Barrio Fiesta Reunion in San Diego

Trevor and I at the Bario Fiesta Reunion.



Picture of my sisters and I during the Bario Fiesta Reunion in San Diego. The bario I grew up in the Philippines has a reunion every year in San Diego. My sisters and I try to go when possible. It was so nice catching up with everyone we grew up with.



Building a sand castle. It was a great workout at the beach from hauling the canopy and cooler to walking in the sand. What a great time too!

Super Busy

Just wanted to let you all know that I am still alive. :o) I've been super busy and haven't even had time to peek in. I also haven't had time to keep track of my points, I'm so sorry. I knew that the summer was going to keep me very busy. I'm not doing real bad with diet and fitness for the most part. Just nothing in the way of formal exercise. No more weight loss, but other than the normal 2 lbs. up and down thing, no gain weight. So I guess I'm happy with where I'm at all things considered.

I did take a long weekend vacation this past weekend. It turned out to be real busy too. I did some "junk" but considering being on vacation I didn't do too bad.

I'm hoping to get some formal exercise in this week.

Please pray for our Pastor. Pastor Andrew Estes. His cancer came back. He has been off of the Hallelujah diet for a while now and plans to go back on. Please pray for the Lord's will and strength.

Thanks, everyone.

What type of exercise have I been getting for the summer

Swimming is the answer. It is really hot here in Tucson right now. I decided that this pool would be a great way to beat the heat and get my exercise in too. It's also a nice way to spend time with Trevor. We are really enjoying it. It doesn't look like much but it's enough.

Pushing the styrofoam noodles in the water is excellent resistance training for the shoulders and arms. Swimming in circles is great for the back and abs. Kicking my legs in the water is great resistance training for the leg muscles. Swimming underwater makes for great exercise for the whole entire body. After about an hour or so in the water, I really feel it. I just don't know how many calories I'm burning since my heart monitor doesn't work in water.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer.

Charlie

Update on my cleanse

Hi everyone. I am still alive and ticking after my cleanse. I did flush out quite a few stones. I wasn't able to count them all, but there was quite a few. They were dark green. From what I've read the dark green and black ones are old. I just couldn't believe how many there were. Because I fasted for 3 days (only apple juice, apples, pears and oatmeal (only in the morning for 2 days) then only juice and water on the last day till 2:00pm then nothing after that except for the epsom salt and water then before bed the olive oil/grapefruit mixture, it was easy to see the stones. Most were tiny, a few were BB size and very few were like 2 peas put together. I guess I'm supposed to do this cleanse again once a month or so until I get no more stones, but I don't know if I will have the strength or the time to do it again. It did take a lot out of me. I lost about 4 lbs from the time I started the fast to the end of the cleanse, but I am not giving myself any points until Wednesday, just to make sure that I can keep it off. Although the weight loss was not the goal of this fast, but to flush the gall stones, it is a nice side effect.

I think it was worth doing, and maybe I will do it again. I praise the Lord for the strength he has given me. Thank you to all who prayed for me.

Charlie

Week 4 measurements

I lost 1.5 lbs. but I'm only going to give myself a 1 lb. loss in points. I want to make sure that the other .5 lb will stick. I also lost 1 inch on my bust and 1 inch in my chest.

I know that this loss is because of the gall bladder cleanse that I am doing. That's another reason I'm not going to give my self the extra .5 lb. When I start eating real food again, I wonder if I will put that back on.

The cleanse is doing okay. I got called in for a job interview yesterday afternoon, so I had to eat a small bowl of oatmeal so that I would be able to think during the interview. I researched it and apparently oatmeal is okay to eat. This cleanse is really tough because apple juice, apples and apple sauce is all I'm supposed to eat. Since oatmeal seems to be fine to add in, I think I'm going to do that this morning again. I am not doing any physical fitness during this cleanse because I wouldn't know where I would get the energy from. I am a very active person and trying to keep from doing any major activity is very hard for me. Not to mention, I love food. I keep giving myself the pep talk that after this I can celebrate. :0) I sure hope this cleanse works.

Let's do all things for the Glory of our Lord!

Charlie

Gall bladder cleanse

I am going to start my fasting in preparation for the cleanse that I'm going to do to clean out my gall bladder. I am definitely not looking forward to it, and we'll see how it goes. I will keep you all updated. Please pray for me as I do this. I know that God will give me the strength to get through it.

The last few days have been incredibly busy for me. I will, however, get a break the next few days so I thought it will be the perfect time to do a cleanse.

Thank you in advance for the prayers.

Charlie

3rd week measurement

Good news! I lost 2lbs and .5 inch. I'm so happy. I guess being afraid to eat has helped :o)

I am now down to 140 lbs. Will I actually see myself in the 130's? We will see. I have not been below 140 in years..... maybe, just maybe I'll see it again.

I am planning on doing a cleanse to clear the gall stones out of my gall bladder next week. I should drop some weight in the process. I wonder how much gall stones weigh hahaha!

