Happy to have found you all!
 

I am so happy to have found the Christian Encouragers! :wave:

Many people don't figure God into their weight loss strategy but I sure do. I think He has been telling me for the past couple of years to treat my body as His temple but I've just done what I wanted. Finally a couple months ago, I had chest pains which led to a cardiologist visit and a stress test. I also had a bunch of blood tests. All the tests confirmed what I had already known all along - I have high cholesterol and I am obese. I needed to make life long changes right away!

I'm exercising more days than not. I'm cutting back on sweets and portions. I already had a healthy diet of whole grains, fruits, veggies and lean protiens but I just ate way too much. I've been at this for 7 weeks and I've lost 3.5 lbs. More than that, I have made a lot of positive changes that I know are pleasing to the Lord.

Thanks for having me!

Blessings,
Pam
<><
:kissluck:

pp
That is fantastic. You know I say to people. When you think you are on this journey all alone. When there is no one in sight to give you encouragement. God is right there beside you. Usually yelling, put down that candy bar. I truly believe this. God wants what is best for us. He wasn't us to be healthy and happy. Sometimes, we just need to listen to what he is saying to us. Sounds like you are doing well. Please post often and let us know how things are going.

Pam - :welcome: You have found a great group of Christian folk! They are just awesome! So supportive and understanding and wise. Look at all those cheerleaders in Shy's signature! She is doing so great and has overcome so much! A true miracle and testimony to God's faithfulness.

Rosebud is such an inspiration! So full of faith, always seeing the silver lining in everything!

In fact, EVERYONE here is a blessing! I truly found a home when I found this forum :D

Just a quick not to say that we leave for Chicago tomorrow. I'm not sure if/when I will have Internet access. I will check in when I can. And - as always - you are in my thoughts and prayers :D

Counting
Have fun and be safe.

Mind if I join.

Hi Rennie

Hey all sorry I have b een MIA I've had the flu then a nasty cold then my grand mother got sick so much going on I'm so glad God is in control because I was about to lose it lol. I will try to be good and post more often hope all is well for every one . :welcome3: to all the new posters glad you are here come back often this is a wonderful group of people . Take care all. Rena

Hi there!
 

Counting- You are a great role model, it is important to put devo's first, we should God first in everything, then all goes better. So glad to hear SD came home, prayers he cotinues to improve.
Mamakim- Congrats stay op!
Bethz- Thanks! My wt. Loss Journey had been very long, and continues, I had gastric bypadd surgery last may30th, which has helped level the playing field for me, although I still have to watch what I eat, and exercise, I have been doing 6 miles on my elliptical about 3 mornings a week, but need to more attentive to eating more salads and getting more water in, work interfers sometimes, and don't eat as well, but thanks for your support and for everyone else's here you guys are awesome!!!
Rosebud- Speaking of awesome, are a great supporter as well, so glad to hear tom is doing well Thanks for sharing the Thank You ! letters, that was great as well as the pic! beautiful!
Eltigre- You have had alotof challenges, prayers life smooths out...
Fitchick- Welcome!!
Pam- Welcome!!
Ceejay- Welcome!!
E.Z.- Where are you, oh that's right working! Glad I am not alone a workaholic!!! can never find time to post, but you guys are always in my prayers.
Losingit- Prayers that you and grandma are feeling better, you are right the Lord is allways in control!! so give Him the lead...
Shy- speaking of another awesome encourager!! Thanks!
Well gotta go but wish you all well, I am doing well, getting exercise in most of the time, working dayshifts alot this week so that makes it harder getting the exercise in, but need to get my water in, and eat better, gotta run, prayers!!!

Good day today...
 

Had a good day today; fit in one mile walk in halls at lunch time. Weighed in for Biggest Losers at work, have lost 2 pounds. :D Official WW weigh in not until Friday.

Thank you for the prayers. Will be going to visit the grandchildren with my son again this next weekend. He is enjoying his well-deserved leave, and heads back to finish deployment next week. Had a chance to play indoor soccer with some friends he hadn't seen in a long time tonight.

Have a great week everyone! I wish I had more time to add personals, but just had time for a quick read-through... God bless you all, I'm sure he does! :hug:Bethz

:wel3fc: to CEEJAY AND PAM ~ you are most welcome to join us. Come back and post often: doesn't have to be long, short and sweet will do ... LOL!

RENA ~ there's a nasty flu going around NORTH AMERICA; DH is down sick with it again. I had it for two weeks; he had it only one, but now has it back again (or something very similar to it; same symptoms). Prayers for both you and your grandmother for quick recovery.

