6 Years... 6 years wasted... Within 6 years, you can already construct a new highway, grow a few centimeters, finish your masters degree in short you can accomplish many things. Have you accomplished anything for yourself in the past 6 years of your life? If yes, then good for you. I just wasted mine.

My parents raised me as a christian and taught me everything they know about God. They taught me how to fear and love God. I did. It's just not enough. We often say that we are a God-fearing person. We say that we believe in God. Well that's nice but do you know that the devil also believe and fear God? James 2:19 (NLT) says "You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror." Well, I was like this before. I fear God. I believe in him but I continue on committing sins. INTENTIONAL! Why? Simply to satisfy myself. To make me happy. Believing in him and fearing him is not enough. We should love him with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind. (Matthew 22:37)

I am a church goer before from I think 2002 to early 2006. I used to have a small group and suddenly I just stopped going to church. I just stopped attending our small group discussion. I also stopped praying. For 6 years I was so selfish. I just think about myself. I don't think about him. Not at all!  I can't really tell why. I just It just happened. I was so busy looking for the things that can make me happy. I was indulge in sin. I kept on doing it over and over again because it can make me happy. It is really fun. (If you know what kind of sin is that, ask me. It is one of the 7 deadly sins. I don’t think there is a sin that is not fun doing) It really made me happy but without it, you would feel empty. You'll keep on looking for it to satisfy yourself again. I am so ashamed. I can't even talk to God because I know I'm doing something not pleasing to him. Even though I’m aware of this, I won’t stop. I just don’t know how. I just love doing it.

My mom would always ask me why I stopped going to church. I just can’t give her an answer. Whenever she talks about God I can’t even listen. I want to change the topic. Anything that doesn’t involve God. She sometimes ask me if I still pray, I would just say yes even I don’t. (another sin). Sometimes I want to tell her to stop asking me about those things for I can’t really give her a straight answer. She would even read some passage from the bible, she wrote it on a paper and hand it over to me. I would just scan those notes and just paste it on my cork board without even understanding the thought of that passage. (I’ll read it now)

I just finished reading it  and I didn’t notice that she gave me 3 note with the same passage from Ecclesiastes 11:19 NIV says “Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.” That could be unintentional but for sure she knew that I’m sinning while enjoying. Total of 11 notes some of them are just love letters. (I love my mom). She just told me that she did that to me to have faith with the Lord again. I’m just a stubborn son to her and to my Creator. I didn’t listen. I just went on. I ignored those things and live as if there is no heaven and hell.

I always believed that “happiness is a choice and it comes from within”. For 6 years, that is maybe the only reason why I’m happy. I didn’t know I feel so empty. At one point in my life, I belived in luck, horoscope and other meaningless stuff.
There is something that I really enjoy and for sure everyone enjoys it. I keep on looking for it. It is addictive. All of the sudden, I became unsuccessful in pursuing that “evil stuff”. I think my luck just expired. I didn’t give up. Not that easily. I didn’t know that God is already preparing me for this day for this time of my life. He wants me to trust him again. He wants me to love him again. He no longer wants me to sin that’s why he rejected all those searches. I’m really ashamed of him. I can’t talk to him because I am a sinner.

I’m glad my mother kept on pushing me to have faith with him again. Her prayers were finally answered after 6 years. I finally decided to find my way back to him for from the day I was born, I am his’. Its not just because its 2012. I don’t believe that the end is near. Its just an idea for those who doesn’t believe in him. His word must be preached to the whole world before the end will come. Matthew 24:14. I just want to make things right. I want to start my year right.
The enemy attacked me and made me lie in my bed for 3 days. I just missed the first worship service of this year because of that illness. I felt bad. I badly want to go back to church again but there, an illness struck me.

Now, I’m on my way to him again but I don’t know what path to take. What church to go to. Do I need to go back to my old church or try a different church? I came up with a decision to try a different church hoping that I would grow spiritually. I didn’t have any spiritual growth during my stay at my old church. I blame it to the church and just realized that I did nothing for my own spiritual growth. Pastors, and friends are there to help you but you need to find the way on your own. You need to act upon it. I’m just glad that God gave me the answer to go back to my old church.

