A New Lease on Life

Today I did something huge, but really small. I made some delicious baked bread that is easy and crazy unhealthy. I love this stuff and have been craving sweets. Well, I made the awesomeness, took a few bites, and threw the rest away. I was sitting there loving it when it dawned on me that if I'm not thrilled with my body, maybe I should be more thoughtful about what I put in it. It was oddly easy to get off my butt and throw the tasty treat away.

In other news, I got a job! An honest to goodness fulltime job. I am a teacher and am thrilled to have found this position. It feels like it is going to be a perfect fit. The interview and subsequent tour of the school felt right. I believe in the initial vibe when meeting the potential employer and coworkers. This is the first campus I've ever been to where every person was friendly from the moment I stepped out of my car.

Which brings me to my last thought. I want to be in the best physical shape I can before school starts. This mean two months of consistent exercise and watching what I eat. I'm already a pretty healthy eater, but I definitely need to step it up in terms of movement!

My goals:

Aqua Aerobics

Yoga

And maybe Tai Chi and/or Pilates

It is so wonderful to have this new job - I am filled with hope and motivation.

Back At It

Today I am going to sign up for the gym again. It is important for my health that I get back into aqua aerobics and today is the day!

All I want right now is a soda. I am downing water and not allowing myself to have even a sip of soda. I realize I must seem as if I drink tons of soda, but I don't. It's just that a few sips a day are ever so nice. It was never my intention to drink a bit daily though. The time has come for me to cut it out again...

Which brings me to sugar. Last year I cut out ALL added sweeteners for a couple of months. It was a major challenge, but ultimately it made it possible for me to lose 17 pounds. Now I am debating - can I lose weight without eliminating all sweeteners? My issue is I don't want to go on a diet and I'm not sure no sugar will be sustainable for me. Perhaps it is a good way to get back on track. Definitely something to consider.

Minor Setback

"Less than 1% of people with an injury like yours recover without flare ups along the way." - my back doctor

That does NOT make dealing with the current pain any easier!

I just needed to get that out!

In other news, outside of my back hurting, life is good. I have a husband who loves me, a few high quality friends who support me, and I'm learning how to be my own best friend.

June is Busting Out All Over

Today is the first day of June. I have decided to really focus on losing weight again this month. In March and April, I did a great job of exercising and eating healthy daily - it became routine! In May, I continued to eat well, but was not as consistent with the exercise. This week, I've been exercising again and it feels great! So, I am back on track to make June my most successful month yet.

Here are my goals:

*Continue to not eat sugar

*Water aerobics five times a week

*Cardio before or after pool

*Drink lots of water

*Post daily progress on Twitter

This all seems totally doable and I am pumped! Feel free to join me in making June the best month yet and let me know how you are doing! Together, we can do this.

Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries

I disappeared. I apologize. Life became so great that I stopped thinking about the computer!

My focus on my health - mind and body - intensified ten fold. The gym has become a regular part of my life, I have cut out all added sweeteners, and the true happiness I feel in my core is overwhelming.

I will make a point to add blogging back into my life.

In other news, I need a job! I am currently looking for employment and it's a crazy market out there. I think my new attitude is only going to make me more attractive to employers. Fingers and toes crossed something wonderful will happen!

Thanks for not giving up on me.

Tentatively Trying

I started my taxes today. Is it strange that I kind of think they're fun to do? Don't know why, but I do. Of course, having to pay taxes isn't any fun. I just like filling out the forms. Odd, trust me, I know.

I'm trying really hard to take care of myself through this stressful time. My life has turned into me taking care of someone close to me, and in doing so, I had forgotten about myself. This person, who I love dearly, doesn't seem to realize that we are going through everything together. When I try to talk about my feelings, we end up talking about theirs instead. We talk all the time, but now I'm trying to put a bit of space between us. Every time we hang up, I end up in tears. And this loved one has no idea. I know tears is not what is wanted for me. So, space is what I need to protect myself.

My weight has become a non-issue for me. Since health is so important, I think it needs to come back on my radar. The good news is that I haven't gained any weight even while dealing with so much stress. I haven't lost any either. Am still at the exact same weight - to the ounce! Amazing. One area I have not slacked is water guzzling. I am still drinking water like no other - looks like that helps.

Time for veggie stir-fry. What a delicious lunch that will be. And no sugar popsicles for dessert. Yum.

Turning this frown upside down.

More Equals Weight Loss

After the holidays, my body started to crave vegetables. I constantly want salads with very little dressing, or vegetable stir fry, or something else equally delicious and veggie-filled. It wasn't a New Year's Resolution, it was just a natural shift. About a week ago, my body no longer wanted to intake meat. I haven't had red meat in years, but even poultry stopped being appealing. Yesterday, I wanted a snack, and I turned to fruit! What? This is so unlike me. I'm not sure where the change is coming from, but I can say that I feel so much better. Maybe I am truly listening to my body for the first time and giving it what it needs, not what I thought it wanted.

