Reset the Mechanism - Challenge Day 10

So the last week of the 10 day Herbal Cleanse is behind me - ending yesterday.  This was truly a time of growth for me as I've rarely managed my diet apart from my training in the past.  The knee injury has me sidelined, but no more excuses, "resetting the mechanism"  is indeed producing fruit.

So far I've lost about 8 lbs, but at least as important, I've gained a confidence about food choices, I'm realizing the benefits of good choices, I'm leaning out and experiencing improved mental acuity and energy.

The week was action packed, but not in a way that I'd typically pack a week with action.  In the last week I had my annual physical and the results were very positive.  All systems go!
Well, except for the knee, and we are addressing that.
And, except for the hernia - got a referral to see another doctor about that.


The day after the physical was my appointment to discuss the MRI results on my knee and it was decided that surgery was the best route.  The meniscus tear is at the "horn", where this is no blood flow and consequently only a remote chance of healing on its own (short of divine intervention, of course!). So we are set for knee surgery next Tuesday, April 3rd.  Should be a simply out patient arthroscopic procedure that'll have me home the same day and up and around just a few days later.

Having a plan in place for the knee emboldened me a bit and I got a good trainer bike ride in Friday night and a hard swim in Saturday morning.  Lessons?  My knee is injured.  After riding pretty hard Friday, pushing off the wall in the pool became an issue and by the time I was done, I was mentally cooked.  Knowing that every 24 yards I'd face that shooting pain as I pushed off the wall made it hard to enjoy the workout.  I did get a good workout in, and even enjoyed it, but when I was done was ready to be done.  I realized I also need to be a better judge of good and bad pain.

Sunday afternoon I hit a wall, energy wise.  Just simply ran out of gas.  A review of my diet plan showed a pretty significant calorie deficiency when factoring those workouts in, so it stands to reason.  When eating wholesome foods, I find it more challenging to keep the calorie count up.  It's a big pile of greens to get a meals worth of calories, compared to an energy bar or a fast food meal that makes them add up quick!

Anyway, a little lunch, a short nap, a Spark (AdvoCare Energy Drink) and I was ready to go again.  Out the door on the mountain bike to explore some of my new hometown.  A ninety minute dirt road ride proved to be awesome and I returned home smiling and singing again.

Tuesday brought the good news that while I do have a hernia (two, actually), it isn't really at a point that warrants surgery (my decision, based on a consultation - hope I'm right :-)  Check this off the list for now!

The 10-day herbal cleanse is intended to lead into a 14-day "Max Peak" period.  However, the knee doctor has requested I abstain from a number of things this week - including any kind of supplementation.  So while I plan to stick to my wholesome food choices, I will be putting the Max Peak portion of my 24-day challenge on hold for a week or so. 

With the status of the challenge being on hold, I treated myself to an Oatmeal Stout for desert last night and am savoring a good cup of coffee as I work on this.  Life needs to be about more than "law", right! :-)

If you have been reading these posts and are curious about the AdvoCare 24-Day Challenge, don't hesitate to reach out to me.  I do have a site you can start at as well - www.AdvoCare.com/120310945

I'll close with this - something I shared with the Freedom Striders, the run/walk group I host at my church (Thursdays at 6:30 if you are interested!)

Well, it's been five weeks now since I hurt my knee.  On the first day of week six (next Tuesday), I'll be going in for an outpatient surgery to correct the problem.  I had big plans for the year, and I've had to all but scrap those now, as I've been injured pretty much since Jan 1 of this year.
In the past I struggled when I couldn't run.  So much of who I am is linked to that, so much of my time on the run is used to pray and dream and plan and work things out, so when that goes away, well...

This has been a miraculous time of growth for me and having not even had the surgery yet, I'm thankful for it.  I've recognized that while running is significant, and something to be cherished and celebrated, it does not define me.  I've learned to channel that energy into other areas, and have spent some quality time simply stretching or rolling (foam roller, myofascial release) and am better for it.  My weak link has always been my diet, and it is usually only controllable when running (because I'm more motivated to eat well).  This time, however, I rejected that idea and have improved upon my diet, and even without running, I've lost 8 lbs.

