First, I need to give you all a heads up that the She Speaks conference is filling up quickly. As of right now, the host hotel is full. If you haven’t registered yet, don’t panic.
We still have room for you at the conference. And there is a hotel next door that will accomodate those who can’t get into the host hotel.
We have put registrations on hold until tomorrow so that we can assess which breakouts are completely full and which ones still have available space. The new registration process that will go live tomorrow will reflect these updates.
Once the conference is sold out, we’ll start a waiting list but you don’t want to have to stress about a waiting list right? So, if you haven’t registered and plan to, please, pretty please, with a no sugar cherry on top please, do it sooner rather than later.
Speaking of no sugar…
Many of you have sent me notes, comments and e-mails about the no sugar deal I’m doing. For those of you who could care less, you are dismissed. Bye, bye… love you and I’ll see you tomorrow. Hugs.
For my curious friends, maybe you have been wondering the same thing this friend was wondering in her e-mail to me yesterday:
“So I read your blog and I gotta ask … no sugar at all? What about sugar substitutes like Splenda or Stevia?? Girl, what in the world are you eating then???”
I can’t do this no sugar thing on my own. Let me just say that right up front. I think I have slight food issues. Well, okay maybe not so slight.
Y’all I just quite simply enjoy food more than a girl should. I think about it too much, crave things I shouldn’t, and have issues with the whole portion control matter.
I just can’t put it any more plain than that.
So.
My keynote message for this year’s She Speaks is something God has been putting on my heart since Jan. 1st of this year. My message will be titled, “No Compromise.”
Yet, as I’ve been preparing for my She Speaks message and praying about the conference, I came to realize that I’ve been excusing, dismissing, and basically compromising in the area of food.
This is hard to write because even now my brain is saying, “Oh Lysa, it’s not that bad. I mean people don’t look at you and see evidence that you have issues with food.” But it goes way deeper for me than just managing my weight. It’s really about managing my soul.
The more I crave food and seek unhealthy satisfaction from food, the less I crave true satisfaction from Jesus.
I know some people may roll their eyes and think, “Oh for heaven’s sake Lysa. Do you have to spiritualize everything?” Well, keep rolling because pretty much yes, I have to surrender everything to the Lord.
And this food issue is one I’ve been avoiding for a really long time.
So, all that to say, I have to depend on the Lord right now in a much bigger way than when I freely let myself have sugar. Each time I wish for something I have eliminated from my diet, instead of parking my mind on what I can’t have- I park my mind on what I can have.
I can have more prayer. I can have more insight. I can have more discipline. I can have more of God right now.
Will I forever eliminate sugar from my diet? I don’t think so. But I am hoping this season of discipline will reset my body and the incessant cravings I have for unhealthy carbs.
So, first I need the Lord. Also, I need people support.
I have several friends who are doing this no sugar thing right now who are a tremendous support. And I have a natural health doctor who specializes in nutrition who is holding me accountable and helping me as well.
I record everything I eat and give her my food records once a week when I go to weigh in.
Since starting this healthy eating plan, I have lost 8 pounds. This is a great blessing to my jeans that were threatening to bust at the seams… literally.
So, what do I eat? Here is what I might eat on a given day based on the protein and carb amounts set forth by my plan. Please note, I don’t eat this same thing every day… this just gives you an idea.
Before breakfast:
1 very small, (as in like 1/2 cup) of a protein drink
2 tsp. apple cider vinegar- supposedly this is really healthy but mercy it tastes awful
2 small chunks of watermelon, to help get rid of that horrendous vinegar aftertaste
Large water
Juice Plus Capsules
Breakfast:
1 egg
1 slice turkey bacon
2 more small chunks of watermelon
Mid-morning-
another very small protein drink
Lunch-
A strawberry Turkey Salad with homemade Balsamic Dressing— total yum!
Large bed of green leaf lettuce
4 strawberries sliced
60 grams sliced turkey deli meat
Dressing: 4 tsp. olive oil, 2 tsp. balsamic vinegar, some fresh ground pepper- mixed well.
Mid afternoon-
another small protein d
rink
Late afternoon-
another small protein drink and a handful of natural almonds
Dinner-
120 grams of lean meat of my choice
small portion of vegetables
I also allow myself 1 or sometimes 2 Diet 7-ups and if I have to sweeten anything, I use stevia. And I am drinking 8-10 waters a day.
