The Nutritarian Lifestyle

Read this today from a friend on an online Eat to Live support group.  I'm so thankful for others that encourage and help me learn in this journey.

"There are two approaches to improving health through improved nutrition.

 The first is to remove the most offending food products which actively promote inflammation and disease. The most detrimental of these products are animal sourced foods including eggs, dairy (butter, yogurt, cheese, milk, ice cream, sour cream, etc.) as well as beef, pork, poultry and fish.
So many plant based approaches focus on removing these harmful foods from the diet, but they fall short by not also removing manufactured/processed foods which are very low nutrient food-products that contain numerous questionable and sometimes very harmful ingredients; ...they lack the wealth of phytonutrients found only in whole plant foods, and tend to be high in added fat, salt, sugar, and chemicals such as artificial colors, flavorings designed to be addictive, and preservatives. 

A more optimal approach to nutrition is to not only cut out the animal products, but also dramatically limit the various manufactured products - even the ubiquitous loaf of bread is processed food - high in sodium and low in nutrients and fiber.  Focus instead on whole plant foods - and making meals from ingredients that are recognizable as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds. 

This is the Nutritarian approach to optimal health and leads to optimal weight, and the reversal and prevention of multiple disease processes."  Cher Hunter; professor, nutritionist, mentor

The above explains why I don't fit under the label, "Vegan" or "Vegetarian".  The goal is not simply to remove foods from my diet or label something as *evil*. The primary focus for my health and my family's health is that I purpose to put the most optimal foods available INTO our bodies.  This not only helps me in my weight loss, healing and protecting from disease, but it builds our bodies to perform at their best, thereby bringing glory to the Lord in all we do. 

May we use our physical bodies always to serve you, Lord, in thanksgiving for all you do that enables us in this way.  Help us see that every action we take, a food we eat, a nibble we resist, an activity that strengthens us, a choice that guards us, they are a form of worship unto You.

Day 5 Vice-Busting

February 2, 2013
Day 5 Vice-Busting

Scripture Affirmation:
God does not ignore my prayers or withhold his unfailing love from me.
"Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. " Psalm 66:20

I admit it. When I work hard to lose pounds and they aren't coming off, I feel ignored. When I fail to follow my plan or do a good thing for my health, I fear he will withhold his mercy because I feel so undeserving of it. 

Strengthen me to see my sin and confess it, Lord, that I will not prevent my prayers from being heard. Strengthen me to see your love and mercy, that I will not reject it with my own selfish pride and shame.

Action:
Keep building the habit of water with me at all times; drink plenty, choose water over any other beverage. The choice I make to do this is cleansing my body, helping it begin to do what it is meant to do: be an efficient, functioning, healthy, and energetic system.

"Another common mental block has to do with something entirely different that many people aren't even aware of, and it's called self-sabotage or deliberate acts of failure. Many things in your past, recent or distant, may be keeping you from succeeding and may fuuel the desire to fail. If you have had one or more emotional experiences that have left you feeling angry, depressed, resentful, or spiteful, it can translate into a desire to fail." p50

Interesting. I was challenged last night in dealing with anger issues as a mother. Then I read this and find it difficult to process. I'm guarded against some of the psychology terms and thought behind it. Yet, I wonder how this relates to our battle with sin and our ways of dealing with hurts. Is there something that I do to cope with my emotions that sets me up to fail my best efforts. Thinking and praying on this. I think I need to pay attention if I'm being presented material regarding the same struggle in several venues. Are the issues that cause me to struggle with anger and depression also connected with my struggle to be healthy and strong? Boy, just typing that out makes the answer sound like a no-brainer.

Marriage Action: I've been thinking on this all week...well, longer than that, but I always had an excuse why I didn't need to act.  Two things are obvious that I can begin doing to serve my husband in his life. Make healthy lunches for him daily and tend his wardrobe specifically.  I'm making that commitment now.