I suppose the lesson I've learned comes down to understanding who you really are, and how many other aspects of your life are just that - pieces, slices, functions, tasks, roles.  When one is compromised, you need simply to come back to that center, regroup, and restart.  That center, of course, should be your relationship with Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.  Coming back to that safe place of an adopted child of the Most High puts everything back into perspective!

Press on friends.

Reset the Mechanism - 24-Day Challenge - Day 3

Day 3 is in the books and I feel great!

I haven't had a cup of coffee in four days, no white sugars or flours, or virtually anything processed.  And it hasn't been difficult.  This really surprised me - pleasantly of course.  My energy level and mental acuity have been off the charts.

Even the stomach issues I've been suffering the last 90 days or so are all but gone (say 95%).  Yeah, I didn't really tell anybody about this, but for months I've not felt quite right, typically getting nauseous or cramps every time I ate.  At first I attributed it to stress.  Then I figured it was just the increase in junk food of late.  Lately I started to worry it was stones, or worse.  Well, likely a combination of the first two, but a three day herbal cleanse and I feel as good as new. 

What about the weight you ask?  Well, 6.5 lbs so far.  Three of that came from before the challenge started.  When I decided to do it, about a week prior to actually starting it, I tried to start making some better choices and dropped 3 lbs in that first week. I don't have a lot to lose, but could see dropping another 5 to be at a really healthy weight.  We'll see.

In the end, it's about the fitness.  That may sound crazy to you, but it is a lesson that I've been learning for several years now.  I'm a runner.  Always have been.  Good Lord willing, I always will be.  However, much of my running has been too much about the results and not enough about the journey. As a result, I often neglected areas such as relationships with other runners for the sake of the finish line, or my own true or whole fitness for the sake of another running training session.

So when injury or illness came, it often really rocked me.

Resetting the mechanism is about learning to think more holistically.  Running as a piece of the puzzle, and a significant one, but not the end-all-be-all.  For this reason starting the 24-Day Advocare challenge while not being able to run was quite signficant for me.  Usually when I'm unable to run, I lose motivation to eat well.  Now I'm recognizing I need to have a fuller, more long term view about all this.  And the decision to move forward is making all of the difference.

Reflecting (and studying and reading) on this, I've jotted the following thoughts in recent weeks (much thanks to Chuck Swindoll and his book "Paul - The man of grace and grit"

• Take time to discover what really matters.
• Take time to be quiet and reflect.
• Be still and release.
• Set your mind on Kingdom priorities.
• Trust God.  His work.  His way. His time.
• Exceptional work is preceded by extended waiting.
• Suffering is not about identifying the cause, it's about focusing on the (our) response.
• Suffering plays a beneficial role.
• Release the idea that contentment requires comfort.

 I'd love to unpack this more, but I am simply out of time.  So, that's all for now.

Press on friends!
Chuck

Reset the Mechanism - 24 Day Challenge - Day 1

My AdvoCare 24-Day Challenge.  Day 1 (all but) Done.

I'd call this a HUGE success.  I've gone one day (and yes, I know it's only one day :-) without anything processed, any white sugar, flour, etc.  And here's the really cool part - I was never hungry.  I had great energy.  I even got a great workout in despite taking in about half the calories that is typical for me.  The difference being that all the calories I did take in were good quality.

The AdvoCare 24-day challenge is a part of my "reset the mechanism" process and I'm excited about feeling good.  I'm eager to feel truly fit and strong and healthy.  I'm ready to reach first for veggies or a piece of fruit when looking for a snack.  A big part of this process is about reestablishing some positive habits.

My routine had morphed into a pot or so of coffee daily and an evening of digging through the pantry for snacks.  Sometimes the afternoon would include raiding the vending machine at work to deal with stress.  Much of this was more emotional than hunger driven.

I'm sure not every day will be as easy as this one.  But I'm encouraged.  I'm excited to change from running extra miles to justify the cookies, to eating to properly and effectively fuel the body.

