Monday, July 23, 2012

Seek God

I've done two 3 days juice cleanses before. This is my first 5 day. It's definitely been easier this time around for a few reasons, I believe. I still got a late afternoon headache on day 3, and felt a little weaker than usual on day 4, but overall, my spirt and body feel tremendous. The key to a cleanse is to drink a lot of water during the day. I tend to get headaches easily when I don't eat or drink enough, and this has been no exception. I've reminded myself to carry around a water bottle while I'm out and stopped for an iced tea a few times (definitely not on the plan b/c of the caffeine, but I needed it at the time). Yesterday during dinner, I ate 4 olives and a date we picked up from the farmers market that morning. I know... not a big deal, but just recording every detail for you. :)

My stomach is much flatter than it was a week ago and it's definitely "shrunk". By that I mean I can't push out my stomach to make myself look 4 months pregnant if I tried. Which also means that when I reintroduce solid foods, I will naturally eat smaller portions because my stomach will be full faster. In Reshaping It All, I talk about eating until your satisfied, not full. After you've eaten half your meal, pause and ask yourself if you're satisfied. If you are, wrap up the other half for later, or bring it home for one of your family members to munch on as a snack. Most of the time, we'll see the portion of food on our plate and eat it without considering if we really need that much. You'll be surprised at how much less you'll eat by asking yourself when you're satisfied, not full and listening to your body. Let me know how that works for you! 

Aside from having done a cleanse before and knowing what to expect, I believe a biggest reason this cleanse has been so good this time around is because I've been in the right frame of mind and because I feel connected to and am seeking God on my journey. I've invited God each and every morning to join me and help me make good decisions minute by minute. I've been prayerful and diligent to get together with Him each morning and talk with Him. He's encouraged me, comforted me, held me, given me hope, given me strength, given me patience, given me endurance, given me passion, and sustained me. Obviously, I'm not just talking about this through the cleanse, but in life. I can't do one aspect of life without Him because when I try, I either fail, or am left so empty I don't understand where I went wrong. "Oh, I forgot to bring God on this journey". Or, "oh, I forgot to ask God about whether or not its something He wants for my life". And with every prayer, I must follow up by reading the word of God. If I don't, I'm simply going on my own gut feelings as to what I think God wants me to do. Do you ever just take things as a sign? Oh, I prayed about that... and isn't it a coincidence that this just happened? It must be God answering! Um.... it certainly could be, but the bible gives us instruction, and if our whimsy feelings don't coincide with the written word of God, it safe to say, it's not an answer from God. 

So prayerfully offer up EVERYTHING to God. Seek His face in your journey. But don't neglect to read your bible every day. His words will give you strength and endurance for the road ahead of you. The holy spirit will nudge you on those little decisions you're making that could be better. Be eager to do what is good. 

If you feel silly about asking God to help you lose weight or these last 10 pounds,  here's a prayer that might be helpful. Talk to God about something like this:

Heavenly Father,

It feels a little silly or even vain to be asking you to help me lose weight. I know that you love me no matter what size I am or what the number is on the scale, but Lord, I don't feel as good and as healthy as I'd like to be. My body is a holy temple, built for you to dwell in. I want to honor that. I want my body to feel good and I want to display a self-controlled life on the outside as well as the inside. With the power of the holy spirit who lives in me, help me to exercise self-control today. Nudge me to say no to the foods that aren't beneficial to me. Encourage me to do the work it takes to get this weight off. I want to feel like the beautiful women you created me to be on the inside and outside. Allow me to hear your spirit today and talk to me when I'm faced with a difficult decision. Even if that  decision is between eating a few cookies or eating a peach instead. Let me see your glory and find the miracles in the self control you give me today. Amen. 





24 comments:

  1. I just love reading your blogs, and the fact that YOU are doing it yourself, is even more inspiring. Thank you for being the Godly person you are :).

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  2. Thank you so much for sharing that prayer. I did, in fact, feel silly asking God for help with losing weight, but this prayer gives me a way to ask him for help with it. THANK YOU!

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  3. Thank you for posting this! Especially the prayer at the end. I have been battling my weight for a long time and have gone through many fad diets. I didn't know what to pray for because I did feel silly and selfish asking God to help me through this. I now realize it was silly and selfish to NOT ask! Again, thank you for writing this; it has definitely inspired me and given me a renewed hope.

