Goals, but not really

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The end of my vacay is coming WAY too fast.  I mean I've only been off of work since 2014.  Ahem, but seriously, I have to go back too soon and I don't wanna.  On another note, Here is a list of top 10 things (Not goals) I would like to accomplish in 2015...If I say they are goals, then it probably won't happen, because I feel like goals set me up for failure.  But that One Word I am embarking on this year Loved can fit into each of these.  I Love my body when I eat healthier, do yoga and run.  (See where I am going with this?)  I feel love for my home when I organize it, etc, etc, etc...And here you go:

1. Eat Healthier
2. Do more Yoga for my Back.  
3. Run a 5K (again)
4. Spend more time in my scriptures
5. Craft/journal more
6. Make more home cooked meals (See #1)
7. Organize my home
8. Rejuvenate my Blog after quitting
9. See Miguel get married (see this post)
10. Quit my job...I mean did you look at these things I want to accomplish?  There is no way I can do them all without quitting my job.  

On giving up soda

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Once upon a time, I was addicted to diet Cherry Coke.  I loved it....I still do.  But, I've made the conscious effort to give up soda...for the most part.  I have allowed myself one per week.  Maybe at some point I'll be ready to give that up completely, too.  I feel like giving myself an A for effort, though.  When I learned that Diet caused the same insulin response as full sugar, I switched to the full sugar for my once a week and a little less chemicals.

I have been pushing to drink tons of water, but sometimes that can get boring.  Some things I have found that are a bit less caustic than soda are the Mio flavor enhancers.  When the meal just requires a soda, like pizza or tacos, then I have splurged on Zevia brand soda. It is found in the natural foods section and is sweetened with Stevia, a plant based, natural sweetener that does not cause an insulin response.

Here is an interesting article on Water vs Coke.  It really is a no brainer, but sometimes I have to see it in writing for me to really internalize what that soda is doing to me.

I know I'm not perfect, but these little baby steps are pointing me in the right direction.

Deciding What's Important...

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A few weeks ago I talked about how Something Just has to Click in order to become successful in the healthy living quest.  Back when I was still struggling with consistency, my husband mentioned "You just have to decide what's most important."  I was a little put off at first.  Of course, healthy eating and working out was important to me.  I work part time, come home eat lunch, read my scriptures, do laundry, house cleaning, errands and other things important to home management.  Sometimes my work out got shuffled to the back burner.

So, I heeded my husbands advice and decided what was most important.  I have been getting up at 5:00 am to go to the gym.  With exactly 45 minutes to work out before I need to head home to get ready for work, I can get in some strength moves and a 25 to 30 minute run.  Working out is now literally coming first.  It feels good and a great way to start the day.  The only drawback?  I'm ready for bed by 8:30.

Do you work out?  

If so, when do you find time to squeeze it in?

What works for you?

Something has to Click

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The other day I mentioned some things that had been on my mind while I was absent from the blogging sphere.  Weight loss has been on my mind since my whole back episode last summer and then surgery.  Gaining weight while being basically stagnant was hard for me.  But, losing that weight is critical to the health and the health of my back, and it's so dang hard.

I'd try then I'd stop...I'd try again and get discouraged and stop.  There was no consistency to desire and no commitment either.  Deep down I wanted to be healthier, but It just seemed too hard, I wanted to do it the easy way...

In February, something just clicked.  It was a mental thing.  It was like suddenly a light turned on in my brain.  I realized that I was the only one who could do anything about it.  I am committed!  My "I can" matches my "I want" desire to be healthy.  That little "click" helped me to log over 50 running miles on the treadmill in March!

I read an article that listed 6 mental shifts that need to occur for weight loss.  Some of them are

• Be ready to commit
• Love yourself enough
• Have clarity about your goal

You can read more information about it here.

So, although I'm not a fitness expert by any means, I thought I would share some things that are working for me.  I mean we all need a bit of motivation and maybe you will keep me accountable.

What helps you get motivated and stay motivated?

Things on my mind

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1.  Spring Break
2.  Fitness/wellness - exercise, healthy eating, sugar detox, gave up soda, weight loss.
3.  Trying to figure out what to do with everything in my craft room...we are getting a permanent house guest
4.  Air Force man is coming home in 23 days!
5.  Time with my four year old niece.
6.  Birthdays, late cards letters and gifts...I just can't get it together.
7.  Birthday, mine, today!  I'm getting SO old.
8.  Family history - tracing family lines...How fascinating!
9.  General Conference weekend - So uplifting!
10.  I've thought about you, truly I have...I've just been so busy in body, mind and spirit.

Happy Endorphins and Journals

I recently read an article on Mind, Body, Green entitled The Power of Gratitude in the Face of Tragedy.  My focus this year has been on being grateful.  I've posted about it a few times, but as of late, my writing has been neglected, but I digress.  The article talks about being grateful and how gratitude fosters happiness and optimism.  Yes, Yes, Yes!  And do you know what else?  Happier people are generally healthier.  When you focus on blessings and what is going right in your life and are thankful for that, all those happy endorphins are just to flow through your veins.  It's good stuff.  They mentioned the infamous Gratitude Journal.  I've read many things on Gratitude Journals and the art of documenting those gifts from Oprah Winfrey, to One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, to leaders of my Church.  One thing is certain, these people know something, and I'm certain they speak the truth.

My writing has hit a slump here on the blog and elsewhere.  I try to blog happy things, because "joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody." Isaiah 51:3.  I have found the idea of guided journaling might be just the thing to get me out of my writing slump weather here on my blog or in journaling.  The journals I can find online are lovely with prompts and pretty papers.  I like the ones here, and bought one at Christmas time. Better still, I came across this gal's website where she offers her pages for free.

