top of page
Search
Writer's pictureShel Dammann

Trusting God's Plan on the Weight Loss Journey: Tools, Struggles, and Faith



For many years, I thought the roadmap to weight loss was simple: find the right diet, follow the best exercise routine, and the pounds would melt away, revealing the perfect version of myself. Flat abs, toned legs, and a body that fit the mold of what our culture tells us is "ideal." I spent 35 years chasing this goal, convinced that if I could just find the right combination of food, exercise, and dedication, I’d finally be happy with my body.


I lost 100 pounds—more than once, in fact—but it never happened the way I expected. It wasn’t a smooth, linear journey, despite what all those “30-day” or “12-week” transformation plans promised. I learned that weight loss is not about perfection or finding the perfect diet. It’s about so much more.


Today, at 55, I look back on my journey and realize I was chasing an image of myself that never aligned with God’s plan. The picture in my head of what I thought I "should" look like—free of stretch marks from my three children, without loose skin from years of fluctuating weight—was never realistic. But I wasn’t meant to chase that. God had something else in store for me.


All those tools I tried over the years—diets, exercise programs, shakes, surgeries—they served a purpose, but none of them held the key to true transformation. The key was something much deeper: a relationship with God. It was through Him that I finally found the strength and wisdom to understand that my body, with all its imperfections, is a reflection of the life I’ve lived and the blessings I’ve received.


When I began truly engaging in my relationship with God, everything shifted. Suddenly, my struggles with weight became a roadmap of all the ways He had healed me. My focus changed from chasing a number on the scale to living a life that aligns with His purpose for me.


Looking back, I wish my younger self hadn’t spent so much time obsessing over the next diet. But today, I’m thankful. Thankful that I no longer have to rely on my own strength. I help other women let go of the dieting mindset that hasn’t served them and teach them that the best tool for their weight loss journey is to trust God.


You may never "arrive" at that ideal weight, and that's okay. We aren’t 20 anymore, and our bodies have produced fruit from our labors. Proverbs 16:9 says: "We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it." Over the years, I’ve come to understand that this verse holds the real secret. It’s not about a perfect diet or exercise program; it’s about following God’s plan for us.


Leviticus 20:7 reminds us to "Set yourselves apart for a holy life… I am the God who makes you holy." This journey isn’t about achieving the world’s idea of perfection. It’s about living the way God tells us.


So what does this mean for weight loss? It means I’ve learned to use the tools available to me—diets, exercise, etc.—in their proper place, but I always seek God’s ways first. I now understand that success in my journey doesn’t come from the scale; it comes from trusting God and walking in His path.


Ladies, we don’t have to carry the burden of diet culture any longer. Instead, we can rest in the unforced rhythms of grace. This journey is not about perfection. It’s about walking humbly, following the One who is perfect and holy, and trusting His plan for our lives.


I'd love to help you along your way.

0 views0 comments

Komentarze


bottom of page