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Live Well Wednesdays
Newbies and latecomers,
please feel ------------------------- In the Moment October 29, 2008 For about two days I've felt differently about the way I eat. For the first time in about eight years, I don't feel like I'm on a diet. Don't get me wrong--I haven't changed the way I eat, other than improving upon it (I've been loving the salads at Subway). What I have done is changed the way I view myself. I am an average-sized woman, who eats small portions, few treats, exercises daily, and has realized that this way of life isn't a rehearsal--it's who I've become. I used to try to cut down my portions and try not to eat too many chips, but over the years the trying has gotten easier. I still have chips every now and then, but they aren't the staple they used to be. Whew! But there's also another way in which I've changed my view. I have had to make a deliberate atempt to stop comparing myself. There will always be someone younger than me, someone thinner, someone prettier, and someone smarter (I've just described Candace Cameron--LOL) but there will never be another person who posesses the recipe that I own. Me. How has this changed me? I'm not kicking myself quite as often for not doing or being enough. I'm average, and that's okay. I want to show you two photos of myself taken about a year and a half ago. I'm rambling, but maybe this will all come together and make sense--maybe not:
When I came accross these photos this week, I realized what a dufos I've been. I couldn't stand my long blond hair, so I cut it off, and dyed it red. I didn't think I was thin enough, so I felt discouraged because I was a failure. Now, I'd die to get that hair back, and I see I was plenty thin enough. Not "Hollywood thin," but rather "Darlene thin" which is all I need to be. I realize that I've missed the joy of the journey because I wasn't living in the moment, I was living in the hope of what I could be instead. It's sad that I'm showing you these photos for one (ha ha), and pouring myself out on the page, but mostly it's sad because I sense that there are many women living in the same frame of mind. Ladies I pray that you will embrace the woman you are today. The journey will still move forward tomorrow, but at this moment you are who you are--and that's great! Take deliberate steps to accept who you are, and to like what you see. Discover the good when you look in the mirror instead of seeing the bad. Remember the God-given gift of uniqueness you own, and embrace that. It makes a world of difference in the way that you feel! On another note, I've decided that I won't be doing Live Well Wednesdays anymore, since it's a lot of writing to keep up with each week. I will still be doing the articles each month at Live Well, so you can find me other there. Please feel free to drop me a note when you need a shoulder to lean on, or a sister in prayer. Thanks for the fellowship, ladies--Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, October 28, 2008 (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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Faith First October 22, 2008 I came accross this video, and since this woman's approach to diet is so similar to the premise of Live Well, I thought it would be a great encouragement to all of us if I posted it this week. It's the testimony of Jan Halgash, a woman who lost 100 pounds, by putting faith first.
Enjoy ladies, and till next week, live well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, October 21, 2008 (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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------------------------- Golf Balls and Other Priorities October 15, 2008
So I try to keep everything up, because I remember what my dad always said, “There’s a place for everything when everything is in its place,” and I know from the Word that the same can be said for time: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. How do we fit it all in to an otherwise busy day? When I ask myself that, I’m reminded of my friend Jennifer--a great money and time manager. Jennifer used to say, "You need to fit the big things in first and if you do, you’ll always find room for the small stuff." She reminded me of the story of the professor who stood in front of his class with a jar full of golf balls. After showing the class the jar, he asked them, “Is it full?” From what they could see, the answer was, “Yes.” He proceeded to further fill the jar with pebbles, then sand, and then water, proving to his class that if you prioritize by filling your jars with the big things, there will always be room for the small. What would happen if he were to fill the jar in the opposite order? He’d run out of room. There’s an order to things in this life, and despite the fact that our spirit tells us what that order should be, we change the order hoping to squeeze in a bit more of the small stuff, not trusting the divine order of things. Whether we are talking about our body, soul, or spirit, we know from our past that order is a necessary part of our future. We often consider our priorities to be those things such as faith, husband, children, career, etc. Those are things of importance to us, but what I encourage you to do today is to consider actions that are beneficial to our growth, so that we may prioritize those. Let's do this by listing two specific priorities for each of these three: body, soul, and spirit. We all may have the same two, or they may differ one from another, that’s fine. The goal is to determine those things of importance, so that we might live in full consciousness, and seek to embrace them. This is definitely one list that might hit the fridge! Body: Exercise, Eat Well “Self-denial” may stick out as odd to some. It’s funny that even the words themselves rub against the grain of our comfort zone. Deny self? Why not self-control? (My son just read this and said exactly that.) The reason I have it on my list is because I look at self-control as a fruit of the Spirit known as temperance that comes by faith. It's the training of moderation, while self-denial is simply saying "No," when it's necessary to do so. Over spending, over eating, and over sleeping are a few of the decisions I make, to either indulge in or deny myself of, every single day. While many of us can easily understand the roles that our body and spirit have, it’s important to also remember that of our soul. It drives our personality, our desires and our passions; it’s the “heart” that that leads to destruction time and again. The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? —Jeremiah 17:11 I could go on all day about the body, soul, and spirit, but I’ll stop here for this week, to let priority be our focus. So with that, let’s fill up those jars, ladies, and till next week, live well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, October 14, 2008 (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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------------------------- Deeply Focused... October 8, 2008
I recited the speech anytime I could--while driving in my car, while doing the dishes, in the drive through at Tim Hortons, alone in my closet... Not only did I win, I also experienced something that taught me a lesson. I completely lost my appetite. It started on Saturday afternoon, when I realized that I didn't want to eat a bit of my lunch. I ate a bit, and packed the rest away, and then at dinnertime (we were at McDonalds) I ordered a burger, but one bite was so unappealing to me that I handed it over to my daughter. Even movie night with chips and dip didn't do it for me. I had about 5 on Saturday night, and had no desire to eat the rest. So two things are going on in my body. 1. God is working through me--that I know for sure. 2. My mind is deeply focused on one thing, and the world around me has been blurred. Remember I talked about focus in my Live Well column? It was the topic for August in which I said, It’s impossible to visually focus on two things at once. I’ve tried it, and yes I’ve looked ridiculous with my eyes trying to divide and conquer, and I failed. What happens when we try to focus on two things at once is that both objects get blurred. So that's what happened here. I was so focussed on reciting the speech, locking it into my brain, and making it stick, that my appetite couldn't compete. (I'm not complaining!) If we place that same focus, and that same attention to meditating on God's word, or to being in His presence, so that He becomes the key object of our affection, we're walking a faith-focused life. Faith-focus elevates God, while it diminishes the lust of the flesh--even our lust to indulge. This topic often reminds me of the incident that immediately followed Jesus' meeting with the woman at the well, when the disciples approached Him. His disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something." Not that Jesus didn't eat—we all know that he dined with his friends just like we do, but what we also see from His life is that food wasn't a focus for Him—faith was. With this lesson I've learned, I'm eager to guide my heart away form the world, and toward my faith with the practice of memorizing of scripture. My sister shared this verse with me, and it was so beautiful. I had to share it with you too. My heart is stirred by a noble theme Then after I posted, I had to come back to this article and add this verse: Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. With my mind on competition, I could have also started in on Philippians 3, but I need to stop somewhere. It all fits together and makes so much sense. Thanks be to God for letting me win the competition, and for using it to teach me something far greater! Till next week, ladies, stay focussed, and Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, October 7, 2008 (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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------------------------- ------------------------- Is Meekness a Weakness? October 1 , 2008
