Day Four...Goodness Gracious!

Ok...gotta post this to get my feet a dancin' and my mind a movin'!

So....where to begin...ok...so I have been bad....I fell off the wagon...just a little bit and it was only just one meal.  I didn't ruin the WHOLE day, ya know!  I do know better than that!!  (LOL)

Great news, though...not ONE curse word came from my mouth today!  WooHoo!!  My downfall is Mexican food and we went to Jalapeno Tree for dinner, which is Makenna and Hayden's favorite place to eat.  I did have a yummy salad, all fresh, but I had a few chips and tortillas.  I didn't overdo it, but I did enough to partially fall off the wagon :(  The great news is that I stayed very centered all day, kept a positive attitude AND I DIDN'T CURSE!!!!!!!!!  lol  Right?  I know you guys are laughing pretty hard right now, huh?  I have to just continue to set my goals and meet them.  "If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again!"

After 10 minutes of Yoga for Abs, I rewarded myself with a fabulous breakfast and big cup of coffee, and I must say, it was the best meal of the day today!  I went out of my comfort zone and had oatmeal with fresh raspberries.  Not a huge fan of raspberries, but man...that was awesome!  For lunch was a beef fajita wrap at Tyler Street Bistro...so yummy!  The chips they served with the wrap sat on my plate and didn't get touched!  THAT is willpower!! 

The only negative thing I can say about today is that I am exhausted.  I don't know if it is from cutting a lot of processed foods and carbs out of my diet or that my body just needed the rest.  I did take a break from the gym tonight (which un-nerved me a bit) and will check back in on Friday.  Gotta hit those bleachers!!!  My insanity must have it...Friday, Saturday and Sunday with Shelly!

I read a great quote today that inspired me to not quit my journey.  I do get discouraged and everything is not roses, although on the outside you might think everything is peachy.  I struggle on a day-to-day basis of "I wanna eat that" or "should I do that instead of go to the gym?".  I have to continuiously tell myself, "You can't go through life quitting everything.  If you're going to achieve anything, you've got to stick with something." -from the show Family Matters

My three goals for tomorrow are:  EAT CLEAN (no falling off the wagon partially), get brave really quick (since I am not a roller coaster kinda-girl) and no cursing.  I want to continue the trend of a clean mouth, clean diet and clean EVERYTHING!  Yes, I know I am going to fall off the wagon from time to time...I am far from perfect, but I can always get back on, stronger-willed and ready to roll!

I am so grateful for my family and all the laughter we share together.  I am also grateful for a wonderful job and all the opportunities that have been sent my way in the field of dental assisting.  The Lord has truly blessed me with so many wonderful people and things in my life. I could not ask for more! 

Well, I hate to make this short and sweet, but my exhaustion is really kicking in!  Gotta get plenty of rest for tomorrow since we are all going as a family to Six Flags!  I can't wait!!!!!

Good night everyone and keep those encouraging words coming!!!  I am REALLY enjoying them!!!  Love you all!!!

Day Three and Going Strong!!

It's only Tuesday?!?!?  Really????

I must say, this is the part of my day I really look forward to...reflecting on my day of success!!!!  I won't lie and I promised myself I wouldn't, but I didn't meet one of my goals...I said 3 bad words today :(  I am really getting better considering people must have thought I was a sailor in my past life!  I did catch myself though and quickly asked for forgiveness! 

My morning started out VERY peaceful with 10 minutes of Yoga.  I have come to the conclusion that is a time to reflect on my day ahead and pray.  I really enjoy that time to myself...centers me...then I reward myself with a HUGE cup of coffee!!!! 

My eating today has been nothing but clean and healthy!  A mushroom-onion omelete for breakfast, organic salad from Jason's Deli for lunch and Turkey Tostadas for dinner.  Nothing was processed and everything was fresh!  I can completely tell a difference with my headaches, my energy and my attitude.  I feel much more determined to stay on track, workout longer and I am seeing instant results!  The crazy thing was...I didn't crave sweets or processed food ALL day!!!  That is a major change from when I was "dieting".  My only quam is that I enjoy one glass of Cab a night, which is great for heart health and relaxation, but it isn't on the plan...lol!

