A Testimony ..Before and After Soldier Bell Fitness

Dear Readers...

YES!

With the help of the Lord, I ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING! I reached PART of my fitness goals from last year!



Last year I resolved to reach my fitness goal of 150 (it was calculated that I would probably only be able to reach 160 in the time frame that I was to train with Soldier Bell)



So here I am in 2013 at 160! I have ten more pounds to go! woot woot! And get this: My church is doing a 12-hour fast this month...talk about kill two birds with one stone -->Get closer to God AND lose the remainder of my weight??? MY GOD IS GOOD OH!

 Truly He is a good God lool, only He could've orchestrated that or known that I would be struggling to reach that final goal...so it's gonna be just as it was in the beginning of this journey, ME AND GOD!

Last year the Lord convicted me. He said your body is the temple where the Holy Spirit dwells and right now this temple needs to be rebuilt. How could I say no to my beloved Father? He truly listened and helped me on my way. He brought all the right friends, support systems and resources, not to mention a whole new wardrobe as incentive LOL

Truly as much as I commend Soldier Bell Fitness in his field of expertise, I have to give an even bigger round of applause to the Lord... for HE was my comforter when I would cry before and after a training session, HE was my cheerleader on the days where I dreaded or struggled to go the gym, HE was my friend who laughed with me when I was so sore the next day I couldn't sit on the toilet properly, HE was my counselor when I would be tempted to binge eat or eat for comfort....

I can say, Jesus was my one and only true friend through this whole experience. He is just an amazing guy and I wish that EVERYONE knew Him like I do LOL! We're still drawing closer and I know that this is just one of the many journeys we are on....I will soon upload videos and pictures of what I eat, my fitness goals/achievements.

So again shoutouts to my homie Jesus for being with me through iiiit alll! The tears, the pain, the confusion, the joy, the sheer discovery of self...

I am truly a new creature, from within!


Je t'aime papa! I couldn't have made it without you xox


To conclude:

IF IT WASN'T FOR HIS GOODNESS TOWARDS ME....

I would be dead by now

IF IT WASN'T FOR HIS GOODNESS TOWARDS ME...

I would still be shackled in bondage (fear, anxiety, depression, suicide)

IF IT WASN'T FOR THE LORD'S GOODNESS AND KINDNESS TOWARDS ME

I would have no hope for a better future, a better tomorrow

BUT GOD...

I am thankful that I have a friend in Jesus, for He saw me at my worst, loved me at my worst and carried me through my most painful hour (sadly I can only admit that in retrospect)

Sometimes we think He is nowhere to be seen because the storm is raging and the wind is howling.

I pray today for a heart, mind, soul and spirit of gratitude for all of us today friends. This will allow us to see His goodness even through the darkest hour.

“If you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as heck won't be able to see me through it until I get to my best.”- Mbula Enobong (inspired by Marilyn Monroe)

Intensive Care Unit

Good evening everyone,

Before I go to bed, I need to write down some things of importance.

I don't write this blog just for fun (I do enjoy writing)

I write this blog because I hope that someone out there who needs to know that power of Christ truly IS compelling reads this and desires to know Him even more.

I hope that the same desire that I have to get to know Him better will be transferred to you.

I also hope that you will come to know Christ for yourself, as your personal savior, your one and only, you're everything and most of all the answer to every question you could possibly ever have.

 Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom and all His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you"

Do I want all things to be added unto me? Of course! I'm a human.

I want the nice clothes, and the husband, and the white picket fence and the house in a pleasant neighborhood.

But what about what God wants?

Didn't He make me?

When I meet Him face to face and He asks me what I did with the time He gave to me on this Earth, will I have excuses saying "Oh I didn't have enough time?"

Or will I say "I did my best with the time that you gave me Father. I did my best to reap the harvest, I did my best to plant good seed that would land on fertile soil and I did my best to please you. I did my best to make sure that you and I were still in touch, still connected, still on the RIGHT path.I did my best to run this race with perseverance, I did my best to endure. I did my best to tell people about you as much as I knew about you. I did my best.

Will you accept that today Jesus?

