Yes, it's moving by very fast but get excited about that, as there still a tremendous amount of time to make some changes with your body. There is time left to make the changes that we were going to make at the beginning of this year.
It doesn't matter what we have or haven't done to this point. It doesn't matter if we've lost or gained. It doesn't matter if you have or have not exercised. It doesn't matter that I wanted to do 4 back to back BFL challenges and I've only completed 1.
What took place over the last 266 days is over. It's unchangable!!! (266 because it's a leap year)
We can only move forward.
Take out a sheet of paper and draw a line on it. That represents this year. Put a dot about 3/4 of the way across that line. The left of the dot represents the last 266 days. What has happened BEFORE that point is done and can NOT be changed!!! It doesn't matter. It's O-V-E-R!!
To the right of that dot is the rest of the year, and has tremendous opportunity. There are 100 days left. We can all start today to make the changes that will take us into the new year healthy and strong!!! Start TODAY to make the changes that will having us look back on this year with tremendous pride.
We have...
100 days to eat clean
100 days to exercise
100 days to make tremendous changes to our bodies. A BFL challenge is only 84 days, and LOTS can happen in that period of time. Click here and check this out to see for yourself.
100 days to stick to our plan
100 days to run or walk more than we have all year.
100 days to lose more inches than we have all year. (my inches have actually gone up a little in the last couple weeks. But it can't matter, because it's in the past! NOTHING I can do about that. All I can do is change it for the better)
100 days to finish our goals.
100 days to get it done!!!
100 days is A LOT of days!!!
I know the holidays are coming but they are just a FRACTION of the days that we have available.
Let's look back on this year and say....I experienced VICTORY. I might be one year older, but my body is STRONGER. I didn't procrastinate and wait for the new year to change, I took action NOW!!!
Think about how wonderful it will be for your New Year resolution to be....to STAY healthy and get stronger, rather than...*sigh* finally lose this weight.
We have the choice to change anything that we haven't done so far. If we don't like where we're at we can...choose to change it!!
As for me: I'm breaking mine up into 21 day segments. The last 21 will be only 16, but that's ok. I find that breaking things down helps me stay focused.
Today, day 1 of 21, has been EXCELLENT so far!!!!!
Set your plans and make this a GREAT rest of the year. Lord willing, I know I am.
Please remember...."the past does not equal the future!!!"
Today I worked in "shifts." Got up at 7:30 and worked until 12:00. Took a nap for 1.5 hours, then got up and worked through the evening. Stopped for supper, then kept on going.
Things I accomplished...
Menu made for the week, and posted on the fridge.
Grocery shopping for the week is done.
All veggies cut, salads made, and some lunches ready for the week.
Workouts for the week written out.
Schedule for the family posted.
House cleaned so I don't have to do as much this week. (well kinda) the downstairs is done anyway.
Floors cleaned.
All laundry washed, folded, and put away.
Fridge, freezer, and some of the cubbards cleaned out.
Lawn mowed, flowers watered, and patio scrubbed. Part of that is to dh's credit, as is the grocery shopping. Thank you dh
Two bathrooms plus the cat room cleaned.
Tripled the recipe for tonights supper so we can freeze it and have ready to go for some other days.
I still have to put my Mary Kay stuff away from yesterdays class, but will have it done before I go to bed. Putting that stuff away first thing when I get home from a skin care class is something I need to get better at.
Anyway...
I know this is supposed to be a day of rest, but I just couldn't do it.
I wanted to get things done, thus making this a great day!!!
Have heard that "planning overrides procrastination." Not only have I heard it, I have proven it to be true at different times. Want to make this a consistant habit again as I love the peace that comes when I get things done not only on time, but in advance.
Am excited as this should be a great week.
Hope you are all planning for a successful week too. Make it a great one.
Happy to share ds didn't get hurt last night playing varsity football. First couple plays he got bounced around quite a bit, but he pulled it together and did pretty well. YAY!!! He had a blast. That makes me happy.
Happy that I had a great bike ride yesterday. The weather here is beautiful making it easy to get out there.
Happy I had a great skin care class today. It was actually one of my better ones this month. Met some great ladies and we had a fun time.
Happy that we had fun at my nephews b-day bash. He turned 4. His mom and I (my SIL) haven't always "clicked." We've never argued, but just never clicked. Well, things seems to be changing and that makes me happy.
My dh's family is nice, and seeing them all today made me happy.
