Monday, March 28, 2011

This IS the final post for Winter Wonderland Warriors!!



I really had a great time with the Winter Wonderland Warriors Challenge that Amy from Lifes Journey with a Smile hosted. Life has often been tough going, filled with the un-controlable, nail biting, heart breaking crap we all despise and any diverson from having to think about some of it is welcome. Doing the challenge allowed me to focus on things I can control, things that will help make me a better person.


At the beginning of the challenge, we chose ten goals (see right side of blog). I had intended to choose ten relatively different goals; instead I choose ten things that essentially lead to three specific goals (health, money, mind). I'm not sure how wise that decision was but that's neither here nor there (at least I can't say that I didn't spread myself too thin!).

I feel like I did really well with majority of the goals. The only goal I'm a bit disappointed in myself with is the "spending less time online, more time reading books". The truth is, I LOVE being online. I love tooling around the internet or playing bejewled on facebook. But this can cause some "tough spots" in life so I need to put this higher on the list of "goals" for the next challenge I participate in. And the health goals were a bit easier to focus on than the money goals; probably because weighing less and looking good makes me feel a whole lot better than paying off a credit card right now. Don't get me wrong, paying the credit cards off is a sweet sweet deal but weighing less is so much sweeter!
 
So as WWW comes to a close, I leave you with this...something that has brought a smile to my face for the last couple of weeks and I hope can bring a smile to  your face as well....
 
My picture of the week....
 

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Yes, just looking at him does SOOO much for me (get your minds out of the gutter folks-he doesn't do THAT for me!)! Who can't think happy thoughts just looking at that photo?!?!?  I have no idea who took the picture but thank you for doing so (the photo either says "What'd you say? I ain't takin that crap!" or "oh yeah, I'll bring it!"). I don't know him personally but from what I read he seems like a nice guy. Not only is he a decent actor and great athlete (who adores his fans) but he supports charity programs geared towards the betterment of children (helping to improve their health, minds)...and anyone who supports our youth and their future is alright by me!!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

WWW last week....


What have you done this past week to help achieve your goals?


Well, it might be easier to state what I’ve NOT done than it would be to state what I have done. I have NOT sat around on my duff, watching life go by and my goals fall to the side of the road. Each thought, each action, is done with the intent of achieving my goals stated on my blog (as well as those not stated here) so that I may achieve my ultimate goal: A healthy, happy, positive mind body and soul so that I may live a long active life. I want to be someone others can admire and learn from. Someone not only my mom would be proud but someone I CAN BE PROUD OF.

With one week left, what is your plan?

My plan for this week is to continue to keep my chin up and eyes ahead. I am going to re-evaluate a few fitness goals and Bring It (As Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson would say) to the forefront. I’ve been doing exceptionally well with my exercising but I may be holding back just a little. I haven’t wanted to jump full force into running in hopes of avoiding long term injury BUT I may not be stepping it up as well as I should (as in increasing my speed to strengthen my shins/calfs).

What was the highlight of your week?

The highlight to my week was losing 2.2 lbs and thus hitting my 35 lb loss goal/reward. I’m just about half way to my goal weight and I’m so proud of my accomplishment. I also feel like I can see the opening of the tunnel and that I’m no longer a side line member of society.

Did you have a down point? If so, how did you push past it?

I did have a down point this week. It was Monday and the weather once again sucked. I didn’t feel good (mentally, physically or emotionally) and neither did the dog. I pushed passed it by opting to take the day off and we (the dog and I) took a morning nap. There have been other down points emotionally but that’s just life…and I have to keep moving forward and stay away from the negative best as I can.

Fun Question of the Week: What's your favorite television show from the past? Presently?

I don’t really feel I have a “favorite” TV show…there are a bunch of great ones out right now and sometimes I catch myself saying “oh, project runway is my favorite show” but then saying “oh such and such is my favorite show too!” I remember that as a kid I love the Bozo Show (especially seeing the ping pong game), Captain Kangaroo, Mr. Rogers, I Dream of Jeanie. These days I lean towards Project Runway, Designed to Sell, Big Brother, Amazing Race, The Forgotten (which sadly only lasted one season), and Harry’s Law. I do like the CSI’s and Law and Order but I’m burnt out on the law enforcement side of the house (I work with law enforcement and how they portray things on TV isn’t always how it is in the real world).

My photo for the week involves a very hot hot hot hot (did I mention HOT) individual! I watched FASTER over the weekend and was reminded how much I enjoy watching this guy act (ok so maybe I also enjoy feeling like a young school girl!! LOL)…come to think of it though I’m not sure he spoke much in the movie!! Opps…my bad! He’s still a great actor…no REALLY, he is a great actor! And also soft on the eyes.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johsnon
image by: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Thursday, March 17, 2011

St Patrick's Day 5k hosted by Vegan Chick Pea

I participated in a virtual 5k this morning (hosted by Vegan Chick Pea) and had a great great time despite what some of the photos suggest!!

As you can't/can see (since I couldn't get to my phone quick enough on Sunday you'll have to take my word for it) I shaved off a minute and a half from my last 5k treadmill romp...
And I looked like this afterwards...no..I'm not pissed or in pain...but I did smell pretty awful (both days; more so on Sunday which, was a nice reminder why it's important to drink lots of water) as I was soaked thru and thru..
All in all it's been so much fun doing treadmill 5ks (and I'm not being sarcastic, which is interesting in itself); so much so that I look forward to more virtual 5k's..I might even host one myself!

P.S. I jogged the entire thing..slowly...and it felt WONDERFUL!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

My time flies by!


What have you done this past week to help you achieve your goals?

Last week and this week have been pretty good weeks. My confidence is up and organizational skills are getting better. Each day I do something to work towards my goals and I've updated them at the right side of the blog if you'd like to see where I'm at.

