Here we go ladies! I hope you are ready. No more excuses. No more putting it off. It’s time to get serious, make some changes, and most especially grow strong in your relationship with the Lord.
This time WILL be different.
Visit the Made to Crave website to download and print the Fridge sign for week 1. This week’s word is:
EMPOWERED
Each time you are tempted this week or you become discouraged, remember that your power comes from God. We are empowered by Him. You have the power girl! Yea you do! Say it like this, “I got da powahhh!” (it’s just funner that way!)
You May Want to Copy and Print the Rest of This Post
Reading and Homework Assignments for Week 1:
Sunday-Read the Introduction chapter. Highlight and take notes as you read. Anything that jumps off that page and empowers you, write it on an index card or in a journal. Share in the comment section of this blog or on the new Online Bible Studies Facebook page where discussions about Made to Crave have already begun.
Monday-Read Chapter 1. Highlight and take notes as you read. When you get to a Bible verse that Lysa mentions, take our your Bible. Look up the verse for yourself. Underline it and write “MTC” beside it. Think on the verse or passage a moment. Journal or make a few index cards with Scripture or quotes that will keep you grounded or empower you.
Tuesday-Complete Chapter 1 Reflection Questions. Read the questions and record your answers in a journal or notebook. Be honest. These are just for your eyes or whoever you choose to share them with. Share as much or as little as you like in the comments section of my blog or on the Online Bible Studies Facebook page.
Wednesday-Read Chapter 2. Follow the same directions as on Monday. Check Melissa’s blog for an encouraging mid-week message! Post a comment to encourage others. If you have any questions for the Vlog on Friday, email them to Melissa. Melissa@MelissaTaylor.org.
Thursday-Complete Chapter 2 Reflection Questions. Follow the same directions as on Tuesday. Share as much or as little as you like in the comments section of my blog or on the Online Bible Studies Facebook page.
Friday-Read Chapter 3. This is the chapter where Lysa talks about how important it is to have a plan! Follow the same instructions as Monday and Wednesday. (you see a pattern forming here?)
Friday Vlog!!! Log on to this blog, www.MelissaTaylor.org. Watch a short video of me answering some of your questions from the week.
Friday Option: If you want to have all your work done before the weekend, go ahead and complete the Chapter 3 Reflection Questions. Follow the same instructions as Monday and Wednesday.
Saturday Option-If you didn’t do the Chapter 3 Reflection Questions on Friday, do them today.
Okay, that’s it! Print or “favorite” this page so you can keep up with this week’s study. I won’t be posting the schedule daily, so hold on to this!
I’m so glad we have gotten started! It’s time to quit making excuses, giving in, feeling guilty, resolving to do better and then mentally beating ourselves up for not sticking to our resolve. It might not be easy, but we can do it. I’ll be praying for you 
Blessings and Lots of Love!
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“Not once in my life have I ever craved a carrot stick”. I agree but coupled with red pepper hummus or salsa or dill yogurt dip and it’s on!
I actually do like carrot sticks dipped in ranch dressing. There was even a short time where I did eat them so often that I craved it as opposed to chips, but that was a short lived time period.
Carrots seem to have a sweetness to them – not too horrible to taste. I need to find other snacks like cinnamon flavored almonds…now that’s good!
Watch out for the sugar content on some of those. I really like those too, but find that some have high sugar in them. : (
Good point!
Melissa thank you so much for starting this study all over again. I am so excited! GOD knows we all need this encouragement and who better than you to have this gift. I pray we can all conquer this challenge. We are more than conquerers,we can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens us. we got the powahh!!!!!! HUGS AND LOTS OF BLESSINGS.
When I was reading the introduction chapter I was struck by this statement on the last page: “Honestly, I am made for more than a vicious cycle of eating, gaining, stressing—eating, gaining, stressing…I am made to rise up, do battle with my issues, and using the Lord’s strength in me, defeat them — spiritually, physically, and mentally — to the glory of God.”
I mean really, can I get an AMEN? Weight and body issues have been lifelong struggles of mine. I am now over 40 and I have to admit that I was starting to give in to the thought of feeling uncomfortable in my own skin all of my life. I am excited about this new journey, not in an “I-can’t-wait-to-lose-a-ton-of-weight-really-fast-and-look-great-in-shorts” kind of way but in a “thank-you-God-for-being-my-everything” kind of way. I really think something is going to change for me this time.