Day 3 Vice-Busting

January 31, 2013
Day 3 Vice-Busting

Scripture Affirmation
God’s power enables me to live a healthy lifestyle.
"For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power." 1 Corinthians 4:20

This is such a great affirmation for me. I am a lover of words. Not hard to tell from my lengthy blog posts. But, the kingdom of God does not consist in words, but power. So often my words fill up my page and my mouth but they do not affect my actions. Lord, your power will change me, not my words. Your power enables me to live, do, act, go, consistently and strong, not the words I yammer. Let me meditate on the power you offer and work through me, knowing that merely talking about it will not avail.

Action:
1. Continue to build the habit of having water with you and drinking it often. Got my first bottle at my side. :)
2. Start creating a vision of things to come - not just how I'll look but what I'll do and how I'll feel. Picture myself doing what it is I would do or would lke to do, whom I'll be doing it with, and where I'll be doing it. I have a lot of things I visualize. I've spent a lot of time visualizing, even.  I dream of playing sports with my family. I would love to join in some vigorouse games of basketball, tennis, and soccer with my boys. I would so love to be able to handle a long bike ride with the whole family, strong enough to tote little ones with my own bike. I dream of great hikes to various points together. I just want to be able to run and play a simple game of tag with my children without a struggle.

I see myself sharing clothes with my oldest daughter. Enjoying our shopping trips much more when we are same sized and I like what I see in the mirror. I visualize more confidence when I meet my husband's co-workers at company events.

I crave and see myself accomplishing more in my day. Strong and able to take on the daily tasks of maintaining the housework and yard chores. Eager and able to add more to my day rather than handing it off to other. Strong and able to work beside my husband on various projects. Cheerful and excited to put for the physical effort to use up all that great extra energy that I gain. :)

3. Take inventory and throw out the high-calories beverages in the house. We really have not beverages like this. We do stock up on vitamin water, but that is sweetened with stevia, so no high calories. I often have diet soda in the house, but now that we are out, I won't be buying more. The juice we have I don't drink and there's really only enough for the children or special events.  I will still buy the low sugar, natural coffee creamer for a treat in my coffee from time to time. A reward for getting ALL My water in at the end of the day. :)

Half-Caf today!

Weigh-in:  208.5 tonight at the YMCA. Bummer. I'm not sure why the scale went up. I've been working hard. But, the scale is not the only tool of measurement, that's for sure. Enjoyed my first full circuit on the weight machines by myself and some cardio on the Stride Right.  Went with my oldest son and we had a fun time out alone together.

Day 2 - Vice Busting

January 29 - Day 2

Scripture Affirmation:

The God of hope fills me with joy and peace as I trust in Him.
"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."  Romans 15:13


Action: Build the habit of having water with you at all time. Determine the amount of water your body needs.

Body weight / 2 = targeted ounces of water per day.

For me, 104oz.

Build the habit of physically serving my husband in a special way. Determine the amount of time I will give to the nightly neck-rub.  15 minutes of focused time. (no baby, computer, tv, reading)

Afternoon Entry:

I didn't read this until now and I should have read it this morning. I got busy with choring and did not have my water bottle with me until almost lunch time. I came downstairs hunting for it and I WAS THIRSTY! I got 20oz down in a flash and have been drinking like that ever since. My body is really craving the water now that it's getting it. I'm at 80oz already today. I had a couple of cups of caffeinated coffee this morning, so I want to be sure to get in a couple extra bottles (20oz) of water, too.

The affirmation above is filled with words that swell my heart. Hope, peace, trust, completely, joy, confident, overflow, power.  These are all words I crave in my life...just like my body is craving this water. I can't get enough of the fact that the Lord holds out HOPE to me in the midst of so many areas in my life that feel like struggles. He offers me peace in the midst of the crazy chaos in my days right now. He calls me to TRUST HIM instead of relying on myself and my own foolish coping hangups. He promises me JOY and PEACE when I simply trust HIM instead of myself. He tells me I will OVERFLOW with CONFIDENT hope and He will show POWER in my life! Oh, how I am desparate to overflow with His goodness rather than my own fears and weaknesses. My God is a God of HOPE and He FILLS me...ME...with His joy and peace as I keep moving forward....trusting HIM.

