eat like an elephant look like a gazelle

The past week has caused me check my way of thinking about food and fitness.

Hello ladies, I'm taking a little break from working on the next issue of CHAIM, to let you know how my new fitness routine is going.

I am what is considered by the industry a 'less to loose' type. My goal is just to stay fit and to loose about 10lbs. Whether you have none to loose, or more to loose, I write just to share what I've been learning and maybe you can gain some encouragement from my experience.

In the last post, I wrote about learning that the quantity of good food at the correct time will accomplish the best results. This past week was the first hurdle I overcame. I had to get my thinking right. I found myself complaining about HOW MUCH food I needed to eat, getting hungry more often, and then discovering that I could not button the waist of my pants. Grrrr.

Now what? In the past, I would have quickly thrown in the towel and said, nope, this isn't working for me. I don't see an immediate change for the better, therefore it must be working. In fact, I have officially gained 3 more pounds. Double Grrrr. So, I called my friend and and fitness coach...to vent. My actual text read: "You will have to convince me that eating all this good food will cause me to be lean & not the elephant that fits my clothes." Have you ever felt like that? You are doing all the right things, and it seems pretty clear that the results are not what was promised?

Meghan went over my meals and fitness routine, checking and keeping me accountable to our plan. Yep, I was doing fine there. Increase my walking speed. Drink more water. OK.
Even before I called Meghan, I was talking to the LORD about this. And He reminded me about what I was SAYING. My mouth must agree with what I want to come about in my body. I had to stop complaining and doubting. How quickly I forgot to keep my mouth in check. What I did realize after I checked my mouth, was that I was beginning to 'feel' a difference in my body - I had WAY more energy than I did for many weeks and months prior. I didn't get sleepy or drained in the afternoon. Well that is definitely an improvement!

Lessons learned:
1. Don't doubt. James 1:5-7
2. Check my mouth & speak the result I DO want. Ephesians 4:29
3. Keep on - don't give up Galatians 6:9
4. Be thankful. Ephesians 5:20

Final Thoughts: Interesting, isn't it, that these 4 things are the same truths I apply to so many other areas in my life and didn't see the tree for the forest because I was so focused on the circumstances instead of the promise.

In all that we do, these 4 truths WORK.
Because God's Word ALWAYS WORKS!!

eSmiles,
Cristina

eat more? really?

Today, I was able to start on new eating plan. After keeping my mini journal for those 3 days, I realized that I don't eat very much. What do you eat for your meals?
Breakfast for me has been easy to eat correctly. When I was in my childbearing years, my midwife taught me about eating right, and I really only stuck to it for breakfast. I found that I function much better when eat well. So, I learned to like eggs and I have 2 every morning.

Once a year or so, I try to have just cereal or a muffin and I just end up getting VERY hungry in about 20 minutes. If I don't eat protein first thing in the morning, it seems to take until I eat lunch until I fully 'wake up'.


Yet, the rest of my day is lacking in the fuel department. I knew that I need to IMPROVE the quality of food, not realizing that I also had to increase the quantity.
So both quality and quantity are important.

What I am sharing with you is not about going from ground zero to perfection. It's about starting where you are right now and attaining higher. God wants our lives to perpetually grow and improve.

Wherever you are in your fitness level, set your mind to thoughts of life and put action to your day. We don't get fit just thinking about cutting out sugar, we actually have to stop eating it. Honestly, I would like to eat cookie right now, but I am choosing not to. Now, I will eat cookies. I've just set my mind to not allowing the cookie to tell me when it should be eaten.

Back to protein, the building blocks of our body. Protein builds and maintains muscles, organs, connective tissues, skin, bones, teeth, blood, and your DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). It helps the body heal when it is sick, wounded, or depleted. Without it, even mild exercise would weaken you to the point of exhaustion.

Next time, I'll go over more specifics. Meghan has put together a nice plan for me and maybe, you could follow it with me.

Be encouraged!
~Cristina

Now that the August issue of CHAIM magazine is complete and available to you, our dear readers, I am beginning with September and it's gonna be good!

