Kristen grew up playing sports and being very athletic most of her life. After Kristen was married and she and her husband started a family; her life became very hectic and she had little time to work out or eat right. Before she knew it she was trapped in the all too familiar yo-yo dieting cycle. Kristen transformed her health and her lifestyle after having an “aha” moment that made her realize that she wasn’t transforming her health and life style for herself but for…God.
The Yo-Yo Cycle Begins
I’ve always been athletic, so I never thought my weight would be an issue for me. Whenever I would start to gain weight I would go on a diet and really focus on becoming active again, I even did some endurance sports, half-marathons and triathlons. But six years ago, I went back to work and between work and family it felt like I had no time to focus on my health, so I just gave up and gave in to bad habits. Before I knew it I had gained weight again. It was at that point I felt like I had hit rock bottom. I had failed to lose the weight and then keep it off so many times I just knew I couldn’t fail anymore.
An” Aha” Moment
One day, I had an” aha” moment while reading 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: Haven’t you yet learned that your body is the home of the Holy Spirit God gave you, and that he lives within you? Your own body does not belong to you. For God has bought you with a great price. So use every part of your body to give glory back to God because he owns it. It hit me hard when I realized that losing weight was no longer about ME! I needed to take care of myself for God so that I’m able to serve and fulfill God’s purpose for my life.
I remember thinking to myself prior to reading the scripture; why should I bother to lose the weight if I’m going to fail. Since I was relying on God’s power and not my own, I knew this time would be different; it’s as if I was a new creation with a new way of thinking. For it’s through God’s power not my own that I will be successful.
It’s NOT All About Me
Prior to starting the Daniel Plan I had a health scare and I thought I might have breast cancer. I realized at that time that there were certain things about my health that I had no control over, but that there were other aspects of my health that I did. I knew that I was very unhealthy and needed to make long lasting changes. I started the Daniel Plan in January 2014 with a healthy new mindset. The Daniel Plan Five Essentials were all important and played a key role in my transformation, but at this point in my life, the faith essential was life changing and critical to my success. I had always been motivated before by how I would look, or feel, or watching the numbers go down on the scale…it was always about me. When I did the Daniel Plan my motivation was to do it for God and to treat my body as a temple of the Holy Spirit…it was about God this time.
Eating Clean
When I started “eating clean” I cut out sugar and processed foods. I noticed that real food tasted good and I didn’t want the sugar and processed food any more. When Valentine’s Day arrived I definitely felt God’s power because I didn’t crave chocolate at all. Mentally, I would remind myself that we are meant to eat the food God created; he gave us everything that we need. From the start I decided to be patient with myself and to not be militant. I have foods and recipes that my family and I like and that I prepare on a regular basis. I prepare ahead and keep a snack box in my car with healthy snacks in it so I’m never in a position to have to “grab” something fast that isn’t good for me. Since starting the Daniel Plan I’ve had several occasions challenge my new lifestyle such as, holiday’s, vacations and a new job. If I get off track, I always refocus my attention on the things that are important to me. First is God and remembering that my body is a temple and eating what God created. I also review my Daniel Plan book and Pastor Rick’s Transformation Bible study. I also know that by putting my focus on God he will provide what I need to get through.
Active Again
After cleaning up my diet it was time to get active again. So I found work out days and times that worked well with my schedule and that I enjoy. I didn’t try to work out every day, it just wasn’t realistic and I knew I wouldn’t stick with it. I do the Crossfit and Bootcamp classes at the Saddleback campus and I joined the Saddleback Triathlon team and completed a triathlon. My husband started going to the classes with me and after a couple of months it became something that we enjoyed doing together. In general, our family is spending more time together doing active things, such as hiking and golfing. The key was looking for things that I really liked to do and living a more active lifestyle.
Weight Loss Was Just A Perk
My current weight loss is 20 pounds but believe it or not my goal was never to lose weight. I was more focused on living a healthier lifestyle. I wanted to be healthier and to glorify God with my body. Pastor Rick mentioned one day to write down what is motivating you to do the Daniel Plan, so I did. My motivation is the same today as it was in the beginning. I want to see my kid’s graduate and get married, and actively play with my grandchildren. I want to travel and be active when I’m retired and by living this new lifestyle all of this can be a part of my life.
Drastic Transformation
Through this journey, I could definitely feel God’s strength and power in ways that I never have before. Temptations that I had in the beginning are gone. My whole mindset has changed; I went from being scared I would fail again and give up, to succeeding and feeling strong in a totally new way…only God could make that drastic of a transformation. When I start feeling the challenges of this new lifestyle I feel God redirecting my focus on Him. God is still helping me on my journey and I constantly have to refocus and depend on Him. But I’m a new person who is much stronger, confident, and feels so much healthier. My family and I are enjoying our new lifestyle and we are so thankful to God and the Daniel Plan.
