"Check your spirit, Not the dessert!"

We are people that are made up of body, soul and spirit. In order to be rightly aligned with the will of God, your spirit should be the controlling force in your life.

That means that it is not your appetite that is controlling your over eating. In order to create better eating habits you need to check your spirit. What is controlling force in your life?

Gods will is for us to lead healthy lives. To protect our temple (our body) the bible talks about this many times.

1 Corinthians 10:31
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Imagine how differently we would eat if we thought about this scripture every time we sat to eat. Have you ever ate something loaded with fat only to feel bad and sick after eating it? Why do you think that is? Perhaps because it isn't God’s will to be eating that way, to eat junk that is polluting our temple. Can you imagine polishing off a pastrami from the “Hat” and saying Jesus t” all glory to you”! Oh heck no!

Lets talk about the spirit aspect of it.. There is no doubt that depending on your spirit will dictate how you eat? Does “comfort” food sound familiar? If it does be careful because there should be only one comforter and it shouldn't be food. For some reason when the rain and grey clouds move in, my spirit is weaken. I don't know why but I get lazy, feel blah and when that happens, guess what?

I start to crave more coffee and a pastry to wash it down. On a sunny day it is totally not the case. This can seem innocent, however it is just an example how your spirit can be the driving force to bad eating. Being aware of this can help me check my spirit before I check out what I can eat for dessert.

Food isn't necessarily the problem. You have problems with your eating? Check your spirit and practice self control! I read one time that, self control is like a great big hug, it wraps itself around you and keeps you safe!!

xoxox
mon

Choose Faith!

For many years I struggled with anxiety and it wasn’t until I hit a wall of depression that I had to make a choice... Faith or Fear? Continue to run or by faith break down that wall! I chose Faith. With Gods help I grabbed that depression and anxiety by the horns and took it down. It was a process and it didn't happen over night.

Like many strongholds it took work, commitment and a whole lot of faith and trust. What is holding you back.. What are the strongholds that are keeping you from living? And I mean really living, not just walking around with a pulse.

Are you ready to to choose faith or are you going to give into your fears? The fear that it could never change. I lived with anxiety for nine years, and there were times when I thought that it could never change. When I allowed myself to think that it could never be different and that I wasn't important enough to. Don’t believe this lie, because it can.

Friends I tell you from experience that it can be different. Life can be better, you can be better. Are you at a wall? Own it, Choose it, Believe it and Do it.... Choose Faith!


“So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done.”

Matthew 21:21

voice of truth!

If I am going to be honest, I have to tell you I woke up defeated! I am finding quickly that in order for me to focus on food and fitness, my faith needs to be right.. Why? because my heart has to be right. I am struggling big time!

I started off the race good and then I hit a roadblock on Wednesday when I went to the doctors. Because I am nursing, she advised me that I should not diet or decrease my calorie intake. She advised me that I can "lightly" workout, doing to much can release toxins in my milk and ruining it.

So I left there wondering? Wondering how am I going to drop the extra poundage if I cannot burn more than I am taking in? Because Caleb eats so much and often, I am also hungry ALL day! This is not good to snack healthy. So then there it happen, I slipped back into panic mode, and instead of turning to the Lord for guidance I grabbed a red vine!

I missed many opportunities to get into the word, to read and pray. To seek God and how he wants me to live this life and to draw the strength that only comes from him. The truth is that in order to be good with everything in the horizontal (Food & Fitness) I need to be good with the vertical (faith.... God)

I got on the treadmill this morning put on my ipod and a song came on, and the words that spoke to me went like this:

Oh, what I would do

to have the kind of strength it takes

To stand before a giant

with just a sling and a stone

Surrounded by the sound

of a thousand warriors

shaking in their armor

Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out

my name and he laughs at me

Reminding me of all the times

I've tried before and failed

The giant keeps on telling me

time and time again

"Boy you'll never win,

you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story

the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"

and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth

I am facing a giant, I am not sure exactly what it is just yet. Its not the extra 20 pounds I need to lose that would be easy. I have done it before! Its not giving up the sugar, I have done that before.

This week I am going to prayerfully seek out what is holding me back, what is it that I am scared of. Am I afraid to fail? If so what am I afraid of? I was encouraged by this song. I got of the treadmill and had a new thirst! What is your giant.

This weeks challenge:

This week lets make it about faith. What is your giant? What does it look like? What is holding you back from getting to where you need to be? Are you praying? Are you reading? Have you really surrendered your unhealthy ways to the Lord. Have you REALLY asked Him for help.

