Food Issues

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Every year at this time, I vow to diet, give up sugar, and lose weight.  It seems like every year my "losing weight" goal increases, from 20 pounds, to 25 pounds, to 30 pounds, etc... Something isn't working.  I have been praying about this issue for years now, trying to overcome it through various books, programs, exercise plans, support groups - you name it.   Those who know me well have seen me go through these  seasons where I been successful at times, but then I fall off track again, and it is a vicious cycle.  In fact, even writing about it here on my blog has been evidence of the many, many times I have tried and then failed.

As I have prayed about this issue in my life (which seems to be one of my biggest issues), God has recently led me to some new resources that are causing me to examine the real, root cause of this struggle in my life.  Most of us do have food issues, and we think "If I just start exercising again, or just stop eating junk food or carbs, I will get back on track."  It works for awhile, but then we go back to our old ways, because we haven't really dealt with the root of our struggles.

I was at a used bookstore two weeks ago and ran across this book called Thin Within by Judy Halliday for only $1.00.  Every page I read seems to change my life a little more.  This book is not a diet plan, but teaches you how to recognize when you are truly hungry (using through a hunger scale from 0-10), and eat until you are comfortable, not stuffed (a 3-5 on the scale).  Whereas other plans sometimes use Scripture to make you feel as though you are sinning if you overeat, this is a "grace based" book that encourages simple observation and correction when you make a mistake.  The entire book is full of loving encouragement and no condemnation or guilt-based theology.  She does not tell you what to eat, and actually encourages you to throw away your diet books.  This is definitely a new way of thinking for me.

The second book is one that a friend recommended, and it is called "Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food" by Lysa Terkeurst.  This book is easy to read with humor throughout, and you feel as though you are talking to a girlfriend.  I am reading this together with "Thin Within" and the messages are very similar although communicated differently.  Both of these books have 5 stars from reviewers on Amazon, and it is easy for me to see why. I would give them both 5 stars too!  You can visit Lysa's website here, and she has authored other great books as well.

I have not lost any sudden weight or feel as though I have finally overcome my issues.  Yet these two books are opening my eyes to the deep-set beliefs and patterns that have been set in my life for years.  I never really realized before that my true food issues have stemmed not from what I was eating, but from why I was eating.  I look forward to seeing how God continues to work in my heart through these books and hope they encourage you too!