Thursday, July 28, 2011

Made to Crave - book review part 1

I'm currently reading the book "Made to Crave" by Lysa Terkeurst (the president of Provers 31 Ministries). I'm only about 5 chapters in, and I LOVE it! it is so encouraging and inspiring. it has really helped to begin to change my focus and perspective on this weight loss journey. although it is a physical, mental, and emotional journey, however, it is an extremely spiritual journey.

In "Made to Crave," Lysa discusses everything, from her weight loss journey to making peace with your body to using Scripture as a way to combat the temptation of food. Although I have thought about the spiritual side of this journey before, Lysa puts it in a way that makes sense and is very simple, yet is very profound and inspirational.

As Lysa explains it - the book is not a "how to" book or a weight loss guide, although she does give advice for healthy weight loss such as suggesting to meet with a nutritionist, etc. Rather, this book is to encourage people in their weight loss journey to include God in that journey. She explains the importance of not leaving God out of the equation because the journey should be just as spiritual as it is physical.

Today, I read something in the book that really stuck with me.
In Chapter 8, Lysa references her friend's blog, and this friend was on a weight loss journey of her own. Her friend says that one week, when she lost 1.8 pounds, she was discouraged and had to ask herself some questions to make sure her heart was in the right place and she was being obedient to God. These are the questions she asked herself:

Did I overeat this week on any day?
Did I move more and exercise regularly?
Do I feel lighter than I did at this time last week?
Did I eat in secret or out of anger or frustration? (and may I, Lauren, add boredom or sadness or stressing)?
Did I feel that, at any time, I ran to food instead of to God?
Before I hopped on the scale, did I think I'd had a successful, God-pleasing week?

This seems to be a great way to evaluate my heart and make sure that I'm finding my identity in Christ and not in a number on a scale, while still trying to live a healthy life.

so more to come on this as I finish the book. if you've read "Made to Crave", I would love to hear your thoughts on it.

love,
Lauren

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