Let's keep sweatin'.

Charlie

Another humorous sport.

I thought this was really funny. Hope you all enjoy it. What a great workout though!

In pain right now

Hi everyone, I'm feeling a bit down because I have been in pain. I think it's my gallbladder, but I'm not sure. I should see a doctor but really can't afford it right now. I'm going to try to wait it out a bit and see what happens. My annual checkup is next month so hopefully I will be okay until then. As a result I'm not getting very much sleep.

I've been drinking apple juice which was what I was told to drink and it does help. I'm not eating much because I'm afraid to eat the wrong thing. I think my calories are up because of the apple juice I've been drinking. I am at least drinking the no sugar added apple juice.

I was so excited that I actually was able to workout with the 5 lb. weights, but now I don't know if I'll be able to until the pain goes away. I am going to try to at least walk tomorrow, since I'll have time. I may not go my normal speed, but anything is better than nothing right now.

Please pray that I can figure this thing out and that I won't need to go to the doctors. I know that the Lord knows and will get me through this.

Thanks everyone,
Charlie

2nd week measurement

I'm so happy I lost 1 lb. Yay!!!!!! The inches have stayed the same though. It's been a really busy time for us. Praise the Lord I was able to squeeze in some really good workouts. I'm just taking it day by day.

My son got me a pair of 5 lb. weights for Mother's Day. He said he overheard me say that I wanted to up my weights. So he got them for me. I was able to use them in my No More Trouble Zone workout today. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to make it throughout the whole workout with them. It's amazing how the upgrade of 2 lbs. each can make a difference. I just took it one circuit at a time. I'm praising the Lord for helping me make it through the whole thing with them. I'm so excited. I do have to admit my arms were screaming and they are sore right now. Hopefully not to sore to workout tomorrow.

Let's keep sweatin' it ladies.

Charlie

Funny video

I can't even begin to imagine doing this sport. I guess it would be great exercise though. Who needs weights for strength training? hahaha!

Hope you gals enjoy it.

With all the hot afternoons, it's pretty easy to keep sweating.

Charlie

Beginning Measurement

Okay, here's my measurements:

Weight: 143 lbs. (Don't know what's up with the scale. LOL!!!)
Bust: 37
Chest: 31
Waist: 31
Hips: 38.5
RA: 11
LA: 11
RT: 23
LT: 22

I'm up a couple of lbs. from the last time I weighed. Could be water weight, or it could be the couple of times I really enjoyed white rice. LOL

My inches have pretty much stayed, so that's good. Right now, I look to inches for motivation. I've hit a plateau. I could work out very hard and not loose weight but the minute I can't it seems the scale notices.

I'm ready to be challenged once again. I really need the motivation.

My final spring journal

Here is a picture of Trevor and I on Easter Sunday. So that will be my final picture. Although I haven't lost a tremendous amount of weight. I gained alot more muscle and strength, which probably has accounted for why the scale wasn't showing alot of change. I get compliments from people that know me and they all have noticed a big difference. These are all the pros.

Now for the cons, my wardrobe has shrunk because I need new clothes to properly fit into them. I'm beginning to look like a rag bag. hahaha!!!

With the Lord's help we will all be able to maintain this lifestlye.

Thank you everyone for motiviating me all the way.

Charlie

Whew, another busy week

This turned out to be another very busy week. I did get to workout some, though not as much as I had planned. I missed working out yesterday and today. Most everything I did was very active, I just didn't know how to give myself points for most of it.

I got so much done and I'm feeling really good about that. I was able to install an irrigation system in my backyard and replace a leaky faucet outside. I also had to run around to several stores to find a pair of olive green pants for my son's boy scout uniform. I also baked a Shamu cake for my niece today (this one got me into alot of trouble:o))

I also got to go to an Eagle Scout Honor Guard. I have never been to one before and it was really neat. My son is determined to be an Eagle Scout one day. I also got to meet some very nice people.

I also had to take my son to the State yearly standardized testing four days this week. On the first day, I met a very sweet lady. My son and her son really hit it off. I sense that she is having some troubles emotionally. I asked her if she has a personal relationship with the Lord and she said she did. She also said that she has been discouraged in going to church because of some bad experiences. She invited Trevor and I to visit her in her home in May. She lives out in the country. Lord willing I will be able to visit her. Please pray that I will be able to share the love of Jesus with her. I need the words to say to encourage her to go to church. She really seems like she is hurting. She told me that she believes that it was not a coincidence that we met, but that it had a real reason. I'd like to be a witness for the Lord to her.

Tomorrow, I'm going to Phoenix for my niece's birthday party (the one I made the Shamu cake for). I'm gonna have to figure in a workout before we leave.

Let's keep springing.

Sorry I haven't posted in a while.