“AMEN” –Trish! I too am so excited for this faith journey-seems like all of the recent daily devotionals and emails from Prov. 31 have been God telling me to be faithful to him even in dieting!
Brenda – I do not view it as dieting….I see it as eating healthy. Making you, Gods Temple, a healthy happy place!!
This statement went under my “empowerment” section of my index cards! I agree. We have so much strength in the Lord. I want to constantly be reminded of that when I feel defeated or unable to succeed!
I too have to say that i do feel we are made for more. God knows what we need, its when we start forgetting to use our faith that we lose sight. I also what to thank Melissa for this wonderful class to help is find our “want too”.
Well, from one Trish to another…you wrote my post for me.
Amen! Amen! Amen!
I too am over 40 and have struggled all my adult life with my weight…ever since I had my first child (who’s now 24!!!).
Here’s to the end of 24 years in the dessert (I mean desert)!
I have always had body issues. I am 41, have 4 kids, and quit smoking 4 years ago. For years I hovered at the 160lb range. I got down to 135 when I separated in 1999. Then I hovered around the 150 lb range. Then I quit smoking and got dentures and I could eat and taste food!!! SO my addiction went from cigarettes to food! I shot up to the 180 lbs. For the past year I have been hovering between 150- 160(not where I should be health wise).
I completely understand the struggle.
Now its time love ourselves and end the struggle.
Hi, Just wanted to introduce myself and say that I read again the introduction to Made to Crave and the first chapter, again. I’m determined that this time will be different. I’ve never really been one to diet before, but I am tipping the scales at over 200 pounds. my heaviest ever. I’ve been trying to count calories and nutrition information since November, but I’m finding that lately I’m not making the progress that I would like to see, and my accountability partner has now quit counting…making it hard to stay focused on my goal.
As for the book, I’m feeling more empowered already. “We crave what we eat, and we eat what we crave” Kind of powerful. More powerful was digging into the scriptures revealed in the chapter and seeing how well they apply. Also the cravings of the sinful man, lust of the eyes and the boasting of what he has or does.
1 John 2:16 Amplified
For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy, longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one's own resources or in the stability of earthly things]-these do not come from the Father bat are from the world [itself].
I’m extremely excited about participating in this bible study! I’m in need for a major spiritual, physical and mental change in my life. Thank you for doing this Melissa and stay blessed everyone! Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27 NIV)
Need prayer..Reading all these comments of everyone getting excited and ready for this study but my ‘want to’ is not wanting to do this study. I want to be empowered but I’m not willing, I’m not ready, I have failed before..that but is what keeps me from doing what I need to do. Please pray for me. Father please forgive me for my unwillingness, please forgive me for giving up, help me to lean on you for my strength and help me to be encouraged that I can do this. Food has so much power over me and it is hard to let go for it gives me comfort and pleasure. Help me to release it and help me to seek focus on you instead of focus on food. Thank you for loving me even as I am Lord. I want to honor and glorify your name in all that I do. Please help me. In Jesus name. Amen
Sandra,
I’ve been there and can relate. But I have found that lately God has given me the want to, the want to be better and do better. I’m still not making the healthiest choices, but I have made some small continual choices that have been good for me in the long run. In the past I was always put off by trying to eat right, or lose weight, even though I knew that I needed to.
Trust God, and make one small change at a time until you feel more positive about doing the study. Maybe pick one area (for me it was soft drinks) and slowly cut back, and replace the one drink a day you cut back with, with something more healthy. For me, it was prepackaged bottled green tea instead of Soda. Now it is homemade flavored green teas, instead of bottled, and by decreasing the soft drinks I also cut back my caloric intake.
Another small thing that helped me was to start recording everything I was eating (nutritional facts) for a week or two, and just take a look at all I was consuming without making any changes….for me it was an eye opener because I was taking in more than 2000 calories a day and from there I was able to make small changes and mostly sustain them.
Sandra, I have been finding myself wanting to do this more for the weigh loss than for the closeness with God. I’m praying for a change of heart and that this will develop into what I truly need…that steady and constant relationship with God. As always, I was listening to the local Christian radio station this afternoon and just as I was turning into McDonald’s for a shake, Lysa TerKeurst came on as the special guest. It was so easy to pass up that McDonald’s run, but I quickly gave in when I passed the second McDonalds on my way to the grocery store. I have a long way to go. I know that you can do this, Sandra! I will be here with you along the way!!! Love and prayers for you!
