I sound my Barbaric Yulp!!

Fat Ticker Friday WI - 140lbs!!

Back up again!!!

**Below Post is from my Sparkpeople.com blog!!!

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November 21, 2008.... from Brook Noel

Good Morning "There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day."--Alexander Woolcott





I love this quote by Woolcott, because it is a reminder to me that every day is very important--no matter what the day holds. Often, we believe that only the days holding significant events are important. We forget that even the simplest and unstructured days are important, too. Each day etches a slice into our history. And besides, we never know what can happen in a day! Even a quiet, unscheduled day, can bring a revelation.





Your Turn: Let each day unravel and reveal itself to you, without your deciding whether it is important or not. You will likely be pleasantly surprised by all the magic contained within a twenty--four hour period.





Today's Affirmation: I seize the day!


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Today's quote reminded me of the quote from Dead Poets Society - I SOUND MY BARBARIC YULP!! lol... Seize the day!!! lol....





Well many of you know that yesterday was my little man's birthday & we had a blast!!! He was KING for the day and he lived up to each and every part of it! lol... I was even able to live through his eyes & it felt great to be a kid again. But at the above quote says - why not choose to be that way EVERY day??!! lol... Why wait for a birthday or anniversary to make the day important??!! Choose today! lol... So it's Friday & I'm checking out my weekly workout routine - let's just say that I attempted it. lol... Per today's "unofficial" weigh in I'm going in the WRONG direction. Guess with all the running around & baking (lol) etc., I haven't been doing as great as I thought. But today is YOU-TURN day!!! lol... It gives me a few days to correct what's gone wrong!! lol... I SOUND MY BARBARIC YULP!! lol... SEIZE TODAY!!!





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30 Minute Walk Daily - only got in 2 days this week!!

Week of 11/17 - 11/23


~Mon - 30 Day Shred & Push up challenge test #1 [X]


~Tues - W3D1 C25K Challenge & Push Up Challenge [X]


~Wed - Yoga & Celebrity Fitness workout [X]


~Thurs - W3D2 C25K Challenge [Okay, arthritis got the better of me last night! Only got in 15 minutes] Goal almost met!!! [X]


Push Up Challenge [Didn't meet this one - will definitely be repeating Week 3 next week]





-- Now the weekend is upon us. 3 more days to go!!!


~Fri - 30 Day Shred


~Sat - W3D3 C25K Challenge & Push Up Challenge [DS birthday party this day - wish me luck!!!]


~Sun - Yoga

Fat Ticker Friday!!!

***Using Previous post from another webpage. My scale went down for the count this AM, so couldn't WI today***

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From my blog on sparkpeople.com...

YES I CAN!! Even the scale said so!!! lol...

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Spreading Courage

"People must remind each other that it can be done, and it must be done. We must keep up each other’s courage. In that way, we are enormously strong.” -Vincent van Gogh

Good morning! I love “I CAN” people. Much of my business success and personal contentment rests in forming a network of stable and consistent “I CAN” colleagues and friends. When we associate with people who inspire and encourage, we catapult ourselves forward. Likewise, when we associate with people who doubt and discourage us, we quickly stall or move backward.

I have carefully chosen my close friends and current employees, each of whom reflects the “I CAN” attitude. We also have the “I CAN” attitude in our home. When I travel or go out for a day of shopping or errands, I am often astounded by the amount of negativity and discouragement in the world. I wonder why people would choose to spend time in such a place when instead they could create positive and encouraging surroundings. We all have our share of negative people that we have to deal with. We may also treat ourselves negatively. But as adult women, we also have the right to shape our futures by proactively choosing whom we spend our time with.

This beautiful quote is so powerful because it reminds us how important our words of encouragement can be to one another. It is our encouragement that creates strength and positive action.

Your Turn: Who do you need to give encouragement to today? Who can you help to be strong through positive words? Likewise, who encourages you? What can you do to spend more time with those people? Who discourages you? What steps can you take to spend less time with those who doubt and discourage?

Today’s Affirmation: Each day I encourage and support those around me through word and action.

brooknoelstudio.com/goodmorning/2008/08/29/spreading-courage/

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Tuesday Morning WI!! Drum roll please!!!

135.8!!

WHAT?!! Of course I step on and off several times to make sure that the reading is the same! lol... Okay, so I saw a couple 136.0 a couple times, but hey majority of the time was 135.8!!! WOHOO!!! HAPPY DANCE!!!!

I put my ticker to 136 anyway, just in case it's more accurate! lol... I'll know better by next week's WI!!

I can't believe it still!! My goal so close!!! So... So... close!!! I've been eye balling it for almost 2 years now!!!

Geesh that's a long time to be waiting for something! lol... But now I know!! I CAN!!! I CAN DO THIS!!!!

WHERE ARE ALL MY "I CAN" PEOPLE???!!! WE CAN DO THIS!!! lol....

HAPPY TUESDAY!!!

Tis the Season

Well to get sick anyway. Or so it is in my case right now!! Nursing DS back from his bout with a cold this past weekend has left me feeling slightly run down!! But do notice that I said "slightly"!!! lol... There is still some fight in me! lol...

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Good Morning

“Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life, and when it comes, hold your head high. Look it squarely in the eye, and say, “I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me.” Ann Landers

Good morning! When Ann Landers was asked to give advice about successful living, she shared the above quote. I hadn’t heard this quote until this past week, when I read it in a book I had received for Christmas. Interestingly, that same day, Judy sent the quote through to me. I figured that was a sign to put it at the top of the list for Good Mornings!

When I read Ann’s words, I was filled with a feeling of “Yes!! That is what it takes to live our best life. We don’t shy from trouble, we stare it down.” As a business owner and an Entrepreneur, I have lived this quote over and over. There is nothing more rewarding than the day you realize that within you have everything you need and are perfectly capable of overcoming whatever life throws your way. When we get to the place where we can welcome all of life–the good, the bad and the ugly–with confidence, we know a peace beyond measure.

Your Turn: Realize that we cannot run from trouble, it is an inevitable part of life. However we can learn to rise above it. Welcome all of life’s experiences–the good, the bad and the ugly. Challenge yourself to look these experiences in the eye and use them as a catalyst to become the “very best” you can be.

Your Affirmation: I am bigger than any troubles.

brooknoelstudio.com/goodmorning/2008/01/31/good-moring/

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Mid Week Review!

~~ 30 Minute walk daily - Opting out of walking outdoors today, BUT will do WATP when I get home!!!

Evening Workout Routine:

*Mon: 30 Day Shred - Level 2 (X)

*Tues: C25K & Push Up Challenge W2D1

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*Wed: Yoga & WATP (tweaking)...

*Thurs: C25K & Push Up Challenge W2D2

*Fri: 30 Day Shred - Level 2

*Sat: C25K & Push Up Challenge W2D3

*Sun: Rest and/or Yoga HAPPY HUMP DAY!!!

Week Two - The Challenges Continue!!

Stepping Up To The Plate

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.”-Ambrose Redmoon

Good morning! We often admire others we see as “courageous.” We admire their drive, their spirit, and their commitment. It is easy to wish we could live without fear and with such devotion. I love this quote because I think it speaks an important about truth about courage.