I’m about to attend to a different church with a friend because she is a member of that church but all of the sudden, she was not able to attend the Sunday service for some reason. I said to myself, there is no way I would miss this 2nd Sunday. So I took it as a sign from God that he wants me to go back to my old Church. Right now, I’m glad I did!
I never felt like this way before. I feel complete. I feel alive. I was dead 6 years ago. I was so selfish but now I think more of him and less of me.

Even I’m on the process of my way back to him, I had a struggle. I feel like I can’t give up anything for him. There is still something that I want to do even though I know that it is pleasing to him. Even I started going to church again, there are some things that I still do just to satisfy myself. I just can’t give it up. But God is so good. He is so faithful. He gave me the strength and the desire to give up everything for him. One day, I’ve decided to give up everything and not fall to any temptation. It is so difficult but “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Every time I feel tempted, I just pray to God and ask him to stay away from that temptation. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. James 1:13-14. He would give us the way out. We can do anything through him who gives us strength. Philippians 4:13.

I fell in love with Jesus even more today unlike before. The King of  kings died for my sins. For it is by grace I have been saved! Ephesians 2:8. Jesus is my Lord and Savior. He died for me so I will live for him. I’m eagerly waiting to be used by him for his glory.

Jesus loves us. 1 John 4:19 Since he loves us, we ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11

Its not yet late to give up our lives to God. We just need to turn away from our sins. Repent to God and accept Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. Whoever believes in him will not perish but will have an eternal life. John 3:16

Always remember this:
Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6

Jesus is our only hope. He is the only one we need. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22

This my personal testimony. According to Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars hill church, Biography is about yourself while testimony is about Jesus.

I pray to God that whoever read this testimony, he will speak to that person and he will be drawn closer to God.
I conclude that you can definitely be happy without God but you can never find the “True Happiness” without God for he is the only one who can give your hearts desire and can give you the happiness that will never end.
Thank you and God Bless you! I hope you felt blessed in a way.

Verse used in this paragraph:
James 2:19 (NLT):
You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.

Matthew 22:37 (NIV):
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'

Ecclesiastes 11:19 (NIV):
Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.

Matthew 24:14 (NIV):
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV):
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

James 1:13-14 (NIV):
When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.

Philippians 4:13 (NIV):
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

1 John 4:19 (NIV):
We love because he first loved us.

1 John 4:11 (NIV):
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

John 14:6 (NIV):
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Matthew 21:22 (NIV):
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Read more...

6 Years Wasted - A personal testimony

6 Years... 6 years wasted... Within 6 years, you can already construct a new highway, grow a few centimeters, finish your masters degree in short you can accomplish many things. Have you accomplished anything for yourself in the past 6 years of your life? If yes, then good for you. I just wasted mine.

My parents raised me as a christian and taught me everything they know about God. They taught me how to fear and love God. I did. It's just not enough. We often say that we are a God-fearing person. We say that we believe in God. Well that's nice but do you know that the devil also believe and fear God? James 2:19 (NLT) says "You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror." Well, I was like this before. I fear God. I believe in him but I continue on committing sins. INTENTIONAL! Why? Simply to satisfy myself. To make me happy. Believing in him and fearing him is not enough. We should love him with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind. (Matthew 22:37)

I am a church goer before from I think 2002 to early 2006. I used to have a small group and suddenly I just stopped going to church. I just stopped attending our small group discussion. I also stopped praying. For 6 years I was so selfish. I just think about myself. I don't think about him. Not at all!  I can't really tell why. I just It just happened. I was so busy looking for the things that can make me happy. I was indulge in sin. I kept on doing it over and over again because it can make me happy. It is really fun. (If you know what kind of sin is that, ask me. It is one of the 7 deadly sins. I don’t think there is a sin that is not fun doing) It really made me happy but without it, you would feel empty. You'll keep on looking for it to satisfy yourself again. I am so ashamed. I can't even talk to God because I know I'm doing something not pleasing to him. Even though I’m aware of this, I won’t stop. I just don’t know how. I just love doing it.

