When faced with life's challenges,
it is Important to Remember
that although Daniel was saved from the lions,
he was not saved from the Lion's Den.


Thursday, November 18, 2010

The Scale is Not My Friend

"Don't step on it.....it makes you cry"

As many of you know, I have become a dieting fiend.  I have been eating next to nothing and losing weight that took me years to put on.  I have lost over 40 lbs.  It has been hard, discouraging work.  I would venture to say that it has been one of the hardest things I have ever done. 
Food has always been my way of treating myself.  When we could not afford many things, I could always cook cinnamon rolls from scratch, make up a few cookies, and even experiment with packaged cake mixes.  I love to cook.  I love the smell that wafts through my kitchen when something is baking.  I love the planning, the preparation and the actual event of eating. 
So, dieting has made me change a lot of areas in my life.  It has made me learn patience, tenacity, and will-power.  I still have a ways to go.  I still need to lose some more of the weight before I am through.  I have learned that I will probably have to "diet" all the rest of my life.  It doesn't mean I can never have treats.  After all, moderation should be good in all things!  However, I can't treat myself every day.  I can't eat sugar like it is one of the four food groups.  (And probably the main one at that). 
So, I now have rituals that I go through to give me the motivation I need to continue on this path.  The first one is the weigh in.  As soon as I get up in the morning, I weigh myself on the bathroom scale.  I am always nervous for this part.  Did I eat too much yesterday?  Did I cheat?  Do my pajamas weigh 10 lbs or only 2?  You know, all those fun things that run through your mind.  Yesterday, I stepped on my scale and it read simply "LO".  What????  Seriously??? I have never seen that one before.  Does it miss the days of sagging under my weight?  Why in the world would it say "LO"?  I know that I have not lost THAT much weight.  So, I came to find out that the battery is not working correctly and now I can't weigh myself until I get a new one.  It doesn't show anything except "LO".  What is a woman to do???  I seriously thought about making some Oreo truffels to celebrate.  But, instead, I am still being nearly reasonable.  I only snuck off to Subway for a 6 inch sub!  (Totally not on my diet, but can I just say it was heavenly???)

I think that the Holy Ghost (or Holy Spirit) can be a lot like this little scale.  That so small, quiet inner voice that directs us in the way we should go.  Sometimes it reveals things about us that we do not want to know.  We do not want to face.  We do not want to admit. 
Sometimes, it forces us to see ourselves as we really are and to make changes into what we would really like to be.  Sometimes, that small voice just motivates us to be a little better than we originally thought we could.  It helps us to stretch a littler further.  It helps us to fix what is wrong around us and make it right. 
So today, I am thankful for that quiet inner voice that is willing to lead me, motivate me, and encourage me.  I am thankful that I have been taught to listen and obey.  I am actually thankful that it rarely is silenced.  I am thankful that I have been willing to learn from this peaceful, inner voice.   

At the moment, my motivation to continue this diet is gone.  But I know that I will be heading out to Walmart tonight and looking for a little stinkin battery to put back in the scale.  Because, I have learned a lot from that simple, small appliance that reigns over the bathroom of my house. 
And let me just say for the record, It is so NOT my friend!

7 comments:

  1. Oh, I agree about weighing in daily. I learned that back in college when I gained weight at school and had to fight to get it off again. I still weigh in everyday. I have an old stand up scale that you move the weights--so no batteries ever. Congrats on the loss, it is most difficult and I have maintained all these years--escept menopause has hit me hard and now I have got to lose 8 lbs. yikes. I hate it. Maybe that twinkie diet? I love sugar--even bites of brown sugar make me happy.

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  2. I've always laughed at that comic since it is totally me! I hate scales. You are doing so well. 40 pounds is a wonderful achievement!

    And I loved your comments on the Holy Ghost. Thanks for calling and checking up on me. So nice since I only have one other friend that does that. :) Hope you have an awesome Thanksgiving!

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  3. That is quite the accomplishment..that is a huge weight loss, that alone is great motivation. Wish you the best! Love the cartoon:)
    Thank you for visiting our blog. I do treat myself with bits of chocolate here and there and these truffles 'hit the spot'!!

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  4. Ha! I once posted about the scale SO not being our friend! I GET IT!

    Here it is on my other blog.

    http://debbidoesdieting.blogspot.com/2010/10/friend-or-enemy.html

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  5. That comic just cracked me up! Thank you for sharing your story it is very inspiring even if you have lost your will at the moment because you know you will find it again! :)

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  6. Good for you! Be proud of what you've accomplished! Thanks for sharing a bit of your journey with us and have a wonderful weekend!

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  7. Wow! What a weight loss! I agree; taking our food and making it nourishment instead of comfort or a treat or whatever, is a surefire way to get a lesson in self control. I've struggled with food for years. I'm most likely a food addict in recovery, and I probably always will be.

    I think the Holy Spirit does speak to us quietly -- there's such wisdom in those words you wrote. Beautiful BPM!!

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