That I did the best that I could to do and complete your will? Otherwise, like I said above, then I have wasted my time.

But today you gave me an interesting revelation.

Following Christ is about redemption.

Time is redemptive in the Spiritual realm.

"If you can do it in the physical then you can do it in the spiritual"- S.B

 Therefore be clock-wise not counter clockwise lol

goodnight and God bless you!

God IS Always In Control

My my my ...

HOW TIME FLIES WHEN YOU`RE HAVING FUN, EH?!!

Sorry for the late blog but I really haven't had much time to sit and write all that has been going on.

For one:

I have been given the privilege to work as a Kindergarten teacher at the school located within my church..

This has become my heart beat. I wake up every morning giving glory to God, knowing that I am going where I am supposed to be going and stationed right where I am supposed to be.

A brief testimony: I essentially took a week off from work to go on vacation with the intention of spend some time catching up with the Lord, seeking His face, His will for my life, you know all that lovey-dovey intimate stuff...

Then came a phone call asking if I would like to join the faculty and when the Holy Spirit confirmed that I was to say yes, I found out that the week of training for faculty members was the very same week that I had booked off.

I can think of three scriptures that describe how I feel and what God is taking me through.

 Matthew 7:33 " But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and these things shall be added unto you"

John 4:34: "Then Jesus explained: "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work."

1 Timothy 1:12 :" thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him,"

Knowing all this has helped me to wake up every morning, face the task before me and keep holding for my help that comes from the hills.

Currently is not a good time to discuss all the events taking place at my other job, but let's just say that God is good and He is in control and I'm going to try this whole praising in advance thing, not because of what He's gonna do but because I'm GRATEFUL for WHO He is to me

As for my fitness training I am down to 175 from 188 last month (PRAISE THE LORD), meaning I am almost at my goal weight of 160!!  I AM GOING TO REACH MY WEIGHT GOAL PEOPLE!! THIS IS INCREDIBLE!! I HAVE NEVER SET A GOAL AND SET MY EYES ON IT TO DO IT AND HERE I AM, BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND THE STRENGTH OF CHRIST WITHIN ME, DOING IT AND ALMOST THERE!!!!!I 

Man, I am just SOOOOO thankful to God because of who He is. He doesn't have to be soooo good to me, so sweet, so kind, so gentle, so loving, so merciful... but HE IS...BECAUSE THAT'S WHO HE IS... 

Needless to say, I'm falling in love with Jesus all over again.

Today there was a concert even called Rock The River and though I could only stay to see Canton Jones, I love EVERY single minute of it because it just confirmed to me that WHERE THERE ARE TWO OR MORE GATHERED IN MY NAME, THERE AM I IN THE MIDST OF THEM. It didn't matter that it was raining and people were getting soaked and a bit chilly but my God was the presence of the Lord ever there and was it ever a pleasure to be dancing up a storm and vibing all for the glory of God ...YES YOUNG PEOPLE, DON'T FORGET TO BE AND STAY YOUNG UNTIL THE TIME COMES FOR YOU TO GROW UP LOL

En tout les cas...

There is more I would like to write but this will have to do for now,

Thank you to my faithful readers and thank you to my cheerleaders and prayer warriors, I am GRATEFUL for all of you 

Thank you Jesus!

- Ms. Enobong

...and sometimes we fall

Good morning friends!

This is month three (2nd session) of my fitness training and I am down to 188 pounds!!!

Well, I should technically be a bit lower (maybe around 181) but I cheated earlier last month and indulged in some onion rings, fries, breaded fish and desserts at a couple of barbeques and potlucks. Ooops! Not to add I was also getting quite sick of eating canned tuna, bleh!

Okay,

Let's be honest, changing your outlook on food is a daily grueling process if you are someone that loves all kinds of food and couldn't care less about heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach or diarrhea.

However....I've come to the conclusion that it's TOTALLY worth it.

Changing your eating lifestyle doesn't HAVE to be a diet. Think of it as making a loving choice towards yourself, 'YOU'RE WORTH IT!'

