The Battle is Raging!

My Battle is raging, is yours?

Through the last few days, I have come to realize why I battle food and the vicious cycle that has followed me!  I have researched and done some deep thinking, talked with my immediate family, and have come to the realization that I eat WHEN I AM BORED -- MY BATTLE IS RAGING!

A few months ago, I had to take some time off of work for a planned surgery.  While I was in the hospital, my cravings were for any form of solid food, as I was on a liquid diet for the first 48 hours after surgery.  Once I was able to eat solid food, all I wanted was a Diet Coke!  I constantly told whatever family member was with me at the time, what food I wanted, and how badly I wanted it!  Now, this may not seem like eating out of boredom, but it was for me!  I disliked being in the hospital, although I know that the end result of my stay was for the betterment of my health.  I was bored of sitting there with nothing to do, but lay in bed, watch TV, read a magazine, read the Good Book -- but to me, those few things are exactly what my body, and brain, determined as bored!

When my discharge date was delayed due to minor complications, I was saddened, because I was looking forward to my own bed, but I was mad, because I just wanted to drive across the street to the nearest McDonald's for an order of French Fries and a Large Diet Coke!  How sad is that?  Well, once I was finally discharged, we drove across the street for those 2 very things, my order of French Fries and a LARGE Diet Coke!

The next few months were the actual truth to my battle.  What do you do after surgery?  Recuperate!  In my house, my family (husband and 2 grown children), would not let me lift a finger, and when they couldn't be with me, they ordered help -- let me insert here that I am VERY thankful for all of my friends -- but between my family and friends, what did I do?  I sat around, watching TV, reading magazines, reading my Bible, sometimes conversation, but for the most part -- boredom!  I gained about 15 lbs. during that time, I was sedentary, due to restrictions while I recuperated, and then all the food that my church family brought to help us through this time.  I ate, and ate, and ate!

I returned to work after 10 weeks of recuperation, only to be let go after working 9 days back at the office, the office that I called my home away from home for 3 years.  I didn't eat while I was stressed, so, as long as I kept myself busy during the day, sending out resumes, going on interviews, cleaning and organizing my house, I didn't eat!  From the day of my release until the day I started my new position I have lost 12 of the previous 15 lbs. that I gained.  Now I am back to my original, heavier than I was when I delivered my second and last child, weight -- ready to make a change.

New year, new goals, new Ministry to follow (Proverbs 31 Ministries), and just a few weeks into 2014, a new job - PRAISE GOD!  Small goals have been set, one step at a time!  I am #EMPOWERED through the Bible Study that I have spoke of, Made To Crave,  and I am taking one day at a time to conquer the raging battle that I have faced in the past!  All my past is gone!  With the love and support of my family -- I am making changes to my thinking!

Nervous

I am not even sure how or what to say to start a blog, but I will try .........

I am learning quite a few things as I grow older, one of which is how to blog.  Seems to me, I am one of the last few to join this movement!  I am not an English Scholar, a published writer or even a personal journalist, but I do know that I am never to old.  My Pastor has imparted a truth to me, one of which my family & I stand on, "Growth brings change and change brings growth".  I am ready to grow and change!  Please bear with me as I do!

You see, I am beginning an OBS (Online Bible Study) with over 40,000 other women in the world, who want to see change.  Change in themselves, to grow deeper, and to crave God more!  I never knew there would be such a powerful outpouring of women who want to Crave God as never before!

In this journey we are asked, but not required to, blog -- for many reasons --  but, it's a time to share my words, meet new friends, leave words of encouragement and a place where I can go to link with like-minded women, who are working through the same issues I may face on a daily basis.  In their blogging, I am praying I will be able to find encouraging words for my walk.

I want to make a change in many places in my life, and on many different levels.  Through this study, and through my blogging, I hope to achieve a few of my goals for 2014.  I have the love of my family, and support of those same loving people, yet knowing that there is a community working through this same goal is encouraging for me to make this start.

One small step toward one large, physical goal, has been to stop drinking soda.  I started this on January 1st, and have been faithful to the goal, thus far.  One small step.  I can see a difference in a few ways, for which I am grateful, but as I make more changes, take more steps, I have hope & faith to reach the best of what God would have for me.  Knowing that I am EMPOWERED will make this walk easier.

If you are interested in joining me on this journey, it is never too late -- just click Made To Crave and you can start today!

I can't wait to see you there!

Lori-Ann