Gym Training For the Body and Mind

Last week I decided to add in a third weight lifting training day. Time to really push myself. Trainer Mark has been encouraging me to add in the extra weight days.. Well it's time. Last week after my second day of training with Mark I asked him what muscle group I should do on my own the next day. After complete shock from him he gave me the plan and a high five for pushing myself.

I never understood when people said this, until now.
Best feeling when I complete a workout, dripping with sweat,
Amazed at what I just accomplished!

I left work the next day, heading to the gym, and was determined to complete the routine. I got my workout folder, starting looking at it, went blank in the brain, closed the folder, returned it to the cabinet and did cardio. FAIL! High five not earned. I felt defeated. I got home from the gym wondering what happened? Why did I basically turn and run? It's not because I am intimidated, because truth is, we are all their working on ourselves. So if that wasn't it, what is it? Then it hit me, I am not confident in completing the workouts and knowing how to complete them properly. Well that's a problem, since the whole reason I got a trainer was to learn. This means he is showing me, I am repeating, but not retaining...Not good!!

You have to start somewhere and grow

Frustrated. That's how I felt. I'm a smart girl, I work hard, I learn, so why should the gym be any different? It got me thinking about school. Kids and adults learn differently, some need to hear something, some need to see something, some need to do it only once and they remember. Me? I need to write it. I was like in school and I am the same way at work. If I need to remember something I will write it down on a post-in note. I may never see that post-in note again, but I will remember what it said, because I wrote it. Aha!  That's my learning style. 

My workout journal
Yes, leaopard print. Have to have some fun!

Time to incorporate that into my fitness. I found a small notebook and brought it with me to my next training session. I explained my plan to work, who seemed a little confused at first but never complained and was very patient. As I did a workout he helped me write it down including small details for me to remember like my hand placement, the amount of reps and weights, even my stance. 

Be kind to yourself.
You are learning, at least you are trying!

The next morning after I got ready for work I took a second and went through the routine without weights. I wanted to see if my plan of writing helped it click in my memory and here's the best part, it did!!  I was able to repeat the entire routine without looking at my notes, proper hand placement and all. I believe when you can do something without evening thinking about it, it's called muscle memory and I believe I have found a way to connect my brain and muscles!! I can't wait to try it on more routines this week. 

End of Year Shenanigans

I'm back!  Sorry it has been so long since my last post. I feel like these last few months of 2014 flew by. Thank you to my blogging buddy Gwen for reminding me to get my butt back here. For those of you who don't know Gwen she writes a blog called The Sunny Coconut. If you are looking for honest, sincere, and success please check out her page. When I am feeling blah I read her posts and they usually get me moving again.

Even with all the craziness I am proud to say I have kept up with my workouts and yes, counted ever calorie and carb that went in my body. Even wine. On days when I knew an afternoon workout wasn't possible I got up early to at least get a run in.

5:21 a.m. I took this photo as workout proof for
 trainer Mark that I got a run in

So what else have I been up to...

Work holiday party. This is now a favorite outfit!

No complaints about the food by me...yum!
I shared leftover with my dad later that night

Hanukkah! The best part of Hanukkah for me, is watching my nieces open there presents. Now that they are older and really appreciate things, the look on their faces makes me a big puddle of Aunt Cindy.

Hmm, yeah they got a few presents

Hanukkah selfie with my favorite girls

Can't forget a silly selfie

I think this is our first family photo in many years.
thank you to the Iphone timer feature

And just to add to my fun and shenanigans, I got to ride with my fire company and Santa around town. Still not sure who gets more excited about Santa coming around town the parents, the kids, or me.

Great people, fire trucks,
candy canes, Santa, a lot of fun and so many laughs!

That's the quick and fun of my last month. I know everyone is big on New Years Resolutions, but I must admit it's not my thing. I try and look at every day as an opportunity to grow and enjoy even the little things.  Something that I do like to do throughout the year is make goals. Big ones and small ones. So what are some my goals? I want to play more in the kitchen and share my ideas and yes even failures with you. My goal to health, fitness, and weight loss is an ongoing process.  I would also love to save up for a new camera so I can play around with my photography skills a little more and be creative. These are just a few.

