This month I’ve been working on step 3 of my food addiction recovery plan: Turn to God instead of food. I’m beginning to think if I had put this step first, this whole process could be further along by this point. I guess we live and learn, don’t we?
You know how I love to share programs, so let’s start there. Over the past 3 weeks, I’ve been doing an awesome, free program called Hello Mornings. This is a 6-week challenge that incorporates God, exercise, and planning, 3 things I’m incredibly passionate about right now.
I have always wanted to be one of those people who start their day with God. Honestly, before I started this challenge, my first morning moments consisted of grabbing my phone, hitting the snooze button, and checking email and all social media accounts before I even lifted my head from the pillow.
For the past few weeks, I get up with my alarm, go downstairs to my spot on the couch, and spend those early quiet moments reading a Psalm, the current Hello Mornings study. I then write out our verse for the day and whatever stood out to me in the reading. What a difference this has made in my emotional well being.
There is a section in the free journal where I can plan my food, exercise, and schedule for the day as well. I’ve been writing a lot more exercise plans than what has actually taken place, but it’s certainly a start. I’m at least trying to be consistent with 5 minutes on my rebounder after the reading. It’s still parked right beside my couch where I set it up last month.
I can’t say my food choices have been wonderful. I’m continuing to struggle in that area, but there are definitely recent improvements. I think getting my mind properly focused on God first is going to continue to do wonders.
My sweet friend Tyra of Inspired Life gave me this beautiful advice this week:
“One small decision at a time. When faced with the decision just breathe deep and tell the Lord, I choose to honor you through honoring my temple. Then keep saying it.”
Amen. One decision at a time.
As I grow closer to God, it’s easier for me to connect with Him in those small decisions. Yesterday, I watched my husband and son eat cheese fries, one of my favorites, while I ate a healthy salad. This would have been impossible before my early morning connections over the past few weeks.
Spending those first moments with Him link us for the rest of the day. I remember that my body, just like the rest of me, is ultimately His.
Don’t you know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit? The Spirit is in you, and you have received the Spirit from God. You do not belong to yourselves. Christ has paid the price for you. So use your bodies in a way that honors God.
~1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Let’s commit these verses to memory. They can change everything…
How have you been doing this month? Are there any new successes or slips you would like to share? As always, I would love to hear from you.
Important Announcement for Subscribers: I have switched over to a new email subscription provider. With this change, I’ve decided to start a weekly newsletter which will include all posts for that week rather than each coming in its own email. This will allow me to add extra encouragement and be more personal with subscribers. You will also be able to reply to the newsletter emails and reach me directly, unlike the current emails you are receiving.
If you subscribe through WordPress and would like the newsletter, you will need to enter your email address in the subscription box below or in the sidebar. I was able to transfer all current email addresses into the new system, but of course, not any WordPress accounts.
The first newsletter should be out later today. There will be instructions for how to unsubscribe from the old system. If you do not receive it, let me know. Please make sure to check your spam folders. You may want to add my email address from the newsletter to your contacts to keep that from reoccurring.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at candace (at) candacecreates (dot) com. I hope this isn’t too confusing! I’m so thankful for each of you who have joined this beautiful, loving community.
If you are new here, my plan and part of my food addiction story can be found in An Addict’s Journey or you may want to check out some of the other monthly updates in the Turning to Food series.
It is with tears in my eyes that I rejoice with you Candace. I applaud you for each and every success this month. There is an old hymn that says, “yield not to temptation for yielding is sin each victory will help you some other to win.” Each small daily victory you have is helping you WIN the battle. And God is faithful to bring you the right Word, resources and friends for the journey. Be encouraged.
Thank you for your wonderful advice, Tyra! You truly inspire me, my friend. I’ve been doing so much better these past few days with my food choices. It’s just amazing what He does when we finally turn things over to Him :).
I love this 1 Corinthians verse! ” Use your bodies in a way that honors God!” I’m putting it on my fridge as a reminder!!!
I love that idea, Heather! I’m copying you and putting it on my fridge too :). It will definitely make me get in the right frame of mind before I open it. Thanks for that, my friend!
You are an inspiration Candace. In January my husband Jon and boys bought a few inexpensive pieces of equipment secondhand, elliptical and weight machines to add to our treadmill in the basement. I made a few standing weekly exercise appointments with friends, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, also on Saturday mornings with Jon. Exercising with a friend in our little home basement gym is more fun and helps me stick to the plan. We have a tv down there too, but find we use it rarely, more fun to chat while doing our routine. I love your Hello Mornings!!! Thanks for all the great encouragements, and so happy you are encouraged on your journey also.