My mom would always ask me why I stopped going to church. I just can’t give her an answer. Whenever she talks about God I can’t even listen. I want to change the topic. Anything that doesn’t involve God. She sometimes ask me if I still pray, I would just say yes even I don’t. (another sin). Sometimes I want to tell her to stop asking me about those things for I can’t really give her a straight answer. She would even read some passage from the bible, she wrote it on a paper and hand it over to me. I would just scan those notes and just paste it on my cork board without even understanding the thought of that passage. (I’ll read it now)

I just finished reading it  and I didn’t notice that she gave me 3 note with the same passage from Ecclesiastes 11:19 NIV says “Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.” That could be unintentional but for sure she knew that I’m sinning while enjoying. Total of 11 notes some of them are just love letters. (I love my mom). She just told me that she did that to me to have faith with the Lord again. I’m just a stubborn son to her and to my Creator. I didn’t listen. I just went on. I ignored those things and live as if there is no heaven and hell.

I always believed that “happiness is a choice and it comes from within”. For 6 years, that is maybe the only reason why I’m happy. I didn’t know I feel so empty. At one point in my life, I belived in luck, horoscope and other meaningless stuff.
There is something that I really enjoy and for sure everyone enjoys it. I keep on looking for it. It is addictive. All of the sudden, I became unsuccessful in pursuing that “evil stuff”. I think my luck just expired. I didn’t give up. Not that easily. I didn’t know that God is already preparing me for this day for this time of my life. He wants me to trust him again. He wants me to love him again. He no longer wants me to sin that’s why he rejected all those searches. I’m really ashamed of him. I can’t talk to him because I am a sinner.

I’m glad my mother kept on pushing me to have faith with him again. Her prayers were finally answered after 6 years. I finally decided to find my way back to him for from the day I was born, I am his’. Its not just because its 2012. I don’t believe that the end is near. Its just an idea for those who doesn’t believe in him. His word must be preached to the whole world before the end will come. Matthew 24:14. I just want to make things right. I want to start my year right.
The enemy attacked me and made me lie in my bed for 3 days. I just missed the first worship service of this year because of that illness. I felt bad. I badly want to go back to church again but there, an illness struck me.

Now, I’m on my way to him again but I don’t know what path to take. What church to go to. Do I need to go back to my old church or try a different church? I came up with a decision to try a different church hoping that I would grow spiritually. I didn’t have any spiritual growth during my stay at my old church. I blame it to the church and just realized that I did nothing for my own spiritual growth. Pastors, and friends are there to help you but you need to find the way on your own. You need to act upon it. I’m just glad that God gave me the answer to go back to my old church.

I’m about to attend to a different church with a friend because she is a member of that church but all of the sudden, she was not able to attend the Sunday service for some reason. I said to myself, there is no way I would miss this 2nd Sunday. So I took it as a sign from God that he wants me to go back to my old Church. Right now, I’m glad I did!
I never felt like this way before. I feel complete. I feel alive. I was dead 6 years ago. I was so selfish but now I think more of him and less of me.

Even I’m on the process of my way back to him, I had a struggle. I feel like I can’t give up anything for him. There is still something that I want to do even though I know that it is pleasing to him. Even I started going to church again, there are some things that I still do just to satisfy myself. I just can’t give it up. But God is so good. He is so faithful. He gave me the strength and the desire to give up everything for him. One day, I’ve decided to give up everything and not fall to any temptation. It is so difficult but “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Every time I feel tempted, I just pray to God and ask him to stay away from that temptation. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. James 1:13-14. He would give us the way out. We can do anything through him who gives us strength. Philippians 4:13.

I fell in love with Jesus even more today unlike before. The King of  kings died for my sins. For it is by grace I have been saved! Ephesians 2:8. Jesus is my Lord and Savior. He died for me so I will live for him. I’m eagerly waiting to be used by him for his glory.

