Dieting? Choose Guaranteed Success

Today I ate a 3 inch sub for lunch (which is a long way from the 12 inch subs I downed in former years), and for supper I ate a baked potato with the works—veggies on the side. That’s the way I’ve become accustomed to eating now: smaller portions, without skimping on the flavor.

But that’s not what I want to talk to you about this month, because God has laid something very different on my heart, which is the topic of taking every thought captive:

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, NIV

But since I write Live Well, which is mainly about diet, I got to wondering what the link between a healthy diet and captive thoughts would be. And why would God choose this particular portion of scripture for us this month?

Then I turned on my computer, and started to read Sunny’s interview with Jennifer Rothschild, our cover girl this month, who said, “God began to show me when I was in my twenties the damaging effect of what I was saying to my soul and that if I didn’t control my thoughts, my thoughts would control me. He showed me the best way to control my thoughts was to make them truthful. I went on a journey going from destructive self talk to constructive, life-giving soul talk! Once I learned how to recognize lies I was telling myself, I refused them into my “Thought Closet,” relabeled them with truth and I’ve repeated the habit for years now.” (Read the entire interview here)

That’s when the pieces started coming together, and I realized that self talk doesn’t only keep us obedient to Christ, which is foremost important in our lives, it can also demolish strongholds by tearing down the inner arguments we often support with negative self talk.

You might think that self talk is something other people do, but if you stop and think for a minute you may remember a little voice not only suggesting, but also encouraging you to drop your diet when temptation set in. I hear it all the time, and sometimes that self talk slips through my lips when I say, this is the last one, one more, or this is so delicious, I can’t stop! That’s all self talk, either encouraging or discouraging you along your journey.

Imagine the power we could have had if we strongly suggest persistence, and then continue to suggest it until we persuade ourselves that it is the best choice to make. That’s taking our thoughts captive.

Until we determine that turning back is not an option we’re destined to slip up. But when we run the race with unwavering determination we are guaranteed success.

Keep running the race ladies, and till next month, Live Well!

©2009, Darlene Schacht

15 Motivational Thoughts to Keep Your Diet on Track

While speaking at the recent “A Women Inspired” online conference, I was asked if I have any motivation to press on, for those who are struggling with their diet. I was reminded of the many times that I’ve personally stared down at the scale looking at yet another plateau.

I happen to know how frustrating that can be, and how hard it is to fight negative thoughts. So in order to combat those feelings I’ve put together a list of 15 motivational thoughts and ideas to keep you on track.
Give them a read when you’re starting to feel “Mrs. Give-Up-and–Eat” moving in, and then kick her whiny butt out the door!

1. Don’t look back on yesterday with despair. Look at tomorrow with hope.
2. Train your heart and your body to yield to a faith focused mind.
3. Post your goals where you’ll see them often, along with notes of inspiration. Reminders are a good thing.
4. Do all things, whether big or small to the glory of God. For it is only by Him and through Him that we take each breath that we do.
5. Those who persist reach the finish line, while those who give up stay behind.
6. If you take two steps forward and one step back, you’re still getting someplace. Don’t give up the moment you slip up. Press on!
7. Knowledge is power, but without action it’s useless.
8. Rather than gloss over a problem, take steps toward change. Wisely dealing with a bad habit or issue isn’t the easy way, but it later brings peace to your life.
9. Why change your life tomorrow, when today is such a perfect time?
10. Take some steps today, if only a few, and tomorrow you’ll be that much closer to your goal.
11. Seeds of discipline produce a harvest of strength. Keep planting them daily.
12. Those who succeed rise with each fall. While others in a state of discouragement refuse to move on, for fear that they might fall again.
13. The road to success is paved with motivation and determination. Don’t let the speed bumps slow you down.
14. It is our job as stewards of this human vessel to guide the heart and the flesh according to wisdom, and according to the Word.
15. Each moment is a new beginning, make this one count.

©2009, Darlene Schacht

Long time no see

I haven't posted in quite a few months. I've been so busy with school work that I haven't had time to do much of anything else. I'm scheduled to graduate in May 2010 (YAY!) and after a few months of recovery, I may be ready for more "learnin.'"