I would like to thank all of you for reading my posts and wish you a very happy, healthy, and safe New Years!!

On a Quest for Protein

One of the biggest things I have come realize is the large role food plays in our daily lives. I don't just mean because it tastes good or stops your stomach from grumbling during a meeting. I have noticed how certain foods make me feel. Some fuel me for a workout while others make me want to take a nap. Finding the right food for me to eat before working out has become a large part of my journey. I have discovered some really good food options, check out my chicken in a can blog post for that delicious option, I absolutely love eating that on just my cardio days. On days when I train with Mark I am really pushing myself and started feeling like I need a little something extra. I asked around the gym and found a lot of people drink protein shakes or eat protein bars. The next time I was good shopping I checked some labels and was bummed. A lot of them are FULL of carbohydrates, high calories, made with soy, gluten, tons of sugar, and not what I wanted. There goes that idea I thought, until one day on twitter someone mentioned QuestBars. I decided to check them out and was very pleasantly surprised.

My favorite flavor of QuestBar
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

The QuestBars weren't full of sugar at all, low in calories, gluten free, low in carbs, not full of so many crazy ingredients that I can't even pronounce. I was excited, but thought how good could these taste. I found out they sell them at the GNC down the street and off I went. I picked up a bunch of different flavors like, chocolate chip cookie dough, cookies and cream, white chocolate raspberry, and apple pie. These are just a few of the flavors they offer. The next day before my workout with Mark I ate the chocolate chip cookie dough bar. I loved that I was able to eat it in the car on the way to the gym, my meeting ran late and I wouldn't have had time to sit down with a fork and eat anything else.  So how did it taste you ask?  DELICIOUS!!!!  I loved it. Perfect texture, perfect flavor, didn't leave a weird after taste or leave me craving for more sugar or bad stuff.  Now the big question...how did it hold up against a Mark workout? PERFECT!  I was well fueled throughout the workout and even earned the nickname tiny beast.  I now have a bar before every workout.

There are so many different delicious flavors for you to choose from
Trust me you won't get bored!

I tried most of the other flavors and have to say the chocolate chip cookie dough and cookies and cream bars are my favorite. I buy them by the box at GNC. I have also used them as a dessert substitute. There aren't many desserts I can enjoy these days without feeling yucky after or guilty. One night after having dinner with my family I felt a little blah because I wanted the dessert, but knew I would regret it. I remembered I had a bar stashed in my purse so I took it out and got to enjoy dessert with everyone else without feeling guilty. I wouldn't recommend doing that all the time as the bars are high in protein, but for the occasional treat with friends and family I say indulge and have fun.

The box description talked me into giving them a try
so very glad I did

For more information about the Quest bars and ingredients check out the Quest website at http://www.questnutrition.com/ingredients/

Disclaimer:  I am in no way affiliated with Quest. I just love their product and wanted to share my new favorite find!!

Mind Over Body For Success

Last week was my first full week back to the gym since the beginning of summer. I started with my new trainer Mark and made some new gym buddies. I loved being back in the gym atmosphere. I switched up my cardio a little to break away from my safe treadmill, have you ever heard of a seated elliptical? I definitely didn't until that day and now I love it. The guy next to me had to show me where all of the adjustments were, but once I got going I was hooked. The biggest change was the new trainer.  My first trainer when I joined the gym started off great and then went down hill, I wasn't sad when he was no longer at the gym, the next trainer was okay but definitely didn't keep me coming back for more (hello summer off). I spoke to the assistant manager before setting my appointment and after talking to her a few minutes she said she knew exactly who I should train with. I went with her gut and set the appointment. I am so happy I did.

I want working out to be a part of my every day life.
If I enjoy the process, I will come back for more

Mark is amazing!! I now workout with him two times a week. The first time we met it was mostly to go over food, my goals and expectations, took all of my measurements and even did my weight and body fat % (yikes). Next was our workout, it was tough, but I enjoyed it. For the first time I was sweating and feeling like I was really working towards my goal of not just weight loss, but overall tone and health. The next workout was arms...um ouch. What I really like about the workouts he teaches, is that I feel confident enough to go in and do it by myself on days I am not training with him. One the biggest reasons I had for getting a trainer was to learn how to do it on my own, without being afraid.