It's time to reset the mechanism.

And if I can do it, so can you!
Interested in more info?  Check it out at www.AdvoCare.com/120310945

Press on friends.

Resetting the Mechanism - Confessions

Confessions of a poser...

I am a runner.
I am a triathlete.

I am also something of a poser.

Stretching?  Yeah, I know I should.
Foam roller?  When I'm really tight or really sore.
Core strength?  Talk to me when it's just way to nasty to go for a run, then maybe...
Flexibility?  I can touch my knees.  Even my toes...with a stick.

Ten years ago I started a cycle of recurring calf issues.
Six years ago I suffered a terrible disc herniation in my lower back.  The MRI revealed I'd had several other previous herniations (and was just fortunate they healed on their own as well as they did).  That explains those other bouts of terrible back trouble going back another six or so years...

Food is fuel, right?  And it can be a crutch, too.
For me, it's goes with celebrating, or mourning, or stressing, or wallowing, or when trying to solve a problem at work. And in many of those situations I make really poor choices.

Some think I'm already too skinny.  They haven't seen me without a shirt.  "Skinny fat" might be a good description.  Based on the BMI, I'm overweight (by about 5 lbs).

Those closest to me know this is the truth.
Those only casually acquainted would say, "No, really?  You!?"

Don't get me wrong.  I do take my training very seriously and work hard to not lose sight of the joy of it all.  I even eat pretty darn good - I just add a lot of junk to the mix. 

My lack of a truly well rounded approach, however, has led to my current state, which is one of sickness and injury. 

And I'm not gonna take it anymore.

Resetting the mechanism. 
Diet.  Strength.  Flexibility.  Emotional and Spiritual health. 
These all need to be as much a part of the equation as the running, biking, swimming and weight training.

What about you? 
Perhaps you can identify with what I'm saying.  Make today the day that you say "stop the madness!" and let's really get healthy!

Perhaps you are sitting on the couch thinking, "what's he got to worry about?"  I suppose much of this is relative.  Maybe your starting point is a different place, but we both have the same issue facing us - the first step.  What do you say, take it with me?

Today is day one for me.  I started a food log and I've dusted off all of my core strength and flexibility material - and even did 45 minutes of Pilates. 

I have a head cold and a bum knee, but decided I was not going to let that deter me!  Today, after all, is the first day of the rest of my life :-)

And away we go!

Press on friends.

Relationship. The answer to the question...

January 23rd - exactly one month since I flew home from Nicaragua.  All these weeks I've taken time, as I was able, to post the pics and tell some of the stories but never answered the question about what I was doing in Nicaragua.  Perhaps I'm finally ready, myself, to answer that question.

Relationship.  That's the answer.

Allow me to explain...

As I explained in a previous post, Missions of Grace (MOG) is a mission organization started in 1994 by my sister and her family, focused on bringing the love of Christ to the people of Nicaragua.  Over the years, this has taken shape in building an orphanage, hurricane relief, medical missions and much, much more.

In October of 2011 I accepted a position on the MOG Board of Directors and felt it important to have a "boots on the ground" experience if I would be the most effective board member possible.  The December medical trip with the students of Wayne State was planned so with my wife's blessing I pretty much invited myself along.  My sister, Cheri, was delighted.

Cheri and her family lived in Nicaragua for about 9 years, and now she is the Director of MOG, based in San Antonio. Two of her daughters live full time in Nicaragua.  Windy, the eldest, lives with her beautiful daughter Adrianna in the capitol city of Managua.  Sarah, daughter number three, is married to Baldo and they live on the Pacific coast in San Juan Del Sur.  A tropical paradise that is popular with the surfers.

As of this writing, daughter number two is in Nicaragua and may well be staying, based on what sounds like may be a wonderful business opportunity.  Perhaps we can share more on that later.  For now, I'd actually ask for your prayers as Rachel is sick in hospital.

In any case, the balance of the Mauldin kids (or Mauldin Mafia as they refer to themselves :-)  reside in and around San Antonio.  My mother, brother and I visited San Antonio in October and had an amazing time reconnecting and that is where this journey really started to take shape.

