I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14
Twenty five years ago, I lost 25 pounds by following the program described by a major weight loss company, after keeping it off for several years, I went to work for the company and stayed with them for 16+ years, even when I left I continued attending meetings, keeping a journal, etc. Certainly my weight would fluctuate a few pounds here and there, but for the most part, I kept all that weight off…until the last 4 years…slowly some of it has crept back on. It does not seem to matter how much I exercise or what I eat, the weight does not want to come off. When I had my yearly physical last November I even cried about it in the doctor’s office. Since we moved here in 2007 and I had only seen this doctor twice, she didn’t know me any other way, but she was so compassionate and gentle…while I complain that I am fat, she reminded me that I am not fat, I look OK, and all my numbers (cholesterol, blood pressure, etc.) look really good. My point is this…as I get older, I am REALLY. STRUGGLING. WITH. MY. BODY. IMAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Am I the only one experiencing this? I know there are several 30 somethings that read my blog, I don’t know if you can relate or not, but surely there are some 45+ somethings out there that can relate. Did anyone ever tell you that your metabolism slows down at 30? How about the difference after 35, 40, 45…do I even HAVE a metabolism anymore?!? 🙂
For the record, I do get aerobic activity 4-6 times per week, I do eat healthy 90% of the time and I do try to lift weights 2-3 days a week.
Last week, I told my husband, I know what the problem is…I am getting older and I am having real trouble accepting the changes that are happening to my body, inside and out. But changes in my body is how He designed me and He doesn’t make mistakes. My body is not a car that I can trade in once it gets a few miles on it, although that might be kind of nice. Can you imagine picking out a body…I’ll take those thighs, let’s see, how about that nose with those eyes and arms…I want GREAT arms…really!?!?! Thank goodness, He doesn’t let US do the picking, if He did, I am sure I would mess it up!
So…what is my point…read the verse above…just as I said earlier this week that while my life isn’t perfect, it is MY life and I want to enjoy what God has given me, the blessings he has bestowed on me…well, my body is just that, MY body, a gift from God. I KNOW that I am doing my best (most of the time) to maintain a healthy lifestyle and honor God with my body, therefore, I need to embrace the fact that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, I am HIS, HE is mine and HE made ME…in his image, fearfully and wonderfully!
Lord, I really, really need to fully embrace this concept and stop complaining. Please help me do so. Please continue to remind me that You are in charge and have a plan…thank you for the body I have, with all of it’s imperfections. I know you put them there for a reason. Thank you for this day and the blessings I know you have in store for me. Please continue to work in the lives of those I love, bless them and keep them safe. Please bless those I have promised to pray for…you and I both know who they are, especially be with those that read this blog.
One positive note…I have increased and changed my exercise, added some cross training (biking) and signed up for a 4 miler on July 4th. Last night, I actually RAN for 30 minutes (my walk was longer, but I RAN for 30 minutes), when compared to people like my friend Beth, my running would look like a walk, but hey…I am me, remember, fearfully and wonderfully! Little baby steps…accepting my body starts with baby steps…thank you Lord, for baby steps!
Am I the only one that struggles with this???
I bet you'd beat me in a race! 🙂 I had a friend once who said to me "why bother?" because I run so slow, and sometimes I ask myself, but lately I do enjoy it. Congrats on running for 30 minutes! I know just how long that can be.
I lost 40lbs 3 years ago and have done an okay job of keeping it off, but recently it has started coming back as well.
I just try to keep up the exercise and lay off the food..:) Carbs do me in, but God blessed me with lots of desire for them 🙂
Great blog post! Thanks for sharing.
Keep in mind that we all have "issues" no matter how big or small. Some of us have to deal with the utter lack of certain assets and some of us with more than our share. Also remember that no matter how big or small, I think every woman has things that she likes and dislikes about herself. I'm already learning to accept the changes that occur with aging, especially as I approach 40 this summer…
Oh yeah – it is a struggle. This after 40 + having birthed six kids body image thing is difficult. I'm realizing how vain I am. Yet as you point out – all we can do is our best and He made us just as He wants us. The car/body idea might be interesting however.
Congratulations on running 30 minutes – I struggle to do 5.
Uff da. Hello. I just need to get moving . . . but I just keep talking about it and do things in fits and starts. I don't want to have an heart attack to motivate me. I've started eating better already, now it's time to MOVE. My husband is going to buy me a bike this summer so that PE with my youngest can be riding our bikes on Ford Island (where we live) . . . I can't wait. I don't care if I look like a clown, it's fun!
But, I think about this since I'll be 41 this year (it's hard to believe, actually). And, you wrote what I feel to the letter. I have a hard time facing up to the fact I'm aging . . . and yours is a kind reminder that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Praise God!
I'm blogging at http://prayer4thejourney.wordpress.com since I cannot get on and blog at So . . . This is the Road I'm Traveling On.
Hope to see you at my blog! God bless!
Of course you're not the only one who struggles with this! I noticed I started gaining weight around the age of 35. By 40 I was quite hefty, I didn't get pregnant with Michaela till I was 38(almost 39) and struggled after to get the weight from my pregnancy off. It's only been in the past year or 2 that my weight has stabilized. It took me 5 years to get the baby weight off! I'm not thin now but I'm average weight. I could use more exercise, though. Kudos to you for running!
P.S. (I wear those shorts that go over bathing suits when I go to the beach. Need I say more? lol )
Mary,
I think that we must be kindred spirits! I am so glad that I read your post today as I can so relate to what your are experiencing. What a blessing your words have been to me today.
I, like you, have struggled with my weight all of my life and I also struggle with my body image. My daughter is getting married in August and I wanted to shed a few pounds for that occasion so I hired a trainer to help me. I was on a great track and had made good progress when my mom had a heart attack May 8th and my life changed drastically…living at the hospital and then the skilled nursing facility. Everything else was put on hold.
She is back home now, and I go back to work Monday and back to my trainer.
To me, it sounds like you are doing all the right things. Make sure you are getting enough calories as it sounds like you are getting a lot of exercise. Your body will plateau if it thinks you are starving your self. Intervals also helps…but it sounds like you are doing that.
It is our age that we are fighting but truly you seem to be doing all the right things and I just encourage you to celebrate those victories and that you ARE fearfully and wonderfully made.
blessings to you
~a
Dear Mary…I've now lived 6 decades and in a few months I'll add another year to the counting. Since my late 30's I've added weight each year. I'd diet and take off a few pounds here but always put it back on and then some. But hitting this milestone of 60 last year was like the scales falling from my eyes. It's been a struggle but so far since the first of the year I've lost 16 pounds. There is much more that needs to come, but because I've made my change in eating habits something that I can live with…just small simple little baby steps..a few today…master those and move on to "do the next thing"…I have hope that I WILL reach my goal. You will too! 😉 Remembering that you (and I) are fearfully and wonderfully made is a GREAT starting place!
Thank you for your continued prayer support for me regarding that which has been hard to leave with the Lord. I received a card in the mail two days ago that reminded me that Jesus isn't on the sidelines cheering me on, but that He is the midst of the situation with me! What encouragement that gave me!
Just wait until you hit 50 and try to lose weight – arrghhh! I think women are too hard on themselves and compare ourselves to the image that the media has bombared us with. Good for you in running. I am very impressed! I would like to just walk for 30 minutes! LOL!!
You are not only to struggle with this. I am also with you. As I am also following program from fitness center.
Indeed, and add any medical issues as I have to the mix and it does take a toll on your self-esteem. My medical issues literally prevent the weight from coming off. It is the worst cross to bear.
Praying for you as you navigate these waters.