Feb 11, 2008 update by Amy-263
<- Photo taken on	Nov 12, 2007
Journey start date	Mar 19, 2007	Currently at 53.13% of goal
Total loss since start	34 lbs	Now has 30 lbs left to goal
Since last update	Lost 5 lbs
Weight at this update	175 lbs
18 of 18
fasting and prayer		My Picture Progress

The season of Lent is here, and so is my liquid-diet fast.  Forty days without solid food!  It sounds daunting sometimes, but I just keep reminding myself that I've done it before (and that Dr. Nick went eight months without solid food, so what's a mere six weeks?). :-)

More importantly, correlating this return to the liquid diet with Lent has already proven to be a great spiritual boost.  My church home back in Glasgow, Scotland, has begun putting sermons and services online, and so I've begun downloading them to my iPod and spending my quiet times listening to them.  More than any other church I've found here in Colorado, the teaching of my church back in Glasgow is such food for my soul!  Not that my current church is not Biblical, but it does tend to skim over the top of passages for the sake of being "seeker-friendly."  And so I've found amazing refreshment and Scriptural rejuvenation in listening to these sermons from Glasgow, and the way in which my former minister and his associates delve into the Word and really chew on the meat of it.  It seems the perfect compliment to my current fasting situation -- to chew on God and His Word instead of food! 

These past few days have not been without their temptations, though.  Group luncheons, working luncheons, snacks, Valentine's day chocolates...  I am surrounded by temptation!  But, by the grace of God alone, I have not given in to any temptations yet.  I even brought soup to a potluck lunch with my coworkers, and watched them all eat and enjoy the soup and salad and sandwiches, and didn't give in!  Being able to resist that, especially on only the second day of my Lenten fast, was truly a boost to my resolve.

The one thing I find myself craving is something hot!  Cold, refrigerated shakes aren't particularly appealing in this cold, wintry weather we're still having here in Colorado.  I find myself thinking about broths and soups a lot, even trying to convince myself that it's not really "solid food" because it's still liquid.  But I know that's just temptation, too, and especially as this time of fasting is more about spiritual discipline than weight loss (although that has already been a bonus effect), I'll just have to endure a little longer, and dream about having a nice, HOT meal on Easter Sunday! :-)

	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Mary-104 from Minnesota on Feb 11, 2008 Been there, Amy, and I hear you about craving something hot. My particular type of shake is pretty good when microwaved for a couple of minutes--like thick hot chocolate. That might be something to think about if yours is similar.  Good loss! God is rewarding your devotion, for sure...and thanks so much for your kind and always encouraging words to me. They mean everything!
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Kristin-272 from Texas on Feb 11, 2008 Try it hot!!! The shakes that I use can be microwaved and I'm told that it is impossible to denature the protein or destroy the nutrients at a temperature suitable for drinking.  I live in a warmer climate so generally don't have that issue, but I like my shakes hot and will do that on occasion to "shake things up a bit."  I'm thinking about a all-liquid diet before the Texas gathering...keep us posted on the highs and lows, rewards and challenges....I'd also love the link to the Scottish church ; )  So proud of you...what is your caloric intake daily??? Have a blessed week!!! Kristin
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Peggy-136 from California on Feb 11, 2008 Great weight loss Wow, Amy, good feeling and great success...Keep it up. The hot shake does sound really good. Sarah would even use less water and make a pudding at times...it is fun to be creative. Excellent will power while others were eating...you will see lots of blessings.. Hugs,Peggy/CA
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Karsten-53 from ON, Canada on Feb 11, 2008 QUITE THE CHALLENGE Hi Amy: You have undertaken quite the challenge for yourself. I had to stop in reflection for a moment when I saw that you 'only" have 30 pounds till goal. For me that would be a drop in the bucket in terms of my overall weight lose journey.  I wish I only had 30 pounds to lose.  But then I realized that your 30 pounds are probably just as difficult to lose as my  "next" 30 pounds will be.  I wish you all the best on your next 40 days. Just be careful ... sometimes shakes don't provide you with all the nutrition your body needs. Have a wonderful week and a great journey. - Karsten  PS:  Great loss this week as well.
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Tori-289 from Iowa on Feb 11, 2008 Congratulations on your 5 lb loss and starting your accountability thread.  I am going to Scotland for a few days at the end of May and would love to chat with you about what to be sure to see sometime.
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Joyce-168 from Oregon on Feb 12, 2008 B-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r! Wow…Amy---check out those ankles, girl! You are beautiful and I wish all God’s grace in the next 40 days.  This is a huge undertaking, and I know what you are saying about wanting something hot.  It can be done---Mary and Kristin are right.  Me?  I’m mixing in Chocolate fudge Jello instant pudding (diet) with my shakes sometimes and freezing them to a thick slush and eating them like ice cream.  I’m ALREADY cold…I just eat in front of the heater!  HA!  Have a great week.  Joyce
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Scott-202 from New Mexico on Feb 12, 2008 Hi Amy, Reading your post reminded me of how a liquid fast and pitting yourself against your own flesh can be such an intensely spiritual experience. So, I’m praying that you find so much more that weight loss at the end of your fast. And your desire for something, anything, hot made me laugh because I remembered one cold winter day when I decided to make my shake into hot chocolate in the microwave. What a disaster! The proteins turned into a solid mass, like scrambled eggs, and floated to the top. I, being the frugal one, I ran it through the blender and choked it down. Well... Have a great Lent. (I’m not sure that I’ve ever said that before?) God bless, Scott
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward M. Barbara-153 from Pennsylvania on Feb 12, 2008 Great going Amy!!  You've gotten some good suggestions for hot shakes...hope one of them works for you.  Have a blessed week!
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Stacie-235 from Michigan on Mar 10, 2008 Can't wait to hear how your 40 days goes!!! :-)
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Stacie-235 from Michigan on Mar 23, 2008 Happy Easter Amy!
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Marlies-146 from Colorado on Apr 12, 2008 Hi Amy, Just wanted to check in with you and find out how you are doing. Love to see another face from Colorado here. God Bless, Marlies
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Stacie-235 from Michigan on May 3, 2008 How did your 40 days go?
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Michael-24 from Nevada on May 7, 2008 Hi Amy.  I just got back on the site and was looking forward to your updates.  Where are you?  I hope you come back soon.....
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Stacie-235 from Michigan on Jul 1, 2008 *Amy* ~ Happy Birthday!! ~ Still looking for to hear how your doing!
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward dr. Nick-1 from California on Sep 30, 2008 Greetings to you! Hi Amy!  Well we are both unhappy baseball fans....remember what happened a year ago?  Smile.  Hope you are well.  Thought of you and Focus and decided to "type in" and say hello!
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Stacie-235 from Michigan on Jan 1, 2009 Happy New Year!
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Mary-104 from Minnesota on Jul 1, 2009 Happy birthday, Amy! I see your face often when I log onto HS and wonder how you're doing, and how the bagpiping is coming along. If you see this, please check in and let us know!
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Arnold-323 from BC, Canada on Jul 2, 2009 Happy Birthday! I hope your birthday was a great day full of blessings! -Arnold