Jesus loves us. 1 John 4:19 Since he loves us, we ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11

Its not yet late to give up our lives to God. We just need to turn away from our sins. Repent to God and accept Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. Whoever believes in him will not perish but will have an eternal life. John 3:16

Always remember this:
Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6

Jesus is our only hope. He is the only one we need. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22

This my personal testimony. According to Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars hill church, Biography is about yourself while testimony is about Jesus.

I pray to God that whoever read this testimony, he will speak to that person and he will be drawn closer to God.
I conclude that you can definitely be happy without God but you can never find the “True Happiness” without God for he is the only one who can give your hearts desire and can give you the happiness that will never end.
Thank you and God Bless you! I hope you felt blessed in a way.

Verse used in this paragraph:
James 2:19 (NLT):
You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.

Matthew 22:37 (NIV):
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'

Ecclesiastes 11:19 (NIV):
Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.

Matthew 24:14 (NIV):
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV):
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

James 1:13-14 (NIV):
When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.

Philippians 4:13 (NIV):
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

1 John 4:19 (NIV):
We love because he first loved us.

1 John 4:11 (NIV):
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

John 14:6 (NIV):
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Matthew 21:22 (NIV):
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Read more...

6 Years... 6 years wasted... Within 6 years, you can already construct a new highway, grow a few centimeters, finish your masters degree in short you can accomplish many things. Have you accomplished anything for yourself in the past 6 years of your life? If yes, then good for you. I just wasted mine.

My parents raised me as a christian and taught me everything they know about God. They taught me how to fear and love God. I did. It's just not enough. We often say that we are a God-fearing person. We say that we believe in God. Well that's nice but do you know that the devil also believe and fear God? James 2:19 (NLT) says "You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror." Well, I was like this before. I fear God. I believe in him but I continue on committing sins. INTENTIONAL! Why? Simply to satisfy myself. To make me happy. Believing in him and fearing him is not enough. We should love him with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind. (Matthew 22:37)

I am a church goer before from I think 2002 to early 2006. I used to have a small group and suddenly I just stopped going to church. I just stopped attending our small group discussion. I also stopped praying. For 6 years I was so selfish. I just think about myself. I don't think about him. Not at all!  I can't really tell why. I just It just happened. I was so busy looking for the things that can make me happy. I was indulge in sin. I kept on doing it over and over again because it can make me happy. It is really fun. (If you know what kind of sin is that, ask me. It is one of the 7 deadly sins. I don’t think there is a sin that is not fun doing) It really made me happy but without it, you would feel empty. You'll keep on looking for it to satisfy yourself again. I am so ashamed. I can't even talk to God because I know I'm doing something not pleasing to him. Even though I’m aware of this, I won’t stop. I just don’t know how. I just love doing it.

My mom would always ask me why I stopped going to church. I just can’t give her an answer. Whenever she talks about God I can’t even listen. I want to change the topic. Anything that doesn’t involve God. She sometimes ask me if I still pray, I would just say yes even I don’t. (another sin). Sometimes I want to tell her to stop asking me about those things for I can’t really give her a straight answer. She would even read some passage from the bible, she wrote it on a paper and hand it over to me. I would just scan those notes and just paste it on my cork board without even understanding the thought of that passage. (I’ll read it now)

I just finished reading it  and I didn’t notice that she gave me 3 note with the same passage from Ecclesiastes 11:19 NIV says “Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.” That could be unintentional but for sure she knew that I’m sinning while enjoying. Total of 11 notes some of them are just love letters. (I love my mom). She just told me that she did that to me to have faith with the Lord again. I’m just a stubborn son to her and to my Creator. I didn’t listen. I just went on. I ignored those things and live as if there is no heaven and hell.

I always believed that “happiness is a choice and it comes from within”. For 6 years, that is maybe the only reason why I’m happy. I didn’t know I feel so empty. At one point in my life, I belived in luck, horoscope and other meaningless stuff.
There is something that I really enjoy and for sure everyone enjoys it. I keep on looking for it. It is addictive. All of the sudden, I became unsuccessful in pursuing that “evil stuff”. I think my luck just expired. I didn’t give up. Not that easily. I didn’t know that God is already preparing me for this day for this time of my life. He wants me to trust him again. He wants me to love him again. He no longer wants me to sin that’s why he rejected all those searches. I’m really ashamed of him. I can’t talk to him because I am a sinner.

