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View Full Version : Aaron_R, Age 23, 7DW Level 1, Introduction- Civil Engineering / College Graduate.


Aaron_R
01-08-2005, 10:21 PM
Salutations to Jos-hua and all others! Here's a little (or a lot) about who I am and why I'm here!

My name is Aaron and I am a recent college graduate with a degree in civil engineering. Originally from the beautiful state of Washington, I have been working in Denver, CO for a very large corporate contractor as a construction engineer for the past six months.

I have two wonderful, happily married parents who sacrificed so much for me to be where I am today, and I try to remember and recognize that everyday. I have one sibling--a younger sister--who is in her senior year of college majoring in international business. My entire extended family and I get along quite well, and I attribute much of my optimism and positivism to them and also to my Christian faith.

As an aside, if anybody enjoys reading, music, sports, movies, travel, or cooking, they're some of my many hobbies. Please feel free to drop me a PM or an e-mail and we can have some way to connect on a level other than... well, other than crap!

(As another aside, I apologize early for the length of my introductory post--I like to write. I promise to keep reply comment posts to other threads far more concise than this...honest).

My journey to HPS-online and cleansing is an interesting one, so I will share to perhaps give others a testimony to draw future cleansers here...

Throughout most of my adolescent life, I dealt with overweight issues. Being the pasty (read, "White-as-Casper") engineering type, and a "band nerd" to boot, it became a major self-esteem issue. After trying other methods, I eventually experimented with the low-carb diet and that worked quite well; although, I never found myself getting this amazing surge in "energy" that so many people claimed to experience. Now I have a very good idea why!

When I left for college, I survived a year on dorm food--convenient, but I wouldn't recommend it. Then, after moving out on my own in the second year, I began making my own culinary decisions. (This, interestingly, is where I truly developed an enjoyment for cooking despite a serious lack of proper implements).

Unfortunately, as the years progressed, I floated back-and-forth: low-carb dieting, not dieting, eating junk, eating healthy, etc. My weight fluctuated as well, and I've never really felt very slim OR very fit despite walking a couple miles almost daily while in college. Luckily, I got over most of my self-esteem issues in school, so my interest in losing weight became almost entirely a focus on one of living healthy.

In an attempt to understand my health choices, I read several books on nutrition and diet with a heavy interest in "low carb" because it seemed to work well once. The titiles included such books as Atkins, The Zone, Schwarzbein Principle, Carbohydrate Addicts, etc.

The underlying principle in all of them seemed to make sense: eliminate the processed junk and eat more natural foods like fruits, veggies, and meats. My problem always fell back to a lack of self-discipline and, more importantly, a habit forged in the way of the All-American instant gratification: "I want my food fried, fast, and fattening!" Afterall, how was I supposed to fit all of my hobbies and responsibilities into one day and make time to eat healthy too?

Finally, upon graduation, I am totally on my own--no roommates, no parents, no family, and no extremely close friends within nearly a thousand miles. I decided it was time to get truly serious about health and nutrition because the habits I form now will lead me either into happy retirement or into an early grave--I'd like to avoid the latter. In my studies about health and nutrition (you can tell I like to read about this topic) I came across a very interesting book--"Natural Cures 'THEY' Don't Want You To Know About" by Kevin Trudeau.

Sparing you needless paragraphs, I'll mention only that a portion of the book talks about the importance of colon cleansing. So, naturally, I wanted to read more and came upon this website quite early in my research. Only after I'd investigated nearly every nook-and-cranny of the HPS-site (and, admittedly witnessed a dramatic drop in price) did I jump at the opportunity.

Now that I'm here, I can't believe I waited a day let alone a couple of weeks to join. Luckily, I've been further inspired by reading many of your introduction posts and know that even though I've waited, I've made the most important step--deciding to become a practicing cleanser!

Finally, I'd like to share that my biggest concern is work. Being a recent graduate and a relatively new employee, I don't have a lot of vacation time built up. However, I would like very much to dedicate myself entirely to the cleanse for all 7-10 days.

Because I work for a large corporation, the rules regarding time-off are quite strict and regulated as such, so it would be virtually impossible for me to take the time off without being charged vacation days. Also, I tend to work 65-75 hour weeks as the project and my bosses demand it, so it would be difficult at the very least to dedicate myself entirely if I did cleanse while working.

That said, I have not yet decided on a formal cleansing start-date yet and will look to advice and to prayer for the answer. I will be certain to let those of you who support me know as soon as I decide!

Here's to a long, bright future of cleansing--for your health and mine!

Cheers!!!

Andrew_K
01-08-2005, 11:02 PM
Aaron, definitely glad to have you with us. It's good to see another young cleanser, in the same field of study, and with a similar family situation and Christian faith.

I have to work during the cleanse as well, unfortunately, and go to class.. probably about 60-70 hours, like your work schedule. It'll be rough, but...we're young. hyarr...

ganbarimashou

Andrew

Janaka_P
01-08-2005, 11:56 PM
Welcome to HPS, Aaron:
You have quite a schedule there to fit the cleansing into. I hope it works for you. At least you are young, so perhaps you can handle working and cleansing at the same time, but it is to be avoided if at all possible.

