goals and the like

I've made my way through 26 days of working out, with only 5 more days to go. Today was, by far, the hardest and I'm not sure why. I don't typically workout on weekends but have been this month because of the challenge. I have not missed one day and there have only been a handful of days where I just did not have the motivation. It's no matter, I'm pushing through and not giving up.

I've done several different kinds of workouts and have, honestly, felt better then I have in a long time. My nights have been tiring, I do my workouts in the evening so I'm really quite exhausted after a long day at work, a workout and dealing with the dogs and dinner. However, my mornings and days have felt a bit better. My workouts have been regular treadmill, power pump, step, core, Jazzercise and spinning. Just so it doesn't get so boring and because I am really trying to utilize the new gym I've joined. Speaking of, I have my first assessment tomorrow over there.

Things are on the up and up. This year has been different and I love the change that's happening in my life. Lots of cleansing and introducing new, healthy habits. I welcome it and embrace it.

Lots of <3

happiness connection

~ a true, relaxing moment with my bug, Eddie ~

A little late but Happy New Year! I made it :) And, I'm working on making changes more than ever. Lots of positive changes. Here we go.

As each day passes and into the evening, I muster all the strength I have to power thru a workout. I go home, take care of my puppies and cook dinner. I don't sit down, at the earliest, until 8pm. Which, to some might say is a luxury, however, to someone who suffers from a debilitating depression...is not good enough. Every day I would like to come home, put on my PJs, feel sorry for myself and sulk on the couch until it's time for bed but...I don't do that. I know it would only make me feel much more miserable and I know that it is something I have control over. So, I take that control and do something about it. It may not cure anything or make all that go away but it sure does help. A lot. I feel more accomplished. I did it. Now, I can relax. Now, I deserve this rest and I don't feel so guilty.

I can't quite recall where I heard about this, might've been an email subscription but I'm sure you're all familiar with Gaiam. They're basically "the" yoga gurus and sell all these products, videos, etc. It's a small challenge called, Connect to Happiness, and I liked the approach. Anyway, it sounded intriguing per my previous post I am really stuck in the now and the focusing on one day at a time and one project at a time.

I may not get to it every day but I will be reminded in an email and if I make time, I'll share my findings.

Here was day 1:

1) What makes you happy? My puppies. They make me the opposite of happy tho sometimes. Oh, and most definitely, finishing a workout.

2) What are you passionate about? This is a question I've really started asking myself over the past few months. In my free time, I'm usually reading recipes, health and exercise articles. It's really become a forefront to who I am. I want to emanate health and prosperity and I know I'll get there the more I educate myself.

3) How can you bring more of that into your life? I think by doing the #31workouts challenge (more on that in another post), I've already started. However, I am also starting a new workout program...probably this month. As well, I am working on making healthier food choices.

Lots of <3

fill in the blank friday

Wait! It's not Friday...oh, eff. Whatever. I'm still posting :)

Oh lawdy, last week was a long one. We are on the verge of finishing up a site this week at work and it's been a completely different layout and semi-responsive. It's been quite a challenge but I'm toughing through it and working on my patience like a boss. I'm almost there!

The good news is, I had a double workout Friday AND made it to class Saturday morning! Friday, I went to the 5:30pm express Jazzercise class, which is a half hour class of just cardio and then met up with my friend at Better Bodies for a random workout. They don't have classes on Friday in the evening so we just did a half hour on the elliptical and a half on the bikes.

Albeit, the work challenge, I felt great last week. I've made my workouts every day and powered through the weekend as well. My mom is sick, however. I went over to my parent's house and I'm slightly concerned about the germs making their way around the area. Just need to be sure to get sleep and take care of myself with all the working out.

Smothering my baby girl, Suki.

Here are my fills...

1. My favourite place I have visited (or would like to visit) in the US is New York City. What I love most about it is  it feels like I'm not alone. There are SO many people there and I don't feel like I have to compete as much. Mostly because everyone is so different and that's accepted there. There are so many opportunities and lots of things to do, places to eat, etc. I have friends that live there and I'll be visiting next year. Can't wait!

