Week 1, Day 1

So, I got very side-tracked with work and other things...today I will be starting my first personal training session with my husband in about 2 months.  We will be going through our four month process.  I am excited to have the opportunity to workout with him!  He is so excellent!

I want to share that I allowed some emotional stressors to stop me from doing what I love which is exercising...i became a p.e. teacher for a reason and I have not been living that...I admit, I allow people to mess with my mind and distract me from what is best for me.  I think that I just don't hold myself in high regard and feel that I am worth it.  Welll, I have to stop feeling like that...this is why this four month process is going to take me from stressed to at peace...If you allow this four month process to work...it will change your whole mind, body and soul.  I am very blessed to have a husband to believes in the power of a health!!  Updates to come!  Enjoy your day!!!

Del

Day 4, Week 3

Jay and I had a surprise call from one of our friends inviting us to a dinner and to spend the night at the Garden of God Club.  Global Missionary wanted to show appreciation for Pastors and their wives.  It was a really wonderful time.  We ate a beautiful meal, worshiped God with some Integrity Singers and spent time with some of our favorite people, Eddie and Marie Chavez.  It was such a wonderful evening.  Our room had everything imaginable...fireplace, beautiful view of Garden of the Gods and much more.  We felt pampered and blessed to have this time to be together! 

So, I have an interesting predicament...I have a sedentary job...although I workout during my lunch hour, I still feel that I am getting back to my sluggish self.  I am thinking of getting an exercise ball and bringing it in to sit on versus just sitting on this stupid chair.  That should help my core and strengthen my bottom and back.  There are so many options if you face problems of having to sit all day.  I have found that I stand and walk around as often as I can to ensure that I do not sit all day and become sluggish. 

I am still on my kick to run a marathon within a year's time.  My husband and I are going to put a plan together so I can start training for it now.  I have such renewed energy and feel amazing every day!  I am glad to have had the surgery!  Jay is going to be getting his personal training license soon.  The PPBA stated that they would pay for him to get that done!  We are grateful for that!

All in all, it was a beautiful day filled with excitement, fun and blessings!  Hope your day is blessed!

Love,
del

Day 3, Week 3

I love Valentine's Day...I love the color red!  What a passionate color!!!  I have to brag on my husband right now!  He is an amazing man!  Valentine's Day is by far the best holiday for him.  He loves it!  Each year, the kids and I look forward to what he is going to do.  He decorates the house with baloons, streamers, ribbon and such.  We always receive special gifts from him.  He really takes the time to choose something that will be cheished forever!  I am partial to cozy,comfy blankets...I usually get one every year either during Christmas or Valentine's day!  He truly makes my life special and so wonderful!

So, I have been working out during my lunch hour in our fitness center in the basement of our office. I am doing very well...I have not lost any more weight, but I have not gained either...that is a plus.  I figure I will give my body the time it needs to adjust to the new circumstances.  After all, I live a sedentary lifestyle at work.  I can feel my body changing and moving better.  So, yesterday, I was doing ab exercises to see how my abdominals would do after the surgery...I did about 30 crunches on the bench and felt a little cramping and thought...I probably should stop...well, I completed 50.  I had some cramping afterwards, but it stopped after 30 minutes.  I was reminded of my husbands' famous saying, "Go passed the pain."  Well, probably not in this instance, but it didn't affect me badly!

So, I have a goal...one of my new friends is a runner and likes doing marathons and such...I have had a lot of these friends in my life!!!  Well, she is running a marathon and she post each day what she does to train for this event.  Well, I want to do at least a half marathon..the longest I have run was 10 miles and that was 2-5 years ago.  I always loved running...now that I have a lot more energy, I want to do some running and get to those amazing distances my friends go.  So, if you are reading this and have a similar goal, let's get together and accomplish it!  I am really excited to complete something on my list!!!!

I hope you are enjoying your day!!!!

Love Del

Day 2, Week 3

I spent some amazing quality time with my daughter, Gabi, yesterday.  She was not feeling well, but we had a good day anyway!  We walked about 3 miles and chatted about how things are going in her life!  I am grateful that she is doing well.  We talked about boys...she thinks boys are creepy right now...and we discussed friendships.  I am a bit concerned because she chooses not to hold any girl at the best friend status any longer.  She had a very bad encounter with a friend about a year ago who turned on her and turned all her friends against her...she recently had another friend who was trying to do the same thing...she has been leary of friends ever since.  We have discussed friendships...and it is not that she does not have friends or doesn't want them...she is just shying aways from them right now.  I am hoping that she works through this and finds those amazing friends she is has longed for...this is my prayer for her...She is a great girl and I want the very best for her life!

