Taste for Truth - Weight Loss Encouragement

Barb Raveling

Christian Weight Loss

  • 6 minutes 42 seconds
    7-Week Master Class on Transformation
    The live 7-Week Master Class on Transformation Begins January 28, 2025!!!

    Do you ever say, “I can’t believe I’ve been a Christian for x number of years and I’m still struggling with this?” Are you reluctant to work on transformation because you’re afraid you’ll fail like you did last time? Do you have some area of your life where you feel stuck?

    My guess is that we can all answer “yes” to at least one of those questions. It’s discouraging to fail over and over again.

    Romans 12:2 tells us that the answer to our struggles is to renew our minds. But there are two problems with this approach: 1) We don’t necessarily know what that means or 2) we do know how to renew our minds but we can’t make ourselves do it consistently enough to see transformation.

    My 7-Week Master Class on Transformation will help you with both of those problems. We’ll get together, each choose an area of our lives to work on, and work together on transformation.

    What area of transformation would you like help with?

    Here are a few areas you may want to work on during this transformation class:

    • Break a habit such as overeating, overspending, or too much time on your phone even though you have zero discipline in that area.
    • Achieve a goal such as writing a book, developing a habit of consistently completing your to-do list each day, or starting a business even if you’re a born procrastinator and can’t make yourself work on your project or list.
    • Break free from a negative emotion like anger, worry, discontentment, and insecurity even if that emotion has been with you as long as you can remember. Often we think we can’t let go of the negative emotions. Our only hope is to escape them with some self-destructive behavior, stuff them, or control our behavior so the emotion doesn’t hurt ourselves and others. But the truth is, God can help us let go of those negative emotions situation by situation and live in peace and joy (Galatians 5). We’ll learn how to do that in this class.
    What are some side benefits (but often the biggest benefits of all) of working on transformation?

    No matter what practical area you choose to work on, God will use the transformation process to help you achieve the following goals:

    • Grow closer to God and more excited about your times with Him as you develop the practical habit of carrying each thought captive to the truth through the renewing of the min.
    • Live in peace and joy as you learn how to corral, process, and let go of the thoughts that are swirling in your head, threatening to drive you crazy.
    • Improve relationships and learn how to love others better as you grow in the fruit of the Spirit.
    What is the set up of the class?

    Here are a few features of the class:

    • It will be live. We’ll meet on Zoom but the sessions will also be recorded if you can’t make it.
    • I’ll give 15-30 minutes of instruction but we’ll be pausing during the class to apply what I teach to the area of your life that you want to work on.
    • We’ll meet once a week for seven sessions but I’ll have six weeks of homework for you to do during the week to apply what you learned to the area of your life you’re working on.
    • At the end of each class, I’ll have breakout rooms where you can share how you did with your renewing each week and what God taught you during the week.
    • You’ll also have a chance to find accountability partners.
    When will the class start?

    The class will begin on January 28, 2025. We will meet weekly for 7 sessions on Tuesdays at 12:00 EST. Each class will be be 1 to 1 1/2 hours long.

    What if I can’t make the live sessions?

    If you can’t make the live sessions, I’ll have a replay available by the next day, possibly sooner. The replays will be available until at least 6/1/25, possibly longer, so that you have time to do the class.

    What is the cost of the class?

    Although classes like this are often quite expensive, I want everyone to be able to take it, so I’m offering the class at $27 USD.

    Is there a deadline for signing up for the class?

    Yes, the deadline is January 28, 2025. This is not an on-demand class so even if you plan to take it later, you’ll need to sign up now so I can email you links to the class videos and homework each week.

    Where can I sign up?

    To get started, go to the click here to go to the product purchase page and sign up.

    11 January 2025, 11:00 am
  • 49 minutes 36 seconds
    Maintaining a 150-Pound Weight Loss with God's Help with Stacey

    Six years ago, Stacey had just lost 150 pounds. Today - she is still living in victory! Many who are successful in weight loss, unfortunately, have difficulty keeping it off and continuing to live in freedom.  My conversation with Stacey today on the Taste for Truth Podcast is chock full of insight about not only how to lose the weight, but also maintaining a 150-pound weight loss with God's help.

    Listen to my first interview with Stacey here. 