People are not courageous because they do not feel fear: people are courageous because they have found something that is more important than their fear. They have found something that awakens their heart, mind, and spirit. This “something” changes their perspective. The “something” becomes large, so their fear becomes small. When we don’t have an important “something” in our lives-one that awakens mind, body and soul-fear will be overwhelming.

Your Turn: What drives you? What awakens your heart, mind, and soul so that your destination becomes more important than your fear?

Today’s Affirmation: I am courageous.

brooknoelstudio.com/goodmorning/2008/07/27/stepping-up-to-the-plate/

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What drives me??!! This morning it was my unofficial WI of 136lbs!!! WOOHOO!!! I'm in the 130s!! FINALLY!!! lol... I'm so CLAIMING it now!!!!

My Challenges continue this week!!!

~~ 30 Minute walk daily

Evening Workout Routine:

*Mon: 30 Day Shred - Level 2

*Tues: C25K & Push Up Challenge W2D1

*Wed: Yoga

*Thurs: C25K & Push Up Challenge W2D2

*Fri: 30 Day Shred - Level 2

*Sat: C25K & Push Up Challenge W2D3

*Sun: Rest and/or Yoga

*** Can you see your goal??? How close is it????!!!!

Have an Awesome Day!!!

Friday Happy Dance!!

Ideas for Living Stronger

“Life is a competition not with others, but with ourselves. We should seek each day to live stronger, better, truer lives; each day to master some weakness of yesterday; each day to repair a mistake; each day to surpass ourselves.” —David B. Haight

Good morning! During the last Olympics, my daughter and I talked a lot about what “being a Champion” means. When I read this quote, I felt it truly embraced what it means to be Champion in life. If each of us were to embrace this quote, how could we not feel good come nightfall?Few of us will ever compete in an arena such as the Olympics. However, each day we compete in the arena of life and self-improvement. If we embrace the teachings of today’s quote, a personal gold medal is within our reach.

Your Turn: Do one of the following today:
· live a stronger, better, truer life
· master some weakness of yesterday
· repair a mistake · surpass yesterday

Your Affirmation: I become stronger everyday.
brooknoelstudio.com/goodmorning/2008/02/23/january-29-good-morning/


***And that I am!!! Stronger & more determined each and every day!!! lol...

Week In (end) Review!
Mon - 30 Day Shred (X)
Tues - C25K W1D1 & Push up W1D1 (X)
Wed - Stretch/Yoga (X)
Thurs - C25K W1D2 & Push up W1D2 (X)

*** So far so good!!! Last night with Day 2 of the push up challenge - 7 push ups straight & NOT on my knees!!! Oh yeah!!! lol... I'm getting there!!! 2 more days to go!!

Fri - 30 Day shred
Sat - C25K W1D3 & Push up W1D3
Sun - Yoga

HAVE A WONDERFUL FRIDAY!!!

Hot for the Holidays Weigh In

Hanging tough!! Back down in the 130's this week!! WOOHOO!!! Down 1.6lbs and coming in at a strong 138.2lb!

Currently do two challenges:

C25K

One Hundred Push Up challenge.

Almost done with week 1 & it's been feeling pretty good being able to challenge myself! Hopefully this will help to get me through the holidays!!!

One Day... One Step Closer

Carrying Your Burdens
“Anyone can carry his burden however hard, until nightfall. Anyone can do his work, however hard, for one day. Anyone can live sweetly, patiently, lovingly, purely, till the sun goes down. And this is all life really means.”-Robert Louis Stevenson

Good morning! I love this quote. How often do we put our energy into tomorrow’s issues instead of focusing on what is on our plate for today? When we spread our energy between today and tomorrow, it is hard to carry the challenges of the day or enjoy the fruits at hand. However, when we walk with focus, step-by-step, we find that in one day-sunset to sundown-we can carry whatever we must, love and enjoy to the fullest, work and share at our full potential. This focus is the single most-important ingredient for living a wonderful day.

Your Turn: Draw your attention to today and the joys and challenges at hand. Whenever tomorrow or yesterday drift into view, refocus on the matters at hand. Live richly in the moment.

Today’s Affirmation: I accomplish everything I need to accomplish today. brooknoelstudio.com/goodmorning/2008/11/05/carrying-your-burdens/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have to do that sometimes. I have to stop myself from jumping 3 weeks into the future and leaping 10 months back into the past! Take today for what it is - A Gift... A PRESENT!!!

Tonight is WEEK 2 DAY 2 of both my C25K & Push up Challenge!! I'm actually REALLY looking forward to it!! Last night Yoga was sort of a bust. Got through maybe 10 minutes of a On Demand Lean & Strong yoga and DS decided that he wanted to play right beside Mommy on the floor! lol... Such an attention stealer that little one of mine!!! lol... I guess I could have went back to it after I put him down for the night, but by then I just wasn't into it - mentally!! BUT... I did do those signature 7 moves from Fitness Magazine Celebrity Workout. I can STILL feel those!!! lol... If anyone is interested, here is the link: www.fitnessmagazine.com/bettertv/members/index.jsp?cid=1370863185&lid=1348327098&tid=1349157845

TODAY'S GOALS:
~~ 64 Ounces of Water - even if I have to force it down my throat!!! lol...
~~W1D2 - C25K & Push up
~~Track food & Exercise (Since I started doing flex pts with WW, I haven't been using the SP tracker as much).

I think 3 is a pretty good number for 1 day! lol...

Stay Blessed!!!

Getting Out of My Own Way...

What a concept!!! lol...

Get Out of Your Own Way - Brook Noel

"Act as if failure is impossible, and your success will be assured. Wipe out every thought of your not achieving your objectives, be brave and set no limits on the workings of your imagination. Never be a prisoner of your past. Become the architect of your future…and you will see that nothing can stop you.”-Anonymous

Good morning! How would your life change if you realized that ninety percent of the obstacles you face in reaching your dreams are created by your mind? I don’t know what the actual percentage is, but I truly believe that the obstacles thrown in our way from life are incredibly outnumbered by the obstacles thrown in our way by ourselves.

If I compare goals I have pursued where I entered them with self-doubt, to goals that I pursued with complete conviction-the results are always the same. I succeeded when the conviction was there, and I faltered when it wasn’t. How can we expect the world to line up and be on our team, if we aren’t even on our own team?

Before we chase a dream, we need to encourage, believe and trust in ourselves. We need to come face-to-face with our doubts and fears, and then overcome them, step-by-step-that is what challenging life is all about.

Your Turn: Where in your life have you been sabotaging yourself? What steps do you need to take to get out of your own way? Who can support you?

Today’s Affirmation: I confidently pursue my dreams.
brooknoelstudio.com/goodmorning/2008/11/02/get-out-of-your-own-way/
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It's Monday!!! Fresh start a brand new week!! I'm back to my workouts twice a day - 30 Minute walk during my lunch hour & my evening workouts. I'm excited!! I know I can do this!! I can see my goal so close!!! So...So... CLOSE!!!

(Note: Weight Watchers WI - down 1.6lbs. Total loss so far 5.6lbs!)