If you haven't join me this week in doing that. Lets ask God to really help us with this journey and before we even try to get our bodies right, lets get our hearts right!

I'm praying for you ( no really I am, if you are reading this, I am)!

Pursing Gods strength to continue running,

Mon

Run like a girl!

Good Morning ladies,

How are you all doing this fine rainy Monday morning.. Probably finding it hard to get out of bed if you are like me right? Well if you found that the first week was a lil tough then that means you are doing something right..

I have to admit I was having a weak day yesterday. I was tired and hungry and that is a recipe for disaster if you ask me. That equates to laziness and eating whatever looks good but not necessarily good for you! Yup I did it. I ate pizza after church..I tell myself that it was only one slice however it was one of those big guys that cut down to two.

I was definitely reaping when Caleb was up all night with bad gas from my tainted dairy infested breast milk... sigh.... It was last night at like 3am in the morning that I ask myself “Why do I continue to do this to myself?” Now I am not saying that pizza is totally bad, but while I am in this laying the foundation phase it is not a wise food choice. Not to mention the effects it has on my lil baby boy.

Yesterday my Pastor was talking about the story in John chapter 15. Jesus talks about the vine and the branches and bearing good fruit. In summary, the vine can only produce good fruit if the dead branches are pruned. Likewise the only way we are going to see good results in FFF is if we cut out the dead branches in our lives. This can be whatever is keeping you from that achieving good results ( good fruit)! So lets start to prune ladies!

Here are my dead branches- Sweets, Fear, Laziness, Excuses.... to name a few, and no particular order. What are yours?

This weeks challenge:

Faith:

Continue to journal daily.. Thinking about the dead branches in your life, what is it going to do to get rid of those? Pray and give it to the Lord. Seek scriptures that you can meditate on and think about encourage you along the way. Write them down, keep then in your pocket and look at them throughout the day.

Food:

This week start to actively cut out the sugars.. This is sweets and anything that is high in sugar that is not natural sugar. Substitute fresh fruits for cookies, cakes, scones, high sugar creamers AND soda etc. Be careful with the diet, fat free and no sugar added stuff it contains artificial sweeteners that isnt good either.

Continue drinking your water throughout the day.

Fitness:

Try to incorporate at least 15-30 min of exercise in your day.. Doesn't have to be in the gym, get creative. Try walking instead of driving if possible. We take our legs for granted, we don't use them as much as we should. I bet if you ask anyone confined to a wheelchair they will tell you that!

One suggestion is what I had to do when I was pregnant on my diabetes plan. I would eat for about 20 minutes then after I would exercise for 30-45 minutes. My exercise was walking and lifting minor weights. If you can do this with every meal or at least two meals, you are off to a good start. This is also helpful for those who struggle with diabetes, since it will immediately lower your blood sugar.

Now this activity isn't going to make you drop pounds however it will cause you to eat a lighter meal and also get you used to moving, all in one hour! Later we will incorporate exercise in your diet.

I have adopted a scripture for FFF, I searched and prayed and this morning this just jumped off the bible and spoke to my heart in what I am trying to achieve in my life! First in my Faith then in my Food and lastly in my Fitness!

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.

But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Lets RUN like a girl!!!!!!

Have a great week girls!!! May the Lord guide you in your pursuit of FFF!

Mon

Getting through week one!!!!

"Get behind me satan" I believe was the words that I used on monday when I saw the pumpkin pie in the fridge on monday! Can you believe it was right after the blog I went down stairs to make a healthy snack food option and low and behold shining like the morning star there it was a pumpkin pie.. My favorite!!!

Weak I know but strong enough to overcome this time.. This time because I know that as I move along this process the temptations will get stronger and overcoming them will be greater.. I remind myself that it is only for a season, and not forever. I remind you that to.. some of the foods that I must give up right now for a season I will be able to incorporate later in moderation and for holidays etc.

How did your week go? Mine went ok.. I did my journal, sought the Lord and tried my best to make good ol water my BBF Jill.. I also started to pray how I am going to incorporate fitness into my newly busy life as a mom of two.. I will let you know on monday what I came up with.. It is simple wont take to much time and will ease my way back into the gym when I can and Caleb gets older.