I’m glad my mother kept on pushing me to have faith with him again. Her prayers were finally answered after 6 years. I finally decided to find my way back to him for from the day I was born, I am his’. Its not just because its 2012. I don’t believe that the end is near. Its just an idea for those who doesn’t believe in him. His word must be preached to the whole world before the end will come. Matthew 24:14. I just want to make things right. I want to start my year right.
The enemy attacked me and made me lie in my bed for 3 days. I just missed the first worship service of this year because of that illness. I felt bad. I badly want to go back to church again but there, an illness struck me.

Now, I’m on my way to him again but I don’t know what path to take. What church to go to. Do I need to go back to my old church or try a different church? I came up with a decision to try a different church hoping that I would grow spiritually. I didn’t have any spiritual growth during my stay at my old church. I blame it to the church and just realized that I did nothing for my own spiritual growth. Pastors, and friends are there to help you but you need to find the way on your own. You need to act upon it. I’m just glad that God gave me the answer to go back to my old church.

I’m about to attend to a different church with a friend because she is a member of that church but all of the sudden, she was not able to attend the Sunday service for some reason. I said to myself, there is no way I would miss this 2nd Sunday. So I took it as a sign from God that he wants me to go back to my old Church. Right now, I’m glad I did!
I never felt like this way before. I feel complete. I feel alive. I was dead 6 years ago. I was so selfish but now I think more of him and less of me.

Even I’m on the process of my way back to him, I had a struggle. I feel like I can’t give up anything for him. There is still something that I want to do even though I know that it is pleasing to him. Even I started going to church again, there are some things that I still do just to satisfy myself. I just can’t give it up. But God is so good. He is so faithful. He gave me the strength and the desire to give up everything for him. One day, I’ve decided to give up everything and not fall to any temptation. It is so difficult but “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Every time I feel tempted, I just pray to God and ask him to stay away from that temptation. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. James 1:13-14. He would give us the way out. We can do anything through him who gives us strength. Philippians 4:13.

I fell in love with Jesus even more today unlike before. The King of  kings died for my sins. For it is by grace I have been saved! Ephesians 2:8. Jesus is my Lord and Savior. He died for me so I will live for him. I’m eagerly waiting to be used by him for his glory.

Jesus loves us. 1 John 4:19 Since he loves us, we ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11

Its not yet late to give up our lives to God. We just need to turn away from our sins. Repent to God and accept Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. Whoever believes in him will not perish but will have an eternal life. John 3:16

Always remember this:
Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6

Jesus is our only hope. He is the only one we need. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22

This my personal testimony. According to Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars hill church, Biography is about yourself while testimony is about Jesus.

I pray to God that whoever read this testimony, he will speak to that person and he will be drawn closer to God.
I conclude that you can definitely be happy without God but you can never find the “True Happiness” without God for he is the only one who can give your hearts desire and can give you the happiness that will never end.
Thank you and God Bless you! I hope you felt blessed in a way.

Verse used in this paragraph:
James 2:19 (NLT):
You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.

Matthew 22:37 (NIV):
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'

Ecclesiastes 11:19 (NIV):
Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.

Matthew 24:14 (NIV):
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV):
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

James 1:13-14 (NIV):
When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.

Philippians 4:13 (NIV):
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

1 John 4:19 (NIV):
We love because he first loved us.

1 John 4:11 (NIV):
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

John 14:6 (NIV):
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Matthew 21:22 (NIV):
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Read more...

Day 5

August 12, 2011

Day 5
MEALS
9 pm 1 Bowl of Arroz Caldo + 1 Chicken Wing + 1 egg, 1 homemade hamburger

WORKOUT
Rest

Read more...

Day 4

August 11, 2011

Day 4
MEALS
7 pm 300 Grams Rice, Ampalaya (Bitter Melon), 2 bananas
****3 liters of water!****
7 am 1 pc. Hamburger bun with 1 banana
9 am 1 Bowl of Arroz Caldo + 1 Chicken Wing + 1 egg
11 am 1 homemade hamburger

WORKOUT
Rest

Read more...

