My Brave Goalie

My son, Allen, with his left hand in a brace and sling. =(

He injured himself while playing goalie at soccer. He blocked a goal and won the game but fractured his arm. His coach said it was at least a beautiful save. lol.

My family

Post cleansing and a vegan lifestyle ...

Earlier this Spring, I started attending a Medical Missionary Training at my church. During these weekend meetings, we explored health and what God says about it. We spoke about GOD'S PLAN which stood for G-Godly trust, O-open air, D-daily exercise, S-sunshine, P-proper rest, L-lots of water, A-always temperate, and N-nutrition and how each of these are important to our daily life.

As we studied God's Word, read excerpts from Ministry of Healing and listening to testimonies, it became apparent to me that I really haven't fully accepted God's counsel about how to take care of my body... physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I really realized that the things that we take in whether it be music, television shows, movies, books, and food affect our minds and hearts which then dictates our daily interactions, thoughts, desires, and actions. As I attended one meeting after another, the Holy Spirit was really moving me to realize my need to truly accept this message for myself and calling me to change. As I felt that nudging from Him to really follow what He had intended our diets and lifestyle to be, inside I was panicking and thinking, "God, you can't ask this of me... at least not yet. I'm not ready! Give me a few years... I plan to go vegan but not quite yet. After all, I just turned vegetarian 8 months ago!" But deep in my heart, I knew God was asking this of me now. I don't know why but letting go of fish and eggs seem harder than letting go of beef and chicken. I think what scared the most was that going vegan... no fish... no eggs... is so foreign to me and this was something I had never planned on being. I supposed in my mind I was thinking, "if I do this... if I follow... what's next?! what will He ask that I change next?!" But I know and recognize that God is the great Creator therefore it just make sense that He would hold the manual to our bodies... how to care, maintain, and cure them.

As I struggled to commit to this, I was discussing some of my health issues with my friend Joya who was supervising the training. After listening to my concerns and health history, she suggested that I do a cleanse to get rid of the toxins in my body. She told me I could do this two ways. The short way and the long way. Short way being a 7-day colon cleanse with no food only fluids and the long way is several weeks of raw veggies and fruits diet. They both didn't sound very good! But knowing me, I knew that the lesser of the two evils would be the quick and short one. lol. I had to drink constantly... juicing, immune teas from herbs and cleansing drinks. And it also had a set schedule for me to follow like devotional time, prayer, getting fresh air, walking, and some hydrotherapy. I was quite scared how it was going to be. I've never done anything like this so I didn't know what to expect but I left it up to God. He provided the perfect time that my husband was able to help me. He provide most of the materials so I didn't have to spend too much $. I have to say that God was sooo good! He got me through those 7 days!!! I actually enjoyed it. I felt such peace and a lightness in my heart and body. It's difficult to explain esp. that I'm not very good w/ words. But my mind during those 7 days was so clear, so vivid. I had an abundance of energy and I felt every part of my body alive. I know that sound weird but it was just that. This was God's miracle for me. I still couldn't believe that I didn't die of hunger and craving for food. I won't deny that there were times that it was hard but it wasn't to the extent that I had expected.. =)

During my cleansing, Joya often visited me and helped us with the hydrotherapy at night. I mentioned to her that I felt compelled to fully accept God's counsel on my diet. She was very supportive and encouraged me to consider starting right after my cleansing because my taste buds have reset and my body was ready for change. =) I knew she was right and it was the best time for me to make the change but I still had doubts about being able to live that way. But, through God's help, I did make the decision (both intellectually and in my heart) to go vegan.

It's been a difficult change and I'm still learning to make the changes not only in my eating but in my daily life. I've fallen many times, as we often do as sinners, but God has continually helped me get back up. He's been my Friend through every trial and, thankfully, every temptation. A friend shared with me once, when I told her of my fears of embracing this lifestyle, that God will never lead you where He cannot help you through it and that when temptation is at it's peak, He will give you a way out and preserve your commitment to Him. What a comfort, isn't it?! God has been so good to surround me with people who are very supportive and has amazing vegan recipes! (that always helps!) Thank you, Lord!

The 1st picture was around end of Nov or early Dec '08 and the second was after my cleansing (of course not all the weight was lost from the cleansing) in June.

Change....

Change is good right?! lol.

Decided to merge my two blogs into this one so it's more manageable. lol. So that's one change.

