THANK YOU!!!

To those of you who have been sending such kind comments I am very grateful. I am not very computer savvy at times and am still trying to figure out how to reply to comments. However, I wanted you to know that I am deeply grateful, they motivate me more than words can say, and they make me want to dig deeper into my journey both spiritually and physically!

SO,

THANK YOU!!!

Please if you know of anyone struggling with weight or health issues related to food please share this blog. I don't know everything, but sometimes I have felt so alone, as if no one really understood how I felt when I failed with my weight loss or health goals.

Stay focused and come with me on your own journey on Steps to a Healthier Me!

In Christian Love, Leah

Lemons!

There are many uses for this sour little fruit. I have heard of many of them. They run the gauntlet from weight loss to acne control. Yet, this sour little fruit could have easily been over looked if people had only relied on their taste buds. I personally love to eat lemons, but most folks don’t go around sucking on lemons or eating lemon wedges that I know. Someone went past that first sour taste and found a wealth of goodies!

Let’s look at the lemon.

It can help with acne problems. Put a little fresh lemon juice on affected areas and go to sleep. Wash your face in the morning. You are letting the low pH of the lemon that makes it antiseptic work on your face naturally.

If you need a pick me up because you are tired, cut open a lemon and take a smell. It also helps to relieve anxiety in this manner too. I saw a picture of a hiker with a lemon cut open, a straw inserted, and he was sipping away because it was providing him with hydration and an energy boost!

If you get sores in your mouth, then rinsing with lemon juice diluted in water will help them heal.

It really helps with colds and fevers to mix lemon, honey and hot water into a nice cup of lemon tea to sip on every couple of hours too. To help relieve your sore throat and help with tonsillitis you should dilute lemon juice, water and salt to gargle every hour or so. And you don’t have to worry about swallowing the gargle like you do Listerine!

It even helps with halitosis. In other words bad breath - even smokers breath!

It can act as a pain reliever too. Just drink the juice of one lemon in water once per day.

And of course, those of us who are looking to lose some weight should jump start our day with a cup of hot water and the juice of one lemon. You can keep your metabolism boosted throughout the day with a cup of water, the juice of a lemon and a dash or two of cayenne pepper.

Lemons, they are truly one of God’s powerhouse plants that we can use to help feed our families and to keep us well. Yet, they teach us another lesson too. Sometimes things that are good for us don’t always taste good, or it takes an acquired taste to handle and appreciate.

Sometimes, I feel that way about some of the things in the Bible. When a new movie comes out that I think would be so funny, sometimes I want to justify it to myself and go see it even though I know that the content will not be holy. Yet, I know if I go to that movie theater or Netflix or the TV and watch a movie filled with cursing, or fornication or (name your poison), then I have used my time and my money to glorify sin.

Movies are just one source of things that make being a Christian hard sometimes. I have to choose to pick God and His ways over things that sometimes everyone else is doing and I just don’t want too. I would rather go along with the crowd, and sometimes unfortunately I do and it always brings me guilt. When I am watching something in mixed company especially that is racy, I can feel my cheeks heating up, and I get squirmy in my seat wishing I was somewhere else, yet it was I that chose to be there.

As I focus on getting spiritually and physically healthy I have had to suck on some lemons lately. I have had to dig deep into my mental basket of craziness and take a look at some things that make me tick. Some of those things have been buried deep and have been ignored for way too long, but now that I am dealing with them, I am coming to see that purging the brain of ugliness is so wonderful, especially when you are trying to fill your mind with good things.

Just like lemons at first seem to bitter and sour for good use I can take some of those bad memories and turn them into good use too. How? I can relate to folks going through things I have already been through, and if I learn to deal with those problems in a godly way then I can help them learn to do the same.

Galatians 6:2 - Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

God wants us to help one another. I can tell you that every time I have attempted weight loss it was very frustrating to get guidance from a bean pole that had never had to lose a massive amount of weight. I was grateful and I was thankful for their help, but I never felt like they understood where I was coming from.

My aunt Jean had breast cancer. She fought it for many years before it claimed her life. One day I was visiting with her and as we chatted she made this comment.

“I have really valued Heather. She talks to me and tells me about things she experienced in her fight against cancer, and she knows how I feel.” I will never forget that look on her face or the sound of love and appreciation for that link she had with my cousin. Heather fought cancer as a teen in high school and thankfully continues to be in remission today.

