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A Phase Filled with Healing

October 6, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Fitness, Health 1 Comment

My last phase update was in May.

This phase extended far beyond beyond my expectations, in more ways than I can list.  I prayed to grow spiritually and produce His fruits.  He provided many opportunities to go to my knees and always reminded me that this is more of a spiritual journey than a physical one.

Here’s the quick run down of this phase.

  • weight loss
  • lost training partner due to injury (Rose)
  • lost 2 toe nails
  • injured ankle that took 2 months to heal
  • gained a training partner and friend–sister in Christ
  • weight gain
  • pregnancy
  • more weight gain
  • miscarriage
  • prayer & fasting
  • spiritual healing
  • detox
  • weight loss
  • complete food overhaul
  • major lifestyle changes
  • restored health and relief from long-time ailments (partially due to my new lifestyle change*)
  • lost training partner due to injury
  • inspired my Mom to get moving.  She participated in the 5k on my race day.
  • ran a 1/2 marathon (barefoot)

Here’s a more detailed look at my accomplishments that the Good Lord has allowed.

Plan of Action:

  • put the focus on the journey (spiritual and physical fitness) not the end result (weight loss).
  • ditched the all or nothing attitude
  • took it one week at a time.  focused on weekly goals so that I did not become discouraged.

Goals:

  • 30 min exercise 3x 2x week in addition to my running program.
  •  passed on the races and donated the entrance fees to worthy causes.
  • lost a total of 20lbs including all my gains and losses but I’m not anywhere near my goal weight.  I still have 20lbs to go.
  • lost inches.

Diet:

  • *After prayer and discernment, I made a major overhaul in my (and my family’s) diet.  I’ve adopted a no gluten, sugar, grains, legumes and dairy diet.  I eat only meat, fish, fowl, vegetables, fruits, roots, tubers (with modifications, of course).
  • ate small meals throughout they day – before I got into hunger mode.
  • only water. 10-14+ glasses a day.  – O.k., I did add the occasional coconut milk to the list.

In addition to the above, each day of sacrifice was dedicated to a specific intention – many of which were provided by fellow bloggers. 

I’m still re-grouping at this time and I’m not sure where I’ll go from here.  I pray to remain focused on my ultimate goal, to glorify Him!

~~~

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

~Proverbs 3:5-8

More Than Just A Game

September 20, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: CYO, Fitness, Health, Sports 2 Comments

We have re-entered the CYO world after a hiatus.  Dad is coaching Sparkles basketball team.  Rose is assisting him and Sweetie is tagging along.

P9102125

Over the past several years, we have been convicted to recommit our Sundays to the Good Lord.  Thus, Dad followed this prompting and designated that his team would not be playing on Sundays.  He received spiritual direction from multiple sources and covered this step with much prayer.  He has found support and opposition in the most surprising places.  Continued pray is needed.

2185 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body. Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. The faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health.

2186 Those Christians who have leisure should be mindful of their brethren who have the same needs and the same rights, yet cannot rest from work because of poverty and misery. Sunday is traditionally consecrated by Christian piety to good works and humble service of the sick, the infirm, and the elderly. Christians will also sanctify Sunday by devoting time and care to their families and relatives, often difficult to do on other days of the week. Sunday is a time for reflection, silence, cultivation of the mind, and meditation which furthers the growth of the Christian interior life.

2187 Sanctifying Sundays and holy days requires a common effort. Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord’s Day. Traditional activities (sport, restaurants, etc.), and social necessities (public services, etc.), require some people to work on Sundays, but everyone should still take care to set aside sufficient time for leisure. With temperance and charity the faithful will see to it that they avoid the excesses and violence sometimes associated with popular leisure activities. In spite of economic constraints, public authorities should ensure citizens a time intended for rest and divine worship. Employers have a similar obligation toward their employees.

~Catechism of the Catholic Church

P9102197Sport is much more to us than a game.  It is another means for us to glorify God.  Dad is a gifted coach.  He has a way with youth.  He offers a fun but disciplined approach to teaching sport.  He is constantly raising the bar for his players and always coaching each individual.  He recognizes the physical and spiritual potential of each player.  Most importantly, prayer and adoration is interwoven into Dad’s coaching.  He is committed to serving Our Lord!  (If you’re not sure where Dad and the team may be on any given game day, check the church!)

We pray to continue to sanctify sport, fitness and practice in a way which brings us closer to Christ.

Basketball for Jesus, through Mary!

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Faith in Action

June 16, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Fitness, Health, Pro-Life, Walk for Their Lives 5 Comments

I have joined  Walk for Their Lives.
Walk for their Lives is a 12 week walking challenge as we raise money for the unborn. Have someone sponsor your miles, for example a penny for each mile or a dime or even a flat rate such as $50 for each 1,000 miles. Keep track of your miles, post them weekly, win door prizes, get your feet moving for their lives!
June 12 to August 28 – 12 week
Check here for more info.
I have opted out of running races so that I can donate the entry fees.  All the money saved and collected from donations will be distributed among the following pro-life ministries.

Missionaries of Charity – Queen of Peace Shelter ~ The Queen of Peace Shelter provides temporary shelter and meals for single pregnant women and their minor children.

Culture of Life Family Services ~ Culture of Life Family Services is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the entire community through family medical care, natural family planning education, psychological counseling, and spiritual direction to women and families in crisis pregnancies.


Bishop Gallegos Maternity Home ~ The Bishop Gallegos Maternity Home is a home for women who are pregnant and in need of shelter, food, safety, comfort and support during their pregnancy and for a short time afterwards.  Their goal is to empower these women to become self-sufficient and independent in their return to the community with their babies or to facilitate adoption as an option if they so choose.


Stand True Christ Centered Pro Life Ministries – We are committed to establishing a culture of life, and bringing light to a generation covered by darkness. We believe that the only true way to end abortion is to turn hearts to Christ. Though it is important for the unjust laws to change, we must first turn the hearts of our nation. (the president, Bryan is a recent convert to the Catholic Church.)

