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Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Progress And Baseline Testing


YAY!!! Tonights workout went MUCH better than the past two. I was jogging at a consistent pace (be it all a turtle pace) and at a higher speed. It wasn't a 30 minute mile but it's certainly not a 13 minute mile either. Lots of work to do, but overall pleased just being 3 weeks into it and having pretty much never run since primary school.

I also waddled from my workout to get baseline labs so I can monitor my progress physically. I plan to get off this insulin pump and get healthy! I'm already seeing some pretty drastic results. I may get off this insulin pump much sooner than I anticipated! Stay Tuned.

"What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger"









Since I've noticed I'm starting to lose weight in my face, arms and chest, I figured I should post BEFORE pictures soon. No better time than now since it's LITERALLY the start of a New Year!  Honesty is the best policy in my opinion and facing reality is simply the only way for change.

So here's to a new chapter in my life. One where God is placed first and my husband and daughter are my inspiration. I've been doing the healthy eating LONG before the New Year. I now have a coach, have been running for the past 3 weeks with the Couch to 5k (C25K) and will be pushed FAR beyond what I think I am capable of.  All I can say is...BRING IT!

Here you'll continue to see the ups and downs and hopefully as "I" start to grow and change physically, emotionally and spiritually, you'll start seeing me come out of my comfort zone and I'll be more active with "little bear" and my husband.

Happy New Year everyone!

Monday, December 30, 2013

Incorporate LESS Meat Into Your Daily Diet



The 9th day of "10 DAYS. 5 WAYS. 1 HEALTHIEST YEAR!" Take a look at this chart. Almost 80% of the American Population dies from heart disease which in most cases can be prevented by a plant based diet. Today's point from my favorite Plant based dietician, is incorporating less meat into your daily diet. Find out some idea's in the video!

Dealing With Inner-deamons




Since I'm finding out a little about myself as I go here, I'm learning that I am a type A personality. I'm a perfectionist. The negative aspect of this is that NOBODY is perfect so in my head, I fail..A LOT! If your like me, it's time to change that mindset. I'll never progress until I let go of the fact that nothing is perfect, things will go wrong in life, there will be times where I WILL fail but it won't be in vein. As Thomas Edison once said, "Our Greatest Weakness Is In Giving Up. The Most Certain Way To Succeed Is Always to Try One More time."

Runner's Knee & Hip Instability


Click on the picture above

Hm, this could be good to know. Sometimes I feel it in my knee's. As if I'm not running in proper form. I have a LOT to learn. ((sigh)

Source: Runners World

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Be Mindful Of What Goes Into Our Mouths



"Day 8 of 10 Days. 5 Ways. 1 Healthiest Year!" by Plant-Based Dietitian. Be MINDFUL of what your putting into your mouth. This is something that is actually starting to click with me. What I go to when I'm stressed, how missing someone or something will take me back to eating "comfort food". Now I'm starting to see the Triggers not just that cause the unhealthy eating or binging BUT what foods don't feel so good anymore. I.E. I haven't had a soda in a VERY long time. I usually drink LOTS of water or iced tea with lemon. I hadn't had even a quarter of the soda when I started feeling heart palpitations and couldn't breathe very well. Down the drain went that dollar soda that I wasted money on. Even worse was the feeling I had for HOURS. My body is getting used to the healthier alternatives and is rejecting the junk.

Practicing Meditation. Now some people think as Christians we cannot "Practice" meditation. Isn't that what focusing on God and Scripture really is? That alone time to BREATHE. Close our eyes, focus on Scripture, and as my husband shared with me the other day...Pray SCRIPTURE. Use Gods word to pray over our lives, over others while just taking time to breathe. Release the stressors around us and renew our minds and spirits. WITH Him, FOR us. 

Prevent Disease By Eating Plant-Based!




