Medifast Happy Afters 2011 January 5, 2011

Ok, so one of the coolest things about winning the Medifast Happy Afters Contest in 2010? Getting to encourage the 2011 contest people. Think you’re not a “contest people”? Well, Medifast users, you are! The only thing standing between you and that title is your willingness to share your story with the Medifast team. Whether you’ve lost ten pounds or a hundred and ten, I assure you the company wants to hear from you and celebrate your success with you!

I know, there are people out there who have had wild success on this plan, and still believe their story isn’t worth sharing. You know, the people, who just like me, think they never win anything. Who think they haven’t done enough to be “successful”. Who constantly compare their weight loss to others, only to get discouraged that somebody, somewhere is in skinnier jeans or has a lower number on the scale. In reality, you made a committment to health, used products that work along with making right choices every single day, and are looking better than you have in years.

Well, friends, if you’ve succeeded at all in weight loss ventures, whether one pound or one hundred, then victory is yours. If you’ve gained anything back at any time in the process, consider yourself human, and pick yourself up by your bootstraps and get back at it. Don’t forget how far you’ve come! And, if you’re wondering whether to tell a company that their products worked, just do it!

Think about all the consumer goods and services out there. What kind of feedback is usually given to the company itself? Typically the happy customers stay quiet, and the people who share their voice tend to be more negative than positive. SO, if it worked, tell the people who commit to making the product you use in your daily life. It will give you a boost that you’ve found success, and will definitely give them a boost that their product, their job, and their personal commitment to the products you need for success are worth it!

Go for it! We’re proud of you!

(Yeah, I know, this sounds like a paid advertisement. LOL. It’s just me, an average girl, who got up the guts to share my story, who got to go to Baltimore with some really great people, who wound up in a magazine ad…)

A New Year, Again? January 4, 2011

Well, friends, here we are in a new year. A new cycle of resolutions, good intentions, and soon to arrive problems. Problems? Why should problems come from good intentions? Because we over do it.

Just like we over did it to gain weight in the first place, we over do it as we dream of the instant success of a few overzealous goals. I’m right there with you – or at least I used to be. Now, each January, I make a more concerted effort to praise God for how my actions have positively changed in the previous year; and only resolve to do another small sustainable step in the right direction.

A small sustainable step. Well, that doesn’t sound as impressive as a lofty goal, now does it? But a month from now, I know that the small steady steps of a committed heart will prove more fruitful than that enticing laundry list of “don’ts”.

I wish I could tell you that I had a perfect year last year, with steady weight loss, and an ever happier scale reading. But, life happens. Notice, I didn’t say binges happened. Just life. Lasting transformation is finding its home in my heart.

A few months of being sick, and not able to excercise did my best plans in. A major surgery 6 weeks ago provided another setback. This isn’t an excuse, for I know I’m fully responsible for every bite of food put in my mouth. 10 pounds re-found their familiar spot. I have to tell you, the emotional destructive self-talk over weight gain shows up even when we think we’ve conquered it completely. Like the moment a few weeks ago when I had the familiar wave of emotions rushing over me, thinking it would be easier to quit and just go back to the familiar failure of my past than press on to the goal of lifelong fitness and health. But this time, I didn’t let those taunting words win.

So, what has changed? When that wave crashed over me, it kept on moving. I didn’t invite it to stay, camp out, or cook me dinner. I didn’t take the consolation prize of failure yet again. I realized, after thinking about the almost two year journey I’ve been on, that my health is worth it. And, more importantly, I realized that major surgery and a brief reunion with my fat jeans doesn’t mean the end of all I’ve done. All God has helped me to learn.

And, so, I press on. Instead of crazy goals, it is a small, doable 10 pound goal. Easy enough. After that, well, I’ll have to decide on another sustainable goal in an area of my life.

I appreciate your prayers as I continue to get back to “normal” and resume my exercise routine. And, be sure, I’ll be praying for you, too. I pray we all succeed in the things the Lord has for us this year, and that our goals are His goals – for when they line up with His will, how can we fail?

News Day September 2, 2010

So, the admission that I am a recovering food addict is not only shared on this blog, but in the local newspaper! Medifast lined up the interview, and gave me a wonderful opportunity to share my story. I thank the Huntsville Times for reporting on the contest and my success.