Hi everyone. I'm sorry, I have not posted anything in a while. I've just been super busy. I have been working out, though not as hard as I usually do. I've had some added stresses these past couple of weeks, but I am doing better now. The Lord has seen me through as He always does.

My weight has not changed these last 2 weeks and neither have the inches. I will weigh myself tomorrow and hopefully, I will be pleasantly surprised.

It's so nice to hear how everyone is doing. Let's keep springing together.

I survived the Nix the Fix Week

Hi everyone. I survived the Nix the Fix Week. I was able to give myself the extra points for the 6 days and the one accident I had, licking the spoon of preserves, I used as a free day.

I got all of the water in, which I've been doing anyways for a while now. That part has gotten easier the last 3 weeks. I found I am actually drinking about 72 oz. of water a day. I guess it's because it is drier her in the desert of Tucson.

There hasn't been any change in my weight this week. On Tuesday I was down a pound, but was the same on Wednesday morning. I don't count the points until the loss really sticks. I believe part of my problem is that I'm going to bed later and waking up earlier. I'm sure part of it is the change in temperature, part of it is stress. Stress that I need to hand over to Jesus because He alone can handle it far greater than I can. When I am tired is when the worries like to creep in. Of course that is at bedtime.

This week is a very busy week for me. I don't know how well I'll do with getting in all the exercise, but I'm certainly going to try.

Thanks everyone for the encouraging posts.

Hard habits are so hard to break....

I made a horrible mistake this morning and it was all done out of habit. I'm still kicking myself for it. I didn't even want it, just pure habit. What is this horrible thing that I did?

Well I put some plain yogurt in a cup for Trevor and put some preserves in it, then........before I could catch myself.....I licked the spoon before putting it in the sink. Boohooo........ I didn't even think about it till a few minutes later. Oh well.....what can I say.......

So I don't get the 10 bonus points for today, plus I have to -5 for getting a lick of something I shouldn't have. What did this do for me?

Well, I made sure to drink my 2 Liters of Water and get a 60 minute workout in so that at least I won't have to subtract any points from my current total.

Hmmm...maybe I'll even be motivated enough to do extra so I can add more points on. LOL!!!!

As said before on this blog....it's the mindless things we do that get us in trouble.

Tomorrow is a new day..........(Didn't somebody from "Gone with the Wind" say that?)

Let's keep springing!!!!!!

Sprouted Bread

My interest in making the sprouted bread peaked when I read Gen's post. I did some research and found a recipe that was very easy to do. There are alot of benefits to eating sprouted grains versus eating the grain itself. There are a number of nutrients that are more available to our bodies after the grain has sprouted. Given all of these reasons I decided to try my hand at it. Surprisingly it was very sweet and in my opinon delicious. It's a very moist bread with a crusty outside. I fell in love with it and decided to share. I already have another bowl of wheat sprouting.

Essene Bread

First you sprout the wheat berries. For a small loaf use 2 cups. Place in a large jar, or glass bowl that is still narrow enough to cover with cheesecloth, mesh, or dish towel and can still be secured with a rubber band. Rinse wheat Berries thoroughly and remove any debris that might be present. Then fill the bowl with water about twice the amount of wheat berries, approx. 4 cups. Let soak overnight or 12 hours. Drain and cover with the cloth and secure with rubberband. Place in an area of the kitchen that is sort of dark or at least away from sunlight. Rinse and drain about 2 or 3 times a day to keep the berries moist. When the tails of the sprouts are about 1/4" long they are ready. for me it's less than 48 hours. Do not rinse the berries at this stage. You do not want them too moist to make the dough.

Next place in food processor and process until the dough forms a ball but right before it falls apart again. Dough will be very moist and sticky.

Place dough on a oiled cooking sheet and shape into a hearth style loaf. Bake in a 250 degree F oven with a pan of water on the lower shelf and the bread on the top shelf for 2 1/2 hours or when you press on the bottom of the loaf it springs back. Let cool on rack. Slice and enjoy. Store in a ziploc bag at room temperature. It will keep for about 5 days. You can also freeze the bread. The refrigerator will dry it out.

This bread is a low fat, low calorie bread with a low glycemic index.

I think it's a real yummy bread and worth the time it takes to make.

Weighing in

Not a real big change, but any change in the right direction is a good change.

Praise the Lord, I lost 1 lb. and 2 inches. Yay!!!!! for a total of 9 points.

I know for sure that I am building muscle, so I am very happy with the change even though it is slow.

Let's keep springing ladies!

Fitness Video

Here's me doing the surrender in No More Trouble Zones. I think this is the hardest move in the whole video. It's okay to laugh at me struggling though. LOL!!! Here's the tip: I don't have a mirror in my living room to see if I'm doing the exercises correctly. So I decided to video myself on my computer to see how I am doing. I hate not knowing if I am indeed doing them correctly. Videoing really does help. Remember form and technique is key to fitness success. It does take some time in practice to get them right sometimes. Keep springing!