I first met Jim some years back – his wife Claudia is a close friend of my wife Sherry!
Jim is a very large man – standing 6’5 ” of taller!
He loves to cook and always was making BBQ for his employees!
Claudia was interested in what Sherry was doing for her health.
Then – Jim became interested.
He sent me this email – I had no idea he was writing it.
It is such a story of health and a journey for a individual
who one day said enough is enough!
IN HIS OWN WORDS – JIM MARTIN!
My name is Jim Martin, and I am 65 years old. I live in Reston, Virginia, I still maintain a full-time job.
Heaviest Weight: 350 pounds
Current Weight: 260 pounds
I struggled with my weight my entire adult life. It led to binge eating and weight gain. Before trying Juice Plus, I had done yo-yo diets my whole life. My weight has gone up and down 50 to 80 pounds over the years, but nothing ever stuck.
Before Juice Plus, a typical day consisted of a lack of sleeping of no more that 4 to 5 hours a night and grabbing either a breakfast burrito with an apple juice or a chicken biscuit from a drive thru. I would go to work at my incredibly stressful sales job from 7:30-4:30 and get little to no movement at work. I would always eat out for lunch and pick very unhealthy options—sometimes I would even get dessert (cookies) with lunch! After work I would come home and eat dinner around 6:30 pm and sit on the couch until it was time for bed. Before bed, I would usually have ice cream or another dessert. Sometimes I would wake up and get a “midnight snack.” I was literally eating around the clock.
The first time I heard about Juice Plus was almost a year ago. I was not into fitness at the time, but back then I thought Juice Plus would help me lose weight and promote a good immune system. However, after years of putting on weight, I started learning more about it and decided I wanted to give it a try and joined the “Shred Your Way” Facebook group.
My turning point came on January 6, 2020 with the “Shred Your Way” Sugar Shred Challenge, No sugar for 10 days. As a result of completing this challenge, I have completely removed sugar from my diet for the past 11 months. I have no sugar cravings or desire to eat sweets as I did in the past. This all happened two months prior to the COVID lockdown and I was stress eating like crazy. It was a Monday morning and I stepped on the scale that I had been avoiding for months. After I read it, I just said, “That’s enough.” Something had to change.
My goal when I started this journey was to be in better shape than I was when I was 45. Back then, I was 260 pounds and less than 20% bodyfat. From the start of this journey to get healthy, I told myself that I wanted to be in better shape in the next year than I was in the last.
I found that adding Fasting, Healthy eating and Walking to my journey
I loved it so much, I added the Fasting (Zero Fast), Food Monitoring (MyFitnessPal) and Walking (Fitbit) apps to help me stay on track. It has been a huge help in my journey. Tracking the fast, steps, and foods It helps me to see trends, and with that I can make adjustments. I love being able to look back and see how I have done. The Shred Your Way Facebook group has also been a great source of motivation.
I currently follow a 16:8 fasting schedule, walking 8 to 10 miles a day, and eating about 1500 to 1800 calories a day, while trying to keep it flexible. Most days I end up following 17:7 Fasting, 25,000 steps and 1600 calories. I change my fasting times to suit my lifestyle. If I want to go out and have a big dinner with my wife, I will just do a longer fast leading up to it, so I stay in a deficit. And some days when I am hungry, I will break my fast at 13-14 hours (minimum of 13 hours to be considered fasting). I listen to my body and hunger signals. That is what I love about intermittent fasting—it is all about flexibility.
The first few mornings I started fasting I was so hungry, but honestly by the second week my body had adapted well. That is part of the reason I have been able to do this so long (coming up on 7 months). It is not a struggle for me to follow the plan.
Aside from the weight loss, fasting gives me freedom from food, walking gives me the movement I need and Juice Plus give me a healthy immune system. I no longer feel like food is my source of comfort. I can focus my thoughts and feelings more. I also did change my overall diet. I discovered tons of extremely healthy choices. However, that is another writing exercise.
