Apartment on a Diet

I had the apartment all clean for the Moving Estimate, but as I continue to work to separate into "keep" and "sell" piles, it now looks like the apartment exploded. lol A friend is loaning me some tables, on which I can display the "sell items", that will help organize that stuff. 

Today, I need to re-organized the stuff in the bedroom so that I know what sells and what I'm keeping. Yesterday, I lightened the load by almost 150 pounds! YEAH! I wonder how many more pounds I can lose as I sort through things this weekend. 

Overall, I'm enjoying putting my apartment on a diet. lol Over 20 years, I've accumulated a lot of stuff. And since I had the place for it, I kept it. Back in 2010, when I moved out for the remodeling of the apartment, I downsized some, so that helps now. 

It will be fun when I learn what the actual weight of my move will be.... but first, I need to finish the "diet" and wait on the perfect place God has for me.   Last night I found myself once again praying for the person that is to move out, so that I can move in. I am wondering how long they've lived in that apartment and where they are moving to—is it close by, or out of state? 

I wonder who is praying to move into my place? Will my apartment be someone's answer to their prayers? That would be really cool to be an answer to someone's prayers. I hope the person(s) who move into my apartment, enjoy it as much as I have. 

Well, time to begin today's "Do list". Hope you each have a super Saturday. 

My Success (so far)

In February 2012, I started on the Moore Health Ideal Weight Loss Program. I am so happy with the results! Not only have I lost 63 pounds, and MANY inches, but I now have a lean mass/fat ratio of 74.5 to 25.5. On Sept 28, 2012, I started Phase 2 of the program.

There are many things which I like about the Moore Health Ideal Weight Loss Program. I like that I was monitored each week to make sure I was losing fat, not the lean mass/muscle. It is EASY! It works! And that I am learning about nutrition and what my body NEEDS for nourishment and fuel to function at its best. 

I'm looking forward to continuing to maintain a healthy weight and lean mass/fat ratio so that I can, as Moore Health says, "Celebrate Health & Wellness".

If you live in the South Elgin, IL area, I'd recommend the Moore Health Ideal Weight Loss Program. To learn more, visit their website: www.MooreHealth.net. 

God is so Creative!

One thing which I have enjoyed over the past 11 years, since my injury, is seeing all the creative and fun ways God uses to supply my various needs. This week, once again, God supplied in a very fun and creative way. 

Since February of this year, I've lost 56 pounds through a diet program offered by my Chiropractor. Therefore, all the clothes that WERE in my closet were too big. I needed to buy smaller sizes. YEAH!

A local thrift store chain was having a 50% off sale, so I visited several of their stores in the area. WOW... the deals I found! 

I was able to buy: 5 cardigans, 6 dress shirts, 3 pair of dress pants, 2 pairs of jeans (green/black), 1 pair of shorts, 3 light jackets, 1 windbreaker, 1 fall jean jacket, 1 winter jean jacket (lined) and 1 winter coat (with removable liner). And the best part of it all—was the price! All this for UNDER $75.
When I see what I was able to buy—and that a new winter coat would have cost that much—WOW!!

Very thankful that God provided a SUPER SALE, so that I could buy some nice clothes and coats for the coming months. The sale was one way God used to supply my needs.

But God was NOT done supplying!

God had a VERY special
SURPRISE waiting for me! 

As I was sorting all the "new" clothes for either the laundry or cleaners, I went through all the pants pockets. And that is when I found the surprise God had waiting for me! In one of the pockets there was a $20 bill! 

I had to stop and realize all the DETAILS that God had to work out, so that He could give me that $20! 

• the person who donated the pants, had to leave the $20 in the pocket. 
• each person who inspected the pants at the thrift store, had to "miss" the $20. 
• not sure if anyone else tried on the pants, but if they did, God had to "keep their hands out of the pockets". 
• I had to pick that pair of pants to try on... and buy. 

Just thinking of ALL the details that God took care of to give me a surprise of $20 to help me buy 'new' clothes—once again shows His awesome care and love for me. 

When I think of all the creative and fun ways

that God supplies my needs,

it is VERY easy to CREATE a POSITIVE day!

God did it AGAIN!

Once again, God provided in a VERY creative way! I love it when God does things out of the ordinary to supply my needs. It's so cool!!

Today, I needed to buy gas for the car. I normally buy it at a gas station near my chiropractor. But when I left his office tonight, I was so excited with my weigh-in results (see below), that I drove the opposite direction from the gas station. I soon realized my mistake, but figured I'd just stop at another gas station I pass on the way home.