I have yet to learn to cook lean cuisine dishes, but I have tofu in the fridge waiting for me to learn how to use it lol.

If you want to become more daring and adventurous you can start by learning how to cook outside of your cultural comfort zone

I feel great but to be honest everyone but me seems to see and like the physical change. I'm a bit like the man in the mirror that looks at himself earnestly and then forgets what he looks like when he leaves...oops!

Perhaps being a doer of the word is more than just helping the elderly lady at the grocery store carry her bags to the car (one day)

And sometimes 'to eat or not to eat, is the question I face at times.

But here is the thing.

Our bodies are supposed to be temples unto the Lord; you can't bring day old shew bred into the shew bread room, and I'm pretty sure you can't wash your hands in the brazen laver with water from the day before!

Point being: you only get one body, take good care of it!

I'm also learning how important sleep is since now the Lord is asking me to get up earlier than usual lol, God how I love him, otherwise you can be sure I'd stay fast asleep :p

This month I also shamefully discovered that I am an emotional eater.

But it's not the end of my world nor is it a reason to become discouraged and down myself.

My trainer, Soldier Bell, advised that I should channel my emotion and take it out on my body rather than on my system. In other words, go to the gym!

There are ways to make up the lost time in three weeks by cutting out major amounts of sugar, starches and bread but I consulted the Lord and He said "no way jose, let's think that through properly"

The key to looking good during weight loss is to do it in a gradual slow pace to give your body TIME to tighten the loose skin

 so say no to slimfast and all the other short cuts the devil has tried to create to make people lose their way and be discouraged on their path to weight loss.

All the same, the Lord is revealing some very wonderful things about me, who I am to him and even things I don't like and I owe alot of it to Brother Steven Bell because I don't really know how he puts up with my stubbornness and disobedience at times...(if not for the strength of the Lord in him LOL)

#learningallthetime

#praisthegoodLord

#hismercyendurethforever

-chemical equation for pepto bismal lool

20lbs later and still more to go!

Hodi hodi readers! (hodi hodi means knock knock in Swahili)

It's been a month since my journey to weight loss began and I'm already 10lbs lighter than when I was started (I'm being told I look less than that though)

When I started on this 'pescetarian' journey without the fitness regime I was at 220 in March. When I started my fitness training with Soldier Bell Fitness, I was at 210. Now that I'm on a more targeted diet, I've lost the same 10 lbs that I lost in those three months in ONE month.

How?

My trainer cares about his clients, and isn't shy to push you beyond what YOU think your limits are.


Let me just say, if there is anyone out there looking for a personal trainer that truly cares about his clients, you need to check out Soldier Bell Fitness.

If you are between the ages of 18-50, are looking to either build muscle or lose weight, then "Soldier Bell Fitness" personal training is for you!

TRUST ME WHEN I SAY THIS! I am a living testimony of how this program can and WILL change your life for the better.

It's all about creating a better YOU, and helping YOU be on YOUR way to successful eating habits,a healthier lifestyle and a fresh outlook on exercise.

It has been a bit difficult this past month because I was juggling school and work and hence had next to no energy, but God is good and reminded me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement and I shall be posting up before and after pictures when my training is done with; just a heads up, I look quite angry in my before pictures lool

Some of my new friends include: epsom salts, brocolli, water, the treadmill and fruits lol

That's all for now folks... there is so much more I would like to write but I'm absolutely exhausted!

Be blessed in Jesus' name!

-Mbula Enobong

BEANS!! BEANS!! BEANS!!!

Good evening folks!

Yes it's been a month and I have half an hour to go before I miss my deadline! (Lord please anoint my hands!)

Before I give you and update on what is going on, here are a few tips on how to cook and prepare beans to reduce the amount of flatulence you may produce afterwards:

**sidenote to consider** : If your diet is not consistently filled with fiber, your flatulence may be due to the fact that your stomach is still trying to learn how to digest all the fiber from the beans

Tip no.1: minimize gas from beans by soaking and cooking them well, eating them in combination with 
other foods  like rice, salad, noodles, not eating excessive amounts, and chewing them well, of course, just as your mother always told you!   


