Well, who'da thunk it?!

You know what I realized this weekend? My eating habits really HAVE changed! I guess that's partly why the Bible study is eight weeks long. I've heard it said many times that to form a good habit (or break a bad one) you need 28 days. The Woman of Moderation study gives us twice that ~ 56 days ~ and maybe that's one reason it felt fairly natural to just stick with the recommended eating plan, even after the study was over.

Any diet I've tried in the past has always been a relief when it's "finished." Because then I can go back to enjoying myself.

Clearly, with this eating plan (see more about it on the sidebar) I haven't NOT enjoyed myself. It's easy to stick with because I don't have to deny myself anything. Nothing is "off-limits."

How many of you have "had" to give up fats, sugars, carbs, red meat, etc., in order to follow the rules of some sure-fire, 100% satisfaction-guaranteed-or-your-money-back weight loss method? You know what the apostle Paul has to say to Believers who buy into these kinds of "diets?"

Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. {Colossians 2:20-23; emphasis mine}

Abstaining from desserts or pasta completely might sound wise, and it works for a while, but it simply isn't something anyone can do perfectly forever. These methods almost always fail because they are based on one narrow idea.

Sugar, in and of itself, isn't bad. Carbohydrates, in and of themselves, are not bad. It's the OVERINDULGENCE in either where the problems arise.

This weekend, I was in two seperate situations where there was food ~ SNACK food, not just boring healthy stuff! ~ in front of me, and BOTH TIMES, I noticed the conspicuous absence of the impulse to automatically take it. It was there, I saw it, knew it would taste good, but because I wasn't really hungry, I didn't think much of it. And I didn't take any. Not a single morsel.

Obviously, sticking to this eating plan has done more than just lose me some weight. I don't just mindlessly stuff things into my pie-hole anymore. When I eat, it's a conscious decision, not an impulse.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW WILDLY FREEING AND EMPOWERING THAT REALIZATION WAS???!!!

If you have tried Weight Watchers and failed, if you've tried Atkins and failed, if you've tried South Beach and failed.... if you've tried ANY "diet" and failed, I encourage you to try this Bible study.

You CAN be victorious! You CAN overcome! You CAN say with Paul:

"Everything is permissible" --

but. I. will. not. be. mastered. by. ANYTHING.

{1 Corinthians 6:12b, emphasis mine}