BETHZ ~ sending prayers for you DS and his family. Don't worry, you don't have to do personals. Just come in and do a short post to let us know how you are and if you need prayers.

SUE ~ thanks so much for the kind wordz: they are a great encouragement to me. See how it is all reciprocal!!! GOD is amazing, isn't He???

*** TOM is taking another CHEMO ROUND right now; they put the meds in his tube on Monday afternoons and take it out Wednesday mornings. They have to test his blood first so that's why the late start. With the new meds, he shouldn't get sick at all. She wrote last night that he has been feeling great all weekend, and some family have come out to stay with them for a week which is nice support for them too.

SHY ~ My aunt and uncle know all about you guys and gals; and that's why she mentioned in the letter about 'those who don't know them at all'. I have sent prayer requests to three different groups for them, plus our family and friends of course. They appreciate is very much. Lots of good advice for us; thanks for that too ...

COUNTING ~ thanks to you also; such lovely compliments. That encourages my soul as well. I try to share anything that might lift your day; I also send stuff to my family and friends each week. Some of them have so many stressers in their lives. Most of them work and I don't, so I have more time than them. I look for inspirational things and some nice clean jokes too (I have found a few good ones here).

*** Also wanted to let you know that my brother is doing well right now too; we appreciate and thank you for your prayers for him too.

GARY ~ hope you have a great week at work.

WELL, I have to get off here to let my girls out and get ready for bed. Take good care of yourselves :hug:ROSEBUD:hug:^PRAYERS^ continue for you and yours ...

Hi everyone, I'm very new to 3FC and am glad I found this page. I'm especially thrilled to see there is a Thread for believers. I am looking forward to the encouragement I know I'll get through here and also the friendships I hope to make.

Rose
There is always room for one more at God's table. Welcome and please let us know how things are going.

Just
That flu is terrible. Some people never get it, like me, others get it over and over. Try to make him take it easy.

Bethz
Nice going on the loss. Hope you have a wonderful time.


doit
Everything we do, every choice we make that is good for us takes us forward. When we can't do all the things we would like to do, like get plenty of exercise, even a little bit helps. Hope things get less hectic for you.


Cee
HI cee how are things going. Come on in, pull up a chair, kick your shoes off and chat awhile.

I am so proud of myself. God really does work when we work for our selfs. When I started to exercise, what around Sep, Oct? I was lucky to get through a 1 mile walking/aerobic video without having to pause it several times. Ok, I was sick but still. Today, I am able to do 3 mile walking videos and not be out of breath. The lung capacity must really be getting better with all the exercise. I swear, sometimes I hear a voice say to me GET OFF YOUR BUTT AND EXERCISE. I think, sometimes all we have to do is listen to what God says to us and do what we are told rather we FEEL like it or not.

:wave: Just a quick check-in tonight ...

:welcome3: ROSE76 ~ two ROSEBUD's in one thread: gee, that could get very confusing ~ LOL! So, I'll call you ROSE too, like SHY did.

THANKS SHY ~ DH AND SWEETIE are sick right now; she sure didn't need that too right now. She wasn't able to hold any food down today and it is really slowing her down. DH said he felt much better today; so that's better than last time. He stayed in the house today and rested.

Picked up another DVD player for a good price, so I'll be able to do my WATP sessions more often now.

Well, I gotta go check on SWEETIE; to let them outside. Had a late night last night; hope to get to bed earlier. HOPE everyone is well; take good care, your fellow encourager :hug:ROSEBUD:hug:^PRAYERS^ ascending ...

SHY - Thanks for the welcome :) and I will do that

ROSEBUD- yeah i noticed that when i was scrolling through here earlier. i thought they were talking to me. lol thanks for the welcome :) (btw, what is WATP? lol)

i missed my workout on tuesday, normally i don't go on wednesday nights b/c of church but i went last night for a mile on the tredmill. today is resistance training, my favorite day!:carrot:

Having a great day!
 

Been busy putting together a movie from music and pix for the boys' basketball banquet this weekend, also have some display boards with pix on them to celebrate the season. It is alot of work...but well worth it! Tonight is for resting and watching Survivor!

Having a good day at work today. Went and got some soup from the kitchen because it is cold in my office today. BRRR! (Could be from drinking all that water!) Had the points to spare!