    What We Discussed on the Podcast
    • How Stacey has become totally free from cravings
    • How putting in the work with one particular practice has helped keep the weight off this time
    • The reasons that Stacey used food to numb and be "invisible"
    • How to manage the social difficulties that arise when following boundaries with food
    • Navigating some different challenges after the weight started coming off
    • The first step to change
    Resources Mentioned on the Podcast Announcements

    I also wanted to mention that I will be tapering off and ultimately ending the Taste for Truth Podcast in January of 2025. I will still be doing my Christian Habits Podcast, and all of the past Taste for Truth episodes will still be available! I'm just at a place in my life where I need to find a work-life balance that is sustainable, and going down to one podcast seems like a very helpful way to do that.

    I am also planning to give online course creation a try. If you are interested in staying informed about that, click here.

    Listen to the Podcast
    • YouTube: Click here to subscribe or listen on YouTube. 
    • Apple Podcasts: Click here to subscribe or listen on Apple Podcasts. (If you haven’t subscribed to the podcast on Apple, this can sometimes take a few hours to update.) 
    • Android: Click here to subscribe or listen on Android. 
    • Spotify: Click here to subscribe or listen on Spotify. 
    • Amazon Alexa: To listen on Amazon Alexa, say, “Alexa, play the Taste for Truth Podcast.” 
    11 December 2024, 11:00 am
  • 32 minutes 45 seconds
    Losing 150 Pounds with God's Help with Stacey [Replay]

    [This interview was originally published on 10/10/2018.]

    Have you ever been completely hopeless about weight-loss? Do you think you've tried it all, and you are on the verge of giving up? My guest today, Stacey, felt exactly the same. However, with God's help, she has been able to lose (and maintain) a 150 pound weight loss!

    Today on the Taste for Truth Podcast, I am doing something I have rarely (if ever!) done before: replaying a very encouraging interview! One reason for doing this is because I recently had a second interview with the same person, Stacey, and she has successfully kept the weight off for over 6 years! I wanted it to be easy to have a frame of reference between the first and second episodes. The new interview with Stacey will come out in December.

    Stacey followed a program where she had to cut out sugar and white flour and plan out what she would eat each day.

    One of the problems with programs like this is that we feel like life is boring because we can't have sugar. Towards the end of the podcast, Stacey shares how she deals with that issue, renewing her mind before she enters into situations where she might feel like she's missing out by not eating sugar.

    Whether you follow Stacey's boundaries or not, you'll be able to learn from her experience as she goes to God for help with life.

    What We Discussed on the Podcast
    • What the difference was this time that led to Stacey's 150 pound weight loss
    • The revelation of how we often use food isn't what God intended
    • How Stacey was able to stay the course, even through her strong cravings
    • Different strategies for renewing the mind
    • Lies that Stacey had to work through when getting to maintenance
    Resources Mentioned on the Podcast Announcements

    I also wanted to mention that I will be tapering off and ultimately ending the Taste for Truth Podcast sometime in January or, at the latest, February, of 2025. I will still be doing my Christian Habits Podcast, and all of the past Taste for Truth episodes will still be available! I'm just at a place in my life where I need to find a work-life balance that is sustainable, and going down to one podcast seems like a very helpful way to do that.

    I am also planning to give online course creation a try. If you are interested in staying informed about that, click here.

    Listen to the Podcast
    • YouTube: Click here to subscribe or listen on YouTube. 
    • Apple Podcasts: Click here to subscribe or listen on Apple Podcasts. (If you haven’t subscribed to the podcast on Apple, this can sometimes take a few hours to update.) 
    • Android: Click here to subscribe or listen on Android. 
    • Spotify: Click here to subscribe or listen on Spotify. 
    • Amazon Alexa: To listen on Amazon Alexa, say, “Alexa, play the Taste for Truth Podcast.” 
    6 November 2024, 11:00 am
  • 48 minutes 11 seconds
    Letting Go of Emotional Eating and the Skinny Idol with Jennifer

    Many of us picked up lies about food and eating when we were very young. Those lies tend to follow us into adulthood and sabotage our relationship with food. However, there is hope! Through the renewing of the mind, and going to God (instead of food) for help with life's difficulties, we can regain a healthy relationship with food. On the Taste for Truth Podcast today, Jennifer talks about her journey to finding victory in this area of her life.

    What We Discussed on the Podcast
    • The early lessons Jennifer learned that sabotaged her relationship with food
    • The surprising result of giving up the skinny idol
    • Trigger times of the day
    • What was different in Jennifer's weight loss journey this time around
    • "Growth points" and perfectionism
    • The disconnect about having boundaries in other areas of our lives and having boundaries with food
    Announcements

    I also wanted to mention that I will be tapering off and ultimately ending the Taste for Truth Podcast sometime in the next 2-4 months. I will still be doing my Christian Habits Podcast, and all of the past Taste for Truth episodes will still be available! I'm just at a place in my life where I need to find a work-life balance that is sustainable, and going down to one podcast seems like a very helpful way to do that.