So this week, in our home Bible study group we talked about meekness. How does that relate to appetite? It completely relates when you understand what the true meaning of the word is, and how it applies to our life... Read the entire article (here...) at Live Well, which is published on the first of each month. Till next week, ladies, Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, October 1, 2008 (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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------------------------- Learning from the Past... September 24, 2008
Twenty years ago, had anyone told me that my weight would be a difficult thing to keep off I would have shot them the stink eye. Actually a few people did tell me, but I didn't believe a single word of it. With age comes wisdom--and reality. :) But what I really like most about age is maturity. I tried to take weight off in my late twenties through to my mid thirties, but I didn't know then what I know now, and even if I had known how to keep off the weight, I didn't have the "stick-to-it" attitude that I have now. I'm not that keen about jumping out of an airplane, or hanging from a bungie cord as I once was. I realize now that life is fragile, it's moving by quickly, and I want to embrace every moment I have. Praise God that He offers us the power to change, and that I've stepped out to embrace it. Both my husband and my Lord love me as much today, as they did 20 years ago, and have loved me through every year and size in between--that I know. But what I also know is that I feel good, and enjoy life a little more when I'm at a comfortable, average sized weight. Diets or "lifestyle changes" as they're called now-a-days, always failed me, no matter which ones I tried. So why start again? It took me over a decade to realize that they didn't fail me at all; the truth is that I had failed them. I also failed high school English, but that doesn't mean that I'd never write a book, own a publishing company, or be the editor of an online magazine, it just meant that it wasn't time to give up. Rather than letting our past failures set the stage for our future, they should be the very thing that tells us we need to press on. I have created you and cared for you since you were born. I will be your God through all your lifetime, yes, even when your hair is white with age. I made you and I will care for you. Till next week, ladies, Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, September 24, 2008 (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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-------------------------- Leptin..... September 17, 2008
Aha--I knew it! I had been feeling a decrease in appetite since I started mall walking, and I immediately connected the two. But why? What exactly is going on in my body that's causing the change? I always have to find out why things like that work (because I'm curious and snoopy), and so I went straight to the expert--Google. Once I start Googling the subject I found so many articles relating to the hormone "leptin." Why didn't I have a handle on this? Argh! After all, leptin has a central role in the metabolizing of fat. It's the messenger that tells the brain whether your appetite is hearty of weak. The word comes from the Greek word, leptos, which means "thin." I'm starting to like that word a lot. :) I like what I discovered about leptin, because those things that I already knew suddenly made sense: Adequate sleep produces leptin (that's good), but a lack of sleep results in a reduction of Leptin, which in turn increases your appetite (not so good). Secondly, exercise raises leptin levels that can also curb our appetite. However, studies have shown that in some cases, obese women had higher levels of leptin in their system, and their bodies built up a resistance to it, which resulted in hunger. I'm amazed at how precisely God knit our bodies together. How each cell, each organ, each hormone... plays a role in keeping us healthy and whole. Praise God that His creation is at work even while we are asleep--repairing, protecting, and giving us strength. He is worthy of praise!! Then you will walk on your way securely, I'm off to get a good sleep tonight, and tomorrow I'll be mall walking again. Till next week, ladies, Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, September 16, 2008 (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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Associative Learning September 10, 2008
What is it? Conditioning. Or in more human of terms "associative learning." Back to the less human terms--remember Pavlov's Dog? We learn from those experiments that the subject not only responded to food, but that the dog also responded to anything associated with food, as in "Oooh, the lab technician is here, I'm getting Kibbles and Bits!" Until eventually he thought, "I'll ring this bell, and get me some Kibble and Bits!" Over time we associate one thought with another, until the two become one in our minds. It's one way our actions become habits. Associative learning leads us into temptation time and time again, but it doesn't have to. There are two things that we can do to combat this cycle. One is to avoid it, and the second is to use it to your advantage. Avoidance Advantage Condition yourself to respond to your surroundings with good habits. It's what fellow CWO Columnist, Val Wolff, refers to as piggybacking good habits with those we already have in place (a little trick she taught me last year). Think of something you do on a regular basis, such as watching your favorite show--now attach a good habit to it. Can you run on a treadmill during that time? What about another habit, like walking the dog, could you grab a water bottle on the way out? Eating dinner? How about a devotional time at dessert? There are so many habits and traditions that we can teach ourselves and our families--so many good habits that are waiting to become routine! Till next week, establish good habits, and live well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, September 9, 2008 (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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-------------------------- New Habits September 3 , 2008
I mentioned mall walking last week. I had been going to Curves last winter, but when the spring came I just didn't feel like being inside a gym, so I gave notice there. I think that if exercise becomes mundane, there's no reason why we can't think of creative ways to stay fit and still have fun. My kids are so active, and they never look at exercise as work--it's always a game, a challenge, playing this thing or that, and having a ball doing it. So to spice it up, I gardened from spring through mid summer. I don't just tug weeks; most days I haul bricks, shovel gravel, plant trees, drag sod...and I love every minute of it!! But now with the cold weather creeping in, I made my way to the mall where I walk 2 laps (1.25 miles) per day. I am having so much fun doing that since they have great coffee, and I'm a mall rat anyway. The kids go back to school this week, and so it's my hope that stopping at the mall on the way home everyday will become a habit that I enjoy for a long time. Wish you all could join me. Wouldn't that be fun! Till next week, have fun doin' what your doin' and live well! P.S. I have a giveaway at my new writing site today. Hope you stop by there:
Posted by Darlene Schacht, September 2, 2008 (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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Under The Weather August 27th, 2008
Have a great week y'all, and until next week, Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, August 20th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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Math 101 August 20th, 2008
I wonder, would we take the time to number His hair if we could? Would we linger in His presence that long? Or is God merely a means of supplying our need? Let's dig and find out. Why do we seek God? Too often the answer is out of a self-centered desire. It brings us to our knees and back into His presence, where we know we should have been all along. This diet isn’t working, Lord. Maybe if I pray harder, dig deeper, read more… I’ll capture the magic that enables your goodness to flow freely to me. Perhaps if I stay in your presence long enough, I’ll be thin. Essentially, His delight is that we would be there, and that we would stay there in His presence every moment of our day. But God knows us well enough to also know it won’t be so. We’ll run and play in other pastures when things are feeling right, and when the reality of our frailty is upon us, we’ll return to His side. Praise God for that reality. Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well developed, not deficient in any way. That’s how God sees it: pressure leads to maturity. We look at the equation differently: A + B = "C" Oh how we long for a “C” in our life--the sum of all our desires! A friendlier scale, a tiny round butt, spirituality trailing from the hem of our robe… And so we Google the scriptures in search of the variables... Aha—we find them: Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Apply those to our life, and they’ll equal "C!" Sounds challenging and rewarding. We seek Him out, and delight in Him with all of our might, and what do we get? We get the desire of our heart, of course. But unfortunately the desire of our heart today is a frothy mocha latte to chase down the pizza. Bummer! Do you see the circle we find ourselves swirling in? We have a misplaced figure in our equation, which is this: unless "C" equals “God” we’re sunk. Unless the sum of all that we do is for the one purpose of loving God with all of our heart mind and soul, our desires will never be His. But rather our desires will continue to lead us to destruction. Living by our desires is what has put us here in the first place. Every single time you grab for extra food, it’s because you desire to do so. It’s because we long for food, and desire to spend time in its presence that we find yourself struggling to lose weight. Let’s consider God’s desires. He created the succulent goodness of food, but I’m certain that when it came to food Jesus exercised the same self-control that He displayed in all areas of His life. In fact we see that when He was faced with the very temptation of food His reply was faith-filled and sure: Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” God allows us to be tempted daily with that very struggle, so that He might test our heart, and that we might see the reality of our frailness. Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Does this mean that we give up on our journey to Live Well, throwing our plan out the window while we wait for His desire to prompt us? That'd be easy, but--no. It means discovering the Spirit of God and walking therein. Remember the fruit of the Spirit, where peace, long-suffering, faith, and temperance are found among many. There we see that seeking God includes seeking the best for ourselves. First and foremost it means desiring Him, with a pure and honest heart. That’s when His plan will unfold. Seek Him in all you do, and til next week, Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, August 20th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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-------------------------- Hunt and Pursue August 13, 2008
What about us modern-day girls? In which ways do we hunt? We search for a great pair of shoes, the best deal on a car, the right blend of mocha, a well paying job, cheap underpants for the boys, and the best price for beef. And then there are the meatier things we pursue (not that beef isn’t meaty) such as the need for intimacy, friendship, and love. I used to wonder why it seemed that everyone had an addiction of some sort. Every one had an obsession, a fascination, or a need that inspired the way they played house. I was puzzled, until I came to the understanding that the hand of our Maker has woven pursuit through each one of our Souls in hopes that we might turn that hunger to Him. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. - Mark 12:30 And we do love Him, but we love the low price of beef more, so we run to the market with meatloaf on our mind, all the while telling ourselves that God doesn’t mind waiting—we’ll talk to Him later. And hopefully we do, but too often we don’t because perhaps we heard that Haines were on sale. I came to understand my appetite when I looked at His plan for my life. Hunger, pursuit, fascination, obsession, and desire--all passions I’ve quenched with food, when the truth is that I was deeply desiring Him. One can successfully lose weight, by transferring their addiction to food on to some other fascination they have. We see it happen all the time with those who pursue fad diets, drugs, alcohol, smoking, men, smoking-hot men, or other addictions that take our minds off of the food for a while, but unless we fill that longing with the One thing that we were created to chase, we’ll always be left feeling empty and void. So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.I pray that you’ll each be God-chasers this week, who pursue Him first in all that you do! Be focussed, and till next week, ladies—Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, August 13th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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Potpourri August 6, 2008
I have a potpourri of thoughts this week. First off, if you haven't read my column yet this month, you may want to check it out. It's about focussing our faith. This "focus" thing has really been on my mind for a while. The problem, though, is that it's been in my thoughts a lot more than it's actually been a practice to me, and so on Sunday night I took a renewed step of faith in that direction. I'm studying New Testament Greek as I used to, and while doing so, making Bible reading and fellowship with God my first priority of each day. I have felt the nudge to do this for some time now. I used to read a lot in the Greek text, and now that I'm back to it, it seems to be coming back to me. That's exciting. But most exciting is that our Sunday night group is all with one heart about making fellowship with God first priority. Secondly, my sister called me today about that article, pointing out a much needed correction. I said that she "went from a size 14 to an itty bitty 4," when the truth is that she bought a size zero pants this past weekend. Bravo! Maybe the wrong sister is writing this. :) And lastly, the food in Grand Forks was fantastic last week. We discovered the Golden Coral, which, if you aren't aware, is an enourmous buffet, with delicious food. On the first visit I took too many varieties since it was all new to me, but on the second and third visit (yes--we liked it that much!) I chose three items only, and found that I ate far less. I got a lot of exercise these past few weeks, with swimming, and climbing, so I'm feeling pretty awesome today. Hope you are too! Have a great week, and till next week, Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, August 6th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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-------------------------- Make this Day Count! July 16, 2008
"What can I write, Lord?" I ask, as we make our way back toward the little red Yaris. It's my way of saying, "Fill my cup, Lord," because I know that when I try to fill it on my strength alone we get a pretty stale cup of brew. God on the other hand, offers a pure blend of inspiration that wakes us up to the truth, and moves us to drink from His word. He slides a double double accross the counter, and I taste His words, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." - Ecclesiastes 9:10, NIV. The aroma fills my thoughts while I meditate. Finally arriving at home, I grab the Bible, and flip to the Old Testament, where I can study those words in their context. Verse seven speaks to me, "Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do." Now. Today is one more day under this sun. I have an opportunity to make yet another day count for the Lord. By His grace, I've been given the power to make this day better than the last, and better yet than all those before it. I have all I require to live it with all of my might, and by His grace, the Spirit to guide me. It's straightforward and powerful, the way God's truth often is. I close the Bible, thankful that He's filling my cup--thankful that I can finally rest. Tomorrow is another day, another sunrise, and another chance to make it count. Thank you for this moment Lord--this hour, this night. With each new day I see, may You remind me always to Live it Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, July 15th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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-------------------------- Appreciating the Support! July 9, 2008
Make that " WE'LL do it!" Right ladies? I am thankful that I've taken many steps forward this month, despite those few steps I've taken back. For that I'm grateful, to all of you. My motto this month has been, "Do it for the girls!" Whenever I put a treat in my hand or begin to take a little too much I remember that I'm not in this alone. God is always there with me--that I know for sure. What I often fail to remember is this: there are women struggling, suffering, and praying for strength. I need to be there for them. That woman might be you--she might not be--but she exists here among us I'm sure. My heart is burdened not merely that I'll make it through this journey, but that I'll be able to carry others with me along the way who may not find the strength to run this alone. Imagine facing a 200 lb. weight loss? That's a steep mountain to climb, but one doesn't have to climb it alone. It's a unique ministry. Who would have thought that I'd feel the call to minister to those enslaved by their appetite? I didn't. However, this call is not mine alone, rather it's also a call to many of you. You are an amazing group of women who lift each other up each week, and I count it a blessing to be part of your team. Regardless of what stage you are at in your walk--whether you're still enslaved to the fridge or walking in freedom--we are here as one body to hold up our sisters in Christ, and lend strength where we can. One body, one unit, one burden to share. Keep fighting the fight and we'll get there. "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink." Till next week, sisters--live well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, July 9th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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-------------------------- 8 Keys to Unlocking Your Freedom July 2, 2008
Want to read the rest of the article? Follow this link to my column: Live Well!: 8 Keys to Unlocking Your Freedom Don't forget to come back and add your URL to Mr. Linky below. Till next week, y'all--live well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, July 1st (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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________________________ -------------------------- Deprivation? Not a chance!
