FEARS

Fears....

We all have them.  Songs have even been written about them.  Some of our fears don't even follow logic.  I read about a woman who has a fear of stuffed animals - an inanimate object.  What about those fears that are somewhat founded - a fear of snakes?  or how about the one that hides and lurks in the backs of so many of our minds...the fear of failure? 

God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  (2Tim1:7)

Overcoming our fears is not often something we can do on our own.  Some of our fears are so deep rooted that we don't even acknowledge them and even the world says 'You cannot change that which you do not acknowledge.'  Some of the 'overcoming' that we need to do needs to begin with some 'soul searching'.  I used to be a smoker.  As a smoker, I used to smell like cigarettes and I had a smoker's cough.  I could treat those symptoms - I washed my hair frequently and used various cough suppressants and I could temporarily remove (or disguise) the effects of my problem.  My real problem.  The REAL problem was NEVER the cough or the funky hair.  It was the cigarettes.  (I could go deeper and actually show that the cigarettes were not the 'root' cause either, but for the purposes of this piece...you get the point). 

Obesity and being overweight is NOT THE ROOT CAUSE OF OUR PROBLEM.  It is a symptom.  We can treat 'symptoms' but we can't 'CURE' them because THEY ARE SYMPTOMS.  (You can't 'cure' a symptom you can only MASK it).  And to be brutally honest, we spend too much time trying to 'cover up' our symptoms and don't give ANY attention at all the the problems.  We wanna find a quick fix to the 'fat':  Juicers, prepared/pre-packaged food, ultra exercise, fasting, Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil, Oprah - who ever EVERY SINGLE THING out there is only meant to treat the symptom - our fat. 

But the root cause for many of us is that we don't value ourselves.  Yes, you'll disagree.  "I love myself' we say.  'I'm the bomb.com' or 'I love me some me'.  But just like the word of God says, 'If you love me, keep my commands' if we REALLY loved us we'd be doing what we need to do to get and be and STAY healthy.  It takes EFFORT!  YES!!!  But aren't you worth it?  Or are you just afraid that you'll fail anyway...so why bother to try?

I'd like to hear your answers...Don't worry - I'll wait...

For more info on Back to Eden:  The Christian Approach to Weight Loss call Lisa Thatch - 704-493-2035 or email thatchl@yahoo.com

Back on Track to Eden: Goal Setting 1-2-3

For Your Health:
Goal-Setting 1-2-3
If you didn't succeed with your 2011 resolution, then you need to do something different to succeed with 2012's. Try these three steps (and four bonus tips!) to set and meet your New Year's goal.

If you're trying to lose weight, you probably already have a good idea of where you want to be: back in your old jeans with the 34" waist, or in your favorite size-6 dress, for instance. But let's hold off on that long-term goal to start...

1. Create an Action Plan

Before you get too attached to a goal weight and a target date, set an Action Plan. That is, decide what you will realistically do to achieve your goal. How often will you exercise? What dietary changes will you make?

An Action Plan takes the guesswork out of your resolution. It doesn't just answer 'what' and 'when' like a goal does; an Action Plan tells you 'how.' It also prevents you from 'resolving' to lose too much weight, too soon, which will only discourage you.

Better still, an Action Plan defines success by your efforts every day: if you follow your plan (get to the gym and have fresh fruit for dessert, for example) you've succeeded! By contrast, even a realistic long-term goal may leave you waiting for months before you can say "I did it!"

To help you stick to your Action Plan, write it down; putting it in black and white helps steel your resolve. Then notify your support network - your friends, family, and anyone you can count on for positive reinforcement.

2. Set a Long-term Goal

Give your Action Plan a couple of weeks. Once you know how effective it is - how much progress you make when you follow it - you can then figure out how long it will really take to reach your final goal. In other words, you can now set a fact-based Long-term Goal.

To set that Long-term Goal, you can either proceed with - or revise - your Action Plan. For example, if your final goal is to lose 20 pounds, and your Action Plan shed one pound a week, then you can either:

Set a Long-term Goal to stay the course for 20 weeks total, or...
Revise your Action Plan for more activity and fewer calories to get their sooner.
3. Set your 1st Short-term Goal

While you work toward achieving your Long-term Goal, you should set Short-Term Goals to keep you excited along the way.

If your Long-term Goal will take six months to achieve, then you might plan a series of one-month goals (i.e. double what your Action Plan tells you that you can achieve in two weeks).

Plus 4 Tips to Keep You on Track

▪ Be patient with yourself. It may take longer than expected, and it will certainly take longer than you'd like. If you didn't gain it overnight, then don't expect to lose it overnight either.

Also, consider how long you waited to start. If you're like most people, you procrastinated for longer than the resolution itself will take to achieve! If you've already proven that you can be patient with getting nowhere, then being patient with progress should be easy.

▪ Be forgiving if you have a few setbacks. Most of us do. It's your ability to get back in the saddle that will make the difference!