My "official role" was to observe and report back (to the board).  Having had so many meaningful encounters through my 100 mile ultra journey in 2011, I personally felt very compelled to "look into the eyes of the Nicaraguan people" as I wrote in my journal.  "To come to know the people that my sister and her family so dearly love."

Everything you'd expect, but also completely different.  I experienced Nicaragua in strange "time slices" that helped my understanding evolve and mature, from the tropical green we saw while landing to the poverty of the streets in the city that gave way to finding the rhythm of the city. The one room dirt floor homes in the country that provide one impression that is shattered when you meet the warm, friendly, content, proud family that lives under that roof.  No running water, and little electricity, but many of the young adults have a smart phone and Facebook.

The medical team was an absolute delight.  Eleven students and two doctors.  All different backgrounds, career paths, circumstances, faiths and priorities. But one cohesive team that played as hard as they worked.

Allie and Tim - old souls with a maturity and a passion for the well being of others that surpassed their years.

The Coffman's, a family that will inspire you to be all you can be (sorry for the cliche') as they relentlessly pursue their passions of holistic healing, herbology, and survival skills and are just as eager to share them.

Relationship.  That is why I was there.  Beyond just observing, to hear the stories, to connect the dots.  To share, and learn.  Everything MOG is about can be summed up, I believe in that one word.  The masses are impacted, but the means is relationship.  One by one.  One on one.  Unconditional love.  Building trust.  Sharing in the joys and the pains, the passions and the aspirations and the heart break.

To know of the need and "simply see" Nicaragua would leave you overwhelmed.  To experience relationship you quickly learn that while you may not be able to do everything, but you can do something.  And a whole bunch of somethings, well, you get the idea.

Lord, may I be used to be part of a "something".

Press on friends.

Nica Fun Day!

Our last day in Nicaragua.  A scheduled "Fun Day" in San Juan Del Sur.

For me, it started by rising early and making my way across the street from my room to my niece Sarah's (and Baldo's) Hostel to find a cup of coffee.  After rumaging around for a few I found all the necessary components and coffee was a brewin'!

After a couple of hours folks started to mill about, and Sam and Suchil showed up having been out early walking the town.  Guess I wasn't the only one up early. 

Baldo needed to take the dog for a walk, so Tolga, Adri and I joined joined him to the the overlook at the top of the hill behind their place.  

And yes, the hill is as steep as it looks...

And yes, the view was worth the climb...

Baldo and Tolga

A look through the trees to the bay below.

Adri, however, was not content to stop when the road ended.  The two of us hiked all the way to the top.  Adri had skinned her knee really badly the day before, but even limping she would not be deterred from making the top (this is on our way back down again, as you look down toward the town)

Finding our way back to the hostel, it was time to head out on the various excursions.  There was some initial disappointment because the excursion to zip line from the rim of a local volcano wasn't going to happen.  A cruise ship had docked and all the zip lining was completely booked. 

Some opted for horseback riding, and others decided to head to the beach for a surf lesson from Baldo.  Baldo, you'll remember is Sarah's husband.  He is also a retired professional surfer and current coach and competition event coordinator.  My plan included the beach, less the surf lessons.

Baldo tells us this beach is just down the road a few minutes.  He didn't tell us it was an extreme 4x4 adventure just to get there :-)  Need to remember our version of "good road" is quite different!  In any case, after a dozen or so river crossings and some hill climbing that seemed straight up and down we emerged to cast our eyes on this...

The shadowy mountain range on the far right is Costa Rica.  Of course my first thought was how long it would take to swim it :-)

I'm told the waves weren't great for surfing, but I had a blast body surfing and just generally acting like a kid!

Cassandra got up!

Way to go Travis!

Even Adri :-)

Nephew John-Mark had obviously done this before.

And Dan the Man can do more than dance!

For a couple bucks you can get yourself a coconut drink, and when done they'll take a macheti to it so you can eat as well.

