Random Inspiration

As I was running this morning I was listening to a CD with this song on it. The song started playing right at the very end of my run. I ran in intervals (which KILLS!) and literally felt like I was going to die at the end, but the lyrics of this song REALLY got me thinking a bit (you know, in between the wanting a paper bag to breathe into and feeling like I was going to fall off the treadmill).

Anyway, it made me realize that every day that I don't take full advantage of (in every aspect of my life) is one more that's just.... lost. And how it's important to recognize that EVERY DAY has potential to be something great. It's just up to us to make it what we want it to be.

Most things in life aren't just handed to us, we have to work for them, and more often than not it's... HARD! Often in order to get something we want, there's something we have to give up (time, money, sweat, etc.) but if we give up something we'd rather not have to, we appreciate what we worked for all that much more.

This song was just the reminder I needed to appreciate what I have and to think about the things I *want to have* and to not let another day go by just wishing - but to start TODAY working towards making them a reality.

What are some of the goals you've set for yourself - and what are some of the things you'd be willing to sacrifice to reach them?

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Fit Friday {some stuff I've learned so far}

I'm (obviously) no expert on weight loss although I should be, I've been at it for years but in the past few months I've been learning a few things. I decided to write some of them down on here - partly to share them with you guys in case you need encouragement or tips and partly just because I don't want to forget them lest I find myself pulling into the parking lot of a Taco Bell.

Okay - here they are:

 - It's worth the effort it takes to feel healthy, to look healthy, and to BE healthy. No one is going to hand me a new and improved edition of my body wrapped in ribbon for Christmas - if I want it, I have to work towards creating it.

 - Don't make decisions about how your eating for the day will go before you've had a healthy breakfast. When I'm running around the house trying to get everyone ready for school, (lunches packed, teeth brushed, shoes on, etc.) my brain feels swollen and I feel unbelievably emotional. Because I'm so tired/hungry/stressed by the time everyone is actually out the door all I want to do is immediately excuse myself from my "healthy lifestyle," give myself a million reasons why I deserve to have a "day off" and immediately binge on sugar cereal and a mocha with whip cream (neither of which we have in the house, but you know what I mean). I've found (after much dismay and disappointment when I give in) that all it takes is one rational decision to start my day off right. If I can just get through a healthy breakfast, my head is cleared, my stomach isn't angry at me anymore, and I am able to think more clearly and remember what my goals are and in turn actually care about taking the steps it takes to reach them.

 - Keep a journal. I've never been good about writing in a regular journal (you know the "Dear Diary" kind? - well, unless a blog counts...) but I have been pretty consistent about keeping a food journal. I write everything in it. Every bite I eats goes in that journal. I take it everywhere with me so that I can be reminded of my goals when I'm away from home and in a more vulnerable place (where I'd be more likely to throw caution to the wind when it comes to making healthy choices like, say, Red Robin... mmm, cheeseburgers). Anyway, I've just found this is key in my accountability. 

I took this picture at about noon. {Also? I might be known for putting smiley face stickers on the page at the end of the day if I did a good job... I said I might.}

 - Water. Drink it. I don't love drinking water at all. I've always preferred soda (I know, it's terrible) but lately I've made it a priority to drink more water. I write circles on the bottom of my daily page in my journal and each circle represents one cup of water. This week my goal has been to drink a gallon of water each day. (Can I just say that the bathroom and I are friends? Because we totally are. We're tight these days.) I also bought a new water bottle because the 13 others that we own aren't good enough I wanted one that was MINE. One that I take everywhere (my water bottle is married to my journal) and one that my kids know is just Mommy's. I bought one with a built in straw (Camelbak) that I love because I don't have to unscrew a lid and spill all over myself when I'm driving. Simple and probably just a mental thing? Definitely. Is it working so far and thus totally worth it even though it was frivolous? YES.

 - Even though walking isn't running, it's better than sitting. I've had shin splints lately and running has been p.a.i.n.f.u.l. so I've been "power walking" on my treadmill. Yes, it takes longer to burn the same amount of calories, but I'm surprised at how much I still sweat (especially when I carry weights!) and I find that I feel just as good as after a run because even though I couldn't do what I hoped, I still chose to do something.

Okay guys, that's all for now. When I come up with more, you'll be the first to hear about them. What are some tips you have to share? I'd LOVE to hear em'!

Happy Weekend!

Fit Friday

I haven't written a "Fit Friday" post in a couple of weeks because well, I haven't been feeling all that fit (or been making that huge of an attempt to get there either). I'm not proud of it, but sometimes life just gets in the way (and by "life" I obviously mean "ice cream").

So anyway, I'm getting back on track. I gave up refined sugar for lent. I actually started it on Monday, so I'm officially 4 days off sugar. It feels good to not have that constant craving all.the.time (because I was/am ADDICTED to that crap), but it's hard because I can feel myself trying to fill that craving gap with wine other things and that sort of defeats the whole purpose. I want to do this as a sacrifice to the Lord, as a reminder to myself all that He has given up for me because He loves me so much and not simply exchange what I'm giving up for something else.

That's where I'm at. Today I'm starting my running program again (and again, by "running" I obviously mean "jogging a touch faster than a walk") and I'm excited about this. I can't jump in to any program and expect to change everything all at once. I know myself enough to know that I will get burned out and quit and then feel even worse about myself, so I'm going slow (figuratively and literally).