▪ Remind yourself why you're doing this. You might put an appropriate photo or Post-It note where you'll see it regularly:

Want to fit your old jeans? Then choose a picture of yourself from when you could; or hang the jeans near your refrigerator!
Trying to dodge a family history of heart disease? Then perhaps pick a photo of a loved one who suffered from it.
Tired of getting winded climbing the stairs? Then post words of encouragement at the top and bottom of those stairs.
▪ Reward yourself for each Short-term Goal that you achieve. Don't reward with anything that will slow your progress. (Hopefully, your Action Plan allows a little leeway for you to enjoy some of your favorite foods, though less often and in smaller quantities).

You could buy yourself something, but instead, reward with an experience. Research into happiness tells us that money spent on an event brings more satisfaction than money spent on a thing. So take a friend out to dinner, go dancing, get a massage, or do whatever you find fun and don't do often enough.

Of course, getting and staying fit is its own reward. It helps you feel better, fills you with pride, and signals your body to release mood-boosting hormones for an all-natural 'high.' We all want to enjoy the finer things in life; just remember that physical activity is one of them.

Who do you think you are?

Running for your life.
Hated.
Disregarded by your family.
Misunderstood.
Tired.
Confused.
Alone.

Can you imagine my confusion?  I served him honorably.  Both personally, in his private chamber, soothing his sullen spirit and publicly bearing arms to fight a formidable adversary.  I kept going, even after having been overlooked by my own father.  He didn't even consider me when calling the family in for the special dinner.  Now I'm on the run, hiding, fearing for my life, going to my enemies for cover.  Can I really be the one?  Am I the one you intend to establish forever?  Speak to my fears.  Strengthen my gait.  Encourage my heart that I may encourage myself. 

- King David, in the valley of the shadow of death.

Don't allow where you are right now make you forsake your destiny!

Cane Creek UPDATE:
Ladies,

Please send in your payments:
Lisa Thatch
3225 Sunset Road
Charlotte, NC 28216

or Paypal.com to thatchl@yahoo.com or call and I can take a credit card payment on the phone.

The itinerary is shaping up nicely.  If you have not already RSVP'd please do as soon as possible, there are still spots available.

The dates are Oct 21-23, 2011.  Cost is $60.

Grateful!

I haven't written much of anything in a long time but today I was reading one of my notes from 2010.  At that time I was looking at a note from 2008.  I was angry that I was 215lbs at that time but then when I saw the note (from 2008) I was reminded that I was 241lbs at that time!  Now its 2011 and I can't even imagine EVER having been 241lbs at 4'11'' tall.  But I was.  As much as I am dissapointed at myself for having gained back almost 15lbs I have to remind myself that as of April 2010 I was 185 lbs!!!  and that was something to be GRATEFUL FOR!  What's more, 'I' did it!  No pills, no drugs, no hypnosis, no shakes, real food and real sweat with LOTS OF PRAYER!  All of which is in great supply. 

So as I regroup (again) I realize that the same way we (God and me) showed the devil back in 2008 that I am more than a conqueror is the same way in 2011 that we (God and me - MORE GOD than me) will show the devil in 2011 that I am MORE THAN A CONQUEROR!  I am grateful for the set back (again).  I am grateful for everyone of these 15 lbs (that I completely HATE).  I am GRATEFUL for the gift of God which is Christ and the knowledge that I am overcome by the words of my testimony!!!

I'm tired of this weight and I'm tired of all the fears and anger that I'm hiding in the folds of each layer of fat.  I'm tired of starting over and I'm tired of all the setbacks.  I'm tired of sabotaging myself and allowing others to sabotage me.  I'm tired of allowing myself to forget who I am and more importantly WHOSE I am!!  I'm tired of hiding and I'm tired of worrying.  I'm GRATEFUL for all the failed 'yesterday's' and all they taught me and  most of all  I'm GRATEFUL for TODAY AND EACH AND EVERY TOMORRROW!!

I am also grateful that I am reminded that this is a JOURNEY and what I have learned is that I took the 'goal weight' as a destination thinking that when I got there - I had arrived.  That was the biggest mistake.  Thinking that the journey was over when I got to that magic number.  Maintaining a healthy relationship with food (for me) is as much of a day to day journey as sobriety for an alcholic.  Thinking that I had 'arrived' was the beginning of my downfall.  Thinking more  highly of myself than I ought.  Forgetting that when I am 'weak yet am I strong'.  Forgetting to surrender EACH AND EVERY DAY to God and asking for His help and guidance on this journey. 

I am now fully persuaded that neither life nor death nor cake nor pie nor success nor failure can separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus.  Thinking that my failure is my finish is a trick of the adversary and what I sometimes forget is that I am MORE THAN A CONQUEROR!!!

and so are YOU!!!

2nd Annual Back to Eden Retreat - CANE CREEK

Ladies,

Its that time again! Are you ready for it? This year we have a special treat planned for us. We will have a specially chartered pontoon boat taking our group around the lake to take in all the beauty and serenity of it all. The itinerary is still being developed and as always - this is YOUR retreat so I need YOUR input.

