Carla Ledford is our Momsanity Sister Spotlight and I smile throughout her honest writing. She is so real and doesn’t candy-coat her journey. This homeschooling mother of 5 is ultra busy and very candid.

I am Carla, and like you, I wear lots of hats.  I am a church planter’s wife.  Mom of five, ages 10yrs – 10 months. Homeschool teacher to two (sometimes three) kiddos. Essential oils lady. Birthday cake maker. The list goes on…My days are full of hundreds of different tasks, each demanding the very best of me.  I describe my life as organized chaos.

 
My whole life, I have been surrounded by skinny people.  No joke.  My parents, my friends, my in-laws – all naturally skinny.  I’ve always felt like the “bigger girl” in the bunch. I have a love-hate relationship with food. Since my early teens, I have been super conscience of what goes in my mouth.  (Sometimes, I am simply conscience of it going down my pie hole, but conscience, none-the-less.)  I remember counting fat grams as early as 8th grade. Food is “my thing” and not in a good way. It’s a vice. Often times, an idol.
 
A quick recent history – a year after my second child was born, I was walking around at my delivery date weight. I was tired, grumpy, and miserable.  I was “eating right” and exercising 3 days a week, but the weight wasn’t budging.  I had suspected thyroid issues for years, but doctors weren’t buying it.  Out of desperation, I consulted a doctor and he prescribed me an appetite suppressant.  Though it wasn’t the route I was expecting, I was desperate, so I took it.  I cut my calories, upped my exercise, popped my pill, and quickly lost 35 pounds.  I wasn’t skinny yet, but it was the only success I has ever experienced in the weight loss department. As you probably suspected, it was short term,  and as soon as I stopped that regimen, the weight came back.

After several years of dealing with food on both a practical and spiritual level, and two more pregnancies, God lead to me to Coach Debbie. Time had quickly become paramount for me and I was enticed by the 30 minute commitment. (Did I mention I was TERRIFIED?!?!) I began working out with her as soon as I received postpartum clearance. Sadly, Baby #4 was insanely difficult and my in real life workouts with Debbie were short lived. But God had done a major work in my heart and had begun to change my “why,” so, I was determined to continue on my quest for wellness. I joined the Sisterhood and quickly learned why women were so passionate about this group – SO. MUCH. INFORMATION. I began to learn more about my body and how it worked. Through interactions with ladies in the sisterhood, I came to see that I was not struggling alone. I found an integrative doctor and began working on healing my body.

God has since blessed us with a fifth baby and my pregnancy with her was my healthiest to date. I was able to take control of many aspects of my prenatal care I hadn’t previously even thought of. Because of knowledge I had gained through the Sisterhood, I was able to maintain a very healthy weight throughout my pregnancy, setting me up for greater success after she was born. During that pregnancy, I also received the results of my food sensitivities testing – I was distraught! But, so many women rallied around me, encouraging me, and cheering me on. My family has now made so many positive lifestyle changes and I attribute much of that to the insight I have gained in this Sisterhood.

I still struggle mightily. For real. There are days that I lust over food. Days that I eat for the sake of eating rather than fueling my body. And, did you notice I haven’t mentioned workouts…? But, I am doing better than ever honoring the body that God gave me, and I am thankful for the support and encouragement offered through Momsanity. Though I am not sure that “sanity” is attainable at this season of life, Momsanity has helped me find more courage and strength to juggle the ins and outs of my everyday.

Want to join Carla and hundreds of other REAL moms doing life together? Perfection is NOT permitted, so come find out what sweet community really looks like! Click here for all the details!