I stopped at the station, got out and scanned my gas credit card. Then there was a question on the screen: "Do you want the $1.64 g/ discount?"

I stood there trying to figure out what it was asking, then looked at the price of the gas: $4.399 per gallon! YES, I want the discount. I pressed "yes" then this message appeared: "Car wash is not available, but you will still get your discount." So, I paid only $2.759 per gallon!

My car took 9.775 gallons to fill the tank. So, God provided at total of $16.03 today!! How cool is that???

If you read my last post about my computer dying, I mentioned in the last paragraph, that God could supply the money all at once or little by little. Today, God provided $16.03! I'm not sure what I like best...that God provided the money or the way He provided the money.

________________________

Oh, and now about my weigh-in results. On Feb 6, 2012 I posted: "Changing to Improve" about a new diet plan my chiropractor is offering. As of today (March 22nd) end of week 6, I'm down a TOTAL of 14 pounds and I've also lost inches and fat and gained lean muscle mass. I'm so excited that this program is working for me. I still have more weight to lose, but I'm heading the right direction.

Creating a positive day is taking notice of when God provides for my needs—especially taking notice of His very creative ways!

God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good!

Changing to Improve!

Change.

That's one word which I don't really like. I'm a habitual person and once I find something that works, I stay with it. However, I can honestly say that I'm excited about some changes happening in my life.

In June 2010, with the help of my Pain Management Dr. and Chiropractor, I weaned off all my pain medications and changed to a vegan, gluten-free, organic diet. There were basically three reasons for these changes.

1. We wanted to try a new treatment to see if we could "reboot" the nervous system. However, due to circumstances that treatment had to be delayed until August 2011.

2. After being on pain medications for 10 years, my body had reached a toxic level. It was time to detox the body.

3. We wanted to try to see if we could lower my pain level naturally.

I have enjoyed the vegan and gluten-free diet. I've been introduced to new vegetables, new spices, and new products which I didn't know existed. Overall, I feel better. However, my pain level remains too high.

In August 2011, we tried Lidocaine Infusion treatments to see if we could "reboot" the nervous system and lower the pain. After eleven treatments, my Dr. and I decided to stop. The treatments were having the opposite effect on me—my pain level was increasing.

Now what?

It seems like everything we try to lower my pain increases it. There is one thing which I haven't made a decision on, and that is my spinal stimulator (a pacemaker for pain). My stimulator is broken, so I can't use it. I have to make the decision on replacing it with an entirely new stimulator (paddle & battery)—that would be back surgery #9. Right now, I'm not sure what I want to do, so, the best thing is to do nothing. 

With my current pain level, exercising is impossible. And although I'm eating healthy, I'm not losing weight. I've tried a variety of things, however, none have worked for me. 

Change—that I'm excited about!

My chiropractor is offering a new Weight Loss program, which is based on "resetting the pancreas and insulin levels". By resetting these and providing the body with proper nutrition, healthy proteins and vegetables, the body loses fat while retaining/building muscle. And due to the calorie restrictions, exercising in Phase 1 is not recommended. After discussing the program with my Chiropractor, we both believe that the Moore Health Ideal Weight Loss program is something I should try. I hope to begin the program within the next month. I'm looking forward to losing weight to aid me in being healthier.

Some are now asking...will you stay vegan and gluten-free? I will remain gluten-free since there is research that gluten can increase inflammation. However, for the length of the diet I will not be vegan. When I reach Phase 4 of the program, I'll make a decision about returning the vegan diet. My decision in going vegan, was to eat healthy. During the past year and half, I've learned much about food and nutrition. I plan to continue eating healthy and making sure that I'm getting the proper nutrition.

Change. Although I don’t like change very often. I’m excited about this change in my diet plan. I’ll keep you posted on how I do.

Another change which I've been very grateful for, is a deeper relationship with Christ, since my life changed dramatically in October 2000, when I injured my back. I continue to be overwhelmed by God’s goodness and care that He displays each and every day.

Creating a Positive Day

Includes

Changing to Improve!

1st Vegan Gluten-free Thanksgiving

Yesterday, I enjoyed my first

Vegan Gluten-free Thanksgiving Feast! 

And it was delicious.

My menu consisted of the following:

Baked Sweet Potato

Vegan Gluten-free Stuffing (which I made! See picture to the left.)

Vegan Gluten-free Gravy (which I made!)

Salad (lettuce, carrots, celery, cucumbers, peppers, broccoli) w/ lemon juice & fresh ground pepper

Steamed Broccoli

Baked Apples w/Roasted Pecans

Did I miss the Turkey? Actually, no! I thought it would be the hardest part of the day. It sure smelled great, but with all the yummy stuff on my plate, I didn't miss it at all. This was the first real test of my Vegan diet. Since I don't buy meat anymore, I don't have it in the house. But even though the turkey sure smelled great, I wasn't even tempted to have some.  

