A key principle of the Take Back Your Temple weight loss program is that “no food is forbidden.” What do I mean?
In my own journey from a size 22 to a size 8, I found that when I was forbidden to have a food because of a diet I was on, then my natural instinct was to want that food more.
Sooner or later, I wanted to rebel against that diet authority: “You can’t make me!”
I ended up eating even more of it. Can you relate?
But when I told myself, “I can have any food I want” then that caused me to relax around food. I discovered that I can make room for any of the less healthy foods that I wanted.
However, “what I wanted” started to change because I practiced this Biblical wisdom:
“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any (1 Corinthians 6:12).”
I discovered that many modern processed foods impair your body’s natural hunger/fullness signals, which can lead to out-of-control cravings and overeating.
Remember the potato chip slogan, “Bet you can’t eat just one”? It is true!
Click to watch the short, unnerving commercial below from 1966 to see what I mean:
If a food is processed in any way (like store-bought potato chips), chances are that the food manufacturer has a “food scientist” on the payroll.
Food scientists know that human beings naturally love fatty, sweet, or salty foods.
So they manipulate the taste of their foods for maximum appeal and to affect your brain chemistry.
When you like the way a food tastes, the more you will eat it. And the more you eat, the more money the food manufacturer makes!
My advice is to learn about the foods you eat regularly and the effect they have on your body.
For example, if you eat a food regularly and find that it makes you feel bloated, drains your energy, or causes you to have a skin rash, then you may choose to replace that food with one that doesn’t hurt you by personal decision.
When you eat a food and experience negative effects for yourself, then decide that you don’t want them, you are much more likely to stick with your decision.
That’s the difference between somebody else forbidding you to have it versus you deciding that you don’t want it.
You own your choice.
Having an unhealthy food occasionally won’t hurt you – if you aren’t allergic. It’s the foods that you eat over and over again every day that can.
Your wisest move is to establish a baseline of healthy eating. I advise that you eat healthy at least 80-90% of the time. That way, you can save the 10-20% for less healthy eating at birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions.
It’s a win/win situation: You can stay healthy and enjoy the taste of some of the unhealthy stuff if you want to – once in a while.
Kimberly Taylor
Author of the Take Back Your Temple program
P.S. Are you tired of losing weight and gaining back even more? I was too! I kept repeating the same frustrating cycle for over 20 years.
The enemy loved it because as long as I was in bondage to destructive habits and mindsets, I couldn’t fulfill my purpose in the Lord!
But I learned that nothing is different until you think differently. Take Back Your Temple is designed to help you think differently so that you get permanent weight loss – through Biblical principles.
Once I learned that Biblical secret and practiced it, I dropped from a size 22 to a size 8!
Click here to learn more about the Take Back Your Temple program.
Lord help me /us change our thoughts to think on things that are listed in phil4:8. And not get trap with eating for no reason at all..
Amen!
Perfect! Thank you so much, Kimberly! I feel much better about things now and I will pray for God’s guidance for sure!
Amen, Alexandra – Praying for God’s guidance is the best strategy 🙂
Amazing. Thanks for this very important information. Things are making sense as to why I responded like I did and why it was difficult to overcome.
Love the dinner party picture and the I Cor application. Thanks for your encouraging words.
“The Dinner Party in your Stomach”
Kim this was a great eye catching title! This will definetly help me with deciding what I’m putting in my temple.
On yesterday I had a black bean burger and curly fries. After eating I was so sleepy I could hardly stay awake. I realized the the curly fries and maybe the bread does not do well in my system.
If we learn to listen to our body and take heed to who’s at the dinner party we can learn to develop good eating patterns.
Again thanks for this article.
Couldn’t have said it better, Felicia. Thanks for your wise comment!
Dear Kim, I happened to come across your devotional while reading my other daily readings and have to tell you that your words in “Take Your Temple Back” will be applied to me quitting smoking, as well as some weight loss!!
I thank you that our God has led me to you. GOD IS GOOD!
Yes, He is, Terri – I never thought about TBYT in terms of quitting smoking, but I can see that as a “weight” that someone needs to lay aside for better health. All glory to God!
I am so thankful to be a part of this group. My heart grows in grace, rather than the old condemnation. It is in practicing grace, choosing to not eat what is unhelpful, choosing to build our Temples with the good things God has given for our health and strength that blesses us and pleases our Lord. I can’t wait to see the transformation
Thank you for your wonderful words, Debra. God is good, isn’t he? I am thankful that you are part of our group. You are a blessing!
Thank you! Really appreciate your heart for our Savior! He alone can set the captive free! Your wisdom on this rings so true in my spirit!!!! We dont need more rules, we need Jesus!!! On the journey, searching for hope and knowing only He can lead me!
Amen, Holly! May He bless you on this wonderful journey 🙂
Kim, Thanks for being such an encouragement. I’ve learned so much more about God’s
goodness and grace from you. Have a blessed Easter.
I have been on so many diets / eating plans before and no body ever tells you how destructive this can be. It wreaks havoc with your mind and your body,. You eventually begin to feel like a loser and hopeless because of the constant seesaw! Thank you Kimberley for this article. It’s the voice of reason. So grateful for this reminder.
This makes a lot of sense, because I’m starting to understand why I couldn’t stay on some of the previous diets that I have tried. Now it’s my choice with an understanding of what benefits certain foods have to me.
Absolutely, Odessa – your goal is to find your personal “sweet spot” – food that tastes good to you and makes you feel your best. You can do this 🙂
I understand why I have been stuffing myself all the way to the bottom of the bag!!
This is such sound wisdom.
I’m currently trying to get my eating habits right and that passage in 1cor 6 is a great one to practice.
Thanks Kim!
You are welcome, Frances – all glory to God!