I am going to meet with my diabetes nutritionist in two weeks and excited to use her as a resource. Reading my bible and devotion time seems to still be a challenge due to the boys however I know that in order to change I need to be in prayer and the word!

So pray for me! How did your week go? Did you start? Share your thoughts!!! Oh and I did step on the scale and I am buying another one because I think it is wrong.. hahah j/k... I will not let me weight define me...

oh and do you watch the biggest loser? If not I highly recommend it, although there are not many episodes left.. I tell you that watching it does motivate you to get off the couch..!!!

So till monday, enjoy your weekend.. Love you guys!

p.s. another prayer request.. My mom bought noah a 4lb tub of red vines.. help me in prayer not to take it to the head!!! they are my favorites!!!!! thanks

Bringing Back Faith, Food and Fitness for real!

Welcome back! I am back with a refocus on FFF! I set out on a journey last year on how to obtain that Faith, Food and Fitness that we as women struggle with. It took a unexpected turn and I did learn alot about the three just in a different way than I expected.

I didn't run a marathon, I didn't drop the weight I thought I would.. Instead I had Caleb, gained 20 pounds with the pregnancy and ended up with gestational diabetes. Imagine that! Although my diabetes came and went, what didn't was the desire to be healthy.

What I felt that day sitting with the diabetes nutritionist I will never forget. Poking my finger 5 times a day, eating certain foods all day, eating every two hours and working out after EVERY meal, I will never forget. Dramatic it may seem to some because it went away however I cant think of the risks.

I have a 50 % greater chance of getting type 2 diabetes later in life because I had it when I was pregnant. It is because of this risk that I have a new focus. I cannot take that risk and I need to be healthy. I know that it is IMPOSSIBLE to do it without of God. I know that the bible has alot to say about food and fitness. I know that it is the balance of the three that will help me to achieve my goals.

All my life I have been doing it wrong. There were times I was counting the points, neglecting the fitness. There were times I was working out, and pigging out. And there were many times that I didn't allow God to help me in both of these areas. In the bible it clearly states in EVERYTHING do it with God. And this my friends is the new refocus on “FFF for Real”

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink , or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” - 1st Corinthians 10:31

This is not another diet, important to remember that if you are following along. You wont be counting points ( and you know I love me some weight watchers) You wont be following some elaborate working out plan. You wont be doing long bible studies.. Or at least to start. I am smart enough to know that as a mom of a toddler and a newborn, doing to much will set me up to fail. So I am going to keep it simple...

I wont be blogging everyday.. I will be blogging monday with the weeks challenge and then on fridays with a wrap up. If I find some time during the week I will add some bonus stuff. If you are following I really encourage you to join in on the conversation. Share your fears, failures and successes. If you have questions, whats working and whats not working for you.

Here is what you can expect.. You can expect prayer, you can expect a support system and you can expect to change if you really commit to it...

Here is what you should not expect.. As I said it is a lifestyle change and not a diet. You cannot expect to drop the weight fast, obtain that childlike faith and be able to run a marathon in a week... It is a process, some of us have been battling these areas in our lives forever so it will take time to rid of the old man, so to speak!


Here is what you will:
A journal and a willing heart!

I am not a nutritionist, I am not a pastor, and I am not a trainer.. Everything that I do will come from the bible, research and resources. If you are following with us feel free to share your knowledge and wisdom in FFF. Make it your own journey.. You can do everything that I am doing or some or none. If you simply just want prayer and encouragement that is fine to!

So here is this weeks challenge:

Faith:
Get out that journal today and write out a letter to the Lord asking Him to help you in the process.. Ask Him to show you were you are lacking in the the areas in your life and what He wants you to focus on. Then remember a time when your faith was tested and how you felt during and after that time. Did it seem impossible at the time? Sure did and did He get you through? Absolutely!!!

Think about a goal, and the steps it will take to get there! And by faith hop on the scale and write that number down. We will revisit your weight on a later post..

Food:
The other day I prayed as I normally do before I eat.. some how the words “Lord may this meal make me healthy and strong” seemed foolish when I opened my eyes to a burger, fries and a milkshake :/
Alot of times we are just hungry and we don't even think about what we are putting into our mouths. So I came up with this process for every meal.

Pray-- Pause-- Consider-- Proceed

Pray for your food, Pause and take a look at your plate, Think about the food options is it really healthy? And then eat.. doesn't have to take long to do this.. It is just bringing awareness of what you are putting in your mouth.

