What's in a Number?

As I've whined about previously, I've been stuck on the fact that I don't like the numbers I'm seeing on the scales.  I. want. more.  This past week I had an appointment with surgeon.  I expressed my discontent with what the scale was seeing and he smiled.  I know he's heard that before.  A LOT.  But then he said to me, "You are well within the normal range.  Stop looking at the number.  I know it's been the focus your entire life, but trust me!  You WILL lose the weight if you follow the plan.  Do you feel better?  Are your clothes getting loser?  Stop looking at the scale!  My goal is not to get you to a certain weight.  My goal is to help you get healthy."  Admittedly, that's not easy for me to do.  He's right. The number on the scales has haunted me for the majority of my life.  It's what the world focuses on when it comes to weight loss.  But it's also been almost a relief not to focus on a number.  He did also recommend I try to up my protein a bit as it may help in the loss, but he basically told me to be patient.


All that being said, I did weigh myself this morning.  Basically just over 5 weeks out from surgery and 25# down.  I guess he's right.  If I follow the plan, it WILL come off.  But more than that, a sweet friend reminded me last Sunday that God made a way for me for this surgery to happen.  I was able to keep my job which in turn meant keeping my insurance which allowed this surgery to happen.  He is faithful to finish the work He has begun in me!  He promises me that! (Phil 1:6)  This journey is not just about me.  It's about the work that God is doing in and through me.  At the end of the weight loss journey, I am confident that He has bigger and better things for me to do.  I don't know what that looks like now, but I do know that He's making it possible for me to get there!


I'm thankful for the loss of 25# since surgery and 50# since January.  I'm thankful for friends with encouraging words.  I am thankful that I can eat tasty foods from a menu (albeit small amounts).  I am thankful that God has provided me a way to pursue this surgery.  I am thankful that I am fearfully and wonderfully made!


Now on a funny note ...I found this on the forum I frequent.  It made me chuckle.  In total, I've lost a small bale of hay - or a toddler since surgery!


1 pound = a Guinea Pig
1.5 pounds = a dozen Krispy Kreme glazed donuts
2 pounds = a rack of baby back ribs
3 pounds = an average human brain
4 pounds = an ostrich egg
5 pounds = a Chihuahua
6 pounds = a human’s skin
7.5 pounds = an average newborn
8 pounds = a human head
10 pounds= chemical additives an American consumes each year
11 pounds = an average housecat
12 pounds = a Bald Eagle
15 pounds = 10 dozen large eggs
16 pounds = a sperm whale’s brain
20 pounds = an automobile tire
23 pounds = amount of pizza an average American eats in a year
24 pounds = a 3-gallon tub of super premium ice cream
25 pounds = an average 2 year old
30 pounds = amount of cheese an average American eats in a year
33 pounds = a cinder block
36 pounds = a mid-size microwave
40 pounds = a 5-gallon bottle of water or an average human leg
44 pounds = an elephant’s heart
50 pounds = a small bale of hay
55 pounds = a 5000 BTU air conditioner
60 pounds = an elephant’s penis (yep, weights more than his heart!)
66 pounds = fats and oils an average American eats in a year
70 pounds = an Irish Setter
77 pounds = a gold brick
80 pounds = the World’s Largest Ball of Tape
90 pounds = a newborn calf
100 pounds = a 2 month old horse
111 pounds = red meat an average American eats in a year
117 pounds = an average fashion model (and she’s 5’11”)
118 pounds = the complete Encyclopedia Britannica
120 pounds = amount of trash you throw away in a month
130 pounds = a newborn giraffe
138 pounds = potatoes an average American eats in a year
140 pounds = refined sugar an average American eats in a year
144 pounds = an average adult woman (and she’s 5’4”)
150 pounds = the complete Oxford English Dictionary
187 pounds = an average adult man
200 pounds = 2 Bloodhounds 
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14