As a homeschooling, working, mother of six Julia thought she was way too busy to be healthy, but today her life is a testimony that we can accomplish so much more than what we believe. We know you're going to be inspired as she shares her remarkable story!

Julia's Story - Way Too Busy To Be Healthy

I had always been pretty fit and healthy until recent years. Series of challenges (both tragedies and joys) had me running to food. Military deployments, miscarriages, Grad school, adoption, moving – you name it.

I was happy - I ate. I was sad - I ate. I drank unlimited amounts of (unhealthy!) caffeinated beverages just to get me through the day. Trust me -Starbucks owes me BIG time! HEALTH was not on the radar! At. All. But it was just food – right? No. I hadn't realized how far I had strayed from the Lord until I started to deny myself the foods that had been filling the void.

The process of stripping everything I "loved" out of my diet began to strip unwanted things out of my heart. The process was humbling, challenging, and daunting - to say the least. What if I went to my Creator – the one who knows my HEART and LOVES me when I was overwhelmed – rather than just munching to distract from the pain.

I was embarrassed that I needed the Lord and this support system to gain freedom in this area. I made sure I didn't tell people about my journey for fear of judgment and rejection. But since completing this journey and walking 70 pounds lighter and in freedom from food - I am no longer ashamed! As God said to Paul, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness."

Praise God that HE is glorified when we are empty! As a working, homeschooling, Mommy to 6, I was convinced that my life was WAY too busy to be healthy. It took time and it was a process, but our lives today don't compare to a year ago! I made the decision one day that I never wanted to be unable to do something God called me to because of how I had cared for my body. I have met that goal.

I am thankful that God brought me through this past year. Clean eating has changed my life! I want to have a life full of LIFE, so therefore I need to give my body life-giving foods! "My flesh and my heart may fail, but YOU are the strength of my heart and my portion forever" Psalm 73:26 I am thankful for G&S and how I have grown through this process. I am thankful that God uses me and all of my failures to show that ANYTHING is possible with Him!

Life is a journey and I felt pretty overwhelmed with the physical and spiritual weight I was carrying. I am far from perfect, but I now have renewed excitement and joy as I look into the next chapter of our lives!

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* Individual results may vary.