While doing my daily reading on the blogs I follow, I came across this post on this blog I recently started following. It has a lot of merit, especially for me where I'm at in my weight loss journey.
Check it out here!!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Gosh, not much has happened this week that is blog worthy. (but I said I'd post once a week in an effort to revive this) I did do quite a bit of walking, kept up with my soda goal (trying to switch over to sweet tea instead then gradually make the switch to water full time) and did MUCH better with the fast food thing.
I haven't had my coffee yet so that probably explains why my brain is still kinda foggy.
I haven't had my coffee yet so that probably explains why my brain is still kinda foggy.
Monday, January 23, 2012
There's always a silver lining....
Well....the good news is I went for a 30 minute walk this morning. (more like a power walk) The bad news....it was at 4:30 this morning during the middle of a really bad panic attack (that is just now subsiding). Oh well.....
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Don't Stop Believin'
I am happy to report that I did MUCH better on my goals this week. I did cut back significantly on fast food and only had sodas 3 days this past week.
I got a really encouraging email from my sister with regards to my last post - she made the comment about there always being excuses (and coincidentally the theme for the Biggest Loser this season is 'No Excuses'). And I will readily admit I can come up with 50 things I'd rather be doing (and in some cases not doing) than going for a walk. I did check out the rates for the 24 hour fitness just around the corner from my house. And I still maintain that until I get regular with walking, no fitness center membership or classes will just automatically motivate me to go work out.
She suggested that I focus on other things before getting into exercising full-force such as getting a doctor.
In terms of the rest of my 28 by 28, I finished my 2 books for this month. I read Courageous and book 1 of the Hunger Games (I was up until 4am reading the Hunger Games!). One of my friends lent me Mockingjay but I need to read Catching Fire first. On my reading list this year:
Think and Grow Rich
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
The Hunger Games books 2 and 3
The Help
The Vow
Pride and Prejudice
Mansfield Park
Northanger Abby
Sense and Sensibility
Emma
Persuasion
The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks
The Great Gatsby
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (have loved this story since I was a kid, never read the book though)
The Catcher In the Rye
The Grapes of Wrath
Walden
Lord of the Flies
Atlas Shrugged
The Fountainhead
Atonement
Saturday
East of Eden
I could probably up my goal to 3 books a month (the whole purpose was to read more, watch TV less which I am doing, so mission accomplished so far right?).
The closets are still a work in progress, but are getting much closer to being done - my bedroom closet is almost completely done! (there's still my bathroom closet and the guest room closet...but I'm thinking since the guest room closet is shared, there's not much I can do)
The one thing I am finding is that there are so many smaller projects that encompass the large project - for instance - as part of cleaning out the closets that comes getting a sewing basket and organizing that, going through magazines and pulling out pages of recipes/things I like and want to try.
I suppose that's all for today, I can't really think of anything else inspiring me lately.
I got a really encouraging email from my sister with regards to my last post - she made the comment about there always being excuses (and coincidentally the theme for the Biggest Loser this season is 'No Excuses'). And I will readily admit I can come up with 50 things I'd rather be doing (and in some cases not doing) than going for a walk. I did check out the rates for the 24 hour fitness just around the corner from my house. And I still maintain that until I get regular with walking, no fitness center membership or classes will just automatically motivate me to go work out.
She suggested that I focus on other things before getting into exercising full-force such as getting a doctor.
In terms of the rest of my 28 by 28, I finished my 2 books for this month. I read Courageous and book 1 of the Hunger Games (I was up until 4am reading the Hunger Games!). One of my friends lent me Mockingjay but I need to read Catching Fire first. On my reading list this year:
Think and Grow Rich
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
The Hunger Games books 2 and 3
The Help
The Vow
Pride and Prejudice
Mansfield Park
Northanger Abby
Sense and Sensibility
Emma
Persuasion
The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks
The Great Gatsby
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (have loved this story since I was a kid, never read the book though)
The Catcher In the Rye
The Grapes of Wrath
Walden
Lord of the Flies
Atlas Shrugged
The Fountainhead
Atonement
Saturday
East of Eden
I could probably up my goal to 3 books a month (the whole purpose was to read more, watch TV less which I am doing, so mission accomplished so far right?).