Frankly, I could spend a week on a beach like that, but we only had about two hours.  But after an awesome 2 hours, it was time to rush back to the hostel, clean up, check out and pile one last time onto the bus for a trek to "Messiah Volcan".  But not before a stop at the market in Messiah. 

The bus stopped outside the main square at the market and everyone was given emphatic instructions that we needed to be back on the bus in precisely 35 minutes.  "And this is not Nica time people!"  Well, we almost made it. I raced in and managed to find Christmas gifts for those back home and back to the bus in time.  The last few straggles showed up and it was time to go.  Time to hit the road for the Volcano!  A phone call was necessary to let the park guards know we were coming and request a favor, which was granted - they'd stay late just for us. Cool!

We arrived at the base of the volcano and our guide jumped on our bus and we drove up to the parking lot.  Everyone is instructed to back into their parking spot - just in case we needed to make a hasty exit (yes, they are predicting an eruption sometime between 2 months and 2 years from now).

A cross was first planted on this site in the 1540's.  Unfortunately the story told is of a religious group (I won't call them Christian) actually sacrificed virgin's to the volcano and taught that the caves here were an entrance to Hell.

This was so awe inspiring, it cannot be described.  The smell of sulfur was overwhelming - truly hard to breath.

When asked about how to know if an eruption was imminent our guide says "a good early sign would be rocks falling on your head" :-)

Watching the sunset through the sulfur fog was eerie.

And that's about it folks.  We hiked down as it started to get dark and a bit rainy.  From there we drove to Managua and dropped the team off at a hotel for the night.  I stayed with my niece Windy for the night. 

December 23rd:  The following morning it was off to the airport for the flight home.  While the morning of the return flight wasn't without drama and some excitement, everyone made it to the airport and successfully boarded for home.

My first TV watching in about nine days came in the Miami airport during my layover and the first thing I see is a bunch of people in a mall getting trampled as they fought for Air Jordan shoes.  I found it repulsive.  Welcome back to the home of the free and the pursuit of happiness. 

In that moment what I'd been feeling for days came to the forefront of my consciousness - we have as much to learn from the the people of Nicaragua as we have to teach.

What a trip.  What an adventure.
So much to process. 

Next time I'll try to articulate, finally, the answer to the question "and what are you doing there?"

Press on friends. 

Rivas Hospital

A day in a 3rd world hospital...

A longer bus ride on this morning, everyone seemed to be in great spirits.

We have arrived...

Off the bus, let the waiting begin.  Cheri headed in to see about logistics.  We waited, and waited...

Passing the time.

Even got the doc up on the bus :-)

One happy family!

No shortage of distractions.  These were, well, I don't remember.  Some sort of small fruit, or was it a nut?

Who's gonna climb up there and get me a coconut?

How about an orange!  Yum!

But I still want me one of those coconuts!

 Ok, it's time, come on in!

All terrain wheel chair, complete with custom seat.  Not a problem to park my bike in here is it?

The hospital is mostly open air style.  The hallways typically open directly to the outside, and the hospital is ventilated by openings between the walls and ceilings (where there are walls and ceilings)

Very different from the states.  Free to wander the hospital, nobody stops or confirms you aren't where you shouldn't be.

And while I saw no chickens or pigs on this day, there are still dogs roaming the halls.

The front entrance...

A great shot of the open air style "hallways"

This hospital was built years ago, intended to support the city of Rivas.  It has grown to become the regional health center, and as such is simply overwhelmed.

Ready for lunch?

The Pharma girls found their spot :-)

In Nicaragua, the socialized medicine provides free prescription meds - as long as you stay in the hospital. Consequently, people stay until their meds are done.  So for children in the hospital, it often means the moms stay with their kids.  Now understand that there isn't space for the mom's to have rooms or anything.  They may get a hard backed wooden chair to sit on next to their child's bed, but not much more.

Given this, Cheri loves (as does the hospital) to have a Christmas party for the kids and moms that are staying over Christmas...

Heading into the cafeteria, where we'd host the party.

As an ice breaker, we handed out some of the 150 or so Beanie Babies that my mother-in-law donated

So many young mothers...