~~~
Here is my log for the challenge, Walk for Their Lives:

Here is my log for 2011:
122 miles from June 12-Aug 28
I will post a log of my miles.  It will be located in my sidebar.
~~~

“Faith in action is love, and love in action is service.  By transforming that faith into living acts of love, we put ourselves in contact with God Himself, with Jesus our Lord.” ~ Mother Teresa

Everything is YOURS

June 3, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Fitness, Health, Meditation 7 Comments

Here is a reflection I had on Phase I of my fitness journey.  It came after I found myself defeated and raw with emotions.  There were multiple factors at play.  I was post-partum and hormonal.  I was also tired of not seeing results in my fitness and weight-loss journey.  The most prevalent factor was spiritual warfare.  I was weakened by my flesh and Satan did not miss a beat.  He was right there, ready to bring me down.  I give thanks and praise to the Good Lord for teaching me early on, what to do at such time of trial — call on Our Blessed Mother.  She always leads me directly back to her son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.

~~~

  • I desire to be thin.
    • He calls me to be healthy.
      • That means moderate exercise and a healthy intake of food – not excessive daily exercise outside of my state of life and no starvation.
  • I desire to get out of this stage in my journey and move onto a maintenance stage.  A stage which I perceive to be an easier road.
    • He calls me to embrace where I’m at and find Him in all the struggles.
      • That means that i must seek to glorify Him in everything I do.  This includes my failures as well as my successes, they are all His.  He is pleased with my faithfulness to Him alone.
  • I desire to gain order and control of my life and family.
    • He calls me to surrender it all to Him.
      • That means that I must not seek a worldly standard of success but embrace my crosses.  I must be a joyful servant and be right ordered.  My every moment should revolve around Him.  I should seek his face in those around me.

My desires conformed to His will…

  • Forget about my desires and seek only His will for me. 
  • Be content were I am.
  • Find JOY (Him) in all that I’m surrounded with.
  • Live each moment as though it were my last so that I can make it HOME!

~~~

You have given it all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and grace. That is enough for me.  ~St. Ignatius of Loyola

A New Conviction

May 27, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Fitness, Health 2 Comments

The new phase of my fitness journey has begun.  This is the phase that comes after I reached a plateau and lost motivation.  It’s the phase in which a new conviction is born.

I’ve been at this phase before.  The difference this time around is that I desire to do more than just drop the pounds and develop healthy habits.  I desire to grow spiritually and produce His fruits.

I am halfway there in regards to my weight loss.  I have already lost baby weight from Dragonfly and Papi.  I have two more babies to go, totaling 20lbs.  After that, I will set my next weight loss goal, as I am no longer sure what my ideal body weight should be.

Here are some of my commitments for this phase in my journey.

Plan of Action:

  • put the focus on the journey (spiritual and physical fitness) not the end result (weight loss).
  • ditch the all or nothing attitude
  • take it one week at a time.  focus on weekly goals so that i do not become discouraged.

Goals:

  • 30 min exercise 3x week in addition to my running program
  • 2 races by the end of Aug. (any length will be fine with me)
  • 20 lbs loss by Aug.

Diet:

  • no sugar!
  • eat small meals throughout they day – before i get into hunger mode.
  • only water. 10-14 glasses a day.

I have been dedicating each day of sacrifice to a specific intention.  You are invited to share your intentions with me.  I would be more than happy to pray and sacrifice for your intention.   You can be as descriptive or as general as you desire.  Leave your intention in the comments or email them to me at JOYfilledfamily{at}gmail{dot}com.

My primary goal is to glorify Him!

~~~

Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.  Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.  ~1Cor 9:24-27

~~~

Fitness Friday

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Hi! I'm Lena, mama of JOYfilledfamily.
We are a traditional Catholic family striving to live for Jesus Christ in everything we do. We pray to completely surrender our will to His and to become His servants. Our mission of this blog is to share our JOY.

This blog serves as a journal of us making good memories, living the liturgical year, and our spiritual journey.

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