I've Lost a 5th Grader from my Hips...my weight loss (and gain) journey
I guess before I start w/ the weight LOSS I must first start at the weight GAIN.
I've always lived an active lifestyle and for most of my life have had a healthy relationship w/ food. And then I got pregnant. In Dec 2006, after years of begging God to bless me with a baby, I finally got pregnant. And in New Zealand of all places! While I was there I had this gut feeling that I was pregnant and even bought a cute little baby shirt that said, "Made in New Zealand". That's how very sure I was. (Little did I know, I was literally just days pregnant) Jan 31st, 2007 I miscarried. Talk about a dark, bleak day in my life. (that whole "journey" will have to be saved for another day, I'm afraid.) My O/B felt it best to put me on synthetic progesterone, so that if I were to get pregnant again, the baby would have the "best start possible". I was too much of an emotional wreck to question him. When I say I gained 10 lbs in 10 days I'm not even kidding you. The weight just packed on...just as it had when I used to be on birth control. With both of my pregnancies, I had to continue to be on progesterone well into my 2nd trimester b/c my levels were always low. Combine synthetic hormones w/ a prego and in a nutshell, I got HUGE.
After having Sam Watson, I was introduced to 3 things that changed my life.
1. P90X
2. Idiot's Guide to Eating Clean (book)
3. Whole Foods and Meal Replacement with high quality protein shakes/smoothies
It's so true when watching "The Biggest Loser" and they say, "It's a lifestyle change." Boy, are they not kiddin'. Between my working out and eating clean along w/ focusing on my spiritual heart as much as my physical heart, the pounds just started dropping off. I asked God to give me Scriptures that I could memorize to help me stay on course. In retrospect, I see much of my inward/outward transformation as a way of God preparing me to go to Africa. I honestly don't know how I would have done it had the weight still been on. And if you have read any of my blogs re: God's work in my life while in Ghana, then you must know how even months before I stepped foot in Africa God was "tilling" my heart, preparing the "soil" for what was yet to come. I see it so very clearly now. I'm now 33 years old. I remember on my birthday reflecting on the fact that I was the age of Christ when He died on the cross. It's sad to say it, but it's taken me 33 years to really figure out what it means to crucify SELF and really live out loud for Christ in a real, practical, everyday way. I told God I wanted "33" to be the best year yet! And my friends, He hasn't disappointed and I still have most of the year to go!!!
I've had a LOT of people ask me questions and wanna know my "secret"...and it dawned on me that I've been holding back on the what the REAL secret of my weight loss has been all along...and that's been to simply want to KNOW GOD MORE.
I think it can best be adequately stated in one of my favorite songs:
I am reaching for the highest goal
That I might receive the prize
Pressing onward Pushing every hindrance aside,
out of my way 'Cause I want to know You more.
I want to know You
I want to hear Your voice
I want to know You more
I want to touch You
I want to see Your face
I want to know You more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpxQaItQTNE&feature=related
I want ALL OF ME to glorify God. And I knew deep in my heart, how can I, Misty Terrell, do that when I am 80 lbs overweight? My weight issue was a HINDRANCE in my life. At the same time and on the other end of the spectrum, I had to quit the self-loathing. Let's face it women, haven't most of us struggled w/ weight at some point in our lives? Or body image? We look in the mirror and all we can think is, "If only..." and we can get very "OCD" w/ our looks. Well, let me tell you. I've now lost my 80 lbs and all I have now is a NEW list of "if only's". It's time for us to quit looking at ourselves through distorted mirrors and magnifying glasses, and instead view ourselves through the Biblical lens...we were hand-crafted by the God of all creation. He used just the right paintbrushes, used perfect strokes, the best lighting, and in the end looked at each of us and said, "Yet another MASTERPIECE." And He tells us that while men look on the outward, what is HE looking at? Our hearts. BUT...that being said...we are required to be good stewards of what He has given us...including our bodies. Thinking about what I put in my body and prioritizing exercise is exhibiting SELF-CONTROL...a fruit of the spirit.
Yes, this past year has been just as much of a spiritual transformation for me as the physical one. Weight loss IS a spiritual journey. It's about changing the INSIDE first...and once that lines up w/ God's Word, then I strongly believe the outside will follow suit. In the beginning stages after Sam Watson was born, it was H.A.R.D. So many times I wanted to GIVE UP...or just plain QUIT. I meditated on Scripture to help keep me on track...even put my verses on 3x5 cards in my kitchen...and prayed constantly. And frankly, I just dug my heels in and have been bound and determined to press on. It has required the MOST STUBBORN FORM OF DISCIPLINE. By the way, did you know that Jesus also had a very STUBBORN FORM OF DISCIPLINE?? At any point during his torture on that cross, He could have given up, too. He could have quit. But he didnt'. Because He loves Misty way too much. He "dug His heels in" and was DETERMINED TO DIE ON THAT CROSS. Well, Jesus, I'm diggin' my heels in, too. You were determined to DIE for ME so I'll be determined to LIVE for YOU the best, most healthy way that I can.
On the humorous side of things...Just like gaining weight is depressing, losing weight has it's downsides, too. Nothing in my closet fits me. Even my pre-prego pants don't fit b/c my body shape has changed after 2 babies. A couple of weeks ago Sam Watson pulled on my pants and the waist was literally down to my knees. Oh, did I mention I was in the parking lot at the KC Zoo?
And then there are the concerned who are "worried" about me. God forbid someone could actually lose weight in a healthy manner. SURELY I'm starving myself and only eating kleenex.
It's been the most grueling, spiritual and physical challenge of my LIFE! And who's not to say I won't be facing this same challenge again in 10 years? 5 years? Heck, next month! Women age, our bodies change, life throws us curve balls...so trust me when I say I'm not at all sittin' comfortable. I hope to forever be a "work in progress"...inward and outward. All glory to God and GOD ALONE!
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (The Message)
23-24May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it! |
| Feb 2010...oh this picture makes me cringe! |
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| March 2010 |
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| May 2010..."Who's your friend w/ you or is that just your butt?" ~Gloria's comment to Moto Moto on the movie "Madagascar" Boy! can I relate! |
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| July 2010 |
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| August 2010...This is when I started P90X...90 days every day. |
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| September 2010...starting to see a waist |
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| October 2010...right in the middle of my p90x routine and eating clean more and more |
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| November 2010 |
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| December 2010...Africa is right around the corner! |
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| January 2011 in Ghana |
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| Feb 2011...Jax, Fl |
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| March 2011 Harry and I goin' for a jog...praising God every step! |
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| April 2011 |
Now, God...if you could just let the money fall from heaven so I can get as many nips and tucks as this momma desires! HAHAHA!!! Just kiddin'...but not really.
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