My story is probably typical for most people with a chronic weight problem. For many years, I mistakenly believed my value was completely dependent on how I looked. Fulfillment of my every goal and dream hinged on being able to lose weight. Convinced I could not be overweight and enjoy life, a bondage to weight loss set in.

There is no telling how much money I wasted on fad-diet books, magazines, professional weight-loss centers, liquid protein diets, workout videos and fitness equipment. Although I knew exercise was crucial to losing weight and changing my body, none of those wonderful workout videos did me any good while they sat on the shelf. I kept looking for a workout that would somehow compel me to exercise. I dare say that workout does not exist.

It was the same with diets. I thought, If I could just find a diet that I really liked, I could stick with it. Yet when I found a reasonable diet I could handle, I would lose weight so slowly I would become discouraged and quit. I had no staying power. When I found a diet that offered faster results, it would so tax me, both physically and emotionally, that I would either quit or get physically ill from stress.

Perhaps you can relate to how I felt. Maybe you find yourself distraught because you are not experiencing the results you are hoping for. Are you bouncing from one quick-weight-loss diet to another, rapidly losing weight, quickly gaining it back, then pursuing another diet? Believe me, I know what it’s like to fail miserably time and again. The struggle is exhausting.

Only one thing saved me from total defeat: Deep down in my heart was a belief that even though I had not yet found the answer, there had to be one. I knew my answer was in God, and I made the decision to search the Word until I found it. That’s when my goals changed.

Before, I had always been focused on doing whatever it took to lose weight. Now, seeking God and His way to success became my goal. This was the turning point in my battle.

I can tell you from experience and from those I have counseled, there is not one single diet that works for everybody. Getting God involved, however, will help every person. His involvement in every phase of my weight-loss goals and my goals to attain a higher level of fitness, has given me permanent success. And He will do the same for you! He will give you the wisdom you need to win at weight loss.

To get started, let’s talk about how we can involve God in each phase of weight loss. Studies reveal that successful eaters typically follow a pattern. There are basically four recognized phases in weight loss: The Critical Moment; Small Steps and Recognition of What Works; Success; and Maintenance.   Over the next several posts, I’ll be going into detail for each of these four phases.