Beverages. I don't drink alcohol at all. It's not my thing. The only drink I enjoy outside of water is Coca Cola Classic. Lately, I can't drink more than a few sips before I'm over the soda. What does this mean? I am drinking water like no other. There is always a glass of water by my side - and I love it!

So, what's making the difference in my body? Is it the veggies or the water?

The most exciting outcome...I've lost two pounds this week! Yippee! Whatever the cause, the diet change or the water increase, I am going to keep up with both!

Truly Happy

I have had the most amazing weekend. Honestly, I feel so happy and content - which is completely bonkers when you consider I am in the heart of a family crisis and my back is in constant pain. Yet, I'm happy.

The question is: Why?

I think it is because I am taking the time to be grateful for every moment. Almost losing a loved one has made me become increasingly aware of each positive happening in my life. I'm also enjoying the little things more than ever.

Today I started that new journal. I was really nervous about ruining it (does anyone else feel like that when starting something new?)so I bought some pens and stickers and began writing this colorful journal that reflects my positive outlook. Thank goodness for Target's 99 cents wall of scrapbooking stickers. I was able to feel like I went crazy with my shopping, without spending much money.

Focusing on being healthier - mind, body, soul - has already helped me to be a happier person. How is this focus helping you in your life?

Water and Words

I'm still not able to exercise, but that's okay! I can watch what I eat and drink a ton of water. It is really strange because I love Coke - the real deal. But lately, I haven't even wanted it. When I watch football, I always think I will drink a soda with the game, but I don't! For some reason, my body just wants delicious water.

The Help is amazing. I love the writing style. She has done a great job of transporting the reader into a totally different time and place. I'm about a third of the way done. It is one of those books I'm taking my time to read because it's so good I don't want it to end!

Maybe next time I will write about my video games...

Frustration

Things are not going as well as last time I wrote...which is why I have been a bit. Quiet.

I injured my back a few years ago. Unfortunately, it still has flare-ups that are incredibly painful. Like I can hardly move kind of painful. This past week my body has been hurting more and more each day - just walking from one room to the next is a challenge. This means no exercise. Even the exercises my physical therapist gave me are too difficult. So, I'm totally behind on all my physical goals.

The good news? Yesterday my husband and I went grocery shopping and we did not have one unhealthy item in our cart! Major success there! Even though I am discouraged, I am still eating healthy and guzzling water.

Today, rather than sit and feel bad, I read. I love to read! Right now I am reading The Help and absolutely loving it. I noticed after reading for an hour, resting my back, and taking my pills - my back is better than when I woke up.

I don't want to complain on my blog, but I felt the need to share. Thanks for reading!

Calories In vs. Calories Out

Being healthy is my ultimate goal. I want to look in the mirror and be proud of how I take care of my whole self. You know what? I'm already getting there. It's not about looking in the mirror and feeling like a beauty queen, but just knowing that I'm doing what I can to make my life the very best it can be.

I've decided to add to my workout plan. I'm doing the hundred pushups challenge, walking, hiking, and playing Kinect. I'm going to add sitting on a wall as my own challenge! And once I get out of my own head, I will go back to the gym for water aerobics.

I have a friend who loses weight by eating less. It doesn't matter what she does for exercise, she just needs to cut back on her calorie intake and the pounds will come off. It seems like most people need to watch what they eat and also workout more to lose weight.

When I was in college, I could eat whatever I wanted so long as I exercised regularly. As I've gotten older, I'm in my early 30s now, my metabolism has definitely shifted and slowed way down. However, I have recently realized that exercise is still the most important factor on my weight loss journey. I can cut calories, but those stubborn pounds won't budge! When I move more and exercise more, that's when I see a change in my body. That's also when I see a change in my own positive outlook on life.

So, what have I learned? To meet my goal of being healthier mind, body, and soul, I must exercise more. In doing so, I hope to be a better wife, daughter, and friend.

Progress

I guess we all know that we are works in progress - we never really finish all the work it takes to be truly healthy and happy. It's exciting to have people who acknowledge they are working on the same journey. It's so easy to forget about the basics of contentment when going through the daily grind which makes these people even more meaningful.

I am actually stopping to smell the roses, literally, these days.

For the past week or two, I've been exercising and trying to eat healthier. The first week, I lost 2.5 pounds. This past time I weighed myself, I had gained it back. This blows my mind because I actually did more cardio, but didn't increase calories! How is this possible? And, to make this even nuttier, my clothes are starting to fit a little looser. What? I just don't get it. I will continue to work and hope the numbers do follow...

Oh! I am a part of this great challenge!

Wish me luck!