NELLY ~ it was interesting that my devotional today was about the virtue of PERSEVERANCE. The question asked was "What challenge are you going through in your life now that could be a lesson in Perseverance?" pp
PAUL explained that some tribulations (problems/troubles) that we encounter in this life are lessons in Perseverance, which also produce & build more character; which in turn, also gives us more Hope ... Romans 5:3-4
As we persevere, we will eventually see some progress & benefits; and, the virtue of Perseverance is a part of a mature character which is formed by practicing perservering. Then from that we get hope, becuz we see that persistence pays ...
I have been experiencing slow weight-loss as well for the same reasons as you, but I am still losing, just more slowly. Yes, for some people, WL is much slower as we get older, but that doesn't mean it is non-existent. We can still improve our health issues & vitals (cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, etc); and lose inches & sizes as we get more fit too.
However, I would also say that the slower we lose weight, the more likely we will be able to keep it off too. It has been my observation that those who lose weight very fast, have great difficulty keeping it off; and they gain it back very quickly too. So, slow weight-loss is preferable anyways, and is an excellent way to practice for maintenance.
Too many people have a GIVE-UP MENTALITY: if I can't lose weight fast, then I may as well forget it altogether; but if you think about that kind of reasoning, it really doesn't make any sense. You will be no better off; and your health will continue to decline. So, the best & wisest thing to do -- is to still eat as healthy as you can for health reasons at least (regardless of what kind of food you have).
For those who have less money, I would focus on veggies rather than fruit, becuz fruit is expensive and you don't really need it to lose weight. George Cruise and other health experts say it is even better to limit fruit to one half or one serving a day while trying to lose weight, becuz you don't really need it, as you can get Vitamins from nutrient-rich veggies like tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, corn, turnips, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, peppers, peas, snap beans & greens (beet & turnip, spinach, swiss chard, mustard, parsley, and kale).
Often people eat fruit becuz it is low in calories and filling. If you can afford fruit, then buy it, but if you can't -- omit it and put that money into more veggies instead. When I was young, our family couldn't afford a lot of fruit, but I would use my babysitting & work money to buy one fruit per child for our lunches (3-4 days a week) when we were in school (on Fridays, I bought or made them a goodie dessert as a surprise).
The nice thing about veggies is that you can grow them anywhere, even in pots and containers in the back yard or deck. A small salad garden can be made along the side of the house. We did that in our last place; I even grew piles of green & yellow beans on the west side of the house there.
Anyways, don't give up Nelly; just do your best and let GOD do the rest. Will pray that your healing continues for sure ...
