Hope for Health and Fitness INTRODUCTORY Seminar $ 40

The Introductory Seminar will be approximately 3 hours and will include a general overview of low carb/ketogenic living, my journey with health, how physical fitness plays a role in health, the history of nutrition and why the way we are eating is not working. We will touch upon how diet plays a role in diabetes, metabolic syndrome, weight gain, inability to lose weight, high blood pressure etc. Why low calorie diets don’t work. Includes a full protein based meal and dessert.  So come hungry!

The holiday season can be so hard for many trying to eat well and feel good. Guilt, which I believe should never be associated with food in anyway, often follows a holiday binge. And often, one slightly less than stellar meal turns into a rotten day, turns into a weekend binge, turns into, ‘I’ll just wait til after the first of the year’. You’ve been there, haven’t you?

Here are some tips to help you get through these next few weeks and not increase your waistline, not feel awful from the blood sugar rush and not have your head hanging in shame by January 1^st. (keep in mind, choices with food should never induce feelings of guilt or shame, but that’s another story!)

Purpose to do your best making healthy and wise choices. Actually believe you can make it through the next two weeks relatively unscathed. Believe in yourself and believe that God’s grace is sufficient to keep you!

Now that you have decided you are going to give it your all, make a plan. Have a vision. Where there is no vision . . . well, these versions are quite cool. (Pr. 29:18)

Without revelation (vision, plan) people run wild . . .

Where there is not vision, the people are unrestrained . . .

Where there is no vision, the people perish . . .

You must have some sort of ‘plan’ in place or you will go the way of your flesh every time. At least with a plan, you have options. You may not always choose best, but at least you have options. Sometimes I can totally ‘man up’ and not eat off plan, sometimes it is torture. Sometimes I just don’t want the battle. When you eat well 99% of the time there is nothing wrong with having a plan and removing most of the need to resist.

Always, always go into your party or gathering well hydrated.

Never go hungry. I would rather go into the lion’s den pretty satisfied and risk going way over on calories than show up starved. Starved and temptation do NOT play well together. Even if you can resist, you probably will not be happy about it. Eat a high protein snack/meal before you go, even if there will be a full dinner. That way, you can pick and choose and not really need a lot to eat. If you know there is going to be plenty of protein for dinner, as in, ham, meatballs, turkey, etc, still eat something before you go. Trust me, it helps with resolve.

While there, load you plate with PROTEIN! Any you can get your hands on. Don’t worry about the fat, just stay away from the carbs and EAT PROTEIN. Protein is very satiating and even if you ‘cave’ later with dessert you won’t be able to eat as much.

If you are unsure of what is being served, bring a huge protein based salad or dish to pass. Something you love and can eat your fill of. Or, bring a huge salad or veg type dish to pass and fill your plate with that and take samples of whatever else is served. You will have already had your fill of protein before you go and the salad or veg will take up some serious space in your belly.

Bring a cheese and meat platter to pass and munch on this during appetizer time. Bring a delicious creamy and cheesy low carb dip with veggie sticks. Pepperoni chips with dip is also a great option.

Okay, now it is dessert time. The table is filled with various desserts, pies, cookies, brownies, etc. Now what? Well, first of all, know that it is all garbage to your body, no matter how much love was put into it. No matter how many memories you have with this particular dessert. That helps a bit, until you get real close, then, often, emotions take over and before you even know it you have stuffed three of your favorite cookies in your mouth and you don’t even remember it happening.

One thing I ALWAYS do is bring my own dessert. I have accumulated several beyond fantastic sugar-free, low carb desserts that I LOVE, not just like, but LOVE. Many I would even rather have over a sugar laden dessert any day of the week. So, make something special and bring it and eat all you want of it, especially if it keeps your face out of the pie, or cake or éclair.

You will NOT feel deprived should you choose to not imbibe in the desserts. Now, here is where you can make a grown up decision. I am not so legalistic to say that one should never, ever eat Grandma’s Banket that she makes once a year and has since before you were born. Depending on where you are with your relationship with food, you could choose to have a piece, or you could decide not to. You are grown up, you can make these choices. YOU have power over food, not the other way around. There most definitely is a time to just enjoy what is before, knowing there may be some consequences, but you have counted the cost and made a decision.