Evening Entry:
160oz water, less 40 to account for 2 cups of caffeine. :)

40 Weeks Devotional

This pregnancy devotional has been a blessing to me for 4 babies now.  Each time I read it, I am challenged in new ways and continue to marvel at the miracle of conception, pregnancy, and birth. I'd like to include the ways the Lord is working in my heart in this pregnancy with quotes and my own thoughts and prayers.  I don't want to forget the wonderful way the Lord is working to help me overcome my fears and struggles right now.

"It is not coincidence pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. In the Bible, the number 40 signifies a time of testing or trial. It rained for 40 days and 40 nights, Moses was on the mountain for 40 days, the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years, Jesus was tempted in the desert for 40 days and he was seen for 40 days after his death before ascending to Heaven.  God will use these 40 weeks of pregnancy to test and grow your faith."

"Goodness can be considered moral excellence, and if this is something you want to pass on to your children, you must possess it first."

"Pregnancy is a time where you have no choice but to develop stronger self-control."

"As you get closer to your baby's birth day, you may find your need for patience and perseverance increases greatly. There is a correlation between the decreasing time until your baby's birth and the increasing desire to have your baby be born.  Whether your like it or not you will develop perseverance because you cannot rush your baby."

"Pregnancy is like a burning bush in that it causes us to stop and pay attention.  God is using this fertile time to grow not only a baby, but also your soul."

The most important point to remember is this: the Holy Spirit will help you in your weakness.  Yes you are weak, but you are not alone.  Yes, you may struggle but you do not have to struggle of your own strength.  Yes, this is difficult, but God has not abandoned you.  In fact, God is using this time of change in your life to further refine your heart so you will be the woman he designed you to be."

"And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him." Ephesians 6:9

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:5-6

"Lord,

Relationships are hard enough between friends, when someone is hired to offer advice and expertise the relationship can become muddled.  Help me to understand how to keep a right relationship with my doctor.  Don't allow me to mistreat him or her, but don't allow me to expect too much of them either.

If he or she is not a Christian, help me to be a light shining your love. Help me to be confident in the responsibilities you have given me, and don't allow me to be weak about requesting what I know is right. Amen."

"...before you begin to conform to an image you have created of the perfect mother, let me encourage you to make sure the person you strive to be is the person God made you to be, not some society standard of the perfect mother."

"Jesus called the crowd to him and said, 'Listen and understand. What goes into a man's mouth does not make him "unclean," but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him "unclean". Matthew 15:10-11

"Jesus was very clear about telling us it is not what goes into a person that makes her unclean, but what comes out of her. That is because what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart. Spend some time examining your heart, and be honest about what you see. This is the heart you will have with you while you labor.

You cannot 'prepare' for a peaceful labor by learning a few breathing and relaxation techniques.  Yes, knowing comfort measure is important, but trying to make your body do what your heart is not able to do will only leave you frustrated and feeling defeated.  The stress of labor will bring out your heart because you will not have the energy to hid any attitudes or issues you normally hide.  In other words, you will be more yourself in labor than you ever are. So who are you at heart level?

To have true peace during labor you will need the confidence that comes from a heart that loves, trusts and serves Jesus Christ.  Remember the Pharisees spent all their time making sure their outsides looked goo, but didn't make sure the inside was good.  Which do you spend your time preparing?"

The above quotes are taken from the book 40 Weeks Devotional Guide to Pregnancy by Jennifer Vanderlaan.

Soul Food

Journal Entry:
Sunday, June 26

Hebrews 5:11-14
"Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil."

"...you have become dull of hearing."

What does that mean? Later in the verses it says that those who are able to take the solid food of scriptures are those who have had their senses "trained" due to practice - or repetitive use. So, when my hearing is dull, when my sense of understanding has grown weak, it is due to my lack of use - no practice (exercise) to make my soul strong. 

Lord, my senses need training. My children's senses need training. As I desire maturity, it comes by practice - repetitive use of your word- applying it to my daily tasks, choices and challenges. Teach me, as I work hard at growing my soul, to discern good and evil for every area of my life.

