I knew this moment would come, but it doesn't make this any less shocking, or disappointing. Just last Sunday morning I stood on my bathroom scale after a night on the town with my wife. We had driven all the way to Cleveland to celebrate a friend's 40th birthday party, and I felt like I completely passed the test. Nursed a single adult beverage all night and didn't eat any of the food that was literally all around the place. So when I stepped on the scale and saw that I had lost 1.5 lbs. from the previous morning, I felt satisfied. Vindicated. Ready to take on the world. It was Day 21 of my juice fast, and I felt ready to eat solid foods, having taken away some valuable lessons about eating.
This morning, I feel like I've lost a major battle against food addiction. I have been eating good foods, but I knew in my heart of hearts that I was eating waaaaay too much of them. Three plates full of dinner - that level of too much. And it showed up on the scale today. I've given back all of the weight I lost since the beginning of this DietBet, and added on a little more for good measure.
Now, part of that comes with the transition from juicing to solids, I know. After I completed my first extended juice fast in November, I gained 10 lbs. the first week back on solids. However, I tightened my belt again and lost 15 lbs. the following week, just by getting back to the principles that got me through my fast. Still, though. I thought I had learned this lesson already?
Under no circumstances should I ever feel comfortable or justified in eating more than one plate of cooked food. Even if it's low-calorie, even if I still "feel" hungry. I need renewed discipline, today. I thank God that His grace and mercy is made new every morning. Otherwise, I'd be in some serious trouble.
So, the DietBet re-starts TODAY. I now have less than three weeks to lose ten pounds. Just a boy and his treadmill, that's all. One plate of dinner and lots of water. And the Lord's strength when I falter (Phil. 4:13).
Thanks for reading!