A common fear that dieters face when choosing the best plan of action is that of deprivation. Dictionary.com defines "deprive" this way: To keep from possessing or enjoying; deny. Can we do it? Is deprivation a must? The answer to both is yes--and no. We can do without, in fact occassionally we should, since self denial is an exercise that builds character and strength. Don't tell that to the rest of society, since pop culture tells us that self indulgence is a must. Heaven forbid we dare tell ourselves "No." The popular diet guru will encourage you to fool your body with an alternative substance that passes for the thing that it craves: "Never let your body feel denial for a moment." What? Are you kidding me? Where's temperance in that equation? Denial is a good thing that shouldn't be feared. I've been thinking on that for a while, but I'm getting a little off topic here, aren't I? Let's get back to the question: is deprivation a must? The answer: not when taking off weight. Again--denial is good from time to time, but not a must if we learn a new way of thinking. If you're living in North America, my best guess is that diet or no diet, you aren't deprived. You may be eating less than you did before--having one cookie rather than five, water instead of your Coke etc., but chances are you're still doing quite well in the munchie department. Deprivation isn't our problem--the illusion of deprivation is. Nobody wants to sit around watching everyone else fill their face while their own is quite empty. It's one thing to stop eating when we're satisfied, but how can we control our desire for excess, and realize that we're getting enough? Let's look at six creative ways to do just that:
"Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love." - 2 Peter 1:5-7 Get creative, ladies, and till next week--live well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, June 24th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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________________________ Virtuous Moderation June 18th , 2008
I'm a little more predictable than the rest since without fail, I always order a sugar cone, dipped in chocolate and rolled in nuts. I must be dipped in nuts to even walk in that place when I'm trying to keep off my weight, but I remind myself that ice cream is a blessing from God that can be enjoyed in moderation. It's the moderation part that's difficult to learn, isn't it, ladies? But with persistence we will! :) Moderation has it's rewards, one of which I enjoyed last night while out with my daughter. Maddy recently started shopping in the ladies (x-small) section, and I happened to find something for myself in the girls (x-large) section. You heard that right--girls! I picked up an awesome plaid jacket for only $12.00, and the boost of confidence the little size gave me was an added freebee. This "added freebee" so to speak, is given to all of us along the way. Not just at the point where we reach our target weight, it's a satisfaction we get each and every time we intentionally choose to live well. It's like that invigorating feeling you have after a jog. Or that feeling of accomplishment at the end of a "good" day. Stuffing ourselves til our eyes leak is the old way of doing things--self-control is the new. Moderation is the virture that shelters our hope, keeps our feet on the path, and leads on to freedom. Let's find us some of that this summer! "It's not smart to stuff yourself with sweets, nor is glory piled on glory good for you. A person without self-control Till next week, ladies, live moderately--live well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, June 17th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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June 11th , 2008
I really like the connection that the meetings offer, and the motivational message they provide. It's a great way to kick start the week. In fact I'd love to attend a Christian based program, if there was one. (Perhaps God will use me.) :) While I like the basic philosophy of WW, I don't particularly agree whole-heartedly with every thing. The biggest point being that it feels as though so many of the members are trying to change the point value on food rather than working on changing their outlook toward food. BUT I think that in everything we do or learn, we need to wisely discern which parts are good, and which parts to spit out, by measuring them against conviction and the Word. And besides that, as I've said before, what works for one doesn't always work for another, right? With that said, I eagerly look forward to going back again. I lost a pound this week, but before the dancing girls emerge and the punch bowl rolls out, let me say that May was a bad, bad month of self-indulgence. The cruise was a 24/7 floating buffet, and I was its best friend for a week. I am just settling back into my target weight now. In case some of you aren't aware, I also wanted to mention that a dear friend and regular contributor to Live Well Wednesdays is in need of our comfort and prayers. Denise from Shorty Bears Place suddenly lost her brother unexpectedly this week. Denise is still in shock. She's crying, can't sleep well, and is under a lot of stress. All this following the death of her mother only two years ago. I hope that you can stop in at her blog this week to offer a prayer. We love you Denise! Until next week, Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, June 10th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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3 Ways to Behave This Summer June 4th , 2008
If I remember correctly (in fact I do), summer days and summer nights bring plenty of opportunities to gather with friends around food—barbeques, picnics, weddings, graduations, and family vacations, just to name a few. So how do we avoid the hazards this season can bring? How do we steer clear of the pitfalls that destroy our good habits, so we can continue our plan to live well? Simply put, we behave. I heard a wise thought yesterday, which was this: “Food is not our enemy.” I love that! Why should something that brings health, energy, and beauty to us be considered an evil? It isn’t, but our behavior toward it may be. Here are 3 ways to keep yourself in check:
Enjoy the summer as it comes ladies, and till next week--Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, June 3rd (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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________________________ Finding Balance May 28th , 2008 Thank you to Lori who hosted last week; I hope that you all enjoyed each others fellowship. I had a great time on the cruise, and enjoyed some fellowship of my own. I met Candace Cameron Bure in person for the first time (up till now we've talked on the phone), and we took the opportunity to pray for the Live Well community. It was so refreshing--you would have loved her, as I do! Here is a photo of my sister Bonnie, Candace, and I:
Remind me to wear a more flattering shirt next time, will ya? :) There's little Bonnie down from a size 16, and me, sea sick but having a wonderful time nevertheless! Spending a week on board with Bonnie brought back a few memories--some good, but some--eh--not so good... It was 1975. There was something about the color red that called out to us more often than the sandbox did that summer. Time and again I lifted my bottom aboard the teetering death slab, trusting that this time my naughty sister would have compassion on me. She didn't. Seconds before the pain, I’d feel the jolt of the jump, and the throb of the thump, which told me I was one with the ground. Echoing gigles filled the air, while Bonnie wiped her nose on a sleeve. I learned two things that year: one was that Bonnie wasn’t to be trusted, and the other was the very important lesson of balance. Without balance we’re either on the jumping or the falling end of life, and judging from experience, the thump usually tells me that it’s the falling end. Unfortunately you never know that you’re on the falling end until the pavement and your backside are closer than dill and a pickle. By that time you’re in a pickle of your own. So how do we stay on top? By balancing our lives with a weight we can trust—a God we can lean on, and friends who would rather see us rise than take a slamming fall. Remember that verse we discussed a few weeks ago? I've been meditatiing on it ever since: 2 Timothy 2:22, "Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Those pure-hearted friends are the ones who will pray for your journey, encourage you to press on, and love you every pound of the way. These supportive friends may help you in one or all of several ways:
Over the years, I've gone to several AA meetings with different family members. One of the most heart-warming aspects of the program that I've witnessed is the role of each sponsor. Anyone who makes it to 5, 10, or 15+ years knows that the sponsor was key in getting them there. Our sponsors--perhaps we call them "moral support"--will also be key in getting us there. My father-in-law struggled with excess weight for several years until he joined a support group in his area. Wow, did that make a difference! We gave him a "biggest loser" trophy last year, just after the newspaper did a story on him and his friends. Over 100 pounds lost! What if you don't have a sponsor? There are a few things that you can do:
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 I sincerely pray that you find the balance a good friend has to give. Till next week, ladies--Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, May 27th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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Off to the Caribbean May 15th , 2008 Ladies, I'm leaving for a cruise to the Caribbean in just a couple of days, and so I've asked Lori from "All You Have to Give" to host Live Well over at her blog next - Wednesday, May 21st. Lori will have a Mr. Linky over there, just like I have every week, and so I hope that you all gather together and encourage each other while I'm gone. I'll be praying for you all while I'm sailing the ocean blue. Lori's Blog: All You Have to Give
Posted by Darlene Schacht, May 15th ________________________________
Seek Him First May 14th , 2008
Remember my sister Bonnie? I wrote about a similar problem that she had a while back, I think she was only fourteen pounds down at the time, and struggling with each and every one. Bonnie--a former size 16--is now a size 4! So what does one girl have to do with the other? Influence and accountability. After witnessing Ann's discouragement last week, Bonnie called her aside. "Ann," she said, "you might think that this sounds superstitious, but have you tried giving your struggle over to God?" Bonnie explained to her that she suffered with the exact same problem several months ago until I pulled her aside and told her about Live Well--that handing it over to God was the key she was missing. Until Bonnie made a point of putting God first in her life, she struggled with the rollercoaster of on-again off-again dieting. Just so you know, we're talking about a church-going, Bible-reading, prayer meeting, deacon of the church here. But something was still missing: priority. By making a point of reading and praying before starting each day, Bonnie found strength and clarity that has carried her through. There's no more of the, "I'll get to you later, Lord--if I have time..." dialogue. Bonnie schedules God into her life first, and all else is second. This step may be different for all of us, for me it's kneeling to pray daily. It's something that I have given over to God in my journey as an act of worship and a way of tuning the world out until it's just He and I. What will it be for you? A daily devotion? Attending a fellowship? Taking a daily walk with the Lord? In what ways can you nourish the spirit? It only makes sense. The fruit of the Sprit includes characteristics such as temperance, peace, and longsuffering--the very ingredients that we need to make change. If we try to shake off our stronghold without them we'll face failure time and again. Ann started the next morning off on a new journey. The beginning of something wonderful between her and her Lord. And guess what ladies? After a two month plateau, Ann's down three more pounds. God is good! Amen? Seek Him in all that you do, and till next week, Live Well! "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." ~ Matthew 6:31-34
Posted by Darlene Schacht, May 13th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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Did I Do That? May 7 th , 2008
Kathleen just sent me a gentle reminder that it was Wednesday--what?!! I thought it was Tuesday. I must have major jet leg. Please forgive my tardiness. As for my week, my Live Well buddy just got back on track after a long hiatus, so we're getting together tonight to share a wonderful salad. I hope that you all had a wonderful week! I want to share a testimony from my inspirational friend May who's walking this journey with us and doing a wonderful job... Live Well is my lifeline, my source of encouragement and fellowship with sisters who share my struggle. Riding this crazy train with my girls, I can stay the course. I have come to see that the battleground may be our bodies, but the war is spiritual. I am not so much a woman having a spiritual experience, but a spirit--made in the image of God--who is having a human experience. It's not about weight. It's about overcoming adversity. It's about carrying the cross that God has chosen for me to bear. It's about struggling to put God first in my heart and my thoughts, to put my desire for food out of focus, and winning the struggle one day at a time.