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  5. OK I just don't buy any of this cleanse stuff- it sounds unhealthy and scary when you say you ate only 4 olives in 3 days!! I have lost 20 lbs in the last 5 months. Maybe that is slow progress, but I am learning to eat healthy foods and exercise everyday. I feel great and eat everyday. Candace you are in a position of responsibility and it scares me to think how many people are listening tot his "advice" of your. You are coming off as a very shallow kind of girl. So many young girls with eating disorders stop eating because of advice like this. :( you need more then juice.

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    1. not sure if you believe in the holy bible or the teachings of jesus christ. but this is also called fasting. time to stop something that takes your attention away from our God. some drink water for a few days too. also this gives a chance for your bowels to be cleansed. remember, its not just juice. but she's drinking her fruits n veggies. how much more natural can we be to just eat fruit n veggies. it s what our God created for us to eat.

      i welcome all comments:)

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    2. Mom (Someone's Mom, not Candace's :) )July 23, 2012 at 12:07 PM

      @ Anonymous - Respectfully, whenever Jesus Christ fasted, He abstained from drink and food. No juicing, no vegetables, and he certainly didn't do it to lose weight. I'm not knocking what Candace is doing or why - that's her business - but it's inaccurate to compare Biblical fasting with a weight loss plan.

      People confuse why Daniel lived on pulse. He didn't do it to lose weight, he didn't do it because God wants us to eat fruits and veggies only (after all, God said animals are made for meat, and the Word also said there will be those in the last days who erroneously claim it's wrong to eat meat). Daniel ate only pulse and drank only water because all other foods were offered to idols. So the essence of the message is to avoid idolatry, not to eat fruits and vegetables.

      I personally think juice cleanses are unhealthy. So does my doctor, who says he sees a link between adult onset diabetes and juicing. However, it's between Candace and God what she decides to eat and drink. I think she's a doll and I wish her well.

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    3. @mom-thank you for responding to my post. please review the Word of God. it does not say Jesus was thirsty when he fasted, but hungry. because Jesus is 100% man and 100% God, it is safe to say Jesus drank during His 40 fast.

      it is true that i am looking at this as a fast. i see candance reaching out to God as she is abstaining from solid food and asking for His directives.

      however, you do make a point that weighloss is seperate from fasting. i can agree. but is it possible to do both?

      i would love to hear more of what you, others, and ofcourse candance thinks. all i want to do is grow in the Lord with you all and loose weight at the same time.

      lots of love....
      anonymous "J"

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    4. anonymous, you keep referring to Candace only eating 4 olives for dinner. Please go back and read the post again, that is not what she said. She is doing a "juice cleanse" and will get plenty of fuel from the juice. She just stated that she basically "cheated" and ate 4 olives. When you do a fast, you FAST from all other things. This program that she is on gives her TONS of fruits and veggies. Please go see the website and read what is there.

      I have a hard time believing that juicing causes diabetes. I have several members in my family and my hubby's family that have adult onset. I am the only juicer in the family and am one of the only ones that doesnt have it. Dont get me wrong, I am sure that there are some folks out there that only juice fruit..that is a LOT of sugar. That is not the proper way to do it. You need to juice kale, spinach, collards, chard, carrots, beets etc. Dandelion is amazing in juice as well as wheat grass. These all have a ton of beneficial properties. Loaded with vitamins, minerals and live enzymes.

      Also, please reconsider your comment about Candace sounding shallow. She is anything but. As she herself stated, she is not doing this so that she can be rail thin. She wants her body to be a temple for the Lord...inside and out. Self control is a fruit of the Spirit and what a better place to start than to stop making food an idol.

      Candace, I am so proud of you. Keep up the good work. You are such a Godly example to so many.

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  6. Thank you so much for sharing this! It is exactly what I needed to hear today!

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  7. Candace!
    Since reading Reshaping it all I have learned to tell when I am satisfied not full! However for a 4 foot 11 girl it stinks because I really only need a little bit of food to be healthy... but FOOD is sooo goood :)))) Watching my super tall brothers eat bigger portions is simply unfair!! Haha

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  8. thanks for sharing...I believe it's perfectly fine, especially because you are incorporating the Lord into it (kind of like a fast)....I juice every morning but still eat..I am actually thinking of doing this for five days like you have ...you have all your vitamins in the drink and the water paired w/it should be okay.. so I don't see any harm if it's only for 5 days...but if people have concerns, then they might just try a piece of wheat toast in the morning & a small salad maybe w/a hard boiled egg for dinner... =) (my juice consists usually of apples, oranges, carrots, grapes, & strawberries..)

