We've all had moments when we've felt less than our best. And for me, those times always included being overweight–feeling uncomfortable in my clothes (and having an intense dislike for what I saw in the mirror).
I battled with my weight since childhood. “You don't want to eat THAT,” my elegantly-thin stepmother would say to me. “Why not have a nice stalk of celery instead.” Ugh.
Yeah, that made me want to EAT ANYTHING ELSE BUT THAT!
I'm grateful to the Lord I know now what I didn't know then. There are ways to HONOR GOD in my Body with my food and exercise choices, and most importantly with what I meditate upon and say.
Here are 7 Fast Ways You can Lose Excess Weight AND Honor God.
#1. Realize You have a Problem–and the Lord has the Solution
Whether you are overweight, as I was for most of my life or your weight is within a normal range, almost everyone in our society has struggled with food and body issues, especially women–and Christians are certainly not exempt.
A 2006 Purdue study found that the fundamental Christians are by far the heaviest of all religious groups led by the Baptists with a 30% obesity rate compared with Jews at 1%, Buddhists and Hindus at 0.7%.
This study prompted the lead researcher, Ken Ferraro to say, “America is becoming a nation of gluttony and obesity and churches are a feeding ground for this problem.”
Similarly, a Northwestern University study in 2011 tracked over 3,400 men and women for 18 years. Their discovery? Young adults who attend church or a bible study once a week are 50% more likely to be obese. THIS OUGHT NOT TO BE!
Some churches are using Faith & Fitness workouts and devotionals to ensure that Bible studies help make us Fit Witness for Christ in spirit, soul, AND BODY.
As Christians, we can the way (instead of feed the way). Compounding the excess physical weight may be the additional emotional weight of shame or guilt. I certainly had my share of that. 🙄
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19).
#2. Write Your WHY
I've often heard, “If your ‘WHY' is big enough, you can go through just about any ‘HOW' to get there!”
In addition to glorifying God, what other compelling reasons do you have to lose excess weight?
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- Your Health
- Your Spouse and Children (your longevity, and your example)
- To be able to DO more
- To be *Healthy, Fit and Free*
- To feel better and have more energy
What other reasons do YOU have? Are they strong enough to make you want to change? That's important.
#3. Intermittent Fasting with Low Carb Food Choices
Intermittent Fasting (or “I.F.”) has been gaining in popularity the last several years, and I admit I enjoy this simple practice.
Contrary to popular opinion, starting the day with a “big breakfast” is NOT a great idea. Fasting for 12-16 hours is a relatively easy thing to do when you consider that 6-8 hours of that time you are ASLEEP!
I eat 2 low-carb healthful meals and 1 snack within an 8-hour window (between 12:00 Noon and 8:00 P.M.). From 8:00 PM until 12:00 Noon the next day I fast. I drink water, tea, and other non-caloric drinks.
If you do some form of exercise (just “move your body!”) 60-90 minutes BEFORE you eat again, you will burn even more fat since all the glycogen stores have been depleted during your fast. Nice!
#4. Apple Cider Vinegar Drink that helps cut cravings, too!
Organic Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is one of the most versatile and useful health tonics available. That is the ONLY one I use.
To cut cravings for carbs and sweets, I add 2 Tablespoons of ACV (or a few *splashes*) to a 24 oz. blender bottle filled with distilled water and ice cubes. It works wonders.
If you really want to take it to the next level, add a few dashes of the following:
- cayenne
- turmeric
- ginger
- cinnamon
I know, wild, right? These are all spices which have been known to beat inflammation, drop excess weight, boost metabolism and aid digestion.
If you drink your Bragg's ACV tonic during your Intermittent Fasting periods, you will find you really don't miss those late-night snacks anymore. I suggest brushing your teeth after your ACV drink since the acid can be harsh on tooth enamel.