Glad to hear I’m not the only crazy exerciser out there. My husband was making fun of me because I’ve still been going to the gym this week even though I’m on antibiotics for strep throat. Alas, I am hoping that this study will make me crave God more. Not as worried about the food and exercise thing, but I’d love to crave God like I do a good workout or hike.
Hmmm. Don’t see my original comment, but I wanted to add that if anyone would like to join me in counting calories and nutrition information and try to cut back in those areas….I am open to having someone else join me in holding me accountable, and on my blog you will see that I generally post the results every week. But never receive comments back so no one really holding me accountable right now.
Let’s do it Deanna – where do I find the blog?
I’m up for calorie counting too. What’s your blog?
I need some more accountability also and would love to do this when we find out where the blog is!
just click on her name,…will take you to her blog
Great, my blog is http://thepuresacrifice.blogspot.com/ Looking forward to having each of you join me.
I did my first assignment for today! I’ve been in Weight Watcher since September and have lost about 12 pounds. I just finished day 14 of Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred. I’m excited to see what God teaches me through this book study. I’ve never read the book before, so I can’t wait to learn with everyone!
Yay for you, Angela! I’m doing Weight Watchers as well. My husband and I started it together about 3 weeks ago. I’ve only lost about 3 lbs so far, but I am slowly trying to make the deliberate changes in my eating habits. I also keep telling myself I’m going to do the 30 day shred. I’ve had the DVD for probably a year, still in it’s package. hahaha I’m so encouraged to hear that you’ve made it to Day 14 and are still alive! hahaha Keep up the good work! I hope I can catch up with your results.
I am excited to start this journey. I am ready to give my food cravings to God so I can grow closer to Him!
These thoughts convicted and comforted me….
Help me find my ‘want to’…did I lose it or what? I desire to recognize and conquer my unhealthy carvings…
“God made us capable of craving to we’d have an unquenchable desire for
more of Him, and Him alone.” (pg 16)….so those cravings can really be a good thing…my own personal invitaion/wake-up-call to worship, obedience…WOW!!
Looking forward to this journey friends!!!….sandyT/kc
Just no words for how much I want to do this and need accountability!! My whole life I have taken the “Eat, drink, and be merry” to extreme! As far as planning my whole vacation around where we will stop to eat! I see my sweet daughters following my footsteps, and as the grow older and more beautiful each day they are also getting overweight and making unhealthy choices. I need to do this for them also. I want to be a good role model and I feel like God is really calling me out on this. If I want to achieve the things He has in store for me, I need to have control over this area of my life. I pray that God will supply me with His power and wisdom and lots of self control to make this HUGE accomplishment in my life. Thanks to all for the encouragement!!!
I’m already relating to so much! Love “shallow desires produce only shallow efforts.” How smart is that?! I’ve been following the Atkins plan since September and have lost 38 lbs! Ive been needing a more spiritual grasp on my food issues. I’ve always known that God is really the only solution. This study is for me!
I am so ready to find my “want to”. I am tired of settling and compromising. Tired of counting calories and going to the gym non-stop and not seeing any results. Tired of my life being focused on my weight and how it makes me feel. I want to crave God more than anything else and move on with life. I am tired of the hold weight and exercise has on my life. What am I lacking, why can’t I do this? I am so tired. My prayer is that this study will help me find my “want to”. and to finally conquer my unhealthy eating habits and help me to quit beating myself up mentally and physically.
You sound just like me. I want to love myself the way God loves me. Tired of low self esteem. My prayer is to find my “want to” and that I will love who I am because I am wonderfully and beautifully made!
Oh Sylvia, how I feel your tiredness! I too am so tired of all the focus on my weight and how it makes me feel. I feel consumed by it.I will pray this week that we will feel energized to take the focus off food and put the focus on our relationship with God.
Laurie
I don’t have a lot to lose but I’ve been on this yo-yo dieting madness for so long– I just want it to stop. I know that I have to have a more meaningful motivation to make it different this time. I’ve always tried to go it alone and just stick to some plan– sometimes with success, sometimes not. I really want to put myself out there and connect with others like me. And I don’t want to eat crazy stuff just to lose weight. I’ve prayed for help with this ever since I was a kid. I’m 38 now and God has shown me the way all along, I just have to do the work.
