Trim Healthy Mama journey so far.

     I have been following the Trim Healthy Mama way of eating now for a year and seven months. I thought I would write out my journey here before I forget it!!

     It actually began in January of 2013 when I ordered the book. When it arrived, I was a bit intimidated by it's size. Over 600 pages long. Although much of it is filled with recipes. I read the sisters stories, which is toward the back of the book. I thought, no way. This is too complicated for me. I will never learn this. I closed the book, and it sat on my bedroom floor for seven months.

    In July of 2013, on my birthday, we decided we would bomb the house as we were having an issue with fleas. We made it a fun tactical game. I was texting with a friend and said we were going to go eat. my friend said, "Happy eating!"  Oh my. that set off an avalanche of thoughts. Since when was eating happy? I know we are to do everything to the glory of God, but I could not recall the last time eating was something fun, joyous, or to God's glory. I was miserable. The longer things went, the worse things got. So much so, that towards the end of August, I was so scared.

     Not only was I so scared, I was filled with fear. One day, I was hungry at some point, but so scared to go into the kitchen, afraid I would over eat yet again. I locked myself in the bathroom and was just sobbing. Scared, filled with fear, and at the end of me. I texted five people I respected and trusted and asked for prayer. I felt like I was on total self destruct with food, filled with fear, and didn't know what else to do. They all agreed to pray. Also, sometime before this I think. I forget the timing, but on this preacher guy's site that I love, he asked if we would be brave and say a dream we had, and he would pray for us. To me, the most outlandish, impossible dream I could imagine, was to lose 100 pounds.

     Nothing changed after I texted my friends. At least not immediately. However, within a week, I saw on the author page of Trim Healthy Mama, on facebook, a testimony. I don't recall what it said exactly, or who it even was, but it gave me hope for the first time in a long time. And, I thought, I have the book, maybe I can do this.

     So I picked up the book off my bedroom floor and went to the chapter about getting started, and read that, and looked at some of the recipes, and ordered a few things to make one of the shakes. The fat stripping frappa. And just began. I did not change everything right away, but began to learn this whole new language and way of eating.

     Within the first month I lost ten pounds! WOW. I did not feel deprived at all. The second month, twelve pounds. Then it tapered off, to within five months, I lost 37 pounds.  Then over the course of the next thirteen months, I lost and gained and lost the same seven pounds. At one point I sensed God asking me, if I never lost another pound, would I still serve Him? Oh my goodness. I admit to having a little temper tantrum and eating cake for four days. Then fell to my knees, and said, Yes Lord. Even if I never lose another pound, I will serve You. There is no other God besides You.

     I did go through some times of being discouraged. Especially when I compared my story to so many others I saw on the Trim Healthy Mama pages. However, I know that God's Word says if we compare ourselves to one another, we are not being wise. I know I need to look to my Heavenly Father as my source through all this journey.

     Anyhow, in the book, it talks about having stubborn donkey weight. Yes!! I can relate! One of the things the book recommends is to do what is called a fuel cycle every other month to cajole this weight off and begin to rev our metabolism. I had done several of those with no changes. UNTIL, March of this year, and I now have lost an additional few pounds with a total of 41 pounds gone.

     I am eternally grateful to God for leading me to this plan. The sisters who wrote the book. My dear friends I texted that day when in despair and feeling like I had no hope. My friend's blog that challenged me to dream. My family! Oh my goodness. My family have all been so supportive.
And to all the ladies who are on the Trim Healthy Mama pages who make wonderful recipes and share them with all of us. There are a few who have inspired me greatly. I know I am leaving people out, but to all my friends and family, thank you for your prayers, and loving me right where I am. I love you too. I have more to say, but for now this is enough. God bless you!

One Word

Have you ever thought about how just one word can change your life? Or have an impact on a life?

Even just ONE word? It amazes me.

Here is an example from awhile ago. In 2009, I was seeing a therapist. He showed me some things in my life that needed healing, and it was just confirmation of things God had begun in my life many years earlier. When I first saw him, for about three weeks, I ran on adrenaline. Not great. I lost a lot of weight due to not being able to eat, due to the adrenaline happening. Then one night, I was wandering around Walmart and HUNGRY ... for the first time in three weeks! I wanted to eat everything in sight!!

I was scared I WOULD! So I sent a text message to him, telling him what I wanted to do, eat everything, and he sent a text message back saying, Don't! ... You know what? That is all it took. I didn't.  Just that one word made a difference.

Here is another one. Awhile ago, I was having some issues with a person really close to me, and I mentioned it to a friend. She sent a text message to me one time, just IN time, and perfect timing, and all it said was Humble. hmm Or maybe, Be humble.  That is all it took. It reminded me of the scripture verse that says, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

James 4:6

I don't know about you .. But I sure don't wish for God to actively be apposed to me! I could use all the grace I can get. So now, if this person and I are having issues, I remember this, and am eternally grateful to my friend for sending that message at just the right time. That one word.

Can you share of a time when a person said one word to you that made a difference in your life?

Oh, back to the word Don't! Ever since that time, so many years ago, there have been many occasions when I am about to do something I shouldn't, and that word will come back to me, and it will be THE thing that keeps me from doing something I shouldn't. Isn't God amazing? I love Him.

Hope you have a blessed night.