It sounds like we have the same exact home gym equipment, Allie! Except you seem to be much better about using yours :). It’s one of my goals this month to spend more time in mine. Exercise helps me on so many levels, especially my emotional well being. I love the idea of having friends over to work out! Thanks for the inspiration!
I love this, Candace! I’ve been working on getting up earlier to do my daily devotions. Like you, I wasn’t “getting around to them” until I’d checked email, etc. Now I try to spend that time first thing in the morning – but morning needs to come earlier! I will check out Happy Mornings.
You will love Hello Mornings, Lana! We are in the middle of our session. It lasts for 3 more weeks and then another one should start shortly after. This is my first one and it has helped tremendously.
Candace, you are speaking to me with this! Grabbing the phone, hitting the snooze button, and checking social media….you just described ME! I have struggled with food and weight issues for a long time, and those habits as I start the day. This is giving me so much encouragement…thank you! I was hit by the truth about my own situation, and then God’s truth comes in and gives us peace. I want to start making those changes one step at a time.
Thanks for relating, Karla. I hated even typing that truth about my morning :). So many of us turn to the world first thing instead of God. It’s an incredible shift to make by focusing on Him first. I haven’t carried over my new habit to the weekends yet, but hope to soon. As you said, one step at a time! I’m so glad you were encouraged here, my friend!
Thanks for sharing the verse above. It’s always good to be reminded that God wants us to be kind to our bodies. Having the right mindset definitely helps to avoid temptation.
Temptation can be crazy strong! I know you can relate, Sonya. We seem to have a lot of the same ones, sugar being at the top of that list :). I’m going to try putting that verse on my fridge like Heather suggested above. I think it will really help to see it through the day, especially when I’m in the kitchen and temptation is knocking.
Thank you Candance, this is so right on time for me. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Suzie! I’m so glad it helped you!!
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The Corinthians scripture has always been one of my favorites. I use that as impetus myself to make good and wholesome choices that will allow me to be physically well and of more service to God. Your morning program seems like a real winner to me! Finding time to focus on our spirits always helps make the day go better!
Thanks, Jen! I thought I saw you on the list Friday when I transferred it into MailChimp. Let me know if you get it twice and I’ll remove one :).
I’m loving my new mornings! It really does change the whole rest of the day. This week is our spring break so I’m a little off schedule, but still trying to stay fairly consistent.
Really awesome that you are able to focus on the Lord in your mornings and it is great that you are putting Him first. He sees that and He loves you so much, even when you struggle. Thank you for sharing your journey with us at #RaRalinkup 🙂
Thank you for your sweet encouragement, Ruth! I truly believe He sees us too when we are trying to focus on Him and fighting to make the right decisions. I think we are definitely rewarded in those times. Things are really starting to look up. The past few days my food choices have improved a great deal :).
Right off the bat, can I say: good for you for working through this food addiction. I’ve been doing the same in my life these last three months, and it’s not an easy battle. But all things are possible with God, including slaying our appetites and yielding ourselves to God!
It’s also fun to find another Hello Mornings communithy member. I heart the Hello Mornings community. They’ve helped me stay consistent in my morning time with the Lord and it makes SUCH a difference. We serve a God who rewards those who diligently seek Him with more of Himself, so I’m praying with you that You will experience deeper intimacy with Him as you seek Him.
And, not to sound self-promotional, but I wanted to share with you a 20+ Verses to Battle and Overcome Food Addiction, a compilation of passages that have helped me fight when I feel weak. https://onethingalone.com/20-bible-verses-battle-overcome-food-addiction/ I’m hoping to make printable verse cards, but that hasn’t happened yet because, well, life got in the way. 🙂
So fun to find you through the #raralinkup! I hope you have a victorious week with Jesus by your side!
It’s so nice to meet you, Asheritah! It sounds like we have a lot in common :). I’ll definitely check out those verses. Thanks for sharing them. I think printable cards would be an awesome idea! I know I could use them posted all over my kitchen. I hope you have “a victorious week” as well! So glad to connect with you!
This is such an uplifting post! I also have a tendency to start my day with my phone, then I give my mid-morning to God.. I always have to remind myself of that Audio Adrenaline song, “I want to give this day to you, before my feet hit the ground”.. Anyhoo, great post my friend! – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
That’s a great song, Gingi! What a perfect reminder. Maybe I should change my phone alarm to that one to wake me up with. Right now it’s Mandisa’a Overcomer :).
Candace, Thanks so much for sharing this. I too have been wanting to establish a regular morning routine that includes the important things to start the day. I get into that routine for a while and then things happen with the kids and I’m up in the night and the whole thing gets thrown off and I take a while getting back into it. I’m going to check out HelloMornings. Thanks for all the encouragement here! #RaRaLinkup
I’m the same way, Angela! I do great for a while and then get out of balance again. We are on spring break this week which has thrown me off a bit. Hello Mornings is wonderful. I hope you get a chance to check it out!
