January 12, 2025

A Ball of Yarn

There are so many things on my mind today. Community, friendship, event sessions, as well as hurt, anger, anxiousness over recent events. One time I heard someone say that a woman’s brain is like a ball of yarn. One thought touching another thought and then another and on and on, just like one continuous strand of yarn. That’s what I ‘m experiencing today. Even as I was thinking about what I wanted to write about my mind kept jumping from one idea to the next. 

 

Are your thoughts ever like that? Do you feel as if you are bouncing from one thing to the next? 

 

So, in all the craziness of my brain it’s nice to just sit a minute. To be still. To be quiet. And to be reminded that God’s mind is not like our mind. In fact, scripture says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa. 55:8) He is not wondering what will happen, how things will turn out. I don’t know about you, but that is amazing comfort for me. His stomach doesn’t hurt from anxiousness. He does not have sleepless nights. He is God. All knowing, all powerful, and fully in control. 

 

In years past, anxiousness ( whether good or bad) would drive me to food. I would eat as if the food itself provided some kind of magic potion that would calm me. It didn’t. 

In the past, I would see anxiousness as weakness. What’s wrong with me? Why am I nervous or upset? Now I see it as a catalyst to move me closer to God, to be more intentional about seeking Him. To step toward Him. Why? Because He knows. He cares. He is not disappointed in my thoughts and feelings. He gets me. He loves me. 

 

I’ve prayed a lot over the past few days. Many times out loud. Real loud!  

I’ve asked Him for protection, for wisdom, for comfort.

I’ve praised Him for the blessings He has given me. For the doors He’s opened and the community He has so graciously blessed me with. 

 

I’m not the same woman I used to be. I haven’t eaten an entire pack of Oreos or a bag of Lay’s chips over the past few days. I haven’t thrown in the towel. I haven’t turned my back on God (sadly I have chosen that before). 

 

And this may seem crazy to you, but the person I am now is a by-product of the weight loss journey I started in 2021 and the promise I made to myself to never quit. I had no idea that losing physical weight would also mean losing so much more. And by losing, I gained.  

 

So let me leave you with 2 things. If you are struggling on a weight loss journey, don’t quit! 

Put in the work. Keep trying. You may only see it as a way to “get skinny.” However, as the layers are peeled away a whole new you will begin to shine forth. Secondly, and just as important, work to change your mindset and to grow spiritually. (If you don’t know where to start send me a message. I’ll be glad to help.) I am not sure the weight loss will last if we don’t change our mindset. And I believe we must allow God to be our fortress. Not food, social media, tv, friends, material possessions. HIM! He is our constant. He is our stronghold. 

All of the other things are temporary and provide no real relief or comfort. 

 

Take your jumbled mess to the only One who can help you sort it out. 

January 5, 2025

Word of the Year

Have you ever chosen a word for the year and then forgotten what it was a few weeks later? Me too! Like so many other things I declare in January, they seem great at the time, but then I barely give them a second thought. However, over the past few years I have learned to set goals and then form habits to make sure I hit those goals. I have also learned that I have to keep the goals/words put in a prominent place so I see it on a daily basis and am reminded of things I really want to make happen. 

 

Last year I chose the word “celebrate” and wrote it on an index card and put it in a drawer. Finally in March I stumbled upon the card and was reminded that I would have to make celebrating a priority if I truly wanted it to happen. I would have to notice times of celebration, create celebrations, and be on the “look out” for daily celebrations. 

 

I loved having a word of the year for 2024. I loved how there were intentional times of celebration and spontaneous ones. I loved turning a MONUMENTAL birthday year into a birthday I would look forward to and always remember. 

 

In October, before I was even thinking about a new year, let alone a word for 2025, there it was; right in the middle of a devotion. It was one of those things that as soon as I saw it I knew. I knew it had to be my word of the year and I knew that this word had the power to transform 2025 into a life changing year (let me also say it’s not your normal word of the year and I wondered how I would even explain/share why I chose the word, but here goes).

 

“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matt. 26:23

You are probably like me and have read or heard this verse many times. All the other times of hearing this verse I thought about the pain and agony that Jesus would soon have to endure on my behalf. But this time the writer of the devotion pointed out how Jesus was “yielding” to the Father’s will. And there it was~yielded, yielding, yield. Those words that Jesus said showed how He chose to die to self and yield to the Father. I have always struggled with the “deny thyself” or “die to self” for whatever reason(s). Pride, independence, selfishness? Whatever it was, I had trouble doing it. However, on that day when I read the word “yield” I knew that’s what I needed to/had to do. Just as a yield sign indicates you should let someone else go ahead of you, yielding to God means to surrender our lives to Jesus and commit to follow Him and let Him lead. 

 

This year, whatever comes my way, coaching opportunities or no coaching opportunities, open doors or closed, a growing business or no business, I must choose to YIELD to His will, His way. By dying to my self-centered way I can then discover the beauty and power within myself that God intended. I will choose to yield to His higher purpose.

 

This year feels different, especially as it relates to my health and wellness journey. I am at my goal weight, so weight loss is not a daily thought. In many respects, I have reached most of my health goals. So I am not spending all of my time thinking about “losing” weight and all that goes with that. And honestly, I can’t remember the last time (if ever) that I’ve been in this space. 

 

I’m launching a new business that is a huge part of my life, my daily thoughts, my plans. 

 

I have a retirement job I love and I get to coach Weight Watchers workshops and have gained many friends through that opportunity. 

 

I firmly believe that God has me in all of these places and I am walking out my purpose. 

 

But can I fully walk in His purpose for me and not daily yield to Him? I don’t think so. 

 

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” Matt. 16:24

 

This year I will choose to deny myself and to yield to Him. 

His will, His way.

His purpose, His plans.

December 29, 2024

Reflections

As I prepare to close out 2024 and begin a new year I can’t help but reflect on all that has happened over the past few years. From retiring to opening a daycare, from starting Weight Watchers for the 1 millionth time, to becoming a lifetime member, then becoming a WW coach, not to mention completing my certification as a holistic wellness coach. It has been a steady progression toward a new and better life. 

