MADE TO CRAVE CHAT

After just the intro I was hooked! Thanks for suggesting we do this!

I too have really enjoyed it, even though I found it hard to find time to participate in the feeds sometimes. In fact I enjoyed it so much I plan to read it again and maybe journal after each chapter or something.

I have enjoyed going through this Made to Crave study.
This is something that I really needed and I am very glad that we had this opportunity.
I have by no means mastered it yet but I am on the right path and am motivated to, with God's help, continue down it.
I am not someone who would have normally been able to make it through a study like this because I would have been too self conscious about whether my answers were good enough but the study helped me realize that as long as they were my answers for me that was all that was expected.
God wanted me just as I was wanting a relationship with Him, not me wanting to try to impress other people.

I will continue praying for everyone that we continue craving a closer relationship to God as we deal with our struggles.

Lynne

I apologize for being a week late with these questions. Last week was a tough one for me in therapy. Plus when I was doing better, they tore out our sidewalk earlier than planned and I had to move my whole front garden in a day and replant it somewhere else which took me 3 whole days of outside work! Usually my grandson digs the holes for me and when I do, it takes me a lot, lot longer!! LOL! Plus I have discovered a lot of "new" muscles and "awakened" my OA & RA. And I'm not done, yet! The rest will have to wait for this weekend and help from my grandson! Anyway, thanks for waiting! Please give me a lot of input so that we will know how to do the study in the fall. Thank you and God Bless. God has certainly become much more present in my life because of this study and I hope it was that way for you, too.

i completely identify with all posts made from 04/20 on... the more i read, the more raw i feel. i put the book down. i kind of wanted to master the exercise before i picked it back up. but i think i used that statement as an excuse. i never have mastered the exercise and i only picked back up the book this morning.

last night i binged so badly, that i still feel full, so full i want to throw up, and it is more than 15 hours later.. we had a MAJOR change at my job yesterday, and because of the miscommunications, the change itself, the shift in the whole dynamics of my company, i came home frazzled to the core.

and my husband announced a HUGE change in our finances is coming. it is good. i think. but the change is pretty shocking. at least shocking for me... my whole neck and back of my head hurt from yesterday's stress.

and then today i get in and i read your posts, and i read chapter 11.... and i think... today is too much. i should have stayed home..... tho today is way easier than yesterday... way easier...

Probably being the oldest woman in the group by a long shot, LOL!, God has given me a lot of "opportunities" to grow in many other areas of my life by necessity! I have been involved in Alanon, 3 very intense spiritual weekend groups (Cursillo, Walk to Emmaus, and Marriage Encounter), another 12 step group concerning money, and the Disciple Bible series, plus other Bible study groups that were pretty intense that really called me to grow. HOWEVER, that doesn't mean that I am not done growing by ANY means! One thing I have learned the most is that I am still a baby in God's eyes as far as His servant and I will never stop learning or growing!! Giving my food to God is something new for me and has been hard. These two chapters have been especially helpful and I wish I could have read them @ the beginning of the study as they would have answered so many questions that I had!!! Oh well, the whole process did give me the final nudge to get back into therapy and I found a wonderful new therapist who I really like and whom I think I will grow to trust very much!

Now we have a choice - Do you want to do 3 chapters next week and finish up? Or do 2 chapters next week and then the last chapter the following week? Let me know what you want to do! I will do what the group wishes!!

I also agree that this is tangled in other areas of my life. I have other areas of my life I need to give over to God. I still have a long ways to go but I can see God giving me the opportunities to grow even when I don't make the right decision. I have been a perfectionist and He is letting me grow to learn that I cannot be perfect only He is perfect and I am made perfect in Him and by His forgiveness so instead of giving up when I can't be as "good" as I want to be and think I should be, I just need to continue trying and let God's perfection complete me.

Thanks for the understanding. I'm glad I'm not the only one.