Here is what I typically eat in a day:
Breakfast: Black coffee, breakfast cereal (Ezekiel or Sola brands, no/exceptionally low sugar) blueberries, raspberries, almond milk, and chia seeds.
Lunch: Arnold whole wheat bread or a Mission brand low carb whole wheat wrap, turkey or ham, mustard, lettuce., tomato and Kettle Brand avocado and Himalaya salt potato chips.
Dinner: Taco Bowl (steak, brown rice, pinto beans, salsa, cheese,) Kevin Brand Chicken entrees with steam veggies.
Snacks: Mixed nuts or, protein shake (1G or less sugar) or apple or protein bar (2G or less sugar)
Dessert: 1oz70% Dark Chocolate
I feel completely different now that I added fasting and walking to my Juice Plus daily routine. I no longer have a need to eat wasteful and harmful foods like sugar. Before, I would always eat a huge lunch and then be worthless for hours afterwards. Now, I experience the mental clarity that comes from eating the right foods, fasting, and walking. I am tracking all my calories in MyFitnessPal because I wanted to stay in a deficit, which was key for weight loss. I aim to eat 1,800 calories each day. I walk 7 days a week. It has been great.
These three changes contributed the most to my weight loss success.
Change 1: I gave myself more than a year to reach my goal.
By taking a longer-view approach, I do not get discouraged by little missteps. I still have plenty of time to reach my goal. When you set a short timeframe to reach your goal, you can get discouraged if it does not happen “fast” enough.
Change 2: I focused on healthy eating at first. I’ve done diets before, and when you change everything in the first week, you drain yourself of willpower and end up falling off the wagon. I just focused on finding healthy food choices that minimize or eliminate SUGAR. SUGAR is the killer of any plan that includes weight loss or a good immune system.
Change 3: I do not get discourage… focus on the big picture
Life happens, and if I get down on myself for being human, that is not going to help me in the future. So instead, I give myself grace and understand this will happen. I acknowledge it and move on instead of making myself feel like a failure. I could barely walk a mile without resting, now I can complete a 10K in less that two hours. It takes one step at a time.
I hope my successful journey can help other archive the life changing experience this has been for me. I think the most rewarding part about making this change has been the mental clarity and focus that comes in the last few hours before breaking a fast. I do not feel mentally drained. But the weight loss has made the biggest difference. It is going to allow me to live an active life well into old age. If I had continued putting on weight, I would have been in extremely poor health within the next five years. But now I feel strong, and I do not feel deprived.
The new Jim Martin – at 260 lbs.
As a side note – Claudia Martin has literally folllowed in Jim’s footsteps.
All the grand kids and their parents with Sherry and myself.
When this picture was taken – the only thing we had planned
was for her 16th. birthday – we would take Ella to Florida with us for a week.
She would go to Hollywood studios to see Star Wars!
When each grand child turns 16 – we do something special with them.
Maddy wanted to swim with the Manatee’s and we did that!
Growing up in the ’60’s – we never imagined taking trips with grandparents – mine were all gone by the time I was 16!
As the year progressed – plans were made and soon – we would leave for one month in Florida.
But first – quality time with the young ones.
I will for the rest of life see this as MORMOR and Taylor – walking hand in hand to church!
Although now she is only ten years old – she comes up to just under Sherry’s chin.
She is going to be very tall and loves horse back riding!
2019 was also the year we had friends from AZ. come to visit – and accomplished crossing off everything on their bucket list to see in DC. This is a reflection of Sherry among the ghosts of the Korean War.
Many friends visited over the 21 years we lived outside D.C.
We acted as tour guides – and in the year past – we toured almost every facility
there was to visit including the Capital Building which was a first for us!
The year in review – blessings will continue in the next blog!
We also venture to outside Raleigh – N.C. to visit her sister.
Here – we went to a farm that had what are called BELTED COWS – GOATS & CHICKENS!
They are white with a black belt around the middle!
Never heard of this and never saw this before!
Standing outside the pen with the goats – chickens and cows at the BELTED FARM!
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WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY
FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!
