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Live Well Wednesdays
Newbies and latecomers,
please feel
-------------------------- 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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________________________ Happy New Year ... January 9th, 2008
A friend offered me encouragement just before Christmas came around saying, "let's just make it through the holidays, it will get easier after that." That often came to mind, like the day I found myself standing in front of an all you can eat Christmas dinner consisting of mouth watering cabbage rolls, stuffing, mashed potatoes, meatballs, turkey, and ham. Oh and who can forget the gravy! Need I say more? Or the evening my sister laid out about 50,000 different ourve derves to choose from. How do you spell ourve derves anyway? I don't know--I just eat them. "Everything in moderation, Darlene!" That's what I told myself, and that's how I managed to survive. I hope that you all did too. I picked up a great book over the holidays that combines two topics I love--psychology and food. It's called Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think, by Brian Wansink. Wow, am I absorbed in this one! Brian made a point in the book that rang a familiar bell in my ear. He talked about variety, saying that when we have a variety of food, such as an all you can eat buffet, we tend to eat more. That's true when you consider the fact that "I'll have one of these, and I'll try one of those, and I'll taste a little of that..." adds up fast. His advice is to survey the table, limit yourself to about three of the items, and let your eyes tell you how much you should eat--not your stomach. Apparently our stomachs really are bigger than our eyes at times. I wish I had this advice BEFORE the holidays--but next time I'll be prepared. Since my preferred eating plan is based on moderation rather than good food vs. bad food, I'm loving the insight I'm gleaning from this book, and I'm applying a few of the tactics to my eating routine. I've also picked up a new habit, which I didn't have before the holidays. I'm praying with my accountability partner each night before we head out to the gym. This was inspired by the column I wrote this month on three bearing witness, and the strength that's found in a chord of three strands. I look forward to hearing from each of you this week too. Til next week, Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, January 8th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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________________________ Conscious... December 19th, 2007
It wasn’t until I started living God’s way that I began to see progress. I remember going from a size fourteen to a size seven in a matter of less than a year. It felt good to buy a pair of jeans that weren’t plus priced, and to see the reflection of a healthy sized me. I began to live God’s way, by developing deep convictions in life–which included the way that I ate–and living them out. It began with journaling my thoughts and my goals, digging deep inside to discover what it was that I really needed for my life. The journaling was a form of prayer that I took to a secluded spot each evening. I cried, I sang, and at times I tore the paper into tiny pieces before returning home. What was shared in those moments were between God and I. They were moments of healing and hope. Without the renewing of our mind, we have no reason to stick to the plan, but when our convictions to change are grounded in the will of God for our lives it becomes a driving force that keeps us moving in the right direction. It’s for this reason that many people who come to salvation suddenly discover that they are free from addictions that have been with them for years. I believe that it’s also the reason that “a higher power” is a key element in most addiction programs. If you’ve ever looked at the 12 steps of AA, you may have noticed that there isn’t one step on the list that simply says, “Stop drinking” or “Avoid alcohol.” That’s because we can’t stop unless we have taken the steps to changing within—renewing our minds. We might stop for a day or a week, but unless we really understand that we are powerless without Jesus Christ and His saving grace, we’ll continue to keep trying and failing because we’re running on our strength alone. A few weeks ago, I told you about my sister, Bonnie. After losing 14 pounds, she was on a plateau for three weeks straight. She continued to eat well, and work out at the gym six days a week, but yet the needle on the scale remained unchanged—that is until her spiritual eating plan changed. Digging into the word every single morning, over the past two weeks, Bonnie's lost seven more pounds. Coincidence? No, actually--it’s not. It’s accountability. Through fellowship with God, we become further determined, and conscious of our actions. She started to realize that she was drinking some of her calories, going a little heavy on the gravy at times, and having a few too many rewards. Most importantly she discovered that fellowship with God was suddenly satisfying her craving for food. This accountability to God gave her the clarity and strength that she needed to make change. And boy has she changed! 21 pounds down and going strong! Did I mention she's 4 foot 11? How cute is that? “Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." - Psalm 5:1-3 **Oops, Ladies! I forgot to mention that Live Well Wednesdays will be off until January 9th because of the holidays. 'Til then, Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, December 18th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants... *Ladies: Please note that we will be off now until
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A Little Tired... December 12th, 2007
May said, "Food can never make you feel as good as looking great does." So true! I love the feeling I get when my hair is round brushed, I'm wearing a great pair of jeans--that fit, and I'm feeling good about myself. That's satisfying, and it sure beats the other days when our clothes feel tight, or they just don't fit right. When we don't feel so great about the choices we've made for our bodies. Yuck. All was going well last week--in fact better than well--it was great. I had finally broke a plateau and passed my weight-loss goal. But then lack of sleep happened, along with a sprinkle of stress. Not a good mix. Even when I knew that the reason I reached for more carbs was because I was tired, I justified it by saying, "Ok, I'll eat this today, and sleep better tonight." I should have resisted, but the problem with a lack of sleep is that we're not on our game. It really has a way of clouding our choices. Monday night I got on my knees, gave my food issues back over to God and went to bed earlier. Tuesday I felt great!! I was back in the game making wise choices for myself and thinking clearly again. So, today I'm having a pretty good day. With two steps forward, and one step back, we're still going someplace, right ladies? Get some good sleep, and 'til next week, ladies, Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, December 11th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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My Personal Update December 5 th, 2007
My sister had mentioned that she wasn't getting anywhere with her weight loss, so I asked her about the calories she was drinking. Sure enough, she was drinking a lot, in the fancy coffees she'd have with lunch. After she cut them out, she went down another few pounds this week. I also found out that her version of "not getting anywhere" was actually 14 pounds lost in four months. I'm proud of her, that's fantastic! Setting a goal to lose slowly is not something most of us want to do, but it's a good way to go, and the time does go by fast. Imagine if you were 48 pounds lighter now then you were last Christmas? That's only one pound a week. Likely one frustrating pound at a time, and plenty of patience, but look at the difference it would have made! My goal was to lose 12 pounds in 12 months, and I lost it in four. I also took two inches off of my waist since I hit the gym about 6 weeks ago! If I lose another 10 pounds, I won't complain, but we'll see. I want to leave you with some inspiration my friend May gave me at breakfast the other day. She said, "If you want something you've never had before, you have to do something you've never done before." Think about that. Doing the mediocre won't get you in fantastic shape, if you want to wear a great pair of pants, you have to live differently. I'm sure we could all use a friend like May to encourage us with her wise motivational words; I know I'm thankful for her, and I'm thankful for you! Till next week, ladies, Live Well!
Posted by Darlene Schacht, December 4th (If comments don't show--refresh the page) Visit other "Live Well Wednesday" participants...
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Covenant with My Eyes November 28th, 2007
I suppose I’d be fine if I didn’t have an issue with food. I could choose a recipe, head to the store, buy the necessary ingredients and whip up a nutritious, low cal meal for my family. But I do have a problem unfortunately that I’m working my butt off (literally) trying to overcome, which is the lust of the flesh—the desire to overindulge, and the tendency that I have to glorify food more than I should. |
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) but I'll be back here again next week, refreshed and ready to go!