, this is inversely correlated to my overall health. ;-)
ReplyDeleteugh, right there with ya hun. backsliding and yet thinking i'm doing ok and yet not. when i have the magical mystery of it figured out, i'll let you know :-P
ReplyDelete