    I am also planning to give online course creation a try. If you are interested in staying informed about that, click here.

    Resources Mentioned on the Podcast Listen to the Podcast
    • YouTube: Click here to subscribe or listen on YouTube. 
    • Apple Podcasts: Click here to subscribe or listen on Apple Podcasts. (If you haven’t subscribed to the podcast on Apple, this can sometimes take a few hours to update.) 
    • Android: Click here to subscribe or listen on Android. 
    • Spotify: Click here to subscribe or listen on Spotify. 
    • Amazon Alexa: To listen on Amazon Alexa, say, “Alexa, play the Taste for Truth Podcast.” 
    9 October 2024, 10:00 am
  • 39 minutes 46 seconds
    How to Stop Stress Eating with Katrina Sequenzia

    Stress is an everyday struggle for most of us in Western society. We turn to many unhealthy things to cope  which often lead to health struggles and weight gain. It actually makes the problem worse! However, stress eating does not have to be our reality any longer.  I'm excited to have Katrina Sequenzia as my guest again today on the Taste for Truth Podcast. Katrina shares her personal struggles in this area as well as many practical tips to overcome the unhealthy coping mechanisms in our lives.

    What We Discussed on the Podcast
    • A personal struggle that had Katrina turning to another coping mechanism to get through
    • The lie that we always tell ourselves in the midst of stressful times to justify our out-of-control eating
    • Some of the biological reasons why we turn to food during times of stress
    • Many practical (and healthy) ways to cope with difficult moments in our day-to-day lives
    • What movement does for us with regard to stress
    • Loads, limits, and creating margin
    Announcements

    I also wanted to mention that I will be tapering off and ultimately ending the Taste for Truth podcast sometime in the next 3-5 months. I will still be doing my Christian Habits Podcast, and all of the past Taste for Truth episodes will still be available! I'm just at a place in my life where I need to find a work-life balance that is sustainable, and going down to one podcast seems like a very helpful way to do that.

    I am also planning to give online course creation a try. If you are interested in staying informed about that, click here.

    Resources Mentioned on the Podcast Listen to the Podcast
    • YouTube: Click here to subscribe or listen on YouTube. 
    • Apple Podcasts: Click here to subscribe or listen on Apple Podcasts. (If you haven’t subscribed to the podcast on Apple, this can sometimes take a few hours to update.) 
    • Android: Click here to subscribe or listen on Android. 
    • Spotify: Click here to subscribe or listen on Spotify. 
    • Amazon Alexa: To listen on Amazon Alexa, say, “Alexa, play the Taste for Truth Podcast.” 
    11 September 2024, 10:00 am
  • 54 minutes 49 seconds
    Exercise, Anxiety, and Having Babies with Sarah

    If you've ever wondered how all of those people I've interviewed in the past are doing now, you'll enjoy today's episode of the Taste for Truth Podcast! I'm having a second "check-in" interview with Sarah whom I previously interviewed over four years ago. Back in 2020, Sarah was a new mom and was experiencing great success with changing her eating and lifestyle habits. Today our discussion centers around how pivotal exercise has been for Sarah in her journey, and about her struggles and victories while navigating many life changes.

    What We Discussed on the Podcast
    • How Sarah is doing four years after her first victory interview
    • How finding exercise that matched her temperament has helped Sarah achieve her goals
    • Viewing exercise as spiritual warfare - using your body to fight a spiritual battle
    • New research that highlights the importance of exercise for mental health
    • The importance of asking for help
    • Why we can have hope even when we have yo-yo dieted and feel that we have tried everything
    • What being poor in spirit really means, and how it's a good thing
    • The story of "20-steps back" and how it relates to success with healthy habits
    Announcements

    I also wanted to mention that I will be tapering off and ultimately ending the Taste for Truth podcast sometime in the next 5-7 months. I will still be doing my Christian Habits Podcast, and all of the past Taste for Truth episodes will still be available! I'm just at a place in my life where I need to find a work-life balance that is sustainable, and going down to one podcast seems like a very helpful way to do that.

    I am also planning to give online course creation a try. If you are interested in staying informed about that, click here.