~~Evening Workout Routine 11/3/08 - 11/8/08
Mon - 30 Day Shred (x)
Tues - C25K W1D1 & Push up W1D1 (x)
Wed - Stretch/Yoga (x)
Thurs - C25K W1D2 & Push up W1D2
Fri - 30 Day shred
Sat - C25K W1D3 & Push up W1D3
Sun - Yoga

Fat Ticker Halloween Friday

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Weighed in this morning at 139.2lbs. That puts me down a few ounces from last Friday!! I'll take any loss at this time. Hopefully I'm well on my way to breaking through this plateau!!!

November 1st tomorrow!! Time to revisit and create some new goals!!!

Slow & Steady - Weight Watchers Weigh In

Say that 3x's fast!! WEIGHT WATCHERS WEIGH IN!!! lol....

Well went to week #6 weigh in last night and am down 1.6lbs!!! Not so bad - Wish it could have been better, but I'll take it. I tend to fluctuate up & down each week - which the WW Leader said is okay. Some people do that on the program.

Two important things to me are that I'm sticking with it & that it's working for my sister. I joined to motivate her to loose weight & she is down 11.7lbs!! I try not to start the sibling rivalry right there in the meetings though! lol... I'm only down 4.4lbs & we joined at the same time!!! And she eats more than I do!!! LOL!!!

It's okay. I love my sister to death & if this is really working for her, then I am totally happy!! Hopefully come Jan 2009, I can drag her into the gym!!! Wish me luck!!!

So here was my reminder this morning that slow and steady does win the race!!!

Happy Tuesday!!!
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Lurch, leap or pace??

”It doesn’t matter how slowly you go-so long as you do not stop.”-Confucius

Good morning! In a world in which time has become the master of many, Confucius’ quote offers an important and simple reminder to us. As we reach and stretch and make positive changes in our lives, we need to report to our own internal time clock. Too often, we compare our progress to others. Or we become a negative coach to ourselves, reprimanding ourselves for not doing more or accomplishing something sooner. This type of thinking usually leads to backward movement.

Remember, we are always moving. If we aren’t moving forward, then we are moving backward. But let us not make the mistake of thinking we have to leap forward every day. It is more important to be consistent in our steps, no matter how small, then to leap forward and stop. I have never seen someone “lurch” toward success successfully.

Your Turn: Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare? Focus on consistent, measurable steps versus a sprint. Besides, we would all look funny if we were lurching toward success!

Today’s Affirmation: I consistently take measurable action to accomplish my goals.

Brook Noel's Good Morning Message. For more click here.

Life List Revisted!!

Checking out my life list - I'm actually able to check a couple things off & get started on some others!!! Yeah Me!!!
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My 105 goals in 1005 days - April 24, 2011. Wow... can that be right??

TAMEKA'S LIFE LIST
"To be nobody but yourself--in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else-- means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting." ee cummings

1 Attend a baseball game
2 Attend a Retreat at Omega Institute
3 Attend Bible Study regularly
4 Attend Church on a regular basis
5 Attend Sunday School regularly
6 Be a positive example for Nicolas
7 Be Comfortable in my own skin
8 Be sexy, fit and in perfect health at 50, 60, 70++
9 Be totally and completely in love with my husband
10 Become Self - Employed
11 Bowl a Perfect Game
12 Build a library of my own
13 Buy a house in the south on a lake
14 Buy a new wardrobe in my CORRECT size
15 Buy a Saturn Vue - IN CASH
16 Complete a 10K (run, bike, swim)
17 Create a Back Yard Retreat
18 Dance before the Lord (Mt Aery Spiritual Dancers)
19 Discover God's Will for my life
20 Do 100 regular push-ups nonstop (begin 100 push up challenge November 1st)
21 Do 5 one arm push-ups (G.I Jane style) nonstop
22 Do 50 chin-ups
23 Either loose the Baby Pooch or come to terms with it
24 Finish Nicolas' Baby Book
25 Get a full makeover (hair, clothes etc)
26 Get another tattoo - preferable a Butterfly
27 Get Body Fat % down to healthy level
28 Get out of & Stay out of debt
29 Get out of Corporate America
30 Give back to my Alma Mater
31 Give Up Pretending for good!!
32 Go away to B&B on the beach, by MYSELF (3 nights minimum)
33 Go Camping
34 Go Dancing
35 Go Hiking
36 Go horse back riding
37 Go on a Romantic Picnic
38 Go on an All Christian Women's Retreat (Joyce Meyers, TD Jakes)
39 Go on Vacation By Myself
40 Go Skiing
41 Go to a Broadway Play or Musical
42 Go to Proverb's 31, She Speaks Conference
43 Graduate with Master's degree with Honors
44 Grow out my relaxer & wear hair naturally
45 Have a career that I'm passionate about
46 Have a successful, loving and Christ-Centered marriage - (1 year down)!!
47 Have an 80's theme party
48 Have an At Home Gym complete with Treadmill, Elliptical & TV/DVD for videos (purchased the treadmill)
49 Join a Woman's Bible Study Group
50 Learn Capoeira
51 Learn how to Step - Chicago Style
52 Learn to ENJOY my son now
53 Learn to Forgive and Move on
54 Learn to swim
55 Live Authentically
56 Live in a Neighborhood like the one I grew up in
57 Maintain a healthy weight (preferable goal weight of 130)
58 Memorize Bible Verses important to me
59 Mentor young girls
60 Obtain my Teaching Certificate
61 Own a Bookstore
62 Own my OWN home
63 Participate in an American Diabetes Assoc. Event - will take place Oct 19, 2008 - Done!!
64 Participate in at least ONE Written Word
65 Pet a dolphin
66 Raise Nicolas to become a true man of God
67 Read a minimum of 10 books on the New York Times Best Seller List
68 Read ALL of my books in full
69 Read all of the literature classics
70 Read the Entire Bible in 1 Year
71 Reinvent Myself at least once a year
72 Ride in a Hot Air Balloon
73 Run a 5K in under 30 minutes
74 Run a mile in 10 minutes or less - personal best: 15min 00 sec
75 Save enough money to retire comfortably
76 See Nicolas graduate from College!!
77 Show Nicolas the world
78 Start & Keep a running Blog Page of my journey - started 7/1/08 (done)
79 Stay at a 5 Star Resort
80 Stick around to watch my grandchildren grow up
81 Study & Learn all the Women of the Bible
82 Take a Belly Dance class - have free pass, need to take the class!!
83 Take a Bikram Yoga Class
84 Take a class at Physique 57 in New York
85 Take a karate class
86 Take a Photography Class
87 Take a Pole Dance class
88 Take a positive stand for something I believe in
89 Take a summer vacation - EVERY summer - 2 week minimum!!
90 Take a Tap or Jazz Class
91 Take a walk on a moonlit night, hand in hand, with someone I love
92 Take Morning Prayer Walks
93 Take Mother/Son Get-away
94 Take my Mom & Sister on a Mother/Daughter Cruise
95 Take Nicolas to visit FAMU
96 Take piano lessons (again)
97 Teach a College Course
98 Travel - (Cross country; Italy; Africa; Australia; Islands (any of them)
99 Treat myself to an ALL DAY Spa Retreat
100 Turn a Cart Wheel
101 Visit a nice Jazz Club
102 Visit the top of the Empire State Building
103 Write a Hallmark Card
104 Write and Publish a Children's Book
105 Write and Publish a Novel

Fat Ticker Friday!!!

