F is for Festivities

This is a tough topic.  There are so many words which could be used for the letter F and our battle with food.  Fuel is one that comes to mind as well as fun.  As we are concluding this year's 4th of July weekend and festivities, the realization hits us as we recognize yesterday we maybe didn't follow through on our commitment to eat right.  I have talked about this before, this is where grace comes in.  Yesterday is over and this is a new day.

We must be flexible (another good F word for us to remember), and allow for special occasions to trump the plan we laid out.  Some days, family (F word), is more important than diet. 

I am learning as I work hard to always make good choices, it is starting to become habit.  I even find myself passing up the special dessert and heading for the low fat ice-cream and (drum roll please), not feeling deprived. 

It isn't about the food; it never has been.  It is about the reason I turn to food.  As I work my way through this and keep my heart focused on God and His will for my life, it gets just a little easier each day.  Journaling is a tool that I can't live without.  Writing down my prayers and my concerns and just pouring it all out to God heals this heart and gives me a new perspective on food and living in general.  God is personal but He is also great!  Call upon Him.

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord.  For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth. (Psalm 96:11-13NKJV)

To read all of Psalm 96 click here for Biblegateway.

To email a thought or observation use this tool, or simply comment below.


Grace 'n Grins
Judy

CPR 3

Don't Forget the Grace - The third maintenance habit I am learning is to remembering that God lavishes His grace on me daily.  When I slip up all I need to do is acknowledge the problem, make an adjustment and then move on.  Notice I said 'when' I slip up, not if, as it is a given that I will not be perfect.

Recognizing the fact that I will not be perfect no matter how hard I try is sobering, but freeing too.  I will eat things that are not on my plan for the day simply because I want to.  Something will happen that will trigger my food stronghold and I will not always do the best thing.  That is life.  That is fact.  That is OK.  I must remember that I have the opportunity to start over anytime.

In the rooms of recovery you will hear the saying, "just do the next right thing", and that applies to our entire life.  Every struggle we have, every temptation we are faced with is an opportunity to do the next right thing.

Scripture encouragement for today is from Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

Grace 'n Grins,
Judy

How's it working for you?

Have a plan - Last week I did not post as often as usual, some weeks are busier than others as I am sure you will agree. So, let's get caught up a bit. How was your week? How did you address your food strongholds last week?

I had a good week, as I finally took some of my own postings seriously. I have been convicted about planning for a long time now, but just never took the time to do it. By planning, I mean actually writing down on my official menu planner just what I plan to eat for each meal and snack. I would list the corresponding food value and manage to stay within my allotment for each day.

As I have been praying about the issues related to my eating disorder I could sense God whispering to me that if I would only plan my meals. Well, I did just that and then I made certain that I had everything on hand that I would need for the weeks' menu. I can't tell you how freeing it was to not have to make any decisions when it was meal time. I would merely look and my plan and do it. It was wonderful. There was another blessing too, I was able to write my menu plan when I was hungry and I found that I was more creative as a result.

Try it and let me know what you think!

Scripture encouragement for today is from Hebrews 4:14 " Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,*Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess."

Grace 'n Grins,
Judy

Encouraging Words

Friday Fruits - It is Friday and while many of us look forward to the weekend and time with family, it can be challenging for those of us who struggle with food strongholds. The weekend often signals a time to get out of our routine; the weekend gives us permission to give in to our desires. After all, it is a time of rest.

I find that all of this is true. The weekend is meant for us to Regroup. I often use the weekend to examine how the past week went. I can use this as a time to prepare a new eating plan for the coming week or to repeat one from the past weeks that worked really well.

Relax is another practice I have for the weekend. I will relax from my routine, relax from everyday deadlines and unwind for two days. While I don't cease my eating plan I will loosen up a bit, in that I will allow a treat into my plan for one of the days.

It is important to me that I Restore myself over the weekend, that I fill my heart and my head with positive words and uplifting thoughts. Monday can be a difficult day if I have not taken the time to re-estabish my goals, to give myself (and God) credit for the successes of the past week and to forget about any perceived failures.

Scripture encouragement for today is from Romans 12:11-12 (MSG) "Don't burn out, keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard time; pray all the harder."

Grace 'n Grins,
Judy