The closets are still a work in progress, but are getting much closer to being done - my bedroom closet is almost completely done! (there's still my bathroom closet and the guest room closet...but I'm thinking since the guest room closet is shared, there's not much I can do)
The one thing I am finding is that there are so many smaller projects that encompass the large project - for instance - as part of cleaning out the closets that comes getting a sewing basket and organizing that, going through magazines and pulling out pages of recipes/things I like and want to try.
I suppose that's all for today, I can't really think of anything else inspiring me lately.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Accountability
If I had to describe how I feel about accountability in 2 words: it sucks. I've had several conversations with my sister and one of my other friends about my weight, exercise, eating healthy and whatnot - they've given me several suggestions on things to do and try. (and yes, they do follow through and ask how I'm coming, which I appreciate greatly, but I hate disappointing...all the more reason to just do it right?) One thing I decided to do was link my blog with my google+ account so that more people would see it. (since I only have 5 subscribers and I can only really guarantee that one person reads it) Also, my posting every week will definitely help keep me more accountable.
I went grocery shopping yesterday and bought lots of healthy stuff - logged todays meals in weight watchers - and I have 8 points left over!!! And yes, it does feel good to eat healthy - I can feel a difference in how my body reacts to things. (plus it feels good to meet my goals and get the little smiley face next to it)
I'm still working on the activity. I DID purchase a swimsuit, have not yet gone to the Y to set up a membership. Something in my mind says, "if you can't even make time (or effort) to go for a walk (and that's free!!) what makes you think that you'll go to something that you're paying for? We've been down that road before, remember?" And that's what stopped me short. Ok, I just did a little more investigating...the Y that is close to where I live only offers water aerobics during the summer and the one where I work has classes that are either after I'm at work or before I get off. :( Yes, there are other classes that are offered, but what works with my schedule is somewhat limited. (again, :( ) I think at the point where I'm at, I need to start walking on a regular basis before jumping in to a gym membership anywhere.
On another note, one thing I found this week - when I look at my 28 by 28 list daily I keep my focus, when I don't, I forget about the goals I set for myself. That's one thing I'm going to get better about -looking at this list and asking myself, "what can I do today to work towards my end goal of ___________?"
What are you struggling with being accountable for?
I went grocery shopping yesterday and bought lots of healthy stuff - logged todays meals in weight watchers - and I have 8 points left over!!! And yes, it does feel good to eat healthy - I can feel a difference in how my body reacts to things. (plus it feels good to meet my goals and get the little smiley face next to it)
I'm still working on the activity. I DID purchase a swimsuit, have not yet gone to the Y to set up a membership. Something in my mind says, "if you can't even make time (or effort) to go for a walk (and that's free!!) what makes you think that you'll go to something that you're paying for? We've been down that road before, remember?" And that's what stopped me short. Ok, I just did a little more investigating...the Y that is close to where I live only offers water aerobics during the summer and the one where I work has classes that are either after I'm at work or before I get off. :( Yes, there are other classes that are offered, but what works with my schedule is somewhat limited. (again, :( ) I think at the point where I'm at, I need to start walking on a regular basis before jumping in to a gym membership anywhere.
On another note, one thing I found this week - when I look at my 28 by 28 list daily I keep my focus, when I don't, I forget about the goals I set for myself. That's one thing I'm going to get better about -looking at this list and asking myself, "what can I do today to work towards my end goal of ___________?"
What are you struggling with being accountable for?
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Tomorrow is always a new day
well, the first week of the new year didn't start off so well in terms of my goals. I worked the night shift all week so my schedule was COMPLETELY thrown off which meant I slept most of the day and when I was up, it was late at night. The only things I did do were (begin to) revive this blog, do Simple Abundance, I did drink more water, I at least started 'Thin Again', and that's about it. Oh and getting up when my alarm went off...but that was usually my internal alarm clock.(does it count that my car has stayed clean for over a month now?? Well, the interior at least...)
When it got to be Friday night and I realized how much I HADN'T done (or started on) I had to take a step back and say, "hey, I'm only human, and it's been a rough week. I will make time for these things next week." And yes, I did get up when my alarm clock went off this morning (despite being woken up at midnight since I'm on call).
