Take Heart

I know, I know . . . I didn't post anything for the past couple days. Why? Because I actually gained weight! I was a bit discouraged, especially after running so hard on the treadmill on Saturday and preaching on Sunday. I went from 239.8 to 240.4 on Sunday, and did not weigh myself on Monday. 

Don't tell anyone, but Sunday night I secretly ate two Poptarts--that's like 400 calories just before going to bed!  I felt like I was doing something sinful.  I even hid the wrappers from my wife so she wouldn't know, as if the secret would prevent me from gaining weight. 

I wanted to work out but I had a migraine on Sunday evening and my kidney was hurting on Monday. Frankly I just had the blahs. I was unmotivated and felt too bad with a nagging headache and my kidney hurting to try to do any exercising. So my wife and I watched The Biggest Loser. I love that show. You learn so much about diet and exercise and you can't help but be motivated by the people on the show. After watching it I really wanted to get on the treadmill, but I was afraid it would cause my headache to return so I resisted the urge to exercise and went to bed early.  This morning I weighed myself thinking that I must have gained something, but to my surprise I weighed in at 238.8. Sweet!

Here's what I think I've learned. On Saturday I watched college football most of the day and drank about 6 Coke Zeros. No calories, but lots of sodium. Watching The Biggest Loser I saw that they were as conscientious of sodium as they were of fat and calories. Sodium in the body causes one to retain water and increases blood pressure. All those diet sodas resulted in about a half pound water weight gain. Also, I think that drinking "too much" caffeine is what causes my kidney to hurt.

So, here's the plan. I feel much better today therefore after church tonight I will get back on the treadmill and maybe some weightlifting. I will also limit my diet drinks to one or two a day, if at all. Mostly I'll be drinking plenty of water. It can be discouraging when you get on the scales and haven't lost any weight, even more discouraging when you have actually gained weight, but, stick to the plan because it will work if you work it.

Verse of the Day: 2 Cor 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work .  NKJV