Dr. McDougall covers topics such as Type I & II Diabetes, Inflammatory Arthritis, Depression (wow, too much sleep causes depression) , Natural Herbs, Alternative Medicines, PMS, Hormonal Imbalances, Collecting Money On Pre-screenings instead of Teaching PREVENTION. How NOT to get sick. Pretty darn AWESOME video in just 20 minutes.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

A Friendship Filled With Gods Promises


Someone close to me has blessed me with scripture.  I have two close friends who do this. One is Patti who lives in Idaho and the other is someone I met before I really knew her. It started when I was looking at head stones in the cemetery. We were urged to take a look and see if there was anything that caught my eye.

At the time, I was so broken after the loss of our son that all I could do was just walk through the peaceful place that my son and someday WE would call our resting place. I noticed several things.  1. we were NOT the first to lose a child so young and we probably wouldn't be the last sadly.   2. I found peace there in the quiet. I found love there with those who were no longer part of THIS world.  3. I came eye to eye with my own mortality.  4. I found the headstone that caught my eye.  

While the headstone was "similar" to the one we had made, they were both very different.  Little did I know that the mother of that child would be my good friend. Would be the person everyone told me I should meet at church and didn't until a month or so later.  She has been through SO much, yet she took that anger, sadness and frustration and daily gave it to God where HE used it to build on her strength. The very same strength God had given her to lift her even on days when it has been hard for her to stand.

Now, I'm not going to go into detail about my dear friend. That's HER story to tell if she ever decides to do so. I will say that she has been a HUGE drive for me as I watch HER faith walk just as I have with Patti.  BOTH women have such faith and it really helps me through this chronic fear that I've held onto for so long.  I've been ready to let it go. Read to put down the fear, TRUST GOD and step out of my comfort zone to better my life Physically, emotionally and spiritually.

The last several months I've been praying about where to go from here. I've noticed on my own that  I can't be fully fit without all three in balance. If one is off, there is a HUGE imbalance.  I can be physically fit but what good would it do if I was SO emotionally incapable to LIVE because of the chronic fear and anxiety that seemed to get worse after the traumatic loss of our son?  Furthermore I can be in EXCELLENT shape and finally free from anxiety but without God who brought me here and walked me through the worst experience and best experiences of my life, my life would be...empty. Like a HUGE part of me is missing.

So today I have chosen to LIVE. Not just live but REALLY FULLY LIVE life on purpose! My goal is to get all three aspects (Physical, emotional and spiritual) in balance and in great health. God as my center of course and the rest will come.

Today, as I share a piece of the chapter with you that my dear friend used to encourage MY walk.  I pray that each of you LIVE FULLY.  We only get one life here to live. LIVE it FULLY with God, LIVE It fully with good health in the vessel God has given you and finally, LIVE fully away from Anger, disappointment, fear and judgement. It will only keep YOU from living a life FULL of blessings that YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER Has for YOU! Let go and trust God. There's a purpose for your life!




 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
 When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”
Psalm 91 Verse 14-16

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Who says you can't be an athlete with a plant-based lifestyle?



Tonya is a little loopy, but she has some valid input. Brenden and Robert have some pretty awesome input and tips as well.  

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

A Change Is In The Air...



have been approached by a local coach here in CNY who is meeting with me THIS WEEK. Upon Dr.'s approval (which I plan to get tomorrow) He is talking with a local shop owner to fit me with the gear I need and be my coach. He is also a vegetarian and will help me with dietary needs throughout this journey. We will go over my fitness level (I reminded him it's not much) and what I plan to enter. In exchange for all of this. A thank you and the approval to be an advocate for exercise and health and willing to be in the media. 

Last night I prayed about this and knew as a Stay-At-Home mom, there would be NO WAY for me to afford my dream unless I was chosen by CNN. Gods answer? Oh yes you can! Here I am beginning a journey that will not only get me healthy but will save my life and set an example for my daughter and anyone like me.

Which brings me to the next subject. I think things are going to change in here once again.  I'm going to be blogging about my experience to good health and well-being. I'm also going to blog about my "active" life with our little bear.  My hope is that we'll be able to incorporate HER into our healthy lifestyle and give her a head start to a life filled with good health not just physically, but emotionally AND spiritually. I'm starting to understand that there needs to be a balance of all three.  Maybe there will be someone out there who will benefit from my strengths or even my weaknesses.  I'm going into this knowing that it's okay to make mistakes!  My friend Deanna (a Triathlete herself) has told me the only competition you have is with yourself. NO ONE else matters. You race against your last time. 

