Ignorant Historian

I’ve mentioned this book twice in the past month. Love to Eat, Hate to Eat is the book that I preferred over the still-good Made to Crave, and is the other book I chose to read based on my desires to really address my food and laziness idols.

Because that’s really what my issues were with diet and exercise. Idols. Or actually they’re only one idol, the idol of pleasure. An idol that I frequently serve when I’m making small decisions, like what to eat or what to do.

Elyse Fitzpatrick does an excellent job of biblically addressing eating issues, no matter what those are for you. Perhaps you struggle like me with overeating. Or perhaps you “hate to eat,” and struggle with anorexic or bulimic tendencies. Whichever is the case for you, Fitzpatrick accurately identifies the root causes of both as matters of sinful hearts.

I’m in the process of memorizing the 12 questions and the corresponding verses found in the book and here. I’ve also posted them on my fridge, so I have no excuse. I may always struggle with these idols, but I’m willing to put in the long-term effort to address them.

While the fruits of the fight shouldn’t be my goal, I’ve already reaped the benefits, feeling better than I have in a long time. My clothes are starting to fall off me, and I can comfortably fit in clothes that once were too tight. Presumably losing weight makes me more attractive to my future husband. My doctor lit up when I visited her last week for a follow-up appointment (I was down about 20 pounds from the last time I visited her). While I was once well on my way towards diabetes and other weight-related issues, I’m now heading in the other direction.

I’m sorry I don’t have more to say other than “read it!” I can’t say anything more than to say that this book (excepting the Holy Spirit and God’s Word) has done the most to help down the right path. And really, that’s a lot to say.

Since the end of tax season, I’ve been working on getting new (and old) habits in place.  I thrive on a routine, so I knew that establishing a good one early was key.

One of my major problems for both healthy living and a healthy budget is the amount of fast food I was eating.  Part of that was fueled by the stress and busyness of tax season, and part of that is just my weakness for junk food and ice cream.

So, once tax season was over, I made the plan of not eating out unless:

1.) I’m with a friend.

or

2.) My schedule requires it (usually just on Wednesdays).

It’s not been easy.  And I’ve not been perfect, either.  If I was graded, I’d probably have just barely squeaked out a C that first week.

But I’m doing much better than I would have been if I hadn’t even tried.

As hard as it is to admit, food is an idol in my life.  I really wish it was something that you could quit cold turkey. Progress would be easily measured then.  Instead, I’ve been having to work on ways to not let my desire for food rule me.

One thing our pastor said Sunday in his sermon on lust and purity was this: Say “Sex is not my religion.  Jesus is my religion,” when temptation comes.

I’ve adapted that for my struggle and now when the temptation hits, I’m telling myself, “Food is not my god. Jesus is my God.”

I might have to say this a dozen times a day, but it’s a great reminder to put food in it’s proper place in my life. It’s a great blessing, but it is not my ultimate comfort.

I’m like a child…I can’t make myself eat something I don’t want to eat.  If I try, I seriously gag.  So, the key for me is to keep it something that I want to eat, but that is also cheap, easy and healthy.  Monday, I’ll post recipes that I currently have in my arsenal that I know make great leftovers and are tasty and decently healthy.

Photo by Tammy Green