Tag Archives: weight loss

How to Get a No-Hitter in Weight Loss: Self Talk

Posted on by under baseball, morbid obesity, weight loss, Weight Loss Journey

As you know, I’m on a journey to lose somewhere in the range of 200 pounds.   I have also become a baseball fan, thanks to my husband. (You can read more about that here.)

On October 3, 2015 Dean and I were watching a Cubs game, when we learned that Max Scherzer was getting close to a no-hitter.  We flipped over to the Nationals game and were able to watch his final inning,  holding our breath at the final pitch.  It was amazing to witness  Max Scherzer becoming the 6th pitcher in Major League history to pitch two no-hitters in one season.

 

Max Scherzer by Keith Allison via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

CC BY-SA 2.0 Max Scherzer  Nationals at Orioles 7/11/15 by Keith Allison via Flickr

After the post-game celebrations, Dan Kolko from MASN interviewed the star pitcher and asked him a question:  “You took a long walk around the infield before the bottom of the 9th inning. You typically do that. What are you telling yourself as you’re getting ready to tow the rubber?”

Max replied, “Well, here we go. Let’s go! It’s on! You know, I’m pumping myself up, you know? I know what’s at stake and I want it. And so it’s one of those things when that’s where I get in my mode and come at you with all I’ve got.”

I sat there sort of stunned.  Then I asked Dean to replay the interview.   This pitcher was under intense pressure.  He did two things.  He took a walk and he pumped himself up.  It dawned on me that this was something I could apply to my weight loss journey.  Renewing my mind¹ is crucial.

When getting up in the morning, I start to think about what I’ll eat for breakfast.  (Food addicts always think about what they are going to eat.)  Instead of dreading another day of vegetables or thinking about what I can’t have, I talk to God about my plans for healthy eating and swimming.  In my mind I say:  “Let’s go! Let’s do this! It’s on! I know what’s at stake and I want it.”

Ten years ago I had my first no hitter in weight loss.  It seems impossible sometimes and against all the odds, but I’m working on the second one.

Video link to watch the interview.

To see my latest weight loss update go here.

¹Romans 12:2 ESV

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Pinkalicious Eats Her Veggies

Posted on by under books, humor, weight loss, Weight Loss Journey

Just like Pinkalicious, I’ve had too many cupcakes, and now it’s time to eat veggies instead.

 

Pinkalicious is one of my daughter’s favorite books, and we’ve read it together numerous times.  But this week, it had new meaning for me.

The main character, against her parent’s advice, eats too many cupcakes.  In fact, she eats so many that she turns pink.   Her mother takes Pinkalicious to visit the doctor who says, “To return to normal, you must eat a steady diet of green food.”

Instead of following the doctor’s advice, Pinkalicious sneaks another cupcake and turns a bright shade of embarrassing red!   Finally, Pinkalicious succumbs to the doctor’s advice and starts eating green.

I ate pickles and spinach, olives and okra.  I choked down artichokes, gagged on grapes, and burped up Brussels sprouts. -Pinkalicious

Well, my life has been quite a bit like Pinkalicious lately.  I’m trying to return to “normal”, and in order to do that, I’m eating a steady diet of vegetables, fruit and protein.

I’m eating lettuce and greens, parsnips and sweet potato, quinoa and lentils.  Tuesday will be exciting, for it will be day eleven and I can add meat.  Yes, it’s a crazy time of year to go on an elimination diet, but it’s best gift that I can give my family and myself this year.

So look for me at the Christmas party.  I’ll be the one raiding the veggie and fruit platters.

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My latest weight loss update (guest post for Teresa Shields Parker):

Failure Leads to Transformation

For all weight loss updates go HERE.

 

 

 

 

When the Hospital Gown Doesn’t Fit

Posted on by under grace, obsesity, weight loss, Weight Loss Journey

Has it ever happened to you? You’re in the doctor’s office or getting an x-ray and you can’t find a gown that fits right?

One day I was at a doctor’s appointment with my two year old daughter. The doctor ordered a knee x-ray, but I had jeans on. A nurse came in with some XL shorts to put on so I could walk down the hallway to the x-ray room. Seems simple enough, right?

