Debbie Cousins's Journal, 30 May 2021

Hallelujah, Day #28 of my fast, and I lost 1.5 pounds this morning, making my total for the year 43.5 pounds. The last time I lost as much as this was on Day #7. I think God is showing His approval for me tossing the diet pills (which I only took for four days, with no results) and relying totally on Him to enable me to reach my goal!

@DLynneGarner asked me yesterday, and I forgot to answer: YES, I plan to go more than 30 days on the fast (Lord willing). My intent is to go as long as I have to in order to get down to 199 pounds, which will take me well into June. Probably the least I could go would be to June 14th, which would be 42 days. The most (or hopefully not ALMOST the most) would be June 27th, which will be 55 days total.

The 27th is the last day I could weigh in for my HealthyWager challenge and collect the $1,369. Mind you, this is NOT the way I planned to get to my goal. I had planned to lose 2.5 pounds a week, and started off well. But, then I got behind and GAVE UP for awhile, thinking I could not make the goal. Basically, the whole months of February and April were free-for-alls eating wise, which is why I find myself doing such an extended fast.

It should also be noted that fasting is completely healthy, and I am experiencing only POSITIVE effects from it. I have had at least DOUBLE the energy and motivation I "usually" had ever since I began the fast. My body seems to prefer burning fat over burning food carbs.

God has taught me through this to rely on Him EVERY DAY and to use His strength instead of trying to muster my own (which was rarely successful).

I haven't decided what WOE I'm going to follow when I break the fast. I'm pretty certain it won't be Keto, though I will use some of the low-carb products and recipes. God has given us all good things to enjoy, and I plan to thoroughly enjoy His bounty of seasonal fruits and vegetables. I think the main thing I will strive for is MODERATION -- to not be brought under bondage of any food. I will continue to limit my consumption of Diet Coke, and hopefully give that up someday, but not today.

Doing well on my PT exercises. I've been doing them TWICE a day, instead of just the once which I was prescribed. I REALLY want to be able to scale those stairs to go on the water slides with my grandchildren on July 22nd, which gives me exactly eight weeks from when I started PT (on Thursday) to get into shape. Praying, also, that the increased activity will contribute positively to my weight loss.

Even though I was accidentally awoken at 3am (because I forgot to put my phone on Do Not Disturb), today is starting out to be a wonderful day - got the big loss on the scales and have already done my PT exercises. Hope everyone else has an equally pleasant and productive Sunday, and that you are able to worship God "in person" at your local church. We are still wearing masks, but many of us (especially the ones who have been vaccinated) are back to giving hugs, PTL! Everybody needs a good hug, at LEAST once a week!!!

215.5 lb Lost so far: 43.5 lb.    Still to go: 65.5 lb.    Diet followed 100%.