There are two weeks left in this challenge – what goals are you making priority?

Running is really my priority right now. I've got a community 5k coming up on the 9th of April and a 5k and 1/2 marathon the end of April. The end of Aprils events is with "old high school chums" and I'd really like to rock it just to show "I gots it goin on!" :O) Bottom line, I don't want to look like a duffous!!

Many people are on or heading into Spring Break right now, do you find it easier or harder to stay on track when your routine disappears?

You know, this time around I'm on track and I'm not going to let anyone, especially myself, get in my way. I swear turning 40 is one of the best things to happen for me. I'm getting into the groove with many aspects of my life and I realize that I CAN DO IT with a little elbow grease.

Tell us something positive about this challenge. Could be something that happened to you, you did, you realized…etc.

This challenge has really helped me plan, organize, and stay on task. I LOVE THIS CHALLENGE! I've met some cool folks and feel like I am in a really good place in life. I'm truly blessed!

Fun Question of the Week: The clocks sprung forward this weekend, does the time change mess you up or do you just go on like nothing happened?

The time change totally messes me up. I despise the time change and wish they would just leave well enough alone!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

When life give you lemons, you make lemonade. BUT....

When life gives you limes what do you do?



1. What have you done this past week to help you achieve your goals?


Seriously…Not much. I’ve written up a few more 3 x 5 cards (and what a shock the totals were-and I’d already eaten the food!); I jogged/walked 4 days, one of the days jogging WITHOUT STOPPING the whole 2.6 miles; I signed up for a 5k but it won’t take place until after the challenge is done. It’s weird because I know how to set goals but I don’t always know how to dedicate appropriate time to achieving those specific goals in a specific amount of time…I tend to make the goals, work towards them but then create more before completing the first set. I did watch my tongue a lot as well attend my ww meeting…but I didn’t save all the money I could this week. I went to Kohl's and found some upper under garments on the clearance rack. Steal of a deal-got 4 for the price of 1 3/4 … :o)

2. New month! How are you feeling with the end of the challenge coming up soon?

I’m a bit sad about it. It’s been a fun challenge and I’ve met a few new people. I like the structure of the challenge (although including the www icon and link back is sometimes hard) and it has helped me focus on what I want to accomplish in my life.

3. What would you change differently about this challenge for the Spring Fever Challenge beginning soon? Give me ideas here, goals (open number, specific number, less, more?), picture stays?, day of the week? another element? Questions stay or go? What type of questions would you like to be asked?

What I would change or like to see….well, I would like less goals. 10 was a bit to cumbersome and left me feeling like I was trying to accomplish too much in such a “short” amount of time (regardless of how many could overlap). I know it’s a weird number but maybe 6. And maybe say “set two goals in each of the following areas of life (professional, personal, community related, educational, family).” As for what type of questions—they’re pretty spot on as it is…

4. What have you learned about yourself during this challenge (or past few months)?

I’ve learned that “I can” rather then “Oh gosh no, never, I can’t!”. I’ve also learned that my fun, fearless personality is still in me. I’ve also learned that nothing is easy but that just because it isn’t easy doesn’t mean I can’t “roll with it” and learn to sway like a boat as the tide rolls.

5. Fun Question of the Week: Do you enter contests? Have you ever won one?

I have entered contests and have won a few. I won an awesome Jillian Michael's DVD prize pack (had pink wrist bands and water bottle included) and a Inspire towel from a other bloggers. I love to win things but don’t always like to take the time to follow do as the guidelines want for entries. My favorite contest winning was from the Bozo Show late 70’s (the bucket thing); to enter you sent them a post card with your name and I ended up winning a Bee Gee’s “greatest hits” album. I was soooooooooooo excited…felt like I’d won the lotto!!


There IS a light at the end of every tunnel-you just have to open  your eyes!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

life lessons and I'm thankful

I really didn't know what to title this post. I'm at a loss for words (verbally speaking)...but I often wonder silently 'Why is it when everything is "right" in my world that everyone elses world falls apart (or seems to fall apart? or falls apart momentarily?)?' This person grandma dies, this persons beloved pug died. This person is having "marital difficulties" (by the way-who hasn't - I mean really, there is no manual for a perfect marriage just a lot of praying) this person is just naturally pessimistic.  Some days it feels like a vicious cycle...soothing others nerves while I internally go "yeah me-I'm doing it!".  But I am thankful because although my world won't always be right, it's right right now.

anyhow, enough of the sob. I've been doing really well with weight watchers. 24 weeks in a row I've had a loss...even when it was only a .2 loss, it was still a loss. And I'm sooooo sooo happy. I can move better, I feel better, I smile more, and I got into some size 14 pants!! (yeah me). I am so so thankful. I've also been doing pretty good with the "exercising". I'm even giving it the "ole college try" (if you knew me well you would know that college was the first thing I really worked at (I was 30 when I went back); which was before hubby and weight watchers. Anywho I've been waking early, skipping my way out the door (OK, only on the first day of the week of getting up early...it tappers off towards the end of the week) to go to the Y. Soon I will be able to skip my way out the door to the street and around the neighborhood when the weather stays warm (and until the sweltering hot-boy I'm getting chatting-yikes!).

I've also been doing well with not spending so much money. And drinking my water. Not so good with writing up meals for my 3x5 cards. Keeping my mouth shut has been relatively easy too (do I really have a choice!! :O) ) at least as it pertains to snippy comebacks.  I've been working on my jogging (I've decided that the turn running is too fast for me and I like to stop and smell the roses now and then) and average 11 min miles (walk/jog combo after the first mile) for the first 3 miles at which time it tappers to 12.5 min miles. Ah...whatEVer! it's all good!

Have a great week!