The God code

Frustrated with my body over the past number of years, I train and try about every diet you can imagine- low carb, WW, Noom, whole 30, calorie counting, high fiber, etc. with at best temporary and minimal results. The types of food I eat and amount of exercise seem to make no difference. I know it’s at least partially menopause related, I’ve come to realize it’s so much more.

Reading The Obesity Code and becoming aware of 2 biblical principles I have neglected to observe that can really help me achieve better health:

1. Fasting

2. Resting (both sleeping and reducing stress)

Both require discipline and surrendering control.

I find the science behind fasting and rest amazing: insulin’s effects that can only be broken by fasting, cortisol that increases exponentially when I continue to get far less sleep than I should, despite healthy diet and exercise. Exercise has a different role than I thought- not so much directly on the weight loss front, but stress relief. I need to look at it differently. My body will find a way to replace the calories I burn, but sitting on my butt when I’m in exhausted at the end of the day will not relieve my stress nor help me sleep better like exercise will.

My friend Scott Kirchmann just died. He was so strong, such a faithful Christian, always living fully. He was physically strong and trained. Even as his body broke down, he continued to speak words of strength over himself. He constantly offered to pray for others, all while he battled metastatic lung cancer for two years. He was 48.  

I will be 48 in a few days. How much time do I have left? Will I be strong? Will I train myself physically and be #mulestrong as he always said? Will I discipline myself mentally, and more importantly spiritually, to be strong? I spend too much effort trying to do things that seem worthwhile, making an impact on others, while I neglect to obey what God asks me to do for myself. This isn’t some false humility. I’m not talking about being selfless; there is plenty of self involved here, that’s the problem. I serve others in the way I believe I should. I refuse to or don’t get enough sleep because I’m not resting in and trusting God that I can be enough in the physical limits of this body, one that needs sleep. I do not treat it as a temple. I would rather make things and be creative and neglect the rest and physical exercise that I “don’t have time for.” 

I think I’m ready. I’m listening, God. You were right all along.