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A YEAR IN REVIEW WITH BLESSINGS WILL CONTINUE IN THE NEXT BLOG!
They all could not be there because they are spread out
up and down the EAST COAST!
That is what she has done as the leader of TEAM GENERATIONS!
Debby ( QMND) Julie ( QSC) Mandy ( QMND)
They came because in less than two weeks – we leave the area
To start a new journey – they did not say goodbye –
but in this NETWORK BUSINESS
They said “SO LONG UNTIL WE MEET UP AGAIN”!
Lori ( SSC_
Who lives in the Outer Banks –
somewhat close to where we are going
The beauty of TEAM GENERATIONS SMILES!
They ZOOM often – these team leaders
they lead by example – healthy living.
Linda (QSC) Debby ( QMND) Shawna ( QSC)Shawna – (QSC)
The leaders of TEAM GENERATIONS – because 15 years ago –
Sherry ( Mama Bird) said yes to the health and the Business.
Changing all these lives and their families.
Julie ( QSC) who has sold and installed over 100 Tower Gardens to schoolsJulie and Carly
These ladies have promoted healthy eating and growing
ZOOM calls are now a major part of the internet business.
Stepping up to and beyond to bring health to families
and a way to supplement the income of their families
All from home – over the internet and phone.
That is why a GOODBYE is not needed
Just a SO LONG until next time.
Mandy ( QNMD)
Leading by example –
family – friends and healthy nutrition
The HOW – product – health in bottles. 30 fruits and vegetables.Debby and her mother – forever grateful – bonded – over health and nutritionFifth teen years ago – saying “YES” to these has lead to below.The leaders in TEAM GENERATIONS
A simple YES led to this and beyond
leading and showing the way
Not saying GOODBYE
But ” UNTIL WE MEET UP AGAIN”TEAM GENERATIONS ( MAMA BIRD)UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN – A MEMORY FROM THE TEAM FOR ” MAMA BIRD “!
The concept of Team Generations came 13 years ago –
That is when Sherry introduced Juice Plus to our daughters.
Tammy and the twins Juice Plus babies
First was Tammy – who attended our first in house education
on Health and Nutrition with Pamela Sue –
one of two of our mentors – Sari being the other.
Pam is from the Big Island , HI.
Sari is from Atlanta Ga.
OMEGA’S GARDEN VINEYARD GARDEN The four staples of Plant Based Nutrition Tested FIVE times for pesticides From growers monitored by the JUICE PLUS COMPANY Now over 36 published researches in Medical Journals Tested by major institutions all over the World
Tammy was always first and foremost a healthy eater
Shunning fast food – eating Natural and Organic.
She caught on right away and signed up
as both a customer and a partner in the
Juice Plus Company.
Today – all three children are Juice Plus babies
meaning in the womb – she took the Juice Plus
Thus the babies absorbed all that nutrition the whole time !
Tammy Taylor left Cassidy right
They were born early by choice – as Taylor was taking all the fluid
She was growing while Cassidy was not
So at 32 to 33 weeks –
they came into the World
They were small – barely over two pounds with Taylor 13 oz.more !
But – there were no problems – they were perfectly healthy
and today continue as Taylor being bigger
Cassidy is normal size
But I think Taylor is going to be like her MORMOR ( Sherry ) 5 ‘ 10 !!!
Debby ( eldest ) Sherry She was suppose to be there but her youngest became ill and she had to turn around and go back home
Debby was sad – she had missed the education
But in talking to Tammy and Sherry –
She just knew what a opportunity she had
in helping her entire family getting healthy.
They had so many doctor visits
being ill all the time
That had all changed in the first six months
they started the Juice Plus road to health.
Today – all three daughters and her husband & herself
Zero times to the doctor in the past 11 years for sickness
Taylor ( 9) & Sherry Taylor is going to be tall like her MORMOR Swedish for Mother’s Mother
Today – Tammy is a Sales Coordinator –
while Debby is A QMND
Qualified National Marketing Director
Sherry is a Senior Sales Coordinator
All are living their dreams
Debby has passed her mother and is almost to the top as a NMD !