One of the things I love about where I work is all the benefits. Our healthcare provider has a nifty set of tools to help you work on nutrition, sleep, anxiety, weight, and a couple others - I took a couple assessments and I didn't realize how ignorant I was on some of the food choices and how much I ignore the nutrients that my body needs. And granted, it's not always easy to cook healthy for one and eat leftovers all week. (it's made me seriously consider going back to mealbalance) It also opened my eyes to see how unhealthy all of my friends eat. When I took a serious inventory of how many in my group of friends is actually at a healthy weight....its maybe 2 (and granted they're both guys, but they both also have beer bellies) and NONE of us are active. We're taking a road trip to Florida in March and I wanted them all to give some me meal suggestions and I was really quite shocked at how unhealthy many of their preferences were. So friends: beware - not only will we be active when we go to Florida, but we will eat healthy too!! (especially if my parents have anything to say about that!! :))
This coming week I've got lots going on - my sister and I are starting a bible study together: 'So Long Insecurity' by Beth Moore. I'm really excited to do this study with her - we've really grown closer over the past year and I'm thankful my new job has given me these extra days off (who doesn't want a 3 day weekend EVERY week??!) to spend with her and Max. She has also graciuosly volunteered to help me with my closet (#26!!) and tackle my wardrobe. When it comes to fashion and style I don't have it. I follow a blog called Kendi Everyday and she mixes and matches stuff that I could never do. So I'm thankful to have someone more style-savvy than myself to help me tackle this project.
Despite my crazy schedule I did manage to get a couple things taken care of on my personal to-do list and in the process of feeling slightly more accomplished, I realized there was yet ANOTHER item I should have added on my '28 by 28' list: make a habit of logging my points on weight watchers. (which I did do today) But I guess this is part of what life is all about right? Making the most out of your every day life.
When it got to be Friday night and I realized how much I HADN'T done (or started on) I had to take a step back and say, "hey, I'm only human, and it's been a rough week. I will make time for these things next week." And yes, I did get up when my alarm clock went off this morning (despite being woken up at midnight since I'm on call).
One of the things I love about where I work is all the benefits. Our healthcare provider has a nifty set of tools to help you work on nutrition, sleep, anxiety, weight, and a couple others - I took a couple assessments and I didn't realize how ignorant I was on some of the food choices and how much I ignore the nutrients that my body needs. And granted, it's not always easy to cook healthy for one and eat leftovers all week. (it's made me seriously consider going back to mealbalance) It also opened my eyes to see how unhealthy all of my friends eat. When I took a serious inventory of how many in my group of friends is actually at a healthy weight....its maybe 2 (and granted they're both guys, but they both also have beer bellies) and NONE of us are active. We're taking a road trip to Florida in March and I wanted them all to give some me meal suggestions and I was really quite shocked at how unhealthy many of their preferences were. So friends: beware - not only will we be active when we go to Florida, but we will eat healthy too!! (especially if my parents have anything to say about that!! :))
This coming week I've got lots going on - my sister and I are starting a bible study together: 'So Long Insecurity' by Beth Moore. I'm really excited to do this study with her - we've really grown closer over the past year and I'm thankful my new job has given me these extra days off (who doesn't want a 3 day weekend EVERY week??!) to spend with her and Max. She has also graciuosly volunteered to help me with my closet (#26!!) and tackle my wardrobe. When it comes to fashion and style I don't have it. I follow a blog called Kendi Everyday and she mixes and matches stuff that I could never do. So I'm thankful to have someone more style-savvy than myself to help me tackle this project.
Despite my crazy schedule I did manage to get a couple things taken care of on my personal to-do list and in the process of feeling slightly more accomplished, I realized there was yet ANOTHER item I should have added on my '28 by 28' list: make a habit of logging my points on weight watchers. (which I did do today) But I guess this is part of what life is all about right? Making the most out of your every day life.