For the first week, it was hard. But now my body has seemed to adjust and it really is just enough food to satisfy me and keep my hunger pains away.
So, that’s it in a nutshell.
Just make it an almond nutshell please.
Thursday, April 23
The no sugar thing
Discussion
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Keep up the good work Lysa! I’m very proud of you!
Our bodies are a temple to be looked after—-they do better when healthier things are put in them.
You go girl!! I promise no more cupcake comments–EVER!!
Have a Blessed Day!
Wendy
Lysa,
I LOVE the title of your message for She Speaks. I teared up just reading the title, for Pete’s sake, which should tell us both that there is an annointing on your message. Can’t wait to hear it.
God bless you on your no-sweets journey, girl. I appreciate your candor and pray that you will prosper and be in good health, even as your soul prospers.
I’ve been praying for more self-discipline, and one of those areas is eating. I have gained WAY too much weight, and it’s bad enough that my girdle doesn’t help anymore!
But I have started keeping track of everything I eat, and when I start counting, I realize how much I’m eating!
I also am trying to walk in the afternoons at a pace of 140 steps per minute.
I know if I stay focused on feeling better, and that God can give me the will power to discipline myself, I can do this!
You’re and inspiration!
You’re *AN inspiration!
PS–I love the song No Compromise by Keith Green–a song that challenges me.
“The more I crave food and seek unhealthy satisfaction from food, the less I crave true satisfaction from Jesus.”
This is the truth from my life story. Idols are set up when we go looking for satisfaction in anything or anyone but Jesus. Don’t look back, don’t mourn for it. Jesus is the very sweetest!
Hi, Lysa. I totally understand the battle and have dealt with my weight since I was in elementary school. I feel this is one of the last (or hardest, anyway) battlegrounds for me to turn over to God. But I’ve been feeling a call to eat healthy (think Daniel in Babylon) to help me do all that God is calling for me to do. I admit – I can’t do it without God’s help. Food is an idol that we must live with in order to survive and yet somehow not let it rule over us! Sheesh! That’s hard to do!
When the thoughts running through my head are more about what I ate and shouldn’t have, or a constant internal monologue complaining about why I can’t have this or that, more than thought about what God is doing in and around me, well, there’s a problem!
For the past two weeks, I’ve given up sugars, processed food, meat and dairy. I don’t know how long I’ll do it, but I am finally at peace in my own head! No more constant monologue! I can focus on God right now, and that alone is the best perk!
We need to support each other in whatever we deal with. What affects one sister may not be an issue with another.
SO, long comment apologizes here, I TOTALLY support you, girlfriend! May God give you that wonderful PEACE that He promises…today!
Blessings for all you do!
Kelly
Go Lysa! Only you and God can decide what is hindering you in your relationship with Him- I am proud of you for sticking it out! Keep up the good work!
Going off sugar will help you lose the craving for it. I used to have such a sweet tooth and cut out the sugar. I now eat it on occasion, but cannot handle it like I used to – thankfully. I took off 20 pounds in 2005 and have kept it off. You may want to switch out the watermelon for berries or pineapple. Pineapple is actually one of the lowest sugar fruits – and they taste oh, so sweet. Berries are the next lowest in natural sugars. Then you move up to apples. Funny when you stop eating sugar how sweet the fruit tastes! And for a fun snack – frozen raspberries! YUM! Keep up the good work. It’s not a diet – it’s a a way of life. And its more a mind game than anything! haha
I’ve already commented on my “no sugar” and “no artificial sweetener” way of eating.
I’ll give you one of my favorite “desserts” here.
Frozen blueberries slightly thawed with a bit of Reddi Whip spray cream.
There is very little sugar in the cream.
Melanie@Bella~Mella
Lysa,
I thought health related benefits of apple cider vinegar were a total urban myth. However WebMD doesn’t totally debunk the idea.
Apple Cider VinegarRather than taking it by itself I wonder if “hiding” it in the dressing for the salad would have the same possible benefit and be less painful for the old taste buds.
Thanks for the tip.
IBB
My doctor put me on cinnamon capsules. Took away my cravings for sugar.
As always, I am truly thankful for your obedience to God and how it challenges me. You have prompted me to make some changes that have been LONG overdue. Thanks!