Here’s the cool thing, though, your ‘sweet tooth’ has been satisfied by your own special dessert that you likely will only eat a little bit of your beloved treat. If you have not had something you love, you are liable to be very, very crabby in resisting and feeling so deprived, OR, you will simple enjoy a few bites and have no real ramifications from the slight indulgence. YOU can choose!!

Remember, while food seems to be so central to our culture, and not even for the food and traditions sake anymore, but mass volumes of garbage, often times, simply to have MORE, it is the people you are with that are of utmost importance. You really can enjoy the people and the food be just something you share. Plan to make it about who you are with and how you can love them and serve them versus being the first in line for what you have been waiting for since last Christmas. It’s just food.

After the party? Do NOT feel like you ‘blew it’ no matter what you ate and do NOT let it derail you for the rest of the day or weekend or rest of the year. Even one horrendously off plan meal will NOT make you fat, thwart your health goals or make you a bad person. Now, several meals turned into weeks will put a serious damper on your goals, but not one meal! Keep it to that one meal or that one treat. Wake up the next day, make yourself a bit plate of bacon and eggs and move on. Period. Do not try to undo, punish yourself or feel guilty. Move and eat well!! Go for a walk if it will make you feel better, but pity’s sake, just move on and eat well.

Treat yourself like someone you love. Take care of you, you are worth it. You deserve to be free, to be healthy, and to make wise choices. And, it is perfectly fine to enjoy a treat, you hold the power on whether that treat turns into an all-out binge with ensuing guilt and condemnation, bloating, water gain, and blood sugar crashes or it is just one meal in time with not a lot of ramifications. YOU get to choose. Realize that. It’s powerful to know that you do NOT have to succumb to weeks of eating poorly.

INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP: Cost $40

The Introductory Workshop will be approximately 3 hours and will include a general overview of low carb/ketogenic living, my journey with health, how physical fitness plays a role in health, history of nutrition and why what we are doing it is not working. We will touch upon how diet plays a role in diabetes, metabolic syndrome, weight gain, inability to lose weight, high blood pressure etc. Why low calorie diets don’t work. What are protein, carbs and fat. Basically an ‘introduction’ to more in depth topics that would eventually be their own workshops, such as:

Protein is King (proper protein levels)

Living Sugar Free

Meal timing and Insulin

Benefits of Fasting

Resistance Training

Importance of Sleep and Stress Management

What are Macros and How Do I Track Them?

Shopping Trip with Lists!

Menu Planning

Also included will be a FULL MEAL (with proper protein and low carbs) and a delicious dessert as well as some chocolate treats! (Because who doesn’t love chocolate??) SO COME HUNGRY!! I am not even kidding, you will be fed WELL!

There will be time for questions throughout and afterward. You will leave with a basic understanding of where we have been with nutrition and what is actually Optimal for health.

I only have room for 10 people in each session for the Introductory Workshop. (I also need at least 5 people to have the workshop) The dates are January 2 OR January 9, 2016.

Please click on the PayPal button to the right to pay your non-refundable deposit of $20 to reserve your spot. If there is a spot to leave a message when you pay, please let me know the date you are choosing. (January 2 or January 9) The remainder of the balance will be paid at the workshop. If the weather is poor, I will cancel and REFUND your money! If I need to cancel for any reason, I will REFUND your deposit. The non-refundable deposit it to secure your seat and cover the cost of the food and prep should you not come.

Because I feel it is EXTREMELY important for a husband and wife to be on the same page, if your husband (or wife) seriously wants to come with you and you are not dragging them, message me about a special price for MARRIED couples who attend together. I never want my workshops to be cost prohibitive.

If you have any questions, please feel free to message me through FB or email me at

youaresoworthit@outlook.com

This will be my very first Transformation Tuesday!

There has been so much ‘transformation’ in my health over the past three years. Today, I am only going to share from one year ago.

July 2014

Blood Work: (just a few of the basics, so as to not bore you)

Insulin: 14 (has been for years, and regardless of diet changes I could NOT budge this number.) If you know anything about insulin, you know it is a fat storing hormone. When insulin is high, fat is stored, not lost.

Liver enzymes:

AST: 26, ALT 25  (in the ‘normal’ range, but certainly NOT optimal)

Triglycerides: 79 (not horrible, but not optimal)

Picture of me last August 5, my 48th birthday.

July 2015

Insulin: 5.7!!!!! Just so you know, this is INCREDIBLE!