Knowledge is power...
When I am done with my training sessions,
I will know how to continue my workout success and not be afraid

I also love that he not only pushes me, but he encourages as well. He is such a positive influence and has this amazing energy to be around, he somehow even manages to keep me laughing throughout my workout. Last night's workout was legs. Mark pushed me to the point where my legs felt like jello and shaking all over. I was dripping with sweat and at one point was ready to give up. He wouldn't let me, he kept telling me to push myself, to do it for myself, I had it in me and not to give up. At that point, instead of thinking about my jello legs I concentrated on his words. I thought about my body and how I want it to look. I thought about all my hard work and how good it was feeling. I thought about not letting myself down and not letting him down. I could do and I did do it. I finished all my reps and went through the entire workout routine. I was exhausted, sweaty, and shaking, and couldn't have been more proud of myself. I also can not wait to workout with him again next week.

This is exactly how I felt walking this morning!!
At least I was laughing while trying to walk

I realized sometimes it's your mind letting you down, telling you to give up or you can't do something. I believe for the most part if we tell our mind to be quiet for a second, be positive instead of negative, and believe in ourselves you can accomplish anything!!

I'm not done until Mark says I am done,
 and then he tells me to do more

And yes my legs are hurting big time today, but I will still be in the gym this afternoon for my cardio routine telling my head to be quiet I can do it.

Learn to Trust Your Body

A few years ago a friend of a friend approached me to help him with some administrative/marketing work for the gym he had opened up. I knew financially they weren't set yet so we decided to make a deal. He was going to give me a super low discount and train me personally for my administrative/marketing services. Since I was really wanting to get into shape I was on board with that deal. This wasn't your everyday treadmill, weights, classes type of gym; this was more of a boot camp style gym. Before we even started working out I warned him that I had a very weak lower back and sometimes my knees bothered me and wanted to make sure that wouldn't be a problem. He assured me it would not be a problem and he would modify moves to prevent injury. I worked out with him for about a week and was feeling sore, but knew I was working towards my goal.  During the second week I went in like usual for my workout, he decided to switch up the routine a little and we used medicine balls and dummies to drag around. Turns out I was the dummy that day and didn't listen to my body. I knew something didn't feel right during some of the moves, but thought, this guy is professionally trained and must know what he is doing.....

They know a lot, but you know your body.
Don't forget to tune in and listen to yourself
Pic: http://www.memecreator.org/

After waking up the next day and passing out from the pain I was in when I tried to move. I went to a chiropractor for a full workup. He discovered I had 2 bulging discs and 1 partially herniated. OUCH!  I continued to see him multiple times on a weekly basis to get myself back in action for a very long time. During each session, or every time my back would twinge, or when I see the shoes I can no longer wear due to the heel size, I repeated to myself...why didn't I just trust myself when I knew that workout was bad for me.

Moving was not an option
pic: https://lapsedpt.wordpress.com/page/2/

I learned a lot from that experience. The biggest being, trust your body and instincts. Sure he was professionally trained, but that doesn't mean he knows everything and he especially doesn't know my body. I should have stopped him and refused to do the workout, even though he told me to work through the pain. Big lesson learned. Through my chiropractor I  learned about the importance of stretching. My chiropractor gave me tons of stretches to do on my own to help loosen everything up and that made a tremendous difference. I found this really neat deck of cards that shows other stretches and techniques, they explain every move and even have pictures on them to help you visually see what the stretch should look like. The stretches are for all over the body, not just your back. I highly recommend them. I still do my stretches after every single workout or even on days when I feel my muscles tight. The last big lesson I learned was to always keep a good heating pad in your home!!

Stretch Cards
Really helpful information to get you started stretching

Front and back pictures of the cards
One side explains and the other side shows

I know my back will never be the same again, but I am learning more and more how to help myself and maybe this story will help prevent someone in the future from going through what I did and if you already suffer from aches and pains check out different stretches that you might benefit from.