We are planning a trip to CEDAR POINT, which is one of my absolute favorite places on the planet. We are going in the middle of October. We are taking ds and some friends for the weekend. I will be riding my absolute favorite coaster, (over and over if possible) and the idea of it makes me super happy. I know I've shared this picture before, but isn't it beautiful???? *sigh*
I got my hair done yesterday by a different stylest in my same salon. The regular gal that has done my hair for the past 2 years has been out for some minor surgery, thus making her booked until the middle of Oct. *gasp* My hair needed done. I hated going to someone else. It felt like I was cheating on my regular stylist. (Ami) I've not gone to anyone else since moving here actually. Even though this new stylist consulted with Ami about the color, it still isn't the same. The new stylist didn't do a bad job, but I really don't like it. It's too short and waaaaaay too dark.
Well, today when I walked up to the party, three of dh's family members were like.... OMG, I LOVE you hair. I still don't care for it, but seeing that I actually shed tears over this last night, those words made me happy.
All-n-all things are going really well here. I feel "fluffy" but nothing a few days of clean eating won't help.
I'm headed off to bed for what I hope to be a great nights sleep, and that makes me happy.
Ds stayed safe in his football game tonight. We had the nicest time after the game when we went out for supper together. He is playing Varsity tomorrow night and he is excited (and scared, as he is a Freshman) All he wanted to do was talk about it. Made me happy that he was talking to us about his thoughts.
I have my thoughts on him playing Varsity that are not shared with dh and ds. Let's just say I'm protective. I think that even though he is stronger than most 14 y/olds, he still is14 years old. The boys on Varsity not only have the bodies of 17 & 18 year olds, they also have 3 more years of training. I didn't express this to ds. I told him that he had to be strong and brave if he was going to do it. No 1/2 way effort because of fear. (that would sure get him hurt) Dh assures me that the coaches will not let him stay in if they feel he can't handle it. *sigh* to say I am a little concerned is an understatement.
Anyway...
I read something today in my Oxygen magazine that I thought was great advice. I know many of you get this magazine so you may have already seen the following, but for those who haven't, it's some good info.
It says...
"WHEN YOU ARE SICK: Getting sick doesn't always mean you should stop exercising. "if it clears your head and makes you feel good, go for another 15 - 20 minutes at 50% of your normal intensity. If you feel worse, stop. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to push yourself when you are sick."
the "NECK" rule
"If symptoms are strictly from the neck up and you just have a little cold, you can still exercise, but nothing vigorous. If symptoms are from the neck down, stop the workouts and rest.
Symptoms Above:
Headache
Runny or congested nose
Sneezing
Cough
Symptoms Below:
Stomachache or abdominal pain
Diarhhea
Chest cold
Bronchial infection or bronchitis
Body aches
I thought that was good and easy to remember. The cold and flu season is approaching, and this will make it easy to know when or when not to work out. I know for me, I don't want to be a wuss and use sickness as an excuse, but I don't want to push myself into getting more sick either. I can tell mostly by listening to my body, but this is a great guideline.
Hope you all are doing well. Thanks for listening. Alicia
Many neighborhoods are still without power in our area. Kids are still out of school all around. Some Dr. offices and businesses have been closed all week. Grocery stores have had to throw out food. They said on the news that clean-up of the trees will take weeks.
The other night (3 nights after the storm) I drove past lines at fast food places that were trailing out into the roads. I went to the shortest line; which was Wendy's, and it was 8 cars deep. When I got to the window the guy was like..."Hello! we don't have burgers, we don't have fries, we are out of potatoes, we don't have chili, we're out of..... Bless his heart! I said "well, what do you have? He said 2 kinds of chicken and a salad." I said....."I'll take a chicken salad" My fortunate day, that's what I wanted anyway.
It really does make you appreciate the small things we can so easily take for granted. It makes you see that we have a system that is balanced. Once the scale gets tipped, it's a different world. We just got a small taste of this thing. I can't even imagine what those folks are going through down south.
On to fitness...
Last night I was reminded of what do you do when you don't feel like doing anything, you do it anyway!!
Yesterday I came home from work and layed on the couch for 2 hours!!!! Holy smokes who is this woman? Dh kept saying...."are we going for a bike ride? Get up, and let's go for a ride. You'll feel better once we go for a ride. It's beautiful out, let's go for a ride"
There for a second I pondered throwing something at him that would inflict bodily harm.
Reluctantly I went, and it turned out to be great!! Not sure Cardio Coach 8 was the best choice for the ride, as it was very difficult last night, but I didn't quit and did it anyway.