The fact is, for some people, XL simply won’t work. For many years I have struggled with my weight. This isn’t a measly 30 pounds or so. Think “top-of-the-BMI” charts super morbid obesity. No matter how much I tugged, the shorts would not fit.

hospitalgown

We try again

“I’ll go find a gown instead,” the nurse said as she left the room.

When she walked in with a regular gown a few minutes later, I sent her out again to look for a large sized one.

She was gone for what felt like a long time. In reality, it was probably 5 minutes. But it was long enough for my mind to track down it’s familiar paths of self-hatred. While nothing was spoken out loud, my head was filled with,

“I am so embarrassed. This is ridiculous. How can I be so stupid to let myself get this fat again? I hate this. I’m so gross.”

Finally, the nurse returned. After a thorough search, she had not been able to find a large gown. Instead, she returned with another regular sized gown and suggested that I put one on front and one on my back. It was hot and stuffy in the office. I managed to get both gowns on, but they were painfully pinching my upper arms, and my rear STILL wasn’t covered!

Third attempt

Feeling terribly uncomfortable and annoyed, I rigged up a solution. I put the first gown (barely) on the normal way, leaving several snaps undone. I put my t-shirt back on over that, and then tied the other gown around my waist, so it covered my lower half. At last there was a way to walk down the hallway without improper exposure.

By this time I was red-faced, irritable, and the inner thoughts, rambled on full of self-loathing and disgust.

“Ugh. I’m so gross. I’m so fat and ugly. This is hopeless.”

Initially, my two year old curly-haired daughter had been quietly looking at board books. I was so absorbed in trying to get covered, that I nearly forgot she was in the room. Turning around once more to make sure I was fully covered, I was startled to see her big blue eyes looking up at me in awe.

“MOMMY?” she squealed.

“Mommy!” she said again, in a hushed, serious tone,

“You wook wike a pwincess!”

Tears filled my eyes. Her words were such a contrast to what had been going on in my mind. The room was quiet and suddenly my thoughts were halted. It was a gift from God, her speaking to me that day.

Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you. 1

I no longer cared that the hospital gown didn’t fit. I only knew I was loved. Yes, loved by this darling toddler. But also loved by my heavenly Father, who didn’t want me to keep talking to myself negatively.

It’s true that I am overweight. I have sinned so many times with overeating the food God has blessed me with. But the reality is that I also have a loving, amazing, forgiving Heavenly Father who calls me His child. My 2-year old was correct.

Royal Daughters Come in All Sizes

I am a princess. His princess. He looks at me through the blood of Christ, who suffered and died on my behalf. ALL of those sins have been forgiven. Even the many, many times I have run to food instead of Him.

My ambition is to feast on the love that He has for me. His grace is the only motivation that will make me long to eat and drink and do all things for His glory.2

Four years have passed since that episode with my daughter. Occasionally those thoughts still crop up in my mind, but it has become less and less. I am staking all my hopes in Christ; I am basking in the love He has for me. My weight struggles continue but I have hope that I will be able to win this battle. Thankfully, the war has already been won.

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.3

By His grace progress has been made, and will continue.

1Jeremiah 31:3b (AMP)

2I Corinthians 10:31

3Psalm 34:6 (ESV)

Your comments are always welcomed and appreciated.

GraceTruth-600x800

In our Weakness, He is Strong

Posted on by under health, trust

All it takes is one look, and you can see my biggest weakness.    It’s time for me to make some life changes, because the stakes are getting high.

 

My grace is sufficient

This past Christmas I had once again succombed to my sugar addiction and was feeling absolutely miserable.

One day I was looking for books on Amazon and came across Sweet Grace:  How I Lost 250 Pounds and Stopped Trying to Earn God’s Favor, by Teresa Shields Parker.  At my request, Dean bought this book for my Christmas present.

About six weeks ago I joined the Sweet Change support group, and Teresa became a mentor and coach for my weight loss journey.  She challenged me to write on the topic  “Why I want to live” and said she intended to post it on her website.

This was perhaps the most challenging thing I’ve ever written, because it feels vulnerable to share about my greatest weakness. However with encouragement from Teresa, my husband and others, I agreed.

You can read it here:

http://teresashieldsparker.com/i-want-to-live/