The ONE Thing I Did to Lose weight AND Strengthen My Walk with God:
The Weight Loss Journey
Middle school is tough, especially when you are on the heavier side. Fortunately, by 8th grade, I had lost all of my excess weight. In fact, my weight struggle is what inspired me to major in nutrition in college. I managed to keep off all the weight all way through high school, college, and grad school; and learned the best practices for weight loss and nutrition in college and grad school. When I practiced what I preached, I was able to keep the weight off, and I kept the weight off until I got married….
After I was happily married, the weight began to creep back on. For the first time since middle school, I was overweight again. Using my training and dietetic counseling skills on myself, I was able to muster enough willpower to lose weight again. (You can read more about my weight journey and training here). Four years later, I had a baby and managed to muster up the motivation and willpower to lose the baby weight again.
Mindfulness was Life Changing
As I began getting older, the weight was harder and harder to keep off. I noticed “cheat days” had much more of an impact. When I became pregnant again, I didn’t want to gain as much weight as I did with my first child. However, I didn’t want to diet while pregnant. In fact, I was tired of weight obsessing. So I decided to STOP weight obsessing and simply mindfully eat. For the first time, I did not need willpower. After the birth of my daughter, I continued with the mindful eating, and the weight just dropped off. The. Easiest. Weight. Loss. Ever!
I didn’t deprive myself and didn’t even feel the need to have cheat days. I discovered the most important component of mindfully eating, for me, was to PAUSE before eating. That pause or lack of the pause was the determining factor in whether I would mindfully eat or not at that particular meal. So why is this pause so crucial?
When I pause, I remind myself to take my time, notice my food, notice if I am eating an appropriate amount, and most importantly, I thank God for the food. During this pause, I remind myself to eat God’s gift of food for enjoyment and nourishment. I remind myself to take the time to pay attention to my food instead of over consuming without even noticing that I am eating.
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Mindfulness Did so Much More than Help with Weight Loss
This one pause before the meal was crucial for my nutritional health, but I also began to notice how crucial the pause was in every aspect of my life. The Bible talks about praying continuously. In a way, the pause in life helps me pray more continuously.
I began to notice the impact of pausing and praying before entering any new environment whether the new environment is a park, a friend’s home, or the grocery store. Pausing and praying, was life changing. I began to notice the importance of pausing and praying when I felt angry, or before saying something difficult, or before even talking with my children. I noticed the importance of not only pausing and praying before meals and snacks, but also before bed and before getting up in the morning.
When I forget to do this, I notice the difference in MY actions and my strength to endure life. On the days that I do a better job of pausing, I notice God’s presence and God’s guidance more. When I pause more, I feel like I am truly letting God lead me, and I am reminded that no matter what happens, God is right there. I can feel God’s presence in the very room with me, and I feel I have the strength to focus on God’s will instead of my emotions. We don’t have to rush into every situation, and we don’t have to rush to speak. We can and should PAUSE and take our time in life.
Want to Learn More About Mindfulness?
You can find out more about my faith-based mindfulness and nutrition journey in 18 Weeks to a Healthier, Happier, More Purposeful Life. This book takes you on an inspiring and uplifting journey with dietitian, Lacy Ngo. Thanks to faith-based mindfulness and nutrition, Ngo went from being weight obsessed to feeling healthy and happy in her own body. Ironically, during the process, Ngo ended up, not only losing weight but also strengthening her walk with God. Now she feels healthier than ever AND she truly enjoys eating! She is able to feed her mind, body, and soul nourishing foods and feel good in her own body without weight obsessing. Get ready to get goose-bumps as you read this amazing true story.
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This is so helpful, Lacy! Great post!! I recently read “Made to Crave” by Lisa Terkeurst and “Thin Side Out: How to have your cake and your skinny jeans too” by Josie Spinardi and they talk about mindset – it’s a game changer in weight loss!
We did a “Made to Crave” study series at church a few years ago. It was a great book and a great church series. I will have to check out “This Side Out: How to have your cake and skinny jeans too.”
I love this! Like most moms, I’m working to eat healthy and keep the weight off after babies. I am going to start pausing and praying during meals too! I bet it will really help me to enjoy the food and eat less because I’m being mindful. Thanks for sharing!
I am so glad you are going try Mindfulness out, Halee! I hope it helps you as much as it has helped me.