Do you secretly believe that there are people who can eat anything they want, not exercise, and still live in a fit and healthy body?
I used to think that way too. I envied those people, even though I never met one!
I realized eventually that this is a self-defeating fantasy. As long as I hung onto that thought, I would never succeed in losing weight permanently.
But when I learned how to replace this sabotaging thought with a powerful thought, my lasting weight loss success was virtually guaranteed!
This powerful thought was adapted from a quote popularized by author Rory Vaden. He wrote one of my favorite books on self-discipline, Take the Stairs. The powerful thought is this:
Success is not owned but only rented; and the rent is due every day.”
If you do know someone who is healthy and fit, they are likely paying rent that you don’t even know about. Unless you are following a person around 24 hours a day/7 days a week, you can’t know how they are eating or exercising when they aren’t with you.
The thoughts I used to have of people “getting away with it” only made me resentful. I used to think, “How come I have to eat healthy and exercise to get in shape when those people are getting away with doing whatever they want? It’s not fair!”
I wanted to be like them. I didn’t want to work to stay healthy.
That is a “Rent Jumpers” mentality. That’s the fantasy of living in a nice home, but not paying anything for it. But that is not how it works with our bodies nor any level of success.
You cannot rest on yesterday’s success. The clock resets every day and if you want to be healthy tomorrow, then you need to pay the rent today.
I love Moses’ blessing to the tribe of Asher:
Asher is most blessed of sons;
Let him be favored by his brothers,
And let him dip his foot in oil.
Your sandals shall be iron and bronze;
As your days, so shall your strength be.
To me, this blessing speaks to Believers in Jesus Christ today. Our daily steps are meant to be guided by the Holy Spirit – even in the area of making wise health choices. Our sandals of iron and bronze may not always be comfortable, but they are durable!
I need God’s guidance and strength to pay my daily rent. How about you?
Will you pay your rent today?
- Â Will you eat foods that build your health?
- Will you eat proper portions?
- Will you do some exercise?
- Will you manage your stress?
- Will you renew your mind to support your efforts?
All of these are just necessary parts of paying your daily rent!
Please get rid of the ‘Rent Jumper’s mentality. Stop deceiving yourself that someday you will be able to lose all the excess weight, go back to eating like you did before you lost the weight, stop exercising, yet still maintain your weight loss.
That is not going to happen. If you did that, you will regain your weight.
Trust me, I’ve been down that path dozens of times before I succeeded in keeping the weight off!
Success is not owned but only rented; and the rent is due everyday.”
Embrace that fact and just see it as the price you are paying to live in a fitter, healthier body. Whether you are now living in a ‘Temple’ or in a charming ‘fixer-upper’ currently, make the decision now that you are going to pay your daily rent.
Decide that you will no longer worry about what other people are or are not doing. Work with what God has given you and make the best of it for His glory!
Kimberly Taylor
takebackyourtemple.com
P.S. If you need uncommon wisdom and guidance to lose the excess weight for good, then the Take Back Your Temple program is for you! You will learn new ways of thinking that will support your efforts to take care of yourself, not fall back into self sabotage.
Click here to learn more about the Take Back Your Temple program.
Thanks Kimberly for that wisdom!!! I wish you could hold a class for me and a couple of friends here in Houston!! Lol!! This article really helped me to realize that I have to make some better choices for my health, and not just for certain events or deadlines; but for lifestyle purposes. I really appreciate this!!
Praise God, Mary and Dani – change is a daily process and each day, we have to make up our minds to show up for it. When you commit to the process with God’s help, the changes that await you will be amazing 🙂
This is a fresh and new way of looking at my weight problem. Tomorrow is a new day and I am going to be positive and do good and healthy things for my temple.
Thank you
Hi Kim,
I’m afraid I am living in a broken down fixer upper right now. Can’t exercise cause of the melanoma cancer biopsy that is infected right now, but do plan on taking a casual walk with a friend Saturday if it doesn’t rain. I need to remember in all things about my temple that I am only renting this body and the rent is due every day. The least I can do is get myself going in the morning with my devotional time. I pray for the energy and willingness to do that.
Love, Sue
Continuing to pray for you, Sue!
This was good because I am learning what worked for me to loose weight last year simply is not working this year! Therefore, I have to pay new attention (pay rent) to how my works differently today. Thank you, Kimberly!!
So true! I gained all this weight, while under severe stress of a divorce, and difficult work environment.
Thank you for the encouragement. I know that I have fallen into this trap too many times to count.
Most of us have, Erin – but I am thankful that God’s mercies are new every morning!
I love this article I definely need an attitude adjustment in this area. Thanks so much.
My pleasure, Cathy. That mindset shift definitely helps me!
This was a great read! I realized I employed it quite easily, effortlessly and without resentment in most areas of my life. The key word was “most”. 😀
Understood, Sharon – that was me too. But when I applied this truth to my health and weight loss, it was like “Ah-ha!” It made a difference and it will to you too )