The photos came out colorful, and the overall message of healthy eating, right thinking, and dependence on God was clear. The benefits of Medifast were acknowledged and celebrated. My love for vegetables, lean meat, and healthy eating was described. Super! I pray it helps someone who reads the article. And, once again I realize it is the most unlikely story I ever thought I’d share in a newspaper interview. Or online. Or in person.

So, if you read the paper, you might see a story about a girl who is a recovering addict. Yep, they’re talking about me. And, I’m glad to share my story, if it will help just one other person find freedom from the captivity of the pantry.

“Hello, my name is Jennifer, and I’m addicted to food…” (everyone clap and say, “Hello, Jennifer….”)

Excess Baggage August 26, 2010

Have you ever found that you’d overpacked suitcase, leaving you no option but to re-pack so it would meet airline regulations? I have. It’s tough. Trying to fit all the wonderful things you’d like to give someone at your destination, plus the stuff you need, plus that extra pair of shoes (just because they are cute, and who knows, you might need them)…that’s a challenge. But, the adventure doesn’t stop there – after we pack it all in, we’ve got to measure it; weighing the bag on a bathroom scale in hopes that the number is less than 50. You know, so all that junk can go with you.

After many overseas trips filled with fun afternoons of preparation described above, I know all-too-well what a 50 pound bag feels like. How hard it is to lug it to the scale, and balance it on the little square of knowledge. Then, the challenge of dragging the thing (assuming those handy wheels work right) to the car, lifting it into the trunk, and taking it out again. Rolling it thru the airport, and finally handing it over to some poor airline worker who has to deal with all that weight between boarding and destination. Yep, that luggage is a hassle.

It wasn’t until a year after my weight loss that I realized how much of a “true weight” had been lifted off me. See, I’m a visual person, so while 65 pounds is great as a number on a readout or a weight chart, the reality of the progress I’d made hit when I thought about luggage. Packing those bags for another trip, barely making it to the scale, straining my back to lift the bag, and reading the number. 49.5 pounds. And I could barely lift it. A sweet whisper in my spirit reminded me that I’ve lost that, plus a carry on bag! (ok, so maybe my purse alone weighs 15 pounds, but you know what I mean…)

Progress. Success. The realization that the weight I could barely lift with two hands was the weight that used to be dragged around atop my bones every day. Everywhere. No wonder I was tired all the time. No wonder my joints were aching and arthritis was setting in. No wonder. I had some serious baggage.

I can honestly say, this is the first, and only time, I’ll ever be glad to lose my luggage! That 65 pounds is the baggage I never want to lug around again. Ever.

The Contest August 16, 2010

Well, since I’m a girl who never wins contests, I thought what the heck, typed out my responses, and hit the send button.

That’s how it began. I’d reached a good weight, lost 65 pounds, and kept it off for awhile. Good! But enter a contest? Why not? When I saw the “Medifast Happy Afters” contest application online, I filled it out, attached some photos, and hit send. I thought, naively, that it was over.

After all, I’m a girl who never wins contests.

Fast forward a few months, and the phone rings. Sweet voice over the phone breaks the news. You are a finalist! A what? I thought to myself? Really? Do they realize I’m not a size 6? Or that my left leg isn’t even a size 6?!?  A finalist. For the Medifast Happy Afters. Wait a week, we’ll let you know if you’re chosen.

You know what? In a world of internet, email, instant messages, texting and the like, I’d forgotten what it feels like to sit by the phone and wait for it to ring. Ugh. For a girl who never wins, I was really hoping I’d won.

When the call came the next week, I was in shock. Again. Really? I’m going? I’m chosen? One of ten? Oh my. How cool. And intimidating. And real. Hmmm. Guess I can’t gain the weight back now! Ha! So many things went through my mind. The thought that dominated all others was, “Lord, be glorified.”

See, once again, I was confronted with the why and how of this whole process. This wasn’t like the other attempts. This wasn’t just a diet. God had changed my heart. Cleared out some spiritual junk in my life. And, Medifast, helped the process along. The more I prayed, the more it was clear that this was something God was saying “yes” to. So, off I went.

Boarding the plane as the “former fatty” I found myself having a blast of a week. With new friends who knew exactly what I had been through, and why this was such a success. No competition or comparison – just celebration. We were treated incredibly well – spa day, shopping day, and photo shoots.

our medifast spa day, I'm on the far left.

