I have a feeling that there are many women, like myself, who are trying to figure out who came one night and stole their bodies.
It seems like one night I went to bed strong and mighty in my 30’s and the next morning I woke up dry and crusty in my 40’s. So for those of you who think “Oh..she just got good genes. She’s an exception to the rule.” You’re wrong. Well…at least half wrong.
Yes, I may have gotten an extra dose of testosterone when God was knitting me together in my mother’s womb (which is why I was teased for having biceps and calves when I was 10 years old…oh that enemy..he’s crafty). But truth be told, I am breaking down just like everyone else. Things in my body take longer to get going, and longer to simmer down.
So I am with you.
And for those of you who are younger and reading this, please read this, because it applies to you too.
In Christ, we were created in dignity for strength. For all of us who have peaked and are over the age of 21, it’s our right to fight the lies that come against our dignity and strength every day.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
First, get your sugar under control
I present to you this #holyhotflash challenge as a way of taking back our bodies and minds from the sugar coma that many of us have been in since the holidays. It’s founded on nutritional science and good common sense from the Lord.
Here’s the truth…we must get our sugar levels under control.
As we head into the new season of life, estrogen levels drop, and insulin (the hormone that regulates sugar in the body) resistance goes up, causing excess glucose in the blood at one time. Excess glucose causes inflammation (achy joints and whiny muscles) and easy storage of fat (the middle-age spread).
All food breaks down into sugar/glucose for the body to convert to energy. Some foods have more glucose power than others.
Our bodies, as beautiful and as strong as they are, are challenged to utilize glucose for fuel the same way they used to. We need to get sugar back under our feet. Health gains and weight loss after menopause look different than they used to.
The 21-Day Sugar Fast Challenge
WAIT A MINUTE: Before you read any further you must agree you WON’T do the following because IF THIS CHALLENGE doesn’t make you more Christ like…STOP DOING IT!
What we won't do:
1. Feel hopeless
2. Hate our bodies and dream of our younger self, or WORSE YET compare ourselves to anyone else.
3. Talk negatively about ourselves (studies show that people who exercise negative self-talk have a harder time maintaining balance in their lives; i.e. weight, finances, personal fulfillment)
4. Stress (that only raises cortisol level, which increases belly fat)
5. Do this challenge because we think we can take total control of our lives. (God has control. Surrender the wheel already.)
6. Give up and turn to food to comfort us
7. Participate in this challenge motivated by fear. (Fear of being fat. Fear of losing friends. Fear of not being enough.)
And now…
What we will do:
1. REMEMBER…our bodies were created by God, for strength, with dignity. (Psalm 139)
2. Be grateful that we aren’t as stupid as we used to be, and celebrate the wisdom and freedom that only comes with age. (Galatians 5:1)
3. Be kind to ourselves and LOVE the bodies we have.
4. Exercise because it’s a GET TO!
5. Follow the above 5 steps ( in the image above) for this 48 hour to 7 day challenge!
6. Participate in this challenge motivated by LOVE! The self-less kind! To love others as you love yourself. Because God says THEY are worth it. Just like you!
A #holyhotflash reset!
If you are up for this challenge, comment below with #holyhotflash. Then use that hashtag on Facebook and/or Instagram throughout the week so I can be sure to find you if you are struggling or need advice and encouragement. Share with a friend who is willing to trade fear for LOVE!
Remember…you are going to crave sugar like a madwoman for the first 48 hours, BUT YOU will have your eyes set on something more beautiful than your smaller waistline.
Your eyes are to be set on the big and beautiful heart of Christ who came, died, and rose again so you could live healthy, whole, and FIT for your purpose of making much of Him, and free from whatever is mastering you (like sugar).
This ain’t no big thang to him! No temptation has seized you. Period. Get free.
There's a better way to weight loss
This guide will give you all the information you need to start losing weight in a way that is radically different than the world’s way.
This is the God first way.
For every practical tip we give you (and we’ll share a lot!) there is often deeper heart work to identify the desires and beliefs that keep you falling into bondage.