Posted by Darlene Schacht, April 29th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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Struggles? Me Too... April 30th , 2008
We all have that same potential.. And this very minute, you are stronger than you were five minutes ago, if you are choosing a new path--a better one. It's about choosing the best path, each and every moment--despite the failure you faced yesterday or today. It's about right now, tomorrow, forever... You CAN do it. I gleaned that verse from one of you wonderful inspiring ladies last week, and it's been my lifeline for days. Thank you. Every thought. Remind us again, Lord... Every thought... and again... I'm off to Seattle to meet fellow CWO writers, Shannon Woodward and Ann Voskamp (someone's excited! Till then, ladies, take every thought captive, and Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, April 29th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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Take One Tablet Daily... April 23nd , 2008
Chapter fourteen tells us that his first wife deceived him, enticing him with tears for seven days, until he finally gave in. I can't imagine my husband letting me get away with that now, but I do remember using that method of manipulation a few times myself during the early years of marriage. Again in chapter sixteen, we read about yet another woman, Delilah, who for the love of money, sought out to discover the source of his strength. Judges 16:16-17a reads, “And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; that he told her all heart.” The story of Samson who’s secret to strength was that of his hair, may well typify the power we have when God is on our head, but I see that it also illustrates the power that persistence holds to weaken our strength. Even the strongest of men become weak when faced with temptation time and again. Speaking of which, my sister and I did a pretty good job of weakening the strength of our parents. This is probably why our family was familiar with the 222 tablet. 222 was like an aspirin with a shot of caffeine--great for headaches. My mom would pop one of those in her mouth, and my sister and I could pull each others hair all day. And yes, we usually did, which is probably why Mom and Dad were well stocked. I have a 222 for you today too, but instead of popping this one in your mouth, pop it into your thoughts. 2 Timothy 2:22, "Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." That verse stood out to me this week, because of the 2-fold solution if offers in fighting temptation:
If only Samson had a bottle of those resting by his bedside, he might have fled from the women who persisted to trap him and pursued a woman strong in faith and devotion. Are you fleeing the habits that have caused you weight gain? Have you stopped strolling down the potato chip isle, put the chocolates out of site, and cut down on cola? Good, and while you're doing all of that fleeing, I hope that you also vigorously pursue better choices as well. It's about balance. ie. Here's what I'm giving up... Here's what I'm adding in... If an alcoholic quits drinking, but doesn't join a support group, cling to the Lord, or make drastic life changes that will keep her on track, she's walking alone on a slippery slope. Fleeing is only half of the solution, pursuing is the other. Likewise we need to pursue better choices if we hope to make lifestyle changes, and while doing so--pursue God with all of our heart. That's where we'll find the source of our power--that's where we'll find our strength! Till next week ladies, Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, April 22th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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One Bloom Among Many... April 16th , 2008
In 1958, (Alma) Gene and Dale Bauer started planting a garden of daffodils, planting them one by one by one…throughout the years. Today the daffodil garden in Running Springs, California is said to be the largest daffodil garden in the world. One look at the magnificent hillside immediately draws you in. This mountain hillside, which was once a wilderness of poor rocky soil is now drenched with daffodils. A breath-taking experience to the tourists it draws. The countless daffodils reflect care, as stewards of God’s creation, labor in the land they’ve been given. Man and woman, side by side. But the unmistakable miracle we see—made by the hands of only two—is that perseverance yields fruit to those who are trained by it. Gene Bauer planted the first 48 bulbs in 1958, describing her persistence by saying, “One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet and a body minus a brain." The daffodil garden illustrates the God given potential that each one of us holds when we plant seeds one by one. Seeds of discipline, love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control—seeds that will blossom in our garden one day, a breath-taking garden that draws others to Christ. In 1995, Darlene Schacht started planting a garden of daffodils; she caught a glimpse of herself in a nearby window and gasped! Something had to be changed—including those jeans! Ugh, the job of losing weight felt enormous at the time. And each step of the way felt like one tiny step, nothing big, just one bloom among countless flowers. One pound at a time, one prayer at a time, one day at a time, one less bite here and there…until I was forty pounds down. Time and perseverance has definitely yielded its fruit. Keep planting those blooms, ladies; and till next week, Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, April 15th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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Moving Mountains ... April 9th , 2008 I received a testimony today from a friend who I have been mentoring through her weight-loss journey for a while. She started reading my articles before I even began to put them up at CWO. She's also inspired me greatly with the progress she's made, and is still making. Daily notes that have continually read, "I'm not giving up!" Her testimony is so moving, I had to share it with you... When I started “Live Well,” I had hopes of shedding a few pounds, while gaining a few ounces of self-confidence. I had spent the better part of my life hiding from who I was because I was ashamed to be in my own skin. Shopping trips would always end in tears, comfort food, and a trip to an accessory store to find something wacky that I hoped would draw attention away from my body, and give me a sense of confidence that I didn’t own. 8 months later and 90 pounds lighter, I made my first attempt in over 10 years to shop in a Mall store for clothing. With my best friend in tow, I combed through the clothing racks and silently prayed that something would fit. Grabbing a pair of size 13 pants—the largest in the store I could find—I hurried into the change room, still feeling that old sense of fear that everyone in the store would be judging me for shopping there. After trying on the pants, I fell to the floor of the change room and began to cry hysterically. My friend approached the door with sympathy and asked, “Are you ok, Hun?” between the tears, I managed to squeeze out the words “They don’t fit.” Silence hung over the change room, like a thick fog for a moment before my friend suggested we try again in a month or so. I paused, still in tears, “No—they’re too big,” I said, as I started to laugh, tears still streaming down my face, “They’re too big!” Live well started as a venture for me to lose a few pounds and gain some self-confidence, but in the process it has given me the most valuable lesson of all. I can. I am. And I will. I can move mountains, I am good enough, and I will be the best person I can be—Body mind and spirit. For that I can't thank you enough. ~ StephanieI hope her testimony inspires you to press on, and I pray that you will. With God all things are possible, and with Him, you can move a mountain--even if that thought appears hopeless today. Till next week ladies, keep the faith and Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, April 8th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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The Golden Calf... April 2nd , 2008 I was so busy getting the April issue of CWO ready that I had little time left to write this week. But then I came accross it: the perfect quote. I could simply copy and paste it, for an easy way out this week—until I read the bottom line, "From an interview for Playboy Magazine—" Uh, maybe not! I decided that I should leave that one alone. But God provides. So let's go with this one: "A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is... A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in." ~C.S. Lewis That's better, but it speaks to my weakness these last few days. I've been the 5 minute girl, giving in to temptation left right and center. Perhaps it's lack of sleep, which is the usual reason that I hang off the wagon while my feet drag on the ground. I keep reaching for food thinking, "tomorrow will be a better day." And I trust that it will, but if I have learned anything from my past it's this: I need to take that step now—not tonight, not tomorrow—right now. And so the snacks are pushed to the side, and I am done for the night. Why? Because as I wrote in my "Live Well!" article this month, living a life of sacrifice is an “act of spiritual worship.” Some might say, "it's only food—get real!" But no—it's not just food, any more than gold is just gold. When your life molds or shapes it into something that you idolize, or use to tranquilize, it's become your golden calf. Consider the Isrealites in Exodus chapter 32. They were free from slavery, as God pointed out in verse 7, "thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have currupted themselves." He goes on to say, "They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them, they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrified thereunto, and said, these be they gods, O Israel which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt." (verse 8) How it must pain God when He frees us from addiction, whether it be to food, alcohol, smoking, porn, binging, purging... whatever our stronghold is, only to find us returning to it once again, hoping to find tranquility; excusing the struggle we have with our weakness so we can worship and cling to the calf once again. God doesn't always provide the easy way out, like the way that He didn't provide a post that I could simply cut and paste, instead of toiling over the words for a while. He doesn't promise that life will be easy or free of temptation, in fact temptation is something we can always expect. But what He does provide, and promise to us is this: He'll always provide a way to escape. There's always a way out—a better way to escape from our pain—and with a little soul searching and determination, a way to leave the golden calf behind. Till next week, ladies, cling to nothing less than the old rugged cross. Be strong, be alert, and Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, April 1st (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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True 80's Fashion ... March 26th, 2008
