21 Day Fix Challenge Accountability

This lifestyle change has been easier than I thought it would be. I am still learning as I go and each day is a choice between temptation and a healthy choice. The following is my accountability and testimony blog for this first 7 days. So I only ate out once this week. It was yesterday while running errands with my family. My victory is in NOT getting that burger. I got the salad bar FIRST. Then I found the lowest calorie thing on the menu, bourbon chicken with spaghetti squash. It was actually good. I had water to drink. I have a Samsung Gear Fit (like a fitbit) and I have tried really hard to walk the 10k step goal everyday. I only missed it once this week and I really think I made enough steps. I just had to put the device on the charger for a while so I had uncounted steps. One night I actually jogged in place for 15 minutes, while reading a spiritual book, in order to get my steps and my devotional done for the day. In a normal day in my OLD life I would have no less than 5 diet cokes in a day. Add to that the 4+ cups of coffee and you can see a bad pattern. I have managed to cut down to only one diet coke each day (being diabetic I cannot handle the sugar of a regular cola) and 2 days this week I did not have a single cup of coffee. When I did have coffee I used stevia instead of equal. Instead, I am drinking water. I am attempting to get 100 oz each day but I typically only make it to about 90. I also take a bottle of water to bed with me so when I wake up, it is the first thing I grab and I drink it down. I said no to many things this week; burger king, crackers, granola, noodles, etc. I tried to make my carbs healthy ones using whole grains. I am making veggie spaghetti instead of using regular noodles. My family loves it, which makes me feel happy. Knowing they are supporting me and enjoying the food makes this so much easier. Another favorite we have discovered is Ezekiel 4:9 bread. It is delicious and WAY healthier than regular bread. I also did every workout this week for the 21 day fix and logged them into the beachbody gym. I want my shirt lol. The workouts are no joke. Even the warm up makes you sweat. I love how modifiers are included in the workout for beginners, like myself. I can begin doing the no modified movements but can easily move to the modified when I feel like I just cannot do anymore. It allows me, at my fitness level, to continue WITHOUT GIVING UP! I also drank my shakeology every day. Some days I really wanted to drink a second one. I am in love with the chocolate flavor. It tastes like a dessert. It is the easiest protein I have ever tried to drink. It mixes well and really does taste great. Many other proteins I have tried over the years always seemed chalky or coarse. Shakelogy is almost like a smoothie. I really do wish it was not so expensive but with all the money I am saving from not eating out and drinking so many sodas, I think my pockets will be okay :) It is also so full of nutrients, it is totally worth it.  I am seeing changes in my skin, hair, nails.  I am not sure if it is from the Shakeology or all the water, or some combination of both.  Whatever is causing it, I am pleased.  I am also seeing changes in my physique.  Small changes but noticeable.  I have to remind myself that nothing happens overnight and that I am type one diabetic.  Synthetic insulin is my lfe save and my enemy.  It makes it so hard to reduce weight since insulin is a fat storing hormone. I am not going to give up though. I will get to my goal. One step, one squat, one inch, one pound at a time!

21 day fix challenge

Healthnet, Tricare and Continued Care

Planned Parenthood

There is never a day that passes where I do not see something about protests of Planned Parenthood. This got me wondering why Planned Parenthood has such a horrible reputation among "Christians". As a christian it is important to me that people understand the Bible does not say everyone has to share our beliefs. The Bible (at least the way I read it) states God loves everyone. Every sinner. As Christians we are supposed to accept people as they are and love them. Through our walk and love for their souls we should lead them to Christ. Very few people are led to Christ by being frightened or ridiculed into faith. Also, my Bible says I am not to judge others. I can listen to them and witness to them but no judge. How can a person be ridiculed and not judged? It is impossible, imho. The Bible says to cast he first stone if you are without sin. I know I am not without sin so I cannot cast stones upon the sins of another; no matter what the sin is. God views all sin as sin. He does not have a measurement scale for how bad each sin is. Lying is just as bad as stealing, etc. So what does this have to do with Planned Parenthood? For years people have been against Planned Parenthood because the organization allows abortions to be conducted in their clinics. Due to this, the entire organization is seen, by some, as a baby killing organization with no benefit. Well, I want to argue that Planned Parenthood is beneficial regardless of the abortion aspect. Let's remove abortion from the scenario and look at what Planned Parenthood would be without it. It would be an organization that offers the following: Birth Control information including: Abstinence Birth Control Implant (Implanon and Nexplanon) Birth Control Patch Birth Control Shot (Depo-Provera) Birth Control Sponge (Today Sponge) Birth Control Vaginal Ring (NuvaRing) Breastfeeding as Birth Control Cervical Cap (FemCap) Condom Diaphragm Female Condom Fertility Awareness-Based Methods (FAMs) IUD Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception) Outercourse Spermicide Sterilization for Women (Tubal Sterilization) Vasectomy Withdrawal (Pull Out Method) WOW!!! All this information on how to prevent pregnancy including ABSTINENCE! Planned Parenthood also offers information on: Body Image Issues (who doesn't need help with this topic) Relationship Health (which includes help with ending relationships and topics on unhealthy relationships) Pregnancy Breast Feeding STD Testing Men's Health (including testicular cancer) Women's Health (mammograms, pelvic exams, breast exams) And several other beneficial items but I think I have listed enough. Many of the above listed items are free or discounted. This is the only way some women are able to get breast exams, pelvic exams and birth control. The costs of these procedures, even with insurance, can be detrimental and prevent people from seeking much needed medical attention. So here is my big question for all the Christian Protesters: How can you ignore all the benefits of this program simply because you do not agree with one thing the clinics offer? If a clinic offered free cancer treatments but also preformed abortions, would you not accept the treatments if you were suffering from cancer yourself? I think you would. Again, it is not our place to judge anyone. We also do not have to condone it but I believe there is a right and wrong way to do things. We should not ridicule people as they seek refuge in the clinics. We should be reaching out to females in need before they reach the point of needing/wanting an abortion. They should not be spat upon by sinners and yes WE ARE ALL SINNERS. When Christians scream and curse at these women as they try to enter a clinic, what message are they receiving? A message of love or hate? Jesus loved them all. Are we better than Jesus? I think not. Our mission is to disciple the lost into followers of Christ. It is possible to hate the sin but love the sinner. Not sure how to do that< Christian. Read the word and look to Jesus for the example. He did it. So can we.

Medical Insurance Company Complaint

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

I really imagine I'll be alone when I die.

I feel like I've been alone most of my life. Just on the outside of being understood and really loved. The pressure to be perfect in an imperfect world.

Have perfect control of your diabetes.
Be the perfect understanding wife.
You're not the ideal mom.
Nag! Ungrateful! Disrespectful!
I didn't raise you to act like that.
Stop cussing, slut mouth.
You have no reason to be angry and depressed. Get over it!

STOP!   BREATHE!  

LATHER!   RINSE! REPEAT!

~EP

YouTube

So I have my first troll on my YouTube channel. The grammatically incorrect insults are quite amusing.  Sadly I find true humor in the remarks.

My little channel is growing though. Hope to be at 50 subs by mid month. I'm currently at 45.  We will see how that goes. I think I might start doing a written blog for all my videos.  Would any of you like that?

Let me know and I will see if I can make that happen.