I learned from that conversation that you can truly help ease someone’s burdens by sharing like experiences. It bears out in the trials of life whether they be illness, death or weight loss. It is very true concerning being a Christian. God knew this and encouraged/commanded us to fellowship with Christians on a very regular basis.

You can become one of God’s powerhouse Christian encouragers by sharing your experiences with others and trying to help them. Get busy studying God’s Word so that you can teach it! Look for folks struggling with things you have experienced and reach out to them with the love of the Lord! You’ll benefit just as much as they will!

So today, don’t walk around looking like you have been sucking on lemons. Dwelling on your failures won’t change them. Ignoring problems will not make them disappear. But if you look at them with a heart seeking God’s ways in dealing with them then you will be able to make those sour lumps in your life into sweet lemonade! Then you can share it with the world around you!

Thank you all for the encouragement on my journey to a Healthier Me. I hope your day is filled with goal accomplishing steps. I hope you fill you mind with the wonderful words of God. I look forward to hearing from you about your successes! They keep me going and I thank you for sharing!

 or

What do a Tooth Brush and a Bible have in common?

As I walk along the journey I am on to a Healthier Me, I find myself cruising websites for health information. Since there is heart disease in my family I want to look into ways to incorporate better heart health in my new lifestyle. So, and I admit I had already heard this but wanted to know more, I looked at the health benefits of proper teeth brushing and how to do it properly.

Amazingly, people with high amounts of bacteria in their mouths that lead to gum diseases often are found with hardened arteries. Hardened arteries result in higher blood pressure, less constriction/expansion of your arteries, and possible stoke, to name a few problems. Wow! Just by taking the time to brush your teeth you can help your heart!

So, how long does it take to brush your teeth? If, you spend the recommended 2 minutes brushing twice a day and another 2 minutes once a day to floss, that is a total of 6 minutes. You’ll have better looking teeth, better breath, and a healthier heart.

Much like not brushing our teeth causes hardening of the arteries, which is part of our circulatory system pumped by the heart, not reading our Bibles on a daily basis causes a hardening of our hearts.

Think of Pharaoh in those first several chapters of Exodus. He refused to hear God’s message. He would be tempted to have a change of heart, but then his heart hardened; it turned back to what he wanted. Look at what all it took to change his heart enough to let the people go.

1.       The water turned to blood. Imagine turning on the water in your home and it was all blood. No baths, no clean dishes, no cooking, no laundry, no swimming in the pool, and you can’t even go to the store and buy water because ALL the water has turned to blood. The bloody water lasted for 7 days!

2.       Then here come the frogs. I would drop dead of a heart attack. Pharaoh did give in, but once God had taken the frogs away he changed his mind/hardened his heart.

3.       Lice. Have you ever had to get rid of lice? Imagine the massive infestation. All over the animals and the people. MISERY! Pharaoh would not change his mind. His heart remained hard.

4.       Then flies swarmed in. I bet that was one miserable existence swatting pesky flies! Yet Pharaoh still would not change his mind. His heart remained hard or he was stubborn.

5.       Then he caused disease to fall upon the animals. This would be akin to all the cars breaking down and many of our food sources being corrupted. Imagine the noise of animals in pain. Yet, Pharaoh would not change his heart. He would not let the will of God in.

6.       Then there came boils. I had a boil once in high school. Imagine a zit on MAJOR steroids. It hurt so badly! Yet, even when the Egyptian people were covered with them, Pharaoh too, he still refused to listen to and obey God’s commands.

7.       Hail. It was a terrible hail storm. It destroyed all vegetation and it struck down the animals and people in the fields. Did Pharaoh change is mind? NO. His heart stayed hard.

8.       Then the locusts came. Whatever was left of the crops or vegetation that could be gleaned from the wreckage of the hail was destroyed by the locusts. Pharaoh still remained with his hard heart.

9.       Then darkness came. It was like an ominous warning of the last plague. Three days with no light. As Christians we know the light is God. It was still not enough. Pharaoh would not let God in his heart.

10.   Then the sad day of the death of the first born in each Egyptian family. Pharaoh finally allowed the people to go as God requested, but only after a terribly high price had been paid.

Even after all of this, Pharaoh once again changed his mind after the people where on their way, and his actions resulted in a mortal blow to the Egyptian nation. His change of mind caused the death of many of their men in the Red Sea as they chased the Israelites to return them to captivity.

So how does this lesson from the Bible tie in with brushing our teeth?