Oh, the photo shoots. Now, for the girl who didn’t expect to win, I think I was the last to realize the photos had a purpose. We were going to be in the company’s ads! In magazines and such! As success stories!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, my name is Jennifer Devlin, and I lost 65 pounds on the Medifast program.

Oh my. I’m now one of “those people” – but you know what? I thank God every day that I found Medifast online – in that moment when I hit rock bottom and needed a solution, crying out to God for help. Between my faith and my food choices, success was achieved. And, I do believe, this success will last.

I’m so thankful for the Medifast team and how sweet they’ve been to me and the other winners. There’s no way to convey how special it is to have the company tell you “you did good!”

What about Medifast? August 16, 2010

Well, I figured since I’ve mentioned Medifast a bunch already, I’d better give you a bit more detail. I found it online – at www.medifast1.com. I’m not employed by them, or a health coach for them. I just used the products. (And, won a contest they ran – more on that later.)

It’s a great program. You just eat five of their meal choices, and one “lean and green” (lean meat, green veg) meal a day. That’s it. For the first six months, I was completely on this plan. The simplicity of it was a huge factor in breaking the cycle of sugar addiction.

After that, I started modifying the meals, adding in more lean and green foods. I also began running at that point, which required more calories to keep my energy up. That’s about the point where I leveled off, and I’ve maintained that weight for over a year now.

I still use their products during the day, but now usually have 3 or 4 Medifast meals, then two to three small portions of lean and green in addition. The calorie count is still manageable, because the “real” food I choose is mostly low glycemic, and healthy. The most important thing I’ve learned is how to live healthy, and not return to my old eating patterns. Yay!

I’ve found that the low glycemic type eating works best for me with regard to food choices because it keeps my blood sugar from going haywire - Medifast did a great job of keeping me level too. It’s been amazing to not have a low blood sugar episode since I began this journey! They used to be pretty common. My old solution? Eat sugar. Then crash again. My new solution? Stay level and healthy. Hmmm. No wonder I feel better these days…

Contentment or Scale Wars? August 16, 2010

Why is it so hard to be content with our weight? With our looks? With the reflection in the mirror?

Yes, this might be more of an issue for ladies than for men, but think about it – we are inundated from every angle of society with a false sense of what “perfect” looks like.

• If only we could look like the airbrushed images on magazine covers.
• If only we could live up to the standard of living we see lived out by superstars on the big screen.
• If only we could eat the sweets advertised, without needing the weight loss products advertised along side them.
• If only…

 

Friend, what is your “if only”? Let me take a wild guess at some of the things you might be thinking: skinnier jeans, nicer body for swimsuit season, better photos, more friends, happier life, perfection, etc…

I’ve been there too – and get there quickly on any given day if I lose track of my goal. My goal is contentment. Being comfortable in my own skin.

See, somehow we’ve bought into the lie that if we would just lose that last ten, twenty, whatever, pounds, then our life would be great. Everything would fall into place. People would like us more. Husbands would love us more. Our popularity would change. Our body would cooperate with the latest fashion lines. But really, does that make us who we are? Does our number on the scale make us more loveable? Do we want people to like us based on our outward appearance? Is our goal really to have a superficial existence, with our level of success based on the finding or losing of twenty pounds of pudge?

Yeah, I know, it sounds ridiculous. But, our self-talk can put us right in that rut in a second if we’re not careful.

In this journey over the past year and more, I’ve learned a bit more about what contentment means. See, even though I’ve lost a bunch of pudge, I’m still twenty pounds from my “goal” – you know, that magic number on a chart in a book. The weight somebody says I need to be to no longer be in the “overweight” category. Well, in the process of changing my habits, God has helped me see that a sustainable change is much better than a desperate change.

• I want this thing to last.
• I want to be healthy.
• I want to live in a way that is no longer compulsive in any way.

 

And, so, if that means I’m at this particular weight for a long time, I guess contentment is the next stage of life. My weight loss goal has been replaced with the more important goal of contentment.

Making peace with twenty pounds. Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? Seeing the progress I’ve made should make me happy enough, but again, all it takes is one minute of self criticism to forget all about the progress, and focus on the part I didn’t achieve.