    Resources Mentioned on the Podcast

    Listen to the Podcast

    • YouTube: Click here to subscribe or listen on YouTube. 
    • Apple Podcasts: Click here to subscribe or listen on Apple Podcasts. (If you haven’t subscribed to the podcast on Apple, this can sometimes take a few hours to update.) 
    • Android: Click here to subscribe or listen on Android. 
    • Spotify: Click here to subscribe or listen on Spotify. 
    • Amazon Alexa: To listen on Amazon Alexa, say, “Alexa, play the Taste for Truth Podcast.” 
    16 July 2024, 10:00 am
  • 27 minutes 22 seconds
    It Would be Crazy Not to Eat This + Ask Barb

    On this episode of the Taste for Truth podcast, I am doing something different and kind of fun! I decided to do a mish-mash of sorts of a few different episodes. I'll be doing a meditation from my book Say Goodbye to Emotional Eating ("It would be crazy not to eat this!"), and then also a series of "Ask Barb" questions that I've received from listeners. There a variety of topics covered, but all of them are centered around eating habits for ourselves or others. I hope you find something that is helpful and encouraging!

    Announcements

    I also wanted to mention that I will be tapering off and ultimately ending the Taste for Truth podcast sometime in the near future. Don't worry -  I will still be doing my Christian Habits Podcast, and all of the past Taste for Truth episodes will still be available! I am just at a place in my life where I am needing to find a work-life balance that is sustainable, and going down to one podcast seems like a very helpful way to do that.

    I am also planning to give online course creation a try. If you are interested in staying informed about that, click here.

    Lastly, my online Philippians Bible study is still going on (as of May 2024). If you'd like to join in for the last 3-4 sessions, click here for more information!

    Resources Mentioned on the Podcast Listen to the Podcast
    • YouTube: Click here to subscribe or listen on YouTube. 
    • Apple Podcasts: Click here to subscribe or listen on Apple Podcasts. (If you haven’t subscribed to the podcast on Apple, this can sometimes take a few hours to update.) 
    • Android: Click here to subscribe or listen on Android. 
    • Spotify: Click here to subscribe or listen on Spotify. 
    • Amazon Alexa: To listen on Amazon Alexa, say, “Alexa, play the Taste for Truth Podcast.” 
    22 May 2024, 10:00 am
  • 37 minutes 9 seconds
    10 Lies That Feed the Skinny Idol

    It's so easy in our culture today to get caught up in trying to find our self-worth in material things, money, our jobs, or the way we look. The idea of being skinny can be something that we begin to obsess over because we somehow think our identity is wrapped up in our appearance. This isn't what God wants for us and, consequently, also makes us very unhappy.  On today's episode of the Taste for Truth Podcast, we'll debunk 10 lies that perpetuate this skinny idol.

    I also wanted to mention that I will be leading an online Bible study through my new Philippians Bible study in the month of May. If you're interested in finding out more and signing up, get the info here. I do think it is so helpful to go through regular Bible studies - even when you're trying to lose weight or be healthier - because we are getting more of the truth of God's word in our system (which helps us combat all the lies we believe that fuel our eating problems).  This particular book deals with many different topics in the book of Philippians, one of them being finding our identity in God. I hope you'll find it helpful!

    What We Discussed on the Podcast
    • How our "Good Christian" list can adversely affect our self-worth
    • Different things we turn to to find our identity in rather than God
    • "I need to be skinny to be accepted."
    • "When I'm skinny, I'll be happier."
    • "People think I'm a loser because I'm overweight."
    • A passage in Philippians that reminds us what we cannot have confidence in
    • Some tips for truth journaling
    Resources Mentioned on the Podcast Listen to the Podcast
    • YouTube: Click here to subscribe or listen on YouTube. 
    • Apple Podcasts: Click here to subscribe or listen on Apple Podcasts. (If you haven’t subscribed to the podcast on Apple, this can sometimes take a few hours to update.) 
    • Android: Click here to subscribe or listen on Android. 
    • Spotify: Click here to subscribe or listen on Spotify. 
    • Amazon Alexa: To listen on Amazon Alexa, say, “Alexa, play the Taste for Truth Podcast.” 
    24 April 2024, 10:00 am
  • 52 minutes 38 seconds
    Boredom, Holiday, and Hard-Life Eating with Suanne, Emily and Elizabeth

    If you feel like you will never get over your food struggles, today's episode of the Taste for Truth podcast will be a great encouragement (links below). I'm doing something different on this episode: I'm interviewing three people at one time! It's a mom and her two adult daughters, and we talk through many of the struggles they have had with food over the years, and how they are all finding their way to freedom in this area of their lives.