AST: 15, ALT 15 (AGAIN, FANTASTIC!)

Triglycerides: 49 (Very much, optimal)

Inflammation in my body: pretty much ZILCH

Picture of me, just shy of my 49th birthday.

As you can see, not only is there a big difference on the outside, but even more so on the INSIDE!! Physically AND spiritually and emotionally! This has NEVER been about getting ‘skinny’, but about optimal health!!

God has done an amazing work in the past year. Yes, I put in the time and effort, but HE is the one who gives the passion, drive and ability!! I am in awe of how He has answered my prayers over the years. Not always on my timetable, but always, always answers. And what a gift to see so many of my ‘dreams’ realized in this year, 2015, the year of DREAMS, for me. Just a few of the accomplishments . . . this website and Facebook page, being one.

Becoming a Certified Fitness Instructor

Setting PRs in Deadlift, and Hip Thrusts, and Bench Press

Starting Boot Camps for women

Speaking on all things nutrition and fitness to local groups and churches.

Coaching and teaching women daily!

Finding out on a deeper level who God made me to be . . . and embracing and loving it!

Falling in love with cycling!

Teaching my family about fitness, lifting, flipping tires, cycling with all of them.

So many amazing changes!! And we’re not done yet!!!

Don’t get me wrong, I am enjoying the fat loss, the smaller sizes, feeling stronger and lifting heavier and heavier things. But the thing is, God has brought me to a place where I just love me, my body, with all its perceived ‘flaws’, bumps and squishiness. (I say ‘perceived’ because who says there is one ideal anyway?) He brought me to a place where I could look in the mirror, startlingly naked and feel nothing but pride, love and admiration. This human body of ours really is a wonderful and amazing creation and when we get our eyes off of what Hollywood or the magazines say is beautiful we can begin to see the incredible design and beauty in what God has created. Yes, amid all the squishy blubber and yet remaining body fat, stretch marks and hangy-down skin. (not that I don’t pursue greater health and strength)

When God began to heal and deliver me from the lies of my value and beauty having anything whatsoever with how I looked the chains fell away and joy was restored to my heart.

I used to cringe if someone touched the back of my arms or I saw their eyes quickly dart away from my outstretched arm. I knew what they saw, I saw it too. Hangy-down skin, stretch marks and fat. I realized just how deep the healing has been, when just the other day, in a tank top, I noticed someone looking at my arm. It was positioned in a way to sort of squish the extra skin and stretch marks forward, probably not so appealing. I smiled the biggest smile. You know why? Because not even for a nanosecond did I cringe, feel shame or embarrassment. I have learned my ‘body’ is not the real me!! I live in this body, but it is NOT ME.

Another thing I realized recently is that I look in our bathroom mirror at my reflection! I mean, our mirror is directly opposite our shower. You throw open the shower curtain, and unless you divert your eyes, which I am THE master at, you see yourself, in all your glory. I don’t look away anymore. I actually stop and appreciate what I see. I see a smaller waist or stronger legs. I also see an upside down ‘T” C-section scar with squishy on all sides of it, stretch marks everywhere. I see a belly that will never reveal six pack abs (trust me, not even a goal) but did carry nine amazing living souls.  But guess what?? I feel no shame, no wincing, no sense of a hideous sight. Nope, I see a strong woman, with battle scars and soft and squishy. A woman who loves and gives. A woman who is adored by her husband and has been, no matter her level of squishy. Oh, had I listened to him and saw myself through his eyes years ago. A woman who has been given SO much, forgiven so much, LOVED so much, all of which have nothing to do with her body shape, size, or body fat level.

Does this mean I don’t have goals of becoming stronger, healthier, closer to what is an optimal body fat level for MY body, health, age, etc.? Not at all, I do have goals. But the really cool thing? The motivation behind following after my goals is from a place of peace and acceptance. Acceptance, peace and love by my Father, who while He desires health and good things for my life, is not in the least concerned about the size of my clothing, but is concerned with my heart.  Do I believe He smiles over me when I accomplish something I set my heart to? Yep, I actually do believe He does. Once His love goes deep and our value and worth is based on what Christ did, the motivation comes easier, I think. When we realize just how ‘worth it’ we are, making wise choices and loving ourselves becomes easy. You nourish those you love. You feed well those you love. You take care of those you love. When you love YOU, you take care of yourself.

