Sal’s Weight Loss Tips

I went shopping yesterday with a friend of mine who I had not seen in a few months. When she saw me, she exclaimed – “Wow, you look great – how’d you do it?”

I outlined it for her:

1. Have a young child in your house who demands nearly constant attention while awake.
2. Become a blogger.
3. Make sure your husband is on night shift.

I have struggled with food my entire life. I love to eat and drink. The only thing that really escapes my palate is liver and onions. I love everything – rich green salads with lots of toppings, red meat cooked medium (juicy steaks with sauces and seasoning), mexican food (spicy and cheesy), pizza (the world’s perfect food).

During my running days (6 miles a day) I was thin for the first time in my life and had the luxury of being able to eat just about anything I wanted. Since that went by the wayside, I’ve been back in the battle – determined not to have to buy a whole new wardrobe again because of my weight. I went through a few Godly weight loss plans – including the Lord’s Table. I had some success, but I still had to think about food all the time in order to pull it off. That in itself pulled me back. Once little junior came along, I struggled taking those extra pounds off. Who said that breastfeeding helps you lose weight faster? After six months I was still a long ways off of my pre-pregnancy weight.

But then a little thing happened to me. As my baby needed more of my time, this blog happened to me. Yes, we all know that blogging is a time sucker. So, in order to do all the things that I want to do in a day, eating usually gets pushed off. And, it’s awfully hard to eat and type at the same time. I would leave food sitting next to the computer that I just didn’t have time to eat. Instead of meals, I graze when I can – some fruit here, a little leftovers there. Since my dh is on nights and usually power-napping in the evening hours, we don’t have a regular set evening meal. I cook, but just leave the meal on the stove for teenage boy to munch on if he doesn’t go to his restaurant of choice (McDonalds). By the time the baby is down for the night, I’m still on the go and might snack a little dinner or just pack away the leftovers.

I’ve also taken a turn for the more active. Although I’m not running, the recent acquisition of a wagon by our household has led to regimental rides for the little one 3x a day (2 in synch with the school bus schedule – what will I do when summer comes?) So, I thank God that I’m distracted from my recreational eating. I would love to run, but that doesn’t appear to be in my schedule at this time.

I hope my brain is making a mental shift. Do, do, do – eating is not doing…

So take hope…in muddled and broken schedule, there are often blessings to be found.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28