Evaluate (day 15)

Wow ladies - can you believe we are headed into our third week?  I pray that the study has been a blessing to you and that you have learned something about our God and about yourself.  I am continuing to pray for you as you do this journey. 
I have not to this point talked much about particular diet options or specific exercise recommendations.  As I have moved through these forty days it has become very clear to me that it is so necessary for us to get a handle on our obstacles before we can challenge our minds and bodies to the discipline of diet and exercise. Time to get your journal out.  Below is an opportunity to take stock of where you have come from and where you are going.   Here are the major issues that we have dealt with so far:
1.  Idols - How have you made food or other things an idol in your life?
2.  Preparation for entering the desert - When we face hardships often times that means that we deny ourselves or something is denied us.  How has this program forced you to enter the desert and what challenges have you overcome because of it?
3.  Control - Control is an illusion that can become very destructive in our lives.  In what areas have you had to give up control in your life?  Have you been able to turn these areas over to God?  How has it changed you?
4.  Self-Judgment - We spend a great deal of time judging ourselves or being affected by others' judgment of us perceived or real.  How has your perspective about yourself and your body changed in the last two weeks.  On what areas of self-judgment do you still need to work?  If you have been judged by others have you taken steps towards forgiveness of that person(s)?
5.  Thought Life - In the scriptures we are taught that we need to take control of our thought life and bring our thoughts into obedience.  What have you done to bring your thoughts into obedience to Christ and where do you see you still need to improve?
6.  Temptation - The area of food is a high temptation area for most if not all of us.  It is a powerful tool of the enemy.  As you have done this study and performed the challenges how is temptation in your life?  Have you been able to answer in a positive way and put the enemy in his place as Jesus did?  What specific areas of temptation have you experienced victory?  What areas have you failed?  Spend some time in prayer thanking God for the strength to have victory and also for wisdom and strength to continue to do battle with the enemy in these areas.
7.  Obedience - Go back over the lessons of days 10 - 14.  Here are some questions that you can ask yourself as it relates to food and obedience
     1.  Did I eat today because I was upset?
     2.  Did I eat today when I was lonely?
     3.  Did I eat today when I was angry?
     4.  Did I eat today when I was bored?
     5.  Did I use food in any way to fill a void created by something in my life?
     6.  Did I overindulge with food today?
There are of course many ways that we can use food in a way that is unhealthy and perhaps you can come up with some ways that you use food.  If so write them down - being aware of where we use food in an unhealthy way will help you in the future to not fall into the same traps over and over. 
8.  Fast - How are you doing on your fast?  I must admit that the Pepsi thing has been much easier than the t.v. for me.  I still find myself twiddling my thumbs itching to watch Castle or some other show.  But it has been good for me!  What about you?  How is it going?  Write in your journal how you feel about fasting and how it has changed your routines.  Add any other thoughts about it in your journal.

Challenge
I want to encourage you my dear sisters - keep up the good work - I know this can be challenging but it will all be worth it!  This week we are going to work our bodies harder.  It is time to up the amount of time we are working out.  I have personally found that changing up the kind of work-outs I do will bring greater results than doing the same thing everyday.  For example a weeks worth of workouts might look something like this:
          Monday - Cardio
          Tuesday - Abs and Weight Lifting
          Wednesday - Yoga or Dance
          Thursday - Cardio
          Friday - Walking/Running (walking and/or hopping through deep snow is a great workout)
          Saturday - Cross Country Skiing or Weights again and abs
          Sunday - Stretch or Rest

Do you have Netflix - there are lots and lots of workout videos in their instant play.  Beg borrow or steal - well maybe not seal - work-out videos from friends or neighbors.  Also the library may be a source for you.
I own the complete P90X extreme home fitness DVD set.  Really great but hard.  They kick my butt literally!  1/2 hour every day girls!  You can do this - it is going to take some work but it is worth it.  I would highly recommend getting rid of or hiding your scales.  Don't worry about that right now just get busy and remember it is always advised to have your Doctor's approval.

*If 1/2 hour is too much then back down to 20 minutes but try to work through it.  Your body will protest and so will your mind.  You can do it!  On the other side of this you will feel better and you will be healthier.

Blessings, Vicki