How many of you can relate to the following terms: diet, losing weight, counting calories, counting fat grams, and the list goes on and on? Many of us have tried Weight Watchers, Slim Fast, NutriSystem, Jenny Craig, and many other weight loss meal plans or liquid diets. Dieting or the desire to lose weight creates a negative connotation that causes defeat even before beginning. Many times the focus is on foods that are not allowed or particular foods that you must eat. Don’t eat! Don’t taste! Don’t touch! We often hear these phrases about many of our favorite foods that we enjoy which are no longer permissible. This stigma of not being able to eat the foods that we enjoy causes us to desire them even more. How can we begin a more positive approach to weight loss and rid ourselves of the negative implications of dieting?

Let us Introduce the grace-oriented approach to lasting weight loss where there are no restrictions on the foods to eat. Probably sounds too good to be true but it isn't. As we mature in our new eating habits, we will begin to make healthier food choices. It requires a total change in our eating habits and thoughts about how to lose weight. Being allowed to eat the foods we enjoy while controlling the portion size creates a sense of freedom about weight loss. There is no longer such a negative connotation attached to this weight loss approach. Dave and I experienced the success of such an approach. We both lost an incredible amount of weight using a program called “Thin Within” which is one of the grace-based approaches to lasting weight loss. At one time I had an overwhelming craving of sweets. If I was told I should not have sweets, it made me crave them even more. Since sweets were no longer off limits, I was able to overcome my cravings for sweets. Once I knew that I could have sweets, it was much easier for me to discipline myself to eat only a bite or to pass on them entirely rather than eating a whole serving. This grace-oriented approach to weight loss and relying on God helped to control my desire for sweets. Our story is shared in a link below.

Being based on biblical principles, this grace-oriented approach involves a understanding of our dependence on God. This grace-based approach to lasting weight loss must be a total change in our eating habits. A diet generally has a beginning and an end. We lose weight on a diet of our choice. Most diets have a rather defined end when we return to prior our eating habits and no longer follow a weight loss plan. Returning to prior eating habits after pursuing the grace-based approach is not quite as dramatic a change in our eating habits but will also result in the return of the weight. We must constantly be on guard not to let Satan take control. Our weaknesses such as food and overeating are the perfect opportunity for Satan to make his appearance and gradually take control. We no longer continue to eat according to God’s plan and the weight returns. I must emphasize that this must be a total life change. As we observe and correct and deal positively with our struggles, we know that if we are faithful and obedient, God will bless us and give us the strength to endure.

Basic Principles to Get Started!

Our obedience to God is the basis for the grace-based approach to lasting weight loss. God supplies us with everything that we need which includes support and comfort when needed. God does not condemn us in our struggles with food and we should not condemn ourselves. The following guidelines will help you be obedient to God in the area of eating as you begin your journey to lasting weight loss. Below are the basic principles that we found useful to help you manage your eating without feeling the constraints of a diet. These same principles can work for you with a little adjustment to fit your needs.

Don't Condemn Yourself --- You Are God's Work in Progress!

Be Positive --- Your overall results is affected by your behavior. Your behavior is determined by you mindset or what you believe about yourself. Believe that you can conquer this battle with your weight. Be positive! Do not think negative thoughts about yourself --- you will never be able to live above the beliefs that you have about yourself! Know that you are a child of God; You are not a failure because of your weight; Make efforts to change those negative beliefs about yourself and always remember that you are God’s work in progress!

Eat the Foods You Enjoy!

Eat the foods that you enjoy. I will repeat that again --- Eat the foods that you enjoy. You must do that especially at first. Don’t begin with the mindset that you are on a diet and you can’t eat certain foods. Later you can begin to make wiser, healthier food choices.

Your Fist --- Portion Control???

Your stomach is about the size of your fist. Therefore, a portion of food about the size of your fist is all that you need to satisfy your hunger. Portion control is a significant part of controlling your weight.

Satisfy Your Hunger --- Do Not Eat if You Are Not Truly Hungry!

We are to eat to satisfy our hunger. Therefore, we must be hungry or empty to eat. God gave us food to satisfy our hunger --- not to be a glutton and overeat. We should not live to eat as many do, but rather we should eat to live. Think of a scale of “1 to 10” with “1” being empty and “10” being totally stuffed. We should eat to a “5” which is being satisfied.

Plan --- Mealtimes and Snacks

Eating on your own is not an issue most of the time. It is much easier to wait until we are hungry to eat. However, eating meals with your family can be difficult. We may not need three meals each day to satisfy our hunger. With that being said, you will need to plan your hunger --- either eating much smaller meals and/or adding snacks when needed to plan your hunger. Sometimes it helps to eat just a few bites of grapes, almonds, etc. Eat just enough to help you wait until meal time. This takes a little practice because you must plan your hunger while at the same time only satisfying your hunger. Don't give up!

Control Your Eating Environment!

Reduce distractions and be relaxed. Eat slowly, enjoy your food, and put your fork down between bites. Enjoy the conversation of those around you. Turn off the TV or radio. Make this a time to share with each other.

Dining Out --- Have a Plan!

When eating at a restaurant, have a plan before you ever go. It helps to either split the meal with someone or take a portion of it home. We have all received very generous helpings when dining out and out of habit, we eat every bite. Make a plan and stick to it.

Brain --- 20 minutes to Register Full!

Stop Before Feeling Full --- It takes our brain about 20 minutes to register that we are satisfied. Remember that big victories result from little choices. This is so true. All of those little choices really add up.

Listen to Your Conscience!

Don’t let Satan overcome you with his lies. Heed the little messages in your conscience that you aren’t really hungry, you really don’t need another helping or just one scoop of ice cream, etc. These are messages to help us be obedient. Many times we don’t recognize or we don't want to recognize his attempts to help. Pray that he will reveal these to you.

Set Godly Goals!

It is important to set goals in order for us to strive to move forward. Don't set such lofty goals that you are unable to achieve them. Try for nothing and hit it every time but set godly goals and watch what God will do. Set goals that are achievable to give you success and motivation to keep you going.

Positive Thinking --- Positive Results!

Do Not Condemn yourself, but rather Observe and Correct! Many times we condemn ourselves because of our inability to control our weight. Make corrections in your eating habits and move forward each day toward your weight loss goals.

Good luck on your weight loss journey. Please return, comment on your weight loss journey, and offer support to others. We look forward to hearing your story unfold.