The Great Africa Weigh Down; Prayerfully Consider Accepting My Challenge!

This is my breakfast. I need to lose 50lbs.

I want to do it by August 17th, the day I leave for my next mission trip to Mozambique. My name is Joanna and I am going to be really honest. I am also going to take one of the biggest risks I have ever taken. I am going to keep a blog journal on my journey towards getting in better shape. Please join me, make honest comments, give advice, and if it is in your heart please take the "Great Africa Weigh Down" Challenge! What is that, well, Jason my husband is paying me $4.00 per pound that I lose and doubling it if I make it to 50lbs by August 17th. That money will go towards the $2800 that I need to raise for the trip. You too, can donate money towards my weight loss and mission trip. Pledge 20 cents, 50 cents, anything per pound. Email me for more information jandjemery@nc.rr.com

This is what I look like now.

 This was 5 years ago.

My Story:

I have Fibromyalgia. I can't always exercise, it hurts. I have a thyroid problem. I didn't, until they took 1/2 of it out-then I gained 65 pounds. Now I feel like I'm hungry all of the time. My dad is overweight. So is a lot of my extended family. I always said that I am different than them; maybe not-so-much. I love vanilla ice cream, but I would eat a loaf of bread with butter before any sweet dessert! I used to be able to lose 10 pounds with no problem. Not now.

I hate being fat. People watch me when I'm eating, I wonder what's going through their minds. I pass by a store window and wonder who that person with the humongo butt is. My clothes don't fit right. I stumble more often and lose balance. My arthritis hurts more, I lose breath when I walk up the stairs. I've been thin and I've been fat, Fat sucks.

I've tried, oh so many times, to lose weight. But I've never had accountability with anyone. Now I'm going to have it with everyone. Extreme and risky...yes. That's me though, I don't do things regular. I don't do things typical.

What to eat:
He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth. Psalm 104:14 

I am going to start with a bible diet; Daniel's Diet. I am still reading about it but the jist of it is that you eat the natural foods that God has provided. Does that include the coffee I just had, well, my first concession that will have to be an ongoing downfall. I don't drink soda, only water and coffee- OK and wine sometimes. We'll just have to see how that goes.


Please pray for me.


More to come.