Why Are You Here?

Welcome to Weight Loss Wednesdays.  We are a cyber group of sisters who desire to support each other in the journey down the scale as we grow closer to God.

Many of you who are new have emailed asking just how our circle of friends works. It is rather simple.

Just join us every Wednesday for ideas and encouragement (and the sometimes -needed kick in the pants!). Then leave a comment. We want to know both your thoughts on the post (if you have any) and how your week went with eating and all things health-related.

To make is simple, sign up to receive my posts via email by entering your information in the box over to the right just above the word ‘subscribe’.

And , if you haven’t already, don’t forget to join many of us Monday nights at 8:00 pm EST for Lysa TerKeurst’s Made To Crave webcasts over at www.madetocrave.org. They are chock-full of both information and motivation!

_________________________________________________

Well, since we are beginning over in a sense and have many new gals joining us, let’s begin here:

Why are you here?

Have you tried for years to lose weight and get healthy, to no avail?

Have you lost weight in the past only to turn back to your old ways and regain it all again, and then some?

Are you a yo-yo dieter and SEVERAL times you have gone up and down the scale but can’t seem to make it stick when you are at your lowest weight?

Do you have health conditions that are causing you concern?

To use food in a way God never meant for it to be used? You make it your friend, your comforter, your distraction, your tranquilizer to numb you from emotional pain?

Do you feel left out of life? Can’t play with your young kids, participate in activities with your husband or shop at the regular-sized section of the clothing store?

Do you feel you are a poor witness for Jesus with the signs “lazy”, “glutton” And “undisciplined” on your back?

Why are you here?

I’m here for a combination of a few of those statements. If you’ve not seen my story, you can click on the “Watch Karen” link at the top right in the navigation bar. There is a link for my 700 Club appearance from 2007.

However, I must be honest and tell you I no longer look like my “after” pictures shown there. Now, I don’t look anything like my before picture either. But, over a year ago,  I did gain back around a third of the over 100 pounds I’d lost.

Now, I could blame it on many happenings in my life:

My husband got laid off for 9 months and I began to stress and obsess about finances.

Our daughter was a senior in high school whose college plans would now be affected by the lack of money.

I was feeling the weight of a special needs son entering high school.

I was  homeschooling, carpooling (my kids go to classes two days a week) and trying to get my next book published, a book several publishers said they’d take on, if only the economy weren’t so bad and I weren’t a “medium-sized author” (meaning not a runaway best-seller but not an unknown either.)

However, none of those issues was really the issue.

The issue was that I made one crucial bad choice– I ran to food instead of to God.

So, now here I am needing to AGAIN lose about 30 pounds to get back to a healthy place.

And I’m thankful—really I am–to have you to join me in the journey.

So today, will you simply leave a comment telling us:

~Why you’re here.

~Your goal (not so much a number on the scale or on the label on your pants, but an attitude of the heart or a place you want to get to in your spiritual life)

~And will you also tell us where you live & how you found out about Weight Loss Wednesdays?

Then, please feel free to hop on often between Wednesdays and encourage each other, pray for each other and even give a quick cry out for help, if needed.

I’ll get each of the comments as a message on my phone and I promise to lift you all up in prayer.

You see, I treasure each one of you and look forward to what God has in store.

Seriously. I do.

Thanks for partnering in the journey.

We are in this together.

Down-the-Scale Blessings,

42 Comments

  1. Hello Karen and Girls!
    I just heard about your blog / group (weight loss Wednesdays) on Lysa’s webcast. I have been reading made to crave for a few weeks now – I am currently on chapter 10. I started another weight loss journey – after many through out my life – on January 5, 2011 when I clearly heard God speak to me about my feelings of inadequacy. I believe that God has a good plan for me (all of us), but my continued feelings of inadequacy and discontent with myself, my image, was hindering God’s ability to work through me. I was blocking Him. My twisted thoughts, my self image, etc, were His obstacle. I have lost much weight in the past – the most ever lost was 52 lbs, but I always manage to add it back on. I always revert to my comfort place of ‘I don’t care about how I look because anyhow no body else does’! Other statements that cross my mind are “they need to love me how I look anyway – fat or fatter”. Another thought is “I can’t do that – I am too ugly, too fat, not skinny”.

