My Success

I'm trying to lose weight. There. I've said it to the internet. Now I can't take it back. Reaching my goal weight and learning Swedish are my primary goals over the next two years (not including, of course, getting married).

I'm using a particular weight loss website but I am not relying on a special trick. I count calories everyday. I clock in below my calorie limit everyday. I walk, which is necessary where I live, but rarely do any other special exercise. I hope to incorporate more exercising in eventually but I'm in no rush.

The website I use, myfitnesspal.com, seems to be designed to encourage, inspire, and de-mystify weight loss techniques. The sense of self-accomplishment is pervasive. I feel proud whenever I log in. I regularly lurk the "Success Stories" and goggle over before and afters and look forward to the day when I can be a before and after also.

However, though the site claims it will remove all references to what it deems controversial topics like politics and religion, many a member include a Bible verse or another religious reference in their message board signatures. I really am not bothered by the site failing to remove them because I don't like the rule in the first place. I am struck, though, but how counterproductive so many of the quotes seem to be.

Here are some examples:

1 Cor 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

GOD be with me, lead me, guide me, strengthen me, never leave my side....AMEN

Taking control of what I can and allowing God to handle what's out of my control.

It's depressing to come across people who have accomplished so much and can't take credit for what they've done. It's even more depressing to come across people so willing to cede control or responsibility. I do this for me and have done it with the support of my fiancé, family, and friends, but mostly through my own determination. I feel sorry for you if you think otherwise.

For anyone who's wondering: 40 days, 14 lbs.

Silence

I've been silent for many months now. It might have something to do with having been thrust into adulthood and a new country five months ago. Hopefully I can pick things up on here again soon.

Love!

This won't be like my previous posts, but I've thought about writing this for a while now.

Today is exactly one year since I met my future husband in the chat room on Atheist Nexus! This has been the best year of my life. I have never met anyone who inspires me to be more creative and makes me happier. He's also a damn good rational thinker!

There have been quite a few hurdles to get past, the biggest being that we live on different continents, but our relationship itself has always gone strong since the day we met. We are still putting the pieces in place to be able to live together, but things are moving along at a steady pace. Now we just have to figure out how to not cause a family issue when we remind my dad in a few months that we will not welcome guided prayer at our wedding in July.

My motivation to write this was partially to commemorate the day, but also to thank Atheist Nexus for existing. Thank you to everyone who has made that site possible in any way, being it from discussion contribution, donation, and, of course, Brother Richard. Who knows what weirdo I would have ended up with otherwise.

(If you are not a member, there is a link to Atheist Nexus to the right. Join it!)

This Just Makes Me Happy, But I Want It To Be Completely Filled One Day