Honoring God With My Body: Month 5

I Gained 40 Pounds

Since my last health update, I found out that I have gained right at 40 pounds over the last year.

I’m not proud of that number.

Honestly, it’s hard to even type it out and put it out there for other people to see.

But I promised myself—and all of you—that I would be transparent throughout this journey. So I’m going to share the good, the bad, the frustrating, and the encouraging.

This is where I am right now.

And this number is part of my story, but it is not the whole story.

There is so much more going on than what the scale says.

Finally, Some Answers

After talking with my doctor and having some lab work done, we discovered that my thyroid needs some attention.

My doctor started me on medication to help my thyroid.

We also talked about my cholesterol. She said we can hold off on addressing that for now and see if getting my thyroid under control helps bring those numbers down as well.

I really appreciated her approach.

Instead of trying to tackle everything at once, she said, essentially, let’s handle one thing at a time.

So that’s what we’re doing.

One thing at a time.

One step at a time.

One day at a time.

I’ve been taking my new thyroid medication for about a week and a half, and I honestly don’t know yet if what I’m experiencing is a placebo effect or if I’m already beginning to notice some benefits.

But I do know this:

I feel better.

And after feeling exhausted for so long, feeling even a little better feels like a really big deal.

Small Improvements Are Still Improvements

Allen and I are still walking most nights, and we’ve actually increased our pace by about two minutes per mile.

Now, I don’t know if that’s something I’m supposed to be incredibly impressed by.

Maybe two minutes per mile isn’t a huge deal to someone who runs marathons.

But considering where I have been physically, I’m celebrating it.

I’ve been dealing with fatigue, a high heart rate, low energy, and just generally not feeling like myself.

So when I see even a small improvement, I’m going to celebrate it.

Sometimes we get so focused on the big goal that we overlook the little victories along the way.

I don't want to do that anymore.

If I have a little more energy today than I did last month, that's progress.

If I can walk a little faster, that's progress.

If I make a healthier choice today, that's progress.

If I listen to my body instead of fighting against it, that's progress.

And if I wake up feeling just a little more like myself, I'm going to thank God for it.

Eight Pounds Down… But That's Not the Point

Since my doctor's appointment about a week and a half ago, I’ve lost approximately 8 pounds.

And yes, I’m excited about that.

But I want to be careful about how I celebrate it because this journey was never supposed to be about chasing a number.

The number on the scale can be encouraging, but it doesn't tell the whole story.

My goal is to become healthier.

My goal is to have more energy.

My goal is to feel better.

My goal is to take care of the body God has entrusted to me.

And honestly, my biggest goal is to stop looking at my health as something I need to “fix” and start looking at it as something I need to care for.

There is a difference.

I'm Finally Hopeful

My doctor wants me to come back next month to repeat my labs and see where my thyroid levels are. Depending on those results, we’ll determine whether my medication needs to be adjusted.

So right now, I’m waiting.

I’m watching.

I’m walking.

I’m taking my medication.

I’m making better choices when I can.

And I’m praying.

But more than anything, I’m hopeful.

When I first started this health journey, I didn't know about all of these health issues.

I just knew that I was exhausted all the time.

I knew I had gained weight and couldn't understand why.

I knew I was trying to lose it, but it seemed like I couldn't get the weight off—or if I did, I would eventually gain it right back.

I spent a lot of time wondering, What am I doing wrong?

Now I’m beginning to realize that maybe the better question was:

What is happening inside my body that I need to understand?

That doesn't mean I don't have responsibility for the choices I make. I absolutely do.

But it does remind me that our bodies are complicated, and sometimes there are things happening beneath the surface that we can't see.

One Step at a Time

I don't know what the next few months are going to look like.

I don't know what my next set of labs will show.

I don't know exactly how my body will respond to my medication.

And I certainly don't know how long this journey is going to take.

But I'm learning that I don't have to know all of that today.

I just need to take the next step.

And right now, the next step is pretty simple:

Keep going.

Keep walking.

Keep making better choices.

Keep listening to my doctor.

Keep taking care of myself.

Keep praying.

And keep trusting God.

Because ultimately, my health is not completely in my hands.

It is in His.

What Does the Bible Say About Caring for Ourselves?

One verse that has been on my mind throughout this journey is:

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” — 1 Corinthians 6:19

This verse isn't telling us that we need to look a certain way.

It isn't telling us that our worth is determined by our weight.

And it certainly isn't telling us that God loves us more when we're thinner or healthier.

Our worth was settled at the cross.

But it does remind us that our bodies matter.

How we care for ourselves matters.

Our health matters.

And caring for our bodies can be an act of stewardship and gratitude toward the One who created us.

Another verse that has encouraged me is:

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” — Psalm 139:14

I’m trying to remember that even on the days when I don't like what I see in the mirror.

I am still fearfully and wonderfully made.

Even with the 40 pounds I gained.

Even with the health issues I didn't know were there.

Even when I'm tired.

Even when the scale doesn't move.

Even when I get frustrated with myself.

God's opinion of me hasn't changed.

And neither should my willingness to care for the body He gave me.

Your Application This Month

Maybe you're on a health journey too.

Maybe your struggle has nothing to do with weight.

Maybe you're dealing with exhaustion, stress, hormones, medications, chronic health issues, or simply trying to figure out what your body needs.

Whatever your situation is, I want to encourage you not to give up.

Don't despise small improvements.

Celebrate the extra walk.

Celebrate the healthier meal.

Celebrate getting enough water.

Celebrate making the doctor's appointment you've been putting off.

Celebrate getting the answers you've been searching for.

Celebrate the day you have a little more energy than you did yesterday.

And most importantly, give yourself grace.

You don't have to transform your entire life overnight.

Sometimes faithfulness looks like simply taking the next right step.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9

I'm holding onto that one.

I'm going to keep taking the next step.

And I'm excited to see what the Lord is going to do.

I’d Love to Hear From You

If you're comfortable sharing, I would love for you to tell me about your health journey.

Have you ever discovered that there was something going on with your health that you didn't realize was affecting you?

Have you experienced a small victory that felt much bigger than it might look to someone else?

Or maybe you simply need prayer.

Share your story, encouragement, or prayer request in the comments.

You never know who might read your words and realize they aren't walking this road alone.