I want to share my recent experiences with you in this blog. I am neither a doctor, medical practitioner, dietician or nutritionist. I am writing about my experience and what I learned from it. This is my journey, and I hope it encourages you and helps you on yours.
COVID Kilos
I know I’m not alone in this, but at the start of the first lockdown in 2020, I started eating quite unhealthily. While I still went for a brisk walk each day, I enjoyed way too much chocolate and other snacks most evenings, which went on for the two years of lockdowns. The result? I found myself the heaviest I’ve ever been and tipped the scales at 96 kg.
I’m tall and could carry the extra weight without anyone noticing, but I noticed. My shirts and trousers seemed to shrink every time they were washed, and some no longer fit. I needed to choose: either I bought new clothes or lost weight. I decided on the latter.
A Shock
The decision to cut the COVID kilos was spurred on by a visit to my doctor for a regular check-up, including blood tests. The results alarmed me because they came back indicating that I was pre-diabetic and needed to go on medication to correct it. I asked my GP if there was anything else I should do. He poked me in the belly and said, “Losing some of this would be a good start.” I’ve known him for a few decades, so his response did not surprise me.
It was the incentive I needed, along with the increasingly tight clothing, to do something to correct the two years of less-than-healthy eating and subsequent weight gain.
My Response
From that day, I started eating healthily and exercising. My exercise schedule included (and still includes) three gym sessions per week, Pilates once a week, and brisk walking every day. That, combined with eating high-fibre fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and good fats, led to a steady decline in my weight over the next year or two. I’ve avoided starches and processed “foods” as well as sugar, chocolate, and high-carb, sugary drinks.
I am very focused when I set my mind to something, a quality that has served me well throughout my life. So, I maintained my healthy discipline throughout 2022 and 23. The result was a total weight loss of 17 kilos. I still had to buy some new clothes, but now it was because my old ones were too loose!
I returned to my doctor for blood tests. The results showed that I was no longer pre-diabetic, and I came off the medication. I am NOT suggesting that weight loss can prevent or heal all medical conditions, but it has worked for me.
God’s Help
I don’t want to underestimate the encouragement I received from God and the scriptures in my weight loss journey. Losing weight is hard, and keeping it off is equally as tricky. But God is always present to help us. And that’s a key: constantly relying on the strength of the Holy Spirit.
The fruit of the Spirit includes forbearance and self-control. Forbearance means patience and restraint, and self-control is self-evident. We need these qualities with whatever we set our minds to achieve. So many other scriptures are helpful, and I’ve included a list at the end of this blog.
What Else?
If you want to lose a few kilos, there are a few other things that I’d encourage you to consider. Firstly, talk to your doctor and ask for their guidance. You may be on medication that makes weight loss difficult or have conditions that need to be monitored. Ask their advice about foods to avoid and discover what works for you.
Secondly, be realistic about your body type and work with what you’ve got. The media constantly bombards us with “beautiful” bodies. Social media is the worst. I especially feel for young people who are confronted with unachievable body images, often from photoshopped pictures. A few people are genetically blessed, but most don’t fall into that category. You can’t change your genetics, but you can make the best of what you have.
Lifestyle Choice
Achieving a healthy weight is a lifestyle choice. Understand that certain foods are not appropriate for you and find alternatives. Be aware of instant gratification. Ask yourself, is the short-term enjoyment of this (fill in the blank) more significant than the long-term enjoyment of the benefits of sustaining a healthy weight—of feeling better about myself, being healthier, and being more comfortable in my clothes?
Healthy eating and exercise are lifestyle choices that help you avoid fad diets and the trap of losing weight only to gain it again. They also allow you to embrace a health-giving future. People live longer than ever, but our extra time sometimes reduces our quality of life. Rather than lifespan, we should make healthspan our focus. Why would we want to live longer if the last decade or two of our lives were spent in doctors’ surgeries and specialists’ waiting rooms?
Patience
The weight loss journey is long. Patience is critical, especially when your weight plateaus, which can last weeks or months. Stay cheerful, optimistic, and focused on the benefits during these times.
I’ve also found planning to be incredibly valuable. Making a meal plan, preparing food in advance, and cooking extra so there are lunches for the next day(s) are all good tips. And don’t get addicted to the scales. If you use them, make sure they are good ones and have an accountability buddy if you need one.
By doing all this, I lost excess weight and feel great and full of energy. I am now maintaining weight by embracing a healthy lifestyle, exercising daily, and eating well. I hope my story encourages you to do the same.
Scriptures to Help You
Proverbs 16:3, Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Psalm 145:15-16, The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
Psalm 63:5, I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
Lamentations 2:22-23, The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Philippians 4:6-7, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 40:31, Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.
Romans 12:1, Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Matthew 4:4, Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’
Isaiah 26:3, You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.
Psalm 32:8, I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
1 Corinthians 10:13: No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity.
And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?
You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honour God with your bodies.
1 Corinthians 10:31, So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Hebrews 12:11, No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those trained by it.
Matthew 6:25, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”
1 Timothy 4:8, For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
1 Corinthians 9:24, Do you not know that all the runners run in a race, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