 

What began as another attempt to lose the weight turned into the greatest physical, mental, and spiritual transformation of my life! Who would’ve thought at this age I would be so excited to see the future and what it holds. But here I am, anxiously hopeful, excited, and simply in awe of this life I am living. Now don’t think for one second that I am not a little scared, wondering who I am, that I could be this person daring to dream new dreams at 60, “finding” myself if you will. Which seems so strange to say at this ripe old age. I think we think that people should have it all figured out by 60 and just coasting into retirement. So am I crazy to try this? Crazy to try something new? I’m an old lady for goodness sake.

 

However, it did not happen overnight. Just today I sat and talked with my daughter and son-in-law about life. My upbringing, challenges faced, how we grow and change and I wondered how I got here. How did a “diet” get me here? How did losing the weight bring about such a life change? Honesty, I don’t know and if I did I don’t know if I could put it into words, but I want to try. 

 

Losing the fat was like peeling away the layers of an onion. As the weight started to come off I began to think about getting more heart healthy. I started walking. Then, as I became more physically healthy I knew that in order to make this a lasting change I was going to have to change my mindset. I read books, listened to motivational podcasts, and started following inspirational WW members and creators who challenged me and shared how they stayed the course. Soon I wanted to focus on holistic wellness which not only included the physical and mental, but the spiritual side of me. I started setting monthly goals; one for the body, one for the mind, and one for the soul. These helped me stay focused on my ultimate goal which was to become wholly healthy. 

 

And now here I am 3 ½ years later stepping toward this new vision, purpose if you will, that God has given me. Today at church the preacher shared this statement. “I can exist in my past, or my present, or my future.” I don’t know about you, but I want to live in my present while looking to the future. I don’t want to let anything hold me back from what God has planned for me. 

 

So today, I will live intentionally. I will forever be thankful for the lessons learned and this life I get to live and I will excitedly prepare and look forward to the future. 

 

Will you join me? 

Let’s reach our goals, go after our dreams and step into our God given purpose.

Here’s to 2025!  

December 22, 2024

Gifts

I don’t know about you, but a lot of my thoughts, time, and money lately have gone toward gift purchasing and giving. 

What do my boys want? 

What will I give my Littles, my neighbors and friends, my Weight Watchers members? 

And on and on it goes. 

 

Well, the gifts are bought, wrapped, and under the tree. I’ve gotten together with friends and now it’s time to have the family celebrations. (I can hardly wait to see the delight in my grandboys faces as they open up their gifts!) 

 

Even though a great deal of time has been spent on the gift purchasing, that is not what this holiday means to me. It’s about Jesus and because He has given me the greatest gift, I want to give to others. There is a place and time in our lives to give material gifts and a time and a place to give non-tangible gifts.  

 

So that being said, I don’t believe we can separate our “everyday” lives from our “spiritual lives.” If I hear or read or watch something I may pick up on a word or phrase that makes me stop and think. I may hear something in a podcast and then hear something similar at church or during my devotion time. When I begin to notice this, I pay attention. I believe God may be trying to tell me something or show me something. 

 

Today at church our pastor preached about the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus and the gifts we should bring. During his sermon he told about gifts we, as a church body, have been good at giving and how those gifts were used to spread His Word in 2024. Then, he challenged us with areas in which we might grow, improve. 

 

After coming home and thinking about what he shared I remembered a quote I heard yesterday on the radio. It spoke to me so much that as soon as I could stop I wrote it in the notes on my phone so I wouldn’t forget it. Little did I know then, how the quote and today’s sermon would tie in together and really impact me. 

 

The quote I heard was “Don’t be afraid to give away the thing you are great at.”

I have spent the better part of the past 24 hours pondering that quote. 

How many times in my life have I felt that I was being prideful if I said I was great at something? 

How many times have I hidden or downplayed something I was great at?

Sadly, I think I thought that was the way good Christians acted. You don’t brag. You don’t want to appear too confident. You should downplay your gifts. If someone paid you a compliment you blew it off.

 

However, today I’m being challenged to look at my “gifts” or “things I'm great at” as a way to give back to God. A gift, if you will, for Jesus. 

 

We all have them and we aren’t given them as a way to lift ourselves up, but to lift Him up. We are given gifts to give away. 

 

The gift of teaching. Teach.

The gift of empathy. Love and care.

The gift of organization. Organize.

The gift of encouragement. Encourage.

 

So over the next few days, I want to challenge myself, and you, to think about our strengths or gifts God has blessed us with. How can we use them to honor Him, to tell others of His love. This is our greatest gift to give to the One who gave all for us!

 

Merry Christmas friends! 

December 15, 2024

10 More Days!

 

It’s almost here! It’s almost Christmas Day! There is so much that surrounds getting ready for that day, isn’t there? Shopping, cooking, wrapping, just to name a few. Then if you are like me, you think about what you will eat, what you will wear to parties or church services. I worry about overeating, spending too much money, forgetting to buy a gift, or making sure I spend the same amount on both of my grandboys. 

 

Our minds can become anxious and overwhelmed by it all. We forget about the true meaning of Christmas. Well, maybe we don’t forget, but it takes the back burner to all of the other things that consume our minds.

 

Then today at church I was reminded, once again, that the celebration of this special day is so much more than gifts and food. And it’s so much more than just ONE day. 

 

That day, thousands of years ago, changed the world. Christ, our Savior, was born. He came for me, for you. He brought redemption, salvation, freedom. 

 

Oh come let us adore Him! Psalm 9:6 says for us to “adore and fall down and weep before the Lord that made us.” 

 

The phrase “adore” in the Bible refers to an attitude of worship that is characterized by love and reverence for God. How do we show love and reverence to God? We do that by daily living a life that honors and brings glory to Him, not to us. 

 

I have to admit I have not always done that. Oh there may have been seasons of my life when I did, but then there were just as many when I didn’t. I would blame a lot of people and things for my lack of worship of Him. 

Too busy, too consumed with my own desires, too lazy, too ashamed, too hurt, too consumed by other things. 

 

I know this may sound crazy, but the more weight I’ve lost physically, the more weight I’ve lost mentally, emotionally. Feeling healthy and free from the weight that had me held captive in a negative space, has allowed me to be able to see and know who He created me to be. I can live in that, walk it out, and as a result serve and honor Him with my life. The life He intended for me all along. 