I didn't NOT do it like I wanted to. I didn't stay on the couch even though I wanted to. After waisting so much of my evening time, I didn't look around the house and do the other things that needed done. With the persistance of dh I did it anyway, and I'm so glad I did.
That got me thinking...WHY? Outside of dh and of course wanting to be healthy, what motivates me to do this even when I don't want to? What is it that gets me off the couch? What is it that gets me going even when I would rather lay around?
The answer... I have a simple goal that I remind myself of daily, and it has a deadline.
MANY goals I will write and honestly don't look at them again. I know that's wrong, but it is what it is.
BUT, I have the goal for the year that involves my VICTORY calendar. (you can read more about that under VISUAL AIDS of my photo album if interested) I said at the beginning of the year that I wanted to end the year with a 95% or greater.
That means I have 313 days available to exercise for the year. (I don't exercise on Sundays) In order to have 95% or greater, I need to exercise at least 300 of those days.
I've made it 9 months and my average is in the mid 90's!!! There is no way I want that to slip away now.
So, after some thought, I realized my goal with a deadline is what motivated me last night to "do it anyway!"
Gotta love those little things to remind us that you gotta have goals.
We pretty much got our azz's handed to us on a silver platter the last 2 days at work.
*whew*
I already shared that last night we had a "hurricane in Ohio," and had multiple traumas from flying trees. I forgot to mention that we were filled to 90% capacity from things going crazy.
Sidenote: We have 74 beds in the ER. That means 66 of them were full. Our staffing was "skinny" and the workload was fat.
Speaking of skinny, you would think I would be as skinny as a rail as I walk for 8 hours on the days I'm there. *sigh* where is the justice in all this?
LOL!!!
Anyway...
The craziness came from a local rock concert across from the hospital that ended up getting cancelled for the weather. That left MANY drunk people roaming the streets, getting into fights, and getting hit by cars. (and trees)
If that wasn't enough, tonight the local urgent cares were without power; leaving them to come to...you guessed it....us!!!!
We had some CRAZY weather yesterday! It was soooo windy!! In the last 1.5 hours of work we had 5 traumas from people being hit by trees!!! Trees were laying everywhere when I came home last night. Some of the shutters are gone from the house, and gutters from houses around. Power lines are laying in the yards. They said on the news that 600,000+ are without power in the Tri-state. (so thankful we are not one of them) School was cancelled for ds today. It was some CRAZY weather!!!
EP did some changing last night. WOW! Looks like some of it will be very interesting. I like the before and after photos on the home page. (yay Andrea and Shelley) I'm sure there are features that will be beneficial once I get used to them. I just hope customer service is better. For those of us that have been here awhile, this site has a reputation of customer service being non-existant. Even for people who pay for the site, it's non-existant. I tried to conact them as they removed my Gold Membership that I renewed last month. (but the pictures are still there...interesting) Guess what? The security code wouldn't let the message go through. Grrrr.... Wonder how long it will take getting in touch with someone?
Well, I've given this minor problem too much of my time. I have an upper body workout to do along with a whole list of other stuff before work tonight. Hope you all have a great day, and if you find out how to contact EP will you send that information my way? Thanks!! Alicia
Cleaning out clutter is a great thing. I believe they write books about this actually. That guy that's on Oprah (that's also on Clean Sweep. BTW I LOVE that show) talks about what a great thing it is for you to de-clutter. Great for your peace of mind.
I believe it, because I am one of those folks that when things around me get out of order, I get out of order. I'm sure I'm not alone in this, but in order for me to think clearly and be the most productive I can be, things around me have to be in there place.
We have been going in so many directions lately, that many things around me have gotten out of place. I haven't stoppped long enough to take the time to put them back in order either.
Until this weekend.
I've even been working at the hospital daily, and still managing to get things put back together at the house. (it's about choice really. I drew a line in the sand and said "enough is enough") What I'm most excited about was I went and bought ds some new bedroom furniture this week, and it was delivered yesterday. I spent all day after work moving things, dusting things, washing the walls, and getting his room looking beautiful. I then worked in the office until midnight doing basically the same thing, except I haven't bought any new office furniture....YET!
I am throwing stuff out left and right, and it feels good. When we moved here I did a descent job of getting rid of a TON of clutter items, but over time it just seems to come from nowhere. Where does it all come from? *blech*
With all of this comes clarity in my planning.
The bills are all paid.
I've cleared out my planner to just the essential pages needed, and written out what needs done each day this week.
