Success Spotlight ~ Mary R.

What was the turning point in your journey?

The turning point in my journey was during the 40-Day Sugar Detox that started this past January. I did a detox from carb cravings during that time and I developed three additional good habits—I stopped mindlessly snacking in the evenings, I kept a food journal on www.myfitnesspal.com, and I learned how not to ponder on negative thoughts.

A second turning point for me was during the Live Breakthrough Program. That is when I truly acknowledged and accepted that I cannot lean on my own strength and I cannot make lasting healthy changes without keeping God involved every day. I also realized during Breakthrough that I no longer obsessed with food. I know now what I can eat, and what isn’t wise for me to eat. When I can, I track what I eat during the course of the day and make adjustments as needed to what my dinner plans are. I’m not perfect, but I allow for making adjustments so that I do not fall back into unhealthy ways.

How long have you been a member and what keeps you coming back?

I rejoined Weight Loss, God’s Way in the Fall of 2018. What keeps me coming back is the support, encouragement, and guidance I receive from Cathy, the program itself, and the members. This program not only keeps me on track with physically taking care of myself but also mentally and spiritually. I no longer get in depression and/or anxiety slumps. If they start to creep into my life, I have the tools and support of others to readily nip it and keep it from consuming me. I have a closer relationship with God. Almost every day I talk to Him about what is going on in my life. I draw my strength from Him and I often receive the feeling of peacefulness from Him—especially on the days that I spend time with Him before I go to work.

What advice/tips/suggestions could you offer to your fellow sisters on this journey?

My advice to new members is that after you go through the 21-Day Challenge, go through the Sugar Detox. It helped me tremendously to rid myself of the unhealthy food cravings. For those of you who have been a member for a while, but haven’t done the Sugar Detox yet, I believe you will find it beneficial too.

A second suggestion I have is to write down what you eat each day, no matter what it is nor how much it is. This keeps me accountable for and aware of what I choose or not to choose to eat that day. I no longer feel obsessed or consumed by tracking what I eat. I am in control now of what I choose to eat and when.

My third suggestion is to find a compatible accountability partner. Get to know the person before you decide to partner up with her. My accountability partner has been a blessing. I enjoy and appreciate her friendship beyond her listening ear and her feedback.

How many years have you struggled with your weight?

I have struggled with my weight most of my life. As a young person, I dieted and exercised a lot to not get obese. When I was in my early 40’s I decided I was not dieting anymore. I was tired of yo-yo dieting. Bad move, eventually I got to be over 200 pounds and stayed there for many years. The excessive weight gain had kept me for many years from enjoying an intimate relationship with my husband, outdoor activities, and attending my husband’s work parties. It’s even kept me from attending school reunions.

What was your highest weight? What is your current weight?

218 lbs highest; 175 lbs current

When are you projected to achieve your goal weight?  

I am rethinking my goal weight. I was originally aiming to be at my goal weight of 135 lb no later than March of 2020. I am now willing to listen to my body and see what it decides is a realistic, healthy weight for me. That might be closer to 150 or it might be less than 135.

Do you still fear that you will revert back to your old habits and mindsets?

I know that reverting back to old bad habits and mindsets is a possibility, but most of the time I do not fear that that will happen. I know what I need to do. I have the tools to keep it from happening with God’s help and the help of my support system.

What is your theme scripture that ministers to you on this journey?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV).

“Finally, brothers and sisters, 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).

Are there still ‘hard’ days? And what do you do on those days?

I have infrequent hard days now that I know what foods trigger me to want to overeat.

There are also fewer hard days because I have the tools to keep myself from staying in a slump of feeling down, sad, depressed, and/or anxious.

What’s the most profound principle you’ve learned in the Healthy by Design program?

The most profound principle I’ve learned is that I cannot live a healthy life without God. I also learned the importance of making conscious decisions, and the importance of making a plan, sticking to that plan, and being flexible when I need to be.

What was your favorite course?

My favorite course was the 40-Day Detox for two major reasons:

1. It freed me from craving carbohydrates and from binge-eating
2. I learned the active practice of stomping my feet to stop myself from focusing on negative thoughts

Aside from your physical weight, what other changes/benefits have you received from taking better care of yourself?

What benefits me the most from the Weight Loss God’s Way Program is my learning how not to let myself get stuck pondering negative thoughts and holding onto negative feelings. I stop the negative thoughts by stomping my feet, doing positive self–talk, and sometimes I say a Bible verse and/or pray. I am pleased to report that I do a lot less stomping these days. LOL.