And I am really enjoying the ideas and info everyone is including with yours. Looking forward to checking back in later to read more.
Blessings to you as you live a life of no compromises.
Love,
K
“Oh for heaven’s sake Lysa. Do you have to spiritualize everything?” Well, keep rolling because pretty much yes, I have to surrender everything to the Lord.
Amen.. Lysa.. Amen and me too! Love you girl. Hugs.
I totally get what you are saying… I think in the end everything comes down to a spiritual battle…
Blessings
Go girl! I do not think you are over spiritualizing anything. I strongly believe the discipline we exercise in our physical lives is a direct relation or reflection to how much discipline we exercise in our spiritual walk. Not that one is easier than the other. Both present their challenges. If we take notice of the areas the Lord illuminates in our physical life, we will find that there is a benefit in the spiritual realm. Keep up the good and hard work, Lysa, you are inspiration to me!
that is awesome Lysa!!
your discipline is a testimony to us all. oh I wish I could come here your speak on no compromise. been trying to get that same message to those in the ministry I lead back here at home.
You rock!
Wow, Lysa, that IS intense, but I do support you. I like your analogy about craving the Lord like you crave sugar. How we all need to do that.
I can’t wait to hear your talk about “No Compromises”–it’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot since January because our Bible study has been studying the lives of Elijah and Elisha. It is amazing how the people in that time continued to follow idols, even though they thought they were following the Lord. So much to say about that, but the main thing I learned was that God wants our wholehearted devotion. When we keep just a small piece of our hearts for ourselves (or our idols) we completely displease the Lord.
So, basically, I can’t wait to hear what YOU have to say about that.
I can’t wait to hear your keynote speech. Those cinnamon capsules work too. That and acai berry.
love the analogy!
God bless you on that breakfast sister. The rest of your diet sounds pretty tasty though! And oh the soul tingling joy of fitting into a special pair of jeans – what a day of rejoicing it will be!
I’ve got a closet full of pretty stuff waiting for that glorious day…
So excited about She Speaks this year. I am working working working on my two little speaker track assignments!
Oh Lysa, I just have to comment on your "No Compromise" topic. The Lord is speaking to me about that very thing right now and I'm struggling with the full surrender.
I'm thinking of a Keith Green song that says,
"Make my life a prayer to You
I wanna do what You want me to
No empty words and no white lies
No token prayers no compromise
I wanna shine the light You gave
Thru Your Son You sent to save us
From ourselves and our despair
It comforts me to know You're really there."
Wish I was attending the conference to hear your message alone. I'll be praying that the Lord's annointing will be on your preparation.
Love & hugs,
Joy
Looks like you’re doing great on this plan! You are going to LOVE maintenance.:-)
Keep on keeping on, your perseverance will pay off in the end.
One hint: Don’t even think of going back to sugar… it is now poison to your body and you will be so sick.
I am sooooooo excited for She Speaks! I cannot believe I will be there, and can’t wait to hear your talk.
Lysa,
Thank you so much for being so open and honest about this area. It’s something that I have struggled with for the past 10 years and the Lord has brought it to the forefront these past few months.
What an encouragement it is for me to see you journey through this as well. It gives me hope, encouragement and much needed wisdom!
Your message is resonating with me so much right now. I do not have a weight problem, nor do I have a body image battle. But apparently there is a food consumption/ health/ spiritual message I am supposed to be internalizing. I’m working on determining the exact message God has for me.
Thanks for your post.
Great job, Lysa!
The nurse in me does need to ask a few questions.
What does the vinegar do? I might want to try it, but I need justification for what it actually does before I put myself through that type of torment. LOL!
Also, what protein shakes? Don’t they contain sugar or are they sweetened with stevia?
P.S. Did you know the farmer’s market sells Stevia plants? You can tear off a leaf and eat it and it tastes awesome. I use the packets though for ease of usage.
You’re doing great! I’ve never had a protien shake! I bet that would help with hunger a little.
I tend to go overboard and not eat enought when I really watching what I eat. See ya a She Speaks!
~Kim
Good for you Lysa — I honestly think, as Christians, we often trivialize food issues and think it doesn’t really matter. But it does. My friend Kelly, at kellythekitchenkop.com has an entire post about sugar and sweeteners today. Personally, I find that the less sugar I eat, the less I want. I’m amazed at how sweet fresh fruit tastes to me when I’m not consuming sugar.