Well, that will get me nowhere. It won’t get you anywhere either. Only you and God can decide where you should be, within a healthy range. (Careful though, I’m in NO way encouraging you to justify and ignore a weight issue that is out of control – but we’ve got to be realistic about our “healthy” goal and understand that it has a range that’s acceptable.)

Only God can help you become content with who you are, and what shape you are – and to me, the bigger issue is whether you are comfortable with who you are becoming, and how you’re growing mentally and spiritually, not what your scale says.

Because friend, that scale isn’t the measure of who we are. Our heart attitude, and our commitment to health is the measure of success. Every time.

“One Thing” Blog Entry from Week 13 August 13, 2010

Ok, so I thought I’d share this blog entry I posted after 13 weeks on my journey. It will give you an idea of where I was mentally, and the struggle I had with sharing the specifics of my journey at that point. Yes, it really has taken me a year and a half to get the nerve to be this open with you! 

Here’s the link to that post:

http://jenniferdevlin.blogspot.com/2009/05/what-is-your-one-thing.html

What is this “DIET” anyway? August 13, 2010

Ok, so this whole theme of “leaving your diet in the dust” sounds enticing, because it might imply that we never have to watch what we eat. Ever again. Free to binge. But, in reality, my hope is that we will all be more balanced and moderate with our food, because food will no longer be the central issue. Our heart attitude will be central. Our commitment to freedom will be central.

So, what is your DIET? This concept is pivotal for lasting change. Think about your “DIET” plan – Your “Do It Every Time” habits that set you up for failure.

Every.

Single.

Time.

See, I want us to leave the destructive patterns of our past in the dust. With today’s weight loss industry pulling billions of dollars out of our pockets through new “diet” plans and programs, we become dizzy wondering what is the perfect plan. Well, as I’ve said before, I think I’ve tried them all. Done one plan numerous times. Do these “diets” work? Absolutely. If you stick to them. If you change your habits. But for me, I never changed my “DIET” – the things I did every time. The manipulation of food journals and point systems. The destructive self talk that kept me from lasting success. The sabotaging bad days where I ate too much and convinced myself to just give up and go to the big lady store for my clothes again. That was my “DIET” of choice – no matter what food plan I followed.

What is yours?

What is your “do it every time” system that keeps you bound up in bad habits?

Leave it in the dust, dear friend. Leave it behind. Start fresh. Find freedom.

Once this hit home with me, it was clear that the plan I followed (Medifast) was a great program, but the lasting change would only come when I used the plan and left my DIET in the dust. Find what system works for you, as far as eating plans – but don’t forget to leave out those bad habits!

A Word of Encouragement – Just in Time August 13, 2010

As I began seeing results in my journey, God kept reinforcing His strength and His hope in my situation. I’m not going to kid you – there were days filled with dreams of junk food – and a constant mental battle to stay on track. Though transformation was happening, it was going along at it’s own pace – not my expectation of instant perfect-ness (yeah, right…)

At the same time I began this change, I was in a small group study with some friends. We were going through the book, “Seeking God” by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

In this book, during a hard week of temptation, the study of Philippians 2:13 jumped off the page – with this promise, “It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” Hmm. God would give me the power and the desire to pursue righteousness? Well, that’s how Nancy explained it.

Did I believe it? Oh, yes. In this season of submitting this area to God, it was clear that my willpower was not enough. My strength was not enough. My power was non-existent. But God! Oh, how He was carrying me thru, keeping me on track, and helping me be satisfied with my meal plan. Yes, the food was good, but only He could transform my heart completely.

The thing that hit me the most was the fact that God not only gives us the power, but the desire to pursue righteousness. Desire. I had many desires, and some of them were quite unhealthy. Like the now waning desire to eat whatever, whenever, no matter what the effect. But now, God would change those desires. I would want to be healthy. Pleasing to God. Wow. Not in my own strength, but because my focus was on Him, and He would give me the strength and power. Cool, huh? That promise is available to everyone!

And, Philippians 2:13 became the verse I clung to – in the moments I caved to temptation, and in the choices that kept me on the right road – either way, it was God’s power and God’s strength that would keep me pursuing the right road. Either way, my focus was on God – not the scale, my clothes, or a rigid food journal. Yes, the rest would follow, but God first. Always. In all things.