Fat War Diaries Part 3

Things continue to progress in a positive way though it is getting harder to shed the kilo’s.

It is impossible to go on a ‘crash diet’ for 5 months. I am learning how lasting change takes place and how to put in place strategies not to go backwards.

For anyone who has struggled to lose weight over a prolonged period, there is one thing you need to get: ACCOUNTABILITY.

It may not be a personal trainer, or even someone particularly fit, but you need to be accountable to someone. I had lost trust in myself to follow any kind of diet and exercise regimen, and really didn’t know how to do it anyway.

I spent a few years either denying, justifying or procrastinating around my weight issues. I needed someone to cut through all the nonsense and excuses and help me see things as they really were.

I believe this principle applies to many issues or life dominating problems that impact us. As believers God has put us in the Body, the local church to get that kind of help and encouragement. Just getting someone else’s perspective can be a great help sometimes.

My PT, Matt has been a coach, friend, example and teacher. We all need a PT from time to time.

So how much accountability was there?

Well I recorded all that I ate and drank and sent it off to Matt each week for his careful scrutiny. I still do this. Matt gave me a calorie counter book that helped me realise how much I was eating. It was scary how many calories were being shovelled down my throat practically at every sitting. Essentially I was eating for 2 people every day, sometimes more.

After about 8 weeks of this kind of accountability I was finally regaining control of what went inside my mouth. The more I said ‘no’ to unnecessary snacks and those ‘second’ helpings, the stronger I became the next day. The fact that I would need to account to someone each week helped me to stick at it.

I was also trying to see God’s hand in what was going on. What spiritual and eternal issues were at stake? I was learning about self control, dealing with pride, lack of character, insecurity, but also the grace, mercy and long suffering of God.

It is possible to lose weight but still be self-reliant rather than God dependent.  If you don’t believe me, just watch Biggest Loser.

but, holding the truth in love, we may grow up to him in all things, who is the head, the Christ: from whom the whole body, fitted together, and connected by every joint of supply, according to the working in its measure of each one part, works for itself the increase of the body to its self-building up in love. Ephesians 4:15-16 (Darby)

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