Already my journey has been positive. After all, I got off the couch and pushed past fear and anxiety to get to where I am. Without God, none of this would have happened. For that I am grateful!

C25K


Waited for Amelia to get to bed to start my first C25K training.  I've been pondering it ALL day. Thoughts of "will I REALLY be able to do this?  What if I let someone down?" started to cross my mind.

By midnight I finally decided to at least TRY this app. I said to Doug, "Who says I have to go the full 25 minutes right?"  WELL GUESS WHO JUST FINISHED THE FULL 25 Minutes of C25K?!  Yup! Little ol' me who has NEVER jogged a day in her life.  Jogged 6 times for 1 minute each and the rest was walking with exception to a 5 minute warm up x 2.

All of a sudden the negative thoughts that went through my mind about being unable to accomplish my dream started to subside with the reminder that "I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength".

Monday, November 4, 2013

Entered CNN's Fit Nation Triathlon Challenge Contest.

If anyone is out here lurking, please support me in what could be a life changing experience.  Check out my video on CNN.  Comment and share with everyone you know. The more exposure I get the better it will be for Fit Nation and Sanjay Gupta to see my aspirations and help me help myself.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

10 Pounds Down And A LOVELY Autumn Season


Baby Bear's Favorite Person, Her Daddy!
Special time right now. I know I'm not posting a whole lot, I'm trying to enjoy time with our sweet girl while also getting more active. That means less time on the internet.  So far I'm down 10 pounds.  With 36 pounds left to go for my short term goal.

We love the Autumn season!  Took baby bear out to grandparents for Halloween.  It was SO fun.



This week, we're trying to finish the winterization and hunker down for what sounds like will be a pretty rough winter.  I hope we're prepared enough.  It's cold and rainy today.  We managed to finish mowing the front lawn but still need to get the rest of the leaves.  We cleaned out the gutters again for winter.  All the windows in the house are sealed.

Next the garage windows will be sealed, the chairs will all be put up in the storage. THEN Comes the back lawn to be mowed, leaves to be taken up front and the deck cleaned as well as the deck furniture stored.  We hope to have the garden cleaned out and tilled by next weekend.  I'll be planting fall garlic shortly for next spring. SO excited as we love the snow, but just need to get things comfy and cozy.

I hope your all doing well.  We're looking at a new chapter which I plan to share in the next few weeks.   As it stands now, I'm making fun Plant-based warm meals for the season. Lots of veggie soups and stews.    The books are out and I'm reading three right now.  "1000 Gifts", "Created To Be His Helpmeet", and believe it or not a children's book called" The Boxcar Children" which I was told was a classic series worth reading to children.  I thought I'd read it first.  I love it and bet that most young children would LOVE the series.

What are YOU reading?  What's on your seasonal menu?

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

A Loss. YAY


Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Eccles. 4:12

I can't stress enough how important it is to have some or a series of someones who are by your side encouraging you and helping you stay accountable to your goals is.  It helps a great deal if your spouse and family are a part of the change.  Luckily that's what I have with my husband.  He was the first one who went plant based, he was the first one who lost weight and got off his medications so he is the first one to lead his family to better health.  I couldn't think of a better leader since through Christ, HE is the leader of our home.  He also seeks Christ as HIS leader.  It just all works to Gods glory here.