It's that time again!! I always seem to do so well by Friday & then come Monday night weigh in at Weight Watchers, I'm back up!!! Grrr.... I have to get my weekend eating under control!! You would think I'd be perfect knowing that I'd have to weigh in on Mondays! BUT NOOOO... I'm out and about & eating on the run almost the entire weekend!!

So my goal this weekend is to stay within range!! And to try my best not to go over my additional 35 flex points. I'm already about 15 or so in already!!! lol...

My ultimate goal is to be to my final goal weight by Thanksgiving & maintain throughout the holidays!! I'm about 9.8lbs out!! But I know it can be done!!!

So for today I'm still hanging tough and teetering between 140 and 139! Needless to say, I'm sick of the teetering & am determined to break free of this mini plateau!!

Hope everyone else over at Hot for the Holidays did better than me!!! Who is the Biggest Loser this week???

This week's question from Christie O:

It's Show and Tell Friday here for HFH this week! What do you have to share? A recipe? A tip? A favorite DVD workout you wanna tell everyone about? Do share and link it up!

My show and tell for the week...
1. Plan out my weekly goals - food and exercise.
2. Check in daily to www.sparkpeople.com (love... love... love that website!!)
3. Right now doing 30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels - extreme 20 minute workout!!! It hurts so good!!!
4. Music is my lifesaver on the treadmill & elliptical!!
5. I recently started making crock pot oatmeal - it makes enough for the entire week. No full recipe - I always google it & try whatever comes up!!!

Happy Friday!!!

I'm Rethinking My Approach!!

As Halloween sneaks up on me and the holidays right behind- I thought this Good Morning Message by Brook Noel very fitting.

How will I get through the holidays??!! So I began rethinking my approach. I'm not even going to kid myself into thinking that I'm going to eat all the right things because I already know - I WILL NOT turn down my Mom's good cooking, especially during Thanksgiving & Christmas dinner!!! lol...

So what will my approach be?? Well first I thought about a goal (ask questions). My goal is to push myself to get to or close to my goal weight by Thanksgiving. That's roughly 4 weeks from now & according to my unofficial WI this morning I'm 9.4lbs shy of my goal!! So like I said, get to or CLOSE to!! lol...

For the next four weeks I'm committed to eating within my Weight Watchers Flex point ranges (been doing very good so far this week) and continuing with my work outs twice a day!! On November 1st, I will be doing the hundred pushup challenge - WOOHOO!! Day One will begin on November 1st!! Wish me luck! lol...

I'm also toying with the idea of trying the C25K again. Last time I attempted it, I got through week 1 and quit!!! Here is to re-thinking our approach to EVERYTHING - including life in general!! What's your approach??

Have a Fabulous Day!!!

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Rethink Your Approach

“Rethink your approach…” The theme for a series of Neutrogena print ads

Good morning! During interviews, I am often asked how I have achieved certain accomplishments. In the past, answering this question was always challenging. I found it difficult to articulate a “core” of achievements until stumbling on this Neutrogena advertisement. “Rethink your approach” summarizes a vital and crucial component between achieving and abandoning a goal.

Imagine you are driving to a very important, long-planned, family get-together. While driving, you encounter a closed road. What do you do? Do you rethink your approach? My guess is that you would retrieve your map or just wing it by taking an alternate route; perhaps you might call someone at the gathering and ask what route he used to maneuver around the road block.

When faced with blocks on the road of dreams, too often people do not reach for a map or try an alternate route. Instead they idle, or they park, or sometimes simply wait for “something” to happen. When it comes to personal problems, rarely do we demonstrate the same alternative thinking we use to solve more practical problems like a road block.

If I were to park, idle, or wait, I would likely starve or freeze while sitting in my car and waiting for the road block to clear (I live in Wisconsin and road-construction projects seem to average three years.) Similarly, many people starve their dreams or freeze on the path to achievement, versus rethinking their approach and moving ahead.

I have always loved solving puzzles-word searches, crosswords, logic problems, or the latest craze: Sudoku. Even more than puzzles, I love solving daily life challenges. “What if I tried this?” “What if I looked at it from this angle?” “What if I…” I incessantly evaluate, ask questions, and rethink my approach again and again until I maneuver past the block.

Your Turn: Think of a challenge you currently face. Incorporate the process of rethinking your approach by completing the following sentence at least ten different ways: “What if I….” If you have a hard time getting started, brainstorm with a friend. Come up with outlandish solutions-anything to get the creativity going. Let the list sit for a day. Then, highlight one approach and try it. Instead of idling when challenge comes, choose to view it as puzzle to be solved.

Today’s Affirmation: When faced with a challenge, I rethink my approach. I ask questions and implement answers.

http://brooknoelstudio.com/goodmorning/2008/10/21/rethink-your-approach-2/v

Kicking it into Full Gear!!!

After spending a wonderful afternoon with DH for our 1 year anniversary, it was back to reality at my Weight Watchers WI last night. lol... I'm up 1.4lbs. Geesh... Lose a week & back up the next week!! So after a good night's rest I decided that I'm tired of the yo-yo effect!!! From here on out I'm determined to see some loss each week even if it's .1 pounds - Oh Kay!!! lol...

To keep myself accountable - here is the rest of my workout for the week!!!

Week 10/21 - 10/28

30 minute walk daily - adding in TWO 1 hour walks per week!!
~~ Tues: C+Abs - Turbo Jam & Ab Sculpt
~~ Weds: Stretching - Yoga
~~ Thurs: C+S - 30 Day Shred Level 3 (yes I'm going for it again!!)
~~ Fri: C+Abs - Turbo Jam & Ab Sculpt
~~ Sat: S+Abs - Hi Def Sculpt & Tae Bo Abs & Glutes
~~ Sun: C+S - 30 Day Shred Level 3

*** Received this in my email. Thought it very fitting for my life now & wanted to share!!***

Awakening to Change
Being Aware is the First Step

Life is a journey comprised of many steps on our personal path that takes us down a winding road of constant evolution. And each day, we are provided with a myriad of opportunities that can allow us to transform into our next best selves. One moment we are presented with an opportunity to react differently when yet another someone in our life rubs us the wrong way; on another day we may find ourselves wanting to walk away from a particular circumstance but are not sure if we can. Eventually, we may find ourselves stuck in a rut that we can never seem to get out of. We may even make the same choices over and over again because we don’t know how to choose otherwise. Rather than moving us forward, our personal paths may take us in a seemingly never-ending circle where our actions and choices lead us nowhere but to where we’ve already been. It is during these moments that awareness can be the first step to change.

Awareness is when we are able to realize what we are doing. We observe ourselves, noticing our reactions, actions, and choices as if we were a detached viewer. Awareness is the first step to change because we can’t make a change unless we are aware that one needs to be made in the first place. We can then begin understanding why we are doing what we are doing. Afterward, it becomes difficult not to change because we are no longer asleep to the truth behind our behaviors. We also begin to realize that, just as much as we are the root source behind the causes for our behaviors, we are also the originator for any changes that we want to happen.

There is a freedom that comes with awareness. Rather than thinking that we are stuck in a repetitive cycle where there is no escape, we begin to see that we very much play a hand in creating our lives. Whether we are aware of them or not, our behaviors and choices are always ours to make. Our past and our present no longer have to dictate our future when we choose to be aware. We are then free to move beyond our old limits, make new choices, and take new actions. With awareness, our paths can’t help but wind us forward in our lives while paving the way for new experiences and new ways of being. It is through awareness that we can continue to consciously evolve.

