Joy's Eating Rules

 

My rules are my guidelines. Like a path for my feet. God's Word says that He will direct our paths, so I am changing HOW I eat to honor Him. These rules change as I learn more about my body and how it responds to different foods. I have a significant amount of weight to lose, and I need to change my focus from eating my emotions to focusing on God's Word and taking my problems to Him. Your rules may be different.

"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own. For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." ~1 Corinthians 6:19-20

RULES AS OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

1. EAT LOW CARB - UNDER 20 NET G PER DAY

When I avoid carbs and sugars, and especially grains, I feel so much better. Joint pain - gone! Acne - gone! Pitting edema (my ankles) - gone! Tired all the time - gone! I have so much energy eating this way.

2. EAT ONLY WHEN HUNGRY AND STOP WHEN SATISFIED

Originally I was eating just 3 meals a day with no snacks. I think I wasn't eating enough, however, as my weight loss stalled. So now I am only eating if I am hungry, so snacks are okay if I need them, but I have to follow rule #3 below. If my body is the temple of God, then I need to feed it nourishing food.

3. EAT MINDFULLY AT THE TABLE

Because I have a tendency to inhale my food while I read or watch TV, and then still feel hungry, I need to focus on what I eat so that I actually taste it. I am trying to remember to give thanks to God before everything I eat, but this is not a habit, so I'm still working on this.

4. TREATS MUST BE EATEN WITH A MEAL OR SNACK (SMALL PORTIONS)

I can not eat treats all day long and expect to lose weight, or to honor God.

5. ARTIFICIALLY SWEETENED DRINK MIXES ARE A TREAT

Too many of these definitely stalls my weight loss.

6. ONLY ONE TREAT PER DAY (SMALL PORTIONS!)

I need to quit treating my body with sweets, and start treating my soul with the Word. I may switch this to only 3 times a week if I am still stalling in a few days. Small portion looks like half my clenched fist (approximately 1/2 cup) or a drink mix.

7. IF IT DOESN'T TASTE GOOD FROM THE VERY FIRST BITE, QUIT EATING IT!

My body is the temple of the Lord, not a trash can. And continuing to eat something that doesn't taste very good is not going to improve the flavor.