"The word of God is food and nourishment to the life of grace." -Matthew Henry

Everything but the Elephant

This story comes from the book I'm reading. I've been keeping a page with quotes that challenge me from that book, but I wanted to type out this story here. It's been a wonderful analogy for me in this area of weight-loss and health as well as applying it to every other area of my walk with the Lord. In fact, we've been asking ourselves frequently around here, "Is that part of the elephant?"

It seems there was an artist who, one day, found that a large piece of granite had risen unexpectedly from the yard outside his home. Now, I don't know about you, but if that had happened to me I'd be upset. Just one more annoying thing I'd need to take care of before I could mow the lawn. Reportedly, it did annoy the artist, and he knew he'd eventually have to do something about it. He debated about borrowing a jackhammer from a friend until he remembered that, of course, he had no friends with jackhammers. Then he thought about getting some dynamite and blasting the granite into smaller stones that he could then carry away. But that didn't seem right either so he sat and thought about what to do. As he sat and thought and looked at that stone, he began to look past his problem. He forgot about his goal of getting rid of the stone. He actually started to see the stone. He noticed the lines and the shape. He decided to be grateful for the stone. Then one day he got out his chisel and hammer, and within a short time, he created an unbelievable reproduction of an elephant. Neighbors and passersby alike were amazed when they saw what appeared to be a real elephant grazing in his yard.

A friend asked the amateur sculptor how he'd managed to do such a good job in reproducing a realistic form of an elephant without even a model or picture to go by. The artist replied confidently, "It was really pretty easy, actually. I just chipped away everything that didn't look like an elephant."

This story comes with the challenge to focus on the person you most wish to become. As I read this story, I am struck with how it illustrates the fact that God's spirit is at work within me to chip away at everything that doesn't look like Christ. Because of His finished work on the cross, the victory of His resurrection, His application of righteousness to my life, and the gift of His Holy Spirit, I am now becoming the person God created me to be. In His word, I see that He is at work to reveal and remove those habits, weaknesses, and desires that keep me from loving my Lord fully.  I am seeing this in new ways as I work to face the addictions and desires that hold me in the area of what I eat and how I use my body.  When I read through this blog, I see the excuses and habits that have defeated me in the past months. Magnify that by the number of years I've been alive and I see a life that needs some chipping. 

The author give the challenge, "If you are serious about continuing your walk on this spiritual path to weight loss, you will work hard to chip away everything that does not look like the person you most wish to become." 

I give myself the challenge, Just chip away everything that doesn't look like Jesus.

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  Romans 8:29

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 1 Peter 1:14-15

For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;  for he who has died is freed from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again ; death no longer is master over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all ; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness ; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. Romans 6:5-13

Active Patience

I was updating my notes from the book I'm reading. As I was doing so, I felt this topic warranted it's own post. I am struck by the truth it holds and the simple way it challenges me in this journey. Here are some quotes and my thoughts I wanted to get down.

"The testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing." 
James 1:3-4

"...we often think of patience and waiting as an empty time--a time of doing nothing. But waiting can be a very important, even critical, time in our development.

Patience benefits our souls as much as it ever does our bodies. Remember, the Apostle Paul charged us to 'run with perseverance the race that is set before us' (Heb 12:1). Even in the midst of running a race, patience is key. Without patience, endurance and perseverance, discouragement sets in. And with discouragement comes defeat. Patience is not a passive time. Patience is a time of growing.

I'm encouraging active patience--patience that comes with taking the first step in the direction you know you need to go--perseverance. Paul didn't say to 'sit on the sidelines with your patience.' He clearly said to join the race.

You have joined the race. Patience will help you get to the goal line because it will help you put one foot in front of the other at a steady pace instead of sprinting out fast, wearing yourself out, and not finishing the race.

'...when you do one thing right--at the right time--the next thing works even better, and you, one day, will become what you want to become.'

People who lose weight and keep it off don't need to be extreme. Patience keeps them steady."

I find amazing encouragement and a bit of chiding in these words. I admit, I want to be skinny now.  Well, truth be told, I'd be happy if it was yesterday. ;-)  I confess, I get so upset and irritated when I work so hard for great results and they don't come fast enough. It's true, I hate being told I need to "just be patient".  However, I find great empowerment in this concept of Active Patience. It is true that when I think of patience, I equate that with sitting still and doing nothing. Yet, that is so far from the truth. Patience IS perseverance. Patience is ENDURANCE. Those are ACTIVE words. Those things require me to work and to work HARD.  And, they hold hope and promise for a reward. 

