The journey...

Life is in the journey, not the destination, so do what you can and take it one day at a time. Go slow, do it right, and make your changes permanent — then help out others who are where you were.

~Jillian Michaels

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Saturday, March 30, 2013

"Head, shoulders, knees and toes!"



Head, shoulders, knees and toes
Knees and toes

Eyes and ears and mouth and nose

Head, shoulders, KNEES AND TOES!!!

A couple weeks back I went to visit a friend in St. Louis and got to play volleyball with the young adults group at her Church. Anyone who knows me, knows that volleyball is my favorite sport to play and I jump at almost any opportunity to join a game.

I was having some problems with my shoulder that night, so I was attentive to not hitting the ball to aggressively and went for a simple set in which I jammed my right thumb! OUCH! This made playing quite difficult seeing as how I couldn't do much overhanded and now even underhand hits caused a considerable amount of pain.

We left not long after since I was feeling out of commission and I went to take a shower before bed. I go to unbutton my jeans...OUCH! This one injured thumb was making it quite difficult to do such a simple task - griping my jeans so I could unbutton with my left hand. We won't even begin to talk about how difficult it was to unhook my bra between the shoulder injury and thumb issue! The next morning, all is well until I go to brush my teeth. I'm sure I looked funny holding my toothbrush in the palm of my hand while trying not to apply pressure with my thumb. The day continued and Brittany and I decided to play a game involving cards. Everything is great and now it's my turn to deal, but wait...I can't shuffle! This poor jammed thumb felt so hurt and useless! Throughout the remainder of my weekend, several instances came up where I realized how difficult these everyday tasks were without the use of a thumb. Crazy, right!

Fast forward, last night I was standing with a group of friends in the kitchen, waiting for dinner to be complete and we were discussing my friends elbow injury. She mentioned how washing her hair, driving the car, cooking, all these every day tasks had become either extremely difficult and/or impossible for the time being. I said, "Yea, it's crazy how such a small member of our body can be injured, yet it affects so much of our functionality." As the words were leaving my mouth, I instantly thought of 1 Corinthians 12:15-26:

"Now if the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."

This verse rang more true than ever with this realization last night, "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it;" This proved right with my thumb and likewise, it was true of my friends elbow. We were unable to accomplish things as efficiently without them - the rest of our body suffered due to the injury of these small, yet meaningful members of our bodies.

Simple enough right, anyone who has ever stubbed a toe, broken a bone, fractured something or even got sick understands this full well. God was not just giving us some anatomy lesson in these verses though, he was giving an illustration that shows how it is with us and the rest of the Church. When one person is hurt, we all suffer. When one member is honored, we should share in the rejoicing! How often do we consider this truth though? Regardless of us seemingly "feeling" it's impact - it's reality. The Church is not the same without the members of the body carrying out their functions.

YOU are valuable to the body of Christ and YOU have a purpose to fulfill as a part of it! Same for me. Our purposes may be different, but we need each other.

Do you look at your brother or sister in Christ and consider their worth? Their value? The fact that without them, the Church is missing something that she needs? Do we see them as a vital member and as such, they should be cared for, respected and mended when broken? When we see some led astray by the things of this world and desires of their flesh, do we even notice the loss of a limb? Do our hearts break? Let's take this one step further - in our Churches, do we neglect the poor, the single mother's the disabled, the widows? It says in these verses, "On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor." Do we find ourselves esteeming those who benefit us most, but overlooking the ones who may not seem to have much to offer in return? These members are precious!

This convicts me!

I've been guilty of overlooking the thumbs and elbows. It's easy for me to consider the head, but what about the shoulders, knees and toes? We neglect the joints until they become sore and weak and realize that the leg without a knee can't run. The arm without an elbow cannot bend to move food that you've scooped up using your wrist to bend your hand to your spoon that is griped by your fingers that were curled by your knuckles and then lifted by your muscles to your mouth. Which then needs your teeth, your tongue, your throat (which is made up of four parts alone), your stomach, intestines and the list goes on just to move it through the body and be digested and the nutrients absorbed by the cells...you get the point! Each part of our bodies is valuable - as is true with each member of the Church.

My prayer is that with every stubbed toe, jammed finger or broken bone I have or hear of someone having - I'm reminded of the body and how each member is precious!

Thursday, March 21, 2013

GREAT article about weight loss!!

Whew! It's dusty around these parts! I haven't posted in awhile, (more than awhile), but I thought this article was worth sharing:

http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/losing-180-pounds-really-does-body-8212-160-163900419.html

I don't have much to say beyond this, because I think it says a lot!

What I will say though is, "I get it." I didn't have weight loss surgery, but my sister did, a cousin did and two friends did...they can attest to this being true.

I did however lose 160#'s without surgery and when I weighed in at 179, I was not happy because..."I still had so far to go." I never got to fully enjoy what I had done in that new body, because instead of seeing where I had come from, all I could see is where I still had to go and though my body outwardly "appeared" different, I had the same mind. I was confused in my own skin and STILL not happy. I look back now and wish I would have fully embraced "179# me" and together we could have made great things happen. But the truth is, the mind is where the battle lies. Not the weight.

For those of you out there on this journey with me, DON'T GIVE UP, it's worth it, but it's not easy. It's not just weight. Don't fall victim of the thought that losing the "weight" is what will make you happy and complete in life.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Email from a friend: Prayer WORKS! Even for weight loss!

So after returning from vacation, I received an email from a dear friend of mine, Cassy!

