Christian weight loss help for the one who is ready to forget past failures and finally lose weight for good.

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Weight loss is hard.  It can feel impossible, even.  Past failures might have you thinking, ‘Why bother’ but sometimes a new perspective can make all the difference in helping you finally lose the weight for good. 

 

Have you hit rock bottom when it comes to losing weight?  Maybe a better question would be–how many times have you been there?  As I look back over my rock bottom moments, there have usually been tears and there has always been praying.

Have you tried program after method after company after book after plan.  Yup.  Me too.  Some successful, some not.  But after all of this, there is one thing I’ve learned with 100% certainty.  The only true thing about weight loss.

Ready for it? ….. Here ya go:

There is not just one way to lose weight.  

I mean, I guess scientifically there IS just one way—burn more calories than you take in.  But what I’m saying is that there is not simply one plan or program that will work for everyone.  And (unless you are magnificently lucky) it will likely take some trial and error for you to find what works for you.

Weight Loss Trial and Error

Almost 25 years ago I convinced my husband to purchase our first piece of exercise equipment:  the Nordictrack.

You see, an acquaintance had lost considerable weight, and when I asked how she did it, she said “The Nordictrack.”  (I found out later she was also on a doctor supervised program of appetite suppressants.  So no big surprise that my weight didn’t fall off like hers.)

Over the years I have lost and regained too many pounds to count.  I lost weight quick with a fasting program that caused my hair to begin falling out.  I’ve counted calories, fat grams, carbs, steps, and more.  And I even volunteered for a clinical trial.  Yeah, that didn’t work either.

Everything that did work…well, the continued cost always got to be too much and I had to quit.  Pounds back on.

So if you are feeling hopeless and overwhelmed….I feel you.  I have been there.

 

What exactly do you need to be successful?

After my latest rock-bottom moment, I began to create a list of what has worked for me over the years.  I decided I needed to focus on those things.

(1)  Something I can do for the rest of my life

I don’t do well with rules.  Lists of dos and don’ts have never been effective.  “Creating a lifestyle” is a catch-phrase you hear a lot.  But if your plan for my ‘lifestyle’ involves cutting an entire food group out…I know myself well enough to know I will not continue that for the rest of my life.

(2)  Accountability is key

I need accountability.  As a giant quitting quitter by nature, I need someone all up in my face.  I need somewhere to check in.  Someone to be expecting a report from me.  Something!

(3)  Focus on multiple aspects of health

I recognize that lasting weight loss involves more than one aspect of health.  One program I did a number of years ago involved eating, exercise, and the psychological aspects of losing weight.  I had a lot of success with it, but couldn’t continue due to cost.  Also, as a Christian, I know that God’s love for me is not based on my weight, but I also desperately want to honor him with the body he’s given me.

(4)  I need to exercise

Lastly, although it’s not always my favorite thing, I know that exercising regularly makes me feel better.  The program I mentioned above had a fantastic trainer who pushed me to push myself physically.  It was the only time in my life when I craved exercise.  It felt so good to feel strong and fit.

 

Finding something that works

Amazingly (but really, not, since God is so good and kind) after making my list and praying about it, I almost immediately found a course and a book that covered everything on my list…and maybe your list too.

Faithful Finish Lines has been the biggest blessing to me!  The creators, Sara and Becky, have each lost 100 pounds and kept it off  (that’s the kind of leader I will line up to follow).  And, exactly what I’ve been looking for, the focus is on making small changes…perfect!

Faithful Finish Lines

I heard once that you should find someone who has achieved what you want to achieve and follow them.  The two creators of this program have each lost -and kept off- 100 pounds.  100 pounds! That’s significant success. 

• I love that they let you get a taste of their courses with a free 5-day challenge.  (Can I tell you, I teared up twice while doing this…it clearly struck a cord with me!)

• I love that there are a number of options of courses (their latest is the Faithful Finish Lines 2.0 Membership) — Ah-mazing! Focused and personal help for you.

There’s a great vibe here, I’m telling you!

 

 

Finding fullness

Since God is so clever and kind, wouldn’t you know I found a book while cleaning that I had ordered forever ago and never read.  It’s called Full: Food, Jesus, and the Battle for Satisfaction.

I am struck on every page with wisdom that just about knocks me over.  After finishing the book, I decided to go back through my much written-in copy and choose from the numerous underlined and starred passages to find gems to copy into the journal I’ve dedicated to this process.

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.  Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.   -Isaiah 55:1-2

I will not seek comfort in what doesn’t satisfy!  God’s greatest desire isn’t just to kick sin to the curb.  He wants to draw me closer.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.   -Matthew 5:6

As much as I’m pursuing a healthier body right now, I am more actively pursuing my relationship with my Creator.  The first -and most important- thing I am committed to doing every day is my daily Bible reading.

That’s why pairing this book with the Faithful Finish Lines courses is like — bam! truth on this side…bam! truth on that side!

Walking the Walk

Most of my weight issues stem from food, so I know that’s where I need to begin to solve them.  Having said that, I know I also need to exercise.  I had a bad experience with a gym last year and as a result at least for now prefer to work out at home. 

Faithful Fitness was created by the same ladies who created Faithful Finish Lines and has the same encouraging, Scripture-filled, and motivating vibe.  I subscribe to their program and have access to their regularly increasing library of workouts.  Every workout includes variations for lots of fitness levels, so I can see using this for a long time as my endurance grows.  And the discussion of Scripture throughout the workouts is the reminder I need that I want to honor God with my body.

There are two ways you can try Faithful Fitness:  Give their monthly subscription a try for just $1 for the first month (and just over $10/month after that) or try their free jumpstart which gives you a little sample of the workouts to check out.

 

 

Give Faithful Finish Lines a peek, get your free 5-day workbook!

 

Or go all in and become a member right now and start getting focused, personal help and encouragement

Read more in the creating habits series:

1 – The secret to knowing how to change is in forming new habits

2 – Daily Bible reading can be hard to be consistent in.  Find a Bible reading plan that works for you.

3 – The only thing you need to know to be productive and get more done.

4 – Christian weight loss help for the one who is ready to forget past failures and finally lose weight for good. (this post)