Jul 19, 2013

Fitness Friday: Seven Seconds of Pleasure

Mmmmmmm, nothing like biting into a MagnumTM ice cream bar.  The chocolate outer coating gives that little bit of crunch, the caramel in between the two chocolate layers is sweet and smooth, and the ice cream is rich, cold, and creamy.  My taste buds are in heaven!

 After a brief seven seconds of pleasure, I swallow the first bite and go for bite number two. Yes, it’s just as yummy as the first bite. I try to slowly savor every bite, but then again I don’t want to wear it.  So I steadily make my way to the end of the bar, and make sure I left nothing on the stick.

Ahhhhhh, sweet enjoyment!

Unfortunately, the effects of the Magnum bar linger long after the taste fades from memory. When I made a regular habit of this type of high calorie food, I began to suffer from a wide variety of chronic symptoms, like irritability, weight gain, foggy brain, poor sleep, and lack of energy.

When my habit continued for years, I developed high blood pressure that required medication.

Was seven seconds of pleasure (or even 10 times seven) worth the cost?

That’s what the Lord has been drilling into me this past week as I wrap up day 7 of my 21-day Daniel fast. I enjoy SO many foods I can’t eat right now…like bread, cheese, butter, and yes, Magnum bars.

But I’m finding I also enjoy juicing again – nothing like freshly juiced carrot, celery, and cucumber mixed!  And I enjoy fruit smoothies.  And salad with sunflower seeds and almond-based freshly made dressing. And even corn on the cob without butter! 

Healthy food really does taste great.

And, because I’ve traded unhealthy eating for more healthy choices, I’ve also replaced:

·        Weight gain with weight loss
·        Sluggishness with energy
·        Restless nights with sound sleep
·        Foggy brain with clear thinking

So not only am I still enjoying the taste of food in my seven second bites, I’m also enjoying an amazingly improved quality of life in just one week. And the discipline required to eat right is spilling over into other areas of my life, so I've also traded guilty laziness for peace.


Contrary to what many people think, Jesus doesn’t ask us to give up all our fun and stop enjoying life.  

Jesus says, “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” (John 10:10, AMP)  That kind of joyful life is contagious – when people see that in us, they will see Jesus, too.

I did not enjoy life to the full when I was tired, cranky, and impulsively eating whatever my taste buds desired. So how could people see how much I loved Jesus, and how good He is? I certainly did not look or act much like Him on those days.

Will I ever eat a Magnum bar again? Probably. 

Will they ever become a habit again? Not if I can keep my perspective on the longterm cost to my health when I pursue seven seconds of pleasure.

And more importantly, not if I remember the cost Jesus paid for me to have abundant life.


Today’s Challenge:  Exchange one unhealthy food you routinely eat for a healthier choice.  If you are a healthy eater by habit, thank the Lord for the abundant life you enjoy as a result!

4 comments:

  1. Another great post, Mary. Blessings and thanks for sharing your hard-earned wisdom.

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    1. Thank you for your comment! I definitely have a way to go to form a habit of consistently healthy eating. One day and one thought at a time, I am making progress.

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  2. I hope you're doing well on your Daniel Fast, Mary. My daughter and I decided to give up sugar, dairy and bread for a couple of weeks. SO HARD at first, including headaches, but it made a big difference in our waistlines! We treat ourselves on occasion now, but those healthier choices really do help you feel better as your body comes into balance.

    I'm proud of how well you're doing, Mary. And excited to see what other insights the Lord gives you during this time!

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    1. Thank you, Susan, for your encouragement and your tweet :-). I definitely feel better and have more energy...but I definitely also still crave. Congrats to you too on your changes. It is worth it, for sure!

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