JAN 28: Run And Not Be Weary

As you set out to tackle weight loss, one thing I can guarantee is you will run and be weary. Running and weary go hand in hand. It’s like mud and dirty. You can’t play in the mud without getting dirty and you can run without getting weary – BUT. There’s a big BUT here. You can run and not be weary to the point of quitting.

Personally, when I read the verse, “they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” I never think for a minute that I will never get tired of trying to live right. I fully expect to fail nearly every day. I fully expect to even get pouty and mad at times because life isn’t fair or I’m not improving fast enough. However, the renewal of strength and the ability to not truly grow weary is a result of the beginning of the verse? Yes, there’s a stipulation. “Those who wait”.

YUCK! No one likes to wait. However, that is what is required to get the rest of the promise. “Those who wait on the Lord renew their strength”. How could we learn from this passage and how could it relate to weight loss? Well, personally for me, when I commit to waiting on the Lord, it gives me time to reflect on what He’s done in my life (read our marriage make-over). It also gives me time to think about what my goal really is (to be in His will). And, you know what? In just a brief amount of time, I get past my pity party and seem to have a second wind of sorts. The same goes for fitness.

Let me suggest to you that maybe the reason you have quit before is because you weren’t patient enough to do the waiting part. You weren’t patient enough to reflect, to remember why you started and to refocus. So often we quit in the moment. We let our emotions determine our actions instead of staying the course no matter what our emotions tell us. Or, maybe we did it once before but we got SO far off track we feel it’s impossible to ever get back to where we were. Let me tell you what. If God can restore the love in a loveless marriage (like he did ours), I think He can help you get rid of some silly body fat! You still have to do the work (like we did in our marriage) but patience is required – and in that time of obedience and waiting, He can work His magic!

Wait Loss

Weight loss success depends on a LOT of patience, and it will include a lot of waiting. However, I have faith in the science of weight loss as much as I have faith in the Lord. I trust it and I know the reward will be worth the wait.

Tasha and Steve had to do a LOT of waiting. Even while on the fast track to weight loss, it still required a lot of patience. Remember, Tasha started this whole journey over 100 pounds heavier. She not only had to wait to be chosen, but she waited for the show to start filming – and then had to wait to even start her training with Steve. And, finally, THEN she had to wait for the results. Wait. Wait. Wait.

Some weeks Steve and Tasha lost zero weight and they almost let doubt set in. I remember Steve coming home and asking me what I thought he was doing wrong. I told him to stay the course and just be patient. It’s funny, he had the head knowledge, but the emotional weariness caused doubt. Oftentimes, he would lose a huge chunk the next week and have a big victory, which would carry him through until the next weigh-in. A lot of the time, if Tasha had a great weigh-in, Steve didn’t  – and she would encourage him, and vice versa.

My next suggestion is to not do this alone. First, find a friend to do this with – whether in person or virtually online (like a facebook friend). Chances are, one of you will be up when the other is down and vice versa – and you can strengthen each other during those tough times.

Also, don’t leave God out. If you are committed to work on your physical body, commit to also work on your spiritual body too. Ask God to show Himself to you, to be your strength through this and to help you become the person He desires you to be from the inside out.

As you well know, weight loss is even more mental than it is physical. Steve and Tasha did a lot of praying (individually, together and for one another), and they both grew a lot through the whole process. Let this be a chance for God to work stuff OUT of you while you work the weight OFF of you. Decide now that today starts a new life, a new you.

Encouraging Meme

Song of Encouragement

This is a song that meant a lot to both Tasha & Steve during their Fat To Fit journey. I hope it encourages you too.

All my life I have been called unworthy
Named by the voice of my shame and regret
But when I hear You whisper, “Child lift up your head”
I remember, oh God, You’re not done with me yet

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I’ll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, now I’m not who I used to be

Because I don’t have to be the old man inside of me
‘Cause his day is long dead and gone
Because I’ve got a new name, a new life, I’m not the same
And a hope that will carry me home

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I’ll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, ’cause I’m not who I used to be

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I’ll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, yeah, I’m not who I used to be
Oh, God, I’m not who I used to be
Jesus, I’m not who I used to be
‘Cause I am redeemed
Thank God, redeemed