One of the things that stuck out the most to me was “If we truly want to get close to God, we’ll have to distance ourselves from other things.” I know that when things consume us, then we have allowed things to be more important than God. When we fallow after God thats when we achieve. God is truly who I want to crave!
Oh, that is goooooood. I missed that one. But, there are so many good nuggets! Thanks for pointing that one out.
Hi Girls,
I do pray this time will be different, for me and for each of you! Here are some reflections after reading the intro.
“I don’t really want to make changes……I just want things to change.”
“Guilt, destruction, defeat are some of Satan’s tools to keep us from God.”
“I can overcome–because I am empowered by God!”
Have a good week,
Laurie
Seems like every time I make headway, I quickly go back to my comfortable old habits. I have not yet figured out how to crave God like I do sweets. Looking forward to the meshing of the two. Love her recap of Matt. 19:21 “I want you to give up the one thing you crave more than me. Then come follow me.”
I have had the Made to Crave study for over a year. I have picked up and put down this book 3 times. I am scared of the vulnerable position I need to put myself in to accomplish this. How can I be frightened of being vulnerable before my God who loves me? Just the loss of tight control I have on my emotions creates panic, but God has been knocking away at these walls of mine for some time. Maybe this will bring them crashing down, but I don’t know what is behind them. My husband is not supportive of me, so breaking these walls and remaining unprotected from his words terrifies me – and makes me want a small bowl of ice cream as I sit on the couch being invisible.
I have commited to this study this time around. I really want the weight to go, but I also want to give God the control over these fears I have. He needs to be my focus, and I know He will protect me from what comes before, during, and after. I love knowing there are so many of you going thru this journey with me, and I pray we’ll be able to take turns supporting and encouraging one another during the hard days.
I wanted to encourage you to keep going and enjoy the study. Enjoy that the Lord has gone through what we feel and go through as well. He’s felt what we feel and isn’t just off in a distance. He’s right beside you. You are his child. I will be praying for you, Heidi.
Heidi – you’re not alone. Don’t give up
Heidi…I’m sorry to hear of your relationship challenges.
One book that I would highly recommend if you’re interested is called Sacred Influence: How God uses Wives to Shape the Souls of Their Husbands by Gary Thomas.
Wow, I am so excited about this study. For the last year, my doctor visits have been lose weight and exercize. I have diabetes and fatty liver and whatever else. The section where you say you have this condition (symptom) “Eat Better, Move more” is exactly what I heard at every visit. And some of the meds, where hurting me more than helping me. It’s a good thing I like talking to my phlebotimist(?). She is nice and caring. I “think” I know what I need to do to lose and move more, but I didn’t want to. So I am glad when you wrote about “want(ing) to. I know it will be difficult but “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” even when I pass the potato chip aisle.
I read this book about 4 weeks ago. I know I need to do better with my want to when it comes to food and cravings. But the first time I read thru the book I actually used it to help me to quit smoking. I am now into my 3rd week without smoking a cig at all. I quit smoking after 17yrs of it now I am finally free for good, I honestly do not crave one or want one. I never had that freedom before when I attempted to quit I usually only lasted a short while and would always be craving another one. So I am going to reread this book with food in mind this time. Because it is hard to change a 17 yr old habit and not replace it with another one. I need a healthy eating plan anyone have an suggestions?
Way to go Rae!!!! I let God help me quit smoking over 10 years ago and I to never craved a cigarette either. God is so good. I call myself a non-smoker today. Today, I am still battling the extra weight from quitting smoking cigs. but I believe for the first time that I will have victory with the Lord about food. Do not get discouraged, I found quitting smoking cigs with the Lord far easier than losing weight…but I never gave up and I am here now wanting that success too!!!
Hi Rae,
Your post connected with me because i too recently quit smoking and understand that it is easy to replace that craving with another. I have quit several times before and never succeeding for more than a few months until this time I relinquished my will to God and cried out for God to take it away and heal me. I realize now that He wanted to heal all of me. See I was using cigs for everything (happy, sad, anxious, stress, excited) and he wants us to come to him for all those things and crave him. It wasn’t until I began to do that that I experience peace. I truly believe he can heal us… all the stuff behind the craving whether its cigs, food, drugs if we relinquish ourselves. He is strongest when we are weakest!