Fat Ticker Friday!!!

Weighing In for Fat Ticker Friday...

I'm down to 139.4 - WOOHOO!! Still hanging in the upper 130s and low 140s. I still see my goal in sight though!!

Our Question of the week from Christie was:

So remember our question for this week? About your favorite and least favorite body parts or rather, what you'd like to work on? What are they???

Let's see fave body part: Recently this has been my arms. I'm seeing more definition and toning in my biceps and even in my shoulders. All those push-ups I've been doing with the 30 Day shred. ;-)

Least Fave: The thighs - have to say that I'm still not digging the rubbing together of the inner thighs! lol... BUT I have been doing some "thigh dancing" compliments of Kelly Ripa showing me these workouts from Physique 57!! And these moves really do work wonders.

I hope everyone else is still getting HOT FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!!

Stay Blessed!!!

Week of October 18th Revised

G GODLY TRUST *** Continue with Morning Prayer - however the form of prayer takes place! Listening to a sermon, listening to praise & worship!! Just begin each day PRAISING the Lord!!!

O OPEN AIR *** 15 to 20 minutes fresh air daily!

D DAILY EXERCISE *** 20 Minute Streak with BLC8; Fall Fest Walking Challenge Daily 30 Minute Walks & weekly workout routine (evenings).

S SUNSHINE *** 10 to 15 minutes daily!

P PROPER REST ***Try for 6 to 7 hours uninterrupted sleep!!

L LOTS OF WATER *** Drink UP! Drink UP!!! 64 ounces minimum per day!!!

A ALWAYS TEMPERATE ***Leave work at work - don't take stress home; Prepare meals better to avoid mindless eating!!!

N NUTRITION ***Write... WRITE! WRITE!! Start tracking food again, even the bad stuff!!! Get it all down in writing - accountability!!! In addition, need to PLAN... PLAN... PLAN... All meals each day!! ***************************************

~~ 30 Minute Daily Walks

Evening Workout Routine
10/12 - 10/18
Sun: C - Hip Hop Abs, Fat Burning Cardio... [x]
Mon (WW Meeting): C+S - 30 Day Shred, Level 2... [x]
Tues: C & Abs - HHA Fat Burning Cardio & Ab Sculpt... [x]
Weds: Deep Stretching or Yoga...
Thurs: C+S - 30 Day Shred, Level 2

***Taking out Hip Hop Abs - Not Liking it***
Fri: C & Abs - 20 minutes Turbo Jam & Ab Sculpt
Sat: C+S - 30 Day Shred, Level 2

Trying to change the Woe-As-Me to Won-Derful-Me

The Big Question

"If you don’t change your thoughts your life will be this forever. Is that good news?” -Dan Miller, Releasing Principles for Work/Life Excellence!

Good morning! This morning’s quote is quite a reality check and eye-opener isn’t it? Odds are when you read it, you had an immediate reaction…either positive or “Oh, no!” The quote is so true though: our thoughts become our actions and our actions become our history and our history becomes our legacy. Given that this begins with thought, what type of legacy are you creating?

What have your recent daily thought patterns been like? Are you feeling mostly positive and influencing those around you in positive ways? Have you been somewhat self-absorbed, missing chances to help others? Are you wrapped in negativity or stress without a plan to break free?

Your Turn: What was your reaction to today’s quote? Use the self-check technique of auditing your thinking each hour on the hour if you want to answer today’s questions differently.

Today’s Affirmation: I control my thoughts; they are positive and supportive to myself and others. http://brooknoelstudio.com/goodmorning/2008/10/15/the-big-question/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pretty much in a bad way this morning and steadily praying for a better afternoon. Just all the "blahs" that could possibly hit you as once - hit me this AM.

Like the picture - that's all I want to do today - stuff my face!!!

And lookie at today's quote from Brook. A quick chuckle for me this morning, but not enough to break the funk just yet. I did say 'YET"!! Guess I'll be using her self check method today!!

What's funny is, when everyone is so used to you being the cheerleader/ all smiles person - when you're so not in that mode they all want to know "What's Wrong??"... "What Happened".... "Are You Okay??" And I know they mean well (and by "they", I mean my lovely co-workers). lol... But in the back of my mind I keep wondering - aren't I allowed to have a day off? lol... I suppose not.

I'm praying that things lift up by the afternoon.

Hopefully I'll stay clear of all junk food, but I do tend to be an emotional eater!!

Pray for my will power today!!!

Weighed In

Well this is my 4th week with Weight Watchers and I weighed in last night at 2.2lbs less!!! Yay Me!!! That puts me down a total of 4.7lbs.

I'm still anxiously awaiting my 5lbs star!! lol... So sad when you look forward to the little things. lol... I did notice what my downfall was last week - I have to write everything down, even the bad stuff and drink lots of water!!! So even with my M&Ms and Dove Chocolate Bar, I still went down. lol...

The good thing is when I came home from WW, I didn't binge. lol... I was SO going too though. I figured I had been so good (almost) all week and was craving some ice cream with cookies!! Yes with COOKIES!!! But I didn't cave. I did my 20 minutes with Jillian - which kicked my butt - showered and went to bed. No ice cream!!! The craving is still there, but I'm hoping that I can control it better. I keep thinking about what I lost & unless I want to add on to my already 2-a-days (yes, I work out twice a day), I think I'll keep the ice at bay for now.

I'm hoping next week puts me over that 5lb mark!!!

Fat Ticker Friday!!!

It's Hot for the Holidays, Fat Ticker Friday!!!

I thought I'd borrow my Monday blog from my Sparkpeople.com page.

A little late to be reviewing goals, but better late than never. I didn't have them in mind this morning, so today was a slow train wreck!! But that's okay - I'm still standing!!! I may be down (well up weight wise), but I'm not out!!! Still staying with my plan for October!! Here is my game plan for the week!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
G GODLY TRUST
*** Continue with Morning Prayer - however that form of prayer takes place! Listening to a sermon, listening to praise & worship!! Just begin each day PRAISING the Lord!!!

O OPEN AIR
*** 15 to 20 minutes fresh air daily!

D DAILY EXERCISE
*** 20 Minute Streak with BLC8; Fall Fest Walking Challenge at work & weekly workout routine (evenings).

S SUNSHINE
*** 10 to 15 minutes daily!

P PROPER REST
***Try for 6 to 7 hours uninterrupted sleep!!

L LOTS OF WATER
*** Drink UP! Drink UP!!! 64 ounces minimum per day!!!

A ALWAYS TEMPERATE
***Leave work at work - don't take stress home; Prepare meals better to avoid mindless eating!!!

N NUTRITION
***Write... WRITE! WRITE!! Start tracking food again, even the bad stuff!!! Get it all down in writing - accountability!!!
***************************************
Workout Routine 10/7 - 10/12
S - Turbo Jam Sculpt
C - Hard Core Fusion
C & Abs - 20 Minutes Tj & TJ Abs
Hips/Thighs - Celebrity Workout
S = Turbo Jam Sculpt
C= Turbo Jam or Tae Bo Live
*****************************************
DH borrowed Hip Hop Abs from his Mother. Will incorporate that into next week's rotation!!!
Happy Sparking!!!

