A 21-Day Challenge

As I briefly mentioned yesterday, I am embarking on a new health challenge. Since last August I have been attending a "weight loss Bible study" class. We first began using the First Place for Health program which is excellent. We completed a couple books in that study and just recently switched over to Made to Crave.

Have you seen this book and study? It's been mentioned a time or two on the blogosphere. That's what peaked my interest. I'm really loving the study and we're only on week three. It's not a typical diet "how-to" program. As Lysa TerKeurst says, it's about finding your "want to" rather than your "how to."

Anyone who has ever thought about loosing weight really knows what they should do. It's a simple equation. Eat less and move more. That's what it really boils down to. I can spout off calories in items. Well, for me it's more about carb counting. I can tell you how many calories - give or take a few - that I burn doing chores and Zumba (that's 500-800 an hour!!). But I don't put it in to practice.

Made to Crave is about craving God more than food. More than any food I ever put in my mouth, I need to crave knowing God more.

This study has resonated time and again with me. I'm learning so many wonderful things about myself spiritually that will translate to physically. In fact last night while I was watching The Biggest Loser online one of the contestants had this to say at her weigh in...."The outside was just a product of what happened on the inside."

That's what I'm aiming for right now. A change on the inside that will impact the outside.

In addition to the Made to Crave study I've just started watching a study on the book of James via the Casting Crowns Facebook page. Mark Hall put up these videos last month. There are about 20 total and I'm excited to go through this study.

God again touched my heart today through things He's lead me to read and learn. Mark said in the introduction to the James study, "God loves you just the way you are but He refuses to leave you there." That's a truth I'm clinging to right now.

So what does this all have to do with a 21-day challenge?

On the Made to Crave website you can sign up for a 21-Day Challenge. Every day Lysa will send you an email devotion. I'm using this as a catalyst to also give up some of my trigger foods. We were challenged to do this at our study last week by our leader.

It's no secret that I've struggled with an addiction to Diet Mt. Dew for some time. I have been trying to give it up 100% now for about six months. I've not been able to completely succeed at that. I also have some other foods that will trigger me to overeat.

So for the next 21 days (starting tomorrow - 5/20) and going through until June 9th I will be giving up the following food/food groups:

• Diet Mt. Dew
• Chocolate - of any kind - but candy bars in particular
• Sweet foods (donuts/cookies)
• Potato Chips

My goals are to drink only plain water for the 21 days. I will allow myself some flavored water when I exercise (I add a hydration mix to it as I tend to become dehydrated during the hour long Zumba class). I also plan to ramp up my Zumba time. Currently we have classes three days a week but I don't always make each one. Next month that will be dropping (most likely) to just once. I have the Zumba Wii game so I will be using that more at home for extra workouts. My goal is to Zumba 3-4 days a week.

Are you interested in joining me? Please do so! I'm posting this specifically to have some accountability in my goals. 

I'll post weekly check-ins on Fridays to share my progress and struggles and praises. And remember...

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:13 (ESV)