    I am a single (divorced – not by my choice) working Mom living in Florida. I love food and it has always provided me comfort. I was taught to eat well as a child, but I made fun of lots and lots during my school years. High school was terrible for me. I would not want to do High School ever again. I want to live the life that Christ died for me to have. I so desire to be obedient to His word, His calling, His direction. I am asking God to transform me, change me, and make me a new creature in His image! That will be the ONLY way to freedom in this battle with my mind, body, and spirit.

    Thank you so much for taking time to share your heart and passion with all of us! God Bless YOU!

  2. Hi Karen/Ladies!
    Like you I lost over 100 pounds with WW in 2004/5 and got to 155 pounds! … then I got married and had 2 babies within 17 months (the long time desire of my heart!!) Since then I have struggled to lose the weight! I have got down as low as 13 stone but right now I’m back up at 14 and a half stone (just over 200 pounds). WW here in UK has a new program and I’m struggling. Wondering whether to try your basic actual total calorie counting method for a few weeks.. Also reading Made to Crave…! It just seems so much harder second time round and if I’m honest feelings of failure cloud my mind as the memory of being at goal gets further away… can I join you ladies all the way from the Isle of Man?!? Hugs and Prayers to all of you
    Sarah

  3. I live in Benton, Arkansas.
    I heard about WLW from reading your blog.
    I’m so tired of being tired and wanting to be invisible because I’m embarrased about my weight. I feel like this is really holding me back on reaching the plans God has for my life. I don’t think he wants me to be in hiding, but it’s so embarrasing. I’ve had several occasions in the last couple of years where someone mistook me for being pregnant. You can’t imagine how humiliating that feels. I’ve tried to lose weight, but I get discouraged because it doesn’t come off as fast as I want it to. I’m a working mom with 2 girls and sometimes I am just to busy to take care of myself. I am doing the Made To Crave study and watching Lysa’s webcasts. I hope this time I can make a lasting change by focusing on God.

  4. I am here becasue I would like make healthier eating choices and be healthier in general. I could stand to lose some pounds, but really the issue is health. I live in Indiana and I stumbled across WLW sometime last year, but I don’t remember how I found it. I am glad it’s back! I’m reading Made to Crave and saw 2 of the 3 webcasts so far. I understand and agree with what Lysa is saying, but haven’t hit the moment yet when my heart follows along. But I’ll keep trying.

    I am SO disgusted with my fast food lunch which left me feeling overfull, bloated, and mad at myself. I went in with full intentions of a salad and this chicken thing and french fries caught my eye…and there it was on my tray! And I don’t even like french fries that well. So I’ll spend the afternoon kicking my self in the pants and try to do…no, pray to do better next time. More praying to God, less trying by Carol alone.

  5. Thanking God for you, Karen, and the blessing of being here again.
    I lost weight and have gained some back.
    Desiring to run to Christ when I’m weary and heavy burdened. And receive His promise to give me rest instead of the awful feeling I get after I over eat, not to mention feeling sick.
    Thank you so much for bringing WLW back and for your prayers.
    Looking forward to see what God is going to do in our lives as we seek Him.

  6. Hi Karen!

    Thank you so much for bringing Weight Loss Wednesdays back. I’ve really missed them.

    I live near Sacramento, CA in the Sierra Foothills (just below the snowline, thankfully!). I found out about WLW on the Proverbs 31 website about a year or so ago. I have managed to lose about 25 pounds in the past year and a half but the last several months have been a real struggle for me. In August of 2009 I had just returned from a mission trip and was looking at the wonderful pictures we took of all our new friends when I really looked at myself. Although I had the Lord’s love shining from my face my body, the Lord’s temple, was very overweight. I didn’t see how I could possibly represent God when I was so obviously unhappy with myself. Plus, my mother was diagnosed with diabetes and knowing it runs in my family gave me the last little extra impetus I needed to want to get to a healthy weight.

    I immediately cut sodas out of my diet and drinking more water. Then I started researching healthy eating and went out and bought a bicycle to get in regular exercise. The changes to my eating habits came slowly but surely and eventually the scales started going down.