So how did I do this week?? I'm back up into the 140s! As of this morning, I'm up to 140.8 from last Friday!!
BUT!!
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY ARMS!!! lol... Love! Love! Love! Them!!! lol...

Christie asked for our inspiration this week and mine was catching my reflection in the mirror before jumping into the shower. I saw definition!!! lol... And I don't know about anyone else, but that motivated the heck out of me!! I even flexed for my husband! lol... I have biceps, ya'll!!! :-) BICEPS!!! lol... So the scale may say one thing, but my body is saying something altogether different!!

Happy Friday!!!

Menu Plan Monday

Well one day is down and on to the other 6!!

All about the repeats this week & maybe trying something new. Hectic week ahead, so I went for all quick fixes.

Tuesday ~ Brown Sugar Chili w/ salad & rolls

Wednesday ~ Busy Day Slow Cooker Chicken & Rice w/ veggies

Thursday ~ Left Overs

Friday ~ Pizza Night or Spaghetti with Turkey Meatballs (depends on budget)

Saturday ~ Sloppy Joes - YUM!!

Sunday ~ Cider Brined Fried Chicken (finally got the apple cider) w/ sweet potato fries and salad

For more tasty menu ideas, check out I'm An Organizing Junkie Menu Plan Monday!!!

Happy Eatings!!

Over! Over! OVER!!

Happy Friday Everyone!!

And Friday is finally here!! Whew!! I couldn't wait for this week to be over. Don't know why, but it felt like the longest week in history!!!

So since it's Friday I decided to do my fab five for the week and hopefully up my mood!!

1. Weighed in at WW and I'm down 2.6lbs!!

2. Stayed with my WW pts pretty much all week, which is a big feat from last week where I even ran out of my 35 flex pts! lol...

3. Worked out EVERY DAY this week so far! WOOHOO!!

4. Still working on it, but got up three morning and spent some awesome time with the Lord.

5. IT'S FRIDAY!! WOOHOO and IT'S PAYDAY!!! :-) I'm taking the little one and we're hitting the Christmas Tree Shop and Party City to rack up on some Halloween decor and his Halloween costume!! Plus maybe a couple new outfits for Mommy over at K & G - they're having a sale and I loves me a sale!!! lol...


It's also FAT TICKER FRIDAY over at Baby Tea Leaves!! The weigh in day is different from WW - it's today. So I did weigh in this morning and I'm down to 139.6. WOOHOO!! I'm doing a mini happy dance because I'm finally.... FINALLY out of the 140's!! And from last Friday that would put me down 3lbs. So a little more added on since my WW weigh in on Monday.

Christie also asked what was our push it moment this week??

Mine was just putting on the workout gear when I got home from work!! It was all mental!!! Every day I just had to put on the sweats and tell myself that I WILL workout!! Even though every inch of me wanted to just veg out in front of the TV. So I guess I had a push it moment every evening this week! lol... It did help that on Sunday, I planned the dinner for the week AND my workouts for the week - so part of my mental battle was that I had no excuses!!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Menu Plan Monday

New week & first time trying out new Weight Watchers dinner recipes. My sister and I joined on last Monday & this will be the first week that I'm cooking using the points system. lol... It ought to be interesting. DH is going out of town for a few days, so at least he won't be subject to any of it until later on in the week.

Monday - Grilled Cheese, Soup & Salad (Just DS & I, grilled cheese for him & soup & salad for me).

Tuesday - Busy Day Crock pot Chicken & Rice

Wednesday - Crock pot Brown Sugar Chili & Whole Wheat Rolls & Salad

Thursday - Left Overs

Friday - Pizza Night

Saturday - Sausage-Sweet Potato Bake

Sunday - Chops in a Crock pot w/ Baked Potato & broccoli.

Sausage-Sweet Potato Bake

1/2 pound lean sausage cut in 1/4 slices

3 medium sized sweet potatoes, peeled & sliced thin

4 medium sized apples, peeled & cut in chunks

1T sugar

2T flour

1/4 t ground cinnamon

1/4t salt

1/4-1/2 cup water

Brown sausage in nonstick skillet. drain

layer sweet potatoes, apples & sausage in slow cooker sprayed with nonfat cooking spray

combine remaining ingredients. pour over all

cover. cook on low 6-7 hours or on high 3-4 hours

calories-230

total fat - 7g

cholesterol 15mg

sodium - 260mg

carbs - 38g

fiber - 5g

sugar - 22g

All other crock pot recipes can be found here.

For other yummy ideas check out Organizedjunkie.com .

Hot for the Holidays Friday

I wish I could get better at this weighing in on Friday's. lol... But I did weigh in 2lbs lighter. On Friday morning that is... Tomorrow night is Weight Watchers weigh in, so I'm hoping to get the same results. Although with eating at Taco Bell tonight, I might not get that same result. lol...

I am going into this week better prepared though. I went to the grocery store and brought all Weight Watcher friendly snacks and lunches and then last night I sat down and planned out a new workout rotation that will take me through the next six weeks. I have an array of exercise DVDs and I figured it's time to start really using them, especially with the cooler days ahead.

This week's rotation is:

Monday - Hi Def Sculpt

Tuesday - Turbo Jam 20 minutes & Ab Jam

Wednesday - Hard Core Fusion

Thursday - Hi Def Sculpt

Friday - Tae Bo Live

Saturday - Cardio Overdrive

I'm hoping that with this new rotation I will be able to jump start my weight loss & get myself back into working out again - the summer months have left me a bit lazy.

For this weeks questions, I really didn't get to take new pictures, but I'm hoping I can still reflect the answers in some that I already have...

Take pictures of the following things and you can have any interpretation you want:

1. Someone or something that inspires you.

2. Something that you love to do.

3. Something that makes you crazy.

4. Something healthy in your life.

Morning Prayer

It's time to get back to my bible studying. For the past two nights, my DH has told me that I've been fighting in my sleep.

I mentioned it to my Mom & knew what she was going to say even before she said it - "It's just the devil!!". Don't know how many of you would believe that, but I sure do. See, I feel that the enemy knows just where to beat us down. For me, it's a good nights sleep. Without one, I find it hard to function in the morning, I don't get up for my morning bible study or exercise, I'm cranky (snapping at my husband and kids) & I eat all day long because I'm tired and sleepy.

So what better way to fight the enemy?? Dig deep into the word. Even if I take baby steps getting back into it, I know that's what I need to do. Today I started with Psalms 1 and read it out loud - just in case the enemy was listening in! lol...

And tomorrow I will continue!!! I have to keep reminding myself - No weapon formed against me, shall prosper!!!

Stay Blessed!!!

Re-Evaluation

Sitting back and reevaluating everything from why I blog to my goals for the month of October. So much has happened during the month of September that I fell out of the blogging world. It got to be a bit much for me. I found that I got to the mind set of writing in order to get people to read my blogs rather than just writing for writing sake.

Initially when I started this - it was just to journal the journey. I'm trying to find my way back to that mindset. I love the challenges that I'm partaking in and I love reading about other people's journey, but not to the point where it gets overwhelming. Yes, I went there and it started to put a bad taste in my mouth with my own blogging/journaling.