Wake Up and Workout

A few months back I mentioned that I joined a gym and I love going. I never thought I would say I love the gym, but I do. I loved learning how to use the different pieces of equipment, the atmosphere, and the mental escape for the time I am in there. But then summer happened, and along with summer came more daylight, beautiful warm weather, and after work outdoor fun! I think I made it to the gym after work about once all summer. Sure I was usually swimming in the pool with my family or going to backyard BBQs, but I missed my workouts.

The girls enjoying ice cream from the ice cream truck
Dad and me lounging in the pool...
(moments before this picture I tried to jump on the raft and lost my bathing suit bottom,
not sure who turned redder me or the life guard!)

One morning I woke up early, I had too much on my mind. It was 5:30 a.m., not enough time before the alarm clock going off to even try and go back to sleep, so instead I got up and decided to go for a jog on my treadmill. After about a minute I felt wide awake. By 5 minutes my mind, which had been running in circles with too much to think about, was now open and clear. After that I didn't check the time, it was full speed ahead and felt amazing!! 

Yup, I took an early morning workout selfie

I enjoyed that workout so much I now set my alarm clock to get up at 5:30 every morning. My morning and days no longer feel as awake and complete without that workout. I also get to watch the sunrise, hear the birds chirp (when I turn the headphones off), and enjoy the quiet that comes with mornings. I also love knowing that no matter how the rest of the day unfolds and no matter how busy I get I at least got my minimum 2 mile jog done for the day.

My morning treadmill view
L: When I first hop on the treadmill
M: During my jog..don't worry I slowed down to take this picture
R: When I am finished and ready to start the day

I still love the gym and get there whenever I can, in fact, I am going to try some Zumba and yoga classes this month with a friend. I can't always control the evening, but now I know the morning is all mine and totally worth getting up early. If you can get up and get moving I highly recommend, and the best part is, once you do it a few times I bet you will be hooked! 

Light a Fire Under Yourself and Workout!

This past week I got to do a live fire training drill at our fire county academy with my department. Again, I am not a firefighter. I do not go inside. What I do is help out the department behind the scenes, offering support. In addition I do photography. A lot of people ask me why I take the photos? My answer, I am not like reporters trying to take pictures of just the bad/scary stuff, I take pictures of the men and women who risk their lives to save people, homes, and memories. Those men and women should be proud of themselves and I want to give them a glimpse to see what the rest of us see and how truly amazing they are. A few years ago after a particularly large fire, I gave a photo to firemen from another company. He had been a firefighter for most of his life and he was an older gentleman. When I saw him next he brought me over to his gear rack to show me he framed and displayed the picture above it. He hugged and thanked me for that memory. It was a really amazing feeling. I have also been able to work with police departments,who have used my photos in their files when working on cases related to the accident or fire. Families have contacted me for photos to give to their insurance company to help them out. I have been very fortunate to work with some of the amazing men and women.

Spring 2014, house fire.
Everyone got out safe. 

Crews working hard to put it out the fire.
It's all about TEAMWORK!

When we are at the academy I wear firefighter turnout gear as added protection. Last year was my first year with my new fire company and I had to get a set from them. Since I don't go in and I don't need the same level as protection; I typically get the stuff that the active firemen can't wear anymore due to rips, tears, overuse. Which means....you get what is available and hope it fits. Somehow they managed to get me a full set. The pants were a little snug, the jacket was large, but the boots were just right. I got to go to the drill with them. As I walked around snapping my pictures I felt like I was dragging my body in all the gear. I didn't want to climb the trucks for higher up shots. I know I missed out on some amazing photos because I couldn't move quick enough. Good thing I wasn't inside fighting the fire! I was so sore and tired the next day.

Being fitted for turnout gear with my new company

One year later....