I'm also learning that there's 2 parts to God answering my prayers. #1 is His answer, which can be miraculous or could be Him giving me the opportunity to learn or gain the thing I'm asking for. #2 is MY part. I have to be open to God's way of answering. I also have to be understanding to the fact that His way is the best way - whether I like it or not. If God were to GRANT me what I prayed for all the time I would never appreciate the things He gives me, the power of prayer, the value of His gifts or even the relationship I have with Him.

As always it all comes back to the same thing - God's ways are PERFECT in EVERY way.

I can so totally see where you are coming from, Beckafano. I pray for the same things and then don't take advantage of the opportunities that God is opening up before me to work on my self-control. I just self-sabotage any progress I make. I really want to succeed, but it is so easy to just be stagnant. I'm tired of being lazy about exercise, eating, my faith...I know what I should do , why don't I do it? Prayers please.

I find that the more I read, the more I realize this is tangled into so many areas of my life. It's not just eating, size or even health. It affects everything in my life; relationships, emotions, spiritual health, how I approach situations, etc.

I have prayed for God to help me with self-control and discipline, but have been missing all the opportunities He has given me to exercise, strengthen and increase them. It wasn't that God wasn't listening or wasn't answering my prayers, it's that I was missing the answer.

I am finding that with each of these chapters that God is challenging me more things related to what I am reading and praying about. It almost makes afraid to read the next chapters. I haven't done so well with the challenges but I am learning more about myself. My faith is growing stronger too.

Well, I really blew it this weekend! We are having some income tax problems and are going to have to file an extension for our first quarter payment for 2011 and I ate my way through the weekend - @ least Saturday night with Imos pizza! I ate like it was my last meal! I really needed to read these last two chapters! and prayer has helped.

thanks amy!

today i overate... but i stopped. yeay!!!

i am so exhausted!

LAWOLF2 - That is so great that you turned to God first instead of food! It's amazing to see God work in our lives. Your hubby and his coworkers are in my prayers!

I am seeing the MTC study start making a difference in my life.

When my husband got news on Thursday that his job was going away as of June 17th, my first reaction would have been to find some comfort food then eventually get around to praying about it. Because of the MTC study and working on changing my priorities, my first thoughts were to start praying about it and the need for comfort food wasn't there because I had the comfort that God would be looking out after us and we would be okay. I was also able to be calm and supportive for my husband rather than panicking and causing him more stress.

It is nice to see that when I remember to put into practice what I am learning, I am making better choices.

Good for you for signing up and for trying! The point for anything isn't the end but the journey. So the fact that you attempted it, is great, right! @ least it is in my mind!

well, all, ww is doing a walk/run challenge, and i signed up today. and i ran 15 minutes. i was supposed to run 30, but i point out the fact that they want me to continue, this, right? right? ... right....

Did I overeat this week on any day? not since the last inventory. that is about 2 days, i think.

Did I move more and exercise regularly: no

Do I feel lighter than I did at this time last week? yes

Did I eat in secret or out of anger or frustration? Yes--tonight. 1 1/2 piece of pizza. :(
Did I feel that, at any time, I ran to food instead of to God? Yes :'(
Before I hopped on the scale, did I think I'd had a successful, God-pleasing week? No,

Good Morning Everyone! I'm sorry the questions are late this week. I had a tough weekend with pain (my arthritis) I definitely have to ramp up my exercising - amazing that this week is about exercising! LOL! It is a sloooow process for me but I am working on it.

My Aha moment so far has been chapter 10 and the question for chapter 10 and revisiting the Bible verse 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. I can't tell you how many times I have read that verse - especially when I am "criticized" because I am "not healed" from my various illnesses. You wouldn't believe the cruelty of various "well meaning" Christians who subscribe to the "health and wealth" popular ministry of many of today's churches. Because I am not healed, I don't pray enough, I am not faithful enough, I am not Godly enough, you name it. So I know this verse inside and out! Sometimes God doesn't heal us for His own reasons (and I choose not to ask why anymore, that isn't the question!), I believe that God chooses to use us just the way we are and in the process He makes us strong and shows that He shines through us no matter what our "weaknesses" are! What I didn't realize down deep inside of me, was the meaning of the word "rest." I knew that God's power was within me, but I never could actually "envision" it as a place within me! If I look @ my body as a "temple" and God "rests" in it - that is a strong motivator to me to eat healthier and really get moving so my "temple" is a better place for God to inhabit. I guess (among other ways) I am a visual learner - so this was very helpful! It was like putting together some puzzle pieces in the puzzle that were missing - if that makes sense?! Anyway, thank you Lysa for writing that and thank you God for revealing that to me!