I think it is so important to pray for your children!  I want my childrent to always know they are protected and loved...and that they can rely on not only their parents, but a Father that will never allow them to be alone. 

Health is not just about getting your body healthy...it is about your body, mind and soul.  It is a constant effort to make sure that all are in sync together but also with God.  I am really feeling the amazement of God and His love and  joy in my life! 

I have this bible app on my phone that gives me daily verses, reading assignments and just a great thing when I want to have access to God, but my bible is not with me.  I recommend it for anyone wanting to get closer to God and to be in His Word consistently.

I love that I am getting healthy!  I love that God is opening up my heart to His Word and His true joy!  I feel blessed!

Love Del

Day 1, Week 3

So, it looks as though I am recovering nicely and will probably end up getting cleared to go back to work.  I am glad about this...I am bored out of my mind!  So, to make things a little more complicated, the ice took me out...I was in bed the whole day...it really gave me time to think about some things...

Honestly, I am really stressed about this United States economy situation.  I don't get too stressed and really keep my political views to myself unless asked.  Right now, I am interested in understanding what our country has to look forward to.  Now, I believe that God puts people in positions of authority; so, God must have a plan with our leadership.  I have to believe that God is in charge and these men and women are simply people in God's plan...I don't believe for a moment that these situations should be comfortable for us.  I am unable to believe the delusions that Christianity is all hearts and flowers and sunshine.  Not if you are futhering God's Kingdom!  So, we must prepare ourselves for that which is coming and not neglect to pray for the leaders in our lives.

So, I am still continuing to do well with my eating.  I am praying that I will be able to work out so I can get to losing weight more quickly than with just a wholesome diet.  I am really focused on being healthy.  I have a new excitement for exercise that I haven't had since teaching physical education to others.  The surgery has helped me to have new energy and my brain is excited and focused!  I am hopeful that I can get back to that hardcore fitness person I once was...I dream of the days when I was a size 6 and felt good about myself.  I know that I can be that healthy again...Jay is salivating to get me into the gym and workout with me again...LOL!

So, as I pray for our country and my doctor's appointment today and my health...I know that God listens and is there to help in anyway I need.  My prayer for all you interested in getting healthy is that God would be the center of your efforts.  He wants us to succeed.  I know through God, anything is possible!  I pray that you all would believe that too!  May your efforts today be blessed!

love Del

Day 7, Week 2 (about 3 weeks later)

I have been offline healing from surgery and gaining some serious perspective.  I have been having a great time, but a hard time, getting through all I have to in order to be healed.  This is not just my surgery, but many things that God has brought to the forefront in order for me to deal with.

Before I get into this, I want to let you know that through eating correctly and taking some walks and being proactive in my health, I have lost 15 lbs.  I am very excited about this!  I am now at 195 and enjoying the fact that I can continue to lost weight with a healthy lifestyle.  My diet has been the biggest key to my losing weight, since I am unable to work out the way I know I can.  After the doctor releases me, I should be able to workout the way I have always wanted to but was too exhausted to do so...

So, I have people issues.  I don't trust many people and used to get rid of people once they did something that took advantage of my friendship.  This stems from my childhood and the dysfunction I faced on a daily basis.  Having a controlling mother doesn't allow for healthy friendships.  I had one best friend my whole life and she and her family brought such normalcy to my life.  I was very blessed to know them and have them in my life!

Lately, I have been so sad with friendships.  Being a pastor's wife, I realize that I want to love people and support them and care for them more than I ever have.  But it is hard to trust that those friendships are as meaningful to those I spend time with.  This week, I have felt more lonely than I ever have.  I know people have lives to live and all of that...but I haven't had a deep meaningful conversation with a woman in such a long time.   I am usually listening to their heartaches and hurts.  I long for a friendship that is two sided and blesses me and the other person.  I deeply hurt for this kind of relationship...now, one may say that maybe I am putting it out there that I am not interested in this sort of thing...I believe I do put it out there that I am all together and things are great and I don't require much...my marriage is solid so I have the best friend I could ever have!  Well, we as women need those female connections!  It has taken me a long time to believe that I require this...but I do!

The connection between women is a beautiful thing...my prayer is that God would bless me with women that will understand what I need and accept friendship unconditionally and excitedly.  I hope you have a friend who blesses your life and makes things seem less lonely!

Love Del

Day 6, Week 2

Day after surgery is going pretty well...I am so grateful to have my husband at home!  He has been making sure that I am properly taken care of!  I am very grateful and so lucky to have him!