Day 3

August 10, 2011

Day 3
MEALS
7 pm 200 Grams Rice, Chicken Sotanghon
3 am 160 grams Rice, Chicken Steak with Mushroom Gracy (KFC)
7 am 200 Grams Rice, Chicken Sotanghon

WORKOUT
Rest (This is supposed to be my 2nd day training but because of sever muscle pain, I skipped)

Read more...

template

August 9, 2011

Day 2
MEALS
7 pm 200 Grams Rice, Cabbage
10 pm 4 pcs. Wheat Crackers
3 am 180 Grams Rice, Cabbage, 4 egg whites + 500 ml C2 Apple
8 am 1 Order Pancit Canton (I used to eat 2 orders)

WORKOUT
Rest

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Day 2

August 9, 2011

Day 2
MEALS
7 pm 200 Grams Rice, Cabbage
10 pm 4 pcs. Wheat Crackers
3 am 180 Grams Rice, Cabbage, 4 egg whites + 500 ml C2 Apple
8 am 1 Order Pancit Canton (I used to eat 2 orders)

WORKOUT
Rest

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Day 1

August 8, 2011

Day 1
MEALS
7 pm 200 Grams Rice, Steamed Bangus
10 pm 4 pcs. Wheat Crackers
3 am 180 Grams Rice, Steamed Bangus
6 am Watermelon
10 am 1 pc Lumpia

WORKOUT
7:30 am - 8:50 am (August 9, 2011)

Squat
60lbs - 3 sets x 5 reps

Bench Press
60lbs - 3 sets x 5 reps

Dead Lift
80lbs 1 set x 5 reps

Situps
BW - 2 sets x 5 reps

Stationary Bike
3 Mins

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A dream that never came true

When I was a child, I was really skin at around 2 or 3 years old. Of course, no parents would want to see their kid to be skinny like that so with the help of multi-vitamin syrup for kids (Eneveron C), I gained weight. A lot!!! It seems that I was not able to control my appetite until I reach adolescence. My first time I stepped my foot on a gym was when I was in College. I wanted to start working out during my high school days but gyms are very few and the one that I know is too expensive for kid like me. First time I life weights, my whole body aches. I can hardly bare the pain but in the long run, I was able to manage to do it again. I just can't remember why or how did I stop.

When I was in college, I even joined Judo Club. Way back then, I can kick with full force using my right leg but not anymore. I finally graduated college without even losing weight. I don't look fat before they always tell that I'm chubby. I was able to land a job in a Fast Food chain. How odd it may seems that during my 1 year stay there, I only weigh 185 lbs and I can tuck my polo in.

Here is the most shocking part. After working for a year as a Fast Food manager, I shifted to a different career. To be a CALL CENTER AGENT!

As compared for being a Manager of a fast food chain, my physical activity went down to 0. I barely move because I just have a desk job unlike when I was a manager, I move around to check that everything is in proper place. Aside from that, I can now buy the things that I like especially food. I LOVE TO EAT. Who doesn't? The only bad thing about me is I eat too much. I didn't eat in moderation. And yes, I put all the blame on my job and new lifestyle.

After 3 years, I never had a chance to go to gym until one day I decided to enroll in "Fitness First". It's expensive as compared to ordinary gyms. I thought it would keep me motivated by just paying high monthly rate but I was wrong. My knee got injured I needed to rest for a month. Since that 1 month off, I never got back to gym. Time wasted, effort wasted but not everything was in vain. I was able to lose 30 lbs during that time then I gained it back plus 8 lbs more! (216+30+8 = do the math!)

I went back to gym last 2010, I think I'm on my 4th training day when one mosquito bit me and made me stayed in the hospital for 4 days because of dengue. I was scared to go back to that gym for I might get that disease again.