After the death of his father, Daniel (played by then heart-throb Ralph Macchio) and his mother pack up and leave for California in search of a new beginning. Shortly after settling in, Daniel has a run in with a local thug who brings him down with a few smooth karate moves. Ouch! It was painful to see little Ralph getting thumped by a thug and his gang, but the harassment continues time and again, until adorable handyman, Mr. Miyagi, appears and single handedly takes down the gang. This is where the audience puts down their popcorn and whispers “righteous” in true 80’s fashion. Daniel eagerly becomes a student of Mr. Miyagi’s hoping to learn karate and kick some butt of his own. But, if you remember anything about the movie, you’ll probably remember that the training had little to do with karate at all. Daniel was assigned laborious chores like painting a fence, sanding a floor, and waxing one car after another after another… Aside from learning how to wash a car, disgruntled Daniel finally learned that serious training involves balance, and that his training had as much to do with his spirit as it did his body. It’s never easy to accept the discipline part of any task we take on. Joining a gym, starting a new diet, taking a class, teaching a class, starting a family, writing a book, getting a pet, and the list goes on… Most of the things we set out to do have a price, but the cost is usually worth the reward that we reap in the end. Bringing our bodies into subjection is never fruitless activity, it only serves to enrich our lives further. The moment you finally stand back to see just how far you've come, that's when you put down the popcorn and whisper “righteous” in true 80’s fashion. Till next week, ladies, Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, March 25th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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March 20th, 2008 I have exciting news that I've been waiting to share with you all for months, and today is finally the day that I'm spilling the beans! :) Candace Cameron Bure and I have teamed up to write a book on the Live Well! premise, tentatively titled, Live Well!: A Biblical Approach to Losing Weight and Feeling Great. We've both been working on the book for several months now, and if God continues our work as planned, the book should come out this summer. We're hoping to include about 12 testimonials in the book, and that's where you come in. :) If any of you have found freedom, joy, peace, or progress through the Live Well journey, we'd love to hear from you! The testimonials should be about 1-2 paragraphs long and would reflect the freedom you found since choosing to Live Well! Specific examples are good like, "I don't steal my kids cookies anymore." LOL (right about now my dad would say, "I don't steal them any less either!") If you'd like to submit a testimonial for review, please send it to us at: editor @ christianwomenonline.net (remove spaces) by April 15th. We'll only be able to include about 12 of them, so unfortunately we may not be able to accept all that come in, but I'll try! Thanks, ladies!
(If comments don't show--refresh the page) Posted by Darlene Schacht, March 20th -------------------------- Fortifying the Spirit... March 18th, 2008
Can we live by our choices without self-control? Can we stick to the plan without patience? Can we accept where we’re at today without peace? Can we enjoy every step of the journey without joy? And what would our future hold without faith? Then the familiar voice whispers in your ear, before it moves through your lips, “I’ve tried, and I’ve failed. I can’t possibly ever succeed.” That’s exactly the kind of discouragement that keeps us out of the race. "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?" We start running the race with joyful enthusiasm, having faith that this time we will kick the habit—this time we will make it work! But then someone cuts in on our dance with the Lord and leads us away. Don’t let him whisper for even a moment. Anything that is contrary to the fruit of the Spirit will lead us further and further away from the prize. That includes impatience, lack of self-control, and irritability, among several other bad-appled thoughts that attempt to creep in. "That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 'A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.'" (Galatians 5:8,9, NIV) Paul was talking to the Galatians here, admonishing those hoping to be justified by the law, thinking that law and grace should be mixed. But the verses also speak to those of us today, who struggle to walk by the Spirit with one foot in the flesh. Do you need an extra measure of faith? Do you need peace in your life? Do you lack joy, but hope to find it? Do you struggle with a bondage to junk food, and desperately need self-control? Praise God, because you can find those very things in His Holy Spirit that is freely bestowed on His children. Hallelujah! When we’re born of God we’re born of the Spirit. A Spirit that moves into our lives and is a living part of who we are. As we live in union with God we are continually refreshed with His Spirit, according the portion that He’s given to us. We’re born with a sinful nature, prone to crave the things of this world by the lust of the flesh. Addictions are rampant, whether that addiction is to alcohol, smoking, sex, gambling, pornography, or—here’s mine—overeating. There’s hardly a person I’ve met who hasn’t struggled in one way or another to release the hold they have on this world. But the good news, ladies, is that the world doesn’t, and will not have a hold on us! If we walk by the Spirit, we are free from the law of sin and death. "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature." (Galatians 5:16, NIV) How? Good question, right? Most of us know that the Spirit lives in us, but the question remains--how does that Spirit help us to give up our strongholds? What is the link between Spirit and freedom? Here's the answer: The Spirit desires things that are contrary to this world. He influences our actions, our thoughts and our passions, when we let Him move in. I mean really move in—unpack His bags and even rearrange the furniture if He wants to—not as a guest, but a resident. Mark this one on your heart, because it's key: For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. (Galatians 5:17, NIV) Can you imagine what that’s like? To desire the things of God so much that your appetite for this world fades away. That’s the power of the Holy Spirit and the fruit that He brings. More of you, Lord, less of me… Fortify your Spirit, by keeping your nose in the Word, and your hearts open to the leading of God. That’s how you invite Him to reside in your life; that’s how you invite Him to move! Keep working from the inside out, ladies, I love each and every one of you, and pray for you often. Till next week, Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, March 4th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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The Word Trumps Food... March 12th, 2008
Yes, stress will come our way, that’s a fact. The apostle Peter says, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” - 1 Peter 4:12. But we still manage to get that element of surprise that knocks us down a notch or two, and gets us running to the fridge for comfort. Merriam-Webster defines comfort food this way: Food prepared in a traditional style having a usually nostalgic or sentimental appeal. The words “nostalgic” and “sentimental” give us insight into the psychology of the binges we take. In fact it’s highly believed that the food we run to serves to remind us of a safer or pleasant time from our past. It’s no surprise that I turned to potato chips for over a decade in hopes of easing my stress. Growing up in an alcoholic household where Saturday-night beer bashes and fights were the norm, a retreat to my sister’s apartment was a safe haven for me—a safe haven that was stocked with pop, potato chips, and red licorice. Of course onion dip was also a must! I remember longing for the day when I’d have an apartment just like her's--the red brick building with the blue balconies. And I did, shortly after I turned eighteen. It’s no surprise that I lived in the identical apartment block that my sister had lived in only ten years before. No surprise at all, looking back at it now. My brain is the host of a reoccurring dream, in which I’m trying to move into that exact same apartment again, but I can’t find the keys. It changes up from week to week, with different scenarios, but the basic premise remains the same—I’m locked out. In other words, I’m stressed out and I’m looking for the key to that comfort place I once found. We’ve all heard that verse that Jesus spoke to rebuke the tempter when He said, “It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” I got to thinking about that verse, repeating it over and over in the car trying to find a deeper meaning that would sink in, and clarify things. So I asked my son, “What do you think it means?” With his usual dash of humor and simplicity, Brendan replied, “Essentially it means that God’s Word trump’s food.” Oh, he’s adorable, but I knew there was more :) … Deuteronomy 8:2-5 reads, “Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you." Looking at that verse, we see that God is refining us to reveal our true heart. It’s an honor to partake in His holiness, as we walk in the desert of testing. To be able to stand against the tempter when the going gets rough and say, “I don’t live by bread alone. I live by the Word of God.” Food won’t cure your pain, girl, and it won’t bring you back to that place of safety or comfort we desperately seek. Unfortunately all it will do is leave us empty and lonely, time and again. I think we've all experienced that familiar disappointed feeling we get an hour after we overeat. Measure that alongside the feeling you get when you seek out the Lord and lay the burden at His feet; the two are incomparable. Oh how it must grieve the Father when we turn to anything in this life before turning to Him. When we live according to our desire for food, drugs or alcohol, instead of happily accepting the manna He sent us from Heaven--His son. And then living our lives out to please Him. I think Brendan was right all along, “the Word trumps food.” It's plain and simply put, but it's true! Till next week, ladies live by the Word, and Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, March 4th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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The One-Trick Wonder Dog... March 5 th, 2008
