Food Is Not Your God

About a year ago I remember reading an article called "Food Is Not Your God" and I loved it!  Nobody wants to be obsessed with food, it's there to fuel us, to feed us when we're hungry, and give us energy.   Yes, it is also a way for friends and family to get together and make memories by going out to eat or having a party with delicious dishes over a football game or around the table at Thanksgiving.  Those times of making memories should be enjoyable...it's not to obsess over every bite, stress us out or make you so disappointed with yourself if you eat the "wrong" thing!  STOP!!  

In one of my fitness accountability groups a lot of people were doing great with the workouts but it's the food that was a problem for most.  Why?  I think it's because we've been told that in order to lose weight or be healthy you have to completely cut out all food considered unhealthy.  As a coach I've been struggling with where I stand on this because most coaches host "Clean Eating" groups and "Eating all Organic" groups so I did too and although they've been successful and given everyone (myself included) healthier options and recipes, I don't want to come off as a 100% clean eater myself.  I'm not.  I never want people to think I am a 100% healthy eater ALL. THE. TIME or that I always eat organic and would NEVER drink a coke or eat a piece of cake.  That actually makes me laugh out loud because that's not me at all, nor do I want it to be me!  Would I rather feed my family something homemade than from a box...ABSOLUTELY!  But I'm not trying to pretend that it doesn't ever happen!  So I've been trying to figure out how I feel about the issue and here's what I've come up with so far and there are links at the bottom to help me out in what I'm trying to say =) ...

I think food is great! I don't think you should 100% deprive yourself of any of your favorite things whether it's coke, chips, or cookies.  SAY WHAT??  Yup that's what I said but keep listening and don't get it twisted...What I do think is more important is to limit your quantities and not over eat or stuff yourself.  Eat the things you like but maybe cut your portions in half, drink a coke once a week or month as a treat instead of daily, etc.  Don't obsess over every bite and beat yourself up when you didn't stick to your plan.  One unhealthy meal wont make you gain weight, just like one healthy meal wont make you lose weight!  Let's let that sink in for a minute...

Food is fuel and I feel like if we start using it as such instead of completely cutting things out and then over eating after week 2, we'd have a better relationship with food!  I am not saying go to McDonalds everyday and cut your food in half and you'll be good to go.  What I AM saying is stop beating yourself up over every unhealthy/non organic thing you eat!  We all feel better when our body is being fed right with a variety of fresh foods (Thank you Shakeology for your help!!).  We know this!  But things in moderation are OK.  We can't be on 100% of the time but we can do it 80% of the time and that's why I love the 80/20 Rule!  You eat well 80% of your week, indulge 20% of the week and WORK OUT!!  Working out not only improves your mood but it gives you so much more energy that then overflows and motivates you in every other aspect of your life too.  

 

So how do I feel about the 21 Day Fix or Cleanses?  I think they're amazing!  Anything you do for your body to make you happy and healthy is a GREAT thing...eating healthy, doing a cleanse, portion control, working out...they are all good!  What's not good is when you start obsessing, talking negatively to yourself, and become consumed by it. 

When any aspect of my life starts to feel stressful, whether it's finances, a decision I have to make, or a relationship, and I find myself getting worked up or thinking about it all the time, I just stop and refocus on Jesus instead of focusing on the thing I'm stressing about. Then, because our God is SO BIG, it makes my problem seem SO SMALL and so much more manageable.  God is the only influence that should rule your life; food, your appetite, and your weight should not be in control or be the root of any worrying!  

Galatians 5:16 - So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  

More on the 80/20 rule soon but in the mean time you can get introduced to it HERE.   

I couldn't find the exact article I read years ago but here are 2 others I found that I really enjoyed and would love for you to read too!  

http://www.stacymakescents.com/food-is-not-your-god

http://www.charismamag.com/life/health/19682-is-food-your-god 

So here is a summary of what I'm trying to say:
Don't worry and think about food so much.  Food is NOT your God and should not consume so much of your thoughts.  Eat healthy meals because that is when we feel our best but indulge some of the time and don't feel guilty about it!  Food is enjoyable and the Lord wants us to feast and thank him for our blessings but he does not want us to be gluttons.  Things in our life seem like such big issues and can overtake our thoughts until we remember to give it to God and know that if he can heal the blind and raise the dead, he can surely help us in our relationships (with people or food), in our finances, decisions and every other aspect of our life!  =)