When Your Husband Reads Your Post and Takes You Seriously
Rev read my post on Wednesday, Hide the Scale and Start to LIVE and asked me if I was serious.
“Um, I think so.” I answered.
“Do you really want to hide the scale?”
“I do. I tired of it affecting my mood and how I eat each day.”
Then he surprised me with, “What if we throw it away?”
(That surprised me because he has weighed himself morning and night for more than seven years, ever since he was ill with constrictive paricarditis and had to monitor his weight because of fluid retention. After eighteen months it was part of his routine.)
“I would love to throw it away. (Can you sense confidence growing?) We can tell what we weigh by the way our clothes fit. And honestly, we’ve been controlled by the scale for so long we can tell by how we feel if we’re up or down even a couple of pounds.”
So . . . (Drum roll please.)
Our scale went out in yesterday’s trash!
Honestly, we’ve both had a twinge or two since. It can be hard to break old habits….
But deep down inside -
It feels great!
It feels like freedom!
Neither Rev nor I are going to go on a food binge. We most likely won’t change a thing about the way we eat. We’ll continue to use small plates and bowls, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as lean protein, and we’ll still have our daily piece of chocolate.
Why?
Because we feel better when we eat that way, and when we feel better we:
- serve better.
- live better.
- love better.
What have I learned this week?
Intentional gratitude takes our focus off impressing people and indulging ourselves, and puts it where it belongs . . . on God and His blessings.
And that gives us freedom.
You have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13
So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. John 8:36
You may not be ready to throw your scale away. I certainly didn’t see that coming at the beginning of the week. But freedom through intentional gratitude rocks. I am so excited to finally enjoy the occasional splurge without feeling guilty. Woo hoo!
I can’t wait to see how God changes my attitude about exercise next week. My exercise issues are worse than my food issues.
I love it! That was one of the things I did years ago to find freedom from overeating–gave up the scale. Speaking of your husband reading your posts…mine read my notes on the posts I planned to write and was teasing me. I responded with a wise crack to which he said, “Wow, that was inspiring.” LOL! Gotta love those hubbies!
Melanie Wilson recently posted..Will Isn’t a Superpower
Yes we do!
You know it’s funny, if you had ever suggested I throw away my scale I would have told you, “No way.” I shared it with my Bible Study group yesterday, and most of them said, ” I could never do that.” I’m so glad the Lord nudged my hubby to this. I believe it’s exactly what we need. We are still looking in the corner where it used to sit and thinking about it every morning. Can’t wait for that to end.
Deb recently posted..The Freedom of Grace
Too funny about staring where the scale used to be. I’ve always kept mine in a closet so it’s out of sight and mind.
Melanie Wilson recently posted..Ask the Right Question to Succeed
I LOVE this post. I was telling my sister about it last night. If I could just stop with the scales and get upset if I’m a pound or two up, then I’d be happier
I’m writing my third book right now (young adult) and the main character is overweight and getting an eating disorder. I”m going to put this advice in the book. I know “she’ll” appreciate it!
Kelly, You made my day! I can’t wait to read your book when it’s finished. I was a teen when my eating issues started and I’ve been dealing with them in one way or another ever since. I’m also sorry to say that I passed them on to my daughter.
I have to admit I didn’t see this coming at the beginning of the week. What an amazing God we serve. He knew this is what I needed all along. I’m so glad it blessed you, too.
Deb recently posted..The Freedom of Grace