If you do have to work, it would be great if you could come up with some excuse to the boss that would allow you to keep it at 40 hours that week!

Glad to see you have come through the “darkness” of the Atkins and low carb diets, and are headed to a more healthy lifestyle.

HPS is going to help you a lot.
:)

David_T
01-09-2005, 12:28 AM
Welcome Aaron. You will find it nice to have a community behind you as you take this big step forward towards reclaiming your birthright -- vibrant health.

Love and light,

David

Valmiki_N
01-09-2005, 03:26 AM
Aaron,
Wonderful intro - no need to apologise for the length, in fact, the longer the better.

I'm confident that here you will find everything that you have been seeking so far in your pursuit for a healthier life - discipline and motivation, solid guidance, and community support.

Btw, i saw an infomercial or TV about the "Natural cures they don't want you to know" book, seemed like a very interesting one. But the author's had many run-ins with the FTC, and supposedly he keeps referring readers to his "subscription only" website rather than giving all the info in his book. Anyway, if it led you here, it was worth it, eh?

Welcome to HPS.

Jennifer_R
01-09-2005, 11:51 PM
Hello Aaron,

I can certainly relate to the gamut you seem to have run with the weight loss. I quite successfully lost about 20 pounds when I was in Germany but not eating at all for a week, then adding breakfast the next week, then a snack after breakfast the next week. You get the idea. But of course, being in Germany and having lots of farewell luncheons soon took care of that and added some and it's been an uphill battle ever since. I'm a firm believer in the saying that when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. We've been led here for a reason and that is to get control over our health!

I haven't done my cleanse yet (scheduled for end of month) but a suggestion from what I've read for your cleansing may be to start it on a Friday and that way days 2 and 3 are over the weekend (which hopefully you won't be working). From what I've read those can be the worst days. I cannot speak from experience but maybe someone else who reads this who has can comment? Maybe that will help with the demands of the job.

And if you are willing to hold my hand while I go through mind, I will gladly do the same for you. I will send you an email to make that a little easier. :)

Good luck and let us know when you will be cleansing as it sounds like you will need a little extra support with the work schedule!

--Jennifer :)

Colin_C
01-12-2005, 01:36 AM
Hey Aaron,

it seems me and you have quite a bit in common: both recent engineering grads, both moved far away from home to work long hours in the construction industry (uuuugh), and both at hps!

well, welcome aboard, I'm sure you'll enjoy your time here. About cleansing while working: ya, probably best to wait til you have some vacation time... thats what I did and there was no way I could have done it while working at my job.

Good luck~!

Colin

Louise_L
01-12-2005, 09:39 AM
Aaron,

Good luck with taking control of your health. Follow the program step by step and you can do just that.

Louise_L

Martin_J
01-12-2005, 04:42 PM
Hi Aaron,

Welcome to HPS. Enjoyed reading your detailed intro. Hope that the work situation will allow some flexibility for your fast. In a way, our jobs should allow us time to cleanse. That way we can come back more focused, with more stamina, and less time off due to illness. Enjoy this time!

Aaron_R
01-13-2005, 12:50 AM
Wow! Thank you--all of you!

I truly, deeply appreciate all of your support and can't wait to actually START my cleanse. I'm a little closer to picking a start date and think I can actually use my company sick-leave for that week off. I'll be talking to one of my eight bosses soon ("Eight?"... "Eight, Bob") to make sure that I'm not bending any rules too far to do so, but it's looking good.

I've got a trip coming up this weekend and won't have internet access (at least not easily) until I return, so this may be my last post for a while! I wish you all the best in your current pre-, formal-, and post-cleanses until then!

Cheers!
~Aaron

Ronald_H
01-15-2005, 12:06 AM
Aaron,

I also vote for finding a way to get off work for the cleanse - especially the first one when there is so much to learn just about the mechanics and rhythm of the process. Also, if you are serious about following it to the "t" in order to get maximum results, you will need to be juicing during the day - not likely an option even if you have a good break room at the office. Anyway, will pray that the pieces of the corporate HR policy fit together to get you the time off. TYJ!!

Ron

Maz_S
01-15-2005, 07:34 AM
Hi Aaron--WElcome to our little community from Oz!! It is awesome that you have chosen cleansing - it has certainly changed my life and I believe it is just the most important step to fantastic health, hand in hand with giving your body the proper nutrition!! :):)

It would be great to have the time off if at all possible. I was able to have the time off for my L1 (did it over the time of Christmas to New Years). But I have had to work during other cleanses - this last one was mostly off work and it certainly is the best option. All the best on that issue.

Loved reading your intro - ALL of it.

Take care, and Good on ya Mate,
Maz

Matthew_K
01-16-2005, 02:54 AM
Aaron, detailed intros like that are superb. Congratulations on heading off the beaten path into the hinterlands of self-care.

Seeing as you have an interest in health and human nutrition, there's several resources that you may want to check out if you get a chance:

"Nourishing Traditions" by Sally Fallon
"Nutrition and Physical Degeneration", Weston A. Price (and check out www.westonaprice.org)
"On Food & Cooking", Harold McGee

Ronald F. Schmid has written some excellent books as well.