    What We Discussed on the Podcast
    • Free-for-all holiday eating
    • Perfectionism eating
    • Strategies for avoiding a binge and a 3-month hiatus from boundaries
    • These lies and their corresponding truths:
      • "It's a holiday, I can eat as much as I want."
      • "If there are sweets in the house, you should eat them."
      • "I'm bored, food would be a great way to deal with it."
    • The key part that submission to God plays in breaking free from an eating stronghold
    • Different renewing of the mind strategies
    • Food as a coping mechanism
    Resources Mentioned on the Podcast Pre-Order my newest Bible study on Philippians! Listen to the Podcast
    • YouTube: Click here to subscribe or listen on YouTube. 
    • Apple Podcasts: Click here to subscribe or listen on Apple Podcasts. (If you haven’t subscribed to the podcast on Apple, this can sometimes take a few hours to update.) 
    • Android: Click here to subscribe or listen on Android. 
    • Spotify: Click here to subscribe or listen on Spotify. 
    • Amazon Alexa: To listen on Amazon Alexa, say, “Alexa, play the Taste for Truth Podcast.” 
    27 March 2024, 10:00 am
  • 33 minutes 3 seconds
    How to Help Your Kids Avoid Picky Eating, Emotional Eating, and Obsessive Eating

    A few weeks ago, I had an interesting conversation with a reader. She talked about how hard it was to get her kids to eat healthy things. Many parents these days can relate to the challenges of picky eaters, meal-time meltdowns, and general food struggles. On today's episode of the Taste for Truth Podcast (links below), I answer some reader questions revolving around helping our kids to avoid negative eating habits.

    What We Discussed on the Podcast
    • How my husband and I raised our four children to eat
    • My take on whether or not kids should eat the same meal as the parents
    • How I inadvertently taught my kids some emotional eating tendencies
    • Practical ways to help our kids to not be entitled regarding food or otherwise
    • The two unhealthy routes we can take with regard to obsessive eating
    • My thoughts on how to train our children regarding food that has the best chance for a healthy result
    Resources Mentioned on the Podcast Listen to the Podcast
    • YouTube: Click here to subscribe or listen on YouTube. 
    • Apple Podcasts: Click here to subscribe or listen on Apple Podcasts. (If you haven’t subscribed to the podcast on Apple, this can sometimes take a few hours to update.) 
    • Android: Click here to subscribe or listen on Android. 
    • Spotify: Click here to subscribe or listen on Spotify. 
    • Amazon Alexa: To listen on Amazon Alexa, say, “Alexa, play the Taste for Truth Podcast.”
    28 February 2024, 11:00 am
  • 37 minutes 33 seconds
    End Boredom, Mindless, and Procrastination Eating with Kim

    Many of us turn to food when we are bored, or when we want to avoid a project we know we should be doing! Unfortunately, this can easily become an unhealthy pattern that leads to weight-gain and out-of-control eating. If you're all too familiar with this struggle and want to stop the cycle of boredom eating, my episode today on the Taste for Truth Podcast should be helpful (links below)!

    Share an Update!

    I also wanted to mention that I'm excited to try something a little different for a few episodes of the Taste for Truth Podcast. I would love to have updates and "victory moments" from people that I've interviewed over the years! If you would be willing, go to this website and record a brief message letting us know how you're doing! This is not an interview at all, it would just be you recording whatever you'd like to say in a short message - I think the limit is 4 minutes. Anyway, I think it'd be so fun and encouraging to hear how everyone is doing! Give it a try!

    What We Discussed on the Podcast
    • How often our childhood shapes our interactions with food
    • Non-diet boundaries
    • Why sometimes we should first begin renewing our minds NOT about food or eating
    • The emotional toll of procrastination
    • How to renew your minds about specific situations
    • What it means to hold losing weight with an "open hand"
    Resources Mentioned on the Podcast Listen to the Podcast
    • Google: Click here to subscribe or listen on Google Podcasts. 
    • Apple Podcasts: Click here to subscribe or listen on Apple Podcasts. (If you haven’t subscribed to the podcast on Apple, this can sometimes take a few hours to update.) 
    • Android: Click here to subscribe or listen on Android. 
    • Spotify: Click here to subscribe or listen on Spotify. 
    • Amazon Alexa: To listen on Amazon Alexa, say, “Alexa, play the Taste for Truth Podcast.” 
    30 January 2024, 11:00 am
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