Diet & Wisdom Appetizers

Hormones, emotions and feelings (HEF) are what I call the Trifecta of trouble when it comes to losing weight. This trinity of trials oftentimes attacks us subtly or separately, but oftentimes they can all gang up on you at one time. Guess where I’m at this week? Yep, - Trifecta galore.

Logically I know this week will prove difficult because of my pre-monthly hormones and I generally make allowances for the hormones and the two tag-alongs that wear me down at every turn. Some months are easier and I barely notice the power surge of emotions and feelings. But other months – it’s not so easy.

I’m sure there must be a scientific reason regarding the Earth’s orbit or some such thing that causes me to be overly emotional and hormonal on some months and not others. In fact I just read that the recent 8.8 earthquake in Chili may have actually shifted the Earth’s axis. Perhaps that explains my out-of-control emotions this week.

I’m extra tired, extra cranky, extra weepy, extra-extra emotional and over the top extra hungry. It’s funny how the symptoms for menopause mimic those of pregnancy! (I’m thinking God has a wicked sense of humor.) The harsh reality of all these “extra-extra” read all about it hormones, emotions and feelings is sticking to my menu plan is harder than ever. Weighing and measuring my food portions – I don’t think so and avoiding sweets and sugar – are you kidding me?

If we’re to survive the HEF days, we’ll require a very specific, detailed road map – otherwise we’ll lose our way and get so far off track, we’ll end up right back where we started. If ever there was a time to stick to the plan – this would be it.

While I was hiking today, my hiking partner reminded me of the parallels to hiking and our weight loss journey. If we look too far ahead we’ll become discouraged when we see the gigantic hill we must climb. If it looks too hard and steep for us, we’ll be tempted to turn around and go back the way we came.

The same is true if we look behind us to see who’s trying to overtake us. When we’re looking behind us – we’ll miss the boulders under our feet and most likely trip and fall. We MUST keep our eyes on the path we’re walking so we can side-step the obvious obstructions under our feet. And if we must look up – look up to God and envision Him encouraging our progress. Even if you don’t “feel” like you’re making progress, every day you stick with it – every day you say no to a temptation – every day you get up and exercise – YOU ARE MAKING PROGRESS! Every day you are one step closer to victory.

Feelings are much like waves, we can’t stop them from coming but we can choose which one to surf. ~ Jonatan Mårtensson

“17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.” Romans 14:17-18 (NLT)

PRAYER FOR TODAY: Lord I pray my hormones, emotions and feelings won’t control me and cause me to get off course. Help me to dig deeper and uncover that hidden strength inside of me as you work out all these addictive behaviors in my life. I bend my knee to you, Lord Jesus and ask for your constant presence and guidance as I walk this difficult path. I ask all these things in your name, Lord Jesus. Amen.