You can write this prayer on an index card so you can keep it in your pocketbook or suit pocket to read whenever you need a boost, perhaps as you head to a restaurant at lunchtime or before sitting down to dinner.
Dear God,
The Bible says if I acknowledge you in all my ways (in everything I do), you will direct my path (lead me every step of the way). The Bible also says that all power in heaven and on earth belongs to you. Therefore, I am relying on your power to lead me through every step of this program. I am relying on your power to strengthen me and help me overcome any and all challenges. I am relying on your power to give me energy when I just don't feel like doing it. I am relying on your power to renew my mind, and my taste buds, so I can make better food choices. I am relying on your power to help me make healthy lifestyle changes a permanent part of my life, so I can be all you created me to be. I am going to do what I humanly can, while relying on your power to do what I can't. I believe according to Your Word that it is possible for me to finally win this battle of the bulge and get the results I've been long waiting for. I am now thanking you in advance for your help as I go through the Fit for God program. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
ACTIVITIES
1. Speak your desires into existence. Look in the mirror each morning, right into your own eyes, and make a positive statement such as, "This is temporary, this weight is coming off, and I will be healthy, fir, energetic, and free. I look forward to my new freedom."
2. Study the Scriptures. Record your Scripture Studies on index cards so you can carry them with you. Throughout this book I include what I call Study Scriptures that pertain to the topics in each week of the Fit for God program. Write them in your journal. Repetition will make them become a part of your permanent thinking. Try Psalm 139:14 - " . I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well." And Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me."
3.Write down the good in your life. Write at least five examples in your journal. Some of my personal examples are: God gave me three beautiful, healthy daughters, God gave me a beautiful mother, a fun-loving father, and four loving brothers and sisters; God has always met all of my basic needs such as shelter, food, and clothes, even during times when I really didn't know how I was going to make it; God has given me another opportunity live healthier. I'm free through Christ Jesus, and one day I'm going to spend eternity with Him.
4. Write down five things you like about yourself. Please include two or three statements about your physical appearance. My personal journal entries when I was overweight included: I like my almond-shaped eyes; I like my smile; I like the love and compassion for other that God has given me; I like my attitude of laughter; I have nice feet.
5. Pay attention to your thought pattern. A) Think about the health goal you want to achieve. B) Write down the negative thoughts that come to mind. C) Write down the opposite of the negative thought, or a positive affirmation, five times. Read the affirmation aloud.
Example: Goal - a) I want to lose weight and tone my body; b) Negative thought: I'll never lose this weight and get firm; c) Affirmation: I will lose weight and get firm (repeat five times).
7. Walk. Walk in your own neighborhood for ten minutes. If you have to, take the dog for a walk, or walk in your favorite mall. Don't stop to look or shop. Many malls have early-morning walking programs before the stores open. When you're ready, join a mall program. If you live near a park you may find people walking there also; or when you're parking to go in a store, don't always choose the space closest to the door; try parking a couple of blocks away or across the lot.
If you have a sit-down job, make it a habit to get up and walk. For example, if you have to use the restroom, use the one farthest down the hall. If you ride the subway, walk up the escalators. If you catch a bus, walk to the stop a little further down the road. Make walking a part of your daily health routine.
TIP: Memorize your Study Scriptures and repeat them in your mind or aloud while you walk. You'll soon discover that you are walking by faith because faith comes and grows only by the Word of God.
8. Get a journal. It doesn't have to be a fancy book; it can be a spiral notebook. After speaking aloud your positive statement, record it and the date in your journal. Do this each day. You don't have to have a different statement every day. You can repeat the same statement until you feel like saying another one.
Writing in a journal will play an important role in your success. Write to your heart's content. Write down what you eat, how you feel and the emotions that trigger your overeating. Write down where you are and how who you are with when you overeat. Write down the issues you are aware of when you start and those you discover along the way. Write your weekly and monthly goals. Just write to God. Habakkuk 2:2-3 read, "The the Lord answered me and said: Write down the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."
Habakkuk was a prophet of God who was deeply disturbed about the injustice and darkness he saw in Judah's society. He asked God who long He would allow these conditions to remain among His people. He made a desperate appeal to God asking him when things would change. When God answered Habakkuk, instead of telling him when things would change, God told him to write and wait.
Although God wasn't referring to weight loss, this is a biblical principle that we can still use today. I can definitely relate to the importance of writing and waiting or being a "writer in wait." In addition to changing my eating habits and becoming more active, writing was one of the most important things I did to help myself lose weight and win the battle of the bulge. Once I got in the writing habit, there were many times when I was emotionally upset, but instead of grabbing a bag of chips or a box of cookies I grabbed my journal. Instead of allowing my spoon to do the damage by eating a whole pint of ice-cream at one sitting, I used my pen to write out my negative emotions. By the time I was finished, my mad craving to overindulge had completely subsided. This was how I discovered the moods or attitudes that affected my intake of food. As I waited for my results, I wrote. This is what God was telling Habakkuk. He told him to write the vision and be patient. It may seem like it's taking a while, but it will surely come at the "write" time.
While you're waiting for your results, write and be patient. If you lose weight too fast without discovering the reasons why you overeat and learning how to deal with your issues, you'll regain the weight fast. But if you're writing and waiting, you'll discover so much about you and your eating habits. And before you know it, you'll get the results you want and will learn how to keep them. Also remember to keep the faith as you're waiting. Habakkuk 2:4 read, "But the just shall live by his faith." So your faith and trust in God being there will strengthen you as you're waiting for your results. Discover the freedom and victory in writing, and while you're waiting, learn how to enjoy the good in your life. As a matter of fact, write down the good, too.
Create a positive attitude by getting rid of the issues that may be stopping you.
The Word of God can help you overcome any obstacle in your life. If you've allowed one of these reasons to stop you from being healthy, read and meditate on the Scripture that relates to your issue.
