How many times a day do you think of yourself as fat? How many times a day do you scowl at yourself in the mirror? How many times a week do you weigh yourself and hope for that magical number? How much do you hate shopping for clothes? Does the upcoming bathing suit season make you cringe?
My dearest friend who is sick and tired of feeling fat,
The way you look is not who you are. You are more than the imperfections you see – more than that reflection in the mirror. And the more you concentrate on that imperfect reflection, the more discouraged you will feel. What you change first isn’t what you see, it’s HOW you see. You need to understand that who you are isn’t the fat rolls or the muffin top or the stretched out skin. Who you are isn’t the stretch marks or the flappy arms or the wide hips.
All that stuff doesn’t determine your worth.
Who you are isn’t the shell that will eventually rot away six feet under the ground.
You need to put on a different set of eyes – eyes that see the real you, not the husk you’re walking around in.
You need to change the way you look at yourself – you need to start speaking positively instead of putting yourself down. You are no longer allowed to think or speak the word “fat” about yourself any more. No matter how much you weigh, it has nothing to do with your worth.
You are a beautiful soul with beautiful qualities to share with our beautiful world. Changing the negative tapes that play in our heads takes rehearsal. The more you speak positively about yourself, the more you’ll believe it.
Now, this might feel silly, but it’s utterly necessary.
Stand in front of a mirror.
Say this,
“People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” -1 Samuel 16:7
There is a reason you feel the way you do about yourself. And there are steps you can make to change it. But before you can take those steps, you have to know WHOSE you are. You have to know how Jesus sees you. He looks at the HEART – not your wiggly thighs. Now, Jesus certainly wants you to take care of the gift He’s given you. We need to take care of our temple. I learned long ago that my addiction to food was keeping me from hearing God.
Food was an idol for me.
And honestly, it kept me from seeing myself how Jesus sees me.
Precious.
I know you are tired of trying. I was, too – seriously, read my story – I hope it inspires you. And honestly, there are still twenty pounds hanging around that I would love to get rid of. But I need to continue to grasp the essence of 1 Samuel 16:7 – I need to see myself the way Jesus sees me – and then I can continue to work on become healthier and stronger.
Notice I didn’t say thinner.
We are obsessed with thin. Obsessed with beauty. Obsessed with perfect. Hair, skin, nails, body. But we want to be like JESUS – and He doesn’t judge people by their hair, skin, nails, and body. He looks at the heart.
If you are in tune with Him, He will show you what’s next. When He asked me to give up fast food – that was a big deal. But it’s been three years and I no longer crave that stuff.
First, you need to see yourself how He sees you (check out my post about not needing a Barbie Body).
Then, you need to make the decision to change. Let’s be real, folks, Any change requires sacrifice. And if you really want it, it’s there for the taking. But you have to really want it. Here are some of the steps I took that helped me lose my initial 70 pounds. I have a ways to go, but at least it was the first step.
You are beautiful. Your heart is beautiful. And you are wonderfully made by the Father. You need to grasp that, first. Then, if you’re ready, the journey to healthy, not thinner, is waiting for you. Thinner might be a surprising and pleasant side effect, but it is not the goal.
Living and enjoying life is the goal. Walking out your heavenly purpose is your goal. Playing with your kids or grandkids or any kids without losing your breath is your goal. Hiking and biking and walking and relishing in the outdoors is your goal. Thinner is not your goal.
He is your mirror. And He’s looking at your heart.
Here are some other posts that might encourage you on your journey:
No more I’ll start on Monday: Start NOW
Eating to Live: Why I Will NEVER Diet Again
Eating to Live: Practical Ways to Catapult Change
Mindless Words are like Mindless Eating: Let’s get rid of them both
When Food Addiction Rears it’s Ugly Head
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Carrie Wisehart 