I am not on a "severe restrictive" food plan as that just won't work for me. However, I am on a consistent food plan and I am having a hard time following it! I want to go all day without eating and then eat dinner and a snack @ night. That is not healthy, nor conducive to losing weight; although I am losing. However, I don't feel good on that kind of "non-eating" habit (I do drink fruit juice, water, tea), and probably would have more energy if I would eat during the day. I have started therapy to address my eating/food issues so I hope they will change soon. I understand what is behind them, but I seem to be powerless to change it! That is important to recognize, so I know I am on my way to change.

Good question, Tina!

Edited by: SERENEMOM71 at: 4/8/2011 (11:43)

okay...

i think i am actually caught up now! lol!

woo hoo!


God has opened my eyes to several truths this week. that, i need to go to God before i go to the refrigerator. i was eating well, and i blew it last night. got up to start a "good day" again, and i blew it again tonight. the sun goes down and control runs home... :(

so i am almost ready for bed. i am gonna get up again in the morning. and today, i know i lost it, because it is not natural for me to go to God before i go to the frig. and i didn't do it last night, nor this eve. so that needs to stop. that needs to become as natural as breathing...

one of my many many ah hah moments.

MOGENEO- I am so glad you have joined us on the M2C journey. Isn't it amazing how God works in and through us to help each other. I'm adding you to my prayer list for strength, wisdom, discernment and God's power to help you along this amazing adventure.

Ladies-have you had an "A - HA" moment while reading this book and doing this study? One thing that really struck me was when Lysa said: "We can step on the scale and accept the numbers for what they are - an indication of how much our body weighs - and not an indication of our worth." So many times I have felt like a failure in other areas of my life since I lost control of my weight. I'm not a good mom if I don't even have the energy to play with my kids. I'm not a good Christian if I turn to food instead of God. The list goes on and on. My weight has nothing to do with anything like that. It is just a number on a scale. If I have the will to succeed God will give me the power to do it. I just need to turn to Him first.

How about you? Has God opened your eyes to new truths?

hey all...

i have been taking the days to read up on your posts... i read them and i really see me... i wonder if you are living next door to me or something, or was a fly on my wall recently. i feel, see, think like you all do..

and i tell you, going thru these chapters to catch you, is really really raw. and it's a good raw. there were layers and layers of garbage that needed to be shaved off. and i don't think some of those layers would have gotten "gone" if i weren't working so hard to run the junk off...

in the past days, you all have become my favorite peoples... i am very grateful for the input and the insight you have given to these chapters...

thank you.

hey all...

i hope i don't burn myself out, i am working on trying to catch up... usually, i want to take a book and go at it slowly, and go at it with patience and time.

but this book didn't seem to move like that.

some statements i identified with HUGE, were "maybe today will be the day the scale will be my friend and not revela my secrets." yikes. cuz' that's exactly what i do. i stand on that scale and then i get mad at it. when i should be mad at myself.

i also identify with the "2 1/2 cinnamon rolls later (in my case, 1/2 bag of tortilla chips and 1 package of guacamole dip later) i decide tomorrow will be a better day to keep my promises to eat healthier. since this is my last day to eat what i want, i better live it up..."

i am taking her quote "this is not about the scale or what clothing size i am. this is about the battle that rages in my heart." and i want to put it on my fridge and on my scale, and on my mirror in my bathroom when i look at myself...

and Psalms 78:18... wow. i went back over it, and i read 18-31, to see why i would never have seen that scripture before. and i see that i saw that as them being disciplined for complaining. grumbling. whining.

