Lisa Bevere - You are not what you weigh : escaping the lie and living the truth

For the last fifteen years, I have been treating eating disorders as a part of practicing family medicine. The frequency, intensity, and scope of these disorders have progressively increased. Many modalities of treatment have been suggested through time, but the results have not been very encouraging. Many of these treatments focused on the symptoms that the patients present, but dealt very little with the pain, anger, and sensation of hopelessness these precious people feel.

In You Are Not What You Weigh, Lisa precisely deals with those feelings that are the root of the problem. She unveils the lies we choose to live and gives alternatives for change. She presents this information in a very nonthreatening way. At the same time, she is very concrete, effective, and powerful. Her testimony is a window through which to look, learn, and follow as a role model.

Those that are hurting, for any reason, will find an oasis in the middle of their wilderness when they read this book. I challenge you to change and come to the knowledge of the truth and be free!

I include this book as an essential part of the treatment of eating disorders in my practice. If you are dealing with the pains, anger, and frustration, if you are tired of failing, I challenge you to be different and walk toward your healing. This book is a great tool that will direct you to success.

Luis E. Morales, MD Diplomate American Board of Family Practice Fellow American Academy Family Medicine

YOU

ARE

WHAT YOU

WEIGH

Lisa BEVERE

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked kjv are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked nkjv are from the New King James Version of the Bible. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc., publishers. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked nlt are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of

Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked rhm are from The Emphasized Bible: A New Translation by Joseph Bryant Rotherhan , copyright 1959, 1994. Used by permission of Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI.

Scripture quotations marked tlb are from The Living Bible. Copyright 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189. All rights reserved.

Every year more than a thousand women die senseless, hopeless deaths. They die trying to win approval that will never be granted. These are determined and strong women with wills of iron. Yet their very wills are used against them and honed into weapons of self-destruction. Perhaps you know someone with an eating disorder. Perhaps even now she is holding this book.

This book is dedicated to every woman who has ever struggled with her physical image. It is penned to each of you who found yourself encumbered and entangled inwardly to your outward physical self. This is a book of truth to dispel the lies that have held you captive for far too long. It is a sword placed in your hand to cut the tethers and ties that bind you. I have fought on this battleground and won. I will be a true friend and share with you the Truth that set me free.

Acknowledgments

To my husband, Johnyou have never reduced me to what you saw or what I weighed, and I love you for it. I am so blessed to have a husband like you to support me and remind me of Gods unconditional love for me. You are my best friend.

To my four precious sonsAddison, Austin, Alexander, and Ardenthanks for all your help. I love you all more than words can say. May you always know true beauty. Stay strong and free!

To Tinayou are one of the most beautiful women I know.

To my heavenly FatherYour Son has been the truth that set me free. You delivered me from a dungeon of sin and darkness and set my feet on the pathway of light. Forever I will praise Your name.

contents

This book has radically changed my life! About ten days ago, I was talking to God and crying about my weight, and God told me to work through Lisas book with Him! The more I worked through the book, the more I felt myself changing. Working through this book was like having coffee with Lisa and being counseled by her. I prayed all the prayers that she gave, and I found myself realizing deep down that there was a lie going on that was keeping me fatbut I didnt know what that lie was. I asked God to reveal it to me, and a couple of days after finishing the book, He did! Thank you, Lisa, for revealing the truth to me. I am now free at last!

KIM

introduction

This book is not about information; youve had enough of that.

Its about transformation.

W hy would I feel drawn to write a book on the subject of weight? Because I have experienced both ends of the spectrum: Ive been overly thin, and Ive been overweight. I remember and can keenly identify with the frustration and pain of those who suffer from eating disorders. I will share an in-depth account of my struggle. But first let me introduce myself.

I do not come to you as an expert on diet, nutrition, or exercise. Im sure you have already amassed enough knowledge in these three areas. Nor do I address you from the vantage point of an aerobics instructor, beauty queen, or critic. Im sure you have had encounters with all of these. I come just as a friend.

I fought this battle alone. It was my secret struggle for years. I waged a silent inner war, afraid to tell others... afraid they might mock me if they knew. I never realized how many others wrestled with the same fears and failures until I had already come out on the other side.

If only there had been someone in my life with whom I could identify, one who not only understood but who had also waged her own battleand wonit would have been easier for me. But there was no one.

It was never a lack of knowledge that held me bound. I knew the caloric count of practically everything I ate. I also knew the amount of calories each aerobic and anaerobic exercise burned. I pored over health manuals and periodicals; I took classes and purchased magazines, devouring any information that promised me a new body by summer or in time for the Christmas holidays.

I was afraid. I didnt believe I could succeed, so why should anyone else believe in me? I imagined I was surrounded by people who expected failure from me. Though I know now my assessment was not true, I believed it nonetheless. All the while, I was my own worst critic and believed in my self the least of all. There seemed to be two of meone I protected, the other I projected. I protected my self not out of love, but out of fear. What if everyone knew the truth?

I pretended to be confident when actually I was afraid. I pretended to be angry when actually I was hurt. I pretended to be strong when actually I was weak. I projected an image I thought would be accepted because I was certain the real me would be rejected. I decided it was OK if people rejected the fake me, but not the real me. She would remain hidden.

Over the years I have learned something about images or facades. They use up entirely too much energy in their maintenance, leaving us drained and void of the power to change or develop the real. Soon we are confused about who we really are. Stepping out from behind these illusions leaves us vulnerable, but there is no reason to fear, for we will only be vulnerable with each other and, of course, with God.