I look at it like this, if I want God to be #1 in my heart, I have to let HIM in. He doesn’t slip in without me knowing it. He doesn’t come in without being invited. I won’t know what to do in order for Him to be able to stay in my heart. So I must take the time to properly read my Bible each day to keep God in my heart and the world out. The world’s ways of thinking are what make my heart hard.

God wants to be in our hearts. He wants us to have healthy hearts, both spiritually and physically. So, if you are struggling with things in life you need to do some self-examination.

I love the phrase, “Make the main THING the MAIN thing.” If God fills your heart it is so much easier to turn away from temptations in life.

If I don’t brush my teeth then I will have mostly likely have tooth and gum problems, and possibly have hardening of my arteries. Without proper devotion to Bible study, then my spiritual heart will be hardened to the will of God. Both can lead to death.

As always, I thank you for your support. I hope you have great success with all of your goals for the day. If you do make a mistake, fall off the wagon, eat a bag of cookies, or fail in any way don’t quit. Just take inventory. Stop and think. Repent if necessary. Pray for strength. Reach out to someone who knows your struggles and can help you over the bump in the road.

God’s blessings to you all! Leah

What No Magic?

How many times have you wished for overnight success? How about a magic pill to help with weight loss? How many times have you thought if you just had the right Bible study program to follow that you would be a more dedicated Bible student? There are some words that really hinder accomplishing goals. They are: If only _____.  When _____ happens.  I need ____.

I wish I could take a picture for you to see the number of books in my home. I have books that address marriage issues, how to work/fix relationships, binge eating, overeating, food addiction, handling anger, living with and overcoming addiction, healthy nutrition, exercise books, and a vast number of books to aid with Bible study. Yet, if you asked me right now I would have to tell you that I failed as a wife, I struggle with my temper, I have a hard time keeping addictions under control, and I feel like a poor Bible student. By sharing that with you I am revealing another flaw…I am a negative thinker!

These books along with all the exercise equipment, gym memberships, and dietary supplements/pills that I have bought over the years have been my way of seeking a magic bullet to deal with a major problem. Many of us in America are looking for that magic moment instead of being proactive and productive when it comes to dealing with personal flaws that need attention and improvement.

So today I have been looking for the most effective home exercise routines that can be done with no more monetary investment on my part. I could not help but laugh at myself when I read the following post on WebMD. http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/7-most-effective-exercises?page=3

This little article utilized things I already have at my disposal at home. I have just failed to include the magic of them. What magic? Me and some motivation!

The only magic you need to succeed in your goals from weight loss to being a better Christian is very simple. YOU must become a DOER and not just a thinker of things. Don’t get discouraged because growth takes time. Sometimes it is so SLOOOOOW and others times it is so fast you feel afraid to blink in case you miss something. So make your plan and get busy!

If you are looking for a better method of Bible study and need a “group” to join please join us on FB in the group, “Digging Deep in God’s Word”. We have just started a yearlong Bible study that is already proving to be motivational and growth building for our souls! http://www.facebook.com/groups/282349391779769/?id=284932321521476&ref=notif&notif_t=group_activity

And if you need group support on a budget for emotional eating programs or support system(s) please feel free to contact me at stepstoahealthierme@gmail.com or check this link to find a nearby group of Overeaters Anonymous http://www.oa.org/meetings/find-a-meeting.php Sometimes we need the support, encouragement and sense of belonging that comes with a group striving for the same things. God knew this and encouraged us to fellowship with other Christians, and it works in the weight loss area too! Magic is just an illusion...God is real and His ways heal!

Of course don’t fail to seek the Heavenly Father out in prayer and through Bible study. After all He is the best friend with some awesome powers that you will ever have. If you don’t know Him and would like to learn more about Him I’ll be glad introduce you to Him though Bible study.

As always, I can’t express my thanks for your continued encouragement and support on my journey to a Healthier Me.

Distracted!!!

                                                                   DISTRACTED!?!

“Sheri Harris”

This morning’s bible reading was wonderful. One major lesson that I took this morning is to never take our eyes off our Lord. Eve's fall was immediate when she took her eyes off God and listened to Satan's lies. The challenge is ever set before us to keep our eyes on our Lord and Savior and draw close to him. Resist the devil and he will flee from you! James 4:7-8 Have a blessed day!

Today, I started a new Bible study with a lot of other women all over America. It really makes me more aware of the power of the Internet! As I walked behind the recliner, with my Bible open to Genesis, my Zune playing Genesis in my ears, ankle weights on, walking weights in my hand, water in easy reach and my flip flops a poppin’ (I do my walking inside in my flip flops!) I had several thoughts! However, the above nugget is a thought Ms. Sheri Harris had that led me to the message of this blog.

