Life As We Know It

Life as we know it is about to come to an abrupt halt! We've actually known for some time that Lloyd, my wonderful 29 year old husband, has high cholesterol b/c a doctor put him on medicine for it before I got pregnant with Brady. It concerned me then and I got on a kick for all of us to eat healthier. I lost a bit of weight and so did Lloyd, but he never really got motivated. I really hated that Lloyd was so young and was on medication for something like this. But I got pregnant and sort of lost my direction...The doctor kept him on the medicine and then re-checked his blood levels. A few months ago, we found out that the medicine was elevating his liver enzymes so they took Lloyd off of the medicine. A few weeks ago, Lloyd went to a new doctor for a check-up. After doing some blood work, the doctor discovered Lloyd still has high cholesterol. But rather than put him on medication, the doctor told Lloyd to go on a low-fat diet and exercise.

So, I've found a new way to encourage my husband. We've come to the decision that as of Tuesday, September 9th, we're embarking on the Sonoma Diet, which is actually not a diet but a lifestyle change. High cholesterol is something that we'll be managing forever, so it's time to make some changes. I am addicted to ice cream. Lloyd is addicted to coke. So as I said before, life as we know it is about to come to an abrupt halt! No more late night Taco Bell runs, a very bad habit we've continued even after having Brady. No more Blue Bell Cookies and Cream or Braum's Hot Fudge Sundaes. No more Sonic cokes!!!!! Yes, we're taking this very seriously and we're quitting cold turkey. We're going to change the way we eat entirely and we're both excited about it. I know this may seem silly to some of you, maybe drastic to others, but what I've realized is that our bodies are gifts from God to each other and we have not been taking care of them.

Here's my motivation scripture: Hebrews 12:1-13

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin (food) that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
4In your struggle against sin (food), you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."[a]
7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace (and health) for those who have been trained by it.
12Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13"Make level paths for your feet,"[b] so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.