Sounds like Lysa’s action plan book is a great way to start an eating plan. I eat lots of fiber, fruit of morning, protein for lunch, veggies for dinner, almonds, tons of water. Also had to quit caffeine and some sugars because of crashes since quit smoking. Smoking does something to our sugar levels.
God Bless,
Felisha
Happy to be joining all of you, but wow this is overwhelming! Not only tackling these issues head on, but trying to keep up with all the comments and trying to interact. I don’t know how I’m going to do it – and I’m a computer addict! LOL
Michelle, I know what you mean. I guess the small groups offer more interaction. Its a lot to try to read all the comments and start connected with others. If you’d like to communicate with me, I’ll be happy to share email, fb, or whatever. Good luck and God bless thru this study! He’s going to empower us, no doubt!
I forgot to add my name, sorry!
I’m Kassidy.
Kassidy or Michelle…do either of you know how to get into the small groups?
Hi Keri. I think you have to email someone thrum proverbs31 that helping with this study. Its on the facebook page for it. Have you seen that?
Wow. It is so encouraging reading everyone’s comments. It is nice to not feel alone. To keep this simple my life has felt like an endless cycle of bad and I can’t seem to get free. I have recently made a commitment to have quiet time with God every morning no matter what. I have a great friend who I email ever morning for accountability. Right now my prayer is to change from wanting to want to, to simply want to. I am feeling much older than I really am. I feel life is passing me by and I’m just hanging on so I don’t fall off. I want that to change today. I want to be living my life abundantly like God meant for each of us. May God bless this study and everyone who is involved in the study.
I read chap 1. The part about …we consume what we think about….rang out to me.I don’t feel like I am perfect but I always notice God changes my thoughts. For me, I walk/ run on my treadmill in the am, listen to worship for 20 min then read the word the last 10. I don’t do it on my own,God helps me to stay consistent. For those of you starting….God knows our hearts. He can do all things. Phil 4:13 I can do all things thru jesus who gives me strength. Ok….off to do my workout/time with God. Hes waiting for me to go meet with him. Hes waiting for all of us to meet with him. He loves us like no other. Love and encouragement…..amy
It’s reassuring that our Lord Jesus has the power to change people and their ways. I begin my study with a humble heart willing to learn and grow…again.
Tried twice to send a message and twice it has disappeared. So I am now keeping it short…Glad to be a part of MTC bible study with everyone and hope that this time, I will finish the book and be propelled forward to reaching a healthier weight – physically, spiritually and emotionally.
Yolande, I see you said “this this time I will finish the book” I’m with you on that. I just pulled out my MTC book last night. You know what the book mark was? That paper McDonalds wraps their cones in….ya know, ice cream cones. WOW! I was so not ready last time.
This is the first time I have done something like this. I am in Bible Study Fellowship right now. This is a whole different ball game and I am interested to learn!
Welcome! You will enjoy and grow in the Lord and w/ other followers. Blessings!
Hi Lisa,
I am also in Bible Study Fellowship! I’m always excited to run into a fellow BSFer! Although I have done many bible studies over the years, this will be my first time doing one online. I’m really looking forward to it. When I bought the book at my local bookstore, the cashier just raved about the book and what she took away from it so I’m excited to see where God leads me!
Playing a little catch up just got my book last night but just read the intro and i’m so excited to get this study rolling!! What struck me most was the parable about the rich man never thought of it in the way described i was too literal thinking it meant soley riches not the things that I crave or desire more than my relationship with God. II dont want to be spiritually undernourished. That was an eye opener and i’m thankful to now see it in a new light. Also actually praying for good to put the desire in me to be more healthy so that it can become a lifestyle instead of an impulse was a big ah-ha as well. May the ah-ha’s keep on coming
The parable struck me as well . . . it is easy to point the finger at others with issues (like the rich man) . . . I turn to food in every situation and this convicted me as well. Now to remember it when the sweets are calling.
May God continue to deliver AH-HAs
Emily
I bought the book last week for this study…was so excited I read the whole thing in a day and a half (but I am re-reading for this study and discovering many nuggets of truth I didn’t see before)…have been trying to implement changes. I can honestly say I was majorly focused on eating…mostly carbs called my name. I have had to be diligent to remember why I am doing this…it’s not just a diet for me…it’s a lifestyle change drawing me closer to God.