Debby has worked from home the last 11 years
Running her Juice Plus Business
While Sherry worked part time –
Debby did full time.
Sherry has retired early
and is full time in the Juice Plus Business
All three run the JPB from home.
No overhead
No inventory
And travel the Country every six months together
Promoting healthy change for family’s.
All this for a yearly fee of $50.00
You send in the order on your own website ( part of the fee)
The JP company packages-ships and collects the $$
from the customer and pays you a commission
and deposits it monthly into your own bank account.
Tammy has opened a second business
A high end Kids Consignment shop
while still running her Juice Plus Business
Today Sherry leads the team –
Called TEAM GENERATIONS
Named so that it stands for Mothers – Daughters – grandchildren – great grand children.
As each Generation arrives
It is with the knowledge of adding insurance
in living healthy – as best we can.
With the research – we know we are on the right track.
A MOTHER AND TWO DAUGHTERS
have had a effect on hundreds of family’s
all over the country.
Helping people one day a time.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
my blog site
livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
for info email
fitztdf@aol.com
Sherry CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH and SENIOR SALES COORDINATOR for THE JUICE PLUS COMPANY for info www’sf’juiceplus.com for business opportunity email ssherrylynn49@aol.com
This day we were on our way for a appointment at 10:30 AM.
To tour the Capital building and see a session of Congress !
However – little did we know – that we would get caught in TRAFFIC !
What should of been a 30 minute drive with traffic to the Metro
turned into one and one half hours !
Only to find all parking garages were full as were the next two stations!
We then made our way thru more traffic nightmare
To the Tyson’s Corner Mall where we parked and took the Metro.
We had to call and see if we could reschedule the appointment –
And the moved it to 12:30 PM.
Jo Paul Sherry coffee tea and rest after a three hour trip by car and rail which normally takes 45 minutes !
We stopped on our walk to the Capital to rest up and have a beverage !
Jo and Sherry after a beverage we were on our way to the capital taking in the sights!
Passing many historical buildings and and reading the quotations –
Jo Paul Sherry our 12:30 appointment 1/2 hour awayPaul Jo Sherry our final rest before before we find the entrance to the congressional building where our appointment is !
Just around the corner from the capital !
JO and PaulPaul In the halls of congressJo Paul and Sherry Signing in on the register to go inside the congress woman’s office – to begin our Capital Tour THIS WAS A FIRST FOR US !
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
email fitztdf@aol.com
Congress woman Kilpatrick’s Office Jo & Paul’s state Of AZ.
Thank you Paul for making the arrangements for our visit.
I saw a post that stated ” GRAND PARENTS REMAIN YOUNG ” while watching their grand kids ! Boy – that was right on !
As most of you know – Sherry and I – pick up the twins from school -bring them home until their father picks up the youngest ( only boy grandchild) and then stops to pick up the twins !
Tammy opened her store almost one year ago – Kids consignment store – which is open every day except Monday 10 am. – 5 pm.
So – they needed help and we stepped in along with Marcus’s parents Jennie and Gehard. Since Bode’s preschool is close to them – they pick him up at 1:00 pm. and then Marcus goes after work to pick him up.
Now I must say – I really enjoy my little trip to the school – a little over one mile away. “PAPA – BE FIRST IN LINE ” is what they tell me. Well – even though I am in line one hour before they get out – most times I am second !!! That person must get there after breakfast !But – I use that time to listen and read !
Listening to my favorite radio station – not classic rock or country or rap or whatever else is out there – but ” SPORTS RADIO” 106.7 The Fan! I enjoy kicking back – using a couple wadded up blankets – for a pillow – and just spacing out listening to the talk show. This relaxes me and yes sometime I catch a quick 10 minute power nap ! When I was working – I used my lunch – one hour – every day to do the same thing ! Habits are hard to break !
But – I also listen to these two little girls – talking – conversing and sometimes a argument breaks out ! Now at that time I either look back and tell them to stop or I turn up the radio so loud – that they become silent ! LOL But I find they actually talk so much like adults – on their own daily lives.
