Hindrances-What’s Holding You Back?
Year ago, after hearing about Weight Watchers, my turn came to do more than watch my weight balloon. The winter had been especially cold, and thinking I was a walrus, I had put on extra layers of fat to see me through till the thaw. But the snow had melted, and my added coverage had not. In fact, it hung like water-filled saddlebags from my midsection. I was starting to waddle, which got on my nerves. It takes so much longer to get anywhere when you slosh from side to side.
When I arrived at my first Weight Watchers meeting, I knew I was in trouble. The other attendees were weighing in. I don’t do scales. I don’t want to know what I weigh. I don’t have to know how much to know I’m too much. My splitting pant seams, my “awesome”-sized pantyhose, and my hubby’s giggles when I donned my nightie were all the clues I needed. Of course, the fact that my nightie could serve as an awning for our front porch didn’t help. Actually, I bought it gigantic because in comparison it made me feel small, which is all part of the strategy when you’re in denial. Don’t change yourself; instead, change your underwear (which my mother told me I should do anyway.)
At any rate, I’m sure I have the record for the shortest stint in that organization’s history. One look at the scale (have you seen the size of that puppy?) and I was history. I went right to the candy factory to celebrate my ability, even under pressure, to retain not only my unnecessary weight but also my weighty denial.
Hindrances are things that tend to trip us up. Remember the little boy at school who was constantly sticking his leg into the aisle in hopes he would send someone tumbling? He was a hindrance.
Hindrances can be small and impersonal like lost car keys, or they can be bigger and more personal like my extra weight. Hindrances can also be barricade-size, creating a constant obstacle course in our lives. One of the taller hurdles we will have to scale (there’s that word again) to be healed is denial. Of course, having to high jump our defensiveness is no easy matter, either. And watch out for the quicksand of the double bind: You can be up to your elbows before you know it.
Let’s lace up our high-tops and climb those entrances so we can truly run the race.
-Excerpt from my book, Under His Wings-
This touched me. Thank you. Recently, I had to acknowledge to myself that it’s time to take off the extra 40 lb that have become my constant companion for the last few years. The weight came on in the same way we want our churches to grow.
One pound arrived, and it liked what it saw. So, it invited a friend. Before I knew it, those pounds were all just hanging around having a great time together. However, I had to acknowledge that their party life didn’t fit me well. Hosting their social gathering was causing all my clothes to not fit me well either.
I’m thankful to God, for this reminder about hindrances and denial. It gave me a little boost I needed to help me finish this week strong in my efforts to be eating healthier.
Great read!! Is the excerpt from a book or a song….Can you please tell me what the Excerpt is from??!!
Thank YOU!!
Fran
I’m sorry about that. Excerpt from my book, Under His Wings
Hi Patsy….investigating my hinderinces alot lately. Seems to be many..some of my own creation! Thank you for your live, wit, and faith.I must get this book.God keep you well.
This article hit home with me. Thanks for being transparent. Growing up I was so small. I never worried about what I ate or how much I weighed. I did not play sports or do regular exercise. I am just on this side of age 60. I need to exercise and watch what I eat. Thank you again for being so transparent and honest. This article was for me today❤️
Thank you for your kind words. I have joined weight Watchers more than once. Never follow through…I’ve never read a novel, some projects I’ll finish others I won’t. Hindrance? I’m not sure.
You obviously have done something to take your weight off. You look fabulous.
My weight ballooned after my last child was born in 1972. Have tried so many things and continue to this day. I don’t care for crowds so just keep trying at home. You look wonderful congratulations on your success..
I appreciate your words of wisdom. I have Parkinson’s disease, which is my excuse for being extremely slow to get anything done. (Forget the fact my 77th birthday will be in January!)
I would love to take time and write many pages of encouragement for people.
My son-in-law asked me to come and live with him and his wife, who is my daughter. (That’s a story in itself, you know!) I brought along boxes and boxes of stuff to go through. So many pictures. What do you do with them? I must get my stuff sorted before I can start a new project. Actually, I need to have a huge bonfire, if you know what I mean .
And then I would love to visit you and have you help me begin the rest of my life. 🤪♥️‼️😍‼️♥️🤪
I joined Weight Watchers 2 years ago this week. There were many unexpected surprises such as forming new friendships from the meeting and doing a 60 miles walk with a few ladies (4 of us are in our late 50’s) It has been a wonderful journey of confidence building, growing closer to God during the process, having the need to get “smaller clothes” and give away my entire wardrobe because it no longer fits. I have embraced a new healthy lifestyle, have tons of energy and have lost 108 lbs.
