First a little background: I’m married to the most wonderful man in the world (28 years in Sept.) and we have 6 wonderful children, 3 of them still at home. I’m a stay-at-home mom and we homeschool. We also have 4 grandchildren and are expecting 2 more. My oldest daughter and my daughter-in-law are both due Oct. 5.
I have had a weight problem for several years now. It first started after I met my husband and he convinced me to eat and enjoy instead of the strict eating habits I was following. Does anyone else remember Tab? “Yuck” He was and is a ‘full of life’ kind of guy that enjoys life to the fullest. He didn’t understand that I had a family that was predisposed to weight problems, especially in the stomach, and diabetes. We are a family of big birds (slimmer everywhere else compared to our large midsections, lol). Thankfully I haven’t developed diabetes but my mother died from complications of it and both brothers are diabetic.
I have been steadily gaining throughout the years except during each pregnancy. I would lose without trying but then gain it back plus more while breastfeeding. Pregnancy was an appetite suppressant for me even though I wasn’t sick much. It just didn’t take much for me to get full. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism before my sixth child but I had been having symptoms for several years. I have the autoimmune type because I have tested positive for the antibodies. I also suspect that this is also one reason I lost weight while pregnant because autoimmune problems usually improve while pregnant because the body suppresses these responses so as not to reject the baby.
I also suspect some adrenal problems because no matter what thyroid treatment I try, I do not feel any better. In the past 7 years I have been on Synthroid, Armour, generic T4, generic T4 plus T3(Cytomel) and now back to just generic T4. My doctor is opened to trying different things but I never see much improvement. I don’t feel as cold now and even have begun to sweat some, so I hope my metabolism has improved some. I still stay bone tired all the time and cannot handle much stress so that is why I suspect adrenal problems. My doctor said that there really was no reason to test because she would not treat for this problem. Losing weight and getting more active are her answers to this and my borderline high blood pressure. I’m glad though that she isn’t quick to prescribe medication because I know that an improved diet will improve my health more.
Losing weight has proven to be a real stressful event for me. In the past, even when not pregnant, my body has responded to weight loss efforts by losing some. For example, I lost 40 lbs a few years ago doing Atkins but now when I try, I don’t lose one single pound. Other weight loss efforts have also been unsuccessful or impossible to keep doing for any length of time. So now I have resorted to just reading all the magazines with the big weight loss promises (that’s how I first heard of LDL) but not being able to summon the gumption to try anything more than reading and dreaming.
I love the Lord with all my heart and my greatest desire is to serve Him. He has blessed me so much and I pray that He will use me to bless others. I feel that my weight problem is hindering this because I haven’t allowed Him to heal me. I now have more than 100 lbs to lose. While praying about this situation, I felt He was telling me that I was looking everywhere else instead of Him for the answer so the magazine purchases slowed down a lot. I wasn’t doing anything with what I read anyway. Below is what I wrote in my Bible Study notebook after much prayer. I feel this is what God was telling me and don’t mean to imply that it is for anyone else.
“Being overweight is a symptom of a lack of discipline in my spiritual life as well as my physical life. Do what it takes to be more disciplined. If I keep doing what I’ve always done, things will stay the same.”
He also reminded me of the Bible verse that He has brought to my attention so many times when I have felt unable to handle the stress of everyday life of trying to be a good wife and mother. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
The answer is obvious; I need to concentrate on seeking His Kingdom and He will take care of the rest.
That being said, I felt compelled to take another look at that First article and to look up this website. How excited I was to see the many references to God and how many felt He led them this way. Is this where He wants me to be? I bought the book and it makes a lot of sense. It will completely change how I am now currently eating which should bring a huge improvement in my health. Now comes my apprehension; I don’t want to lose sight of the revelation He has given me and start putting all my faith in this WOE. I pray that it will be a tool that He uses to heal me Spiritually and physically but I want to keep my eyes on Him. Pray that I will continue to seek Him with all my heart.
Sorry this is so long, and if you are still here, I thank you. I pray that we are draw closer to Him each and every day.
Debbie
