Desire is powerful and can be used for good as well as bad!
Last November, I saw my doctor for my annual physical. Unfortunately, I had gained a few pounds.
My doctor was not concerned about my weight then, but she believed that if I continued to gain weight, I would be more likely to become diabetic and receive a cancer diagnosis like many members of my family have. She was blunt with me.
“I know you only weigh ten pounds more than the acceptable range for your height, but do you know what will happen if you continue gaining weight? Diabetes type two runs in your family, like cancer does. Did you know that you are a prime candidate for diabetes because of your age and genetics? Also, did you know that being overweight increases your risk of developing cancer, that there is a connection between your fat cells and the growth of cancer cells?”
“No, I did not know those things,” I replied. “I have tried to lose weight, but after I lose it, it just comes right back!”
She had seen me sitting in the waiting room munching Dove dark chocolate mint candy, so she knew I loved this delicious treat. So she informed me that eliminating all sugar and sugar substitutes from my diet would enable me to lose the weight, help me avoid becoming diabetic, and lower my risk for cancer.
I was shocked that she suggested such a horrible thing! I needed sugar and chocolate to help me cope with stress! Besides, I am not the only person in the US addicted to sugar and chocolate. Almost every food in the grocery store contains sugar or a sugar substitute.
My addiction won that day.
For another month, I continued to eat as I had before.
Around the middle of December, I looked in the mirror when I stepped out of the shower and did not like my image. My belly looked like a small beer belly. Knowing the danger of any fat around the middle of my body, I thought about what my doctor had said.
Every time I stepped out of the shower, I looked at myself in the mirror. On December 20, 2018, I looked at my image and decided that my desire to be healthy was more important that my addiction to sugar.
So I gave up sugar and all sugar substitutes.
Yes, it was hard to shop for groceries and even more difficult to say no to temptation everywhere I went. Although it was Christmas, I thought about my desires and which desire I wanted to win.
Now, on March 16, 2019, I have lost thirty pounds and feel great. I no longer crave sweets and have much more energy. Because of my success, I no longer frown when I see my own body. My desire to be healthy was more important to me than my addiction and enabled me to overcome my dependence.
Is your loved one addicted to something? Or are you? Just think about what the addict desires more than his or her dependence, and continually remind him or her of this.
Addiction is an obsession and takes over a person’s thoughts,
but desire can change someone’s thoughts!
Let the encouraging words in these bobbiejrae posts help you
soar like an eagle above life’s storms.
How does the fire in your soul affect others?
We all must take the bad with the good.
These words have power and meaning!
What is your message to the world?
Enjoy BJ’s encouraging words
on bobbiejrae.com.
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