Some have asked, why not just "cheat" a little on a special day like Thanksgiving? Because, if I make excuses one day and cheat, that can begin a pattern of cheating. The goal of eating Vegan and gluten-free is to reduce my pain level. If I start cheating, that just hinders me from reaching my goal. 

Will the Vegan Gluten-free diet really lower my pain? It's a wait and see. I've been on the diet for about 15 weeks. I feel better overall, but my pain level remains high. I figure I was on pain medications for 9.5 years, I should give this diet longer than 15 weeks.

So, my first Vegan Gluten-free

Thanksgiving was delicious!

And the fellowship and laughter

with friends made the day EXTRA special!

Creating a positive day isn't about the food—Vegan, Gluten-free or Turkey and all the trimmings—it's about spending time with those who are special to you.

Sharing some meals!

I'm learning so much about nutrition as I work on my new lifestyle. The food tastes so good and I'm enjoying fixing a variety of dishes. Thought I'd share a few of my latest meals with you... via pictures.

All organic: Mixed greens w/ olive oil/vinegar dressing (homemade); Portabella, melted Rice Cheese & Brown rice bun & salsa. And yes it was YUMMY!

All organic: Summer squash, Grilled red pepper, Mixed greens w/EVO/vinegar dressing; w/ Nicole's Divine Organic Gluten free crackers (Tomato-Tomahto!) and Organic Shelled Hemp Seeds (for Omegas and Protein). And yes it's yummy too.

I'm reading several books to help me learn how to balance foods and get the correct nutrition. One is "Back to Eden", by Jethro Kloss. The other two books are by Christina Pirello of Christina Cooks on PBS.

The pain level is still high, but God is providing distractions just at the right moments.  I'm taking it hour by hour; day by day. As I go through this phase of my journey, creating a positive day is even more vital. Keeping a positive attitude and keeping my focus on the positive will give me the strength to continue on this journey. And God is also sending some wonderful blessings to encourage me.... and His blessings make any day a positive one!

New Direction!

In Oct 2000, I injured my back. Since that day, I've undergone 8 back surgeries, many procedures, and taken more medications than I can count. This year, I felt that my body had reached a toxic level and I wanted to see what I could do to lower my medication dosage. So, in June I started weaning off my morphine and Tylenol 4 so that I could undergo Lidocaine Fusion treatments. On July 20, I had the first of what was to be 5 or 6 treatments.
The weekend following that first treatment, I caught a stomach bug. That caused the next Lidocaine treatment to be canceled.

I have always believed

that NOTHING happens by chance.

God allows each and everything

to happen to accomplish His plan.

As I was trying to recover from the stomach bug.... God directed me to do some research. The more I read and studied, the more I believed that this was the direction I should go.... but what would my doctors think? On Monday, I discussed it with my Chiropractor. He is fully on board and thinks it's a great idea. On Tuesday, I discussed it with my Pain Management Doctor and she is very excited and even recommend a book to help me.

What is this NEW DIRECTION? I'm going to eat only organic and natural foods. No processed,  no chemicals, no dyes, etc. The more I researched the more I learned many of the chemicals found in our processed foods can create pain.
This will take some time, and it may not work. However, it can't hurt me! Yes, my pain level is high. However, the past few weeks as my body has been detoxing, I've noticed some changes.... and VERY good changes. My headache is still there, but less intense. The pain in my side which I've dealt with for over 4 years, has decreased and at times is totally gone. If these changes can happen in just a few days... what COULD happen over weeks, months, years of eating only Organic and Natural foods? I have NO idea. But, after much prayer, and seeking the advice of my doctors, I am going to see what happens when I change my diet. If my pain level becomes unbearable, my chiropractor has an all natural supplement to aid in reducing inflammation.

As I said, I believe everything happens for a reason. And by me getting the stomach bug, it has allowed me to start detoxing. So this is the perfect time to try this new direction and see what happens. If after a while, I find that my pain level is still too high, than I'll reschedule the Lidocaine Fusion treatments and take it from there.

I could have been very frustrated and disappointed with getting sick and having to postpone the treatments.

However, since I was working

on creating a positive attitude, 

instead of being upset,

I decided to see the good in the situation!

And by doing so, I now have a new direction to try. I'm excited to see what God has planned as I move forward! I'll continue to keep you all posted!!

Create a Positive day!!!