The schedules for everyone in the house are written for the week.
Calendars for the next 3 months, with my agenda and goals are taped on the desk.
The menu is made for the week.
Grocery shopping will take place today by dh while I'm at work, and tonight we will prep everything for the week.
Workouts are written out. Although I didn't go check out new gyms, I know that will get done this week. The workouts are planned around the regular gym I attend.
I've made a new measurement chart for tracking my fitness progress over the next 90 days.
When I got up this morning and walked in the office it was absolutely beautiful to see a clean desk.
*sigh* this feels great!!! This feels right. This is what I do that makes our home and life run more effeciently. I enjoy it when I do it. It truly is something that comes very natural for me, and I don't like it when I've not got it together. When I get away from doing these things, it's usually because I am procrastinating.
On this weekend, procrastination was NOT an option. I got it done, and it feels great!!
Now...I got to get to work. I usually don't work weekends, but we are under staffed at the moment, and my boss asked if I could help.
Thanks so much for all of your kind comments the other day. I appreciate ya'll looking out for me. I have been doing some thinking lately, and I know things will get sorted out soon.
Please know I am NOT going anywhere, and I am NOT throwing in the towel. I know I've come a long way. I also know I'm not where I want to be yet. I'm definately not at maintenance mode. My hiney and belly are still no where near what I want them to be for that. I thought of taking a picture to prove it, then quickly threw that idea out the window. I don't really see a need for me to torture myself like that. You'll just have to trust me on this one.
Today I had a great ride with Cardio Coach 8. Cardio Coach 8 is, by far, the hardest of the volumes. It's seriously tough. In a good way of course.
Over the last couple days, I have eaten more food than any one person should. Yesterday I came home and ate 1/2 a loaf of white bread (how did that get in the house?) toasted, with butter and jelly. I ate that all in one sitting. I just kept loading the toaster. I've also consumed some other stuff that doesn't need mentioned. I definately know I will NOT continue down this path for too long, as I HATE the way I physically feel right now. I feel very much like this...
I was thinking about my lack of zeal lately, and I honestly think I'm bored. I have been going to the same gym for the last 2 years. You all have seen my VICTORY calendar knowing that I don't miss much. This summer I have been riding, so I'm not at the gym as much, but I still spend a lot of time at the gym. Going to the same place, seeing the same people, taking the same classes, wearing the same few outfits day in and day out can get monotonous. (sp?) Even if I am exercising with Cardio Coach in my ear.
I think I'm lacking variety. This actually is a really good thing if you think about it. I've gone so much that it bores me. At least I'm not saying....someday I'll get to the gym, wondering what it's like. LOL!!!
So....I'm going to do what I said I wouldn't. LOL!! I am going over the weekend to compare 2 gyms in my local area. I called today and they are both reasonably priced They also offer month-to-month agreements so there is no long-term comittment involved. I think I'm going to do this over the winter. I know, I know, I have a beautiful FREE gym, but I think I need this. Dh is cool with it too. I like classes, and the gym that I am wanting to check out the most offers 37 classes a week!! Everything from spinning, to yoga, to lifting classes, to swimming, etc.... If I can't find variety there, then maybe I should consider some towel throwing.
The last couple days I have had a "do it now" mentality, and I'm geting things done. That feels really good.
Am very happy to share that I took ds to the doctor today for something we thought could be serious, and thank heavens it's NOT serious. He still might have to have some minor surgery, but tests were ordered to start the process of ruling that out. I won't go into much detail as it involves his groin area. Let me tell you something that made my heart smile though. The doctor looked at him and said "I want to thank you. Thank you for telling your mom, and coming in to get this checked out. Most young men wouldn't have brought this to the attention of there parents, let alone there mothers. You need to be commended for that. Keep getting things checked out for your whole life son." Awwww!! Ds was smiling from ear to ear. What a wise doctor.
Ds also didn't get hurt at his football game tonight. I always say extras prayers of thanks when he doesn't get hurt in a game. Football is such a risky sport.
Thansk again for listening the other day. I appreciate each of you.
I hope after reading this you don't think I have 2 personalities, but sometimes it's important to get some things out there. Besides, I'm a woman, and it's quite alright to have a few "sides" to us right? It's normal actually.
I think it's important to look at everything, positive or negative, so you can learn from it in order to move on. Lately, I have been doing some serious soul searching and the following are some things I've found...
