Biblically Skinny: Godly Discipline & A Meat Forward Lifestyle for Spiritual Lightness

A deep dive of mindset, nutrition, and workouts that have helped me achieve lasting health, spiritual peace, and food freedom

I am so excited about today's lighter post because lately we've been diving deep into spiritual philosophy, biblical revelations, and topics that take me 10 prayer sessions and six hours to write and posts that carry so much weight because I want to make sure I’m not misleading anyone (God is my boss and he likes things just so)

But today’s post? The opposite of heavy. It’s about lightness, wellness and basically entering your biblically skinny era.

I know, I know, I can hear them now "ThE WoRd SKiNnY TriGgErS MeEEe". But listen, I grew up in the ‘90s, and “skinny” is just an easier way of saying “the hottest, fittest, healthiest, lightest version of yourself.” And the truth is, being overweight is often a spiritual issue, so let's really face our demons today, okay?

I'll be sharing:

• The mindset shifts that help me stay disciplined in my healthy habits

• A deep dive of my meat-forward lifestyle

• The workouts that make the hugest change in my body

• And of course, how it's all biblical!

And we will be anchoring in:

• How physical lightness and spiritual lightness go hand in hand

• That self-discipline is godly *halo appears over my head*

• The importance of honoring our bodies as temples

Bur first, let's get clear on something for the people who are going to get triggered…

Body Positivity is a Lie…

Let’s be real: mainstream media and the “body positivity” movement have convinced people that being obese is beautiful, healthy, and empowering. And I get it, self-love is important, and you should never hate your body. But we also need to tell the truth and stop sugar coating everything (literally) just so people don't have to face their really underlying issues.

The demonic media loves to keep us unhealthy and unhappy!

I remember when I was 20 pounds heavier, following body-positive influencers, trying to convince myself that I felt good. But in reality, I was trauma-bonding. One influencer gained over 100 pounds and later admitted she had a food addiction. Some went on Ozempic and feel better. Some got their lives together and lost the weight, only to be attacked by their own followers for “betraying the movement.” And the rest? Still in the same cycle, still calling it a movement when it’s really just an excuse.

You are happier when you're fit. Not just because you look better (though, let’s be honest, you do), but because the habits that get you there make you healthier, spiritually lighter, and mentally stronger.

The anthesis to the demonic matrix accepting laziness, gluttony and avoidance, is spiritual discipline.

I read something today that said "Make what you want most, more important than what you want now". Similar concept to "A moment on the lips is lifetime on the hips" (I've always loved that one).

The Bible really says it best though: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11

Biblically Skinny: The Spiritual Side of Weight Loss

Being lean is not just a physical goal, it’s a spiritual one.

The Bible constantly uses lightness as a metaphor for godliness. Jesus says, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Paul tells us to “lay aside every weight” that hinders us (Hebrews 12:1). Gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins, and Proverbs warns, “Put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony” (Proverbs 23:2). That one is a bit aggressive, but you get it.

Carrying excess weight, whether physically or spiritually, makes life harder. The spirit is light; the world is dense. I'm human too though, I get it, my weight fluctuates a good 15 lbs depending on how happy I am! When I’m lean, it’s because I’m disciplined, intentional, and taking care of the body God gave me. It’s not about “being happy because I’m skinny” it’s about being skinny because I’m happy, aligned, and living in obedience.

I also believe excess weight is often tied to emotional burdens. Trauma, stress, and avoidance can manifest as overeating. When I feel at peace and grounded, I naturally eat less. The more I trust God, the less I turn to food for comfort.

Biblically Skinny Decrees:

Again, I am not perfect and I have my own food issues, so I get it. Anchoring in God's word and what he has to say about self-control, food and fitness is a supernatural-superpower we can use to change our habits!

Try proclaiming these decrees every day and see how you feel!

• I decree that I have the spirit of self-control and discipline. I do not indulge in cravings that do not serve me. (2 Timothy 1:7) “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”

• I decree that I eat and exercise with purpose, honoring God with my choices and actions. (1 Corinthians 10:31) “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

• I decree that I am filled with the wisdom of God to make choices that nourish and strengthen my body. (Proverbs 3:7-8) “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

• I decree that I rise early, stay focused, and steward my time and body well (Proverbs 31:17) “She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.”

Overcoming my own Weight Drama

**I have shares some before and after photos of me behind the paywall! I don’t want just anyone seeing them lol.

I am always real with you guys, I am not trying to say I'm an expert on the topic and I have my own food drama, but I can tell you what has and hasn’t worked for me.

My weight has been a lifelong focus something I battle with, not against my body, but against the habits and thoughts that lead me into overeating or an all-or-nothing spiral.

I actually ended up hiring a weightless coach in 2020 (after a few too many quarantine take-out meals) that helped me get into healthy habits around food and working out. I thought I hated working out until she introduced me to the Sweat App and I was able to lose 20lbs from home with just some 8lb weights.

Since then I have fluctuated a bit, but now I have a foundation as well as confidence that I know what I'm doing.

I’m great at setting weight goals, hitting them, being consistent with my workouts…

But my downfall is that I’m a social butterfly. We often joke that we have too many friends. We host a lot, travel often, and it’s hard for me to get back on track after indulging. Instead of practicing moderation, I tend to overeat, have that extra glass of pinot, and justify it by saying, "I'll be back to my routine soon, so I might as well go all in."

I love food. To say I am a foodie is an understatement, and I have been learning how to let myself enjoy meals out and over-the-top meals without shaming myself.

I’m learning that food isn’t a moral issue. It’s not about punishing myself or going into restriction mode. If I have a "cheat meal" on a random Wednesday, it doesn’t mean the whole week is toast. I can get back on track with my next meal and keep going.