This past week when I had to put on my gear I noticed the pants were super loose, I needed the suspenders to hold them up! The jacket was ginormous making me feel like I was playing dress up in my dad's gear. Even the boots were looser. I was so excited!! I was all over that drill grabbing pictures and moments to share with the company. I wasn't dragging myself or tired after at all. I know this is all due to my hard work over the last year. Eating better, working out, taking care of myself. It was the most wonderful and proud feeling. It may have also opened up the door for a new opportunity to work with an incredible, well respected man in the fire community. I will talk about that more if it pans out, but let's just say I hope it does and I am in the gym stepping up my workout routine so I can keep up, grab the photos, and it doesn't hurt to look good while doing it!

Live training this past week.
Crews inside working

Live training this past week
Training teams working together and learn new techniques

Healthy Feel Good Vibes

In the past whenever I went on a diet and tried to lose weight I would make deals with myself, like if I lost 5 lbs by a certain date I would treat myself to a manicure or buy some new clothes. I have to admit most of the time I didn't make my goal and then usually felt way worsen and usually buried my disappointment in a package of oreos. This time has been totally different.

About a week after joining the gym and really getting into fitness I started noticing how cute some of the women looked. Sure they were sweaty hot messes, but they looked darn good. I looked down at my normal outfit of baggy pants and a plain shirt and felt frumpy. For those of you who can relate, do we agree that is not the best feeling and definitely not motivating? I decided it was time to change that. Since I was on a pretty tight budget I headed to Walmart and hit the jackpot!!  I found pants that came in different lengths, I am short so that is a big deal. I found some really nice and great quality tank tops and shirts. I had so much fun trying them on and picturing myself working out in them. I still get excited when I put on a cute outfit to go workout. After another few paychecks I got myself a new pair of sneakers. I loved putting them on and knowing I was going to break them in with every step I took. The purchases were not for not for anyone to compliment me or comment, they were for me to smile every time I used them, too look forward to using them, and to feel good while doing something good for myself.

Just a couple of the Danskin tanks and pants I got at Walmart.
That's Abby in background helping model

ASICS Women's Gel-Unifire TR Training Shoe
I had a lot of fun breaking them in

One of my best friends is trying to lose weight and when we were talking the other day she seemed so blah and down about herself. I told her to treat herself to something that makes her feel good inside. I noticed that when I take care of me I want to continue to take care of me. When I feel good in my own skin it makes me motivated to continue to work harder. The next day she told me she made a healthy breakfast for herself, first time in a long time and was going to get her nails done, again first time in a while. I was so proud of her, finally stepping up and ready to take care of herself. We even talked about meeting up at one of the parks this week to go walking together.

Hardest lesson I had to learn, but best lesson

I realized it's not about spending money or showing off, it's about what makes you feel good and treating yourself special. Buy some pretty measuring cups or get a hair cut. It's anything that makes you smile, so that every time you go to take care of yourself you remember the feeling. You look forward to your new workout clothes, new measuring cups, or even having your nails done.

Why should we only reward ourselves when we hit a goal. I'm not saying go shopping every day but occasionally treat yourself nice and remember you are important. Everyday that you get up and keep trying and working towards a healthy fit you is a success!!

Lucille Ball put it perfectly!
 Love yourself first!!

Slow Progress is Still Progress

I wish the scale and my body would figure out faster how hard I am working to be healthy and lose weight. Dropping weight quickly has never been in the cards for me, but now that I know certain things like sugar, too many carbs, and not enough good fat were slowing me down, I have been making progress, but oh so slow. I look at some people who can cut back just a little and poof the pounds fade off, I admit I get jealous of them. I think about all of the cookies, Doritos, french fries, pizza I am not eating and how my progress is still slow. I'm pretty sure I am not the only one out there feeling like this. There has to be someone out there thinking I didn't eat the darn chips at the party why can't my pants fit just a little better. In my make believe world  I think you should lose an inch just for NOT eating all of that, wouldn't that be nice!? Too bad it doesn't work like that. 

