Two-thirds of Americans are overweight, obese, morbidly obese or beyond. I’d say more than two-thirds of people who need to lose weight, well, actually EVERYONE who needs to lose weight wants it to be easy.

Marketing experts know this. They know if they tell you that you can lose 10 pounds in 10 days without changing the way you eat, you will buy whatever they are selling. With 318 million Americans that means the potential market is 212 million. If only 10% buy a $10 product, that person becomes a millionaire even with no repeat sales.

You know it’s not true that you can lose 10 pounds in 10 days without changing the way you eat, but by just taking a little pill. And yet the thought creeps into your mind, but what if it works? And then you can get three bottles for the price of two and so, of course you buy it and upgrade.

Let me be really clear, when someone promises you “easy” they are feeding you a lie.

[Tweet “No part of weight loss is easy. It’s all hard work.”]

Most people who are or have been overweight know making a concentrated effort will make it possible to lose weight for a season. However, after reaching goal weight, the majority go back to how they were eating before and gain the weight back.

Then, they feel  destined to be overweight. “There’s nothing I can do about it. I’ll just eat the way I want to eat.” And the weight comes back on plus more.

To lose weight and keep it off, you must make permanent changes which start with changing your mindset, your entire way of thinking. You must change your lifestyle, including your attitudes about food and your ideals about what real happiness is. Hint: Real happiness is not found in eating whatever you want, whenever you want it.

It’s not just being cognizant of what you eat and how you move, but why you eat what you eat and why you refuse to move…at all.

You are resistant to move out of what has become comfortable. You want to be able to do things the same way and lose weight, too. I know. I felt the same way. Then, I learned a hard truth.

[Tweet “There are no magic fixes only intentional effort and hard work.”]

In order to step over into the arena of being healthy—spirit, soul and body—you have to change. Change is good. Change is being recreated into the image of what God wants for your life.

“For we are God’s poetry, a recreated people who will fulfill the destiny He has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it.”¹

In order to become recreated, you have to change.

You no longer stuff your emotions or feed them with unhealthy foods to keep them quiet. You appreciate the wonderful mechanism God made–your body. And you realize your spirit is meant to lead you in connection with God’s Spirit.

This is where freedom² comes, when you deny yourself the things your flesh craves³ and allow God’s Spirit to lead you to become free and healthy, the way God intended for you to be.

When you live in that realm, you live in the realm of limitless possibilities. When you have totally put God’s Spirit in control of all of you, He can entrust you with a significant assignment.

Are you one of the 212 million who will dare to be different? Are you one who is ready to totally change, to transform into the kind of person who can step over into His destiny for you?

[Tweet “What will be your first step towards change?”]

¹ Ephesians 2:10 TPT

² Galatians 5:1 TPT

³ Matthew 16:24 NLT

If you are tired of staying where you are or going backwards, now’s the time to do something about it. We’ve got two great programs for you. First, if you want to work at your own pace and begin with the basics,Sweet Change 101: Seven Keys for the Weight Loss Journey is our entry level video short course. It includes two free months in Sweet Change Weight Loss Coaching Group and a three-month payment plan.

If you just want to dive right into Sweet Change Weight Loss Coaching Group that’s also available. The choice is yours. Whichever you do, my best suggestion is don’t wait. Do something today.

Teresa Shields Parker

Teresa Shields Parker is a Christian weight loss author, coach, podcaster, and speaker, who has lost 250 pounds and kept it off since 2013. Her books include: “Reconnecting Jayne: Her Sister’s Support,” “Rebuilding Jayne: Her Father’s Protection,”  “Sweet Grace: How I Lost 250 Pounds and Stopped Trying to Earn God’s Favor,” “Sweet Grace Study Guide,”  “Sweet Victory: Winning the Battle,” “Sweet Surrender: Breaking Strongholds,” “Sweet Journey to Transformation: Practical Steps to Lose Weight and Live Healthy”, “Sweet Freedom: Losing Weight and Keeping It Off With God’s Help,” “Sweet Freedom Study Guide,” “Sweet Change: True Stories of Transformation,” “Sweet Hunger: Developing an Appetite for God,” and “Sweet Excuses: Stop Lying to Yourself & Start Losing Weight.” She also offers Overcomers Christian Weight Loss Academy and VIP intensive coaching. Don’t miss her weekly podcast, Sweet Grace for Your Journey, where she shares tips from her personal journey of losing weight and discovering healthy living. Contact her at [email protected].