So I'm going back to the basics. Writing and journaling just for the simple love of doing just that!! I will try my best to keep up with my on going challenges, but if I should happen to fall off - I won't beat myself up about it. I'll just get back on board later or with the next one!!

I did this for fun - not to feel like a job!! lol... So I'm done with taking the fun out of it!!!

Happy Writing!!!

HFH - Question of the week...

Hmmm... Still have a few days to think about this one.

Hot for the Holidays over on Baby Tea Leaves offers questions on Monday to help encourage us along the way on our weight lost journey.

Here are this weeks questions.

So, here's the question(s) of the week and you can write a post about it (or not) but if you do, let us know on Friday, either in the comments or the linky so we can all visit each other!
We've been doing a lot of thinking about where we are in life and what we want to do in our life, so this week we're going to do a photo essay of sorts. Take pictures of the following things and you can have any interpretation you want:
1. Someone or something that inspires you.
2. Something that you love to do.
3. Something that makes you crazy.
4. Something healthy in your life.

This week sounds fun!!! Can't wait to post on Friday!!! If you want to check out Hot for the Holidays - click here!!

Stay Blessed!!!

Motivation

Our 1 year anniversary is next month. I want to be one hot sexy wifey for him like I was on the day of our wedding!!! That gives me 5 weeks to shape up and tone up and find a fabulous place for us to sneak off too!

I have tons of nutrition & fitness books full of information. Not to mention magazines, DVDs and VHS tapes. All I have to do it put it all together and get to work. It's always easier with a goal in mind!!! So here is my goal:

Look absolutely fabulous by October 20, 2008!!

Stay Blessed!!!

Body for Life

12 week challenge with Body for Life. I signed up for this challenge months ago, but never did it. So today I checked out the book from the library. The book definitely gives more info than the website does and the entire program seems doable.
Still debating and reading the book over in general to see if it's something that I want to add to my daily workout routine.
The before and after pictures seem a bit unreal to me, but I guess I'll never find out how true they are unless I take my own. lol... Maybe....

Hot for the Holidays Weigh In

I am coming in this Friday at 140.6 - which, I guess, technically this is the first weigh in? I'm hoping for some lost next WI!!!

This week's question: What do I want my legacy to be?

My legacy are my children.
I have 1 son and 4 stepdaughters. The stepdaughters live with their Mom, but I still have an influence over them as well.
But when I watch my son learn and grow, I know that I'm a huge part of that and I try to be the best influence and leader that I can be for him. I realized that he is the future and my job is to mold him into the best Christian man that he can be!

Fabulous Five Friday

I have to give it up to the blogger world. Those that can keep up with this on a daily basis, I applaud you!!! I try my best to remember, but call me old fashion - give me a journal and a pen and I'm there religiously. But trying to remember to sign on etc., I'm just not there yet! lol... Maybe one day I finally will be!!
So onto my Fabulous Five Friday!!!

• Met my $$ goal for my Step Out:Walk to Fight Diabetes event that will take place on October 19, 2008!
• DS had a wonderful week at school - NO TEARS!!
• New Underwriter position opened up in my department & I went for it! NO FEAR!!
• My sister lost 2lbs this week, on her own without me beating her up against the head!! lol...
• I am FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made!! Hmmm... did I use that one already!! Well you know what?! It never gets old!!! I am a child of the Most High! What can be more FABULOUS??!!

***Want to contribute to a wonderful cause, click here!!***

Have a Blessed Day!!!!

Tuesday's Classics

Today is Children's Classics on 5minutesforbooks.com. I was excited about this Tuesday because I have a 4 year old (soon to be 5) who loves books as much as I do. So last night we sat down in front of his building book collection to pick out the books that he liked the best. Well the ones that he likes for me to read to him! lol...

Together we chose three. Although the 3 we chose are probably not considered "classics", but I do know I've read them several times & my son never tires of them. The best one, of the three, is "Sleepy head" by Karma Wilson and John Segal. It's an adorable rhyming book about a little bear who refuses to go to bed. Which reminds me so much of my own "little bear".

One of the first things that I like about this book is that the rhymes within the book repeat themselves. As my son reads along with me, I point out the words to him and by the time I'm into the rhyme a second time he already knows what I'm going to say. This gives me a way to allow him to "read the sentence" for me. lol... The pictures within the book are also vivid and extremely cute. I also like it because of it's simplicity - it's cute, it's short, it's adorable and fitting for bedtime (hence the name "Sleepy Head). :-)

I would recommend this book to any of my friends.

For other recommendations, check out 5minutesforbooks!

Happy Reading!!

Almost Monday Madness

I say almost because I realized very early this morning that I was allowing the enemy to try and steal my joy. The bible is exactly right, the enemy comes to steal, kill & destroy and this morning he tried by way of my son. But I refused to allow my day to resort to anger and bitterness first thing in the morning! Or at all for that matter!!!
So both son and I are having a nice day today. Well I'm claiming it for both of us seeing that DS is in school right now.
Then I check my email & got a interesting message from Brook Noel in my inbox. It was titled "The Weekly Challenge for 9.7.08". It was full of so much information on making your daily life easier, that I thought I'd share it here. For more Brook Noel info click here. I'm all for making my life as simple as possible and adding a few of her suggested steps, I think, will add to the simplicity. Enjoy!!

In this Issue: 8 Ideas for Living each Day
With More Contentment and Happiness!

Your Weekly Challenge

8 Ideas for Living each Day
With More Contentment and Happiness!

Have you ever climbed into bed wondering, "Where did the day go?" Have you ever felt you were on a treadmill--trying to go "somewhere" that never arrives? In our busy world, we often find ourselves living on auto-pilot with one day blurring into the next.

Several years ago, I implemented the "8 Challenge Life Principles" into my daily routine. These Principles take very little time and are so simple to implement--you could start using them tomorrow if you like. The Principles have allowed me to realize great contentment, happiness and meaning in every day. The days of auto-pilot living have been replaced by purpose-filled living through the application of the Challenge Life Principles.

Challenge Life Principle 1 ~ Good Morning: The first thing I do after opening my eyes each morning is say (aloud or to myself): Something great is going to happen today--I can't wait to see what it is! When I started this practice, it was a bit awkward--perhaps, because I was at a low-point and didn't fully believe the words. I said it anyway. Every day! Soon after, great things started happening. Why? ... Because I was looking for them!

If we awake thinking about stressful events, the tough day ahead, everything we need to get done, we start the day "on defense." We prime our life for a stressful day--we expect it--and we usually find it. Even when little or large blessing bestow us, we often miss them. After all, we aren't look for blessings--we are looking for stress.

Starting my day with this affirmation has proven an effective method for turning my attention to blessings instead of barriers.

Challenge Life Principle 2 The 3-Step Action List: For those who have taken the Change Your Life Challenge: A 70 Day Life Makeover Program for Women, the 3-Step Action List will be familiar. Each day, I choose three to complete during the day that MAKE TODAY MATTER... even if everything else goes astray. We all know how life can interrupt our well-made to-do lists. Narrowing our focus to three priority action steps helps us focus and prioritize our day. The items on this list needn't be mountains to overcome or extremely time consuming; ... they simply need to MATTER and move us forward.