All this is not to say I don’t still struggle with flesh and blood and that the enemy comes with the same old lies, but I know the truth. I am loved and accepted and valuable, not because of my size or the food I eat, but because of what Christ did for me. I am not made righteous by my food choices or how much I exercise, but by the blood of Christ.

When we find our value and worth in Christ taking care of the ‘vehicle’ He has loaned to us becomes and enjoyable thing. Not a punishment, not a difficult task, but a joy and delight. You are worth it!! So worth it!

I am a work in progress, God is not done with me yet!! I am painfully aware of this fact. But the work He has begun, He is faithful to finish. I strive to rest in His love at all stages.

You are blessed, chosen, holy, loved, accepted, worthy, righteous, forgiven and made alive and seated with Him in heavenly places!! If you know Jesus, this is who you are. Right now. At this size. At this level of ‘health’. There is nothing you need to add to or can take away from what He has done for you and absolutely nothing you can do to make Him love you more or be more pleased with you.

Let your journey to health begin with, or at the very least, include diving headfirst into His love and His Word to find out who you really are and just how incredibly valuable you are! I always know when I am getting ‘off the rails’ in my thinking, it is because I have lost sight of what HE says about me.

We are offering a 4 week Get Started Boot Camp!!
*Introductory Price, $10 a session…
*Includes weekly ‘homework’
*All levels welcome
*Dates: Saturday, July 11, 18, 25 and Aug. 1
*@ 9:00 AM, here at The Barn.

This has been a long time coming. I have been growing closer and closer to be able to write this post, and now, it is the time.

Many, if not most women struggle with ‘body image’ issues to a varying degree and for varying reasons, at sometime in their lives. This post is not to address those reasons, though I could and would be so willing to sit with you and help you discern some of them.

Nope. This is about Healing. Freedom. Wholeness. I have been incredibly blessed to be married to a man who has loved me and my body NO MATTER WHAT, over the years. With a belly that has been stretched to full capacity nine times. With breasts that have nourished nine babies for many months at a time. It hasn’t mattered, he has loved, accepted and adored ALL of me, no matter how much of me there was. Some women are not so fortunate. I am so sorry for that, it breaks my heart.

But even with all this lovin’, it wasn’t until now that I can say that I actually love and am so proud of my body. The cool thing, to me is, I am still a long way away from what my ‘goals’ are for my body. I always thought it would happen once I was at what I thought was my ‘ideal’. Funny, because the last time I was ‘skinny’, I still wasn’t happy with my body! I wanted more, because it was NOT about what my body looked like, it was what and how I felt about myself. It’s an inside job, ladies! If you think you will be ‘all better’ once you lose your weight, you might be deceived.

I no longer look in the mirror and hate what I see! I not only DON’T hate it, I actually am really enjoying what I see. I find myself, and please don’t think me strange, but I actually find myself feeling my muscles, or curves and actually LOVING it.

A picture from a few months ago, that before now, I would have never shown anyone.

I am frequently asking Brian to feel this or that, which he is happy to oblige.  When I used to look in the mirror while working out, I would divert my eyes. I would look, but not really look, if you know what I mean. Now I look with absolutely NO disgust, distaste or negative feelings. I think, ‘wow, I am looking good’! Or, I am able to focus in on some of my strengths. When I see what I perceive as ‘weaknesses’, I have no negative thoughts whatsoever!! It is just what it is and I am so okay with it. More than okay, confident, happy, and love it!

Folks, if you have ever struggled with this, if you still do, you know how incredibly HUGE this is, right? This has been my desire and goal and what I know would be ‘right’ thinking for years and years! It has most definitely been a journey, one with ups and downs and even getting lost at times.

I have spent years practicing ‘thanksgiving’ for this body, even when it was the last thing I was actually feeling. I knew it in my head, and I practiced til it was in my heart.

Standing in front of the mirror and chanting, ‘I love my body’, is NOT the answer. True acceptance and loving oneself has got to come from a place of recognizing and walking in the perfect love and acceptance that the Father has for us. It is so much more than chanting empty words. It is healing and deliverance and freedom, and that can only come from HIM! So incredibly thankful for this!! Praying for you to find healing, spirit, mind and body!! If you would like prayer or to share your heart, please always feel free to message me privately.