Honestly, I have such a great mountain to climb, I need all the Active Patience the Lord will grant. Yet, I can already see that the testing of my faith in this area is certainly creating an endurance I've never known. I can't remember the last time I have had to work so hard for so long, inching my way to my goal. This endurance that I am learning will one day have it's full effect. One day I will be mature and complete, lacking in nothing, and it will be because of the Active Patience the Lord created in me during this time. Therefore, I will not wish away this challenge. I will not envy those who are progressing faster than I am or have already met their goals. I will rejoice that the Lord has chosen yet another area in my life to refine and change so that I may develop the maturity and become complete in Him.

How truly grateful I am for the Lord's continued work in my life. He never stops transforming my life.

A Lesson from John the Baptist

A Lesson from John the Baptist:
John ate to live; he did not live to eat. John was busy serving his master; and his master was not his own hunger. Food was his servant, not his friend...

The above quote is from the book I've been reading. I added some more notes tonite. Great thoughts on exercise, food, habits, and walking in the Lord's strength.

You can find the link on the page titled My Tools.

Updating My Reading Notes

I added some great quotes from the book I'm reading. I started part 2 earlier this week and have been greatly challenged. If ever you want to find this page of quotes other than following the link noted in this post, click on the My Tools button near the top of my blog to get there.

Here are a couple thoughts you'll find there:

"Little is much if God is in it. Learn to live a simple life and eat accordingly."

"Daniel looked beyond food. The Bible says he did not let food defile him; but he also did not let food define him..."

"Instead of working toward perfection in weight management, the people who suceed inch toward progress."

"There are no shortcuts to successful weight management and good health -- physical or spiritual health."

The Spiritual Path to Weight Loss - Quotes

The following are quotes from the book, The Spiritual Path to Weight Loss: Praising God by Living a Healthy Life by Gregory L. Jantz, Ph. D.

"If food meant love, who wouldn't want bushels of it?" p. 10

"Food is not the problem, and therefore, food is not the cure." p. 11

"The antidote to dieting is to live a truly authentic, balanced, healthy life as a person who is growing into the individual that God has created you to be." p. 11

"When one works on the development of the whole person, food will assume its natural role." p. 20

"She thought she was doomed to a second-rate life. Ann thought her weight was her cross to bear in life. Just something she had to live with. She thought she would always be the caterpillar and never the butterfly." p. 22

"God loves you right now. Before you've thrown out your Twinkies and stocked up on carrot sticks. Before you've walked a mile or climbed a single stair. God loves you just the way you are right now." p. 25


"People who lose weight permanently don't even know how to spell the word blame anymore; they are that far removed from pinning the rap on others. They simply recognize what happened and know that now is the time to get unstuck." p. 29

"To lose weight, you have to slow down, re-evaluate the facts, and slowly change the course of your life." p. 47

"Don't let your body stop you from experiencing all of life, no matter what shape your body is in." p. 48


"...we humans have a tendency to crucify ourselves between two thieves: the regret of yesterday and the fear of tomorrow." p. 49

"Be too grand for worry, too hopeful for despair, too kind to hurt another, and too committed to healthy weight loss to give up." p. 50

"Have you ever said, 'I don't have time'? What you really meant was, 'I've not yet made it a priority. It's not important to me. I have ohter things I'd rather do.'

People who lose weight and keep it off know that the process takes time. It's a process that cannot be rushed."   "...weight loss is a journey of progress, not perfection."

"Do you want to be a sunflower, born of the warm, summer ground in a heartbeat, but wilting a few weeks later? Or are you willing to discipline yourself to become an oak tree--sturdy, strong, healthy, and built for the long haul?"  p. 52

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Part 2

The Example of Daniel

"Little is much if God is in it. Learn to live a simple life and eat accordingly."