 

Could I have found my true identity and not lost the weight? Probably. 

But for me it was the catalyst to inner change. 

 

So now, what will I do with this revelation about my true identity? 

I will allow it to bring transformation. I will worship Him, not just on Christmas or Sundays, but Monday through Saturday as well. I will be His hands and feet. I will love others. I will use this new freedom to help others find the same freedom. I will offer my life to Him and allow Him to lead. 

 

I will not let the shame of my past or my failures stand in the way. 

 

O come all the faithful

Joyful and triumphant

O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem

Come and behold Him

Born the King of Angels

O come let us adore Him 

Christ, the Lord!

December 8, 2024

Made for More

 

This weekend I celebrated my 1 year anniversary at Lifetime with Weight Watchers. So naturally I have spent some time reflecting over the past year. I have learned more than I could share in one blog post and have grown in so many ways, but I would like to share some of my thoughts with you. 

 

I had no idea when I started this weight loss journey in the summer of 2021 that I would not only lose the weight, but be transformed emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. 

 

Physically, maintenance is a learning experience just like every step of this weight/health journey. I had never really been in the maintenance period before, at least not for very long, certainly not a year. I know that I cannot go back to my old habits and I am working on no longer overeating on the weekends, holidays, or vacations. I must continue to do all of the things that brought me to goal weight to keep me there. 

 

Emotionally, I have learned that my emotions won’t hurt me. I can sit with them, feel them, name them, even express them, but I don’t have to “feed” them with food binges. They are just feelings, not reality. 

 

Mentally, I have learned the importance of having a positive mindset. When negative thoughts invade my mind I take them captive. I reframe them with truth. I speak those truths to myself. I write them down and put them where I can see them. Each day I find small wins on my health journey and things I can be grateful for and write them in my journal so I can look back on them when difficult days arise. 

 

Spiritually, I have learned to be still in the mornings, to sit quietly and listen to what God has to tell me. I spend time in His word and in prayer. I know that God still wants to use me for His glory even in my 60’s. I have seen Him open doors, put dreams in my heart, and begin to bring those dreams into reality. 

 

Recently, God gave me a verse for my coaching business and events. The verse is Eph. 2:10, which says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Let’s let the first part of that verse sink in.

WE ARE HIS MASTERPIECE!

 

A masterpiece is “a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship.”

OUTSTANDING artistry! Wow!

We are not a mistake. We were not made to sit on the sidelines and watch life pass us by. We were made on purpose and for a purpose. He has a plan for our lives. It is our job to discover it and live it out~to the fullest. 

 

My weight hindered me from living out that purpose. I let it make me feel inferior, ashamed, and unlovable. 

 

We were made to live and live to the fullest! 

We were made for more!

So much more!

 

I will work to keep the weight off for the rest of my life. I will work to keep a positive mindset, to take care of my body, learn from and through my emotions, and grow in my walk with God. I will never quit! I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m excited to find out. 

 

I was made for more and so were you! 

December 1, 2024

Too Old for Dreams

 

When we are little we have dreams. We want to grow up and be super heroes, dancers, police officers, professional ballplayers. For me, I wanted to be a famous singer. I sang into everything. Jump ropes, hairbrushes, door knobs. Anything could be turned into a microphone.

 

Then reality sets in. We grow up. We begin to think about getting real jobs, making money, and starting a family. Our dreams become just that, dreams.

 

I don’t remember ever wanting to be a teacher. In fact, I never liked school. I can remember feeling “homesick” when I was there. However, when I became a mom my whole world changed. My grandmother encouraged me to go back to college and get a degree. So I decided to go into teaching. Not because I felt some longing to be an educator, but because I wanted to have a schedule that would allow me to be home with my daughter for holidays and summers. (*side note This is not the first time that God directed my path when I had no clue what I was doing.) So I went to college, got my degree and spent the next 28 years teaching elementary school. It was rewarding, exhausting, fun, full-filing, stressful, and challenging. All through my time as a teacher I would dream of other careers, other outlets. I think there was a part of me looking for fulfillment somewhere, in something. 

 

There are times in a woman’s life when she feels lost, unknown, wondering who she is. When our children grow up and leave home and when we retire are two of those times. These moments in my life left me searching. Who am I? What’s my purpose? Honestly, when I retired I wasn’t sure what would be next. I’m not a patient person. I want to know. I don’t sit around and wait well, even if my body is not in motion, my mind is. I’m searching, thinking, wondering. The past 3 ½ years have been no different, but I didn’t see this dream coming. 

 

At the ripe old age of 60 I am living right smack in the middle of one of the best times in my life. I am healthy, happy, and thrilled to see where this life takes me. 

 

It started out as just a plan to lose weight. I weighed 248 when I retired. I wasn’t getting any younger and I needed to take some steps to “get myself together.” It was only going to get harder to lose the weight and I worried about the toll the weight would have on my body. 

 

Fast forward to December 2024~I’ve lost over 90 pounds, will soon be celebrating my 1 year anniversary at Lifetime, and I am 1 month away from launching my holistic wellness coaching business. 

 

Today as I was reflecting on this I had a moment of self-doubt. 

“Can I keep the weight off? Do I have anything to offer others? Who am I to be coaching others? I’m too old. My life is way over half over. No one wants an old lady telling them what to do.”

 

But then I hit the “pause” button on those negative thoughts. I took those thoughts captive and reframed them. Not in a haughty way, but in an affirming way. “I can and will keep the weight off with the help of Weight Watchers, friends, accountability partners, and you. I have learned a lot along the way and if I can use some of what I’ve learned to help others then I am going to. I may be old, but I’m not dead. I have been given a mission and a purpose and I want to be faithful in living it out.”

 

I am living my dream! 

It’s not too late, friends. 

You too can live the life you have always dreamed of.  Don’t let another second pass you by. 

 

We were made for more!

I’m rooting you on! 

November 24, 2024

Gratitude Is How You Feel~Thanksgiving Is What You Do

It’s Thanksgiving week! It’s that time of year when we focus on our blessings, spend time with family, and eat tons of yummy food. 