I'm about 2 months into a more plant-based lifestyle. I have dairy/meat here and there, but for the most part, there's no meat and dairy in our refrigerator. We have almond milk and almond or coconut yogurt. NOW, cheese has been the hardest for me. Particularly mozzarella but most cheese just cannot be replaced with a non-dairy cheese. It doesn't melt the same, the texture is not the same and taste is NOT the same.  I'm sorry, as a foodie, there's just no substitute to the flavor of cheese.  I want to go completely plant-based but eggs and cheese are a staple I like once in awhile.  Not all the time but sometimes at least.  So I'm out on weather plant-based life will officially be my end result.  We'll see how things go in the future.  To call myself 100% plant based would be a lie though. I'm still concerned about what animal fat and cholesterol can do to my heart and blood pressure.  Since I am at higher risk for a heart attack or stroke with PCOS and Type II diabetes this is something I want to be careful of so that I can live to see my child/ren grow.  A question I have is would having eggs and cheese in great moderation REALLY be an issue if what I mostly eat is raw and/or cooked fruits and veggies?  I'm just out on it.


Today's exercise is classical training.  A cross between dancing and Tai Chi.  It doesn't sound like much, but it's a great weight loss tool.  After doing one video I've sweat like a hog and hurt in the morning.  I know someone who recommended it to ME who lost her weight that way.  I was skeptical but it works!  It's on PBS if anyone is interested. Wed.'s for us here in CNY.  I've been recording LOTS of them for different workouts...full body weight loss, back issues, arms, legs, feet, etc.   It's GREAT for those who have back problems or feel as though they can't achieve much through a regular workout yet.  

Here's the deal, since raising my thyroid 2 weeks ago because I stopped losing weight, felt groggy and my labs showed I needed it. I have felt great.   I also have lost 11 pounds.  11 pounds I'd LIKE to announce to the world however each and every time I announce a weight loss, I gain it all back again.  No sir, I'm not announcing the 11lb weight loss in any other place but my blog.  The blog where I am writing down where my trust lies in Christ for the Challenge I'm doing.  Somewhere I can look at and just share the ups and downs of getting healthy but this time KNOWING that Christ is my leader and not only is physical health important but more importantly, Spiritual health and well-being is important.

Which leads me back to the verse again:
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12

I pray your week is going well! Love and Hugs dear friends.

Monday, September 9, 2013

A New Course In Our Journey

Well, I've come to an EXTREMELY difficult but needed decision. This has been coming for months now I suppose, but I was always afraid to make the final call so to say... After a discussion with my husband, a whole lot of prayer and confirmation in all directions I think we're calling it quits to try to conceive any further through my own body. 

I am overweight, depressed, out of shape, sick, hormonal and unhappy. I look at my almost 2 year old and while I REALLY don't feel done with having children, I also know that 9 months on bedrest with a stitch and progesterone shot will rob her of having a mother at a crucial time for HER and her need as a toddler to explore.

Furthermore, I want to live to see her grow up and to grow old with my dear husband who is MORE than patient, kind and gentle with me. So I've decided to call it quits ttc through my own body. My thought was I was going to have a hysterectomy, get a lap band to aid with the plant based lifestyle and exercise I've been doing. Maybe even start a goal to train for an Iron Man Race. This of course is long term, but a significant goal that I can be proud of accomplishing.

God blessed us with two children already, when I never thought I could carry a child. Maybe His reason for all of this is because He knew if we had one more through my own body, we'd forget about adoption. My hope is that He will provide the finances we need to do so as well as lead us to the grants and funding that can help us achieve that goal.

While it breaks my heart to shut this door, I am REALLY excited for this new journey in my life. I can stop taking all the hormones, stop worrying about cycles and timing and FINALLY just be happy!

Many people may be wondering why I'm sharing this in a public forum. My focus always has been about being transparent with our fertility struggles so that my experiences can help other women going through the same thing. To let couples know that they are not alone in their fertility struggles and that there are other options available. My agenda to bring awareness to preterm loss as well as the many struggles of women around the world who REALLY long for just one child.

Please pray for us if you think about us over the next several weeks, months and years. That God will create a way to expand our family through adoption, the financial means to do so and will help us get healthy physically, finacially, emotionally and spiritually. 

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Raw Food Plant Based Diet


Hi There Friends!

I pray this finds you all well.  Today I thought I would jot down a little bit about what we've been doing lately.