in chapter 2 comments forum message feed, i stated up till i saw that scripture, i thought it was all about the how much. never about the what. but then, that's maybe not so true, is it... hmm.. i need to study it out... HUGE. scripturally. if nothing else, the whining, and the "i deserve this" and the complaining i was doing when i was verbally trying to lose weight have obviously not helped. for the first time in years i dropped to 145.7, about 2 weeks ago. and i haven't stopped celebrating since. it took 16 weeks to lose that 10 lbs, and it took 1.5 weeks to gain it back. and i don't have a problem?? puh. leeze.

and here is a major point i read, and hope and beg and pray i get convicted on... i can want it. and if i ask God enough, he will give it to me. but is it worth my death? is it really that important??

yet, i am so self destructive. because i don't care. i eat anyway.

but today... today i am going to go to bed with a victory. i have 2 hours left, or less. woo hoo!!

It always seems like the minute we get on a healthy plan (spiritually, mentally, physically) that's when Satan jumps in and disrupts everything. He whispers that it's okay if we don't exercise today, we can just do it tomorrow; that one little taste won't hurt; we can start again tomorrow making better choices. I'm praying that God will place a protective hedge around our hearts and minds and protect us from the evil one and his lies. I pray that He will lift us up and help us onto the right path and guide us in making the right choices. I pray for motivation to get back in the swing of things and to get up and moving. I pray for success for all the ladies on this team. Let's open our hearts to God and His leading. Let's be available to hear that still, small voice whisper God's truth instead of Satan's lies. Let's give God all the glory!!

Myrtleboo-I've been struggling with having gained back 16 of 18 lbs that I lost last year too. Let's just give it over to God and trust in Him. I think Lysa makes a good point in starting her book with "Finding Your 'Want To.'" Maybe we need to go back to the basics and start with our 'want to'. I want to draw closer to God and I want to lose weight. Why? I need to lose weight to be healthy. I need to be closer to my Lord and Savior. I need to have a more personal relationship with Him. My spirit is running on fumes and needs to be recharged by a good dose of Bible time and personal quiet time. I think of the Holy Spirit as having a fuel gauge and how much time I spend in worship, prayer and devotional time fills up the tank. The longer I am away from that, the lower the gauge goes. Today I commit to 30 minutes of quiet time God. When my spirit is in order, every thing else will fall into place.

I just realized there was an actual chat for MTC. DUH me. lol. Myrtle, I am struggling with gaining weight while trying to lose. This book is helping me to rethink the way I've approached and even thought of myself while dieting and trying to maintain. I have some other issues going on in my life right now that are making this go to the back burner most of the time, but this book is also helping me to realize that I need to be a priority, regardless of what is going on.

I am so glad I found this chat and another mode of support. You ladies rock! :)

I got on the scale this morning, and I've officially gained all the 20 lbs. I lost back. It's discouraging! I need to get back on a plan but I keep feeling (physically) so crappy that I don't want to try. I don't have disabling problems but they're enough to make me not want to do anything I don't want to do. I'm not even reading the book much. I can change that, though, and I can read the success stories of people like me. I think the book will help me with the mental issues--I guess that's why I'm not wanting to read it! A balance between restricting yourself and keeping things more casual is very hard. I am much more successful when I'm pretty restrictive, but I then I get rebellious and want to do whatever I want. Really gotta work on those mental issues!

The book is great, it is just me. I was struggling before I started the book. I keep losing and gaining the same 10 pounds. I don't buy a lot of things I can't have but since I live with others they bring stuff home and I am quick to just jump right in. I really have to learn to say no to myself.

I am not saying that there shouldn't be any restrictions! I am just saying that moderation is better for me! I guess that we are saying the same thing maybe just in our own words. I just feel bad for Vicky - I don't want you, Vicky, to feel bad for not making wise choices all the time. Vicky - just try to do your best every day and if you don't do well one day - just leave it be @ the end of the day and start the next day anew. Don't take a guilt trip! Maybe this book isn't the right one for you if you aren't doing well with it! I know that you did well before the book - and you lost 50 pounds last year. Maybe going back to doing what you were last year is the best for you? Pray about it and see what God nudges you to do? Only you can answer that question. This is not a one size fits all book! I guess that's all I'm trying to say. Take what fits you and leave the rest. This is a good book and I think that it has value - especially in saying how much God loves us and values us!