The older I get the more I focus on the good times, the moments I want to remember, those I love and how important they are to me. So this Thanksgiving feels more special since I’ve hit the big 6-0 and even though it sounds morbid, who knows how many I have left. I want to soak up every moment and have it burned into my memory. I want to cherish the times my grandboys give me hugs, the times I sit beside my husband and watch tv or the Sunday lunch talks with my daughter and son-in-law. I want to embrace life! 

 

I’m sad to say I haven’t always done that. The truth is, when I was young and raising a family I was busy just trying to make it from one day to the next. I was young and did not have a clue how quickly time would pass. Sometimes I wish that I could remember the little details of life. The sound of my daughter’s voice when she was little, silly things she said or did, meals we ate, dance recitals and conventions we went to, or camping trips with my in-laws. 

I would soak it all up! However, I do not want to live with regrets now. I can’t go back, can’t relive the past, but I can soak up all that life has to offer now. 

 

Over the past 3 years while on this health and wellness journey, I’ve been a “loser”! A loser of extra weight and extra baggage. But I’ve also gained. I’ve gained the love of life, this life, today, exactly where I am. One thing I started doing a couple of years ago was journaling. I had always wanted to be a journal-er, but would never stick with it. However, I kept wanting to make daily writing a part of my life. Little did I know how much this one habit would change my life for the better. Over the past two years I have journaled about my day, my quiet time, things I sense God telling me, my weight loss, non-scale victories (NSV) and things I’m grateful for. These simple writings in a plain, ole composition book provide for me a wonderful way to look back and remember. 

 

What does all of this have to do with gratitude? Everything! I’m so thankful for these notebooks full of life, its ups and downs, victories, fears, worries and joys! The pages help me remember the simple days of life, how God has answered prayer, and hardships I’ve lived through and overcome.

 

One of the most special parts of my daily writings are the things I’m grateful for. Some days they’re easy to think of, other days it’s more difficult. Either way, it’s just become a natural part of my day. And it has spilled over into my entire day. When something catches my eye, sparks some joy, makes me smile, I say “Thank You!”   

 

Today at church the pastor read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 which says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (emphasis mine). 

He shared this about gratitude: 

1. It takes practice. Make it a habit.
2. Realize it is accessible and available in all seasons.
3. Gratitude is our calling. 

 

So in this season of thanksgiving I hope you will take some time to recognize the blessings you have been given. Write them down, say them out loud, or tell a friend. Think of them when you wake up and when you go to sleep. 

 

Life is better with a grateful heart.  

Much love,

Lori

November 18, 2024

Which Came First?

 

Lately I have been doing several devotions by Roxanne Parks. She has so many that have spoken to my heart, what I’m focusing on, areas I want to grow in, etc. The one I just finished was about loving yourself. This is something I have struggled with for as long as I can remember. However, over the past year I have grown in this area. I love who I am, who I’m becoming. Which made me wonder, am I only able to love myself better now because I have lost the weight, or did I love myself enough to lose the weight? Which came first?

 

I have to admit, it bothered me to think that I only love myself because of my accomplishments and the weight loss. 

Then in today’s reading she shared:

“Your marriage cannot grow without the investment of time, work, and effort. You cannot love others well from an angry, empty, broken heart. You cannot love others well when your life is full of fears and self-doubt. When we love ourselves well and invest in our hearts, then our family, our marriage, and our neighbors will reap the benefits.”

 

That’s when it hit me! Neither came first. They almost happened simultaneously! As I began to practice self-care and started getting healthy and stronger all while becoming the best version of myself, I began to work on allowing hurt places to heal, self-love to replace self-doubt, and to set boundaries that promoted the life I wanted to live all while protecting my peace. 

 

I know this may sound crazy, but with all the talk about “body positivity” I started to be self-critical because I didn’t have that “positivity” when I was 248 pounds. 

After my quiet time this morning, I realized that I had places that needed to heal within me, not just on the outside. 

 

So, as I continue to

enjoy life to the fullest, 

learn and grow and 

allow the Holy Spirit to repair what’s broken 

I will love myself completely and 

love others well.

Remember, life is a gift and we were made for more!

November 10, 2024

When Your Why Is A Reality

 

Early on in our health journeys we are encouraged to find our whys. We need “whys” for focus, motivation, and strength to keep going when the road of weight loss gets hard. I’ve written and rewritten my whys over the past 3 ½ years, but one (well 2) people always make the list~my grand boys. I don’t want to miss out on one thing when it comes to them. I never want my physical weight to be a hurdle for me. I want to make every ballgame, party, school program, and life event. 

 

I have to admit, though, I’ve been guilty of writing out my ‘whys”, but then rarely reminding myself of them. I have them scribbled on a piece of paper and tucked away in a drawer. However, this weeknd I have not only been reminded of my whys, but actually living them. 

 

Our grandboys have been with us this weekend while their parents went on a much needed mini-vacation. Two boys full time means breakfast needs to be cooked before school, pancakes on the weekend, favorite meals prepared and bathtime times 2. The weekend has been full of birthday parties to attend, church, and playtime at the park. All while wrapping up a school project that is due Monday. Our days have been choked full of non-stop activity. 

 

It was at some point Saturday that I was struck with the realization that I was living out part of my why. I’m able to be very present in their lives. I have been able to keep up with 2 full of life boys. I’ve not missed one second of this weekend with them.

 

I’ve thought about how this weekend might have been different 85 pounds ago. Would I have been able to do all the things? Would I have wanted to? Would I have allowed the physical baggage to become a mental roadblock that would have kept me sidelined? 

 

Tomorrow this weekend with the boys will be over. I will never get this time back again. I’m so grateful to the Lori that stuck out her health journey, that had important whys and is now able to see them come to fruition. 

God has great plans for us. I don’t know about you, but I want to be able to do them. I don’t want to be sitting in my recliner watching others live life. I want to live it and live it to the fullest!

 

So, if you are on the struggle bus, can I just take a moment to encourage you? Go dig around in that drawer and find that piece of paper you scribbled your whys on and discover a new commitment to them. I promise you won’t regret it!

 

I love you and am rooting for you!