August 2011, feast are finally over and I decided (again) to leave all unhealthy habits behind. I ate everything that I want to kill all the cravings. Hopefully, I'll succeed this time. I can't remember how many times did I attempt to lose weight but they always, its doesn't matter if you fall what matters is how high you bounce back.

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Getting started

The easiest part of this journey is the thought of doing it. Doing it is the hardest part. Some people might ask, what is the fastest way to lose weight? What is the easiest way to lose weight? The answer is none. It will never be easy and you can't do it in a short period of time. You can't lose 10 lbs. in a week. Although some can but it is not the right thing. According to studies, it is safe to lose 2 lbs. a week. Going beyond that is not good anymore. For me, I go for 10 lbs. a month.

Now you already know that you can lose 2 lbs, the next question is how to do it? We just need to focus on 3 (three) things. Nutrition, Exercise and Rest. This is the foundation of weight loss. If you lack something, you won't be successful with your weight loss program. You should have enough of everything. Too much food, too much exercise or too much rest is not good. The secret for weight loss is you should consume more than what you eat.

The first thing that you need to know is your weight. How many pounds you need to lose to have a normal weight? You can use a online BMI calculator to do this. To check your ideal weight you can visit this site. My ideal weight is 160 lbs so I need to lose 59 lbs of pure fat.

BMI or the Body Mass Index is is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. High BMI means that you have a high body fat percentage. The normal BMI should range from 20 to 25. Some website says that it should be from 18.5 to 24.9 My current BMI is 32.3 which considered obese.

Nutrition:
This is the most critical for any weight loss program. This is getting out from our comfort. We need to control our appetite. We tend to crave for something and that will ruin our diet and will make us go back to our old habit. That is the thing that we must avoid. We should not go back to our old habit. We should know be aware of what food to eat and food to avoid. We should also start to count calories. We can't get the exact calories from what we eat, we just need to get the approximate value. Calorie deficit is the factor in losing weight. According to studies, in order to lose 1 lb a week, we need to have a calorie deficit of 3500 calories a week. That is 500 calories a day. To get the recommended calorie intake for your weight, you can simply multiply your weight in lbs by 10. This might not the exact calorie intake that you need but what important is you have an idea on how much you need to consume in a day to maintain your weight. For women, you should not go down below 1200 and 1800 calories for men. You should also start to read nutrition fact labels.

Here are some advices:
1. A day before you start your diet, eat everything that you want. Think of a food that you can no longer eat while you are on diet.
2. Eat half of everything. If you can consume 2 cups of rice a meal, make it 1 cup per meal.
3. Eat every three hours. Have small snacks in between. This will allow your body not to starve. When you starve, your body slows down your metabolism in order for your to survive. This will also make feel not deprived because you eat more often.
4. Don't eat 3 hours before you sleep. You can forget the after-six theory because you can still lose weight even eating after 6pm.
5. Write everything you eat. This a good way to see if you did the right thing.
6. Eat Less during your non-workout days.
7. Substitute rice with oatmeal, camote or brown rice.
8. Drink a lot of water. You can also drink water before every meal. This would make you feel fuller.

Foods to avoid
1. Beef and Pork
2. Egg yolk
3. Chicken Skin or Animal Fat
4. Sweets
5. Soda
6. Dark Meat
7. Starchy foods such as white bread, pasta and french fries

Foods to eat
1. Chicken White Meat
2. Fish
3. Vegetables
4. Fruits
5. Wheat bread
6. Oatmeal

Exercise
In order to burn calories, we need to exercise. This will allow us to reach or target calorie intake and aside from that, exercise will allow us to do more.
Our weight consist of Free Fat mass(bones, muscles and organs) and Fat Mass. During our weight loss program, we should lose fat mass not muscle mass.

You lose muscle for the following reasons:
1. Lack of food
2. Too much cardio
3. Lack of rest
4. Too much weight training

Everything should just be enough. Enough rest, food, cardio and weight training. Most of us have the thought of the longer you the better. This is not true. Don't lift weights more than one hour and if you do cardio, the maximum should be 45 minutes. Based on studies, After one hour of continuous training your testosterone levels decrease and cortisol levels increase. As you can see this is not a good thing and becomes counter productive. Cortisol is commonly known as the stress hormone, it is naturally produced by the adrenal gland and can be elevated by emotional, or physical stress. It is not the quantity, its all about the quality.

