From Madelynn: Today is DAY 25 of Inspire! The time is moving quickly.  Today we will hear the story another special young woman.  I am so excited that she wanted to share her story with us. I am blessed to have her in my life and I am glad that if even for a few minutes she will be a part of yours!  Meet Seseli…

My name is Seseli Rodriguez and I am 30 and Thriving!  I started my weight loss journey back in 2005.   Madelynn, my sister from another mister, married my brother Donny Reyes.  One night after work as I called her to see how she was doing, they both started talking to me about their weight loss journey with Weight Watchers.  They were so motivated and excited about having accountability and eating anything they wanted in “moderation.”  Madelynn was discussing how God was taking her thru a journey of weight loss and asked if I wanted to join in.

See, I was all about accountability and weight loss; I was in a season of my life where I wanted to be SKINNY!  I took the challenge and looked up the nearest Weight Watchers meeting near me and little did I know that my company had a meeting once a week in the same building and at a discounted price.  This was a major sign to walk in obedience.

I signed up to attend the WW meeting that week, and I joined a gym.  I would wake up at 4:30am everyday to go work out.  I was pumped and dedicated to my health.  It was a day to day decision to be health, to make the right decisions.  I was blessed to have support that I needed and I did see results.

I started Weight Watchers weighing 198lbs, and a year later I was weighing  135lbs.  I lost 63lbs, incredible right!?  I was so happy because I was considered SKINNY.  I don’t know why I like that word but I do it is way better than OBESE, or in our culture “Thick.”  During this season of weight loss, I met my husband and I informed him about my journey in which he was very supportive.  Side note- Ladies, WAIT on the Lord!  We need Godly men to support us during our seasons. I Praise God I did.

For the first 2 years of marriage, I gained some weight, yet thought nothing of big concern.  In January of 2010, I found out I was pregnant.  I was so excited and full of wonderful emotions.  I couldn’t wait to be a Mommy, yet during my pregnancy I didn’t take care what I ate. Everyone around me would tell me your eating for two don’t worry about it you will lose the weight.  I was so happy and my pregnancy was Amazing, so I ate and didn’t make the right choices.  I gained a total of 60lbs for my son, Jacob.  I cried so much because I let myself go, but having my son in my arms did make me feel a little better.

One month after I had my son, I was determined to start my weight loss journey again. I joined Weight Watchers again, and I was determined to lose the 30lbs that lingered around; I did it once I could do it again. Thinking back now, I was crazy to think so, it was one month after I had my son, and my life was chaotic.   I was a new mom, I didn’t have any family support because my Husband and I relocated to Florida, and I chose to breastfeed which was a selfless act on my part, but I didn’t realize how time consuming and exhausting it would be.  Well I am not proud to say this, but I am a Weight Watcher’s Drop Out. I couldn’t do it the second time around due to the season of life I was in.  See what worked for you before, may not work for you in your new season.

Six months after I had my son, I decided to take baby steps back into my weight loss journey and decided to make the right choices and eat healthy again.  I started to see some changes and got motivated.  My exercise was playing with my son and it felt good.  I started off small and worked my way up, yet I still was not happy with myself.  I maintained a decent weight, yet I still didn’t consider myself skinny. See what I didn’t know back then and I know ow is that, its not about being SKINNY, it’s about being HEALTHY!  That was as my issue; being healthy doesn’t have a size or look.  It is something that comes from the inside out and making the right choices is what will help me get to a healthier me.  I maintained an average weight I was NOT happy with after my son, yet I did think much of it. Two years after I had my son, I get the news that I am pregnant.

Well, this pregnancy was not like my son, it was not AMAZING, it was HORRIBLE. I had every symptom written in the book.  Everything smelled, and tasted horrible. I saw the toilet more than the refrigerator. It was something I would not wish on my enemy.  During this pregnancy, I tried my best to only gain the weight necessary, and I was accountable to my doctor to inform her on my eating habits and how I could refrain from gaining more weight than I needed to.  They were very supportive and so was my Husband.  I had my beautiful baby girl Amaris, and I was so excited.

My daughter is now 5 months, and to be honest I was not motivated to work out or watch what I eat, until the other day.  I saw a picture of myself, and was HORRIFIED.   I didn’t visualize myself to be that “Thick.”  When Madelynn posted that she was going to post stories for 30 days on women who are in the process of their weight loss journey, I thought I would like to tell my story.  I know there are women out there who have lost the weight and due to LIFE they have gained it back; may it be due to childbirth, sickness, or life events that we have no control of.  I want to tell you that you can get back on the wagon!

During my weight loss journey I have felt so many wonderful, exhausting and crazy emotions.  I have noticed that when I am motivated to lose the weight, my relationship with the Lord is the strongest, and when I lack the motivation it’s when my relationship needs some TLC.  See God has to be the CENTER; He has to be our #1 so when we decide to walk in a new season of health He can help us and we can hold tight to His promises.

This my bible verse that has kept me thru my journey:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

See my path gets curvy, bumpy and misleading in my weight loss journey when I do not TRUST that the Lord will give me the self discipline to move forward and make the right choices.  He is my source and He is the CENTER of my Life.

In Romans 10:9 it states: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”  See this verse took me to another dimension in my journey in weight loss.   If I can confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and be saved, Why can’t I, with the same passion and conviction, confess and believe that God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Powerful Holy Spirit can help me lose the weight I need to and walk in self- discipline to fulfill my lifelong purpose.

I have to walk and confess with my mouth that “I can do all through Christ who gives me strength.”

(Philippians 4:13)

I walk in my new season of weight loss trusting that Jesus is leading me to a healthier me.

I CAN DO ALL THINGS!!!

Be encouraged today…We can do this…The best is yet to come!

Madelynn

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” John 8:32