November 3, 2024

Speaking Life-Giving Words

 

Hearing the term “life-giving words” is not really new to any of us. However, I wonder if we ever think about ourselves when we hear this term? I know I don’t. I think about the words I say to others, what I hear others say, even how others talk about themselves. But I rarely think about the words I say to myself. It’s something I’m working on. 

 

Yesterday, the birthday I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about happened. I turned 60! 60!!!!!! 

I had thought about this day so many times this year. 

What would I feel like?

What would I do to mark the day?

What would I eat to celebrate?  

Would I eat everything in sight?

Would I track or not? 

 

I reminisced over my life. The good times, the hard times. The times of grief, loss, sadness. The times of joy, happiness,  and blessings. 

 

Tim and I took our camper to one of our favorite local spots. I had bought a new dress, boots, and cute beaded earrings (the number 6 & 0). I had planned the meals I wanted, the cake I planned to eat, and how I wanted to spend the day. Yet when I got up yesterday morning, my mind went to negative thoughts. I almost felt alone, sad. I was thinking about all the time that had passed that I would never get back. All the moments that were gone. I was even sad about the times in my life that I couldn’t remember. Crazy, I know. 

 

Then I felt the Holy Spirit speak into my heart. 

“Change your thinking. Why don’t you count your blessings instead of focusing on the negative?”

The next thing I did change the trajectory of my thoughts and my day. I sat down with my journal and wrote out 60 things I’m thankful for. Some were “big” like family, friends, health and some were “small” like a warm shower, early morning coffee, Elvis videos. But all of them made me smile. They made me grateful. 

This morning in my devotion I read

“Our thoughts and our words determine the direction of our lives.”

Pastor Craig Groeschel says, “Our life is always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts.” 

 

Thoughts lead to beliefs.

Beliefs lead to actions.

Actions lead to habits.

Habits lead to character.

Character leads to destiny.

Destiny leads to legacy.

It all starts in our minds. Then it shows up in our words and actions. If we can change our thinking we can change our lives.

 

So as I head into this new decade of life, I’m challenging myself to speak positive, life-giving words not only to others, but to me. 

Where my thoughts go, my actions and habits will follow. 

 

Will you join me? Will you make a commitment to speak words of life to yourself? 

 

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT

October 27, 2024

Comparison

Over the past few weeks I have felt off somehow. Not everyday or all the time, but each week there would be days when I just floundered, struggling to stay the course. I would over eat, wouldn’t walk, or meet my goals. Then I started to doubt a dream that God had put in my heart. I wanted to give up. 

 

Over the summer I felt the Holy Spirit impress upon me a “call”, if you will, to use my passion for holistic wellness to help others on their health journeys. I really didn’t know anymore than that at the time. However, over the next few weeks and months, the dream was slowly becoming a reality. I began to take online coaching classes and offer coaching online in order to have some field practice. Each day brought new learning and excitement. I was having ideas invade my thoughts almost everyday. They seemed to be coming so fast, I could barely keep up. I was making notes left and right, talking details out with my husband and best friend. 

 

Then, all of a sudden, all of that seemed to stop. 

No fresh, new ideas.

No real excitement. 

Then I began to doubt. Doubt if I had truly heard from God. Doubt if I was capable. 

 

I couldn’t, for the life of me, figure out what was going on. Even during my quiet time, I felt far away from God. I wasn’t hearing from Him like I had grown accustomed to. 

I was reading His Word, praying. But all of that just felt flat.  

 

Then during a recent quiet time, I realized I was comparing myself, my journey to others. I looked at their accounts, their number of followers, their reels and felt inferior. 2 Timothy 1:7 says God does not give us a spirit of fear, of timidity, but power and self discipline. Slowly, things began to click in my mind. I was allowing the spirit of fear, comparison, and negative thoughts slowly infiltrate my mind and all of this was taking me off course. Once I realized what was happening I was able to get back on course in every area of my life~body, mind, and soul. 

 

If you are struggling can I beg of you to not throw in the towel. Not on your health journey, not on your dreams. Keep praying, keep seeking.
Examine your thoughts, check your routines, listen to what your mind is saying to you. 

Prayer: 

God, You did not give me a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but You gave me a spirit of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline. These abilities result in a calm, well balanced mind and self-control.  

October 20, 2024

The Fight Within Me

 

Life is full of ups and downs. Highs. Lows. Times of elation and times of deep valleys. 

The health and wellness journey is not so different. Days and weeks may pass with little to no problems. Tracking, movement, hydrating, staying within your points budget. And then BOOM! You lose focus. Make an impulsive decision. Binge. Stop walking. Binge again. It can feel like a fight within yourself. The desire can seem overwhelming, too strong. “Can I overcome overeating? Will I always fall prey to my thoughts and desires?” 

 

My weight loss journey has been public for a couple of years now. I share on social media the good, bad, and the transformations I have undergone. It has not only been a physical transformation, but a mental one for me. I have lost the weight and been in maintenance for almost a year. This is no small feat for me. *wink, wink*

 

I want to help others achieve their goals. I have a dream to become a holistic wellness coach. Then I “fall off the wagon.” And honestly, when that happens it can wreck my confidence. I begin to doubt myself. And truthfully, I feel like a poser, a fake, a phony. 

 

Who am I ? My failure and weakness seem enormous. 

 

Last week this describes where I was perfectly. 

Then I heard this song~”God Is Not Against Me,” by Brandon Lake

A few of the lyrics say

“You call me strong and courageous

When I don’t feel like I am

You could have turned me away

But You chose me instead

You say that I’m gonna make it

When I don’t feel like I can

You see the battle I’m facing

And You’re stepping in

You’re in it with me

You’re working through me

Fighting for me

God is not against me”

The words of this song reminded me that I may not be able to overcome overeating or giving into temptation on my own, but through Him I can. 

 

“Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

 

Power in weakness~crazy sounding isn’t it? I have to admit, I’m not really sure how to give Him my weaknesses. I was taught to be a strong, independent woman by a strong, independent woman. So now when a wave of food noise hits me, I ask Him to show me how to give Him my frailty and let Him be my power. 

 

He wants me to be healthy, to take care of this body He gave me and to honor Him with my life. So I can trust Him to show me how to handle the struggles I face.   