I agree with you BECKAFANO-I need some restrictions but not a full blown restrictive plan. I am cutting out coffee (for Lent) and trying to cut back on carbs like baked goods (cookies, donuts,..) I love my carbs! I do not deny myself treats here and there as long as it fits in with my calorie tracking. I have been better about praying to avoid those snacking urges. I find that if I pray about it before hand that I make wiser choices. I've even been better about planning healthier meals for the family-not just quick and easy. (i don't like to cook-my hubby loves cooking, he's just not home early enough from work to get dinner ready)

Amy-I'm sorry to hear that your food issues come from so much abuse. You are in my prayers!

SereneMom71, I agree, we all have to find our own food plan, just like we have to find our own relationship with God. I also don't do well with severe restrictions, but I also don't do well without any restrictions at all - I have to find a good balance and some days its further to one side of the scale than the other, and that is why, for me, it is so important that I pray about it constantly.

I just have to be honest and say that I don't do well with a very restrictive food plan. I have joined weight watchers and I need to have variety in my diet - even if it is not necessarily not necessairly not as she calls it "beneficial," although not unhealthy. I was reared, as I have shared, in a terribly abusive setting, and have many food issues. I have really prayed about this and I don't believe that there is a "one size fits all plan!" I am taking what fits for me out of this book and leaving the rest! That is what is working for me. I hope that this doesn't discourage you from following her plan. I am probably different because I was starved as a child and being too restrictive is not conducive to my health - mentally, emotionally or even food wise! However, she is not God - just an author with a plan, I would encourage you to really pray about her plan and use what is good for you and stop feeling guilty if you can't follow exactly as she says! I'm praying for all of you daily. God Bless.
PS I gained a few pounds back but then I lost a pound - so I am yo am doing fair on Weight Watchers and reading this book. LOL! I also didn't do much exercise except walk my dog for 2 hours a day - if I could ramp that up I'm sure I would lose more! Oh well..... I can only do what my body says I can do.

Edited by: SERENEMOM71 at: 3/25/2011 (14:54)

My kids bring out the eating in me, too (I'm not blaming them--I'm responsible)! So, I know how you feel! Hope the time with the kids out of the house will help.

I really believe that this journey is a process - not one of perfection (thank God!) - but of learning about ourselves and food and God. My weakness is butter - I love to slather it on bread, my hot cereal, anything I can think of. It's poison for my body as my triglicerides are too high and my HDL/LDL ratio is off. But my cravings don't care. So I have to avoid food that I will put butter on (and not buy it!) so I won't use it! I don't like margarine (thank God!) just butter! Go figure. Anyway, this week I have done fine so far but today I really want it. For me, it takes 6 to 8 weeks to change a bad habit and then about the same amount to establish the good habit. So about 4 months to make a lasting change! How does that work for the rest of you?

I've been having some rough times too. My biggest problem is that I'm so good at lying to myself and tricking myself into believing things. Which is surprising since in all other areas of life I'm such a bad liar. But as usual I got on the scale Monday to see if my heart was in the right place and oh, it wasn't. In a way I knew that was a sign to buckle up for a stronger ride with God and in a way I thought 'Wow, what progress, instead of seeing my weight as a definition of who I am. I can now use it as a tool to gage the condition of my heart.' Normally I would have spent a couple days moping around and being depressed. This time I took it as an indication to pray harder and listen afterward.

I had a really hard day yesterday. The kids were just driving me bonkers and I self-soothed with food. I gave in and had some sugary treats (a butterscotch blondie, an oreo cakester, and some m&m's). I gave up coffee for Lent, but I could sure use a cup or two! I've been good at that at least-I've only had tea and water to drink. I just need to pull myself up and try to do better today. There's no use in beating myself up about it. With God's help, today will be a better day! (It will help that Nana is coming to take the kids to the museum today!)