Monday, January 2, 2012
28 by 28
okay, yes I know I'm not 27 yet. (only a month to go.. but doing 27 things in approx 32 days didn't seem quite feasable especially when most of them will take a good chunk of this year to do) I've seen several other bloggers do this with regard to the year (ie 2012 - 13 things to do before 2013...) or with regard to your age which is what I'm doing. Let me share with you my list:
1. Eat out no more than 3x a week
2. get to 200lbs by 8/1/12
3. Have a fully funded emergency fund by 3/1/12
4. Practice piano/guitar 3x a week for 30 minutes
5. Complete A+ certification
6. Clean out closets
7. Revive blog
8. Get debt free (and subsequently scream that on the Dave Ramsey Show)
9. Drink 8 glasses of water a day
10. Work out 3x a week for 30 minutes
11. Read and do Simple Abundance every day
12. Give more
13. Read bible/pray more
14. Take more photos
15. Keep car clean and organized
16. Keep track of expenses and an accurate budget
17. Read 2 new books each month
18. Do hair and make up every day
19. Send birthday/holiday/thank you cards
20. Try a new recipe each week
21. Re-read/refresh Finanical Peace
22. Read and finish 'Thin Again' (if I can do this this year, it will be a BIG deal...my mom gave it to me when I was a junior in college (back in 2005) and I have yet to get more than 5 chapters in).
23. Get a doctor, dentist and get check-ups for everything
24. Finish shabby-ing chest of drawers and get washers for knobs
25. Get better about grooming habits
26. Start new car fund
27. limit myself to 1 soda a week
28. Get up when my alarm goes off. (the first one...not the 6th one)
And since I will have had these extra 32 days to work on these I should have a good head start right? Well, let me just say it's only the 2nd day of the year and I've already changed about 6 of these - clean out the garage was one but my roommate took care of that yesterday and it looks quite lovely! I've done better about drinking more water and so far have done good about doing Simple Abundance and journaling.
You might notice that several of these (7 to be exact) are goals under the "lose weight" umbrella. I want to set myself up for habits that I can continue throughout the rest of the year (and my life) to help maintain and encourage weight loss. And with Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays off I can use those days to plan meals and cook ahead of time so when I get home I just pop something in the oven or microwave for dinner and I'm good to go.
One thing my sister and I talked about was doing water aerobics or joining the YMCA - well...one perk about working at Cook Children's is all the discounts we get - and yes, there is one at the YMCA...just might be going three this week to enroll!!
1. Eat out no more than 3x a week
2. get to 200lbs by 8/1/12
3. Have a fully funded emergency fund by 3/1/12
4. Practice piano/guitar 3x a week for 30 minutes
5. Complete A+ certification
6. Clean out closets
7. Revive blog
8. Get debt free (and subsequently scream that on the Dave Ramsey Show)
9. Drink 8 glasses of water a day
10. Work out 3x a week for 30 minutes
11. Read and do Simple Abundance every day
12. Give more
13. Read bible/pray more
14. Take more photos
15. Keep car clean and organized
16. Keep track of expenses and an accurate budget
17. Read 2 new books each month
18. Do hair and make up every day
19. Send birthday/holiday/thank you cards
20. Try a new recipe each week
21. Re-read/refresh Finanical Peace
22. Read and finish 'Thin Again' (if I can do this this year, it will be a BIG deal...my mom gave it to me when I was a junior in college (back in 2005) and I have yet to get more than 5 chapters in).
23. Get a doctor, dentist and get check-ups for everything
24. Finish shabby-ing chest of drawers and get washers for knobs
25. Get better about grooming habits
26. Start new car fund
27. limit myself to 1 soda a week
28. Get up when my alarm goes off. (the first one...not the 6th one)
And since I will have had these extra 32 days to work on these I should have a good head start right? Well, let me just say it's only the 2nd day of the year and I've already changed about 6 of these - clean out the garage was one but my roommate took care of that yesterday and it looks quite lovely! I've done better about drinking more water and so far have done good about doing Simple Abundance and journaling.
You might notice that several of these (7 to be exact) are goals under the "lose weight" umbrella. I want to set myself up for habits that I can continue throughout the rest of the year (and my life) to help maintain and encourage weight loss. And with Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays off I can use those days to plan meals and cook ahead of time so when I get home I just pop something in the oven or microwave for dinner and I'm good to go.
One thing my sister and I talked about was doing water aerobics or joining the YMCA - well...one perk about working at Cook Children's is all the discounts we get - and yes, there is one at the YMCA...just might be going three this week to enroll!!
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