My husband and I have been married almost 15 years.  Our anniversary is on May 2nd.  He and I dated each other 4 years before getting married.  This was a powerful time for both of us...during the time we dated.  Jay and I both became Christians about 20 years ago.  God put us together at a time that He knew we both were going to give our lives over to Christ.  We faced some serious issues and trials.  I can say with confidence that Jay and I will always be together...with a forever union created by the hands of God.

If you know us at all...he and I are both leaders and very stubborn.  We do have awesome conflicts, but we always know that God is the center of our lives and we submit to this authority.  Even if we don't do it right away...we eventually get there...

Each day, I remind myself of how blessed I am to have such a great marriage, beautiful Godly children and a wonderful life!

I hope you are feeling blessed today as well!!!!

Day 5, Week 2

Today is surgery day...I am feeling very nervous...pray that all goes well!

So here was the timeline:
Check in and prep 6:30am to 7:30am
Surgery 7:30am to 9:30am
I woke up at 10am

Things went well and I was on my way home about noon time.  I got home, not very much pain, slept a bit and did little of nothing.  Not much is going through my mind except for I hope that all goes well and I don't have any complications.

I was told after surgery that one of my ovaries had a huge cyst on it and had to be removed.  That was a bit of a shock...but I still have the other one so I don't have to go through HRT (hormone replacement therapy).  That is a relief.  I am not feeling too badly...just a little achy.

I have thoughts of being very fit and being able to do all the running and exercising I want now that I won't be so tired and worn down...I have heard many of these stories and am looking forward to being one of these that speaks of increased energy, less emotional outburst and just all around feeling better.  I will go for now...looking forward to sharing my progress!

Love, Del

Day 4, Week 2

We watched the 2 hour season premiere of "The Biggest Loser."  We are so excited that Jillian Michaels is back this season.  Although, when we watched it...we were a little devastated for her contestants.  It seems that she is meaner and more aggressive than ever.  I felt the emotional pain the contestants felt as she degraded them and made they feel as though they were not worthy of her.  This is how we all feel at one time or another in life.  Some of these obese people may have gotten overweight due to being treated in this manner...it made me frustrated and upset.  But, I do agree that sometimes extreme measures need to be taken in order to get people in the right frame of mind to work out and do what they have to to feel better about their lives and themselves.  Tough love is a technique that many parents use to show pre-adult students how to be more responsible.

I love the way Jillian trains;  I would do well with her yelling in my face every five minutes.  I work best this way.  My husband trains me in a similar manner.  He supports me yet pushes me to not give up.  He is an excellent trainer!  He has gotten results from people that were very skeptical an frustrated. I recall in 2009, I was in a contest at the fitness center where I worked...I asked Jay to train me for 2.5 months...I ended up losing 20 lbs and winning he contest...$150.  I felt very satisfied that I could do many things with the proper motivation.  What motivates you?  Jay and I watch shows like "The Biggest Loser," to help us with how to properly work with individuals.  We learn new techniques and get introduced to the latest equipment out there...okay, so my favorite thing that I have seen so far on the show...the EcoMill Treadmill...this puppy cost $8500.  It is ergonomically correct and I can imagine it is awesome to run on!  Of course, I would not spend that kind of money on some material possession.  But, WOW!  It looked awesome!!!!

Find someone to encourage you and support you!  Working out is not as fun doing it alone.  Make sure that this person has your best interest in mind!  If you need someone to work with...our church is starting to train people at Accolades Gym on Garden of the God Road.  You can contact my husband anytime and set up a time to meet with him after work!  Just comment to this blog and I will get you in touch with him!
Have a beautiful day!!!  Del

Day 3, Week 2

There was lots to do on Saturday before my surgery.  I remember feeling so nervous and apprehensive. I think being excited too...I really wanted to have this surgery so that I would start feeling better.  I am so tired of being tired and feeling sluggish...Jay and I are cleaning the house so that I don't have to do much after surgery.  I want to be able to have guests and have them come over and visit me without a dirty house distraction.  I am so realizing how much I love my friends and miss being around them.

Maybe today should just be a day off...filled with nothing more than family and relaxation.  Sometimes it is really okay to not do anything.  Eat properly, portion your sizes especially if you are going to eat something that is not on your list...and relax!  That is what I plan to do once I have completed all the work I need to do!

Have a great day!!!

Day 2, Week 2

Wow!  Today has been filled with lots of craziness.  My husband and daughter are sick...par for the course this time of year.  I had doctor's appointments and lots to prepare for with my surgery fast approaching.