I really love it when a blogger goes the extra mile.  I quickly downloaded them to put together my own guided journal/SMASH book.  Because, yes, I do often put in pictures and mementos, too.

An absolute must are some fun, colorful journaling pens.  Just sayin'

Since journaling is so good for your health, 

do you think I could give up running and yoga?

Hunger brought to you by the letter C

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Today I am hungry.  I want to eat everything in sight.  I am shaky and maybe a little crabby.  I have been on a reduced sugar and carb diet, eating whole foods when I can.  My body is fighting me and so is my brain.  But I am stubborn.  This eating healthy thing is sometimes not for the faint of heart.  But, I will win.  It's the Swede in me.  I've lost three pounds so far this week, so I know it is working.

But would someone please just pass me a freaking cheeseburger and chocolate bar and a Cherry Coke.  Interesting how all the things I crave start with the letter "C".  Now that is something worth studying.

Does healthy eating send your system into an uproar?

Post edit:  I blew it!  I got caught up in all the lovely treats of Valentine's Day and completely blew it.  I was handed a beautiful sugar cookie decorated with gooey icing and red sprinkled sugar, and I could not resist.  Who turns down heart shaped cookies on Valentines?  No, not me.  That would be like turning down...LOVE.  Good thing tomorrow is always a new day.  

Warm Lemon Water

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With wellness on the brain, I have been researching different healthy trends.  This article popped up about drinking warm lemon water.  After reading all the health benefits, I decided to give it a try.  What can it hurt? The juice of half a lemon in a cup of warm water?  

The article by Ashley Pitman lists the following health benefits:

• Boosts your immune system (hello vitamin C)
• Balances your PH levels
• Helps with weight loss
• Aids digestion
• natural diuretic (bye, bye toxins)
• clears skin
• hydrates the lymph system

Definitely read her article, as she expounds and explains further.  I am new at this and have not noticed all the benefits just yet.  But, I have noticed that if I take that quiet time to sip it with intention, not rushing but thinking about making healthy choices throughout the day, then I have been better at just that.

 

Don't Do That!

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I've been frequenting a website recently called Mind, Body, Green.  There are a lot of good articles that seem to pertain to me and my Wellness.  One article in particular seemed to encompass all aspects of the Wellness I, personally, am trying to focus on.  The author, Rebecca Butler, listed 5 Don'ts in order to be happier and "thrive".

The five things are:

1. Stop dismissing compliments
2. Treat your whole self:  body, mind and soul
3. Don't define yourself with bad experiences
4. Sabotage!  Yeah, don't do that!
5. Stop putting yourself and your goals and desires last.

She really expounds and explains.  If you are seeking some good information about Wellness, like me, be sure to check out her article at Mind, Body, Green.

 

Seeking Wellness

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A Girl CAN Change Her Mind

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Back at the beginning of the year, which totally seems like ages ago, I picked a word of the year:  Wellness. What you don't know is that I had a word choose me, but I totally ignored it because it seemed too easy, like something I already had down.  But, I have decided that part of my creativity block may very well have to do with not choosing the appropriate word.  The word that chose me is Gratitude.  I feel like I already have a thankful heart.  But a talk I gave in church and later posted on my blog, (part 1, part 2, part 3), was planted like a seed in my heart and would just not let go.

I am therefore, changing my focus word to Gratitude in hopes of honoring what maybe God has chosen for me and putting my stubbornness aside.  I'll still focus on my wellness but perhaps not in such a public format. I even have a few Wellness posts written and scheduled.  I'll still post those, because I took the time for them, but after that, my one word focus will be Gratitude, because a girl CAN change her mind. Let the creativity of posting flow again....

Have you ever felt a word calling to you?

Last year, for me, it was Simplify.  

Disenchanted

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Lately, I feel disenchanted with blogging.  The thought of coming up with a post seems more of a chore than being creative.  More of a to do than a hobby.  This makes me sad, as I have loved blogging over the years. Maybe I just need to take a creativity break.  Take a step back and reevaluate where I am going with this thing.  After my thoughts the other day, I hope you understand.

So as an ardent follower, I hope you will continue to wait for me as I take some time to regroup.  Perhaps it is all part of my personal Wellness campaign.  Finding my balance...

Have you ever become disenchanted with blogging?

What did you do about it?

Yoga and Wellness

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I've been practicing Yoga for several years.  My work schedule usually keeps me from participating in classes in the morning.  Since the start of the year and my goal word of Wellness, I have made it a point to attend three Yoga classes.  Some benefits I have seen that Yoga has created for me:

• The obvious more flexibility
• Increased muscle strength
• Toning
• Stress relief
• Working on my body balance
• Better sleep
• And because Yoga focuses on what your body can do, I think I am happier and have better self confidence.

Now Yoga isn't the only thing I do.  I also enjoy running or interval training.  Yoga has been a good balance for me.  It opens up and stretches what the running tends to compress.  I plan on attending classes or using my Yoga DVD's more often this year.  Yoga helps me connect my mind, body and spirit for overall wellness.  

Happy New Year: Word of 2013

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Happy New Year!  As we begin anew and make resolutions and goals, I have been thinking on my 2013 word of the year.  I have spent 2012 working on Simplify  my word goal.  I feel I have made great strides in that area and plan on continuing on in my quest for Simplicity.  My 2013 Word of the Year is (drum roll please)..........................

Wellness

Medical Dictionary

wellness  well·ness (wěl'nĭs) 
n. 
 The condition of good physical and mental health, especially when maintained 
by proper diet, exercise,and habits.

The American Herita

For me, Wellness will encompass so much more than just working out.  I will seek wellness and physical well being in all aspect of my life....Spiritual, mental, physical, nutritional, emotional and relationships....basically a Wellness Balance between all aspects of my life.  

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What is your 2013 Word of the year?