So there I was getting dressed this morning with the above thoughts in my head and then really looked again in the mirror. Sure I wish it would happen quicker and I would wake up one day with six pack abs and be able to eat cookies, but yeah I don't think that's my reality. Then I switched up my thoughts, I thought about where I was this time last year. Struggling so much. Crying that my shorts from the previous summer no longer fit, all the weight I had lost in the past I put back on and then some. Wearing clothes that didn't make me feel good inside but the got the job done of covering me up, and always tired. This summer, I am still not able to wear the little shorts from previous summers, but I am wearing smaller ones and cute shirts to show off my hard work, I have energy to workout and chase my nieces around the field. I never gave up on myself. I am always adjusting and reevaluating. Trying new things and willing myself to keep trying. It would be so easy to eat the cookies, but the aftermath wouldn't be easy, because for me, it is not just one cookie, it is one BAG of cookies. Instead of spending time pouting about my slow progress this morning, I flipped it and thought about how far I have come and that felt great!  

We all have that one picture that
inspires us to step up and take charge.
This was mine, I felt miserable in my own skin

I wish I could show you more pictures of me before but I can't. I was not only a master at wearing clothes that would hide me, but I was also a master at hiding from the camera. The picture above is after I already lost a little, but really lit a fire under my butt and got me moving and eating better. 

These pics are about 4 months apart

The pictures on the left is me getting ready to start working out for the first time in years!

The picture above is my first progress comparison photo. This time I decided to take pictures along the way so I can SEE the progress. It's a slight difference but enough that makes me remember why I am doing this every day. You know the saying..Every little bit counts, well I say that is so true!

Be proud of your progress no matter how small or slow!!

Freedom to Move

I am not always the most graceful person, in fact I am sometimes a big clutz. I can trip on nothing and I'm pretty sure I have managed to get myself tangled and flustered by my purse straps while looking for something in my bag. It was no different when I started working out and liked to listen to music. It's amazing how much trouble that one little wire connecting my headphones and my iphone could get me in.

See I am not a clutz I just have skills

I would be on the treadmill, swinging my arms and they would always seem to catch the wire, sometimes sending my phone flying or making me use quick reflexes to catch it mid air. Forget when I started using weights. I was all sorts of flustered. Convinced that working out wasn't really about the equipment, but more trying to avoid getting tangled; I knew there had to be a better solution and who would know best...my dad! I knew he wasn't getting caught up in any wires while he was bicycle riding and if there was a neat piece of equipment or trick he would know exactly what it was. He reminded me about the bluetooth headphones my mom had gotten for him when he first started riding. He said they worked and he loved them!  That was it I needed them. I went running around that day to find them and finally a friend of mine tracked them down at a local store. They had one pair left and I believed they were meant for me. 

Bluetooth LG Tone+ HBS-730
Makes the gym and working out easier

These are the coolest headphones ever! The model I got is the LG Electronics Tone+ HBS-730. They charged up really quick and I was able to use them that day. When you turn them on there is a voice that tells you battery level. They synced with my Iphone 4s easily and in seconds. The play, pause, rewind, forward and volume controls are upfront and very easy to get to.  I went walking and not once did I get tangled in any wires it was great. It was so light I forgot I had it on, until I was walking along enjoying my music and tangle-free moment when all of a sudden the headset started vibrating. I had no idea what that meant until my ring tone went through the headset and I realized I was getting a phone call. Yes you can use it with the phone and let me tell you it was crystal clear, my friend had no idea I was 4 miles away from home in a field using a new headset until I told her.  I used them for a week every day for about an hour a day and had to only charge them up once. 

Me demonstrating how the headset looks on and how they work.
They are so light you forget about them

Not only did I love this headset but my cat Abby loved them too, she loved them so much that my sweet innocent angel (ha ha) decided while I was charging them one day to eat through the thin cord connecting the ear buds. I was not happy with her that day. My advice, if you have pets that love your headset like my Abby did, is to charge them in a secret location. Mine now get charged in a drawer, and I hope she never figures out how to open drawers. I did replace that pair within 24 hours, found them on Amazon.com. I can't imagine going back to an old school wired headset now. 

Highly recommend!!

Time For a Regroup!