So, I got on the scale (stupid bleeping scale)...my first time being weighed in about 6 months.  I am NOT happy to report that I weigh a whopping 210 lbs.  I almost threw up!  I have never weighed this much in my life....ever...ever...ever.  I barely tipped the scale at 200 when I was bed-ridden during my pregnancy with Gabi.  Lord give me strength to not depress and go into a crazy tyraid in my head because I have totally failed myself!

So, turning this into a positive for my life...fast food may be convenient, but it is bad, bad, bad!!!!  No sugar...it benefits nothing!  Plan meals and protect myself and my family from falling into lazy eating!

Whew!  I almost lost my mind.  But, dealing with these things and getting out of them are going to benefit me completely.  Before, I would have gone straight to the refrigerator and done my famous "eating my feelings."  Now, I use self talk to help get my out of control brain back on track and focused on what truly matters...my health.  So, this is a speed bump...I believe that I can overcome!  I have to believe...and pray...

Lord God, you know my struggles right now.   You know that I am so unhappy with the way I look and the way I feel.  I ask that you would come now and comfort me and give me the strength I need to lose the weight and meet my goals.  Lord, my goal is to lose 70-80 lbs.  I know that this is possible through You Father God!  I know that I will lose this weight!  I know that you will guide me!  Thank you Father for loving me and giving me these lessons and trials that bless me abundantly!  I praise your name on high!  In Jesus Name, Amen!

As I go home and spend time with my family and think about food...I will try to work on what is sustainable rather than what is appealing!  Have a great day!  Del

Day 1, Week 2

Hi!  I am back at work...I have two days left and then I will be on leave for a while.  I am glad for the time I will get to reflect on things while I am bed ridden for a time!  The thing that I am thinking about the most is wanting to run after I have surgery...much later after surgery of course, but running nevertheless!  I loved to run!  I used to run all the time before my children were born.  It was an excellent way for me to clear my mind!  I sure do miss it...

This month reminds me of the time I got to spend with my son's, Rob's, dad, Rob...confused yet?  Rob and I met about 20 years ago.  He was a wonderful person...very funny and easy-going.  He and I spent time together for a few months.  I found out I was pregnant and we decided that we would take things as they come...living arrangements, marriage, etc.  He and I were set to move to California so he could complete his Graduate Degree at Loyola Maramount.  He wanted to be a film producer.  He drove his motorcycle to several places saying goodbye to good friends.  He left June 25th to say goodbye to friends in Aspen, CO and never returned home.  He died that day...I was 6 months pregnant and very excited about what the future was going to hold for the three of us.  It was not to be...

Loss is such a tragic thing...even though I lost Rob, I gained a couple of years later an amazing man, husband and father.  But that tragedy sticks in my mind.  I feel shorted sometimes...but blessed with what happened later in my life...did Rob have to die so that I would meet the amazing man of my dreams...or was Rob the man of my dreams and God gave me another...I don't presume to know how God thinks...it is just so crazy to think about!  I will never forget my time with Rob and the blessing he gave to me in my son...but my life is pretty amazing!  I have a wonderful family and beautiful kids!

So, do you get stuck on something that you feel you were wronged in and never let it go?  What if God was ready to give you your hearts desires but was waiting for you to move forward to receive them????  My prayer today is that you would not allow grief and loss stop you from dreaming to have that amazing thing in your life...God wants to give it to you!!!  I certainly received more that what I would have ever expected!  Praise God for that!!!

Love you,
Del

Day 7, Week 1

Sick in bed again today...I feel like I have slept 19 of the 24 hours!  That is good!  Still have the bad throat pain and can't talk without it being raspy.  Did not work today...trying to get well!

So, I have a big thing coming up on Monday, January 7th.  I am having a hysterectomy.  I have fibroids in my uterus the size of grapefruits.  The doctor told me that my uterus is as big as if I were 16 weeks pregnant.  Yuck!  This particular situation runs in my family so I was not surprised that my doctor told me this.  So, as I face this procedure, I face some of my fears that always seem to come about dying...even though I am very clear about where I am going...it is still in the back of mind..."What if God isn't real?"  I know this only comes from satan, but many of us who have accepted Christ as their Savior deal with this at one point or another.  I am not ashamed to say that it has crossed my mind at one point or another...but I do know the truth and feel the freedom in that truth.  It is that conditioned behavior that I received from birth that at one point or another, something bad will happen and I will die.  This has always been my major childhood fear.