October 13, 2024

What We Are

 

The year was 1935 in small town Mississippi. It was a cold winter day when twin boys were born in a tiny shotgun house. One baby didn’t survive. The other child grew up in poverty, but his family was very close knit. They struggled financially and moved frequently. They relied on government food aid and help from their neighbors. The family’s situation was common during this time, but what wasn’t common was this boy’s voice. This poor young child would grow up to be “The King of Rock and Roll.” 

 

I have been an Elvis fan since I was a child. I saw him in concert when I was 10 and will never forget it. I still have a scarf from his concert (no I didn’t get it from him, it was a souvenir, but I love it). I still love his music and watching old concerts when they come on tv. 

 

Recently I watched the Oprah special with Elvis’ granddaughter, Riley Keough. It was a great show. They gave a small tour of Graceland, showed the last place Elvis and Lisa Marie saw each other before his death, and Elvis’ black box containing things he didn’t leave home without.  

 

One thing that really stood out to me was when Riley said her mom was very insecure. It seems strange doesn’t it, that someone that is wealthy, well known, has all that the world has to offer, feels insecure? It’s so sad to me that someone who seemed to have it all lacked self-confidence.  

 

I have dealt with insecurity throughout my life too. Outwardly I looked like a strong, independent woman, but inwardly I felt as if I was never good enough, could never quite measure up. 

 

I felt insecure because I was fat, not super smart, or pretty. I never felt good enough. 

 

Over the past 3 years I have worked hard to overcome those feelings of inferiority. I’ve read books, worked on my mindset, and dug into scripture. 

 

As a child of God my significance is found in Him. He tells me I am loved, protected, redeemed, forgiven, an heir, accepted, chosen, His handiwork. 

 

If you are a child of God, you are all of these too! 

 

Is believing these truths a simple flip of the switch? No, absolutely not. It’s been weeks and months of work. Hours poured into journaling, making peace with my past, and learning that all of the scars, hardships, and storms made me the woman I am today. Learning that I don’t have to be the prettiest, smartest, skinniest. I just have to be me. There is only one me and I owe it to myself to be her.   

 

You owe it to yourself to be you. 

Fully you! 

 

You are a masterpiece of the Creator. 

You are perfectly loved by Him. 

October 7, 2024

Living & Losing

 

I started Weight Watchers for the last time in the summer of 2021 shortly after retiring from my teaching job of 28 years. The number of times I had joined and quit in the past were innumerable. It was nothing for me to join and do absolutely nothing with the membership; no tracking, no water drinking, nothing. However, I vowed to make this time different. This time I was in it for life.

 

In the beginning, it was all about tracking and losing weight. I didn’t include intentional movement, water, didn’t worry about sleep, and did not have a clue about working on mindset. Track and lose, track and lose. The weight loss was slow, but I was not giving up. At the time I weighed 240+ pounds, was beginning my retirement job of keeping littles, and was quickly approaching my 60s and needed to get healthy. Within the next year I lost 50 pounds and was feeling great. While I was rocking and rolling on the food plan, I was beginning to struggle with my mindset. I still had about 30 pounds to lose and it felt like it was taking forever. Plus, who wants to be on a diet forever?!?!?! And that’s what it felt like I was facing. 

 

I started journaling and finding a “win” or non-scale victory each day. Some days it was really hard, but I was committed to finding one. I also found Weight Watchers members and creators on Instagram. They were my community. I watched them share recipes, tips, and tricks, as well as share how they stayed on track, stayed motivated and kept their heads in the game. In October 2022, I decided to create my own Instagram page for accountability. At the time I was not attending workshops and this was a way for me to continue to connect with other members. I selected my Instagram name, “livingandlosingwithlori”, yes I like alliteration (wink, wink). At the time, the name was about living my normal life while losing weight. I had no idea what this “handle” would grow to mean to me.

 

Losing weight is so much more than the number getting smaller on the scale. In order to lose, really lose, I had to be willing to shed past hurts, failures, negative mindsets. I had to change habits that were deeply ingrained in me. I had to be willing to openly share with others and allow true, authentic accountability. I had to be ready to change. 

 

It hasn’t been easy. It’s hard to face some truths about ourselves. However, I’m not sure that true authentic change can happen any other way. I don’t want to go back to the 2021 Lori, not her size or her mindset. 

 

I am allowing myself to feel my feelings and not to cover them up by binging on food. I let my mind ponder what I’d like to eat instead of what is the best “diet” choice. I allow my stomach to dictate the amount of food I need instead of my eyes. I share the struggles I have with food with others and seek their guidance. 

 

Who knew that by shedding those extra pounds I would lose so much more and by losing I am now living my best life.

 

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have  been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11

September 29, 2024

The Mind!

Our brains are an amazing, crazy organ. It is a complex structure made up of nervous tissue that controls various bodily functions including thought, memory, emotion, movement, and sensation. The brain and how it works is way beyond anything I could ever hope to understand, but I do know that we can change our brains, especially pertaining to our thoughts. 

 

When I was a little girl a lady kept me and I called her Nanny. She lived in a small house at the front of some family land. On the same piece of property there was a house behind her that her sister and other family members lived in. We called her sister Nunny. Nunny had a granddaughter that was the same age as me. Between the two houses was a dirt path. You know the kind. Just a dusty pathway that had been traveled on more times than one could count. Susie, Nunny’s granddaughter, and I played on the grassy area between the two houses. Some days we would play at Nunny’s house, some days at Nanny’s, but everyday we walked that pathway.  Back and forth, back and forth. I wonder if I went there today if that pathway would still be there.

There are a few things that could change or take away the path. One thing that could make that path disappear is lack of use. If no one walked on it the grass would eventually grow, the sunk in portion would fill in with new dirt or weeds. You might never know the path had ever been there. 

 

Our pathways in our brains are similar. We think the same thoughts over and over and over again. 

 

“I’m a failure.” 

“I’m not smart.”

“I’ll always be fat.” 

“I’ll never lose the weight.” 

 

Those negative thoughts become a beaten down path. It’s our go-to. We try to think differently, but we’ve been thinking this way so long we believe it to be true. 

