Over the past couple of weeks I have increased my workouts while decreasing my calorie intake in order to try and attain my next weight goal. Even though my calorie count shows that I should have lost another two pounds, it still is not showing up on the scale.
This can be so frustrating, and had I not already experienced this same problem many times before I might just give up altogether. But I remember what Julie and Kevin told me in the very beginning. I must change my mindset. I must envision myself being the healthy person God created me to be, and I must remember that I am worthy.
We all know that stress plays a big part in our weight and health, and, just as many of you probably have, I have certainly experienced my share of it these past few weeks. Between the stress from all the end-of-year activities, spring fever and other personal situations in my life at this time, I can’t help but wonder, is there more going on with why I am not losing this weight? Could the stress be causing my body to hold on to the weight as some sort of defense mechanism? The answer is…yes.
After researching the effects of stress I learned that stress produces a hormone called cortisol. This hormone helps to regulate blood pressure, produces proper glucose metabolism, regulates the release of insulin for blood sugar maintenance, and it aids in our immune function and inflammatory response. Therefore, when I am stressed I tend to retain more fluid and my metabolism tends to slow, both of which will cause me to not see the results which I would like to see on the scales.
As a natural born worrier, I tend to let the little problems get to me, and I take situations very personally. Often circumstances come up which leave me feeling like I’m a failure. Or I may feel that it is entirely my fault, even when it clearly is not. I often become very discouraged, and as a result it increases my stress levels. This has been one of the main problems that I have struggled with nearly all of my 43 years of life, and I believe it’s because of this that I became so obese.
Changing my mindset and thinking more positively has been my main focus throughout this journey of change. As I reflect back over the past year, I can see that when I was in a more positive frame of mind the results were much better. Even though I know this fact now, it is still a daily battle to keep those negative thoughts out of my mind especially when situations arise. So, once again I find myself struggling to think more positively and to not let the stresses of everyday life get to me.
As I search for answers to help me rid these negative thoughts, I am reminded of the verse from Romans 12:2: Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.
To renew my mind is to completely give all of my problems and frustrations to the Lord, and He will give me the peace and joy I need. And through this process I will be transformed. Not just transformed, but a total makeover of my mind, body, and spirit. Not only will this transformation lead to a happier overall person, but it will result in a healthier person as well. And the transformation comes full circle, as healthier living is happier living!
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