I worked out with Cindy tonight and had a great lifting session.  We did biceps, triceps, back and abs.  Man am I gonna be sore tomorrow, but I know that my muscles are growing because I did something right!  No cardio tonight...took a break before tomorrow's Couch to 5 K Lesson and Bleachers on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Yes, I am addicted, but it gets me outta the gym and into "nature".  LOVIN' IT!!  I get to reward myself for working so hard in the gym and being successful in my eating with a trip to Six Flags with the family on Thursday, which I am stoked about!  I love family time and I must reward us all for my successes!

Tomorrow's goals...don't fall off the wagon (I hear the 3rd and 4th days are the hardest), keep centered in my goals and TRY NOT TO CURSE!!!!  Yeah...since I somewhat FAILED at that attempt today, I am going to make it a goal for tomorrow and the next day and the next day until I get it right!!! 

I want to end my blog for the night with a wonderful quote I found on quotegarden.com.  I find so many inspirational quotes there.

"Don't be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs.  Every time you conquer one it makes

you that much stronger.  If you do the little jobs well, the big ones will tend to take care of themselves."  - Dale Carnegie

I hope you all have a blessed night!  "See" ya tomorrow!!!

Day Two

In the dictionary, Monday is referred to as the second day.  The good thing is...I am not a Monday-Morning Quarterback!!!!

Today, by far, has been the BEST day I had had in a long time!  It was filled with positive attitudes/vibes, great patients, great friends and above all else, I met ALL my goals!!!!!!!!! 

To start the day....well...

and it was FABULOUS!!!!!  I enjoyed 10 minutes to myself, in peace with no distractions!  I put myself first for a change!  I also had a delicious breakfast of oatmeal with fresh blueberries and coffee...yummo!

Lunch was a success and even though you have to fast-food it, you can still eat healthy (and I know b/c I looked at the Nutritional Menu online).  A Chicken, Bacon, Ranch Salad from McDonald's kept me full until I ran into the "sweet tooth" time of the day, which I immediately cured with 5 fresh strawberries. 

I got to join my daughter, Makenna and friend Cindy at the gym and ran over 2 miles!!!!  I exceeded my goal and could not have been more proud!  I actually danced on the treadmill!!!  I think the people at my gym think I am totally nuts, but I DON'T CARE!!!!  The only thing I wasn't able to do, due to time constraints, was lifting light weights, but I will rendered that when I got home...did a little bi and tri workout with free weights I have stashed under the bed.



To some it is not much...to me, it's a goal achieved!!!!



Dinner was phenominal!  I made a recipe from my inspirational book and fell in love!  It was Mexican Chipolte Pork Tenderloin and I steamed some broccoli for the veggie side..all clean, low-fat, low carb and DELICIOUS!!!!! 

I realized today, after a long talk with a co-worker, that every day changes and nothing stays the same.  Striving for perfection and letting go of things will keep me healthy, happy and a better person all the way around.  Being defensive makes things harder on everyone, mostly on myself...

I am so grateful for a wonderul workplace with wonderful co-workers.  I am also grateful for all my experiences in the past two days of learning more about myself and understanding other point of views.  Lastly, I am grateful for life.  God has given me a wonderful life, family and friends and although Earth is my temporary home, I must make my life extraordinary and in turn will make a difference in the lives of others. 

My goals for tomorrow are to not curse, keep a positive attitude and EAT CLEAN...stay on track!  As Cindy told me today on the treadmill, "I can do all things though Christ who strengthens me".  Phil 4:13 (and let me tell you, she said it at the perfect time on the perfect day!)

Good night all.  I hope your Monday was as awesome as mine and your week is blessed with successes and happiness!

Day One

Can I say...WHEW!  It has been a busy, yet productive day!!!  Wanna see how it started???                           