I think it takes time, too Vicky. Just don't give up. Try to fill your house with good choices so there won't be too much temptation! (If that is possible) It is hard if there is too much other stuff around "calling your name!" I know that you can do it, however you have to do it! I'm in your corner, covering you with prayer!

Vicky- you have the opportunity to turn things around with every choice you make. That next choice could be the one that starts you back on a healthy eating plan. Don't give up, keep praying and it'll come in time.

I haven't been doing well with eating. I have been giving in to poor choices constantly. I guess I haven't submitted this eating thing totally to the Lord.

Vicky

Wow, Amy! It sounds like you are going to have a full house with all those wonderful grandkids! I'll keep praying for a safe trip, for wisdom in making healthy choices and the strength to follow through with those choices.

Chapeter 3 in MTC talks about having a healthy eating plan. Have you adopted a healthy eating plan yet? What kind of plan are you trying to use in your weight loss journey?

For me, I just try to make healthy choices from what's available and I am diligent about keeping track of my food and exercise.

Please pray for me this weekend. I am going to Kansas to visit my daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren, Sloanne 21 months, Quentin 3 (he says almost 4! LOL!), and Drake 7. Also going are my two other daughters and grandsons Beau 2, Heith 8, and Nathan 18. My DH, Nathan, and I are staying @ a hotel, while the rest are cramming into their home. I am concerned about the food choices which probably won't be healthy. I am going to pack some healthy foods, but when presented with all the chips, salsas, cookies, etc., and I am hungry, it is hard to resist. I don't have that junk @ home! So there is no choice!! So please pray for me that I stay away from the junk and eat healthy. My plan is to walk away and play with the little ones but if it is raining that will be so much harder if we are stuck in their home! LOL! It will be a challenge and a test of my prayers!!

Also, Vicky, what everyone has said is true. There are no right, wrong, good, or bad answers. Our answers are just what they are - our answers! I am so thankful that you are participating! Thank you for being a faithful reader and taking time to answer the questions. You will get more out of the study - @ least I hope so! Thank you everyone for taking the time to answer the questions and participating! I really appreciate it! That is what makes this team so great!

Vicky, I don't see anything wrong with your answers. God will help us work through this at our own paces which may not always match up so that we have our ideal answers at the times the questions are presented. That is part of the learning and growing process.

I have to confess to everyone that I gave into my frustrations at work today and let the food cravings win at lunch time. We were having problems and I had not had time this morning to pack a good lunch so I had to go to the cafeteria and forgetting that it was Spring Break, (we share our campus with a community college), they didn't have their normal healthier options so I didn't chose a very healthy lunch. I could have walked a couple blocks away and gotten a Subway salad which would have given me some exercise and a healthier lunch but I used the excuse that because of the problems we were having, I shouldn't go that far away. If I was honest about things, they could do without me for 30 minutes while I walked to get a healthier lunch that I wasn't allergic to.

Vicky, I think that's part of the process. If we already knew all the answers and understood all the issues and always knew what to say - we would never need anyone and we would never need God. Doing something regardless of how you feel is the first building block of faith - again if we knew the outcome, it wouldn't be faith. Answering these questions and participating as an act of obedience and being obedient in spite of how you feel is a huge step in self-control. God is teaching you and you are growing - We can see it with every post!

Vicky- there are no right or wrong answers, just answer from your heart and that's all you need to do. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the question, stop and say a prayer for discernment. I'm saying one for you too! :D

I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. I feel like my answers to the chapter questions aren't good. I am having trouble thinking things through.

Vicky

Thanks for the support and advice. It's always nice to know I'm not the only one struggling and making progress at the same time - it baffles me how that's possible.