By mid summer my husband and three boys chimed in, increasing the pressure until I finally threw in the towel and joined their team. This decision went against everything I had been telling myself for the past nine years, but since the family was so adamant about parenting a pup; I threw caution to the wind, and let Digger move in. Bad move--big time. Digger learned one trick, and that was to destroy the back yard. With hubby at work and the kids gone to school, Digger set out to live up to his name. And when they were home, the house was chaotic--clothing was torn, faces were scratched, and every electrical cord needed a guard. In the end, Michael was the one who finally said, “This dog has to go!” And he did. Sorry dog lovers! I imagine you’d like to poke pins in my head right about now—and I can’t say I blame you—but our life was seriously messed up, just as I had suspected it would be. My experience with Digger the One-Trick Wonder Dog, was sad, but it serves to remind me of the fact that the world around us affects the decisions we make--big time. It may not be today, it may not be tomorrow, but when left to tempt and pressure us, things we try our darndest to avoid have a way of getting under our skin, then into our lives. Remember the parable of the unjust judge? Luke chapter 18 tells us that after a certain widow repeatedly approached the judge for justice against her adversary, he finally threw down the gavel and said, “Because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice.” It’s amazing what nagging will do. Now let me ask, what’s nagging at you? Take one look in your refrigerator or the pantry, and you’ll get an answer pretty quick. Is it a pie? A chocolate bar? A bag of chips? French bread? Pop? For me it’s usually licorice. Red licorice. Every time I walk into the kitchen and glance to my right, I see a bag of Twizzlers begging to host a party in my mouth. I say “no.” And the next time I walk into the kitchen, I say “no” again. And the next time, and the next… Until finally I break down, pick up the bag and rip a few from the pack. James 1:14 tells us, “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” I'd always imagined that verse referring to a drunk sitting in a bar lusting for the next drink. His clothing is torn and well worn; his beard is unshaven. His hand trembles while he holds it down with the other. He looks nothing like me, but one look in the mirror tells me I'm wrong--tempation lurks at our doorstep no matter how polished it is. Dictionary.com defines enticed this way: It’s no wonder we food lovers struggle to keep our hands off the munchies. The constant lure we present ourselves with wears us down. If we set out to make change in hopes of achieving success, we must also design our surroundings to ensure it. Willpower is great to get us off to a great start, but temptations like “Betcha can’t eat just one!” eventually wear us down. “Out of sight—out of mind,” my dad used to say that often, but it’s a proven fact when it comes to eating. The less temptation we’re faced with, the less we’ll give in to it, so keep the junk out of sight, and out of reach. There’s also good news: the same rings true for the opposite. When I wash carrots and put them out where my family will see, they’re more likely to grab a few here and there. I even shove the bowl their way at times. Store washed lettuce in the fridge and you might grab a salad. Place cold water in the fridge, and you’re apt to drink some. Keep a fruit basket on the cupboard you’ll probably grab some. And let’s not forget—keep the Bible close by, and you’ll be reminded to read. Put the healthy choices out front, and keep the not-so-healthy food hidden away for special times like the weekend. That’s one way to design your life for success! Have a great week, ladies, and till then Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, March 4th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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________________________ Wrestling With Our Thoughts... February 27th, 2008
If you’ve been reading Live Well Wednesdays for a while, you’ll likely remember that May is a source of inspiration to me. She always has words of wisdom that make me want to grab a carrot or two in lieu of dessert. Either that or grab hold of her cheeks to convince her she’s brilliant! “There’s an old native story,” she told me, while I lifted a nacho in search of burnt cheese, “A young man was confused, so he approached an elder for some wisdom. Telling the elder that there was a tiger and a lion wrestling in his mind, the young man wondered which one would win. The old man looked at him, put a hand on his shoulder and wisely replied, ‘The one that you feed.’” For me it’s been more like two Sumo wrestlers, both fighting for a piece of cheesecake, and in the end I’m usually the one who wins out, but her story was better. It kept us talking for a good while, and really got me thinking about the thought patterns I feed. It’s funny how God speaks, because my husband and I were on the very same topic last Saturday. Not about the Sumo wrestlers, but about the anxiety that I face, and the way I choose to deal with it. Here’s my problem—I get stressed. There I said it, and I’m not a bit proud of the fact, but I do. Perhaps that’s why I turn to food for comfort, at least that’s my personal psychoanalysis of this whole addiction I fight. Stress comes my way, and I mindlessly reach for a fix. But when I really take it at face value, I see that it’s not a fix at all. It’s a temporary high that masks the real fixing I need—peace with myself through the healing touch of the one true comforter—The Holy Spirit. We converse daily with the people around us, but the truth is that the majority of the conversations we have are done with ourselves. If I get discouraged, worried, annoyed, deflated, lonely, or sad, and I stay that way, it’s only because I’m feeding those thoughts and letting the lion win. In fact I’m likely agreeing with them. If we tell ourselves that we’re nothing all day, how can we ever look in the mirror and expect to see something? If we tell ourselves that we won’t succeed, how can we find the courage to be a success? We can’t, unless we start to make change patterns in our thoughts. Thinking is a choice that we make, minute-by-minute, day-by-day. In order to stay in the right frame of mind, so that we are equipped to overcome the enemy, we’re instructed to train our thoughts. We train our bodies don’t we? In fact many of us are dedicated to training our bodies 30 minutes/day. Why not our thoughts? “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, NIV Let’s take a look at that verse in context. Just before writing it, Paul tells us in verse 6 not to be anxious about anything. Stress eaters, did you hear that one? Did God just take our excuse to indulge away? Yep, because—as He always does—He’s also provided a way, for stress eaters like us to escape by casting our cares upon Him. Philippians 4:7 tells us that in doing this He’ll guard our heart and mind, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” That’s a promise. What’s our job? Our job starts by being alert. We need to wisely interpret our thoughts, divide the good from the bad, and with a little self-control (or maybe a lot) converse with our thoughts in a way that is pleasing to God. If life gives you lemons, you don’t have to settle for lemonade, ladies. Did you know that one lemon could power a light? When attached to the right source it can also power a motor. Imagine just for a moment what the lemons in your life could produce if they are powered by God. Poverty, sickness, addictions, discouragement… the list is endless, but God’s grace is not. In other words start turning those negative thoughts into powerful statements of faith. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith” 1 Peter 5:7-9a I’ll be talking more about thoughts—particularly those of being happy—in my monthly column that comes out this Saturday (every 1st of the month). Hope you check it out here at CWO. Till next week, guard your thoughts, ladies,
Posted by Darlene Schacht, February 26th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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Victorious Week ... February 20th, 2008
Yesterday we celebrated our first long weekend in February ever. It is a new holiday called "Louis Riel Day." The kids had a four day weekend--which was wonderful--but I was still in my Monday mode today. So, I haven't written much today, but I am here to share some good news--I lost 2.5 pounds this week. It hasn't been any harder than what I was doing before, but my eating has been wiser, which has made a world of difference. I'm really thankful that God answered my prayer for direction and that He continues to fuel our efforts to Live Well! Till next week ladies, Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, February 19th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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Weight Watchers Online... February 13th, 2008