Last February my husband changed his diet to a plant based diet after hearing about his dad's 8th stent in order to clear the plaque from his arteries.   Cardiac related issues seem to be genetic in his fathers family where his grandfather died before his 40th birthday.  A series of medical issues related to high blood pressure and high cholesterol which put my husband in the hospital several times finally drew him to the understanding that if he didn't change his eating habits, he would not be here for his family.  We both will be turning forty years old in two years.

Since that time, my husband has lost 50lbs and has stuck to the lifestyle and lower or getting completely rid of his meds related to cardiac meds.

He still has some tweaking to do. Less carbs and more smaller meals throughout the day since now his metabolism is REALLY working.  We're also researching ways for him to gain the muscle back that he lost.  Since he went full force into plant based eating, he lost so much weight that he also lost some muscle. It's coming back slowly however it IS something we have to watch constantly as we start moving as a family into a healthier lifestyle.

I too have been working on a healthier lifestyle.  It hasn't come as easy as my husbands cold turkey method however.  Since I am on an insulin pump, my body is getting excess insulin and only uses some of the insulin that is given to the body. I am known as SEVERELY insulin resistant.  Which brings me to another frustrating issue.  Any excess insulin NOT used by my body gets stored as FAT.  Ugh! Dreaded fat.

I've been learning what works for my body and what really doesn't. Let's face it. A type II insulin resistant diabetic will react MUCH faster to fruits with higher natural sugar content than those higher in fiber and less sugar. Same thing with vegetable carbs.  Whole grain carbs...whether it be cereal, whole grain pastas, breads, etc....they are lethal.  I'm learning that these just raise my sugars and my body just doesn't digest them very well.  Taken that my body doesn't do well with glutenous grains, think about my addiction to cakes, cookies, pies and chocolate!

So here's where I am today.  I try to stay away from most soy products.  I'll have them once in awhile but given that I have a thyroid condition and hormonal imbalance, soy products aren't something my body needs right now.  When I DO, I try to make sure it's fermented and REALLY organic.  Most (even organic) soy products have been sprayed with MAJOR pesticides, etc.  Soy actually has one of the highest contents of toxic chemicals in it and the least likely to be regulated because much of it is imported.  You REALLY need to know the source of your soy products before ingesting them.

Meat.  I've stopped eating red meat and fish.  On occasion I'll eat chicken but give the fact that it's in the freezer and isn't really a staple anymore I think it's just for "emergencies".

What I struggle with is cheese, milk and eggs. I don't have eggs an awful lot, but I DO like them in the morning. CHEESE. I come from an Italian family on one side...so need I say more??  Milk.  No excuse!  Honestly I started drinking almond milk and liked it. We transitioned our daughter BACK to regular milk for specific reasons and I find myself drinking it while my husband continues to drink the almond milk.  It's something that should and WILL get back into my diet.

Something different from my husband.....I've been REALLY looking at and somewhat eating RAW plant based diet.  I like the foods, I like the taste now and I'm just working into getting everything balanced.  Believe it or not there IS protein in a plant based diet.  So many people ask where we would get our protein. Protein comes from MANY greens you eat. Spinach, Kale, Broccoli.  Can come from Quinoa and lentils, Soy products or fermented Tempeh, and beans such as black beans.  You can even pair beans and rice to make one full protein.

There are plenty of ways to incorporate a healthy lifestyle using no animal protein.  In fact, we're the only creatures on this earth that will feed our babies milk outside mothers breast milk. There is no real need for animal protein. ESPECIALLY since we are a culture that is mostly sedentary compared to those in the past who had to live in cooler climates, work hard and also fight hard to gather their foods.

One of my FAVORITE youtube channels is OKRAW with John Kholer (hope I spelled his last name correctly)  His video's have helped me understand the raw food diet and how to get all the nutrients while having good taste. He teaches where to find quality organic foods at minimal cost, how to garden to get all your nutrients from your OWN products without relying on the grocery stores and has great insight.  I like his site.  My husband does too now.  Check him out if your interested:



Enjoy this video until I come back for another installment of what we've been up to.  In the meantime, I pray you find joy and peace in your day as you walk with God.

Blessings!
P.S., please scroll down to the very bottom of the page to mute the music so you can hear the video.