A Transformed Life

I cannot write this post accurately without first sharing a little background information… please read until the end and I always welcome your feedback.

20 years ago, I re-dedicated my life to Jesus Christ and as a part of that commitment, I chose to quit smoking and drinking. Subsequently, after a few years of healthier living, I began to replace that habit with emotional eating and then over-eating – not only reaching for “comfort food” when stressed, but also when happy, sad, mad, bored, etc. etc. After reaching over 250 lbs., I did at one point in my early-30’s re-join a gym and began working out religiously and in a relatively short period of time was back to my former much skinny-er self… but, that too became an addiction and I began to focus more on looking good on the outside than dealing with what was going on inside of me.

Most people that know me know I’ve endured a lot of abuse, trauma and tragedy in my life... most as a result of the sin of others, and the rest as a consequence of my own sinful choices. I will say that without a relationship with the Lord, I would not have survived many of those experiences. However, I have had many idols of the heart throughout my life that God has graciously been delivering me from, one by one. The largest idol has been in the area of over-indulgence.

I will share that the first step for me in this journey began in November of 2010, when I attended an intense 7-day biblical counseling retreat at His High Places near Boone, N.C. After almost having a complete nervous breakdown, God (with the help of loving friends) provided a way for me to go there and unravel and address many hurts, hang-ups, and sinful habits that I’d allowed to lead me on a very destructive path. By God’s grace, I accepted His forgiveness and His loving chastening hand restored my life and I’m ever grateful He continues to patiently mold me into His image.

Shortly before meeting my husband in 2014, I had once again begun to focus on healthy living and taking care of myself better physically. However, I had first been on a two-year journey of healing spiritually and emotionally from hidden emotional and spiritual scars I had ignored for many years. For me, I could not even begin to address and be delivered from my food addictions until I first faced all the other “stuff” going on inside my heart.

In the 3 years since Peewee & I have been married, my weight has fluctuated within the same 20 lb. range and I’ve not had much success at losing weight nor did I consistently have energy or motivation to work out and get healthy. During the sleepless nights of having a newborn, beginning the foster care journey, hectic schedules and a long adoption process, I once again found myself turning to food for comfort. Only this time, my additional thyroid issues, PCOS problems, and a very bad UTI left me feeling hopeless and more exhausted than I’ve ever felt before. I truly felt like nothing would work or help me. Additionally, due to the PCOS I have a gluten and milk intolerance that further complicated food choices for me.

A week before Valentine’s Day, I asked my husband for a different type of Valentine’s gift – an investment in my health and wellness.

WELL – here’s the GREATEST news I could ever share:

It's been only a few weeks since I said yes to this amazing nutrition, and am so thankful I was introduced!! This is not a new “diet” plan I’m on. There is no magic pill to take or drink to drink that quickly fixed all my weight and energy issues. But I have educated myself and for the first time ever, I’m on a health/wellness/proper nutrition journey that has given me a quality of life I don’t think I have ever had or known!

My average weekly weight loss has been 4-6 lbs. per week, it has helped me to have more sustained energy (I now WANT to work out!), it has regulated my sugar levels, helped me build muscle (which helps me lose the fat!), helped my body handle stress, I now sleep better, and I feel younger too!

My life has been completely transformed in the last several weeks!

I want to help others get healthier too, in addition to all the other things listed above! I want to be a blessing, while feeling great and helping others in the process! Whether your goals are healthier living, proper nutrition, gaining energy, building muscle or weight loss, I believe you will succeed!

Message me if you’re ready to begin your own journey to better health, wellness and nutrition. I would LOVE to help you take charge of your health, lose weight & feel great!

https://kathycelveland.isagenix.com