21 Day Challenge: Day 7

Wow, the first week of 2010 is already under the belt.... So how's your belt fitting these days? It is so easy for people to make New Year's resolutions and even easier to not keep them. I've said it before, but it is worth repeating. I set goals each year, but instead of New Year's resolutions I'd rather think of what needs to be done as a New Day resolution. Each new day is a brand new start. If you haven't met your diet or exercise goals for this year, and feel like a failure, don't give up. It is never too late to start! Come on! You can do it, if I can do it.

Along with the completion of the first week, I have to report that I do like my new scale. Along with letting me know I lost a little more than 2.5 pounds, it also told me I am more hydrated than I was a week ago, have lost some body fat, and even gained .001 bone mass. How about that! All in one week--7 days. I'm on target!

Does Your Eating Glorify God?

Here we are mid January, just three weeks into the new year and you may already be wondering what happened to your diet motivation. I've already had my ups and downs, and it's so easy to blame life, stress, and family when I make poor choices.

Conversation around the dinner table the last two nights has helped spur me to get back on track. Conversation centered on a sad story of a 14-year-old boy who committed suicide because his girlfriend just "wanted to be friends". We talked about training our children to know our real purpose in life.

I sat silent, pondering my purpose. We discussed the verse, "Whether you eat drink or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God." Our purpose is to glorify God. Even in the basics like eating and drinking. I pray God will help me recall that to mind each time I think I want to eat something. Does eating this glorify God?

How to Lose Weight in the New Year

It's that time of year. Among the top group of New Year's resolutions you'll find that ever elusive goal--to lose weight or go on a diet. But what is the success rate? How many people are still on target by the end of January? I won't even tell you...at least for now. I don't want to discourage you.

Instead, lets make a plan for how to be successful. First, make a plan. Don't choose a diet that you know on the front end will be impossible for you. That's a plan for failure. Instead, consider the basics. The reason you gain weight is that you are taking in more calories you burn. That's what has to change. There's two three approaches:

• Eat less calories
• Exercise more so that you burn more calories
• A combination of eating less calories and burning more calories.

Whether the doctor tells you to lose weight or not, if you're carrying around extra body fat, you know it. You don't really have to go on a diet--let's face it diets end and weight comes back. Instead, it's time to learn a measure of self-control and discipline. Eat less and exercise more.