IMAGINE…
SEE YOURSELF waking up in the morning so thrilled with yourself that you chose to follow your I.F. commitment, keep to your Boundaries, and not eat late at night. You will feel SO GOOD about yourself. “I can do it!” you'll say. It's SUCH a great feeling. And these good feelings and positive thoughts lead to better feelings about yourself, leading to better actions, which of course lead to BETTER RESULTS!
#5. RENEW YOUR MIND with Boundary Scriptures.
Set a Boundary for yourself, such as Gluten-free, sugar-free, low-carb healthful meals within the Intermittent Fasting eating window of 12:00 Noon to 8:00 P.M.
When you feel yourself about to break a Boundary you've set, or you HAVE broken a Boundary, don't beat yourself up! Instead, STOP and speak a Boundary Scripture aloud such as one of my personal favorites, 1st Corinthians 6:12 which says, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me BUT I WILL NOT BE BROUGHT UNDER THE POWER OF ANY”!
You will find in time that you are being “TRANSFORMED by renewing your mind, so that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).
And God, by His grace and His Word, will change your “want-to” on the inside, as I like to call it. I can eat all the junk I want, smoke and drink all I want — AND I DON'T WANT TO! Hallelujah!!!
#6. DON'T EXERCISE! Move Your Body Instead!
There is a stigma for a lot of people surrounding the word “exercise.” Many say, “I HATE TO EXERCISE!!!”
Okay, no problem. I doubt you'd ever say “I hate to move my body.” Right? We all are grateful to be able to move our bodies!!!
Start saying, “I think I'll go take a walk” or “I'm just going to move around a bit” or “I feel so good, I just want to move my body to some music and praise the Lord!”
I'll admit that since I'm blessed to be the founder of PraiseMoves, “The Christian ALTERNATIVE to yoga,” I'm a bit biased!
I LOVE being able to move my body to the Word of the Living God as we do in PraiseMoves. It's wonderful!!!
See if there are any PraiseMoves Classes in your area HERE.
And if not, you can workout at home to *instant access* PraiseMoves Workout Videos (you can even show them at your church and work out together with friends!).
Another idea? How about applying to become a Certified PraiseMoves Instructor (CPI) yourself! We have CPIs ages 17 to 77, glory to God!!!
#7. SEE YOURSELF *HEALTHY, FIT & FREE*
Okay, here I am being vulnerable. 
?
Back in 2009, I had to get in shape for the Power PraiseMoves workout video.
I needed to be able to SEE myself thinner. I had NO point of reference!
So, I took my head and pasted it atop a photo of some fitness model’s body. Voila!
This is a photo I used to SEE myself *healthy, fit and free* before filming the DVD. IT WORKED! And I believe it will work for you, too.
Remember when God gave Abraham a way to start SEEING himself differently?
Abram (before God changed his name to Abraham) was SEEING himself as childless and without offspring (Genesis 15:2).
The Lord told him to focus on the *star-filled sky*
“Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them…So shall your descendants be“ (the LORD said in Genesis 15:5).
“And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6).
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever!” (Ps. 118:1).
Use these 7 Fast Ways to Lose Excess Weight & Honor God to learn how to be a better steward of your body, which is God's property, after all.
Walking in Health, Wholeness and FREEDOM honors the Lord–and FEELS wonderful, too — as does Renewing the Mind + Retraining the Brain.
I believe you will discover that NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS BEING *HEALTHY, FIT AND FREE* FEELS! 🙂
“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20).
Discover more powerful tips that will show you how to Renew the Mind + Retrain the Brain to get super results even quicker!
SEE Master Class REPLAY while it's still available at www.BeTransformed.today
P.S. If You'd Like to Experience PraiseMoves for Yourself, Visit Our *Instant Access* Store HERE http://praisemoves.com/shop
P.P.S. And If You're Thinking…”I Wonder If Being a Certified Christian Fitness Instructor is for Me?” Check Out Our F.R.E.E. Master Class HERE http://praisemoves.com/webinar