Yes...those are only one side of bleachers at Lobo Stadium!  My workout partner in crime, Shelly and I worked out for over an hour, doing 2 sets (that is both sides of the field x2) of bleachers, sprints, hill running, walking lunges and jogging!  I LOVE BLEACHERS...and no...I am not insane!

I think my biggest challenge today was going to Walmart.  As much as I wanted to buy all those little things we used to, I know that I wasn't going to succeed if I gave into temptation.  Our basket was full of fresh produce, whole wheat items and things to make healthy, nutritious meals that actually have some taste to them!  I can't wait to get into the kitchen!

My goals I set for myself for today have gone pretty well.  I was not fully successful with 3 sets of bleachers, but all the extra work I did on the track made up for it!  I have eaten healthy all day (Breakfast: GNC Lean Shake, Lunch: Tukey and Feta Whole Wheat Wrap, Dinner: Ribs w/ homemade potato salad and beans-celebrating Makenna being here!)

Makenna and I have decided to do my journey board together, as I am wanting her to be a part of my life changing journey as well.  She is a great young woman and I am so proud of her!  I am glad she is here visiting and hanging out with us, and for that I am grateful.

I am also grateful for all the wonderful posts I got on FB, the encouragement and inspiring words you guys have sent me!  Keep them coming because I know I will need them!!!  Last, but not least, I am grateful for my friends who support me, workout with me and keep me going when it gets tough!  Without you, I don't know where I would be!!!

My three goals for tomorrow are: positive thinking and speaking, eating 3 healthy meals and getting in a great 2 mile run at the gym with some light weight training.  I know I can do it!!!

I hope everyone has had a GREAT weekend and that Monday flies by quickly for all!  "See" you tomorrow!!!

The Day Before the Beginning

I have a great friend who told me about a GREAT book by Tosca Reno, but the bookstore did not have the exact one, so I picked up another titled "Your Best Body Now", purchased it and walked out the door.  Little did I know how much this book would motivate me to become physically and emotionally healthier!!!

Laying by the pool, watching my 8-yr old son swim, I read the book and could not put it down!  Each sentence gave me inspiration and encouragement to no longer put everyone ahead of me and understand that if I am not healthy, no one can take my place.  After my health scare last summer, I have come to realize that Josh has one wife, Hayden has one mother, and my parents have one daughter (yes I am an only child) and no one can replace me! 

I have also come to the realization that I am not perfect....as hard as I try, I am not perfect by any means.  I am not the perfect wife, mother, daughter, friend and employee.  I mount tons of stress upon myself to try to be perfect and this is something I have to change....and in a hurry!!!  I feel this will eliminate a major portion of my stress.  As Tosca Reno says..."When you realize trying to be perfect is really overrated-and frankly impossible-you will discover happiness!"

Starting tomorrow, I will be making a "board" with pictures, inspirational quotes and my big goal right in the center!  I want to place it where I can see it, study it and take it in every day!  I will be eating "clean" (nothing processed...everything fresh!), logging in my food and exercise, setting small goals for each day and also coming to grips with my imperfections and any challenges that happen. I will also write down each day three things I am grateful for, the best thing that happened to me that day and how proud of myself I am!  I must allow myself to be proud of my successes.

I do ask, as a friend, to give encouragement and join me on my journey!  I am really looking forward to meeting my daily and end goals, but want to continue, after meeting my goals, to live a good, physically and emotionally healthy life.  In this day and age, people are miserable, depressed and unhealthy...you can see it in their faces!!  I don't want to be one of those people by ANY means and I don't want any of my friends to be in the same boat!  You want to join me on this journey??  PLEASE DO!  We can form a great support group of friends to lean on when we have a tough challenge we think we can't overcome! 

I am setting my goals for tomorrow:  Run 3 sets of bleachers (each side of the field is one set) and at least 1 mile on the track, eat a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner, make my "Journey Board".

In the end, I must lean on my saying that I have lived by for the past few years (the funny thing is, I forgot where I found it!!)..."Success depends on your backbone, not your wishbone". 

Let the "journey" begin...