I began this practice when I realized how busy my life had become. I was always BUSY! BUSY! BUSY! Boy was I busy. What was even more amazing than how busy I was.....
is how LITTLE I was getting done! We often confuse BUSYNESS with ACTION! We can be very busy and not move forward. (Just look at a hamster!)

When we carefully choose 3 things that matter each day...we end up with over 1,000 things done each year! Things that matter! How many people can say this confidently: Last year I completed over 1,000 tasks that mattered or moved me forward... and I am doing it again this year.

You can have a mile-long to-do list if you like, but mark three things! Stay focused! Life will interrupt and when it does, you will be ready for it!

People often ask--what about when you are sick or not feeling well? I still have a 3 step list. Every single day! On those days, examples of 3 things I might choose to make the day matter and move me forward might be:

1. Take my vitamins
2. Get extra rest!
3. Feel good for taking care of myself.

Challenge Life Principle 3 ~ Each Day, LEARN or TRY something new.
This "something" can be little. You don't have learn a second language or anything, but each day learn something new, try something new, or see something you have not yet seen.

Examples include learning...
a new word...
a piece of trivia...
see something you haven't seen before on the drive home....
try driving a different route...
try a different store...
try a different recipe...
try a different type of book...
read a book on a topic that interests you...
do something fun...
finger paint...
color...
make a snow angel...
stop and look at the sunset versus walking (or driving) past it...
go stand under a tree in your yard and look at it from below...
make up a constellation, try to find it every night...

We often get caught up in the same ol, same ol, and forget about how exciting each day can be (if we let it be)! When we learn, try or see something new, we awaken our senses to gather many of life's riches.

Challenge Life Principle 4 ~ At least once each day or twice if you are a parent, say YES instead of NO, or I CAN instead of I CAN'T.

NO and I CAN'T have become auto-responses for many of us.

Can you come make a snow angel?
No, I can't.
Can you play a game?
No, I can't.
Can you meet me for dinner?
Sorry, I can't, I'm busy.

While it is good to say NO to those who cross our boundaries, when we are with those in our inner circle, or with our self, we need to let go of these auto-barriers and say YES and I CAN!

I discovered this principle because I actually became tired of hearing myself say "no" to my daughter when she was younger. When she went through her "threes" she would ask if she could do something. I would say "no," on autopilot. She would ask: Why? I didn't have a good answer. Since "NO" didn't seemed to be a good reply, I tried "yes" instead.
By really being present and adding daily spontaneity, my life changed. What a magical world kids (and pets) live in! I was so happy to finally climb down from autopilot world and see that perspective!

Challenge Life Principle 5 ~ Enhance Your Immediate World: Whenever you leave the house---or come into contact with another person ask yourself: What can I do to make a positive difference?

My mom raised me with very few rules in our single parent home. However, one rule
she engrained (and boy did she engrain it LOL) was: Leave everything touch by you better than when you came into contact with it.

Now, she didn't mean be a perfectionist, what she meant, was to give within reason, to leave our special touch. Unfortunately, we live in a world where many people walk around and wonder.. "What's in this for me?" Today's high-expectation world is much different than the world of our great grandparents! When we begin looking for opportunities to give back in the littlest ways, we start a ripple effect.

Kindness is contagious--like the "smile syndrome." Have you ever noticed what happens when someone smiles at you? You smile back! This starts a chain. If everyone who read this today smiled at everyone they met (stranger or friends), can you imagine the smiles that would spread in a single day?

We can make the days a bit better through very simple actions. When you check out at the grocery store, instead of digging through your purse or checking your missed calls, why not sincerely engage the cashier? Whenever you pay for something, why not place the money in the person's hand and look them in the eye and smile? When a person is grumpy... Why not treat them even better? Resist the temptation to spread the negativity--it's too contagious to let into your life. Why not open the door for a stranger?
Why not take the other person's cart back to the store since you are walking that way anyway? Why not help someone with their extra bag on an escalator? (Thank you to all those who have helped me! LOL!) Why not do something kind, knowing that one simple act of kindness, creates waves.

Challenge Life Principle 6: Do a Nightly "Make Today Matter" check. When you are done with the day... BEFORE climbing into bed, ask yourself-- What is one more thing I can do to make today matter?

I started doing this after I lost my brother suddenly. I realized how magical each day was. Instead of putting something off for tomorrow, I embraced one last thing each day.
Some days, I would get online and find a site to email a solider. Just took 3-4 minutes.
Sometimes I would just get something ready for the next day. Sometimes I would make a quick call or jot a quick note. I took one last moment to appreciate and live that day before climbing into bed!

Challenge Life Principle 7: At Night.. Let it All Go!
While you are preparing for bed, think of all the things that happened that were stressful during the day. They have something to teach you-- even if you don't know what it is-- thank them, then LET THEM GO! (Thanking them doesn't mean you like them... and letting go doesn't mean you are happy about them.) Take any upsets and do the same.

Then take all the good things and wonderful things, be thankful for them, write them in your gratitude journal, and then let them go, too! It is VERY important to appreciate, remember, but let go. This allows us to focus fresh each day.

There is a quote, "Never let yesterday use up too much of today." We don't live in the past. When we accept and appreciate each day for everything it is or isn't... and then let it go, we clear ourselves to live fully the next day.

Challenge Life Principle 8 - End as You Began:
Once you are in bed, imagine yourself waking, saying your affirmation, identifying your list, moving smoothly throughout the day--feeling confident, feeling beautiful and strong.
Imagine yourself handling what needs to be handled, reacting in appropriate ways, handling any stressors with calm assurance.
Imagine yourself achieving your goals, interacting with others. See yourself having dinner, enjoying family. Then let your mind rest!!!!

Studies have shown time and time again that those who visualize the day ahead have a MUCH HIGHER success ration of achieving what they see. It is a science they actually study now in athletes. When compared groups who visualize versus practice for two hours do better in competition.

Living the life we want, living in contentment and happiness begins in our mind, and then in our choices. Each day we can choose auto-pilot or we can choose to enrich our lives.
We don't remember days, we remember moments. This Living the Challenge formula helps to turn off autopilot and plant seeds for wonder-filled moments.

Your Weekly Challenge: Try adding 1 of these simple routines do your day each week. Once you have one down, return to the list and add another.

Getting Back to the Goals

This is the first order of business in getting back to my goals. Get back in school Spring 2009!!! However, I have to create a study schedule & pass the Praxis I Exam first!

I will do this!!!

Menu Plan Monday

It's a day early, but since I had some downtime this evening, I decided to write out my menu for the week a little early.

This week it's all about the clean up and clean out (freezer that is...) lol...

Monday: Taco Night w/ rice & beans (have tortillas to be eaten)

Tuesday: Kickin' Creamy Chicken Stew in a Slow Cooker using FROZEN chicken breasts w/ baked potatoes

Wednesday: Spaghetti w/ Turkey Meatballs

Thursday: Hot dogs & Hamburgers w/ salad & corn on the cob

Friday: Pizza Night

Saturday: Eat on the run (usually running errands)

Sunday: Not too sure yet. I've been cooking a lot extras lately, so it will probably be leftovers.

For more menu ideas check out I'm An Organizing Junkie!

Happy Eatings!!