Normal.

"Normal" is such a funny word isn't it?

Such a relative, subjective word. In a way, COMPLETELY meaningless, and yet we fully rely on it.

Similar to my struggles with those blasted "half" days (though not nearly as frustrating!), I sometimes wonder what the Setting Captives Free people who thought up this eating plan meant by "normal."

Do they mean "normal," as in, what and how would I have eaten in the past? or do they mean "normal," as in, what I would like my normal to look like in the future?

I was thinking about it on my walk yesterday. For me, the temptation is to use those "normal" days as an excuse to fall into the comfort of bad habits and over-eating. Because that would have been NORMAL just three short weeks ago. Yesterday, I caved and the devil got to do his happy dance, sticking his tongue out at God behind my back, while I devoured two pancakes smothered in blueberry syrup as an afternoon snack. Followed by the delicious, greasy heaven otherwise known as "KFC," for supper.

I believe, however, that that is NOT the idea behind "normal" days!! Ideally, I think these "normal" days are supposed to look like we'd like them to look ~ you know, like how they'll look when we're skinny! Eating anything in moderation, but never over-eating, certainly no unhealthy snacking, and allowing our bodies to let us know when it's time to refuel rather than our emotions.

I had a pretend conversation with someone as I walked ~ someone who, a few months down the road, of course, was commenting on how great I looked and asking whatever had been my secret. As I conversed and explained how I got to looking so fabulous, I realized that I was sharing a testimony. My testimony. My path out of slavery, of taking up my cross, of dying to sin, of kicking the devil and his lies to the curb, and giving my angels an excuse to party every day. To the point where the party ran non-stop.

I noticed, as I spoke, that my idea of "normal" eating in the future looks VERY different from the day I actually had yesterday. And I realized, that continuing to have days like I had yesterday will only delay ~ and most likely cancel ~ that future.

I'll never get to the point where "normal" for me is fruit and whole wheat toast for breakfast, homemade trailmix for a mid-morning snack, a bowl of vegetable soup or a salad for lunch, celery sticks with cheese for an afternoon snack, a small well-balanced supper, and a small yogurt for evening snack... That's NEVER gonna happen if I'm having a stack of pancakes in the afternoon, two greasy, deep-fried chicken breasts and fries smothered in gravy for supper, and wolfing it down like there's no tomorrow ~ simply because that WAS my normal!

I need a NEW normal.

How would YOU like your "normal" to look?

Let's you and me

LIVE OUR NEW NORMAL

today!!