B: simply quaker oatmeal, banana (5)
S: italian wedding soup, herbal tea (6)
L: turkey and swiss on rye, apple (9)
S: popcorn (2)
D: veggie salad with italian dressing, green beans, steak (6)
Water: plenty, I finish and refill my glass when anyone comes into the office
Exercise: one mile hall-walking

Prayers for all who need them! Praise where it is deserved! Have a great day everyone! Weigh in tomorrow looking good! :hug: Bethz

rose76
WATP is a series of walk/aerobic at home videos Walk Away The Pounds. Leslie Sansone is the wonderful lady a great many of us walk with each day.

Just
I have a ton of them now. I do each and everyone of them. I just love Leslie and she has really helped me along the way to a more fit body.

SHY - thanks for the info :D

:wave: HELLO EVERYONE ~ got lots of rest today; had a nap this aft to catch up on lost sleep and get those poor legs up. Had a blast taking lots of pics of our backyard friends today; got some really good ones too.

DH set up the new DVD player for me; I spent most of the day running my feet off. Tomorrow will be the same as we hope to go into town for an outing and for pickups. SWEETIE is up and walking around better today, but still not able to keep much down: poor thing. Trying to spend lots of time with her while we can.

For dinner, we had lean hamburger steak with onions, tomato, small new potato w/skin, and leftover coleslaw and veggies from yesterday's roasted chicken and veggie dinner. Lunch was v/l ham & cheese on whole grain with a cup-a-soup. BF was a small bagel with peanut butter; snack banana. Will likely have an orange tonight too.

WELL, I'm off to take shower and have my tea; take good care, your fellow encourager :hug:ROSEBUD:hug:^PRAYERS^ continue for you and yours ...

Good news on the scale this morning... lost 3 pounds this week:carrot:

Had a good on plan week, got most of my exercise and plenty of water in!

Son returns overseas on Thursday! Will spend the weekend with us, then set out to Boston to see his sister and visit with his children...has been great to have him around. His teen brothers enjoy him so, and look up to him. We all will look forward to his eventual return to the area late this year or early next year.

Lots of company to visit son this weekend. Lots of cooking going on...lots of on-plan options for the mama (me)! Prayers please for WILLPOWER at the BUFFET banquet for basketball team on Sunday! Thank you.

Will check in on Monday. Think of you all often. :hug: Beth

Hi there!
 

Bethz- Prayers for will power, you are doing awesome down 5 more lbs Awesome!!! Please thank your son for his service, trust you will enjoy your visit this weekend.
Rosebud- Thanks!! Continued prayers for aunt/uncle, brother, dear hubby and sweetie, blessings!
Shy- Thanks! Awesome job !! sick and still exercising, great job!!
Rose- Welcome!! Good job working out! come back and let us know how your doing!!
Well gotta run working today hi to everyone else, have an awesome blessed day!!!

PRAYERS PLEASE ~ Our little SWEETIE has taken a turn for the worse; she seems to have caught this bug and is very weak now. We are praying for a peaceful transition and serenity for us all during this time. It's so hard when you've had them for so long and they are just like kids. THANKS ...

SUE ~ THANKS SO MUCH for your prayer support: it means so much to us.

BETHZ ~ :congrat: on those disappearing pounds; gone forever I'd say ... yeah!!! Prayers for strength during celebrations; make lots of healthy stuff too and that might help lessen the temptations. That's what I do; I have given all our favorite dishes a healthy makeover so we can still eat them.

HELLO TO EVERYONE ELSE ~ hope you all have a great weekend; your fellow encourager :hug:ROSEBUD:hug:^PRAYERS^ ascending for one and all ...

Just
I am sorry to hear about sweetie. It is very hard I do understand. My prayers are with you.

Doit
I have been lucky. I haven't caught that nasty flu that is going around. Just have a sinus thing going on. Real pain at night when it makes my teeth hurt. Heck I didn't want to breath anyway while I was walking lol.

Bethz
WOW that is great. Nice going on the loss. Glad you had a nice visit with you son. Bet you can't wait until he is back for good. That is the way to win the game. Plan plan plan.

It's been only a week since I last posted and there's been a lot of activity here. I love it! The more people the more prayer support we get.

It's been a busy week for me at work especially coming back from a week off. Sometimes you wonder if it's worth it. I did love my little vacation though. I got lots done at home and am well into my little quilt.

I've been doing really well with my eating. I ate mostly fish and chicken along with veggies this week. My weight has maintained the past few weeks but at least it isn't going up. I'm also getting on the bike more often and feel good when I do it. Soon I'll incorporate more of the WATP dvds and when the snow finally leaves I'll go walking outside.

