ZINCON 2024 Day 1, Thursday, August 8, 2024

Today has been an amazing day at ZINCON 2024.  Let me bullet-point the highlights, and by God's grace I will write in detail after that.

• Waffles for breakfast
• Meeting "Amanda" 
• Purchasing discounted trolley tickets for travel to and from ZINCON to hotel
• The wonderful prayer call prayer meeting, fellowship, and I participated in the prayers also
• Meeting and making small talk with the bus driver who was very kind to me
• Listening to different inspirational speeches at the morning "kick-off" session
• Hearing about the blind ZUMBA instructor and watching him dance with Beto, and receive an award of some sort to continue to pursue his dreams
• Hearing about the woman whose 23 year old son battled some rare form of cancer, and hearing the son's heartfelt speech to his grandma, Joy Prouty
• Getting to take a picture with Beto himself and the brief interaction with him: nice to meet you and enjoy your jams/zincon or something to that effect
• Meeting Karen in one of the sessions; who is a fellow believer 
• Meeting Anna in the 1st session who post on IG is something spiritual to some extent; she was from Kenya; I had a pen pal growing up from Kenya so I felt an immediate connection with her!
• The session by Marlee King, Dr. King! My strengths include gratitude, love, humility, zest (enthusiasm), and eagerness to learn (in my own words).  My "homework" is to consider how I might demonstrate my strength every day (use my "gift" to benefit others, you might say).  It could be in the ZUMBA world with my students or general ZUMBA community to use my strengths there for them; OR AND/OR I could challenge myself in another area of my life such as work, family or whatever and put into practice my strengths there.  Something to think about; something to do.
• Mauricio greeted me with a warm hug!  And, I was surprised who is this person hugging me, but at the same time that I was surprised is when I realized it was him!  And I said, "oh, Mauricio!" once I recognized him!  His session was all about the technical side of producing social media content.  I think I like to maybe try to learn how I might earn money with ZUMBA related social media content, as an "influencer"; maybe.  On the other hand, if we really are in the times that the Bible talk about as the "end times" then money is not going to do me any good anyway.  I'd be better off learning how to farm and grow my own food and cattle.  But, I digress!
• Speaking of which, the day before this Day 1, I arrived a day early to unpack, register, and scope out the venue in advance for myself.  I got a phone call from a sister "Leah" who was a complete pleasure to speak with.  We talked about current events but from a prophetic end times biblical worldview.  And, that's all I will say about that.  Sister "Leah" also affirmed God's love for me, and value of me, and she also affirmed my role as a fitness instructor and in caring for our temples, and for helping motivate others in the fitness class (ZUMBA).  So, I really appreciated her and God using her to affirm those things in me!  Amen.  Praise the Lord.  Praise the Lord Jesus Christ always.
• I met Tina at the bus stop who also turned out to be from Los Angeles area, and I enjoyed talking with her!
• I was dragging after the 3rd session, and took a brief nap on the seats.  But, I knew better to go home and rest which is what I decided to do.  That made me miss the next and final session for the day, but I did get there at the tail end.  I pushed myself after my rest time, to make it to the end of the session.  I felt disappointed to have missed most of it, but there will be notes available for me to read and review that content.  It was about how to do ZUMBA related fundraising events, which is something I've been very interested in.
• My bullet points turned into a blog.  An extended writing post.  I so enjoy writing; I'm an introvert, or at least I consider myself to be one.
• From Mauricio's session, I realize that I need or should get /invest in a tripod for my photos and videos that I'll be posting up on social media.  Hmmm, how am I supposed to go "off-grid" if I am doing this?!  That's for another day.  
• So my two homeworks so far:  tri pod, think about what kind of social media content I want to make, and also think about how I will use my strengths in a NEW way either in the ZUMBA world or in any area of my life.
• These are a few of my thoughts from today's Day 1 of ZINCON 2024.  Thanks for taking the time to read my post.  I hope you too, are finding and doing what you have been made for.  To be continued, by God's grace.

The Past Few Weeks, a Recap, Looking back and looking forward

Pancakes, hash browns, sausage links, butter and syrup, coffee and orange juice for Father's Day breakfast. 

Me 😀🤣😂 after ZUMBA class. I went into dry sauna for relaxatio

Intentionally eating salads and clean. My salad, and chicken and tomato mozzarella sandwich on ciabatta bread. I want to give up bread 😭🍞 but I haven't yet. Bread is really yummy with butter and toast. 

I'm starting a small support group 💪👍🤗 for clean eating. June last Saturday morning and July 1st two Saturdays at 7AM Los Angeles time. By zoom. Come if it works out for you. Everyone is welcome 🤗. Sign ups taking place on my ZUMBA website. my official Zumba website Use code eating1 to bypass payment and come as my guest for free. May Jesus Christ bless anyone reading this now 🙏🤗.