I get kinda squirmy when I think long term…like when can I eat a cinnamon roll, or …? But I have to borrow from another self-help program and remember that this is “One Day at a Time”…take care of right now, this minute, this hour this day…that is helping. And it’s for an awesome purpose…to draw me closer to My Lord! Yeah, I want that!
To end..a praise…last night this girl who loves bread, brownies and cookies…I actually was craving apple chips! To me, that’s progress!
I’m so excited to see how God works on my heart (and body) through this study. I so want to crave God more than chocolate!
Hi everyone I am so excited to start this bible study to see what GOD has in-store for me this time ever bible studies I have done with you Melissa has drawn me closer to GOD. plus fight off Satan at the same time. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU!
I am really excited on doing this bible study. I have recently been working out and trying to eat better. I know that the most important thing is my relationship with God. I had been debating on actually doung
Sorry comment submitted and wasn’t finished. Lol Well as I was saying, I was debating on doing the study. I went to the book store and with book in hand said a small prayer, asking God to help with the decision in buying the book or not. Well after reading the introduction I got teary eyed. It’s like those words were for me. So here I am
So looking forward for what’s to come! May God bless you all.
Well, I have to confess, that last night, the first day of the study, I gave into temptation and ate pretty poorly. A bunch of friends came over, and instead of sharing my quest, I ate. Now, I am not an overweight person, but I want to crave God, not food. I have digestive issues which will be eliminated with healthy choices. I beat myself for almost everything I eat, aside from fruits and veggies. I want y’all to know I am inspired by each one of you and am praying for you. Knowing you are doing the same for me will keep me on the “right” path, which is God’s. Thank you and God bless each of you….
God bless you too! And keep move forward – Jesus is with you!
This is my second time reading MTC and I want the ‘want to’ to make some changes and stick to it this time around. I’m tired of the yo-yo life. I have an amazing faith life but feel that my biggest stronghold is my eating habits. I absolutely love to exercise but without good nutrition, the results don’t come. I hope and pray that diving into this study with all these other ladies across the country will help me see how important and worthwhile it will be to mentally, physically, and spiritually be renewed to crave God in the fullest sense! Thank you for all the support and encouraging words. God bless you all through this journey and beyond.
Small steps in healthy eating seem to be much more doable then trying to drastically change everything! God Bless your efforts. Emily
We crave what we eat. (pg. 19)
It makes sense. The more you feed on something the more you crave and want it again and again. TIme for a change. I choose to feed on God’s word again and again and again. Amen to that!
She quoted Psalm 84:1-2 “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” That is powerful. I am praying that my heart and flesh will continue to cry out to God for help in the midst of my temptations and struggles. Right now it is snacking on sweets and not getting up in the morning so I have time to exercise. This is what I’m going to be working on. And memorizing some of the Bible verses that will give me strength to resist the temptation to sleep in longer and to eat without thinking/needing it.
Well, I love carrot sticks, but I seem to choose other non-healthy things over them too often. What has encouraged me today, more than reading the introduction was the word EMPOWERED. That is the reminder I need to get myself on the right track. My biggest struggle this week is my decision to stop drinking a Pepsi everyday. I know it’s not much, but it’s a struggle I want to end. As the book said, I want to crave God more than Pepsi. God’s blessings to everyone!
I can TOTALLY relate to your Pepsi issue. I used to drink two 42oz a day. Then I started to get heartburn all the time (gee, wonder why?? LOL). Then I switched to sweet tea… at my worst I was getting FOUR 32oz sweet teas a day. (Did I just admit that????)
So two years ago, I realized it really was an addiction to sugar, so I decided to go cold turkey. I went to drinking nothing but water. I did that for three months, and let me tell you, I was a bear for the first couple of weeks! After my 3 months, I started drinking UNsweetened tea. Now all I drink is unsweetened tea or water, usually with some lemon. Very, very rarely, I’ll drink a Pepsi. It tastes sooooo much better when it’s a treat.
You can do it!