A friend of mine mentioned the other day that "doing something (as small as that something may be) is better than nothing" so I'm starting with a little something instead of getting fed up and doing nothing. I can't do nothing. Nothing obviously hasn't been working out for me. So, back to drinking 64 oz of water a day, running (jogging) 3x/week and no refined sugar. Something has gotta give.

Even though this isn't super inspiring (or inspiring at all) I'm trying to keep it real and just be honest about where I'm at, even though it's a little (a lot) embarrassing.

+18

Fit Friday

I'm writing my Fit Friday post on Thursday (even though you won't see it until Friday) because this week I want to focus on my achievements (eating healthy, working out, and drinking water) more than the actual weight loss (I won't weigh in until Friday morning).

I rocked it this week. If you've been reading my blog lately you know because I've been constantly whining about it that my whole family has been sick and it's been a pretty rough week. I have tried so hard to take care of myself despite the fact that most of the time I have felt like curling up under my electric blanket and crying. I was starting to feel a little depressed even, but I was able to pull myself out of it by concentrating on the things I did have control over instead of focusing only on the things I didn't.

What does that mean? Well, I couldn't help the fact that my family was sick. I could do everything in my power to not get whatever they had by drinking lots of water, trying to get enough sleep, exercising, and only putting food in my body that would help it stay healthy - so that's exactly what I did. And I can honestly say that I'm proud of myself for it!

As of right now (when I'm writing this, on Thursday) I don't even care about the number I'll see tomorrow morning... okay, I care a little bit... but honestly, if the number on the scale is the exact same as last week I can be okay with it, because  I know I did my best. So, there you go.... There I go!

***Weigh in results: -1/2 lb.

+15

Fit Friday (but mostly other stuff)

I don't even feel like writing a "Fit Friday" post today, but it's not because I did terrible this week (because I didn't - holla!), it's because I look at my blog and I haven't really written anything lately.

{...and this is where I start giving you all the excuses as to why I've been such a slacker...}

We've been sick. Yuck. Carter had a trip to the doctor and got on breathing treatments for his cough that was causing wheezing in his lungs and he's still fighting it - and sharing it. Jack had a slight fever this morning and I can just tell he's really starting to feel under the weather. Natalie's got the cough going on as well, but she's not wheezing like Carter, so she hasn't needed her inhaler (yet?). Since our kids don't have school on Fridays and since they're needing some rest and by "they" I mean "I", we've spent the morning watching movies. So far we've watched (and it's 10:30am - but don't judge) "Chicken Little" and "Madagascar 2." "Horton Hears A Who" is next followed by "Up." Yes, it's that kind of day.

On a completely different note, Jeff and I got to go on a date last night! (This is the part when you ignore the previous paragraph where I said my kids are sick so that we don't look like horrible parents going on a date and leaving our kids with a sitter when they didn't feel well.) It's been a while since we've been able to go out, but we got to have dinner (that I didn't cook!) and then to a movie (that wasn't a cartoon!). We had a great time... only we watched a really intense movie. When I say intense, I mean so intense that we didn't talk all the way home, we just sat silently lost in thought. Intense as in, we had to watch something "light" on tv when we got home (The Office) so that we could de-stress after the movie. But guys? It was such a good movie! And... this is it.

Okay, since it is technically Friday, I'll write on my loss (yay!) this week.

Down another pound and a half. Drank water like crazy, but left lots of room for improvement in the working out department...you know, to keep me humble and all. (See how I made it look like it wasn't an epic fail?)

Here's to another week!

+15.5

Fit Friday (Do all these weekly posts drive you crazy!?)

[You don't have to study the scale - it's not me on it. My toenails are not that pretty. And my number is.. not that number.]

There's this blog I follow that I really enjoy. She does a McFatty Monday post every week to help her stay accountable with her weight loss goals. I love the idea. I'm stealing it. Only, McFatty Monday seems a bit harsh for my sensitive self esteem (even though it's perfectly fitting in my case - or not fitting, as hardly anything does anymore - but I digress) so I'm going to do mine on Fridays and I'm calling it - ready? Fit Friday! I know, I'm just gushing with creativity these days, eh? (Could be worse: Fabulous, Fit, Fun and Funky Friday! - yeah, no.)

I decided to do this because, well, it's just time. I don't remember inviting all these pounds back after working so hard to beat them to death two years ago, but somehow they have made their home yet again on my thighs (and pretty much everywhere else). They.have.to.go. PRONTO.

So, as I mentioned in a previous post, I started Weight Watchers online. I'll admit, I wasn't all that strict with myself over the holidays (read: I didn't do Weight Watchers over the holidays. At all.). So, instead of getting a jump start on my weight loss before the storm hit (holiday season) I just dove into the season of eating and made the waves bigger (okay, not the prettiest analogy, but you get the point).

I would like 20 pounds to be my initial goal. When I get there I will reevaluate and set another goal but for now that seems reasonable. As of today I am +20 on my weight and working to get down to 0. Does that make sense?

If anyone would like to join me I would love it! The hardest part of losing weight - and believe me, I've been losing and gaining long enough to know this - is feeling like you're doing it alone. So, I'm all about encouraging each other! Even if you don't have pounds to lose but just want to get more physically fit, or maintain what you've already lost and just need somewhere to feel accountable without the pressure or judgement, this is the place. It could be fun! (Did you just roll your eyes at me like I did at myself for writing fun in a weight loss post?)

Anyway, here I go. I'm nervous to be all "out there" with it. But maybe it's what I need. So, here goes nothing (or, hopefully, a whole lot of something!).

Starting weight: +20