Come!

Clean Eating Support Group starting SAT June 28 7 AM Los Angeles

 https://photos.app.goo.gl/JUxLQvTWAem8TcFA6

Meal Prep

Meal prep last week. Mixed greens, cucumber and tomatoes, cherry my favorite kind. And, sunflower seeds, unsalted. I added a protein in later. Me getting back on track with my clean eating. A never ending battle. Starting a clean eater support group. Every one is welcome.

Down 30 Pounds-How Did I do it?

 Every day at the gym, for nearly the past 3 months, someone has asked me did I lose weight?  How much did I lose?  How did i do it?  And/or remarked of how great I look!  Why, thank you, thank you very much!

In all seriousness though, I changed the way I eat.  I was interested in learning more about the wheat belly and in searching online, I was led to Dr. William Davis and his wheat belly philosophy.  I spent hours upon hours listening to his podcasts, videos, and various interviews or lectures I found online social media outlets (mainly YouTube).  I think I "binged-watched" Dr. Davis for like 3 days in a row, non-stop.  I was so curious, and also he intrigued me.  I never had ever heard of his philosophy of food, but to me, his way of thinking "made sense" (for the most part) to me.  I became hooked, bought 3 of his books, based on what I felt I could afford to buy at the time.  

I considered doing his 10-day detox program, which mainly consisted of giving up sugar, wheat, and grains.  Since I was already eating a mostly clean diet, I did not experience severe sugar withdrawal symptoms.  However, I did experience some discomfort (mild), during the detox phase, maybe 3 days of extra rest needed, and my bowels slightly uncomfortable also (as I excreted the junk-gunk).  I know, TMI, right? Thanks for "bearing with me" here!

After the 10 day detox, I not only had lost around 4 or 5 pounds, but I also felt great.  I had clear mindedness and my body felt physically healthy.  So, I decided to continue on the wheat belly eating plan, if you want to call it that.  Dr. Davis also teaches about gut health, that is, how to develop a healthy micro-biome.  He's very famous for the yougurt with the organisms that promote gut health (I forget what they are).  And, also he teaches about eating kimchi or saurkraut for the gut also.

I am eating differently than before my introduction to wheat belly.  I seriously get complimented EVERY DAY, and those who know me in real life know that I am being truthful here.  (Well, ALMOST every day, but seriously, I am amazed at all the compliments I get on a REGULAR and ONGOING basis).

One of the benefits for me, after having lost the weight, is being able to do jumping jacks in dance fitness classes.  I used to not do those because I felt pain the next day whenever I would do a dance choreo with jumps.  I feel like the sugar reduction has also reduced any joint inflammation, resulting in greater mobility.  I also, just generally feel healthier and great.  So thankful.

I give all glory, honor and praise to my King and to my God, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, for helping me, and enabling me to get more healthy.  I'm very thankful He led me to the wheat belly and Dr. William Davis.  I hope and I pray that my physique and my dance fitness will be used for God's kingdom and for God's glory.  I long for many that I am around in the dance fitness world to be saved, to come to salvation, to know Jesus Christ and Christ crucified.  Would you please consider joining me in prayer to this end?  Let's agree in the spirit that all of our family, friends, loved ones, co-workers and those in our circles would be converted to Christ.

Thank you Heavenly Father, for EVERYTHING.  You are a sovereign God and You are in control of it all:  the world, my eating, my life.  I am thankful for who You are; thank You for creating me and for loving me.  What a wonderful and eternal God You are.  Help me live my life for You and for Your glory.  Lord I pray in Jesus's name, amen.

Thank you dear reader, for taking time to read my post today.  I hope it blesses someone out there, both in the physical realm and in the spiritual realm, as well.  Blessings and shalom to anyone reading this now.

NEW Blog Coming Soon!

 I would love for you to come join me on my new blog, related to clean eating.  

The name of my new blog is Plate by ZUMBA with ZIN Monica Velez.  I am located at blog spot dot com.

I am starting zoom calls where I'll be sharing about the Plate by ZUMBA lifestyle; it's all about eating the right foods and avoiding the wrong foods.

Everyone is welcome.

I am posting videos on You Tube at ZIN Monica Velez (the brown Z icon).  Sign ups for the zoom meetings are available on my zumba dot com website, click on "register".

If you follow me on facebook I posted the class code for family and friends as a thank you gift.  Some scholarships may be available, so please reach out if that is your situation.

Here's to our good health!  And, ZUMBA love from me to you~

Update on the Weight Loss Journey

 Hello!  In my previous post I wrote that I'd like to lose 40 pounds within 6 months.  So, I am here to report, that I lost 27-28 (so let's just say almsot 30) pounds in the past 6 months.  I'll take it!