Congratulations!
Fabulous. Stay on course and keep enjoying the new U🌺
I joined several times too and never followed through-until I did! I think I was finally ready to get rid of the excess parts of me. I started to look at that huge scale as a friend instead of an enemy (whether I lost that week or not). I lost 75 pounds in about a year and a half. That was two and a half years ago. I’ve gained 20 pounds back and am in the process of losing those pounds. I haven’t rejoined WW, because the really great thing about WW is that it is not a diet-it’s a lifestyle. When you go back to eating the way you should, which WW teaches you, you lose weight and maintain your weight. Do you have to use WW? Not if you can teach yourself how to eat sensibly and mindfully, but I highly recommend using a program that works and supports you as you lose. And, no, I do not work for WW. 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
You mean I can’t use menapause any more as an excuse either 😉😃
Love this! I have had some hindrances lately, like the little boy at school who was waiting to see who he could trip up. They have kept me paralyzed and stationary in the areas in which I need to move forward in. Thank you for reminding me to lace up my high tops and get moving:)
I am totally incapable to do anything by myself. I want to walk because I am up by 5 AM anyways. I find other things to do, like the dishes. Really, I am that much of a professional avoid er that I will do the dishes rather than walk alone. This would help with my weight since I have a sit down job.
It is good to know that I have a kindred spirit in you. I do not own and scale and I will not step upon one!!
Anyone want to go for a walk with me at 5 AM?
Thank you for the reminder! I need to move forward. Gotta dug in the closet for those high tops and get em tied. One of my issues has been tripping on my OWN shoe laces! Just love you!!!
Great read! Thanks Patsy!
Patsy, thanks so much for your words of encouragement. I was employed full time, traveled on my job, went to school and finally got my degree, and took care of both chronically ill parents in my house for 20+ years. My dad died in July 2006 and my mom in January 2008. I’ve managed to get my masters and do some traveling for fun since then, but still have 56 months before retirement. I never married and the weight has (and still keeps) piling on. If anyone wants 75 lbs., let me know and I will gladly donate! Thanks for the reminder that I am my own hindrance! Got to work in that!
This made me laugh and laugh. And then it made me sober up to the fact of what I knew already also…I was allowing stress party in with me and eating all the snacks myself! Thanks for your humorous way of reminding us about our choices and thinking. This was the best!
Love this! I have some hindrances…I need to scale the heights and do my best to be an overcomer! If you like music Patsy…here’s a song that speaks to me about allowing God to help me overcome those hindrances.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RA4jChV3EI
I enjoyed this article so much! I believe I have hindrances but I don’t think I know what they are. Is that possible? I’m 63 years old? young? I honestly don’t know. I take care of my 36 year old son that is a quadriplegic. He’s basically paralyzed from the midsection down. He can move his upper body, but can’t move his fingers. My Mom passed away a year ago Sept 7th. I have a daughter and she has 3 boys, my Grandchildren, that I love but never been able to have a relationship with. I have a niece that I’m very close to. She’s 6 years old and in March broke her arm and her Dad, my brother, blames me and won’t have anything to do with me. I’m so sorry to share all this info. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Oh I know so many people have and still are suffering so much. Oh how it breaks my heart. It hurts me to see so many women going through so much. I want to be an encourager again. I want to laugh again, be with my friends and have fun…Talk about our Heavenly Father and praise Him. Why all these words?? I don’t know where to begin and part of me wants to just stay home. I love reading the Word of God and getting to know my Lord more and more. So what’s wrong with me? My Father knows and loves me unconditionally. Maybe I just need to wait on Him. Thank you Patsy for being who you are. Sisters thank you in advance for praying.
Patsy, your humor is so wonderful! Thank you for sharing! I’m walking with a new friend I met while walking at our city duck lake! It is so cool to meet a complete stranger and get to know one another while walking! Walking has been the only way for me to loose pounds and I’m sixty seven (!)! Bless you sweet lady for being so honest! And we get to see some beautiful sunrises God gives us nearly every day!😊😊
All I know is…I have so many broken friends including myself i’m 72 yrs young & would love to start a group for us. Any suggestions? We just went to the Porch Pals Tour & loved every minute of it! Went to Women of Faith for many years & so looked forward to it! So Happy they are back to inspire & help guide us through this complicated life….Thank You all soooo much Porch Pals!!!