Being with them makes me feel young at heart – relating to them – and oh my goodness – the questions are endless – and” WHY” is always asked.
But – then it gets adult like with the answer ” OF COURSE ” or ” ACTUALLY ” or “PAPA” ! I love that – and it makes you think when you answer the “WHY” !
” WHY ARE YOU NUMBER TWO AND NOT NUMBER ONE ” ? I get that one almost every week ! But – how can you argue the fact that life is about staying young even though it might only be a frame of mind !
Turn back time – can’t – capture thoughts words and deeds in pictures – you can – but staying young is a art that we all try to master.
Mine is a matter of mind over physical – thinking – acting and doing! I may not be number one in line but I think I try harder at being number two – after all – “PAPA – WHY AREN’T YOU NUMBER ONE ” keeps me on my toes each week to give a answer and that my friends keeps me young !
The years went by so quickly – fourteen to be exact. When she was four – she started playing soccer. It was at that time – the ball seemed to be almost as big as she was !
Our Grand daughter – Madison ( Maddy ) last week signed her letter of intent to play college soccer at the University Of Lynchburg in central Va.
We took the 60 mile journey to Winchester Va. to James Wood H.S. where she is in her last year – for a celebration by the school – and the other part of this story is that her friend and playmate for the last fourteen years – ” Katie P ” also signed her letter of intent to play at the University DeSales in Pa. !
They both had played as four year old’s all the way through H.S. including travel teams in Winchester and the last three years traveling 65 miles one way – three times a week for practice with the Loudoun County Red team.
Maddy has had this goal in mind for a very long time and with all this she still has maintained a 4 . 10 GPA ! Katie also has done the same.
Her college team is going to be a three hour drive for us – which in my mind is ” ROAD TRIP ” something we both enjoy.
Very proud of the young lady she has become – from being the smallest on the field to a strong midfielder who has become defined by her coaches as the ” FULL PACKAGE ” , everything comes through her on the field.
And as you can see – she has grown into the part – taking after my wife who with Swedish heritage – is 5 ‘ 9″-
Maddy certainly has those genes. Another day in PAPA’S WORLD – living healthy and life to the plus !
We walk – we eat healthy – but the mental part is also important !
Our roses out front
A healthy body also has to have a healthy mind – at least mine does !
So – when we moved into our house thirteen years ago –
I started digging up – replanting – moving – shrubs – putting in trees
( 3 Crepe Myrtles ) and numerous rose bushes – flowers that came back year after year.
Crepe Myrtle out front
I had to dig these trees on my hands and knees – being so many rocks ! With that being said – when they bloom a bright ruby red – I just love them – and it all was worth it !
Ninety five per cent comes back
Flowers and color do a lot for my mind and peaceful thoughts.
But – as you get older – weeding kills your back – at least mine !
So – this year – I bought the mulch from the boy scouts – and actually paid them to spread it around – 25 bags !
It was well worth it and half the cost of anyone else.
Flowers and flags
These roses will bloom off and on until Fall – most everything in the beds comes up each year.
Walking home – when coming in sight of the house- gives me a great calming thought – seems like any stress just goes away –
and that is for my mental being.
Front steps and door
Sherry always plants the planters around the house – in back -the patio and the front porch.
So – when people visit – the visual of flowers – the welcome mat – sitting on the front porch or in the enclosed patio – brings calm – that is why we do it .
The back patio and Tower Gardens
Each year – in the back – we plant flowers and the Tower Gardens –
which provide our vegetables daily.
In front of these are the other two Crepe Myrtles that I hand planted – all the trees and bushes here I also planted.
Yesterday’s harvest from our strawberry patch
We also grow our own strawberry’s – enough to provide us each morning for breakfast while they last.
Living a healthy lifestyle – to reduce stress – we plant – we grow and produce vibrant colors all Spring – Summer and Fall.
We actually grow even in Winter inside our garage.
For a stress relief – try flowers – smell them – watch them grow –
I 