What a great, honest, open post. I’m visiting from Kristin’s today.
Thanks, Susan! I’m so glad to have you here today :).
So glad God is working in your mornings. I’m slow going in the mornings, so the accountability always really helps me. Although, of course, I’m not doing any organized study right now. I have been thinking about you because I’m trying to change some food habits and it’s been a good couple weeks with that. I’m adopting the perspective of little changes at a time, so I haven’t been eating desserts. In just two weeks, it’s already making a difference in how I feel. Thanks for your faithfulness at #ThreeWordWednesday.
That’s awesome, Kristin! Two weeks without dessert is wonderful. I totally agree with “little changes at a time.” I let myself get too overwhelmed when I try to do everything at once. I’m doing better about desserts lately. Funny little story: A couple of days ago I had lunch with Mary from Passage Through Grace. The waiter took our uneaten bread away after the meal and I was beaming with pride. We ordered off the light menu and didn’t touch the bread! Well a few minutes later, he brought us a free tiramisu. We didn’t want to hurt his feelings, so we ate it, of course ;). At least we split it and left some on the plate, so I’m not going to beat myself up over it. You will have to come meet us sometime! I promise no dessert :).
Meeting you would be so fun! I’ve been eating less bread too. And this morning my sister-in-law gave me a bag of black jelly beans. 🙂 I think it’s best if I don’t open them right now.
We will have to plan a meet up sometime! I would definitely keep those jelly beans sealed for a while, my friend ;).
I love this! It’s been on my heart too, and one of the main reasons I started blogging, actually. Prayers for you – you’re on the right track!
Thanks so much for the encouragement, Maria! I think it’s the main topic I’m led to share too, although it can be a tough one. Prayers for you as well!
I love your honesty and ability to be “real” with all of us. I love how your writing truly reflects who you are in person as well. I love your monthly updates and hope you continue them.
Meeting with you in person has been the highlight of my week. Face to face conversations and doing life together for an afternoon was such a treasure. Thank you and I look forward to the next time!!! 🙂
It was the highlight of my week too, Mary! I can’t wait to hang out again :). It really meant so much to be face to face with you, my friend.
Thank you for your sweet encouragement here. Being real can be pretty unnerving at times but I know it’s imperative for us as writers. I was wondering when I posted this how long these monthly updates will continue. I don’t see an end in sight anytime in the near future :).
So glad you linked this up at The Weekend Brew. I love seeing your smiling face there! Happy Easter!
Devotions and exercise in the morning make a big difference to my day, and now I need to get that printable 🙂
I’m in the process of adding in the exercise piece. It really makes a difference for me too, Akaleister. The printable is part of their free journal when you start the challenge. I love it! Everything I need for the day is on that one page.
Hi there Candace! I’m visiting you from The Weekend Brew! I’ve looked at Hello Mornings, and think it looks like a great program! I’ll have to check out the printable in the photo! And congratulations to you for progress with turning to God rather than food. You’re inspiration for all of us!
This is my first session with Hello Mornings, Betsy. I see many more in my future! I love the printables. They are in a free journal you get after signing up. I hope you get to participate in one of the upcoming challenges. Thanks so much for your encouragement :)!
That advice from Tyra struck me the most.
Sometimes we want to accomplish more in a short period of time, but that’s just not the way.
One major endeavor at a time. 🙂
Happy Easter!
Her wonderful advice has stayed with me, Lux. I was glad to be able to share it here. I’m always looking for some miraculous overnight change, but as you said, that’s just not how it works. I hope you had a wonderful Easter :)!
So I have cleaned out almost 700 emails and I count that as my SPRING cleaning!! And I *finally* got to your post… I knew I saw it somewhere buried beneath the neglected inbox! 🙂
I giggled out loud when you said that if you had started with the God step first, the rest would go a lot smoother. AMEN to THAT!! Yes? 🙂 Too funny!
I’m so glad you are taking that important time in the morning on your couch to start your day… and fill you with strength for your decisions as you go forward. Good for YOU for working so hard to be healthy and honor your temple, my friend!!
Have a BLESSED Easter!
Wow! That is some serious spring cleaning, Chris. Thanks for taking some time to come visit me :). It is amazing the difference when I put God first. I know this deep in my heart, but sometimes I’m not the best at carrying that out. I hope you had a blessed Easter as well, my friend!
I love how you are meeting with God first. I just went to my book study tonight, and the chapter was about aids to help you get something out of God’s Word. Writing down a verse or a thought from God’s Word was one of them. Sounds like you have a plan that will really help you in this battle.
I’m loving Hello Mornings, Tammy! I’m still working on consistency, but great strides are being made :).