Saturday Share with Jessica Dudley

Welcome to Saturday Share!  

The purpose of this weekly feature is to provide a space for regular people to share their real-life encounters with Jesus.  It’s about living in the middle – on the way to the finish line.  If we still have breath to tell our stories then our race isn’t finished.

I believe we sharpen one another and delight God’s heart when we testify of His great work in our lives.  Be encouraged to put one foot in front of the other, and spur someone on while you’re at it!

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.  1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT  

I am honored to introduce to you, my feature Saturday Share writer:

Jessica Dudley

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I’m Jess and I am thrilled to be invited to Saturday Share!

I want to share my weight loss story with you.  I’ve struggled with the ups and downs of weight gain and loss all my life.  3 times I gained and lost over 85lbs.  The truth is I used food to comfort, soothe and entertain myself.    What was worse than the obesity was the crushing shame of letting the Lord down.  You see, I had quietly disqualified myself and handed back gifts, callings, and service to God.  I slipped home to an isolated disqualified life with food!

Obesity is so painful.  We’re out of control and you can see it so we hide!  We hide and eat.  Then we’re too tired to do much else.  Our world’s shrink down to only what we have to do.  Our bodies hurt, and so does our soul.  We simply struggle and pretend to get by.  Certainly NOT the abundant life, huh?

In November of 2014, I went back on a diet for my cousin who had asked me to join her.  I did it for her.  I remained faithful to the food for her!  My focus was her success.  I had no hope I’d be able to sustain anything.  I’d proven myself unfaithful!  But something happened.

Something happened along the road to supporting her, I began to find a little air to breathe.  I looked one day and it had been a month since I’d eaten any sugar?  Then I found myself pushing the plate back when I was full?  Who does that? I usually only stop when finished.  One morning I caught myself smiling in the mirror.  Next, I wanted to exercise again?  What was happening?

Life came creeping back in.  One day I looked down and I said, “All I did was change my food and it’s changed everything?”  That’s the truth.  I removed controlling foods from my diet, and it turns out I was able to take control again.  Not only was there a little weight loss, but my body stopped hurting all over, and, and, and…ENERGY I’d not had in the longest time came back…all because I removed sugars and starches?

Turns out that’s really the latest science.  Turns out the epidemic of obesity and diabetes is from our modern American diet of processed, fast convenient foods.  Our bodies don’t metabolically process them well and they make us sick and fat!

God whispered to my heart, “Help others”  I founded FIND YOUR FOOD.  We offer a community that cares. Contend that supports the journey and coaching for those who need that one-on-one approach!  If we could do it alone, we’d all be skinny and healthy.

My heart is to help people EAT clean | FEEL better | BE strong…for life!

So many Christians are stuck in the food.  Their energy and confidence have taken a huge hit, and they are struggling.  I believe there is a solution we can all embrace and that’s one of eating clean whole foods, healthy fats and limiting processed foods and carbs.  I’ve seen countless men and women transform the quality of their lives and seen purpose come back to them all over again!

Need help?  Contact me:  Jess@findyourfood.org