LIfe is Great!

I have been thinking a lot lately about the journey that I have been on for many years. I continued to gain weight over the years until I was extremely overweight. Then I developed painful arthritis in my back and knees and gained more weight. Unable to exercise and having to depend on others to push me in a wheelchair, I was unhappy and did not have much of a life.

I was always overweight even as a child. But, it seemed that I had more trouble controlling it after we moved to Florida. I don't know if I was less active, or the heat and humidity made me move less. I know that I was not very careful about what I ate most of the time. I tried different weight loss programs, but when they didn't work, I went back to my bad habits.

Then I started feeling pain in my back and knees and had trouble getting up in the morning. I knew that if I did not use the muscles, I would lose the use of them. But it got harder and harder. And, of course, the pounds increased because I was spending a lot of time on my back.

I was sure that I was just going to lay around until I died. I figured I would never see my 50th birthday. Then God worked a miracle in my life. He put someone in my path who suggested that I have surgery to correct the problem. What a blessing she was and is. I had never considered going that route before. But four years ago, I started researching it.

It has been almost two years since I had surgery. The miracle continues today. God is still working in my life. My arthritis is less painful, I have lost 230 pounds, and I am so active that I took my first Zumba class today. I can even sit in a chair all day at work and not be flat on my back for days afterwards.

It is hard to remember how things used to be. It has been a long, slow process. But I like the new me much better and I am glad that I chose to travel this road. Thank God I didn't have to travel it alone!

Temptation thy name is Satan!

I think it is calling my name. I am not sure I can resist it much longer. It nags at me night and day! That piece of chocolate in the cupboard won't leave me alone. I dream about it and I think about it constantly. I want it even though I know it is not good for me. Sometimes it feels like I "need" it!

When I first came home from the hospital after surgery, I had to force myself to eat. All my temptations for chocolate disappeared. I was so happy because I thought I would not have to worry about sugar anymore. How dumb, huh? Now, I have trouble resisting the urges.



I thought that having a job would help because I would be busy and not have as much time to "graze". But I forgot about vending machines! I am sure the devil made those machines. Everything looks so delicious and so easily accessible. It is almost as if they are telling me, "you can eat this, it won't hurt you, just a little and you will be fine". Yeah right, lets be realistic!

So it is a daily struggle again. I guess it always will be. But now when I fall down, I pick myself up and try again. Lord you have worked a miracle in my life, but you did not say it would be easy. Please help me to resist temptation.

I would love to throw a pie in Satan's face!

Birthdays are Just Another Day of the Year

Yesterday I celebrated my 50th birthday. It felt like just another day to me. I went to the gym and came home sore. Then I spent a very quiet afternoon and evening. Many people wanted to make a big deal about it.

I guess it is a milestone in my life. After all, two years ago I was not sure if I would make it to 50. Or if I did, what kind of health I would be in. I was always out of breath back then and not able to walk much. I certainly did not have much energy. There were days when I felt like I was laying around waiting to die because I could not go anywhere on my own.

Now that I have lost 230 pounds, I have so much energy. God has blessed me with a new life. I can get around on my own. I feel like I can do anything I want. He has made me a new person inside and out. I thank Him everyday for the miracle He has worked in my life.

I have been a Christian since I was small. But I am now spending more time in His word finding out what that means. I feel that I have a better relationship with My Lord. I could not have achieved the success with my weight loss without Him.

So 50 is just a number, and April 30th is just another day of the year, but I am a Much Better Person. Maybe He will let me live another 50 years to I can get even Better! I KNOW HE IS NOT DONE WITH ME YET!