I remember our neighbors introducing us to this group of church goers.  They turned out to be very extreme in their faith and even a bit cultish.  I went to a "prayer meeting" with our friends and they showed these outrageous videos and basically all the bad stuff in Revelations.  I was only 12 at the time and it devastated me to think that this was who God was supposed to be.  After the video, they did an alter call and said that if we didn't accept God then and there it may be too late and we would end up in Hell.  I sat crying while this person asked me if I wanted to accept Christ or go to Hell.  Of course, I didn't want to go to Hell so I said I accepted.  After the meeting, I ran all the way home crying and screaming incoherently that I didn't want any of my family to go to Hell.  I was absolutely hysterical to the point that my mom had to shake me to get me to stop.  I slept in my mom's arms for a few hours.  When I awoke, my mom basically told me that this is what I get for going to strange places with the neighbors...so it was my fault.  Can you imagine in my brain how much that messed me up????  What a devastating time in my life that was.  It took me 3 weeks before I would go outside and play with any of the kids in the neighborhood again.  I never stepped foot in my neighbor's house again.

That moment in time has stayed with me forever...it has shaped my relationship with my Savior and my family.  I also feel a huge responsibility for anything that may not go well in my life...thinking...this is what I get...it's all my fault.  It has taken hours of therapy, prayer and bible reading to change my attitude on this conditioned behavior.  Wow!  Talk about getting to the bottom of the pile!  LOL!

Just know that God has an amazing plan for the things that happen in your life!  He will use them to minister to another...I pray that your story can be told and bless others!

Del

Day 6, Week 1

So, I have some sort of cold.  This is not the best idea for me right now considering that I am working diligently to get in shape!  So, I have been in bed all day and really haven't eaten too much.  I am not resting at all...rest is the way your body recovers.  I know that we need at least 7 hours of sleep each day to ensure that our bodies are rested and recovering from the stresses of the day.

So I was reminded this New Year's of holidays past.  My family is very Hispanic Catholic and they have a lot of traditions.  These are also tied to superstitions as well...I remember as a child being so fearful to break any of these superstitions for fear that I would be tormented by the devil or punished in some harsh way by God or even die.  Hispanics are mean...they use guilt and fear to keep their kids in line...It took many years to therapy to reverse this in my life.  Actually, my fearless husband...the rational rock...has taught me God's truth and reality.  He really has saved me from all my fears through God's word and promises.

Psalm 27

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. 4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. 6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. 7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. 8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. 10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. 11 Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. 13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

I truly love Psalm 27...it really helps to to focus on God's truth and love...I hope it helps you to focus on it today!  Love you...Del

Day 5, Week 1

So, I was successful with my diet yesterday!  I am working on only consuming 1200-1500 calories per week.  I have accomplished this feat...I have a list of foods that I was given by my good friend, Gary Farnon.  This list is great to follow and I would like to share it with you!

Protein

4 oz Chicken
4 oz Fish
1 can or envelope Tuna packed in water
4 oz Turkey breast
4 oz Ground Turkey (extra lean)
3 oz Lean red meat
3 oz Beef tenderloin
4 oz Pork tenderloin (trim all visible fat)
4 oz Roast (rib, chuck or rump) trimmed of all fat
4 oz Veal
6 Egg whites
9 large Shrimp
 2 small tails Lobster
4 oz Buffalo
4 oz Extra lean ground buffalo
3 oz Elk
4 oz Venison
3 oz 96% - 98% Lean ground beef
Protein shake
1/3 cup Low fat cottage cheese
Boiled Soy beans (edemame) 1 cup


Carbohydrates
Oatmeal –1/4-1/2 cup
Ezekiel bread 1 slice
Ezekiel pita pockets 1 pocket
100% whole wheat tortilla wraps 1 small
100% whole wheat pasta 1 cup cooked
Cream of wheat/farina ½ cup dry
Brown rice 1/3 cup
Sweet potatoes/yams 1/3 cup
Orzo 1/3 cup
Couscous 1/3 cup
Optimum Slim Cereal ½ cup
Kashi fiber-1/2 cup
Brown rice cake-2
White rice cake -2

Veggies
Any and all veggies just make sure to get a good variety and eat as many green ones as you can

Fruits

Strawberries 6 large
Raspberries 1/4 cup
Blackberries 1/4 cup
Blueberries ¼ cup
Pears 1 small
Kiwi 1 small
Red apples 1 small
Raisins 1 rounded Tbsp cup
½ banana

Dairy
Skim milk ½ cup or unsweetened almond milk
Fat free cottage cheese ½ cup
Parmesan cheese a sprinkle
Light and fit yogurt 1 small container (a great snack option on occation)
Greek yogurt


This is a good list of great foods!  If you have any questions...feel free to let me know!  I feel great when I adhere to this...make sure you have accountability!  You need a buddy who will hold you accountable to what you are eating!  Have a great day!!!

DEL