It's easy to get caught up in the daily grind of life. Work, errands, cleaning, bills, relationships, being healthy and the list goes on and on. I can often relate to how a hamster feels running in the wheel thing, especially when I am on the treadmill (ha ha). I also find it all to easy to get caught up in worrying about all the things listed above. What's going on at work, what does the future hold. Running errands from one side of the state to the other. Bills...well do I really need to elaborate on those. Cleaning...yeah because that is what I want to do in my free time. Relationships, I love spending time with my family and friends and being part of everything going on, but I also enjoy me time, and what about dating and wondering if I will ever meet my Prince Charming. Being healthy is a job in itself, writing the grocery list, making meals for the week, planning workouts. Well I think you get the hint. This is just my list, everyone's list is different and everyone's struggles are unique and important to them.

Sometimes when I feel myself spinning on that wheel of life I realize that I am missing out on fun things. I don't dance and sing to music as much because I am in my head. I may not take the time to appreciate the flowers that I walk past going to my next store. At the end of the day I know inside I am missing something. Life should include happiness and enjoyment. This is the time I like to remind myself to REGROUP. Take a step back and breathe. Most of the time I will actually say out loud "Cindy you need a regroup". Stop and smell the roses. Whatever term you want to use, remember it and when you feel yourself getting stuck on your wheel of life remind yourself what is important. I know sometimes that is easier said than done, but it really does help, and it really does help you appreciate what you have. I love waking up and  instead of instantly jumping out of bed I will look over and see my cats snuggled up. I love thinking of the smiles on my nieces faces when I see them on the weekend. Having coffee with my mom and sister. Walks with my dad. Meeting up with my best friend Debbie and laughing over anything and everything. Loving the fact that I live close to work and can go home for lunch.

Having fun with my nieces, Ashley and Kaitlyn
I workout so I can keep up with them

The way I see it is the cleaning will always be there, do a little at a time. There will always be bills to pay, try not to add to them. Remember that being healthy benefits you and everyone that loves you and makes you feel great and is definitely worth all the time and effort! Running errands helps you get everything you need to stay on track and hey you never know who you will meet or what adventures you could encounter along the way.Wondering what the future holds, doesn't actually change the outcome, but living your life does so make it a happy one.

My best friend Debbie
Always encouraging me to be healthy, workout, and smile

I truly believe that happiness should always be a priority. And in case you are wondering, on days or weeks when I am on my wheel of life I will go back and read everything I just wrote as a reminder.

Just One of Those Weeks

You know those days where before 9 am you already know it's going to be a rough one. The day starts with you fumbling through your morning routine. You get to work and realize you left a bag at home you needed and have to run home. You spill your coffee. You make it through the day and drag yourself to the gym and then find out your trainer resigned and now you have to start with someone new. Well that was my Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday were pretty similar. Now I am not writing all this to complain or make you feel bad for me, but I am writing this because of the outcome.

I woke up this morning and felt like a kid, I don't want to get out of bed. You can't make me...who am I trying to kid I am going to work. The good news is I like my job so it didn't take much to talk myself to get moving. I had some coffee, a good breakfast, packed my snacks and gym bag for later and off I went. Let's just say the week was being consistent. By the afternoon I was sitting at my desk thinking I need my couch, I am going to skip the gym tonight and just go home and relax and do nothing. The more I thought about it, the more I realized by not going to the gym later I was hurting myself more. I knew I would sit on the couch all night thinking about how I let myself down by not working out. I thought about how great it felt to get dressed for an event the other day and I didn't have to suck in my gut to feel good. I thought that it is just a bad week, but it's going to get better and when it's better I still want to feel good in my skin. Around the time I was thinking this my coworker came in and we ended up laughing about some silly stuff. I mean full on belly laughs, it felt great. My entire body enjoyed the feeling of laughter. I held onto that and my determination and went to the gym.  I didn't do weights but I did a great cardio workout and treated myself to some fresh fruit from the farmers market on my way home.

As I was enjoying my fresh fruit I got to thinking that a month ago a week like this would have brought me to me knees, well couch. I would have skipped the gym, picked up a bag of Doritos, a chocolate bar and regretted it all the next day. Now I know the week isn't over, but I feel stronger than I have in the past and confident in myself and that is a great feeling. Life happens, for the first time I think I might be onto something, how to deal with the good times and the not so good. So in sticking with the positive thinking I will say that I am hopeful the rest of the week is full of way more laughter and fun!