Things to remember when you workout:
1. You need to push your muscles to the limit. Gradual increase your weights because if you don't your muscles won't have the opportunity to grow.
2. Don't over train. Don't perform many exercises per body part. Overtraining may cause injury and would not let your muscles to recover.
3. Train one body part a day. Don't workout for two consecutive days. 3 times a week is the ideal. Your muscle needs rest. You need rest in between your workout days.
4. Make sure that you do the exercise properly. Quality is important. Wrong form may lead to injury.

Rest
This is the easiest part yet not all could do it. Everyone needs at least 8 hours of sleep a day. Lack of sleep will not allow you do more. It will make you feel weak. It is also important to rest in between your workout. Too much rest would also make you weak. I've tested it a lot of times.

That would be for now. If you have some questions or reaction, feel free to write a comment or send an email.

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About me

Name: Mark Anthony Manuel
Age: 25
Height: 5'9"
Course: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
School: Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Job: IT Help Desk Analyst
Hobbies: Basketball, Internet, Badminton, Weight lifting, PSP, PC games

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Start from Scratch

I actually lost count on how many times I've tried to lose weight but I'm sure this is the nth time. I tend to inconsistent in the long run I don't know but I'm losing the driving factor maybe its just because I just love to eat and I can't help but to eat. Well, we can't deny that eating is one of the best thing to do. I guess I need to be determined and disciplined or else I will start over and over again for the rest of my life. I lack of self-confidence because of my weight and I missed playing sports such as badminton and basketball. I promised to myself that when the time comes that I can run again, I'll run everyday with the best running shoes that I can get (preferably Nike). I will take this rough road again and hoping that I will be able to finish this journey.

I always make this poem as a daily inspiration.

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Countdown

Hunk in the making Day 1 - Back to square one. 230 lbs. 45-inch waistline

Hunk in the making Day 2 @ 227 lbs and 37.8% BF - Getting out from my comfort zone

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Take 2

I wasted a year just to lose 30lbs even I know I can do even more. Now, I'm giving myself a last chance to attain my goal. It is do or die. I'll sweat every single blood, sweat and tears.

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Day 22

Food Logs
08/03/2009
4:oo AM - 1 rice + binagoongan
11:00 AM - 2 rice + afritada + sisig
6:00 PM - 1 hamburger + iced tea


08/04/2009
12:00 AM - 1.5 rice + 2 pcs chicken + afritada
8:00 AM - 1 hamburger

Exercise
Basketball

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Day 21

Food Logs

08/01/2009
2:oo PM - 4 pcs siomai
3:00 PM - 2 rice + 1 liempo + 1/2 pancit + 1 chicken bbq
8:00 PM - 3 rice + papaitan + binagoongan

08/02/2009
1:00 AM - 1 baked mac + 1 ice cream from ministop
7:00 AM - 1 rice + 1 fish + 4 pieces dumplings
12:00 PM - 2 rice + sisig + binagoongan

Exercise
Rest

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Day 20

Food Log
07/31/2009
11:00 PM - 1 fish plus cabbage

08/01/2009
10:00 AM - 1 hamburger

Exercise
Basketball
Bench Press 52.5 kg 5 X 5
Inverted Rows 6X3
Pushups 17

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Day 19

07/30/2009
3:00 PM - 200 gms white rice + pork + longanisa + fish
7:00 PM - 1 rice + bicol express + cobra

07/31/2009
9:30 AM - 220 gms rice + 3 pcs longanisa + fish

Exercise

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Day 18

Food Log

07/29/2009
10:30 PM - 200 gms white rice + pork

07/30/2009
1:30 AM - 3 pcs skyflakes fit + 250 ml low fat milk
3:30 AM - 2 packs yakisoba
7:00 AM - 1 rice + pork
10:00 AM - 4 pcs squid ball + 2 pcs calamares +

Exercise

Basketball

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