2. My favourite place I have visited (or would like to visit) in Europe is anywhere. What I love most about it is  I wouldn't even know! I've never been overseas. I suppose question #1's answer should've been somewhere overseas but I was thinking realistically. Silly me!

3. My favourite movie (location wise) set in the US is from Lord of the Rings because How can you even ask why???

4. My favourite movie (location wise) set in Europe is Wouldn't even know?! I can't think of one but where I got these questions, she mentioned "Only You"...I'll have to watch.

5. My favourite band/musician from the US is currently Nine Inch Nails/Trent Reznor. Always.

6. My favourite band/musician from Europe is currently Again, I don't even know. I'm horrible knowing where bands/musicians are from. I've only started learning and just if I'm really interested.

7. I love where I live in Omaha, NE because It's a pretty chill place if you want it to be...or, you can go crazy too. But, mostly because of my family and a select few friends who care a great deal about me.

I'll create an updated post on how my "New Year's Resolutions" are going.

Lots of <3

eff the new year

It's real – it's officially December. How did that happened, who knows!? All I know is, it doesn't matter that the year is ending and I shouldn't have to wait until January 1st to get things rolling. No better time than now to make improvements in your life. Everyone has stuff they want to do and you can project those things to do, however, majority of them don't get done. We all procrastinate. Might I suggest making a yearly projection, but then taking out 2-3 items you want to do now. Set up reminders for yourself to review the rest of your list at a later date. I know I overwhelm myself, everyday and best practice is to focus on the "now". Get started!

{ -- my bug, Eddie, getting all up in the static with the dry, winter air -- }

There are quite a few items on my list that have been making me itch like crazy and it's time to scratch...sorry, BAD pun! Why wait? Just proves that you probably can't make it happen if you're willing to wait for it to happen. A few items on my list are below, in no particular order.

• Minimum of 30 minutes of exercise each day. Doesn't need to be extreme. I have a treadmill and I should be using it more than one day a week. I have no excuse. I am single, don't have kids and no other priorities (DVR is NOT a priority!!!).
• Move stuff around in the house everyday; either get it closer to where it belongs or put it away entirely.
• Clean up dishes after cooking and before eating...I let that shit sit so long until I don't even want to be near it at all.

{ -- taken from TV, kudos to those who know -- }

These are immediate needs for me right now because my life is a bit cluttered and unstructured. I like to let go of things to easily and it's making, not only a mess in my house but, a mess in my head. I'm tired of throwing pathetic hissy fits that I don't want to put away or clean because it'll just get messy again. I think of having people over, or if I do meet someone...just how embarrassing that'll look!!! I want to look better than that and I am better than that.

I will come back and report on how my "to-do's" are doing. Have you got a list? Do you even care??

Lots of <3

finishing a book

Every Sunday I meet my mom for coffee and reading. I look forward to it every week. We catch up and typically will share a warmed up cinnamon scone. I will pick up the same book I've been reading, pick up where I left off and end up finishing quite a few without having to buy :)

I just got done reading this book today, Where We Belong. Don't you just love finishing a good book, or just finishing one in general. I start so many and it usually takes me so long to finish one because I go back and forth between all of them.

I'd probably give this one an 8.5 out of 10. I'm not actually sure why I even was interested in reading it because I have nothing in common with the characters and couldn't relate much at all. I mostly picked it up because I'd read other books by the same author and enjoyed them. This one was her most recent, sitting on the shelves in the front of the store, so I just automatically picked it up. Here is a link to read what the story is about ›› click here!

Anyway, her books are super easy to read and get carried away in. They're mostly chick stories and all about love crap but that's okay to get hooked on, right?? I live vicariously thru chick flicks and these kinds of books. I'm not a romance novel girl, I like the stories that could/might actually be real. There was a section in the book that I particularly liked...

"There will be plenty of time to sort that out later. Time to see where the current takes me. // It is not what I planned–this day, this moment, these unlikely relationships, both old and new. Yet I feel overcome with peace and certainty that, for once, I am exactly where I should be."

That rang true for me and really is a great way to place things.

Lots of <3