"Daniel could have taken the King's buffet as his right. After all, Daniel was a captive; he deserved some reward for his suffering. For many of the people I see, the desire to have a reward or comfort for their pain is a powerful reason to overeat. When all else is wrong in their life, it is easy to make a donut their best friend." 

"He knew that the man who controlled his appetite was the man whom God honored."

"Daniel looked beyond food. The Bible says he did not let food defile him; but he also did not let food define him...Since the delicacies in the king's rations had been offered to idols, Daniel knew they were not good for his soul. Therefore, they were not good for his body."  p. 58-59

"Daniel's real triumph wasn't in the fiery furnace. It was gained, first, at the banqueting table. If he hadn't triumphed over his appetites, he never would have had faith to face the furnace." p.61

"...people who lose weight successfully do not rely on the stuff most diets are made of. They are looking at mroe than the food they eat or don't eat. They are looking at the overall good for their bodies, minds, souls. 
   Instead of working toward perfection in weight management, the people who suceed inch toward progress.
   No longer do such people feel trapped and immobilized by weight. Instead they begin to see themselves as individuals for whom the issue of weight is only one component of a complete, balanced life." p. 60-61

There are no shortcuts to successful weight management and good health -- physical or spiritual health. The balanced life takes time. And it all begins with one step in the right direction.
    ...take that step in the right direction by asking yourself, 'What is best for my body, mind, and soul?'" p. 67

Never again do you need to be controlled by external forces to lose weight. You don't need to be controlled by anything other than the Holy Spirit who has been assigned to you as a comforter and friend for all the areas of your life--including your weight.  p. 81  (See Philippians 4:8)

The questions people who lose weight effectively ask themselves are, What does my body need today? What kind of food shall I eat? What sort of exercise is most appropriate? What kind of activity level is best for me? p.85

Exercise is not about feeling guilty for what you can't or choose not to, do. The guiltier you feel, the less exercise you will do; the less exercise you do, the guiltier you will feel; and your guilt cycle will produce depression, confusion, and anger to the point where your entire system may simply close down. The solution: Do what is right for you. (i.e. that which is enjoyable and fitting for your lifestyle so that you will want to continue doing it.) p. 87

Every activity you do counts toward your total health.
People who lose weight effectively know that weight loss is all about personal freedom and liberation, never a set of rules set down by others. People who learn to live a healthy, balanced life say goodbye to extreme behavior in every area of their lives--including what they do for their daily activity.
Don't make a big plan. Make a small plan that you will stick to, and then add to the small plan when you've made it a habit. Remember, you are walking a spiritual path, and any path is to be taken one step at a time.  pgs. 88-89

A Lesson from John the Baptist:
John ate to live; he did not live to eat. John was busy serving his master; and his master was not his own hunger. Food was his servant, not his friend...

When you are serious about losing weight, you will demand of yourself that you develop a new relationship with food--which may actually mean taking a fresh new look at life in general. That's because the energy you spend focusing on food, on eating, and on dieting is energy that may be taking away from other areas of your life

This is what we can learn from John the Baptist: Food is sustenance. We need food to live....throughout the Bible the message about food is this--do not put your faith in food. Food will not love you. Food will not heal your pain. Food will not help you manage your anger.
It's time to put food in it's place in your life.  p. 91-93

Thinking thin doesn't work because it's not a thinking problem. It's a whole-person problem. People who lose weight understand they need a paradigm shift of the highest order. A paradigm shift is when you look at some familiar thing completely differently. p. 94

Losing weight is not only about what you put in your mouth. It's about what you put in your heart and soul as well. There are "junk food" thoughts just like there are "junk food" cupcakes. These are thoughts that do not nourish us; they may look attractive, but they have no real value. Envy is high on the list of junk food thoughts.  p. 108

We can't cultivate the flowers in our own garden when we are hanging over the fence wishing we had the fowers in someone else's garden.  p. 119

Your body needs time to lose the weight so that it's fat you lose and not muscle or water. Weight that comes off quickly goes back on even quicker and usually brings a few more pounds with it to keep it company.

Building a healthy body is like building a healthy soul. It takes time.  p. 122

Active Patience