Sometimes I get so tired of thinking about my body. Thinking about what it looks like from the side, back, and when I sit down. I get tired of thinking about what and when to eat. I just get tired of thinking about all of this.
Do you remember being a kid and you just did things because they were fun? You went to the pool because it was fun? You didn't not go because your legs looked big in a bathing suit, or because you couldn't imagine walking across the the concrete in front of everyone looking like what you thought was a house. You just went because it was fun. You didn't check out the other girls legs to see if they were bigger or smaller than yours, you just went.
You needed to go to town with your friends, and you just pulled on whatever and went. You didn't think about all the things that people could and would say behind your back because you were starting to gain a little weight. You just were who you were, and that was ok.
I vaguely remember a time like this. I'm not sure when it changed for me. I can't pinpoint an exact moment, but things changed. I started compairing myself to everyone, and they were always better. I started worrying that I was too fat (at 115 lbs.) Seriously, that's not a typo. Can we say sick in the head? I stopped going to the pool because I dreaded the swimwear. (at 115 pounds) I started missing out on all of the fun. I started thinking I wasn't "enough." Life around me was kinda out of control, and I took control of the one thing that I could... how much I exercised, and how much I ate. (IF I ate)
Of course, through a relationship with the Lord, I find myself valuable in many areas of my life now. Of course the extreme, unhealthy stuff doesn't exist anymore, but weight management is still such a HUGE part of my life. Why? Why can't I just BE?
Sometimes I think what an interesting person I would be if I focused all this energy into something worthwhile, like a mission trip to another country or something. Something that would bring greater good to the planet and humanity. I'm not saying that I am not worthwhile, or that my health isn't worthwhile, I just wonder if all of this focus on myself is truly what matters?
My educated brain says that in order to stay healthy these things MUST be done, but sometimes I wish I could just BE.
Is that lazy or what?
I envy people who keep their figure nice while having no structure or control over food and rarily exercise. I can't even imagine that. If I back off for a milli-second things change for the worse. I feel crappy, I get loose all over, and I move like a slug. Keeping weight off of me is now what feels like a full time job.
I'm so programmed to off-set a negative thought with a positive saying "well, at least I can exercise. At least I am aware of what makes me feel good and doesn't feel good. At least I am trying" That kind of stuff flows out often, and I'm thankful for the most part I'm pretty optimistic, but sometimes I just want to say that all of this drives me crazy!!!
I've been doing this for 21 years!!! That hit me today like a ton of bricks. 21 years I have been doing this stuff. No wonder I can choose salad easily. I don't ever consider mayonaise on a sandwhich. (that's IF I eat a sandwhich, which is rare outside of Free Day) I don't ever consider getting dressing for a salad any other way but on the side. I drink water 99 times out of 100. These are habits and a part of who I am. It's just natural.
What's changed, is that back then I would get results at the drop of a hat, and not wait for months. Results were rapid, quick, and easy to obtain. (although I never appreciated it. I always had to work for more) I often just wish I could have that body and energy that I used to complain about. This time I would talk to it much nicer. This time I would appreciate it.
I should look different for someone who has done this stuff for so long. Maybe I do and I just don't see it.
That brings the big questions....
Sometimes I wonder what it is I'm chasing? When will it be what I'm looking for? Will I ever be able to eat without thinking about portion sizes, fat, protein, carbohydrate exchanges, or looking for the little symbols on the menu boasting of the healthy choices? Will there ever be a time that I don't want to change the image in the mirror? Will I ever be happy with what I see? Truly happy and just be? Will I ever be "enough" for myself? What is it going to take to have a truly healthy body image?
These are some tough questions, and lately they flood my mind.
today! 
(well kinda) the downstairs is done anyway. 
*gasp* My hair needed done. I hated going to someone else. It felt like I was cheating on my regular stylist. (Ami) I've not gone to anyone else since moving here actually. Even though this new stylist consulted with Ami about the color, it still isn't the same. The new stylist didn't do a bad job, but I really don't like it. It's too short and waaaaaay too dark. 
Grrrr.... Wonder how long it will take getting in touch with someone?
Alicia
I believe they write books about this actually. That guy that's on Oprah (that's also on Clean Sweep. BTW I LOVE that show) talks about what a great thing it is for you to de-clutter. Great for your peace of mind. 
I appreciate ya'll looking out for me. I have been doing some thinking lately, and I know things will get sorted out soon. 
Everything from spinning, to yoga, to lifting classes, to swimming, etc.... If I can't find variety there, then maybe I should consider some towel throwing. 