So many of the kids had these casts on their arms.  Wasn't sure what that was about???

I think this was the favorite picture of any I took.  So much captures what Cheri is all about.

Craft time!  Lots of crayons and coloring books and stickers and such were also provided.  Just trying to bring a smile.  Adrianna is so at home with this :-)

Since many of the kids are babies or too sick to play games, the medical team each plays on behalf of a child.  Musical chairs is the first game...

The "rules" were that the players were supposed to dance their way around...

Thanks to a wicked hip-check, Dan was the musical chairs champion!

I think this speaks for itself...

Once the party was underway, the team started moving out into various areas of the hospital.  The maternity area.  These baby beds were donated by MOG in July :-)

Sleeping tight in the MOG bed...

If not for the MOG donated units, baby beds were pretty much whatever else could be made available...

Another MOG provided piece of equipment...

Seeing this, last year, is what provided the motivation to get the donations of some quality baby beds done.

 

From there, it was off to the Ultra Sound area.  Women came from the entire region and waiting for I'm not sure how long...

Cheri, Allie, Martita talking Ultra Sounds

Dr. Sagtz, Sam, Dr. Pam into the mix...

Yes, multiple patients to a (very small) room, and no, they do not change the bedding between patients.  Perhaps by shift, or by day?

The realities of a hospital in a 3rd world country...

Cheri doing her thing :-)

 

Meanwhile, in the Emergency Room...

Not exactly orderly.  Or clean.

While the Med Students were given strict instructions to not touch anything (observe only), I heard that they welcomed Dr. Sagz and all that he had to offer while there.

And finally, Suchil was able to provide some of her healing touch...

When Cheri asked if I would take a team and head over to the Special Needs care center, she had no idea what a nerve she struck.  There are only a few things that terrify me, and this would be one of them.  Alas, I tried not to show my fear, but instead rallied the troops (which thankfully included John-Mark and Abraham) and we jumped on the bus and took the short drive over.

The team was amazing.They just jumped right in and worked to make their day.

The kids were awesome. So full of love.

Granted, these were not severely handicapped kids, which helped, but I did find it easy to relax and enjoy my time here.

Special needs kids are not integrated into society in Nicaragua.  So the opportunity to have some interaction and love is just so critical...

Coloring, crafts, play-doh - all opportunities to engage and work on cognitive skills...

The care center makes and sells pinatas as a revenue stream.  John-Mark and Abraham had the idea to buy one for the kids.  A quick run to a local market for some candy, some rope from the bus, and we were ready to go!

A bit out of order, but crafting with the kids...

One of the staff busy creating...

Some of these kids were amazing with their coloring skill!

It was time to leave, but not before a group shot.

The outside of the Special Needs Care Center

Taking inventory of the Pinata bounty

This boy loved to give and get hugs :-)

How is that gonna fit on the plane?

Lunch time at the hospital.  A little booth that had everything.  They were boiling Plantains in the back, and had (their version) of bbq chicken or pork as well.  It was actually quite tasty.

Meet Luke.  He was Adri's special Beanie Baby, and as long as we knew where Luke was, all was well with the world.  If Luke came up missing, however, well, it wasn't pretty...

Time to head for home (well, home base, that is), but not before a stop in Tola.  Thanks Dr. Sagz for the ice cream!

Some shots of the countryside from the drive home...

 

And then long after I would have been asleep...

   

The day done.  Enlightening.  Challenging.  Inspiring and saddening.  We said good-bye to Tim and Allie on this day, as they both had other commitments.  

Wow,  what a day.  But Chuck, what were you doing there?  Perhaps I will finally answer that, while I sit on the beach on the final day in Nicaragua, reflecting on the days that had passed.  Stay tuned :-)

Bill's Cards.  Day 7:

Isaiah 40:29-31  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

In a race, it is good to begin well, but it is best to finish well.  To finish well is to have every step count.  "Blessed are the poor in spirit" - those that have stretched themselves beyond their limits to find the limitless strength of the Lord then ask "where is the next race?"

Press on friends,

Chuck