This encouraged and blessed my heart so much that I wanted to share it here for the blog world!

I hope it challenges and encourages you as it did me.

READ BELOW:

From: Cassy *******
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2012 9:57 AM
To: Demesha R. Wright
Subject: prayer...and 
weight-loss


So yesterday I was so tired of the crappy music on the radio so I turned way down the dial and got some Christian talk radio station.  They were talking about addictions and how God can save us from them…and ourselves.  At first I was like “I am not addicted to drugs or sex or alcohol” and I was about to turn it, and they said “it can also help women who are addicted to food”. 

Ears perked up, I was listening.


I usually pray to bless my food…but not all of it.  I mean, I don’t ask for my snickers bar to be blessed.  But meals, real meals…I always say, Our Dearest Heavenly Father, I am thankful for the food that is before me.  I pray that you will bless it to strengthen my body.  In the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN!

This radio show says that I should pray before any food.  Before the candy bar, before a piece of gum, before fried chicken.  Why would we ask God to bless something that is not good for our bodies?  My body is a temple right?  When I think about a temple, I think about something that is clean, and glorious, and shining, and full of beautiful, yet simple, things, surrounded by blooming flowers and green grass, where I feel peace.  I treat my temple like a slum.  I don’t want that crud in my temple anymore.  So now, starting last night, before I eat ANYTHING I pray and darn it, it works.  I listen for the spirit to speak to me…why should I expect that God is going to bless a Deluxe Big Breakfast from McDonald's to strengthen my body?  That’s what I wanted for breakfast…but I drove past 4 McDonald's on my commute, drawing from faith to fight that craving and rationality…and came to the county cafĂ© here and got an omelet, simply cooked, with veggies.  and I said my prayer and added that He would give my belly and mind the ability to know it was enough.

I ate my 2 egg omelet with veggies and that was 2.5 hours ago and I still feel…full. 

I have to answer to God NOW about my food.  I don’t’ want to stand at the beginning of eternity and have him ask me why I didn't come to Him for help in the area where I needed it the most. 

Last night, I stayed up too late…searching the scriptures for inspiration and quotes to get me through the days ahead, however many I have left here…and I found some great ones.  I wrote them down on a post-it and stuck in my bible so that I could know right away exactly where I need to go when I need the most help.

--------

THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR REFLECTIONS, CASSY! :)




Friday, September 14, 2012

Affirmations...I HAVE changed!



When you look into the mirror, what do you see?

I'll be honest, for me it's been hard to not see "FAILURE" for quite some time. I see a double chill reappearing that had disappeared for quite some time. I try to button pants that don't fit anymore and put shirts on that fit much more snug that I'm comfortable going out in public in. I see me without clothes on. I see the stretch marks, cellulite and everything that disgusts me. I strategically plan what to wear that will best "disguise" my physical shame. Beyond the image that reflects back at me, I full FEEL every emotion that floods my thoughts when I see "me." Worse than the outward appearance that I'm struggling with is the inner FEELING of utter disappointment. It quickly overshadows any success I may have had in the past and distorts my perception of my physical, mental, emotional and spiritual strength!

But yesterday, yesterday I was met with an affirmation that helped rearrange my thoughts once again.


"BTW...u look fantastic"
That quote above is part of a post I received on my facebook wall. Seems simple enough, right? What's a generic compliment from an old friend anyway? To better understand you must see the angle from which this friends point of view comes. She found and added me on facebook and we haven't talked and/or seen each other since 2009, the same year in which I took my first steps towards losing weight and getting healthier. This friend knew me at my heaviest, but never was around to see me at my smallest. To this friend, she saw "Mesha," but smaller than the one she once knew. To this friend, I DO look fantastic compared to the one she saw regularly years before.


I NEEDED THAT!

That little comment meant so much to me! Even though at this point in time I do not always FEEL fantastic, I HAVE changed! No, I'm not where I once was when I'd reached my lowest weight that I've known in my adult life, BUT, I am not where I started either! I HAVE changed. I CAN continue to change.

As much as it 'feels' like all is lost at times and my hard work was in vain, I'm still not back up to the weight that I began at, I'm actually still 50 pounds less than my beginning weight AND (some people may need to hear this), but even if I had regressed all the way back to my starting weight or beyond, the fact that I did it once shows that I AM strong and can do it again if I am determined to make it happen. The fact that I am even writing this today is something to be considered. The fact that I even still care is a testament of something. THERE IS HOPE!


I WILL change!

**For an old post I wrote on relativity, SEE HERE! Sometimes we all need to be reminded of the "relative" concept.

REFLECTION:

James 1:2-4; 12

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

--

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trials, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Friday, August 24, 2012

I got me one of THESE...

Not this one...


OR this one...


...and boy do I wish it was this next one...


But, the point is, I loosened up on the pocket and invested in ME, by getting a personal trainer!!!

 For now, I've only paid for 2 months (8 sessions), but here's to ACCOUNTABILITY and STRUCTURE!!!!

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started." - Mark Twain

REFLECTION:

James 2:14-17

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD

"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Monday, August 20, 2012

We're in this together...

Smiling faces BEFORE Sunday morning workout


@ Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, MO


Sweaty, yet still smiling AFTER morning workout!
(How could you not working out at a place with a view like THAT!)


If you are anything like me, exercising with a group pushes you harder and makes it FUN too!

For an article on why group exercise is effective, CLICK HERE.

REFLECTION:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Looking ahead...



Philippians 3:13-14

13...But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal forthe prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.