 

For me, my negative thoughts can cause me to feel ashamed, embarrassed, make me insecure, and feel judged by others. There have been many times I have chosen to not do something because I was worried about what others would think. 

 

Over the past 3 years I have done a lot of work on myself, personal growth if you will. If you’ve been around for a while you know it all began with weight loss. Slowly, however, over time it began to be more about mindset and spiritual growth. None of these areas are truly separate from the other. I am a whole person, body, mind, and soul.

 

A few weeks ago at church I had a hard time finding a particular book of the Bible that the sermon was being preached from. It was one of those tiny books hidden in the Old Testament and I couldn’t find it for neither love nor money. So I decided I would order some of those cute little tabs to go in my Bible. 

(I’m sure you are wondering what this has to do with anything. Hold on, I’m getting to it.) 

 

This may seem insignificant, but it was huge for me! Ordering those tabs showed a change in the beaten down path in my brain, the one that worried about what others would think if they saw them in my Bible. 

 

Years ago I had ordered some, but I was worried about what others would say about me when they saw them. “I thought she was a long time follower of Jesus and she can’t even find the books in the Bible?!?!?!” 

So you know what I did? I cut them out! 

That was at least 25 or 30 years ago! 

 

As I have lost weight, done the mental work, read, worked on mindset, it has finally started creating a new pathway in my brain. The old path is getting smaller. Hopefully one day it will be gone completely. 

 

Today I went to church for the first time with the new tabs in my Bible.

And guess what?

I didn’t even think about if someone near me was judging me or making fun of me in their mind. I focused on God’s Word, the sermon, and worshiping the One who made me. After all, it’s all about Him, not me. 

 

Freedom comes from stepping into who you really are. No hiding, no shame, no feeling “less than”, just being you, beautiful, uniquely, wonderful you! 

 

If you are tired and think you can’t do it, you can’t change, I want to encourage you to never quit, never give up! You are worth the effort, worth the hard work!

 

I believe in you!

 

Living & losing with you!

Lori

 

September 23, 2024

BFF Glamping Weekend & Community

 

This past weekend was mine and Vicki’s annual girls’ weekend. I think this is the third year we have done this and I hope we do it for the rest of our lives. Vicki and I have been friends for years, but we used to live in the same town and went to church together, so seeing one another was a weekly event. Then a few years ago, Tim and I moved over an hour away to be near our daughter and her family.

 

It wasn’t easy when Tim and I moved. Maintaining a close relationship was hard. We had a difficult time figuring out how to navigate our friendship long distance. To be perfectly honest, I didn’t know if we, well, if I could do it. I am not good at maintaining long distance relationships. In fact, she is one of a small handful of people from my hometown that I keep in touch with. I used to say I was independent and didn’t need anyone, but the truth is, I think I have trouble making and maintaining friendships. I  struggle with “needing” others.  I guess over the years I've battled with feeling unimportant.  Maybe because of that I self-sabotaged relationships.  I'm afraid of getting too close, being hurt, someone leaving me. 

 

 However, this is an area I've really grown in over the past 3 years.  When I restarted my weight loss journey in 2021, it was just that, a weight loss journey. I wanted to lose weight, get skinny, feel better and be around for my family. I never imagined that my physical body would not be the only transformation for me. Spiritually, I’ve undergone a renewal, a reconstruction, if you will. God has, and continues to, gently and lovingly reshape me. His Word says we are to encourage one another, build each other up, bear with one another, help each other, and on and on. 

 

I believe that ALL of God’s Word is true. It provides direction, correction, and shows us who God really is, but for some reason when I read about the importance of community I thought it was for everyone else and not me. However, if it is Truth, and it is, then the part about having a community and friends is true also. 

 

Was it easy to put myself out there? No. Did I worry that no one would like me or want to be my friend? Yes. But I tried to begin to live each day as a friend by being a friend to others. Provide encouragement, check on them, pray for them, spend time with them. And eventually, my community of friends began to grow. And you know what? As I checked on them, encouraged them, loved them, prayed for them, they began to do that for me. To have a friend, you have to be a friend.

 

This life is better with community. It’s exciting, insightful, inspiring, and so much more. 

 

If you need a friend, give me a holler! I was made, by Him, for community and so were you!

 

Love y’all,

Lori    

September 15, 2024

One Small Step

I’m an “all or nothing” kind of gal. Sometimes I see that as a negative. For example, I am all in with a “diet plan” or I’m all in with eating everything in sight.  I’m super loud and boisterous or I’m sitting quietly with little to say.

 

There are times when this can spur me on or it can bring my actions to a screeching halt! 

 

Through the summer I was neither all in or all out as pertaining to my health journey. I was just treading water. (Which, now that I think about it, could be seen as all out.) 

It's during those times of feeling “all out” instead of “all in”  that I begin to wonder if I’ll ever get back to my chosen lifestyle of focusing on eating healthy, moving my body, focusing on a positive mindset and growing spiritually.

 

This week, however, I’ve been reminded of the importance of small, sustainable steps. In August, I challenged myself to simply track my food and stay within my daily points budget. That goal was met, so in September I decided to set body, mind, and soul goals. I was a little apprehensive. I was worried I wouldn’t be successful and honestly, there was a part of me that liked the simplicity of not having goals. There was no pressure to perform or check anything off my list each day. 

 

Despite my laziness, I decided to go ahead and set the goals. The first few days were so-so. I met them, but it was a struggle and it felt hard. I had to leave myself notes, write them down on my to-do list, share my goals with friends who would help hold me accountable.

 

Slowly, but surely, I have gotten better at meeting my goals each day and am excited when I do them. I feel successful and proud. I feel challenged. I get up each day and want to make sure I meet them. 

 

Lately I’ve heard people talking about being off track, needing to reset, restart. Many times that feels overwhelming. 

 

Toni Sorenson says, “One step at a time. Baby steps are still steps. Crawl if you must, but keep moving forward. You will never be defeated as long as you keep moving.” 

 

Set the goals. 

Set one goal. 

Set a tiny goal, but set one. 

It gives you focus, something to work toward. 

 

Proverbs 21:5a says “ Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity”

 

This week let’s plan out our goals and get to work! We can do this! One small step at a time!

September 8, 2024

Choices Matter!