                                    (This is my cheap tread mill and podium!)

When it comes to weight loss and setting goals I am a MASTER. I know what works to lose it. I know how to fix and I know what types of food I need, and I know the quantity of food I need in order to lose weight. Even if I had no access to the Internet, a public library or a bookstore whatsoever, in my home alone, there are enough books from healthy cookbooks, to exercise books, to self help books about self image, weight loss, binge eating, emotional eating, etc., etc, that I could start with ZERO knowledge and read myself into a healthier lifestyle. BUT, the problem is not having access to the tools I need to succeed. It is NOT sticking to my word.

WOW. What a concept. NOT STICKING TO MY WORD.

If I don’t stick to my word what does that make me? A LIAR, which is the flip side of that little coin.

Now, before I get all down on myself I must remind myself that I am human. It is okay to make mistakes, but it is not okay to ignore them, to continue making them, and to be unrepentant of them.

Let us go to Eve’s life lessons in Genesis 1-3. I would dare to say she was the most perfect woman that ever lived when it comes to physical attributes. She was made by God Almighty. She also lived in a paradise! Her yard was most likely filled with flowers and trees, and rivers, and animals, and she was married to the most perfect man that was ever made. (I am just supposing that the 1^st man and woman God made were HIS best. Yet, at THEIR time they definitely fit the bill for best of everything!) However, all that was just fluff compared to getting to walk in the evenings with God in the midst and talk with HIM and get to hear HIM talk back to them.

Think about that. How many times have you just been disgusted with some failure, or problem, or hurt that led you to just pour your soul out to the Lord in prayer? While the pouring it out cleanses my soul, and the reading of HIS word draws me nearer to HIM. Sometimes, I would give ANYTHING, to be able to HEAR His reassuring blessings.

Eve’s life was pretty simple. Gen. 2:15 lets us know God wanted Adam to dress and keep the garden. Eve was his helper. They did not have issues of body image between them. He was the best looking man she had ever seen, and she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. They did not have concerns about rent, or utilities, or how to buy groceries. They didn’t even have children to care for yet. They certainly did not deal with negative censorship of worldly people for following God.

How many times have you said, “I’ll start tomorrow.” Or “If I only had this exercise video.” Or “If I just had someone to exercise with.” Or “----your excuse here----“?

Eve really had no excuse to blame her momentary lapse on, other than her human nature. This is a perfect example of what happens when we are distracted from God in any way. IT GIVES SATAN ON OPENING TO DESTROY OUR SOUL.

I wonder if Eve had that stomach jumping into your throat moment when she took the bite of forbidden fruit. I wonder how she felt when she first saw that she was naked. I wonder what kind of look the Devil expressed on that serpent’s face. I wonder why Adam ate it. I wonder what she said to Adam that got him to eat it. I wonder. I wonder. I wonder.

Adam and Eve displayed typical human behavior. It is natural for kids to attempt to hide mistakes at a young age from the adults in their lives. It is natural for kids to blame others too. Think about it. How many times while raising kids have you really believed that He/She Did It, or I Didn’t Do It, or Nobody really were live invisible people who lived in your home?

There have been times that I have looked at empty food packages and thought, “Did I really eat all of that?” There have been times when I have been the Devil’s tool to sabotaging myself. Like Eve, I took my focus off of God, and my goals, and failed.

To sum this rambling blog up here are some thoughts.

1.    Eve had it all, but messed up. God punished her, but also provided a way back to HIM if she chose to follow the way.

2.    The Devil may win battles here and there on earth, but thankfully, Jesus the promised one in Genesis 3:15, has won the heavenly eternal battle and all is good.

3.    I can see through this wonderful example that God, the Father of all mankind, loves the people (ME) that He created, that He will punish mistakes as a good parent should, that He will provide a way to come back into His good graces, and thanks to my favorite verse Philippians 4:13, I know I can do anything as long as I keep looking to HIM.

We are not perfect. We will fail here and there. BUT, when we fail we must get up, repent, and go forward. I challenge you today to study God’s word, to learn what repentance truly & Biblically is, and to not stay in the same old rut.

I am grateful for you. I am thankful for all encouraging words as I travel this journey to a Healthier Me. I hope we are on a wonderful journey together to becoming spiritually and physically fit workers for God’s ARMY!