The biggest game changers for me have been:

• Recognizing when I'm punishing or judging myself and nipping it in the bud

• Having a general meal-plan and grocery list every Sunday so I feel grounded and prepared and make meals that are delicious and not boring

• Have regular little "cheats" that you don't feel guilt about, like a spontaneous lunch out or happy hour with some appies then come home for a healthy dinner

• Having workout goals that are not weight related (currently working on growing my booty so it looks like the peace emoji)

• Eating nutrient dense, satiating foods, including a ton of red meat

How I eat for health, energy & satisfaction: My Meat-Forward Lifestyle

This may seem counter intuitive, because when you think of lightness you probably think of salads, skipping meals and being hungry, but lightness to me means being satisfied, not obsessing over food and building lean muscle so you can burn as much fat as possible. Physical strength creates physical, mental and spiritual lightness.

Red meat has been the game-changer for me. It builds muscle, keeps you full, strengthens your hair and nails while giving you the most glowing skin. Plus it is so yummy and no matter how much I eat it, my body responds with a satisfied, audible “MMMMMmmmmm” every time I eat it (my friend Jessica gets so annoyed at me and says “nothing tastes so good that you need to make that noise”. I disagree.)

In 2022, we went almost full carnivore, and ate pretty much only ribeye steaks, ground beef, eggs, tropical fruit, butter, and occasional potatoes. My body craved it. I felt amazing. Now, we take a more balanced approach, incorporating chicken, turkey, yams and some rice but avoiding most vegetables due to oxalates (luckily tomatoes, cucumbers, and avocados are actually fruits so we enjoy those a lot!).

I won’t get into the science of why I believe most veggies are poison, or the conspiracies of the food pyramid, instead I’ll just tell you how I’m eating to look and feel my best.

I don’t track macros religiously, but I follow different “menu-styles”, if you will, depending on how I feel:

1. Front-Load Days (Heavy Training Days):

When I am doing a heavy workout that day and want lots of energy, or if I wake up really hungry, I eat a big yummy breakfast that keeps me full until 2 or 3 in the afternoon

• Pre-workout: Bone broth, 1/2 banana with honey & salt, sometimes an egg

• Heavy breakfast: Ground beef & pan-fried banana (SO good)

• Light lunch: Snack plate (soft-boiled eggs, Parmesan, olives, leftover steak)

• Medium dinner: Meat with rice/potatoes but make it cute

  • Taco bowl

  • Asian rice bowl situation

  • Lamb burger patty with fried onion and air frier French fries

  • Also don't under estimate the deliciousness of a perfectly cooked steak with a baked yam smothered in butter and salt *drooling*

2. Light Morning Days:

If I am not hungry in the morning I don't force myself to eat. On these days I don't usually have breakfast until 11 and I keep it light.

• Pre-workout: Cup of bone broth

• Light Breakfast: My husband makes little egg-white muffins (similar to a Starbucks egg bite, but not full of toxins and artificial food), so I will have one of those with a banana with honey and salt. Or I will make some eggs.

• Heavy Lunch: Usually some kind of left overs with a carb

• Medium Dinner: Meat with either some kind of tomato salad or maybe yams

3. Snacky Days:

Some days I feel like I could go the whole day without eating! I just feel really light and peaceful and like to just have a bunch of small meals like soft boiled egg flights, snack plates, soup. This is usually in my ovulation part of my cycle.

…and I cannot stress this enough, bone broth is everything. I make a fresh batch twice a week and drink it every morning, and sometimes in the afternoon in a bone-broth-hot-chocolate, which sounds weird but it’s so good. I will share the recipe soon!

My gym-bro/pilates princes era for spiritual lightness

I am by no means an expert bodybuilder, but I have tried all the workouts and have figured out what works best for me, it’s a combo of heavy weights, Pilates, and steady-state cardio (mostly walking on the treadmill with an incline).

I am not into heavy cardio because as an entrepreneur I tend to be high-cortisol and I keep my workouts spiritual! I use them to connect with God by listening to sermons or worship music or simply making them a long prayer!

I try to dedicate my workout to God. It gives me energy to keep going when it feels difficult.

I have a lot of energy, so I work out six days a week:

• 4 days in the gym (weights + walking). This builds strengths resilience and integrity, and the more muscle you have, the more fat you burn

• 2 days of Pilates These days bring so much peace, lightness and feminine energy

• 1 rest day I usually take Sundays off so I can go to church, clean the house, do all meal planning and grocery shopping

I also walk my doggy every morning for about 20 minutes, and sometimes twice a day (unless it's too cold, in which case, Frank is solo mission on that one).

Let me know in the comments if you guys want my exact workout split!

You may be thinking “I don’t have time for all of this”

You choose what you prioritize in life. This year I set a 9pm bed time and it has made a world of difference for me, so I can wake up early and get all of my spiritual work and body-love in. There is always a way to make it happen. Ask God where you can start making more space!

Consistency is not about perfection

We all get into ruts, have bad days, skip a workout here or there, go a few days without grocery shopping and end up getting takeout or making some random meal from whatever is in your pantry.

The key is having a framework, high standards and then loving yourself enough to bring God back into it after a slip up so he can cover you with peace and help you get back into your groove!

I hope you liked my wellness deep dive I feel like there are so many more wellness things to share and areas I can go deeper like my full workout split, skincare etc. Let me know in the comments below what you want me to share next!

xo Amber-Lee

PS: If you want to see my before and after photos just to see how much I’ve fluctuated, I have them behind the paywall for my Upper Room Subscribers! Subscribe now to take a peak and you’ll get all kinds of weekly bonuses!