This Is Only A Test...

Lately, I've been in conversation with several people and finding myself giving the same advice time and time again. The odd thing is, the people I've been advising are in the same predicaments I'm not far removed from. I recognize me in their situations and it's easy for me to relate yet testify at the same time.

I'm beginning to see that when you are delivered from something, the true way to realize how you've grown is that you will begin to see your(past)self through the eyes of those still afflicted. And the test is all in how you respond to them.

An example is that I am often surrounded (not by choice) by those who like to gossip and backbite. I was never a fan of gossipping but I used to find myself speaking of people when they werent in my company. Now, when I'm around that spirit it bothers my Spirit and I don't participate AT ALL. I see the old me in those people and am always thankful for deliverance. In not responding to the gossipers, I find that others are uncomfortable in my presence and often stop their gossiping or "test" me and try to get me to join in.

The things is, once you've been delivered, DON'T LOOK BACK! And your testimony of deliverance is often used to testify to the afflicted. No better person to give advice than someone who has been through it!

Weight Loss Woes

Hey peoples! Let's get right to it. I started a weight loss "journey" when I began to be dissatisfied with recent pictures of myself. It was a reality check to see the weight I've gained come to a peak. I'm quite dissapointed that I've let my weight increase to it's highest over the past couple years. It really began to spiral when I relocated from Indiana to Atlanta 2 years ago, threw caution to the wind and began to indulge in all the fine foods Atlanta has to offer. For the first time in....well, EVER I was not working and had more free time to snack and dining became my favorite pastime.

Well about a couple months ago, I actually put my words to work and began working out about 3 times/week. After having not worked out in propably over 5 years, this was a major step for me. And just about a month ago, I've began to change my eating habits. It's been about calorie counting, and MODERATION, also cutting out starches and breads.

Imagine my surprise when I saw the scale shift 12lbs! I was elated to see that my hard work was paying off! However; I hadn't noticed much change in my inches lost or the way my clothes were fitting. So I was a bit confused as to how I could have lost the weight and not noticed it at all.

I posed the question on my instagram and facebook accounts about why I hadn't noticed the weight loss. And followers responded that maybe it was that I gained muscle, maybe my mind was still stuck at the previous weight, maybe I'd lost inches, maybe it was water weight. etc etc etc. All the while, I was reading their comments thinking "Yeah, that is all positive and what not, but something is just not right." I'd been taking my measurements, I hadnt been weight training, and I know my body.

So I had my weight medically checked by a professional and (like I suspected) I HADN'T infact lost the 12lbs. Turns out the scale in the gym is OFF. I guess maybe it started to malfunction recently, but it's off nonetheless and now I don't even know for sure what my starting weight was, but I know one thing for sure. I'm NOT progessing at the rate I would like. It's making it all seem for naught :-( All the willpower I've been exercising, all the working out, and I've only lost a few pounds in the last couple months.

Yesterday...I rebelled. Counter productive, I know. But after I got the news I just ate till my hearts content and "blew my diet".

Lots of ups and downs on this journey, but I fell yesterday and today, I'm getting back up. Trying to keep at it...My body has changed, and I resent it and myself for allowing it to happen, now I must do something and continue to do so. This is going to be VERY hard and apparently not as swift as I'd like, but it must be done.

I'll fill you all in throughout this process. Wish me luck!