In closing...

I want to thank everyone who participated in our SOCC Biggest Loser Club this summer. As a group, we lost nearly 300 pounds. Great job! As I look back over the summer, this blog was therapeutic for me in many ways. Thank you for coming along with me on the journey. God bless!

Susan King's story

I have always had a weight issue (or problem) but really had no motivation to change all that much, because I usually felt pretty good and felt that it did not slow me down at all. I am a busy person and always had a lot of activities with church or kids and now grand kids. About 10 years ago, I felt led to try to lose, which I had never done before, so I lost over a period of about a year, about 100 pounds and then I just stopped losing. I was doing the Weigh Down Workshop as my guide. Slowly, I started putting some weight back on, so I gained back about 60 pounds, but still, I felt ok. Last year, I went through a health screening at work, and found out my blood sugar was too high and my blood pressure was too high and so was my LDL cholesterol. So the nurse told me to get to the doctor, so I did, because I had not really had a physical for a long time. When you are that overweight, you don't want to hear what the doctor has to say, I guess. Well, I found out last year on July 31st, that I have Type 2 Diabetes, which is no big surprise to me, because my Mother's family just reecks of Diabetes. So, I start medication for Diabetes and high blood pressure and cholesterol. I did go to the Bloomington Hospital Diabetes Care Center and took their classes to learn how to eat as a Diabetic. That really helped me figure things out. Anyhow, I started counting carbs and walking every day. The weight started coming off and my clothes became way too big. I have changed sizes about 4 times and I have had to get a new wedding ring that didn't just fall off. My Husband Kevin walks with me and started eating the same way and he has lost some weight also. So far I have lost about 90 pounds and gone down about 8 sizes. Some people don't even recognize me if they haven't seen me for a while. I feel great and my blood sugar is under control now, so that is good. My advise to someone who just doesn't know how to go about losing weight, is to talk to a dietitian if they can. They can recommend a diet that you can live with. I feel the way I eat now I can do the rest of my life with no problems. And don't give up if you have a day where you eat too much or eat something you shouldn't have. They next day can be better. One thing I also learned about myself in this is that is DOES matter what I eat and how much I eat and that I just need to focus on the important stuff and not food so much. And don't believe the lies that you can't lose weight that our enemy sends us every day. You can and God will want you to succeed, that is what he wants for his children.

Go for the gold!

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. - Matthew 6:14

In the 2004 Olympics, the last event was the marathon - 26.2 miles of endurance and pain. At the 22 mile mark, with 4 more miles to go, the leader was Vanderlei de Lima from Brazil. de Lima was ahead by an estimated 35 seconds and was looking strong. A religious zealot from Ireland named Cornelius Horan came out of the crowd and nearly tackled de Lima. Horan hated the way people lifted up athletes to near God statuses and he wanted to protest by destroying someone else's life long dream.

Miraculously, de Lima recovered and began to run again. He was passed by 2 runners and won the bronze medal. 4 years later, his response to the incident was, "I forgive Horan. I was very poor growing up and winning the bronze medal for my country was such an honor." Wow, forgiveness... true forgiveness. Now that's Gold!

Stay tuned tomorrow for another weight loss profile...

The weather changes.

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" - Hebrews 13:5-6

I know it's boring to talk about the weather, but the last few weeks have been incredible! In my life, I have so much clutter and an endless to-do list. Something as simple as a walk on a beautiful day is often exactly what I need. Here's a crazy question... Does weather affect our moods and attitudes much? Seriously, we talk about weather all the time. We have 3 weather stations on our basic cable package for pete's sake! I believe weather reminds us most of our lives constantly changing with seasons of routine and seasons of storms. But here's the good news... With the ever changing world we live in, one thing never changes - The fact that Christ loves us unconditionally and will never leave us!

Have a great Monday!

Reach your potential.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. - Philippians 4:8

I don't know if you had a chance to read yesterday's paper - In the sports section, was the Jennifer Warthan (Hollars) story. She's a home town hero, that's for sure! In 1989 at the cross country state championships, Jennifer was running away from the field with 50 yards to go when her body simply shut down. She tried to get up, but couldn't. She finally crawled and made it to the finish line in 14th place. Heartbreaking to say the least. Years later, her dad said this about the race:

"It was pretty horrible. It was horrifying to know she had the talent and the heart to do it. On the other hand, I was able to take strength in the fact that she was able to push herself to a limit most athletes cannot commit themselves to. Most will never find out how good they are. She was able to find that out."

1 year later, Jennifer came back and won the state championship! I thought about her dad's words... Few people ever push themselves to be the best. How true! We are called as followers of Christ to strive for excellence; to strive to reach our full potential.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:17

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. - Colossians 3:23

Walking: more than exercise for me.

When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. - Genesis 5:21-24

This has been a tough week for me and my family. My mom was in the hospital for several days and yesterday she passed away. Tuesday, I went for a long walk to clear my head. God's presence was with me in such an incredible way. I realized that I've been walking my entire life. I don't mean walking at work or home. I mean LONG walks! It's such a part of who I am. As a kid, I walked to school (just short of a mile) and I loved it. Growing up, we didn't have much money, so I didn't rive until I was 18. How did I get most places? I walked. So for me, walking is not exercise... it's spiritual. Outside I can experience the wonder of God. I confess, I talk to God more when I'm outside than anywhere. He's with me... man is He with me.

In the Old Testament, Enoch walked with God and one day God said, Enoch, you need to come home and walk on the streets with no name! (to quote U2). So walk on, my friends... walk on.

Thoughts for Monday.

Here are some great quotes to start off your week...

"I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because without it, I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows outo f me all the time... Walking and sleeping. Prayer doesn't change God, it changes ME!" - Shadowlands (film starring Anthony Hopkins and Deborah Winger)

"This is what it means to be human 'in the image of God.' It means being free to make choices instead of doing whatever our instincts would tell us to do. It means knowing that some choices are good, and others are bad, and it is our job to know the difference. 'Behold, I have set before you the path of good and the path of evil, the way of life and the way of death. Choose Life.' (Deuteronomy 30:19) That could not be said to any other living creature except Man, for no other creature is free to choose." - Rabbai Harold Kushner

Enjoy your Monday!