LAWOLF2, I feel your pain. I use food for a lot of different reasons and without it I find myself being faced with feeling and issues I have avoided for a long time. And now that I'm not using food, I have to find other ways to cope. God helps me find ways and sometimes it through trial and error (side note-not my favorite way to learn.) One of the things I do my best to avoid is a coworker who is EXTREMELY difficult to be around. I thought it was me for the longest time, but then I began to hear others say how much they struggle with her too. The one thing that helps me get through it is to remember that 'she's' like that, I'm not. And I thank God He made me who I am and not who she is. I think of all the issues an attitude, personality or ethics like that must bring on a person and become grateful I'll never have to know first hand. It may not be the best attitude to have, and it wasn't always the way I looked at it, but it does help me a lot of the times.

Congratulations Amy! I'm glad you are making progress.

I didn't see progress on the scale but saw progress in other areas which has kept me motivated. I know that I was dealing with swelling due to allergies that I didn't have the week before so the fact that I didn't show a gain is good.

I also feel like I am struggling at times. I have to remind myself that I have to keep my eyes on my goal of craving God and putting Him first. I know that Satan will try to put stumbling blocks in my way and distract me because he doesn't want me to succeed. But if I keep asking for God's help, he is faithful and will help me.

I am finding as I am doing better about my food cravings, I am having more problems with my attitude about a co-worker whose work ethic I don't quite agree with. I need to remember to put that in God's hands along with my food cravings instead of letting my attitude suffer.

That is so great, Amy!! It is always so nice to see that scale move down. Congrats!!

I don't know how as last week was not one of healthy eating although I did stay within my calorie range, and the week before I was probably below my calorie range, but this week when I weighed in (it had been two weeks), I lost 3.6 pounds! This is a big deal to me as I have never been below that darn weight ever in 2 years. So I am pretty excited and motivated now to really do the program and do it well. I hope I don't gain it back - but even if I do, I am still motivated to do the program!

I'm having trouble staying focused too. I start my day pretty well, but then life happens and I forget to turn to God in those times of temptation. I guess it's just going to take time to learn a new habit. The only thing I could say is keep trying, keep praying. I'm already seeing some improvement in my self control so stopping to pray is working.

I think I've been blowing it lately too. I often get torn because I rarely cook, so when someone else cooks I feel bad for not eating, but I feel bad eating when I'm not hungry either. One of my biggest problems is STAYING focused. I do okay for a while and then all of a sudden I'm no longer focused on God, but on something else; the food itself, rules, calories, yucky feelings, etc. Any hints on how to keep the focus more continuous?

I totally blew it over the weekend. There was junk food around the house and I gave in to eating as much of it as I wanted. Not good for my blood sugars. Today has been a better day food wise.

Vicky

My cravings are usually for the foods that I am allergic to. My allergic reactions to foods are not life threatening, they are migraines, disorientation, tiredness, and such. Not the type of reactions that most people think of with allergies which is why it took doctors so long to find out what was wrong with me when I was younger. It is easy to rationalize with my high pain threshold that I can deal with the headache and have a little of the food. The only problem is another side affect of the allergy is once I eat that food, I can't get enough of it. I don't have that problem with foods that I'm not allergic to. If I don't eat the foods I'm allergic to for a while, the cravings go away but as soon as I take a bite of something, it comes back. You would think that would be another motivation for me to stay away from them.

I have found this week that praying when I am tempted to go to get something to eat that I shouldn't eat has helped me a lot. It has given me a peace in the stressful work situation this week that was my excuse to eat and I was able to solve some of the problems that were causing the stress. It felt good to realize that I have a project that is due by the end of the month almost completed when at the beginning of the week, I didn't know if there was any hope of meeting the deadline.

At the moment my craving is bread. I really don't understand this, bread has never been something I've eaten a lot of. After posting I'll be going after groceries and I will be tempted to buy a sandwich. I'll make a good (if not healthy) choice, and because of the timing it will be both my lunch and dinner (with healthy snacks-maybe).

Like I said, I just don't get it. I would turn down sandwiches, now I choose them. My top choices in bread: a soft 100% whole wheat, Italian, French, or my own homemade bread.

