Losing weight never progresses in a straight line. There are many factors that can bend that line into more of a wave. 

In my last two posts I’ve written about my general weight loss plan (read here), and then how our food plays a role (read here). 

In this post I am going to explore other factors that play a role in how we lose weight. 

Over the years I’ve found three main factors that influence the kind of shape my weight loss takes … I mean the shape of the line. We would all love to have a weight loss line graph that heads straight diagonally downward, but who are we kidding? That’s never going to happen. We would also like to see it go down fairly quickly.  

Well, one factor that plays a part in how quickly we lose weight is age. 

I remember when I was first married and still in my twenties (29). Lily would make dinner for us, but make enough to feed a family of five. She would put the bowls of food on the table and I would dish the food onto my plate. 

After a month of that I noticed I was gaining weight. I gained about five pounds in no time. 

That might not seem like much, but up until then I could not put on weight. No matter what I did, my weight never changed. 

That sudden weight gain got me worried. I had visions of looking more and more like my dad … and I didn’t want to go in that direction. 

I told Lil to just give me one plate of food and that was it. No bowls, no seconds. In a matter of a week or two, my weight went right back down.

It was nothing to lose weight then. Now, at 64, it’s a whole other story. I can just look at the wrong foods and gain weight. 

The older you are the more persistent you will have to be at losing weight. That weight loss line is going to rise and fall and be more wavy than you want it to be. There will be days that your weight goes up even though you know you did everything right the day before … how could you gain a half a pound? 

Stay steady the older you get. Losing weight is not a sprint; it’s a long distance run. Just keep at it. 

Another factor is metabolism. It’s different for everyone and it can change as we get older. You can’t compare your weight loss with someone else’s – especially your spouse or a friend of the opposite sex. 

Women, here’s where you can cry, “It’s not fair!” 

It seems to me that generally women have a tougher time losing weight. That might seem like a curse, but it just means you have to be diligent with the plan. 

Don’t complain, or compare; just stick with it. 

When your weight loss line looks like any of the roller coasters at Canada’s Wonderland, you just have to persevere because eventually the roller coaster brings you down to street level. 

Here’s the thing: I’m talking about perseverance and, when it comes to your daily walk with God, the same applies. There may be times when you don’t seem as close to God. That’s not the time to stop meeting with Him, attending church, or worshipping Him. That’s the time to dig in and be diligent in remaining close to Him. Because if you do, you will make that break through. 

That’s Life!

Paul 

Question: What is the biggest factor you need to persevere through right now? Leave your comments and questions below.

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