THANK YOU soooo much for the info!
I’m super inspired
blessings,
Kate
That is one healthy eating plan, Girl! Keep it up. You can do it. And I’m Sooooooooo proud of you for losing so much weight. That’s incredible.
Love ya!
Sandy
Diets never work…Ah, who am I kidding?!
That sounds like what I (believe it or not) craved while I was pregnant with my son. Publix sells a salad that is so delicious that I ate it at least 4 times a week. It was a bed of fancy greens, blueberries, raisins, apples, and walnuts. I always used a raspberry vinegarette.
When I made it at home, I added more fruit and some turkey or chicken, feta, strawberries, and craisins. Oh my. It was delicious.
I also took JuicePlus during that pregnancy, and it was BY FAR the best of my three.
I bet you FEEL so good right now. I am getting a little convicted about my diet and lifestyle right now. Between you and Vicki Courtney, I’m committing to eating better and exercising.
We’ll see….
Wow! This is a really big deal, Lysa. I bet you feel SOOOOO much better. If you don’t yet, you will. I’ve considered no sugar, and I know I could do it, but it would be oh so hard. I have a lot of food allergies, so I have to abstain from a lot of other things already…
You’ve given me something to think about.
All sounds very doable … except for drinking apple cider vinegar.
Ewwwwwww!!
Are you sure the weight loss isn’t just stemming from the vomiting that follows drinking straight vinegar?
Proud of ya ~ R
Great post with the NOS SUGAR-can you share what kind of protein shake you are taking? There are so many choices and how much protein is in yours. Thanks!
Hi Lysa, thank you for ALL your awesome words of encouragement.
I know of an amazing product…..
it’s 100% natural, you sprinkle it on your food and it reduces the calories 25% -30%. It doesn’t change the food in anyway, you can’t taste it. It’s brand new, patent-pending…. only 1 company has it. It really works! Am I allowed to share the website? http://www.igpst.com/2bfree/ or you can email me for information. Have a blessed day!
where do you get juice plus capsules..can you provide a couple of other menus you use….
Lysa,
Your. . .I can say so many wonderful things about YOU and what your blogs do for me!. . .its amazing how so many of us are alike! (my heart is full and I’m almost to tears)
Just let me close in saying that I applaud your healthy eating efforts and wish you much success. I am on the same path and it is impossible to do it without our Lord!
“I am a courageous woman”.. Please pray for me concerning making better eating choices. I think you are a awesome woman of God and you are a inspiration to me because of your eating choices.
Help I am addicted to icecream.I buy it my husband buys it for me and I eat it . all the time . What should I do?
Help I am addicted to icecream.I buy it my husband buys it for me and I eat it . all the time . What should I do? Please pray for me because I am 56 and I feel it s not too late at least I hope not
thank you lysa. i wrote down your diet i’m going to try it. i’ll let you know how it work for me.
I am diabetic and have had food issues all my life. My sister has been sending me your blogs. They are just what I need. I have been really struggling lately with eating healthy. I have tried many times, always to go right back to my old ways. For some reason, I never thought of asking God to help me. I go to Him for everything else, but never this. I really have a battle going on in my mind and soul. I don’t know why it is so hard to just give it to Him. Please pray for me.
Thank you
Melody you might want to try Clemmy’s ice cream it has 0 sugars. I bought it at a health food market. It taste great! Lsya you can find Zevia soda 0 sugar also at a health food store. It also taste great. It’s better for you than diet coke. My favorite is “Ginger Root Beer”. All of you who are cutting sugar out of your diet you might want to try reading “The Belly Fat Cure” by Jorge Cruise. I just started and he makes it easy. Lysa thank you for all you do. Blessings
Would you mind sharing what kind of protein drink you are drinking? I cant find but one that is good and that one is causing my skin to break out.
I think you are just beautiful. Thanks.
Hi, thank you very much for your post. You’ve helped me a lot.
Hi Lysa
Your book is coming out just in time as I know the Lord wants me to be more Obediant and show self control… not all protiens drinks are made equal I’m sure, which one did your Dr. recommend?
Thank the LORD for your ministry
Isn’t there sugar in your protein drink? what are the capsules you are taking? Is this just to lose weight, or are you intending on living this way from now on? I notice there is no calcium…are you taking supplements?