Yes Sister, I would be delighted.
First and foremost this is no easy task and there is no quick fix. This must be a lifestyle change for you, so it will take all the tools that our wonderful Lord and Savior has provided you with, including patience, honesty, understanding, compasion and love, just to name a few, and last but most importantly you will need to rely on prayer (which I'm sure you already understand). Sister, the first thing I would do when I looked in the mirror is not say that I was disgusted with myself and have that be the reason I was trying to be as healthy as possible. What I would do (if you don't mind my advice here) is tell myself just how much the Lord loves me and that I too should love and respect the body that I was given. Smile and give thanks to know these things. Secondly, I would begin to keep a journal and you could simply call this a thoughts journal, or if it fits, a food journal, but do not focus simply on the food, put your thoughts about your day in there as well and see how it all relates. Now, as it relates to food, I would honestly take a look at the food I was eating during the day, and you must be honest with yourself, and how often you were eating it. I would see how many meals I was having and how much I was snacking. What you might want to try and do is break your meals up during the day into smaller portions eating more meals a day. So instead of 3 major meals every 5 hours, you would be eating 5-6 meals every three. Example (breakfast 7AM- morning snack 10AM- Lunch 1PM - afternoon snack - 4PM - Dinner 7PM) If you find you are still hungry you can add a before bedtime snack, but nothing too carby. What this allows your body to do is "NOT" think that it is starving, therefore it will process the food differently (good food remember
) and boost your metabolic rate. It will also help control your insulin levels (but you really don't need to know all that unless you want too). I would also replace all the white processed flour products with Whole Wheat products. Make sure its 100% Whole Grain Wheat and not processed whole wheat (just look on the ingredient label, if it says refined or processed you know to stay away from it). The reason this is better for you is Whole Wheat products contain more fiber, slowly up the breakdown of the carb in your body. Whole Grains are much tastier IMO. Get rid of any regular soda, fruit juices and replace with water. I know it can be boring, but water is what your body needs right now. Drink plenty of it. See Sister Maria's post. I would also consult my Dr. about a workout routine, meaning at this point no more then walking. Sister, this is where I would start and I would give it two months before moving to the next step. If you need advice on food selection let me know, I will be happy to post some recipes and what I consider to be healthy and yet yummie foods. Most of all sister, know that you will be in my prayers, that you are loved by your brothers and sisters and that the Lord loves you very much. I pray that this experience will be a blessing in your life. Please keep us all posted on your condition, and know that we are all here to encourage you.
Blessings!
-Am-