October 21st, 2011 - Friday night's meet and greet - campfire pajama party replete with s'more (yeah, I didn't leave off the s...U know you only get one:)

October 22nd, 2011 - Saturday will be chocked full of fun activities - mini-boot camp; lunch on the lake, pontoon boat ride and free time to explore the campsite - miniture golf ($2) and pedal boats ($3). And of course dinner and our infamous award ceremony.

Octobeer 23rd, 2011 - Sunday - Say our good byes/continental breakfast & coffee and make our way to Sunday 11am morning service. You are welcome to come to services at my church if you are from out of town. Just need to know ahead of time so that I can make arrangements to feed whomever stays after church.

As always, I endeavor to keep costs as low as possible. This weekend locked in at $60. Remember, the cabins sleep 6 and you will need to bring your own bedding. Each cabin contains a mini fridge; so once we get monies in and room assignments folks can work together for snacks and or whatever they might want 'room by room'. Date is October 21-23rd, 2011.

I sincerely hope everyone is able to come and I know that God will orchestrate exactly who 'needs' to come to be there.

I got NEXT!!!

He was brought by the pool to wait for his healing.  He had been sick over 38 years...so long to keep believing that things could possibly change for him.  Day after day seeing people step in and come out whole.  "OHHH....the water is stirring...I see it," only to look around and realize he had no way to get to it.  Day after day being brought to the water, this close...THIS CLOSE...but not close enough.  'This person is whole and that person is whole and I'm still sitting here...' Sadness and hopelessness surround him even him as others are all around him dissapointed but only ONE will be made whole. Only the first to make it in will receive their healing.  Suddenly, tapped on the shoulder, by what looked to him like a stranger but unbeknownst to him He was aware of the years that he lie in that state. 

Sitting by the pool, waiting for the water to stir only to be yet again dissapointed because someone else got theirs...'When will I be next?' 'Will you be made whole?' Jesus asks him.  Probably thinking, 'What a dumb question!  I'm out here EVERY DAGGONE day!  If it didn't want to be whole I'd just stay home wouldn't I?!?!'  But he responds instead, 'I have no one to help me when the water stirs so I miss my turn.' Jesus says to him, 'Rise up, take your bed and WALK!'  (John 5:2-9 paraphrased and inference added)

I'm so glad this morning even as I think of all the excuses - even valid ones - that I have made as to why I could not, have not, did not receive the blessings and promises of God that through Christ I GOT NEXT!!!  Just getting up and being reminded that as long as there is breath in my body I can praise God!  I can cry out to the giver of life for strength and the best part is when I call on Him...HE ANSWERS!  I got NEXT!  He did it before and He'll do it again!!  I got NEXT!  Thankful for the faith to persevere and keep walking on water. 

Praise Reports!!
Lisa 'Indyatalks' Thatch down 6lbs!!!  Starting over ain't easy - but with Christ ALL THINGS are possible!!
Kathy M. down 3lbs in one week!  - GO GURL...ya bones is showin'! 

Rejoice in the Lord in EVERY trial and every triumph just keep TRYING.  Don't give up and remember YOU GOT NEXT!!!

Receipe: (This one if for our Spa Day Luncheon tomorrow)
Tomato Basil Shrimp with Pasta
2 Tblsp FRESH Basil - Chopped
2lbs Shrimp peeled/deveined
1qt Cherry Tomatoes cut in 1/2
2 Tblsp Garlic, chopped
2 Tblsp Olive oil
2 Tblsp Low Sodium Chicken broth
Lite salt/pepper to taste

In large frying pan add oil and bring up to medium temp lightly brown garlic, pan sear shrimp on each side for 3-4 mins each side.  Add basil, garlic, tomatoes, season with salt pepper.  Add broth.

Cook rice pasta according to package directions (rinsing thoroughly).  Toss with 1 tsp olive oil and parsley flakes.  Top with shrimp/tomato/basil mixture and ENJOY!!!

Prayer:  Lord, continue to bless us and keep us.  Remind us to trust you daily for our daily bread.  Thank you for forgiveness and starting over.  We bless your name and we praise you in all that we do.  In Jesus' name!!!

Back to Eden Spa Day-Money Due

Ladies,

Non-refundable fee of $30 is due Friday (no later than Sunday) to secure your spot.  Please contact me to turn in your money ASAP.  We have folks on the waiting list at this point and we want to be fair not to exclude anyone who has already RSVP'd.

Remember, your $30 pays for your 30 minute massage, lunch, drinks and activites for July 23rd, 2011 from 1pm - 6pm.  An itinerary/schedule will be sent out so that you can be sure that you are present for whatever activities you want to participate in and also be sure to be on time for your scheduled massage.  If you have any time constraints, please make me aware as soon as possible.

Thank you!!!

Meanwhile...keep walking on water!