If you are struggling with your weight or find it a challenge to maintain a healthy lifestyle, please know you are not alone. I accept that it’s a lifetime challenge and it may be for you too. I believe that you too can find the victory you so desire in Christ. Prayer is a key component to your success as it was for me.
When my mother, Judy Aitken, passed away in December of 2018, I knew myself well enough to know that I would turn to food for comfort. This wouldn’t be the first time I would do something like this. In fact, I gained 25 pounds after my father’s death six years prior. So, I resolved to make a change and the first couple weeks were a success. I then began to travel and, in my busyness, lost sight of my dieting goals and gave up. What I didn’t know, is that I approached losing weight in the wrong way. I realized I had perpetual unhealthy thoughts that were sabotaging my efforts.
In May, my sister gave me a Fitbit. I set a goal to get 10,000 steps a day. This helped some, but still the pounds stubbornly held on. I fasted, prayed and tried a myriad of diets, but they weren’t sustainable. The weight always came back in no time at all. It was so frustrating.
In August 2019, I went on a trip with a group from the Andrews University Social Work Department and ASAP Ministries. Among the group were two Andrews University professors, Alina Baltazar and Ingrid Slikkers.
On the plane I believe my angel orchestrated for me to sit by Alina and I shared my struggles with food. I had heard she lost 50 pounds four years ago and kept it off. I wanted to know the secret to her success. She offered, “Can I be your health coach?” I was thrilled! Ingrid heard about it and wanted to join us.
We read one chapter of a book that teaches you step-by-step how to lose weight and keep it off through cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. The program has you implement incremental changes each day for 40 days, which helps build healthy habits.
The book tells you to stop eating standing up. It shocked me how many calories I had consumed on the run or when cooking. Alina, Ingrid and I met weekly to pray together and share our successes and struggles. While doing so, I experienced God working through these two amazing friends to encourage and hold me accountable. Accountability is a big key to success.
As I followed the plan, implementing the Word of God, and learning to rely on Christ and His promises instead of my feelings, He taught me little by little how to have the mind of Christ. Soon I realized I had new scripts in my mind that replaced the wrong thoughts.
It says in Phil. 2:5-8 (KJV) “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Let me give you an example of what this looks like for me. I come home from work after a stressful day and think, “Something sweet and cold would be so soothing to my soul right now, like ice cream!” I catch that thought and say to myself, “No, what would really satisfy my soul right now is going for a walk in nature and singing along to some inspirational music because I believe what it says in Psalm 63:5, “You, [Jesus], satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.” (NLT)
That thought turns into an action. At the end of the day, I think about those small yet powerful positive choices and give myself credit for them while thanking Jesus.
Since losing 50 pounds, I have less knee pain, more energy, and I feel so good. I used to hate walking but now I can’t let a day go by without exercising. It relieves my stress and makes me feel so much better. I am so happy that I can be a better example to my two teenage daughters.
It brings me much joy that Alina and I were able to help others lose weight, too. We held classes called “Think and Shrink.” It all begins in our thoughts by allowing our Father to give us the mind of Christ. One class during Covid, we had over 50 participants on Zoom. Many of the participants experienced significant weight loss, developed healthier mindsets, and drew closer to Jesus.
If you are struggling with your weight or find it a challenge to maintain a healthy lifestyle, please know you are not alone. I accept that it’s a lifetime challenge and it may be for you too. I believe that you too can find the victory you so desire in Christ. Prayer is a key component to your success as it was for me.
If you would like prayers on your journey, please feel free to reach out to me at juliaocarey@gmail.com.
Julia O’Carey is director of ASAP Ministries.
Editor's Note: The 2019 CDC Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps1 show that obesity remains high – twelve states, including Indiana and Michigan - now have an adult obesity prevalence at or above 35 percent. Having obesity increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. People who are overweight may also be at increased risk. This is part of a continuing series of articles to help you reflect on your health journey and is not intended to take the place of medical care and advice.