This past week I was really on the struggle bus with the food portion of my health journey. I’ve been in an “on again, off again” relationship with my points all summer long. (I’m a WW girl.) Then it lingered on into August and now here we are in September. This roller coaster started messing with my mind, or should I say I let it mess with my mind. I began to worry if this would last and I would never be able to get back on track. Would I gain all of my weight back? Why can I not do this? I’m a WW coach, I know the techniques. I teach them or listen to others teach them multiple times a week. 

Then I started a new devotion entitled “Mind Nutrition.” 

Did you know that God created our minds in such a way that we cannot think two thoughts at the same time? We may go back and forth between 2 thoughts, but we can't think about them simultaneously.

I had never really thought of this before, but isn't that great news? 

Our thoughts are a BIG part of our health and wellness journey. They can make us feel invincible or deceive us into believing we will never accomplish our goals. 

Thoughts can convince us that 

we will never be good enough, 

no one will ever love us, 

or we will always be overweight. 

Likewise, they can tell us we are a masterpiece (Eph. 2:10), dearly loved (Col. 3:12), free from condemnation (Rom. 8:1).

Scripture says, "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."

Now you may be thinking, "Great, but how do I do that?" 

Well, we choose to. (I know, it’s easier said than done.) When we have a negative thought, we must replace it with a positive one. My go-to positive thoughts are either from God’s Word or from facts that I know about myself. 

When I binge eat I can either tell myself I will never get this food issue under control so why even try, or I can look back over the past 3 years and the weight I’ve lost and the goals I’ve met and tell myself I have and I can again.

When my thoughts tell me I’m not enough, I can look to God’s Word and read in Romans that I am a joint-heir with Christ. A joint heir! I’m a child of THE KING! 

Mind nutrition must fit into my daily routine. I can’t skip it. It needs to be an action step I make a part of everyday to help me move toward my health goals. Mindset is just as important as tracking, hydrating, and moving. Maybe more important. If our thoughts stay in a negative space for very long it will greatly affect all other areas of our health journey.

This week I will counteract each negative thought with a positive one. I will not let a negative mindset hold me hostage and steal my joy. 

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

September 1, 2024

Fear!

Are you anxious? Worried? Afraid?

Me too!

I am afraid of the future, growing old, being alone, disease, running out of money, no one liking me, having too big of a personality, gaining my weight back. You name it, I am or have been afraid of it at one time or another. 

Some fears may be healthy. These fears may help keep us safe, protect us from doing something crazy.

But for the most part fears can paralyze us. They cause anxiety, worry, insecurity, discouragement, helplessness, confusion.

Fears stop us from pursuing our dreams, fulfilling our purpose and make us fell "less than" when we compare ourselves to others.

Fears tell us we will never accomplish (fill in the blank). 

Recently I have had some new dreams and purposes put in my heart. I am excited and very passionate about them, but that ugly beast of fear can fill my mind and make me want to give up on my dreams. My mind says, "Who do you think you are? You're a nobody. You're too old." And on and on it goes. 

 

Zack Williams has a song entitled Fear Is a Liar.

Here are the lyrics to the song:

When he told you you're not good enough
When he told you you're not right
When he told you you're not strong enough
To put up a good fight
When he told you you're not worthy
When he told you you're not loved
When he told you you're not beautiful
You'll never be enough

Fear, he is a liar
He will take your breath
Stop you in your steps
Fear, he is a liar
He will rob your rest
Steal your happiness
Cast your fear in the fire
'Cause fear, he is a liar

When he told you were troubled
You'll forever be alone
When he told you you should run away
You'll never find a home
When he told you you were dirty
And you should be ashamed
When he told you you could be the one
That grace could never change

Oh, fear, he is a liar
He will take your breath
Stop you in your steps
Fear, he is a liar
He will rob your rest
Steal your happiness
Cast your fear in the fire
'Cause fear, he is a liar

Let your fire fall and cast out all my fears
Let your fire fall, your love is all I feel
Let your fire fall and cast out all my fears
Let your fire fall, your love is all I feel
Let your fire fall and cast out all my fears
Let your fire fall, your love is all I feel
Oh, let your fire fall and cast out all my fears
Let your fire fall, your love is all I feel

Oh, fear, he is a liar
He will take your breath
Stop you in your steps
Fear, he is a liar
He will rob your rest
Steal your happiness
Cast your fear in the fire
'Cause fear, he is a liar

'Cause fear, he is a liar

 

Repeat after me:

FEAR IS A LIAR!!! 

Remind yourself of that as often as you need to. 

Our Enemy prowls around waiting to kill, steal, and destroy. He may not physically kill us, but he will kill, steal, and destroy our dreams, and in doing so our ability to glorify God. He keeps us quiet. He whispers to us we are a failure. 

 

We must actively work to replace our thoughts and bring them in line with God's Word.  

Deuteronomy 31:8 says, " The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you: he will never leave you nor forsake you. do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." 

In Him we find our worth. In Him we find our purpose. He places dreams and passions in us. By living out these God given dreams and passions we glorify Him. 

I'm ashamed to say there have been many times in my life when I have given up (sometimes before I ever got started). I let fear dictate my life. 

Lately I have had to allow Holy Spirit to transform my thoughts. I believe that He can do that through various ways~God's Word, music, other believers, even quotes, emails.

I am on James Clear's email list (author of Atomic Habits) and it arrives each Thursday. This Thursday there was a quote in the email that brought tears to my eyes. 

"Dreams are fun when they are distant. The imagination loves to play with possibilities when there is no risk of failure.

But when you find yourself on the verge of action, you pause. You can feel the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Thoughts swirl. Maybe this isn't the right time? Failure is possible now.

In that moment—in that short pause that arises when you stand face to face with your dream—is the entirety of life. What you do in that pause is the crucible that forges you. It is the dividing line between being the type of person who thinks about it or the type of person who goes for it.

When I really think about it, I want that moment to be my legacy. Not that I won or lost. Not that I looked good or looked like a fool. But that when I had something I really wanted to do, I went for it."

 

Friends, let's go for it! Whatever IT is. The weight loss, the job we think we don't deserve, the long shot! And if we're scared, well then, lets do it scared!