    I had a little hiccup in my diet and weight loss plan last May. I fell from my bicycle and broke my right wrist and left elbow. I was unable to care for myself and had to rely upon the love of family and friends for many things in my life. That meant I ate whatever they put in front of me. Even then God was faithful. In the 2 1/2 months I spent recovering from my accident I managed to lose two pounds. I was so sure I had really packed it on! God is faithful! Not long after that you stopped WLW and I was saddened.

    In the ensuing months I have been struggling with my cravings for food. I haven’t had much opportunity to exercise like I did before my accident. I’ve never been a real exercise fan, although I used to love Tae Kwon Do (which I’ve been advised not to do again). I have been fighting a fear of falling off my bicycle again and I’m not much a fan of running. I did go out and get a dog who loves, loves, LOVES to walk so we’ve been doing a lot of that.

    My goal? Numberwise another 20 pounds, okay, maybe 30 but that’s not my primary goal. My primary goal is to be healthy, both spiritually and physically. I want the Lord to be first in my life, not the craving for food. I want to be a good steward of ALL the resources the Lord has blessed me with. I want the life the Lord has planned for me.

    I know the friendship and accountability here will help me reach those goals and more. I am so glad WLW Wednesdays are back!

  7. Hi Karen,
    Hi Ladies,

    I live in a small town in Ohio. I took part of Weight Loss Wednesdays from the beginning. I follow Karen’s blog. She has such great ideas. I struggle with food in most of the ways mentioned above. I need to lose 50 pounds. Right now I seem to gain and lose the same 5 pounds over and over again. I have been reading Made to Crave and following Melissa Taylor’s bible study. I would really like to break through this stand still I seem to be at and start losing again and getting healthy.

  8. Sometimes I feel ashamed of my food struggle. I try and then give up, try again and let go, and now I’m trying for the thousandth time to eat healthier, live more relaxed, and focus on my relationship with God. Food is my idol and I don’t want it to be anymore. Food has gotten in the way of my relationship with God. I want so bad to change. I am reading made to crave and listening to the podcasts every monday night. I pray for this battle to one day be over- although I know the devil will be right there looking to see what else he can obsess me with. I want to be stronger, clearer mind, and healthier attitude of life. I’m 46, married, just adopted 2 teenagers, work full-time and stuck with the last 30 lbs that doesn’t seem to want to leave. Also, I live in New Mexico….beautiful place. take care and blessings.

  9. I found you thru Lysa’s blogs. I live in a very small community in south central Kansas (about 600 people). I am 54. I have struggled with “issues” all my life. I have about 25 pounds to lose to be where I should be for my age, height etc. My eating problems began when I was young, being laughed at or ignored because I was chubby. I have never forgotten some of the things that were said to me, words can be so damaging. Because of the lack of friends, I turned to food. When I was in Jr. High I got very sick and lost about 15 pounds in 2 weeks. When I went back to church/school, people who never talked to me before were being nice. From then on I associated people liking me with how much I weighed and everything external. When I was in my early 20’s I developed an eating disorder. I would binge then make myself throwup or I would eat very little, starving my body. At the end of the day I would exercise for hours. When I got married, my hipbones stuck out but I thought I was fat. After just 3 months of marriage (I completely hid my eating problems from my husband whom I have been married to for 29 wonderful years) I found out I was pregnant and knew I had to change for my baby. I have had bouts of purging since but nothing like before. I still see myself through the distorted view of what I think others see and think (my mother in law doesn’t hid the fact that she thinks I am overweight). I am going through MTC by myself (well, my daughter is doing it at college, she also struggles with an eating disorder, she is doing it with a friend) and have learned so much. I am slowly starting to see myself through God’s eyes and not others. I could live the rest of my life the size I am (5’4″ weighing 160) if I just KNEW I was accepted by others, I have such a distorted view of myslef). I have a ways to go but by God’s grace, love and faithfulness.. I will get there.
    I am excited to be apart of this group, I know everyone here would embrace me just because and for not other reason.
    I do have 4 (2 girls and 2 boys – 28, 25, 20 & 17)beautiful children and 1 perfect granddaughter (7 mo). God is good isn’t He!!! my love to each one of you!