I'm off to bed. I can hardly keep my eyes open and soon won't make sense.

wilma
Nice to hear from you. Glad things are going well. Sometimes that is all a person gets done on their week off is catching up around the house and yard. Glad you are getting time to work on your quilt.

Just wanted to let you know that our little SWEETIE passed away tonight. It is very hard for us, but we are so glad she isn't suffering. We are grateful that we were blessed with such a delightful friend for so many years. THANK YOU SO MUCH for your kind words and prayers. :cry:

:hug:ROSEBUD:hug:

DoIt- thanks for the welcomes. I didn't have a chance to go to the gym tonight it was a girls night out. My friend Carrie is going to UofL to become a Interpertor for the Deaf and she was in town for Spring Break and well she had to go to this thing for hours or something, well we all went just for something to do. Went to McD's for dinner... bad girl here... i think it was b/c i was so hungry and it had been so long and i wanted something more than just a salad. i suck. it's all ok, tomorrow is another day and i'm not going to let it get the best of me. Well, anyway, my friends just left the house about 5 minutes ago. One of them has a big senior project for school that she is doing tomorrow and we helped make cookies brownies and muffins... well actually i made them but someone else washed the dishes, that was A. O.K. by me! lol

Rosebud - i'm sorry to hear about your little baby. :hug: pets do become just like family, i don't know what i would do if one of mine passed away. you are in my prayers.

:cb:Lauren:cb:

Rosebud, so sorry to hear of your loss.

HI GALS ~ I got back into town yesterday afternoon but had to work a looong day today closer to home. I will try and catch up after church tomorrow but i just wanted to say..........

ROSEBUD ~ :(.....I am so sorry for your loss. :(....HUGS :hug:

... THANKS ...


:hug:ROSEBUD:hug:

Thank you all for the replies to my post and the encouragement!

Just a quick flyby to let everyone know we are back from Chicago safe and sound. Had a WONDERFUL trip. Really enjoyed the St. Patrick's Day festivities. Before and after river pictures attached.

Rosebud - so sorry to hear about SWEETIE. I have enjoyed all of the pictures and stories you have shared of her. What a special member of the family she was. You were blessed to have her in your life!

eltigre - "no gain" is a successful week in my book! Congrats!

Wilma - glad to hear you are doing well! :D

Beth - WOW - awesome job this week! WAY TO GO!!!!

ROSE76 - :welcome2: Glad to have you join us. This is a GREAT group of Christian folk - they are a blessing!!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Palm Sunday, and I wish you a blessed holy week! Prayers continuing :)
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/4...ore1oq7.th.jpg http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/6...ftergx7.th.jpg

We had a beautiful sunny day, so we decided to take PIN PIN and go for a Sunday drive this afternoon. We also went to see a friend who recently bought a new home; it was very nice. Didn't do much else today, just taking it easy. Had a nice shoulder ham for our Sunday dinner with lots of veggies and coleslaw.

I also took some pics of the snow mountains along the side of the road here so we have evidence of this record year. Have a great week, your fellow encourager ... :hug:ROSEBUD:hug:^PRAYERS^ continue ...

Hope everyone had a nice weekend.

Hi everyone! I joined a few days ago and am slowly checking out the different areas. I am a believer (Christian) and would love to chat with other believers.
We are traveling right now and went to church this am at a church we always visit when we are in the Desert Hot Springs area. The pastor is a great teacher and as usual we really enjoyed the service

Came home and had a light lunch then went to the ice cream social at the clubhouse (yes, I do still eat ice cream..one scoop only with a little topping) folowed by a member meeting.

It is windy here and today was cooler. It seemed strange to wear a jacket this morning. It has been a nice weekend despite the wind and it's kinda nice being rocked to sleep at night!

This is probably a boring post but I'll have more to say as I get to know you all. ;)

I'm new to this thread. I'm a Christ follower and looking to connect with other believers to support one another in this area of weakness in my life. *sigh*... my weight!

I am sinful because food is an "idol" and I can't get away from it. From a faith perspective I don't know quite how to view my addiction to food (particularly sugar) and how to find peace from it.

Anyhow, I look forward to reading more and getting know you all.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY EVERYONE !!!

Here's an IRISH BLESSING for ya ...

May the road rise up to greet you ...
May the wind be always at your back ...
May the rain fall softly upon your fields ...
And, May the sunshine warm upon your face ...
Until we meet again, my friends ...


:wel3fc: JULZCHIKI, and THANK YOU, for making me laugh this morning, becuz GOD knows that I needed it today. I don't know if you meant your post to sound that way, but it struck me funny; and your avatar looks so jolly and happy. Please come back and post often ...

:welcome3: MARYEA ~ your post is fine; whatever you want to say is fine. We look forward to getting to know you better too. Yah, everything is just fine ... LOL! Yah, OK, sometimes I may sound a little cracked, but I'm not ... really ~ LOL!


:irish: :luck2you: :cupgold: :irish: :luck2you: :cupgold: :irish:

:goldpot: Have a great day :goldpot: from your fellow encourager :hug:ROSEBUD:hug:^PRAYERS^ continue for all ...

Welcome, everyone! I am relatively new here too.

I had a great weekend, despite having alot of company, therefore alot of food being around...and a banquet buffet. I found that PLANNING ahead was key.

I had a great on-plan day today, journaled, counted points, drank plenty of water, and walked 20 minutes at lunch time.

Please pray for my son who will return to deployment on Thursday, and is currently enjoying time with his children.

Enjoy the remainder of the day everyone! I will talk with you tomorrow.:cofdate:Friends in Christ, :hug:Bethz

bethz
Will keep you and yours in my prayers. I have found the same thing, planning is really the key for me to lose weight and get my exercise in.

Jul
Hello and welcome. Each of us in our own way understand what you are saying. We haven't taken care of our body. We have made something so important to us we have not taken care of something God has given us. You will find great people here to chat with, give advice too and sometimes get advice from. Hope you post often and let us know how things are going.

Maryea
You mean there are people that try to lose weight WITHOUT eating ice cream. IMPOSSIBLE lol. Don't they understand ice cream is a great dairy group lol.

Welcome to our newest members - Maryea & Julz! Great to have you here - come back often and let us know how you are doing!

Julz - I found the original WeighDown Diet to be very helpful with my "idol". I am currently working through Faithfully Fit which is quite good. I picked it up on Amazon (use the link from 3FC store).

Maryea - I love attending new churches when I travel - it is great to hear new pastors and meet new people :)

Rosebud - thank you for the Irish blessing :)

Beth - congrats on staying OP - prayers continuing for your son and whole family!

Shy - glad you made it back home from your visit to your friend's house. And - congrats on hitting the 50 lb. mark! That is AWESOME!!!! You should be so proud of yourself :D

Back to work today for me. Unfortunately, the work just piles up when I am gone - so it was an incredibly busy day! Glad to get back into my routines, but we DID enjoy Chicago. The production of Othello was wonderful, and of course, the food, and the sights, and even the warmer weather :D

Hope you are doing well - prayers ascending for all :)

Counting
I don't think I am ever going to do as well as you have :)

DEAR JULZCHICKI ~ Please forgive me if my post was offensive in any way; I didn't mean it that way. I honestly thought that you meant what you said in a 'tongue-in-cheek' sort of way. I read your blog as well; and believe me, I certainly can identify with your feelings and thoughts: I could have written a lot of it myself ~ LOL.

Ya know, GOD created us, and He made us in such a manner that WE HAVE TO EAT TO LIVE. If we don't eat, we will die. The catch here is to eat in a healthy way; and there is nothing wrong with having a small dessert now and then. I think is comes down to 'HOW MUCH' and 'HOW OFTEN' ... and sometimes 'WHY' ...

Thank GOD, JESUS came and died on the cross for ALL our imperfections, sins, transgressions, iniquities, faults, flaws, weaknesses, mistakes, and errors. I thank him for that every day, so that SATAN cannot beat me up anymore with nasty, negative thoughts!

Thankfully, I was never one to eat copious amounts of food; and we rarely ever ate fast foods (simply becuz we didn't have any where we lived). No, I just started eating junk; and gained about 25 lbs over a few years in my early teens. I was put on a diet by a parent and doctor, but was not ever taught how to eat healthy, in a long-term way.

I realized that I have spent my whole adult life trying to lose weight for losing weight's sake; and I wasted a lot of money and time doing that. I always lost weight, but it came back, worse than ever. All that yo-yoing made me sick, in the end.

Now I believe (for me only; I can't speak for others), that GOD has impressed upon me, that He wants me to stop dieting; and learn how to just eat in a healthy, balanced way ... forever ...

So far, I have lost a lot of weight and inches and sizes; and this will be a permanent thing this time as there is no going back to anything becuz there isn't any other way to go back to or from; does that make sense??? LOL!!! Now, I still have lots of room for improvement, but I'm a work-in-progress. For me, this is a journey, not a destination.

Please do come back often so that we can get to know you; and I hope that we can help each other along the way. :hug:ROSEBUD:hug: