I Was Drowning in Obesity and Drinking More Water Helped Me Lose 145 Pounds

I have lost 145 pounds, and water intake has been a key factor in my weight loss and weight maintenance journey.  I drink half my body weight in ounces of water each day, and I recommend this as a good general guideline for most people. (For example, if someone weighed 200 pounds, I am recommending that they drink 100 ounces of water each day.)

     Many studies have shown the value of water in helping people to lose weight.  Here is one I'd like to highlight:     "Berlin's Franz-Volhard Clinical Research Center tracked energy expenditures among seven men and seven women who were healthy and not overweight... The researchers estimate that over the course of a year, a person who increases his water consumption by 1.5 liters a day would burn an extra 17,400 calories, for a weight loss of approximately five pounds. They note that up to 40% of the increase in calorie burning is caused by the body's attempt to heat the ingested water. The findings are reported in the December issue of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism." (Read more here: http://www.m.webmd.com/diet/news/20040105/drinking-water-may-speed-weight-loss)

     Since drinking enough water can help aid weight loss, here are some tips for drinking half of your body weight in ounces of water each day: I don't allow myself a lot of hot teas, iced teas, or other drinks until I've finished my water for the day. Other times I'll take a hot tea and my water and take sips back and forth while sitting on a blanket listening to a motivational audiobook- that way I'm relaxing and learning while getting my water intake in. Sometimes I put on a timer for 5 min and I have to sit down and sip water and tea until the timer goes off. I pretend it's like a break.

     Also, I use 2 huge water bottles and take them with me almost everywhere I go. If I'm running errands, I will make a specific goal about how much water I will need to have consumed by the time I arrive home.  For me, getting my water intake in is not an option- it is absolutely necessary.

      My cousin Lindsay who has always motivated me to be healthy taught me to put strawberries, blueberries, and mint leaves in my water.  I can't afford to do this often, but my water is delicious on those days. If you begin to feel hungry or snacky throughout the day, ask yourself whether you might actually be thirsty and not hungry.  On top of that, when I go out to eat, I add freshly squeezed lemon and stevia to my glass of water and I aim to drink the whole glass before I begin to eat.  Some of my friends mentioned that it's easier to drink more water since they bought a nice reusable water bottle, and it motivates them. I might try this idea.

     Please share your tips in the comment area about the strategies you employ for getting your water intake accomplished each day.  Water intake is very important, and is a key factor that has helped me to lose 145 pounds and maintain that weight loss.

If you would like to get in touch, feel free to private message me on Facebook or email me at mrs.marlene.bishop@gmail.com.  Thank you!

Reaching Your Goals and Drawing Close to God While Getting Healthy

Philippians 4:20: Now unto our God and Father
be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

This is my before and after picture after losing 145 pounds by God's grace.  I'm finding it easier to chase after the dreams God has put in my heart since I've reached my healthy BMI range. Anyone else who has a lot of weight to lose, please be encouraged, stay strict on your diet plan, and you can have great results! I lost 145 lbs in 19 months.  The end result is worth every single sacrifice- I promise!  

In the before picture I had just been crying  from how much I hated being obese, and I was battling depression, self-image issues, knee problems, back problems, stomach problems, and plantar fasciitis.  In the after picture I was just about to walk into my interview to become a licensed minister. I passed the interview and my license will arrive in the mail any time. I am so excited to have reached another of my goals by becoming a licensed minister.  Praise God. (I went to Global University in the program called the Berean School of the Bible if anyone has thought about going to Bible school online and is looking for an affordable, Biblical program.)  Since losing weight I am also working toward my dream of becoming an author by working on writing two books (one is a devotional about drawing close to God and the other is a book about my weight loss journey.)  Let's draw closer to God and chase after our goals today!  

This morning I received an email from a beautiful lady about the spiritual refinement and closeness with God she finds when honoring the Lord with her health, and she was kind enough to give me permission to share this quote from her email:  "I find myself so much more open to the spirit of God when I am honoring my physical body by eating right and am at a healthy weight.  And it is a striking difference.  I feel love, joy and peace much more abundantly and I praise God naturally.  I also feel more love for others. The only word that comes to mind when I try to describe it is a spiritual refinement - being more connected with my own spirit, and thereby God's."

I'm thankful for this sweet lady, and for her honesty. Isn't it true that it is easier to draw close to God and to reach our goals when we are making healthy choices for our bodies?  If you have found this to be true in your own life, please share about it in the comments or send me an email. 

What's your next big goal?  Feel free to share it in the comments or email  me about it at mrs.marlene.bishop@gmail.com.