For about 7 years, I've learned to eat in moderation, or what some would consider small portions. I also exercise regularly, so you'd think that the weight would fall off me. Not so--I struggle. And I continue to struggle, but the difference between who I am now, and who I used to be is that I don't give up. Giving up isn't an option--moving forward is. But even with all of the struggling that I do, it isn't as easy as it was 7 years ago, when I took off 40 pounds. After time on my knees, I decided that it was time to check out Weight Watchers, to see what they were doing that I wasn't--or what they weren't eating that I was. I had attended about 15 years ago, and so I figured that I knew all there was to know, but I was shocked at the change. I was also surprised at exactly how much an online membership would give me. New to me was the "Flex Plan." To many of you it's probably old news already, but bear with this newbie, since I'm thrilled about all this stuff! The Flex Plan fits right in with my "moderation" plan. I eat the good foods I want to eat, but everything has points. I'm not the kind of person that will have five bowls of lettuce instead of pizza--don't get me wrong, I still want delicious food. But what I am learning is that if I want pasta, I'll need to keep the portion small, and balance it with something better for me like a chicken breast. And if I want a Big Mac, I should cut it in half and save some points for other things I'll want later. The points calculator is addictive, since I can type in anything from Campbells Soup to a Big Mac and get the points in an instant. I get 18 points/day, and seeing that an apple is only one, I'm encouraged to grab more fruit than I usually do. That I like too! What I didn't like is finding out that pasta is about 9 points/cup--yikes! It also gives me 35 extra points/week to have a date night with my sweetie, which we'll likely do this week! I love that being on track eliminates guilt. I can enjoy a night out and not feel like I fell off the wagon. If any of you are considering a plan like this, I encourage you to try it for a month. I signed up for only a month which was about $60.00 (including sign up and first month payment), and my sister and I took a look around. Althought it's priced fairly, it's not cheap for some on a tight budget, but even a month can teach you a lot. My sister took a look around my account and enjoyed it so much she's thinking about getting an account for herself too. Oh--you can also track your water and activities. Say if you walk for instance, you type in "walking," and the duration of time that you walked, and it converts it to points. You can use the points then to swap for more food. I'm not doing that, but I could. It does encourage you to move more when you see it adding up. Should I stop raving about this website now? Seeing how excited I was, my friend May said that I "just stepped onto the crazy train." Chooo! Chooo! Have a great Valentines week, enjoy a little chocolate, keep chugging along, and till next time, Live Well! Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, February 12th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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Get Set to Soar ... February 6 th, 2008
We’re hardly different, in fact the Bible instructs us saying, “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, NIV. These are the things that will help us rise above our strongholds. These are the thoughts that will bring us closer to the person God created us to be. What thoughts cloud your mind on your road to Live Well? Do you believe you can and will do it, or do you entertain the negative thoughts that whisper, "You can't?" Believing in ourselves, and believing in God as our source of strength will change us from the person we were. Of course believing in who we are should not be confused with having a claim to be who we’re not. Anyone who watched American Idol last night can attest to that. Thousands of hopeful singers, who truly believe they can sing, cannot. They can claim to be an Idol every morning for the next fifty years, and Simon will still say that they’re a bit too pitchy for his liking. That’s just a fact. But what we can become is the best “we” that God created us to be. It’s that familiar prayer of hope: “God grant me the serenity The first step is to believe in yourself enough to get off the fence and step on to the other side. This hedging on the idea of losing weight, but arguing with every thought that keeps you from it, is the very thing that holds you in bondage and will continue to do so until you break free. Turn off the negative thoughts, and start believing in who you’re created to be. Your weight will not change because of what you know. It will only change when you stop arguing with your thoughts and begin to make change. That's when you'll rise, girl--that's when you'll soar! Enjoy the view from the top, and til next week, Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, February 5th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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My Week So Far ... January 30th, 2008
Speaking of which, I'm keeping on track as well. After a bit of soul searching and a lot of prayer this month, I decided that it was time for me to go back to the basics and re-evaluate my goals. I'll be writing about it in detail this upcoming Friday in my Live Well! column. By renewing my focus, I gained a new strength that empowered me to not only stay on track, but to get all the more excited about this journey to Live Well! I was going to go into it in part here today, but seeing that Feb.1st is only two days away, I thought I'd wait and get into detail then. As for my progress...I've been drinking my water, eating in moderation, exercising four times/week and most of all, I've been giving it all to the Lord, so I'm pretty content with my progress. What do I mean by giving all to the Lord? While I've been praying on my knees and reading the Bible, I also realized that the best way I could possibly abide in the vine was by giving my life to love those around me, so I've been looking for opportunities to do so as God's been providing. After all, Living Well is really all about living beyond ourselves. I hope that you all had a great week. Until next time, Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, January 29th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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Perseverance... January 23rd, 2008
I love that verse. “Perseverance”--that word is tucked in there barely noticed, but so important when we choose to Llive Well! Have you ever given up on a diet because you weren’t seeing the results that you wanted, only to look back later and wish that you hadn’t given up? Have you ever joined a gym, bought a treadmill or started a home exercise program, but quit when going got tough? Have you ever started with a commitment to read the Bible every single night, but gave up because you lost interest? Have you given up on a marriage because he wasn’t fulfilling your needs and desires? Most of us will answer yes to at least one of these questions, and as a result most of us have missed out on a blessing that comes with staying the course. What’s hindering you? There’s a familiar acronym that we've talked about before, it points out four things that can hinder our release over food. It’s known as HALT, meaning that if you are hungry, angry, lonely or tired, you just might be reaching for food. Reaching—that’s where we err. There’s nothing inherently wrong with putting a doughnut to our lips, but if we are doing it to fill a void that should be handled with wisdom and faith, then we’re not being good stewards of our human vessel—a vessel that carries the Spirit of God. Next time you’re mindlessly looking for something to eat, ask yourself if any of the following are eating at you:
Anyone of these things can knock us off of our game should they remain unchecked. Some of them are easy enough to correct, while others may require some soul searching, prayer and counseling. The important thing is that we need to get into the habit of asking ourselves, is it food I'm really after, or should I be reaching out to God? Getting down on our knees and giving our food issues over to God is one way to bring us into a fellowship with Him—allowing ourselves to be fed with the goodness He gives. “For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:9 Everytime we reach out in the wrong direction, we miss out on blessings that could otherwise be ours. But when we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, He satisfies our hunger and thirst by filling the void. Till next week, ladies, be blessed and Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, January 22nd (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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5 Simple Rules ... January 16th, 2008
Ultimitely that should be up to you, according to the goals that you have in mind, but if you're looking for some basic advice to help you get started, I have five basic rules that I've adopted over the years. They may not match the plans of the other women who participate here, but they are my personal favorites! I hope these tips help get you started, but before you do remember to check with your doctor prior to starting any diet to ensure that it’s the right plan for you. Ladies, please feel free to add your favorite tips in the comment box. I'd love to hear them too! Without further ado, here’s my “Five Tips for Weight Loss and Maintenance”
I hope that helps you get started. Till next week, ladies, Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, January 15th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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) but I'll be back here again next week, refreshed and ready to go!