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  9. Were you really well-fed after you've eaten just four olives? That's what makes me interested in your blog today!

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  10. Hi, Candace! I'm a huge fan from Brazil.

    You just wrote something that I never thought about: "I want to display a self-controlled life on the outside as well as the inside." This is a big revelation to me. I feel like my head is spinning so fast, I can barely wrap around my mind around this sentence. It is all about control.

    I'm about 20 pounds overweight(still haven't shed the baby weight. P.S: my babies are 6 and 8 years old. Sad, eh?) and as much as I try to diet I can't control myself. And that's how people see us. That's how I see someone overweight(for example, eating at mc donald's. I'm like, they really shouldn't be eating here- but other people probably see me like that too.) Unless they have a genetic condition... You just opened up my mind. I'm starting now, I'm taking back my life. I feel sluggish all the time, I don't have the energy to play with my kids, I'm constantly in a bad mood and I hate shopping more than anything, because the clothes don't fit me like I wanted them to. And as much as I like to tell myself I don't care about what people think, but I care about what I think and I'm not being good to my body.

    Well, still haven't had lunch. It's a little past 2 pm here in Rio and thank the Lord I read this before I did. I'm going to the market to get fruits, a whole bunch of veggies and my meals will be planned with healthier dishes.

    Candace, I can't thank you enough for this insight.
    All my love, to you and your gorgeous family.
    - Melissa.

    P.s: See how the Lord works? I woke up late, cause I have the flu and I'm not feeling good today. Last night I had downloaded a fitness program dvd and I started working out, even though I'm sick and I had to rest. So, I sat on the couch and I was going through my facebook when I saw your blog update. Must be God trying to tell me something.

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  11. I am so thankful that you have begun writing in this blog and sharing your thoughts and your journey. I have a much longer journey to take (doctor wants at least 60-70 lbs gone and ultimately leading to losing another 40-60 after that). I weigh 277 lbs. He wants me close to 200 as soon as possible but ultimately 150-160lbs.

    I feel fat. I feel ugly. I feel nasty. I feel trapped. I love food. I love eating. And I can't wrap my mind around why I am struggling with changing this! Even the thought of getting up and reading my bible and reaching for God to help me seems to be such a struggle to do! I ask for prayers from you and from all of the ladies reading. I am so tired of looking down and seeing what I see. And now I am discovering that my weight gain is going to my middle...creating a lovely intertube effect. I've never been bothered by my weight, but now....ugh. I'm tired before I even think to begin.

    Lori

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    1. @lori-the question is do u believe? when u believe it, u will slowly make changes walking in your faith. it is a struggle to face our fears...God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind:)

      "J"

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  12. Lori,
    You can't wrap your mind around why you are struggling because of the horrible thoughts in your mind..."I feel fat, ugly, nasty..." Those are not helpful things to be saying to yourself. Stop using harmful and hurtful words to describe yourself (i.e. innertube). Would you say those things to someone else, facing the same struggles as you? Would you say those things to Candace or agree with her if she wrote them in her blog. Of course not! So why would you say them to yourself? Start by taking one small step on the long journey ahead and practicing COMPASSION with yourself. Give yourself some credit. The mind can only hold one thought at a time so why not make it the most wonderful, positive, kind thought you possibly can!
    I will pray for you to find strength and kindness.

    audrey

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    1. @ audrey...wonderful Godly advice...

      "J"

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  13. so proud of you Candace and all you others who are trying to get healthy. keep up the good work. i am currently doing a 90 day challenge and have seen some amazing results. the pounds are steadily going down and i'm feeling amazing. www.startchangingtoday.com
    Amanda

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  14. Thank you for posting this! Thomas // Germany

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  15. Candice, thank you for posting your journey. I am on day 8 of a 20 day juice fast. It's been hard but I believe God has called me to do this to break a generational curse and to deliver me from an addiction to food. He is also revealing to me that I've for far too long looked to, longed for, and had a love affair with food. When all the while He has wanted me to have this relationship with Him. I've still a ways to go but everyday God reveals more sweet nuggets of truth to me. I can't wait to see what He does next.