IN the process of remodeling my schedule, I see areas that need some renewing. One of those areas is my fitness. Even though I may be a busy mom, I don't want that to hinder me from being a good steward of myself. God needs me well, strong, and full of energy, to accomplish what He has for me and through me. My responsibility, or my part, in the equation is to be a vessel [body] that is willing and that functions :)

JUST like I want my pen to have ink when I write, my computer to turn on when I push the button, and the car to run when I must go somewhere. I want my body to be strong and energetic. It seems obvious that we all would like and expect our stuff to function properly when we place the demand on that tool. In the very same way, we should expect our body to function correctly. AND we should make sure we maintain it. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost. II Cor....

I say all that to say, I am really excited about renewing my commitment to keeping my body in complete working order. Over the course of the next 6-8 weeks, I invite you to watch my progress and read the blog as share my thoughts, habits, and activities. Maybe I can encourage you in your fitness lifestyle.

Today, I start with keeping a mini journal of the next 3 days eating and activity. then on Monday, my friend and fitness coach [theignitedlife.com] will review my journal and will show me and teach me how to reach my fitness goal.

What I appreciate about Meghan, is that she loves the LORD with all her heart and has a passion to teach women. God created food for more that survival. Throughout these weeks, we'll be talking about the right way to think about food from the Word of God. Yep, God has quite a bit to say and it's not all found in the 'thou shall nots'.

Be Encouraged,
~Cristina

Schedule Remodel

As summer is in full bloom, I have been enjoying spending time with friends and family - outside. I really like to be outside. The midwest is melting but here in my neck of the woods, mornings and evenings are very pleasant:)

Well, my blog entries have been rather sporadic. I am in the process of a major schedule remodel. Yep, there are many things that I want to do and should do and blogging is on that list. In the weeks to come, this schedule remodel will be in full force. The LORD in His mercy, teaches us how to number our days and redeem the time. You will get to watch that process and maybe you will find something along the way that will help you with your goals.

The first thing for me was to get out my paper and pencil. Yep, I really enjoy the 'vintage' way of writing. I type pretty fast, but it's not as satisfying as getting a new notebook or a special pen.

Start by writing down all the things you want to accomplish and should accomplish inyour day. Remember, while writing, have ears to hear the Spirit of God speaking to you. Be willing and obedient to the LORD. There may be things on your list that just need to be erased for now. There may be things you get to add to your list. When we have ears to hear, and by faith [trusting and believing God] move forward, our schedule remodel will bring forth an amazingly productive, efficient day that brings glory to God and blessing to those around us.

be encouraged!
~Cristina

It's HERE!

CHAIM magazine's 1st issue is now available!!

Because I've been working on getting that finished, I haven't blogged for a while.
Anyway, I am so happy to share the good news with you. The magazine is so delightful to work on and I am learning lots.

I have a photographer, contributing writers, and many other wonderful people who have helped in putting CHAIM together. The CHAIM Staff is ready :) and by the grace of God we press on...

ChaimInc.com is still under construction but will be beautiful and full of excellent resources soon. You can visit and watch the progress.

If you would like to receive your free digital copy of CHAIM magazine, email me and I will send it directly. You can to forward this copy of CHAIM magazine to all your friends and family. This JULY '11 issue is FREE - my gift to you. If you'd like to continue receiving this amazing magazine, email me magazine@ChaimInc.com & I'll get you more info. The subscription to CHAIM magazine is $27/1 year(12issues)

Coming soon in CHAIM -

interviews with a lovely artisan, a beautiful worship leader, and a righteous teacher of the Word -- 3 ladies you will want to read more about -- no, I can't tell who they are yet...
more healthy recipes, and an on-location, brand new weekly YouTube TV broadcast! Yep there is a lot of exciting stuff going on here -- YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS IT.

talk to you soon,
~Cristina

PS I'd love to hear from you! Let me know how you like CHAIM magazine, let me know how I can pray for you, and please know that I really do love you!
"Be strong in the LORD, and in the power of HIS might!"

Daily Paradise

I sow fruits of righteousness and will never back down from the truth.

I am bold as a lion and I refuse to be intimidated by the devil.

" The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." PROVERBS 18:10

Taking a stand for truth enables the power of God to show up in our life.
Truth is God and His Word - Stand and watch God on display :)

~Cristina

Daily Paradise

You have the choice to be aware of what is going on inside your head or not. What are you going to choose? DEUTERONOMY 30:19-20

It is our choice, sometimes we become complacent about it and think that thoughts maybe don't really matter.
*What you think molds what you believe
*What you believe governs your actions/decisions

what do you think?