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.

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.

Snoozing Whilst Typing

My sleep cycle is completely and totally out of whack! ARGH! I hate this with a passion.

Two nights ago, I was up past 4 am. This is not good, nor is it healthy. That whole next day I wouldn't let myself rest with the hopes I would sleep well that night. And boy did I. Like 10 hours or something amazing. Then we get to last night and for whatever reason I couldn't sleep again.

What's up with that (Cue SNL music)?

Tonight's goal = sleep!

In other news, I recently finished training for an incredible volunteer program. It's something I've wanted to do for years. Basically, I get to help a youth who is a dependent of the courts. I once knew a girl who told me her volunteer from this program was "the only consistent adult" in her life. After she told me that, I knew one day I would be sworn in by a judge to advocate for teen.

I'm so tired. Must stay awake til a normal hour.

Tonight So You Think You Can Dance premieres. I love love love this show. Yes, I love it so much it warrants 3, now 4, loves. My question is how can they do a competition show with only one night a week? When will the contestants be eliminated? I just hope they know before they've learned a new dance and practiced for a week. Hmmm... Can't wait!

By the way, "they" say that sleep is one of the most important things for weight loss. Since losing weight is one of my top priorities these days, it would be really nice if sleep would happen. Thank you.

One last thing... I got a PSVita! I am absolutely adoring it. Awesome purchase.

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.

Stressed

I want life to be positive - filled with sunshine and roses. Unfortunately, life has been complicated and miserable. So, I'm just going to post what is going well...

Throughout all the family stress, I didn't gain an ounce.
The medical family crisis is almost over.
My husband is incredibly supportive.

For now, that's all I've got. My back still hurts, I'm in the middle of family drama, my best friend is working nights so we never connect, my other best friend is leaving for a couple weeks when I need her most. I will survive. Just might not write as much as I'm looking for the strength to get through this.

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!

I'm Back. For Reals.

I had to disappear for awhile. It was hard on me emotionally, but a necessary truth. There was a family emergency I had to attend to. Things are going to be okay, but we are not out of the woods yet.
Sadly, this means I slacked on the majority of my personal goals. How could I worry about my own health - physical/emotional/mental/spiritual - when my whole being was devoted to the care of a loved one? I know I did what needed to be done, but I'm still disappointed in how this effected me.
My back has gone out worse than it has in years. Walking from my car to inside the store and my back feels done and I just go home. I haven't been able to exercise or even do basic day-to-day cleaning. I'm really looking forward to getting back in the pool which I think should be within a week or so.
Life hasn't been all bad, just challenging. Luckily, I have an amazing (yes, the word is overused but he truly is) husband who has stepped up in ways I could never have dreamed. A few friends have really stood out as being true and solid. Incredible how in our toughest times our truest friends are right there with support.
Looking to a positive 2012 is filling my heart with hope. I am excited to get back in the pool - I can't wait to be healthier. My husband and I are going to start meditating and church shopping. Maybe I will actually learn Spanish for reals this time! One way I have started to take care of myself that I will definitely continue is reading books! I just love to read and am so pleased I have given myself the time to do so.
My family situation should be all over in a couple of months, and I don't want to look back and regret not taking care of myself for the entire length of our struggle. Please bear with me. All support is appreciated.

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...

Small Success

I weighed myself on Saturday and am a total of just over four pounds below where I started! This is a minor success, but I am so proud of myself.

In the past, I would exercise for a week or so - maybe diet too - and then I would just stop. Give up. This time is different. This time, I'm not doing it for a bikini bod (although how cool would that be?). I'm doing this to change my life. To better my life. The pounds shedding off are a side benefit.

Today marks the beginning of the second week of the hundred pushups challenge I am partaking in. It feels amazing to have my muscles get so much stronger. I've also started stretching way more. Back in the day, I was super flexible and I'd love to be able to say that again.

Life is challenging right now. It would be easy to give up on this lifestyle change. No one would even blame me. But I'm sticking with this - and I hope those of you who are in this with me, stick with it too. Let me know where your journey is taking you.

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!

Life Now

Everything about my life today is different than it was last time I wrote. My posts will reflect this drastic life change. I'm not in a classroom right now, and my family needs me now more than ever.

My husband and I are doing the amazing hundredpushups challenge! We have completed Day One and it feels awesome. We are both also inspired to lose weight and live healthier in general.

Not only am I focused on my weight, but I want to eat healthier. Take better care of my skin (thank you Lush). Start journaling again. Reconnect with my higher power. Exercise regularly. Enjoy life with my friends and family. Live a life with gratitude.

Today, I need to clean clean clean!