Another change is that, well a temporary one anyway, is that I'm doing a 7-day cleanse. No solids, just juicing, cleansing tea and a cleansing drink. I basically drink every hour or more. Today's my 1st day. So far so good. I'm not hungry and the juicing and cleansing drink is sweet to that takes care of my "cravings". I'm not dying to crunch into something yet but then again today is the 1st day. Tonight will be hard... praying it will go smoothly. We're doing the therapies... not going into details coz trust me you don't want details. LOL. Tomorrow's Sabbath and we've got potluck with friends and that will be a challenge. The smell of the food might just weaken me but I could always leave earlier. =) Just gonna go for the fellowship!

I'm still frustrated with my weight. I'm at 158 lbs this morning... but will just continue to walk in the afternoon... may be not the whole 4-mile depending on how I'm feeling since I'm not eating solids but I'll be back to the gym on Sunday or Monday and do a little bit of this and that just keep the habit of going to the gym consistent. Also I started Slim in 6 this week. I'm doing it from Sun to Fri but I missed Sunday and Wednesday so I've got it only for 4 days this week. Still at Start It Up and well I'm getting better but she kills my ARMS! My arms are weak and need help and I think she's doing it. May be by the end of next week I will be in good shape to start Ramp It Up. Mercy!!! But that's just a goal... we'll see how my body takes working out w/out the food part... don't want to kill myself.

With this whole cleansing thing, God has been addressing my eating for a long time and now that I'm been making changes in my eating/lifestyle... He's brought people into my life with knowledge that he want me to learn... to live and to share. So right now I'm learning... and starting to live it. =) Anyway, these two awesome women were so kind and gentle and sincere in their desire to help me clean my body out and they are taking time away from their very busy lives to guide us along the process (my hubby has to play my personal nurse this week. I'm praising God for him!!!)

Blogging will be a distraction I plan to use when I get too tempted and frustrated. lol.

Oh yeah.... anyone else have tried Slim in 6 out there???? Let me know how it went for ya.

Woooooooooooooooow!

Wow! It's been almost 2 months since I've blogged!!! booo me! Sorry guys! I've been struggling a lot lately... stopped practicing healthy habits and now it's hard to get back to it. *sigh* It's harder than the 1st time around...

I'm trying to get back into the routine of going to the gym this week. Been sick for the past two weeks and so it's been frustrating not being active... and I was already getting into the grove of working out again.

Well, this is my attempt on getting back to eating clean and intentionally active today!!!

Hmmmmmmmmm....

I'd like to say I'm back on track but I've been ummmmm... allowing bad habits creep back into my daily living. Like... I need to constantly be putting something in my mouth! I find myself snacking all the time. I know I'm emotionally feeding myself and that I'm not really hungry or need to eat but I can't seem to get myself to stop! At times, I didn't even realize that I was eating again!!!

The rest of the gang that started this Health Challenge dropped out and to be quite honest... now that I don't have accountability to someone... it's easier put off a healthier choice for another day. I'm frustrated and annoyed at the whole situation but that would be only my fault because I guess I was leaning on them to keep me accountable instead of holding myself accountable for ME!!!!!!

Right now I'm trying to get back to making healthier choices... putting back the good habits I used to practice but I find myself resisting all the changes I'm trying to do. I guess it's because I'm trying do it all at the same time (counting calories, going to the gym and picking up where I left off 3 weeks ago or so...). I didn't think it would be too difficult to pick up where I left off but I'm wrong! I'm struggling with simplest of things like having an apple with some nuts as a snack or even just drinking enough water!!!! I've got to break it down again... so as of right now ... for this weekend and coming week, I'm focusing on staying within my 1200-1500 calorie intake and drinking water everyday with some form of physical activity. I won't focus on the what and how long part of the physical activity right now. I just need to spend time on reflecting and being conscious of what goes into my body! My goal is to get into a routine again... to develop my good habits!

The good news is I'm still under 160 lbs... by 0.5 lbs. *sigh* but that's something.

I'm going to commit to just keep pushing through every day!

"Courage (weight loss) doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage (weight loss) is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow."

--- Mary Anne Radmacher

I'm hiccuping... hiccuping BIG TIME!!! ahhhhhhhhhh....

I've fallen off and I can't get up!!!!!!

How did I fall???? well.... Spring Break happened! lol. After entertaining guests, eating out everyday, and coming home with two events to prepare for ... and no gym time... What you get is ... a 4-lb gain and a not-so-clean diet. I was at 156 at one point and now I'm back at 160....

Ok so I've just had a hiccup... a BIG hiccup! BUT still I didn't gain it all back so that's something to be thankful for! Yay God! =)

I sooooo need to get my head screwed on properly again!!! And get my DIARY OUT and start counting calories and journalling again! I need to get that pen writing again!!! Arrrrgggghhhhh. And what is even more frustrating is that I'll be on the road all this weekend to attend a friend's wedding.... need to pack food like crazy!!!!

Pray for me!