Some of this you may already be familiar with, or have read in full. I bring them up because it took me about a year before I felt that I had a good sense of applied nutrition, and these books form the core of that understanding. Perhaps it will save you some time.

That said, the HPS program is focused more on cleansing and bodily purification than the rebuilding process. Jos-hua provides plenty of guidance and resources for this aspect of health. I would also suggest not making the mistake I made, of letting your intellectual knowledge distract you from following the cleanse instructions in full. Best to stick to the program.

In any event, good luck compadre!! As a fellow science nerd and egghead I feel a particular interest in your success. I'll be keeping an eye out for your Level 1.

Virginia_M
01-16-2005, 07:52 PM
Welcome Aaron,

You are at the right place at the right time in your life. As Joshua says I trust the process and everything will take care if itself. Soon you will get some time off.

Love and Light

Donaciano_G
01-17-2005, 07:08 PM
Hey,
Well it's great to see more people my age doing some cleansing. I'm 22 and also in engineering. I'm mechanical though, and i still haven't graduated since I used to be pre-med and changed half-way. I guess I've always been indecisive, and also big decisions require time. I, like you, also took the time to look into every page of the hps website until I signed up. I guess its our engineering nature. Anyway, I'm really glad you're joining us and I would be very glad to help you if I have the chance. I'm starting my pre-cleanse on the nineteenth so I'll have some experiences to share with you by the time you go through yours. Hope to hear from you soon.

- Donaciano_G

Jennifer_R
01-18-2005, 02:31 AM
Hi Aaron,

Good luck with being able to use sick leave. I tried to do it ahead of time but I have to settle with calling in sick if I truly don't feel well enough to come to work. This being the first one I will see how it goes. I'm sure however you have to do it, you'll do just fine. You seem determined and that's a lot of the battle right there. :)

--Jennifer :)

Aaron_R
01-22-2005, 03:00 PM
I have returned from my trip with some good news and some bad. The bad news is that I caught a head-cold towards the end of my trip that I am still battling--nothing serious, but an inconvenience for sure. The good news (exceptionally good) is that I have the entire week off to do my cleanse with paid sick-leave. YES!!! Talk about prayers being answered...

As a result, I have picked my formal-dates and put my pre-cleanse and formal cleanse events on the Calendar. Also, today marks the 3-week point from my start-date, so I've begun my NETWonder series. I should have my board and herbals any day now, and I've already read and re-read a good portion of Reid's book (taking care to completely ignore the Introduction).

I want to thank all of you again for being there for me the past couple weeks in my quest to start things off right. I have a great feeling that this will be one of the biggest events in my life when I turn-around years from now and look back!

Martin_J
01-23-2005, 09:20 PM
Hi Aaron,

Great news, indeed! Right on about the cleanse being the right thing to do. You'll look back on it and your body will thank you as well!

Tsang_Y
01-24-2005, 04:45 AM
Hi Aaron,

You may find your head cold clearing a lot sooner than usual during and after the cleanse. Good news on the time off for the cleanse too. It's a great bonus. Enjoy that time to yourself.

Tsang

Maz_S
01-24-2005, 07:59 AM
HI Aaron--that is just too awesome about your having the time off - it is just a blessing and very needed whenever it can work that way.

Stick very close to the pre cleanse diet and it will help the cold pass quicker.

Take care and it will be great to follow your progress.
love and kindness,
Maz

Nancy_H
02-08-2005, 04:42 AM
Dear aaron
thought I would drop by and say hello from grey and rainy england as I shall be starting my pre cleanse the same day as you and there fore no doubt coming across similar questions, tis truly a daunting feeling as if just about to plunge off the side of a cliff, would be lying if I said I wasnt nervous but also a little excited, goodluck in the count down

nancy :)

Courtney_T
02-23-2005, 10:17 AM
Because I work for a large corporation, the rules regarding time-off are quite strict and regulated as such, so it would be virtually impossible for me to take the time off without being charged vacation days. Also, I tend to work 65-75 hour weeks as the project and my bosses demand it, so it would be difficult at the very least to dedicate myself entirely if I did cleanse while working.

Hey There Aaron!

Being that I am 24 and new in the work place so I know your issues with taking time off. Is there any holiday weekend that you could possibly choose such as Memorial Day weekend, or July 4th ? Those would be a good start. Or you could take the good friday for Easter weekend (that is assuming your are Christian). But if not, you could still take it and many people do.
I hope that helps you some.

I was amused by your comment about the dorm food and diet. YES I totally understand what you are talking about! Man did I have indigestion from that. I am glad to know I was not the only college student in the world with unhealthy eating habbits and who admits to it!

I am happy that you have found this cleanse. I am sure you will find a suitable time to cleanse. It will all work out. If you researched the ins and outs of this program with such delicacy then I am sure you will do the same with finding a formal start date.


I look forward to following you in your progress!

Courtney

Maz_S
02-24-2005, 05:29 AM
Hi Aaron--just dropping by to see how things are doing for you and if you have been able to schedule a cleanse. Hang in there!!

All the best and God bless,
Maz