I crave carbs and lots of them, especially when stressed and feeling bad physically, sometimes when angry, and sometimes when I "deserve" a reward. Usually the reward part comes with a type of anger--feeling rebellious against not getting to do what I want, when I want and how much I want. What a baby, right?

Here's something I read in Joyce Meyer's devotional book (I'll get the full info if anyone wants it):

"God has a plan for your deliverance before your problems ever appear. God is never surprised! Continue focusing on Him; worship, praise, and thank Him that help is on the way; and continue listening for His voice as He leads you through your battles all the way to victory."

Edited by: CD7852462 at: 3/10/2011 (15:37)

Welcome Myrtleboo to the group! Thanks Tina (Littleguysmom1) for the great discussion question! For me, I crave salty and chocolate. I crave when I am anxious, tired, really down or depressed, or stressed out. I go by a vending machine or by a convenience store and it is like the chips or chocolate bar (hershey's with almonds) is calling my name! "Amy, buy me, you know that you want me to!" I have gotten much better over the years; however, since I have started to read this book, I have bought a bag of chips and eaten fast food twice this week! It has been unusually stressful and busy; however, I haven't done this for about 6 months!!!! (@ least not together!) I also ate a bunch of M&M's at bed time the other night! NOT! It's like I am rejecting this study!

I believe I am starting to deal with childhood abuse issues that had to deal with food. I probably need to start therapy again. I see my psychiatrist next week and will ask for several referrals from him and make an appointment. My old therapist is great; however she herself is very overweight so I don't feel she can help me with this issue - which is too bad as I am very comfortable with her! Oh well, maybe God will lead me to someone very wonderful that will lead me to wholeness in many areas besides food! I am counting on it!!

The Bible verses that I like are:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13
Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! Psalm 31:24
You are my hiding place you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance! Psalm 32:7
Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Have a great rest of the week! God Bless.

Hi, I'm new to the group. I wanted to be a part of a discussion group for "Made to Crave." I've only done the first chapter, and I don't want to rush through things too much, but I do want to join in. I will read through all the discussion up to this point and then join in.

I have been having problems with overeating and depression since young adulthood (well, the depression before that, I think). The main reason for my depression is physical health issues--I'm not depressed when I'm feeling good, but when I have flares of poor health, I get depressed. I'm hoping to rely more on God and to live life as positively and actively as I can.

Mine comes in two ways. The 1st is in the form of fear. When I am paying attention and I notice there is food around (sometimes even something I don't like) I am overwhelmed with fear that if I don't get some I'll miss my chance and I may never get another chance again. We never went without food growing up, but because of a lot of tragedies in my life I ended up going without a lot of other things like; love, attention, support, etc. So in a short period of time I learned that food would always be there for me, even if others weren't.

The 2nd one is not even thinking about it. Putting food in my mouth is such an automatic motion, there have been times I have eaten a package of something and not even remembered eating it. I remember the first bite, maybe two, but nothing until I reach for something and there is nothing left and I think "where did it go?" Then I realized I ate it all and don't even remember tasting any of it. Those are the moments that scare me the most.

My food cravings come over me all of a sudden, usually during a stressful situation or a panic attack. I feel like that's the only thing I have to soothe my anxiety, so I don't think twice and reach for whatever. I then regret it and soon as I've finished chewing vow to never do it again. My cravings hit hard in the afternoon. I get an idea of a snack I want, and that is like the high point of my afternoon. I need to replace my snack break with something healthy.

I was curious as to what form temptation takes for each of you. For me, it's like a dark shadow that overcomes me when I'm peeking in the pantry or fridge. It whispers in my ear "Come on, just one bite won't hurt" or "You can start over tomorrow." That's the worst one-you can start over tomorrow. I always try to remember my next choice can change the way I'm going, so if I slip I can always make my next choice a better one. How do you handle temptation? Do you have any verses that work for you?

Here's one to start the day: "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3.

This is open for discussion/questions/opinions about the book/reflections/and whatever you would like to share about your own personal journey with food, faith, and God.