17 Heavenly Hacks to Drop 100 Pounds (Because Your Body is a Temple, Not a Megachurch)

It is All About Planning

Losing a significant amount of weight is a marathon, not a sprint. Think of it as your own personal 40 years in the desert, except hopefully it will not take that long, and you will have better snacks than just manna. During this time, you will face temptations. Weight loss experts and folks who have walked this road offer some great ideas to cut calories, fight the dreaded hangry feeling (which we all know is a true test of the fruit of the Spirit), make exercise easier, and stay on track.

Go Big for Breakfast

People who eat more in the morning and less at night tend to lose more weight. Some studies suggest that starting your day with a high-protein meal helps you feel fuller. Shoot for 350 to 400 calories with at least 25 grams of protein, says Dr. Domenica Rubino, director of the Washington Center for Weight Management and Research. Think of a hearty breakfast as putting on the full armor of God before you face the temptation of the office donut box.

Keep a Photo Diary

We have horrible memories when it comes to what we eat, says Susan Albers, PsyD. Save your food photos in a daily file. Before your next meal, review them. It is like a daily confession for your stomach. Seeing that you already had a muffin might just give you the grace to choose a salad for lunch.

Use an App

Blogger Lisa Durant says she just does not see food and portions the way normal thin people do. She used an app to track what she ate. It helped her stay honest with herself, because while God knows everything you eat, it helps if you know it, too! She also set goals to track her progress, noting that without an app, she would absolutely gain weight back.

Try a Meal Replacement Plan

Under a licensed professional's care, you can eat one regular meal a day and swap the others for special shakes, soups, or bars. Dr. Ken Fujioka at the Scripps Clinic says if you can stick to it, you will see big results in 6 months to a year. It is a bit like fasting, but with a chocolate peanut butter shake.

Set Up Your Food Storage

Out of sight, out of mind, and out of mouth. After you cast out the junk food from your pantry like demons, Albers recommends assigning shelves in the fridge so healthy food is easy to reach. Put fresh veggies at eye level. If you have to dig for the broccoli, you are probably going to grab the leftover church potluck casserole instead.

Shop Smart

Do not leave your meals to chance. Have ingredients on hand so you are not tempted to order takeout. Make a grocery list together with your household. And stay out of bulk warehouse stores, Albers says. Buying a 5-pound tub of pretzels is just asking the Lord to lead you into temptation.

Find a Fan Club

Support from a group can help you lose more weight than doing it alone. We are meant for fellowship! You will gain perspective, encouragement, and tips. Durant, who lost 115 pounds, started with a weight loss group and praised her fantastic leader. Whether it is a small group at church, friends, or online forums, lean on your brothers and sisters in Christ to keep the weight off

Outsmart Your Inner Critic

When you get off track (and let us be honest, we all fall short of the glory of our diet plans), it can be hard to forgive yourself. Dr. Rubino suggests pretending it is a friend who slipped up. Write a note to them, then read it out loud to yourself. Show yourself the same grace and forgiveness that God shows you.

Try Physical Therapy

You will learn to reconnect with your body, Dr. Rubino says. A physical therapist is trained to work with people who have medical issues and trouble moving. Think of them as a guide to help you be a better steward of your physical temple. They will design a program to improve your balance, strength, and range of motion, and can help ease joint pain.

Work Your Muscles

You may not realize it, but you have built up muscle just by carrying extra weight. As you lose fat, you want to keep those muscles because they burn fat and calories. Exercise physiologist Mira Rasmussen recommends wall squats with an exercise ball. If you do not use the muscle, you lose it. Consider it physical stewardship!

Get in the Pool

Swimming is a whole-body, non-impact workout with a fantastic calorie burn, Rasmussen says. The water holds you up, taking the pressure off your joints. Plus, if you exercise in chest-deep water, it can reduce swelling and relieve joint pain. It is almost like a baptism for your fitness routine.

Look Past the Pounds

Regardless of what the scale says, your body may still be changing in a good way. Dr. Rubino says to remind yourself what you have gained by losing the weight. Are your clothes looser? Is your blood pressure better? Celebrate those non-scale victories! Give thanks for the healing happening inside your body, even if the scale is being stubborn.

Get Checked for Sleep Apnea

You may not be resting as well as you think. Sleep apnea interrupts your breathing while you sleep and often affects overweight individuals. Studies show that a lack of sleep alters hormones that control hunger. Dr. Rubino suggests getting tested. God gives rest to His loved ones, so make sure you are actually getting it!

Ask About Weight Loss Medicine

Once you have lost 5 to 10 percent of your weight, your body makes adjustments to fight losing any more, Dr. Fujioka says. Hormones that signal you are full do not reach your brain, leaving you hungry. He notes that medications can help give that feeling of being full. There is no shame in seeking medical help; God gave us doctors and science for a reason.

Play Down Plateaus

As mentioned above, your body will fight to hold onto weight once you drop that first 5 to 10 percent. When you hit that wall, do not lose faith. Talk to your doctor about whether a prescription or over-the-counter product could help you keep going. Keep praying, keep moving, and trust the process.

Consider Weight Loss Surgery

Michelle Vicari of the Obesity Action Coalition says having weight loss surgery gave her back her health and was the helping hand she needed to make permanent life changes. After losing 158 pounds following gastric bypass, she got rid of high blood pressure and reflux. Sometimes, we need a major medical intervention to reclaim our health, and that is a blessing, too

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