-> Soaking loosens the skins and releases the gas causing stuff (sugar)
If you would like a chart of the boiling times for different types of beans let me know and I'll post it!


You're supposed to actually discard the soaking water and use fresh water that has been brought to a boil about three times


-> Don't add salt or baking soda, but you can add any of the following spices: fennel or cumin seeds, a slice of ginger, a bay leaf


Tip 2: breaking down the fiber in the be
ans by mashing or grinding, as in re-fried beans, or Hummus 


Tip 3: Pinto beans, adzuki beans, black-eyed peas, black beans, kidney beans and chickpeas, Indian pulses, such as split mung beans (mung dhal), or red lentils (masoor dhal) are 
all the easiest to digest. Navy beans, green or yellow split peas, brown lentils, are all harder to digest,
and therefore more gaseous and of course...Soybeans are MOST indigestible so in their famous form of tofu is the safest way to ingest them.

Tip 4: Eat about 1/4 to 1/2 cup cooked as the average serving size. 


Tip 5: Combine your beans with whole grains, vegetables, and sometimes a little cheese or yogurt.  One example is burritos with whole-grain tortillas, re-fried beans, shredded cheese and sour cream


Tip 6: Rinse out canned beans before adding it to your main dish

HAPPY EATING FOLKS!!

"Losing It With Jesus"

Yes dearest friends.

The Lord has BEEN convicting me for the longest time ever to get my act together, start eating right and exercising on a regular basis.

Old stubborn me said: Why bother? I look good, I can fit into MOST dresses and I stiiiiillll attract attention from men (albeit the wrong kind) soooo why bother to change myself? Isn't the goal to love myself even if I don't like what I see in the mirror?

Note to self: you cannot change what you have not yet accepted as is.


Enter the Holy Spirit: "Your body is on lease to you for a short time, when you give it back to the Lord, what will He see? That you took good care of it or treated it like garbage and filled it with garbage?"

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." Luke 16:10 (NIV)"
  
CONVICTION

I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I have been given this body as a gift and as a the vehicle by which I can do God's work. It is my duty to take care of it, and be good to it and treat it well; after all, this is the temple in which the Lord lives in. If I can not take care of what little it takes to care of my body then how can He entrust me with taking care of other more difficult tasks?

CLEAN SWEEP

If I am a vessel for the Lord, how can He use me if I'm not willing to do the work required to be just that?
It simply isn't wise for someone in the profession of running around after children to be overweight and lethargic- what message does that send to children?

SO:
I prayed and the Lord answered within an hour. A sister from church posted a tweet about her experience with being trained by one of our brothers in Christ.

LIGHT BULB MOMENT

Fast forward to later on this past week to me signing a 20-session contract for personal training with Steven Bell from Soldier Bell Fitness ( his own business).

 How blessed am I to go to the same church as my personal fitness trainer?  Blessed and highly favored is the correct answer.

Lord, you are so good to me :)

The funniest part is that I had never intended to become a part of Bibleway Ministries (our church) in the first place.

I asked the Lord to place me in whichever church He wanted me to be in where I could serve Him best and that is where He led me....I'm beginning to see why.

So this past week has really been about me getting my diet in order; being conscious of the amount of fruits, veggies, proteins, grains and water I consume throughout the day.

INTERESTING FACT: If you look throughout the Bible, and think of the time that Jesus lived in, He would most likely have been following a "Mediterranean diet" which is mainly fish, grains and veggies

Since I don't eat meat anymore this has been really challenging in terms of finding protein substitutes that I'm not familiar with- beans for one -_-


BUT NO FEAR!

Apparently there is a way to prepare and cook beans in a way so that they don't give you gas; I will post the details in a later blog.

 To conclude, I'm thankful for the Lord's goodness to me, his patience, and most of all his love for me.

I'm still trying to understand what a daughter really means to a father and He is showing me DAILY what that means and it's healing my heart in places I didn't even know needed healing.

We really do serve a mighty God *amin*

Thank you for your staying on this journey with me fellow readers.

I appreciate it and may God bless you xox

-Mbula Enobong,
daughter of THE King