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  16. Lori,

    What you wrote sounds just like me. I have been where you are. I have thought about myself what you have thought about yourself. I have 100 lbs to lose and the road looks too long for me to make it. But I have found like Candace said that the only times I have ever been successful were times when I was fully in touch with God- through prayer and Bible reading. And only then when I realized (through Candace's book!) that my relationship with food is a sin problem and I had never fully let go of it. I liked to keep it on the side to go back to it when everything falls apart- instead of trusting in God. It is easier for me to throw a pity party for myself, and that's exactly where Satan wants me to be- down on myself. I hope it helps to know that you're not alone in these struggles. It is a battle for me everyday. But I finally believe that I'm worth it. And you are too! :)


    Candace,
    Thank you for putting yourself out there for the Lord. You are so humble in sharing your faith and such a witness to so many. I have a hard time with self control and discipline, and you are such an awesome example for me to look up to. THANK YOU!! :)

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  17. I ENJOY READING ALL THAT YOU BLOG ABOUT. I HAVE FRIENDS THAT HAVE STARTED TAKING THE JUICE PLUS VITAMINS THAT YOU SPOKE OFF. MOST PEOPLE WHO JUICE AND THEN GO BACK TO REGULAR MEALS FIND THAT AT TIMES IT PUTS MORE WEIGHT ON THEM.
    MY RECOMMENDATION TO ANYONE THAT WANTS TO JUICE,TAKE VITAMINS OF ANY KIND, OR ANY OTHER DIET OF ANYKIND. NEEDS TO SPEAK WITH THEIR PCP TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE HEALTHY AND THAT THE ABOVE IS OK FOR THEM AND THEIR HEALTH AND THAT THE GOOD OF IT WILL OUTWAY THE BAD.
    I HAVE FAITH, READ MY BIBLE, AND FOLLOW GODS WORD. HOWEVER GOD ALSO PUT PCP'S ON THIS EARTH SO THAT THEY CAN HELP HIM HELP US TO STAY HEALTHY AND DO WHAT WILL BE HEALTHY FOR OUR BODIES. I HAD A FRIEND THAT WAS 215LBS AND WE ALL STARTED A WALKING ROUTINE AND EATING BETTER FOOD AND NO FAST FOOD. WE ATE ONLY WHEN HUNGARY AND NOT STRESSED AND ATE UNTIL WE WERE SATISFIED AND THEN STOPPED. BUT WE ALSO WENT AND MADE SURE THAT WE WERE ALL HEALTHY ENOUGH TO TRY ALL OF THIS. AFTER A YEAR ALOT OF US LOST WEIGHT BUT SHE LOST THE MOST SHE NOW WEIGHS A HEALTY 123LBS AND HAS MANAGED TO KEEP THE WEIGHT OFF FOR 2 AND 1/2 YEARS. AND SHE AS DO WE EAT BUT WE STILL WALK AND OUR LITTLE WALKING GROUP HAS REALLY GROWN.
    I HAVE TO SAY FOR MYSELF I LOVE THE OUTDOOR WALKING. IT HELPS TO CLEAR YOUR MIND AND YOU FEEL SO MUCH BETTER ALL THE WAY AROUND. AND I HAVE HAD PEOPLE DRIVE PAST AND STOP AND ASK ME IF I WAS PRAYING AND I TOLD THEM YES. I LOVE TO PRAY WHEN I AM OUTDOORS. I FEEL SO FREE AND SO PEACEFUL AND OVERALL I AM HEALTHIER. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE INCLUDING CANDACE WHO IS A SWEETHEART MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET YOUR PCP'S ADVICE AND APPROVAL FIRST. GOD BLESS CANDACE AND ALL THE REST OF YOU.

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  18. Thank you so much for sharing this! I am seeking God's will to discover His calling for my life and the past few wks my eating has been horrible. I've felt God give me strength to run longer than ever and felt so silly to give in self-indulgence and cravings. It has really been an obstacle and distraction in seeking His will. This post and especially the prayer is exactly what I needed! Thank you! You are such and inspiration!
    ~Crystal
    Homemaker in heels

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