Carrying a large amount of excess weight can feel like an inescapable prison. We’ve all felt the familiar hunger pangs, the fear of failing another weigh-in, and the mental weariness of trying to take our bodies back. It’s not easy.

You might be stuck now, but you are not a failure! You will escape this, and you will be triumphant!  Don’t let this present moment define your future.

I know the temptation to swallow a “quick fix” concoction.  Every famous person you know is finding the success you long for.  They parade their slim physiques across every social media platform while you cry alone, contemplating if this is your way to salvation as well. 

I can’t answer that for you. All I can do is encourage you to count the cost of becoming dependent on that solution daily, year after year, for the rest of your life. Is that the kind of freedom you are hoping for?

I know you’ve tried every diet plan twice and three times on Sunday.  I get it.  I’ve been there.  It doesn’t just suck; it’s a depressing and dangerous mindset.  I won’t tell you how dark it got for me; I imagine you can guess if you are fighting your own battle. 

Here is the truth.  Losing weight for good when you have been a food addict is nearly impossible.  I know that is not what you want to hear, but if I promise not to lie, will you trust me to share honestly?

Years ago, before I wrote the book God’s Perfect Size, I was a depressed new mother struggling to take the weight off- AGAIN!

I had lived most of my life as an overweight individual.  Heck, I hit 200 pounds by middle school and never looked back.  To put that in perspective, I’m 5’3 on a good day.  I didn’t think my body was capable of losing weight long-term. 

It wasn’t until I became desperate enough to ask God to set me free that I found true freedom.  That “flare prayer” of desperation changed everything.  Don’t get me wrong, the weight loss journey was arduous and humbling. But I have been walking in food freedom for over 25 years.  I’m not telling you this to brag. I’m sharing because God can do it for you, too.  He wants to do it for you!  That’s why you are here, reading this! 

 Jesus came to this broken-down, sinful world so that he could set the captives free.  He wants to set everyone in bondage-free.  If your shackles are chocolate and fried chicken or alcohol and sex, Jesus is the only way to freedom.  He can and will cut the shackles that are keeping you imprisoned.  One of the very first revelations I got on my weight loss journey was maybe the enemy was pushing me to overeat.  I know it sounds crazy.  I thought I was crazy at the time.  But I wasn’t.  That realization came one day during my prayer time.  I later did a podcast about it because so few people of faith talk about food addiction and the spirit of gluttony working together to keep you trapped.  Please listen; it could be the missing connection you need.

One last piece of advice to get you started on your road to food freedom is to cry out to God and ask Him to set you free and to make you ready to live free.  God is ALL POWERFUL even in this.  He is able, but are you ready?  Are you prepared to say Goodbye to something that has been a source of comfort, companionship, and pleasure?  Yes- being overweight hurts, but you’ve gotta admit, food has been your “go-to” for so long that you will mourn the loss of your current relationship.  Just don’t give up.  Walk through the grief and every other emotion that will crop up.  God will comfort you and bring you out on the side of food freedom.

I wrote God’s Perfect Size for us. As I walked through my weight loss journey God’s way, I knew others would need a guide, too. This is not about selling you something. I have all that I need because God is faithful. This is about you! Take the Father’s hand and let him walk you to freedom. He is faithful, and he loves you. It’s time for you to love yourself enough to fight! And his freedom is lasting. Are you ready?

Godspeed on Your Journey,

Kim Jagwe