Donna 

     I thought I would give a shout out to my brother in Christ Troy Green, preacher at Petersburg Cumberland Presbyterian church, in Petersburg Tn. If you are ever there, stop in, you will be blessed.
He is beginning a new series in 1 and 2 Peter. Check it out. If you are not able to get to church, don't go to church, or just enjoy listening to wise teaching, check this out!

http://petersburgcpchurch.org/sermons/

     I did something brave yesterday. I posted this blog site publicaly. Not that I write here very much. I keep thinking I will, but then I get scared and don't. But speaking about brave. I just read this really cool book called, Let's All Be Brave, by Annie F. Downs. I originally bought it for me, but then felt led to give it to one of my daughters. She read it and liked it, and was going to send it to one of her cousins. The cousin moved, and I asked her if I could read it. It is so good!

     So, I will try and be brave and write!

     Since this is still January ... I will tell you what I have been doing so far this year, new for me, and things I am keeping on with.  I have begun doing crunches. I know it isn't much, but I can feel a difference in my back. And I feel stronger. And it is giving me more energy for other things. It is a small beginning, but one I have been consistent to do so far this year. Also, you know how when you begin and exercise anything? And at some point your muscles begin to hurt? In the past, I have always quit. For the first time, I think ever ... I went past that, and have kept going. So that is cool.

     I am also beginning an online study through a book called Keep It Shut, by Karen Ehman. It's through Proverbs 31 ministries if you are interested. What to say, how to say it and when to say nothing at all. Sigh. Yes, I need this and felt led to do this. Too often I talk too much. So here is to this new adventure as well.

     Another thing that has been consistent this year is going through one of those daily read it through the Bible books. Normally already by now I have quit. So far, so good.

     Another interest that I am learning more and more about, is essential oils. We have been using them for just about a year and for the most part, the children and I have not been sick during this past year. It is amazing.

     And .. A huge thing in my life over the past year and four months has been a change of eating for me. I have never before stuck with any diet or way of eating for this long ever in my life before now. It is called Trim Healthy Mama. I have lost about 35 pounds give or take a few, depending on the day. This whole journey deserves it's own post, so hopefully I will get to that soon.

     So, how has your new year begun? I would love to hear! Oh, one more thing. I asked God for a word for the year ... It is TRUST.  I am looking forward to see what this new year holds.
     May God richly bless you and keep you till His return.

   

Race Car Driving!

Disclaimer to all of my children and grandchildren.  If you are reading this, ever, don't do it!

When I was growing up in Anchorage Alaska in my teen years, I loved to race with my car.  Nothing formal, nothing really planned.  Just sometimes downtown we'd cruise the strip in the summertime. And just every once in awhile, pulling up next to someone, I'd glance over, or they would glance over, and we'd catch one another's eye, and we'd just know. Let's race! The adrenaline, the rush, from being first, and finishing first. Or starting just a bit after the other person, then catching up to them and passing. What a thrill. 

Thing is ... now I'm 53. But I still like starting out of the gate first! My friends think I'm funny. It still gives me a little thrill. Now though, I don't have to finish or STAY ahead, I just like to be first. :-) Please don't give me scripture here. I do know about the first shall be last, and the last first. That's another topic for another day. This is just about the thrill of being first with another car at a stop light. :-)  It's the little girl inside I suppose. :-)  One I'm thankful my dear husband is kind to.

One day, a few years ago, we needed to get new tires on my Plymouth Voyager mini van. When we took them to the Firestone Auto care place to get new tires, the guy said the only ones they had in stock that day that would fit my mini van were racing tires.  Are you kidding??? My husband smiled and looked at me and said, Yes, go ahead, put those tires on.  My hero husband!!

Our mini van has never driven better! It hugged the road going around corners, it drove so much smoother and better than ever before. I love to drive!

Thing is .. though the tires are fairly new, the engine and transmission are not! It will be a sad day for me when my ride dies. It has over 311,000.00 miles on it, and it's still barely going by the grace of God and prayers! 

Thanks Brina and Sammy, and Troy, and my daughter Sarah, and most of all my Savior Jesus Christ, for encouraging me to write.  This isn't really anything spiritual, just fond memories and something fun!

I'll be honest with you.  I've never written a blog before.  Frankly, I'm scared to.  I have a lot of fears when it comes to writing.  How much do I allow people to see of who I really am inside?

What if what I say comes back to haunt me in future years?  You know how it is.  When we write in the heat of any kind of emotion, those emotions don't tend to last, and what we write is just that, emotions that won't stay the same and will change. 

Anyhow, so as I write, I will be honest, and say it's with some fear.  But ... I need some kind of outlet.  So .. here goes.

Today has been a rough day emotionally.  I saw a video about four people, one in particular who weighed over 600 pounds, and her gastric bypass surgery journey.  There was a lot in her story that while not the same, the emotions she went through were some of the same as mine.  It brought back a lot of pain, and shame that I thought I'd dealt with.  That was difficult.

Another thing today ... I saw one of my daughters post on facebook, thanking a guy for bringing her a doughnut.  The time was about three in the morning.  Then this afternoon she sends me a picture of herself with a new haircut.  WOW, she is one stunning gorgeous young lady.  I know she was studying, but at three in the morning?  Can I just lock her up until she's 35?  She is sweet, fun loving, innocent, naive, gorgeous, spontaneous, adventurous, affectionate, oh, and did I mention gorgeous?

Oh my ... the thing is ... She has three older sisters than her that are gorgeous as well!  So why all the emotional difficulties with letting go now?  I don't know.  I guess that's what I'd like to explore with writing.  And I guess a place to get out my feelings, however raw and unfiltered they are.

Also, like the heading ... I am sure I will write about other things as well.  I certainly am not short of material, what with having 10 children, 2 daughter in laws, a grandson, a granddaughter and another grandson on the way!  Our life is full, and BUSY.

I also haven't even checked out how to make my page pretty or anything like it yet.  Just jumping in for the first time.
 Donna