Hi my name is Rebecca Jackson and I've lost 75 pounds using the principles I learned in the Weigh Down Ministries. I've even kept the weight off now since 2006 without exercise or other control measures.
I was not overweight growing up. In college I gained a few pounds, then I met my husband. We were great eating buddies! Much of our time dating was spent indulging ourselves: eating, shopping, traveling, and more eating.
I was SO excited when I found out I was pregnant with my first child -- I got to eat for two. After three children I was overweight and miserable! I loved my family, but I was tired and crabby all the time. My husband was gone with work, so I ate and watched TV to comfort myself. I was a great mommy, so I rewarded myself with food when the kids went to bed. Yet I still felt empty inside. I cried out to God in my misery: "Is this all there is? Is this my life? I don't feel good this way! How do I change this??? Please help me!"
Soon after, I found out about a new Bible study that was also a weight loss program. I knew I wanted a relationship with God and losing weight would be a great bonus, so I signed up for the Weigh Down class. As a result, I lost 40 pounds through the first 10 weeks and my husband lost 20 just by watching my eating habits change. Not only did I lose weight, but my life stopped feeling like such a roller coaster. I stopped rewarding/comforting myself with food and started joyfully caring for the family God provided me.
Since that time, I had two more pregnancies and went on to lose 35 more pounds. My husband still travels (he has lost a total of 50 lbs) and now comes back to a full, yet peaceful home. I am no longer looking for ways to reward or indulge myself through shopping, eating, or watching TV. Now when the children are tucked in bed, I seek a quiet place to read my Bible (and then go to bed myself). What a joy it is to look for ways to serve my family. I thank God that I get one more day to seek His will and His ways. I thank Him for my husband and these precious children. They are gifts that I get to sweetly lead to Him, show His love, mercy, rules, forgiveness. I'm thankful, too, for the Weigh Down Ministries. Once, when I was really struggling I remembered Gwen Shamblin saying, "Don't give up!" That's why I'm here today. So, if you're looking for the answer to permanent weight loss, you've found the right place. If I can do it at home, sitting next to a refrigerator all day long -- you can do it where ever you find yourself.
Rebecca Jackson