(Try this week to drink at least 2-3 more glasses of water that you normally do)

Fitness:
This week spend time researching a workout plan that is obtainable and realistic for you. We will start workouts next week...



In close:

Overall this week pray for the discipline needed to start your journey. It is a pretty simple week to get us into next week when we really get started. May seem pretty basic but we are simply laying the foundation..!
I know this is super long.. I will try to cut it down. It was the first one so bare with me. I am excited to share this journey with you.. If you are doing nothing more than reading this then I ask that you pray for me and keep me accountable!

See you friday! Love you guys!!!!!

FFF,
Mon

Caleb Joshua Pereyra

I ha vent blogged in awhile.. A long while actually.. Things just got to busy and well I was pregnant! I cant use that excuse anymore to get out of jail free.. Now it is back to cleaning, lifting, cooking etc!

So I wanted to blog because I have been overwhelmed with the love, support and prayers from so many friends and family that I wanted to send out a praise report.
As some many or many not know I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, this was told to me back at the beginning of September.

In my determination NOT to take medication I was put on a STRICT diet and had to work out at least 30 minutes after each meal. This was a challenge and many days it seemed impossible. Even after all the effort I still found my sugar high.. I didn't give up and many of you were praying. It actually turned out to be a blessing, I lost weight and it actually put me back into a healthy weight gain for the pregnancy.

This past Sunday after I ate I noticed something unusual, I noticed that even though I was eating the same and I did not work out my sugar was in the lower end of the normal range. So I experimented and the next day I ate normal didn't work out and my sugar was fine.

I called my diabetes lady and asked if it was possible to get rid of the diabetes before delivery and she said no. We tried to figure how it was that my sugar levels went from high to normal without medication and without the extra working out. After talking with her for a half hour, I had to to tell her that I believed it was the power of prayer and I still do believe that.

Tuesday night, I woke up a few times with a tummy ache, no big deal.. Then on Wednesday night I kept waking up ever 30 minutes with the urge to go to the potty and cramping. I told sal I thought I was coming down with a stomach flu. It wasn't till around 5am in the morning when the cramps were coming four minutes apart that I realized I was in labor :O

We rushed to the hospital and got there around 830am and then they slowed down and I was dilated to a four. The nurse asked me to walk around for an hour and come back.. So I did and in that hour I started getting them every two minutes apart. It was now about 9:50 and I was now at a six for dilation. They took me in a labor room, where I progressed. I signed the paper for a epidural however I had a strong desire to try and do it without it. As the pain got worse I opted to get a shot of some pain meds, hoping that would work and a epidural was not needed.

It took the edge off and it did help, but it was then I prayed. I said “Lord, I know you cant take this pain away. In the bible it says I have to endure the pains of child birth, so please just give me the strength to endure it.” The very next contraction I had an urge to push. I told the nurse I feel like I need to push. She checked and sure enough I was at a nine. It was now about one... The doctor came in a minute later, broke my water bag, saw that I was at a ten and told me it was time.

Three or four contractions later, and for pushes, Caleb Joshua Pereyra was born and 1:23pm weighing in at 7lbs 4ozs!

Now I listen to my hubby tell the story of how labor went down and I have to admit. He makes me sound like a gladiator, he makes it sound like I have been the only lady on earth to give birth in the natural form. I smile and wish that it was me and that I was that strong, but I am not.

I wish that I could take full credit but the truth is that when I was pushing I felt so weak. I felt that I couldn't push anymore, and at one point I said I couldn't’t. It was at that time everyone in the room said yes you can one more push. It wasn't so much their voice but the Lords voice telling my that I could because He could.

My best friend tells me that I was pushing so hard that she had to kick off her shoes to hold my feet. Friends I wish that it was my strength but it wasn’t. I look at Caleb and I am in love again.. I never thought that I could fall in love with another lil man, but I have. I am so blessed with my boys that my heart is overwhelmed.

Truth is I am tired, only slept about 9 hours total since Wednesday. I am scared, to go through those tough infant seasons again. I feel guilty when I look at my Noah and see in his face that he misses his mommy. I hurt when I look at my tired hubby trying to be everything that I am not and trying to be the leader of our home. Also frustrated when Caleb was crying 80 percent of the night because of gas and I couldn’t calm him.. But you know what.. I am so blessed and loved.

I know that God is love and love is all you need. His hand has been in everything and I know will continue to be.. So Praise Him for that.. Thank you all for your prayers, support and love!!!!