  10. I really enjoy you WLW posts, Karen. I’ve been coming to your blog since Hearts at Home Nov. 2009. I went to your American Idle workshop and was very encouraged by your honesty with weight. I have strugged with weight since I was a little girl. I finally hit rock bottom last summer and just had to do something for health reasons. I joined Weight Watchers in early September. It’s been slow going but I’ve lost 21 pounds so far. I have about 38 pounds to go until I hit goal. It actually seems attainable this time! I’m enjoying the beautiful weather we’re having here (CA) and the Made to Crave book too.
    As a side note, I have also enjoying His Weigh with Lindsey but her blog has disappeared. I’m a little concerned about her.

  11. I am in the Made to Crave online Bible Study with Melissa. I need to get a hold of the increasing poundage that has been affecting my health and self esteem. With God’s help I am eating in a healthy manner now and feel much better. I couldn’t cut back or cut out what I needed to, but starting this year God has enabled me to make big changes. I feel like He has taken me by the hand and told me, “we can do this together.” I reside in Jacksonville, Illinois. Karen, I have been following you in the last year, finding humility and humor in your posts. You are a blessing to me. I turn to Proverbs 31 everyday as an encouragement for my day. :D

  12. Hi everyone,
    My name is Edwina and I live in Georgia. I’m an emotional eater – no matter the emotion, I eat. I am a Type 2 Diabetic – you would think that would make me choose healthier eating and exercise – but it doesn’t. I need to learn to choose God, instead of food.

    Thank you Karen for bringing WLW back!

  13. I’m Laura, and I live in the Quad Cities (Iowa side.) I’m also doing Made to Crave webcasts and Melissa Taylor’s study. I’ve always used food in an unhealthy way. I eat when I’m bored, happy, sad, you name it. I’ve always had an excuse to eat and make bad choices. I desperately want to seek God, and not food! Thank you for Weight Loss Wednesdays. I follow your blog, and I love it. Thank you, Karen.

  14. I’m Dee from Oklahoma City. New to this site. Found you via Lysa’s Made to Crave and Melissa’s MTC Bible Study. Food is my drug of choice. Food provides my emotional support. Exercise is a huge dread. I have a healthy eating plan, I know all the healthy foods to eat and I do eat them. I just add the chocolate, cookies and candy when no one is looking. But lack of exercise is a major downfall.

  15. I read several weight loss Wednesday posts before you stopped them last year. I never actually participated. I have lost about 20 pounds and would love to lose about 15 more but it is really more about wanting to feel comfortable in my own skin…and I am NOT there yet. I really want to be healthier and lead my family to a healthier lifestyle, something they are NOT embracing!

    I am from Jackson, TN where we are on our third snow of the year…unusual and unappreciated by me…It has totally ruined my running program and I have had to resort to the 30 Day Shred, UGH! Looking forward to getting to know others on this journey! Must go now, and eat my veggie pizza here at 9:20 at night!

  16. I’ve missed Weight Loss Wednesdays! I’m so happy you’ve brought it back. I have a lot of weight to lose. I’m also doing the MTC book right now and following Melissa Taylor’s Online Bible Study.

    Since beginning to read MTC my “weight” goal has changed to a “healthy” goal. Putting God 1st and asking God to give me the “want to” eat healthier. God is so good!

    I live in Midwest City, OK (on the out skirts of Oklahoma City). I was a follower of Weight Loss Wednesdays from a while back. I started following about a year ago when I heard about it through Proverbs 31 Ministries and I can say I’ve MISSED it! Thank you Karen for bring it back & thank you for all the encouragement you provide!

  17. I was part of the group last year and have missed your wisdom on Weight Loss Wednesdays Karen. I lost 17 lbs last year and have more to go. I have two adult children living on their own so it’s me and Wonderful Husband now. I was at home for almost 3 years and finally was making good food decisions based on God’s truths and was walking 5 days a week on my treadmill. On December 1, I began working and have adopted some poor eating habits (meaning snacking). Then the treadmill broke (it’s since been replaced). So I need some accountability and this group has been a blessing in the past.

    I live in PA (hee hee) outside Philadelphia where this winter has been brutally cold and we’re currently under a winter storm warning which means tomorrow I’ll be shoveling like a crazy woman while Wonderful Husband uses the snowblower. Wish us luck!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *