Turkey Lag!

Blahhh. I am 22 days behind on my 30 Days of Gratitude and Thanks! I am going to finish this, as it is now December, this would be my last chance! So without further ado....

Day 5: I am thankful for my job at Jimmy John's. I have had jobs in the past that i was less then fond of to say the least, so having a job that I enjoy and look forward to is something that takes a lot of stress off of me. It may seem like something small but until you've been in that situation, you can't fully appreciate it! I enjoy going to work and my coworkers and learning new things.

Day 6: I am grateful for the opportunity I have to go further my education, again. There is so much more to it then just getting up and going to class. I have a Dad who is willing to help anyway he can, assignment permitting, I have transportation to get there, I have the resources I need to be a successful student. That is something I will always be grateful of and I know will pay off in a a big way.

Day 7: I am thankful for the opportunities I have had to be able to do missions work. I have been to Mexico twice and also been to Nicaragua. These trips changed my heart forever. They opened my eyes to a world I had no idea existed and broke the selfish bubble I lived it. These trips gave me more then I can ever explain, the memories, friendship and experiences are something that I will cherish forever.

Day 8: I am thankful to live in a country where I am free. With the recent election and all the political mumbo jumbo that goes on whether its positive or negative we as a country still have the ability to believe and think as we choose. That freedom comes at a great cost, our service men and woman (another day).  I am grateful for the opportunity to voice my opinions and to vote. This isn't a luxury that people or women for that matter get to experience and I do. Although i know I am only one vote and one voice, I know it matters.

Day 9: Candy. Such a delightful thing and such a small but wonderful piece of my world. Sometimes when you're having a bad day or need a pick me up, a little piece of candy can do just that! Not everything we have to be thankful for has to be a major world issue, but its the little things that can mean the most, not that candy means the most to me, but it can be something to just put a smile on my face and when things aren't always going the best, that smile can mean a lot. So thank you candy, for making me smile!

Day 10: Can't forget man's best friend, right? I am grateful for my doggy, Anna. She truly is my best friend. She knows when I'm down and has no problem staying by side. She can always look at me with her head cocked to one side and it can make me forget about everything and appreciate being there with her. She just celebrated her 10th birthday so now more then ever, I appreciate the time I have with her and try not to take any day for granted. I love knowing that when I come home she'll be there sitting at the door waiting for me and gets so excited every time she see's me whether i was gone for 10 minutes or a few days. I honestly believe dogs are the perfect example of unconditional love. She will always love me, no matter what. She truly makes my everyday better!

Day 11: The saying "Freedom isn't Free" fits perfect for this. Word's can't describe or do justice to the thanks that should be given to our service men and women. They give the biggest sacrifices to keep our country free. Thank you, to all who have served, are serving, and will serve our country.

Day 12: I am thankful for my parents raising me in a church that gave me the foundation of faith I have. Being raised in church is something I took for granted and look back now and am beyond blessed to have had. Being woken up early on Sundays and grumbling and fighting to stay awake during service seem so minimal to what I received in return. I never thought much about my faith until it was tested and now that I have been through the struggles I have this far in my life I am fully confident I can handle anything that God puts in front of me with his help. He gives the biggest battles to his strongest soldiers.

Day 13: I am thankful for the entertainment industry. I couldn't imagine my life without music, movies, TV or books! It would be so boring! Out of all of these things I would be the most lost without music! Music can make my whole day 10 times better just by listening to one of my favorite songs. Movies can make me laugh and cry at the same time! Sometimes there nothing better then spending a day in bed reading a good book! Again, these are some of the littler things in life that make it such much more enjoyable!

Day 14: I am thankful for my hometown. Growing up in a small community was something I took for granted until I moved away from it. Living in a community where you feel safe and comfortable is a luxury not everyone has. I never realized how much growing up in such a small town impacted my life. I will always appreciate and hope it will be something I can give my future children!

Day 15: I am grateful to live in a climate where the seasons change! I love when the weather starts to change between seasons, whether is means it's cooling off or warming up I just love to see the changes!

Day 16: I am thankful to have had the opportunities I was given while living in Indy. I am grateful for the culinary skills I learned while I was attending the art institute. I can honestly say those are skills are will forever use and would not be able to do a lot of things I can without having had that experience. I am also grateful to have had my job at the bakery. I learned so much while working there, more then just baking, but life skills that I have used almost everyday since then. Those are the skills that you can't put a value on. I was blessed to have a boss that took time to show me things that will benefit me for many years to come!

Day 17: I am thankful, grateful and blessed to have had the people in my life that I have had. Looking back at the friendships and relationships I've had I wouldn't trade them for the world. Each and everyone of them taught me something about myself. It makes me sad when I think about how some have dissolved over time but still grateful for the time spent investing in those relationships and creating memories. People come and go out of our lives for a reason and most of the time I don't understand this reason, but none the less, it makes me cherish those memories that much more.

Day 18: I am grateful that I was able to go to a high school with a great athletic program! Some of my best memories of high school involve one sport or another! More then likely it was swimming! I cherish my years spent swimming and can't put into words exactly how much it means to me. It's more then just a sport to me, it helped me become the person i am today through discipline and determination. To this day nothing can clear my head and calm me down like a good swim. I also have very fond memories of soccer. Being a part of the girls soccer team was more then a team, we were a family. Some of those girls became some of my best friends and taught me so much! I gained some great friends and an awesome coach who to this day is still for me whenever I need to talk or just a good laugh!

Day 19: How could I have gotten this far without thinking about my 4-H years!! Geesh, where do I even begin with this! I learned so much while being involved in 4-H. Life skills like learning to be the bigger person when dealing with difficult people to having the work ethic i do today. I owe so much to the 4-H program, I couldn't begin to repay. Again, these are where some of my most fond childhood memories come from. The friends and experiences are something i still often think about. I wouldn't trade the lost sleep of getting up at 4:30 to go go barn chores, or the 15 hour days spent in the heat at the fair, or the blood, sweat and tears I put into my animals for anything in this world. I pray someday that I will be able to give my future children this experience as well.

Day 20: I am thankful for my sense of humor. Without my sarcasm and dry sense of humor I would have no idea how to deal with a lot of things. I am grateful that I can laugh things off and make jokes to deal with less then favorable situations  I am grateful to be able to make other people laugh when they need it or maybe to make a joke to brighten someones day.  When I can make someone laugh it makes my heart happy!

Day 21: Though it may sound silly I am thankful for my cell phone. It allows me to stay in touch with people I  don't get to see that often. It always can be a great resource for school, getting directions and several other random things. It can also be very useful in emergency situations. Without a cell phone, I would be completely lost!

Day 22: Even though I wouldn't call them enemies, I am going to use the term for lack of a better one. I am thankful for my enemies for doubting me and for essentially providing me with self confidence and showing me that even when I am being doubted I can over come something if I put my mind to it.

Day 23: I'm thankful for bed. For always being there for me and being so warm, comfy and inviting. Sometimes you just need a good night's sleep and when I do, my bed is always there with lots of pillows, blankets and of course Blankie and Marshall there to cuddle!

Day 24: I'm thankful for my sports teams I cheer on; Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bears and Notre Dame. Watching sports on TV or in person is just a simple joy in life that I enjoy!

Day 25: I am thankful for social media. It keep me connected with family and friends and is a great networking opportunity!

Day 26: I am thankful for ChapStick. Anyone who knows me knows I will ALWAYS have Chapstick on hand. It will always be Chapstick brand moisture. I can't go a day without using it. I am thankful for chapstick for keeping my lips hydrated and soft!

Day 27: I am grateful for my blog, to be able to share with you my journey of ups and downs in life.

Day 28: I am thankful for pictures. They say a picture is worth a thousand words but I think a picture is worth more in memories then words. I love taking pictures and looking at pictures and feeling the memories and emotions that were captured.

Day 29: I am thankful for all the little things in life, nail polish, hair bows, colored sharpies, flowers, Kleenexes with Vick's, my nook, Justin Bieber, air freshener, candles, build-a-bear, shoes, cupcakes, beer, sweet potato fries and so much more!!

Day 30: I am thankful for you. For reading my blog and reading my ramblings! So Thank you!

S

*Update soon to come, I am all typed out right now!

30 Days of Gratitude and Thanks; Days 2, 3 & 4.

So obviously having the mentality that I would have time to post everyday was a little crazy! But none the less, I am going to try to do it about every 3 or so days. With my busy schedule that's more realistic! So here we go...

November 2nd, I am thankful for my wonderful friends. Though we may not always see each other as often as we like or talk as much as we should. I know if the time came where I needed anything then none of them would hesitate to help as much as they could. They're supportive when I need it and honest when I don't want to hear it. Like everything else in life these friendships have their ups and downs but in the end there is that bond that is unbreakable! I wouldn't trade my friends for anything!

November 3rd, I am so incredibly grateful for my boyfriend. There isn't a day that goes by that he doesn't make me smile, make me feel loved and always tells me how much I am appreciated. He is such an amazing strong person. He doesn't let things get to him, which he is helping me learn to do. He enjoys the little things in life an always makes time for himself which I admire more then he will know. He can make me laugh until I am years as anyone who knows me can tell you how important laughter is to me. He makes me feel like the most important thing in his life and there are no words to express how much that means. I thank god everyday for putting this man into my life. I don't know what I would do without him!

November 4th, today I woke up not feeling that well, nor have I for the past week and I've been complaining an bitter about it all week, my illness is a minor thing, just some heartburn and discomfort from needing to get my wisdom teeth extracted. However, there are people of all ages, races and walks of live fighting for their lives everyday from various diseases. So today I am thankful for my health. I have had my ups and downs with my health, from eyesight to reproductive system issues and by going through those things it makes me truly appreciate my health and the luxuries I have everyday from being healthy. God has truly worked in my life by standing by me as I went through these things and allowed me to continue to live a full healthy life!

Season of Changes

Holy Moly! So much to cover! Where to begin, well let's start with the obvious...my diet, still happy to report GOOD NEWS! I am down 30 pounds, a shirt size and two pant sizes! I am at the lowest weight I have been since high school. Not to mention I can't tell you the last time I was down to this size in pants! I am watching my calories like a hawk! I am really good about staying under my goal, of course I still have days where I go over, It's those dang sweets, they call to me! Haha And then there is my gym life. I love it. The gym has quickly become my happy place. I spend A LOT of time in the pool, I found a great site for swimming workouts that focus on a different aspect of the sport. They're perfect! I also seem to be a terrible judge of time and seem to get to the gym right as water aerobics is starting....so like a 70 year old woman, I've been doing water aerobics occasionally! LOL it's fun! I've also gone to zumba, which is way more intense that what I remember, and leaves me sore for a few days after. I am enjoying pushing myself and discovering new ways of making exercise fun! 
School is going well for the most part, this semester seems to get more and more challenging each week! The homework keeps pilling on! I am still doing really well in 3 of my 4 classes. The fourth being accounting, that is a whole different ball game. I am struggling majorly in that class! Yikes! I started a new job, one at Jimmy John's that I absolutely LOVE! It is perfect for me! No more hang up clothes and cleaning up after lazy people! My crew is so fun! I am thoroughly enjoying it! 

I have been trying to better my attitude and be a more positive and grateful for the blessings in my life so to help with that I am going to be doing '30 Days of Gratitude and Thanks' each day I will make a post about a few things I am grateful/thankful for, whether them be major influences in my life or even the small things we forget about. Feel free to comment and add things you're thankful for as well! 

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! ~Psalm 95:2

November 1st; I am thankful for my amazing family, my Dad, Sister and extended family. We've been through our fair share of heartache and tragedy yet we can still stand by each other, support one another and come together when any of us need anything. I am also thankful for my Mom. Though we didn't always see eye to eye and pushed each others buttons, I've come to be grateful for those petty fights and differences because they provides us with a great foundation for the relationship we have now. I know I can turn to her for anything and she is always there to listen and help however she can. I am grateful she was able to find a great guy like Jim also. He has stepped up and been a third parent and been there as I've needed him over the last few years also. I am blessed to have the support system I do in my family. On a lighter note I am also thankful for Coffee. It fuels me everyday and honestly brings me joy. It's one of the smallest things in my life that I truly love. 

Favorite Quote

Love my Mommy!

Cousins are free friends!

Built in best friend

Bad week...gone great!

This week was a roller coaster to say the least! It was a week of extreme lows and incredible highs. I started my week of at a GYM! Yes, you read that correctly a gym. Its FitnessUSA and I absolutely love it. Unlike Gold's gym where its all about body builders and skinny people every where, FitnessUSA is no judgement, relaxed and just a better yourself kind of atmosphere. As soon as I walked in to start a 10 day free trial, I knew it was the place for me. So far I've done cardio and swam. The feeling of working out again is amazing but the feeling of being back in the pool....is indescribable! I felt like i picked up exactly where I left off...which would have been the fractured hip situation and my body definitely felt that! Aside from being a little bit sore, I still feel encouraged about it. I'm really excited to keep going and maybe meeting some new people while I'm there. I have been doing well about keeping my calorie goal also. I've been under everyday except for yesterday and I've worked out 3 days last week but I would like to get that to 4 and hopefully 5 this week. PJ even noticed I'm loosing weight and he is the most oblivious person ever! I'm feeling great about this! Can't wait to keep at it and challenge myself physically this week! 


God is love.

S

Encouraged & Energetic

Ta-Da! Finally I can start a post with good news!! I have cut my portion sizes down to about half, I have cut all dark pops out of my diet, I have been watching what I eat, how much I eat and what times I eat. I have been trying to work breakfast into my diet so that I'm not hungry all day and I'm taking a vitamin everyday that speeds up my metabolism. Today was my last day of sweets and even before today I was only have one or two a week. I FINALLY found a cleanse that I am going to do as soon as it comes in the mail and I found a workout program that they used on Extreme Makeover (the one about people). It seems very doable! I am excited to start that tomorrow! Overall, I am very proud of myself and things are going great and I know they will continue to do so! I have also read a few studies that show that the music you listen to while working out can make an impact too! Hip-hop seems to be the recommendation of most trainers so this was code for Justin Bieber for me of course. Aside from my diet/fitness life seems to me moving along at an accelerated pace! Its already the 5th week of the semester! Holy cow! My classes are increasingly challenging and definitely the most thought I've had yet, however, my hospitality class ranks at the bottom of my degree of difficulty scale so that's encouraging! I'm excited for next semester, (which I've already registered for, way to go me being on the ball!) because I have 3 HOSP classes and one marketing class. So far this semester I am doing pretty well and learning how to apply myself better and time things out. Work on the other hand is a whole different issue. To say I am not happy with my place of employment would be an understatement. They are not good about working with my schedule and checking my availability that i have now changed twice because of them. Sometimes the environment is so hostile it just sends me to tears. I have started to look for other jobs that may better suit my schedule. Tomorrow well actually in roughly 50 minutes, PJ and I will have been together for 6 months and couldn't be happier! All in all Life Is Good. 

Fitness Program 
PlayList

Pray about it.

S

Healthier Me; Happier Me!

I am happy and proud to announce that the last week has been a SUCCESSFUL diet week. I watched what I ate, I only drank one pop, I drank lots and lots of water! I worked out, I did Zumba, I rode my bike, and I did a workout from an app on my iPhone called 'Workouts.' That made me rather sore so I wasn't able to work out Saturday, or bend over or walk normally for that matter, but I suppose the soreness is a good sign that muscles are being put to work! Sunday I was still a little bit sore but I had planned on riding my bike later in the evening but went over to Patty's to swim instead. When I got there he was mowing (push-mowing). I think I've only push mowed a lawn once in my life and I'll be honest, the loser in me thought it looked like fun so I made him let me do his front yard, keep in mind it's a good size yard and has a slight slope to one side of it., so I started and I was thinking to myself, man this is fun! HA! That changed real fast. That was a lot of work! Each step I took that mower seemed to get heavier and heavier! And since my legs were still pretty sore and tight it added another challenge to the activity. At this point I was no longer feeling guilty for not working out Saturday, my heart rate and pumping and i was sweating up a storm! I decided this was today's work out. Today (Monday) I am still a little bit sore so I am going to take a day off of a cardio workout and possible just go for a walk later this evening to give my legs a change to fully recover so I can get a few good workouts in this week but still be able to walk. I can already tell changed after a week, I am sleeping better, which alone in itself is a miracle for me! I have also found myself having more energy and a better attitude. Although I won't see any physical changes for a while, I am happy to have the mental and emotional changes. I am feeling good about myself and that's an amazing feeling! Something I don't get to feel very often! It can only continue to get better from here! I am anxious and happy to see the future results! The next thing I want to start doing it doing a food journal. That way i can keep myself accountable and see where my problem areas are. I think I will start that today! First entry: coffee. Go figure! :)

I am going to starting adding other things to my blog besides just fitness. I am going to be adding whatever is on my mind and today, It is forgiveness. This passage comes to mind:

Ephesians 4:31-32

   "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." 

This is screaming at me today. I know what I need to do. It's time to do it. 

God is good. His word is true and it works in my life. 

-S

Surprised? Yea, me neither.

Oh go figure, I didn't follow through with another diet or exercise plan. I am the only one to blame. Last Friday I took one of my former daycare students to the HealthWorks museum. There was a interactive scale and mirror attraction that was for adults and kids, you stepped on and it told you your height and weight and whether yours were proportionate. Obviously I am fully aware that mine aren't and haven't been for a long time. It was hard to see it in bold green letters telling me that I am unhealthy at age 22. Since then I have had a heavy heart and knew it was time for a change. If i don't change things now, Its going to become to late. I have a brand new bike, two dogs that love to go for walks. Live by a park with walking trails, live close to a river walk, have a WII with the Zumba workout game. I have run out of excuses and am tired of being tired and not being able to do things that I want to do because I am unhealthy and overweight. Today i was careful of what I ate and drank no pop and only my coffee and water. I watched my portion sizes and of course right now I am starving but I WILL NOT EAT AFTER 7PM! I will fill myself with water and let my stomach shrink down. I will make a fitness pledge that starts today. I will exercise 4 days a week for at least a half hour. I will do and COMPLETE the "21 Day No Junk Challenge". I will better me, for me. For my future family. Because I owe myself this opportunity. I will be successful and confident. 

Baby Steps bob, Baby steps.

From couch to a 5K in 10 weeks. 

That's exactly what I have started. I am doing a program that i found on Pinterest of course, it is a program for running. It takes a person who never runs to being able to run a 5K in ten weeks. Most weeks I am required to run 3 days a week, other weeks its 4. I started this week on Monday walking 5 minutes, running 2 and then walking 5 more. The program stresses the importance of a warm up and cool down which i like because it helps to stretch out my leg muscles so they do not feel so dead at the end of the workout. I also like that it has a time limit, its a great mental motivator for me. Of course I take my phone and listen to music during this time. I think I might start taking the dogs too. The exercise would be good for all three of us. Aside from Monday, which was my birthday, I have done very well at watching what I eat. Several of the sites I have looked at say to log what you eat to keep track of dieting better. I think i might start doing that. It would help me see my problem areas. 

  Overall I have felt much better about myself this week, even if i can't see a physical change yet, i can feel my increase in energy and an self esteem boost!

Birthday Dinner at Soho Japanese Bistro

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake... calories overload but so worth it!

 

[discontentment] restlessness. (Gloomy)

Lately my life style has been lazy and careless. I have not been watching what I eat, when I eat or catching my portion sizes. I have been feeling really lousy about myself. I've been lacking energy, not sleeping well, and overly emotional and moody. I think is all mostly due to not taking better care of myself lately. I can't handle it anymore. I always make excuses about why I can't work out and why I eat the way I do, well that changes TOMORROW. I am sick of feeling like crap, its summer time, I have no job, no school and loads of free time. This is the summer I better me; {Physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.} I am determined to stick with it, it will not be a diet, it will be a life style change. I will be healthier and happier! I am so excited and inspired!

Disappointed.

I am disappointed in myself and sad to report that I have failed the 21 day challenge. I did really well until the passing of my great-grandmother causing me to go out of town and eat out quite a bit. With that being said I am incredibly happy to report that I am at my lowest weight to date since high school. When i looked at that scale and it said the number it did, I was so happy and so proud of myself! I am so excited to keep going and keep moving forward with this new me! I am also happy to say that I am getting back into the swing of working out and it is becoming part of my everyday routine! Everything is going great! 


S

Day one.

Today was a successful eating day but yet again I did not work out! Ugh. Makes me so mad that I get to the end of the day and realize the excuses I have been making all day have caught up to me. Tomorrow I am done with classes at 11:15, I have absolutely no reason to not work out after I eat a healthy lunch. Speaking of healthy , Today I did awesome!! I did not eat a single thing that is on the challenge list. Really I barely ate anything today. I had pretzels and a salad. I know I need to eat more but I'm just not hungry very much anymore. Maybe once I start working out again it will build up my appetite. I can already tell a difference in my clothes again. They fit so much better and more comfortable. My face is also thinning out which is an amazing thing! I am feeling great about myself and loving every second of it! This new chapter of my life is going to be a great one!


S
Next Goal: better my attitude!

Slacking!

Sooo the last few weeks I have been slacking majorly when it comes to exercising!! I think I have only worked out a few times however I have been doing much better about watching what I eat. My stomach has shrunk a lot which is a great thing because I can eat a lot less and be full! I would say I eat about close to a fourth of the portion sizes that I used to eat. I started taking Lipozene which is a water capsule that controls appetite and portion sizes. It makes me feel full after just a few bites and if i continue to eat through the feeling of being full well lets just say there are side effects! I am starting a new "No Junk Challenge" tomorrow. I am not supposed to have anything from chocolate to white bread! It is going to be a challenge but I am looking forward to it and seeing the results! It is back to my work-out routine tomorrow as well! I am also going to call around and see where the nearest gym is with a pool, I NEED to swim!!

No Junk Challenge

S

First of many!

Today I took a HUGE step in the right direction! I ran for the first time in probably three or more years. I only went eight tenths of a mile and only about a pace of 2.8 miles per hour (handy facts all from an awesome APP on my iPhone, RunningMate) but none the less I ran. It felt good and also incredibly painful at the same time! I stared out by only running a block and then walking a block. Mentally it was a successful system because I could always see the end of the block so I could keep telling myself "only this much farther, only two more houses, etc."  It helped a lot! I also motivated myself with music of course! Today I listened to "Tyga Station" on Pandora. Rap seems to be the best motivator for me!
 I got back to my house and collapsed on my front porch! I haven't been that exhausted since swimming! It was a good feeling to know I had pushed myself, I felt pretty dang good about myself! I am also amazed by how much energy I have right now! It is incredible! I am getting things done and feeling great while doing it! I have also started taking B12 which is a metabolism/energy booster, although at first it took my stomach a while to adjust to (Go figure with my sensitive stomach!) I am seeing the benefits during the day and have an easier time waking up and feeling refreshed.
Next step: making better food choices!

S