This will be my second time reading MTC. I am hearing everything she is saying but know I just need to apply it. So I am hoping doing this study with you all will hold be accountable. I know God has been calling me to spend more time with him but yet I find everything else that “needs” to get done. I don’t know if I am depressed, just exhausted from my full time job and trying to run the home, but I find it hard for me to do what I need to do. I recently lost 20 lbs on the Jorge Cruise’s Belly Fat diet but gained it all back since Thanksgiving….so despressing. I was actually starting to feel good about myself and went to buy some new things. I am having a really hard time getting back on track.
Praying for wisdom as you make choices about where to spend your time. I struggle with setting aside time, too.
Hi – my daughter and I just started doing this study together. She is 12 and I am so glad she is doing it with me!
Intro Chapter – Hannah said the thing that stuck out to her was that there is always a battle spiritually, physically and mentally with everyone.
What stuck out to me is that with Jesus if we want gain, we must give up and to conquer my cravings, I must redirect them to God and admit that what I eat matter.
Looking forward to doing this study with everyone.
Hi, all!
I’m so excited to be doing this study! (I’m also doing A Confident Heart.) I loved the book and probably highlighted half of it. There were so many things speaking to me.
Right now, my Want To is really wanting to, so now is the time to get my plan in place to combat the Don’t Feel Like it… I know it’s coming, I need to be prepared.
My Want To is also wanting to build a better relationship with God, so I can treat myself the way I should… the way I treat the people I care about. I would never, ever talk to anyone else in the horrible, ugly way I talk to myself!
Good luck, everyone!
EMPOWERED! I’m empowered to eat salmon instead of a cheeseburger tonight!
I love the word “empowered”. It also make me feel like I have control in a world where it seems out of control. I have 4 kids, 3 girls (20, 16, 14 & a son 9), 2 dogs, work a full time job, and takes classes,(all that goes with that!)
Reading the Introduction, chapters 1, 2 & 3 I found that I could relate with her and probably a lot of you out there. I was a smoker for 18yrs and when I quit I was or rather I became”addicted” to food and gained 40lbs quickly.
It has been 4 yrs since I quit and though I have lost 35 lbs, I still battle with food. I still want to lose about 20 lbs. I am the one who will always start tomorrow- let me “eat all I can” today since I have already “messed up”.
In July I made the choice to stop dairy and beef and start counting calories. (I use http://www.fitnesspal.com) I am lactose intolerant, and decided to eat very little meat from a cow or pig and eat more vegan burgers, turkey & chicken & fish.
The days I eat healthy, I love how I feel!! I am looking forward to changing my craving!!
I love your last phrase “Changing my Craving” –something to remind myself when I’m struggling
thanks for sharing!
I wrote 1 Corinthians 10:23, “Everything is permissible – but not everything is beneficial” on my week 1 fridge sign. =)
I have felt empowered today by reading all the posts here and my positive eating choices. No school today (yeah!), so today was a day of doing little chores around the house and it was great to be able to read everyone’s posts.
i am still waiting for the book
I have always struggled with my weight and have no one to blame but myself. I am a nurse and should realize what is “good and what is “bad”. I have enjoyed reading the MADE TO CRAVE BOOK and have started journaling. I have started walking and trying to make healthier choices because of health issues. I work in a school system and started a program with the girls that focuses on exercise, walking and running, and be a confident person with a positive self esteem. Thanks so much for the Bible verses and for all the encouragement in the book. Can’t wait too see what changes are to come in the next 6 weeks.
Having sold myself on every excuse under the sun to do (or not do) what I want, I’m excited to dive into this study.
“Nothing changes until we make the choice to redirect our misguided cravings to the only one capable of satisfying them.”
It’s time for Him to be the one I crave.
So much about this first chapter spoke to me. “overweight physically, underweight spiritually”…we crave what we eat…giving up the one thing we crave more than God (ouch). I feel that God is doing a work in me that goes well beyond my food cravings and weight…He wants all of me and I really want to give it to Him. Psalm 51:10-12 I am adding to all the other great scripture references we were given in the first chapter. Prayers for all as we journey together…pray for me.
I just purchased the book today and have already read the first 5 chapters. I had heard of this book before, but did not realize how much information was there and how much I would identify with Lysa and this book. Thank you for writing this book for all of us. I am hoping this will do for me what it has done for so many others. I too love carrots, just don’t buy them often, and if they are there and there is another choice, the other choice usually wins. It is a matter of making the better choice always… Blessings to all in this study, as we are all struggling with the weight monster
BethAnn
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