Sunday, November 18, 2012

8 Weeks . . .

4 PARTS - Day 1

1.  Embrace the gospel -
I am determined to be "Deliberate and Dedicated" to such a conversion and conviction that I am not ashamed of the gospel.  That "I am mormon, I know it.  I live it.  I love it."  Each day, I am committed to showing how I am a mormon.  How I know it, I live it, and I love it.

My testimony. . .
I am a mormon, I knew long ago that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was true.  Do I still know it?  Mostly.  Sometimes, I forget what is most important.  And of course, it's the little things.  I am so blessed to have our church, to have the spiritual inspiration to know that I have a plan and a purpose here on earth and that I can through our Savior, Jesus Christ  - "Be of Good Cheer."  He has made the way for me to repent that I may gain Eternal life and live with him and my family.  I know that as I gain hope in him, I can have the faith needed to help me throughout this life.  I am grateful for the lessons I am learning.

Now, I need to live it!  How can I improve to show that I live the gospel of Jesus Christ?  I need to make sure I do not speak ill of others, this includes especially my dear sweet family.

My family goal - Quentin Cook's message.  "Immersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual nourishment."

2.  Eat well and work hard -
I can throw 30 lbs of dumbbells all over the place.  I can lift way more than I can even imagine.  I know that.  I do it often.  But, I still have 30 lbs more to loose.  So, Saturday, my family and I ran/walked a 5K.  I had to carry my little one for about 1/2 a mile.  It was hard.  She weighs about 30 lbs.  I then realized the extra weight I am carrying around is hard too.  It makes me tired.  It hurts my joints and my bones.  I have been working out at the gym for almost 1 year.  I have made the most amazing friend.  Someone who believes in me, challenges me, and helps me.  She will be moving in May.  It's hard for me to think about.  All, I know is that by May, I've got to be strong enough that I can motivate myself and be strong for myself.  I know I can do it on my own.  It's the motivation I have been lacking.  I guess I have been letting other things get in the way.  Soooo.  My goal is to lose all 30 lbs of extra by time she leaves.

How will I do this?
1.  Eat fresh whole foods as much as possible.  I will FILL my life with apples, oranges, cucumbers, bananas, carrots, . . . . I love them and I should eat them.
2.  Drink tons of water.  I love water too.  It is my favorite.
3.  Increase my protein, get what I need.  I need more for my muscle development - with all my extra lifting, etc.
4.  Workout no matter what.  I have a gym membership, I can workout at work, I have a road and a sidewalk. . . I should have NOO excuse.  This winter, we will all have snow shoes.  I plan to use them often.  If it doesn't snow, I have running shoes.  I should use those often too.  I will need to develop a plan each day.

3.  Love my spouse -
Joel and I have had a crazy few months.  It's been tough on us both.  He has been away for work and away for family stuff.  I have been here.  He is such an incredible guy.  He loves me so much he never wants to burden my life.  He loves me so much he lets me vent, and he just listens.  He loves me so much he would do anything for me.  I really need to help him know what I need and I need to really focus on what he needs.

How will I do this?
1.  I plan to listen to him.
2.  I plan to help him on the house.  Our new normal will be working on the house each day.  I can do clean-up.  I can help hang boards, and sand dry wall, and pull electrical wires.  I can save money and do the things necessary to complete this project.  I am committed to do just that.
3.  I plan to write a gratitude journal for all the things he does for me.  He is such a spiritual giant and a great father.  I need to make sure I let him know each day how grateful I ma for the strength he gives me.

4.  Joy in my journey -
I am not going to compete with others.  I am going to be ME.  I am going to develop my hobbies, talents and be the best ME I can be.

How will I do this?
1.  Listen to my kids and have fun.
2.  Listen to my husband and develop family memories that will last forever.
3.  Love the building of the house.
4.  Paint and draw often and teach my children to enhance their skills.

5.  Simplify -
I am going to eliminate the unnecessary things from my life.  With work, with play, with home. . . .I sometimes feel I gain worth by running ragged.  But, I am going to focus on the most important things first.  The Lord.  My family.  The gospel.


Thanksgiving Challenge - ME in 8 weeks

In 8 weeks I turn 39 years old.  And I plan to celebrate each of those years!  I have many friends who say, I'm 29 and holding.  Not me.  I am 39 years old and I have loved my life.  I have had many ups and downs and things have not turned out the way I had planned.  BUT, I wouldn't change it for anything.

So, for the next 8 weeks I am going to be stronger and healthier in all aspects of my life.

1.  Embrace the gospel - I am going to pick out 2 things from General Conference that I can apply to my life that will strengthen me and my family.

2.  Eat well and work hard - I am going to take my physical fitness to the next level.  I am going to work hard to be stronger than I have ever been.  To include my family and mostly have a great time doing it!

3.  Love my spouse - I am going to be grateful for each and everything he does for me.  And work towards making his life happy.

4.  I'm going to find joy in my journey -I actually have lots of fun, and do this often.  I would so much rather toss my dishes in the sink and go paint with my kids.  Or read.  Or play card games.  I am going to work each day, just to be happy.

5.  Simplify - I am going to assess the busy-ness in my life and eliminate it.  So, I can focus on the importance.


ME in 31 days! DONE

1.  Dressing your truth.
Ha, Ha.  I wore black this afternoon and kinda felt funny.  Although at church today, I had on black nylons  with polka dots and black shoes.  Loved that.  Still not sure about the black sweater.  Ha.  I love black.  It just felt weird.  But, like I have said.  I will wear color and have fun, but still love black.  And I really don't love CT's dressing your truth.

To me, what is dressing your truth?  I think dressing your truth is knowing what you love and being who you are.  Who are you?  Who tells you who you are?  I think you just know.

We kinda had a discussion about this.  When you embrace something like this, why do you do it?  What did CT say that would make you believe her ideas are right on?  She doesn't have degrees and background.  She just made it up????  Is it people are so hungry they are searching for something to lift them?

One more thing that has bothered me about the DYT stuff.  WHY does she have a store that caters to what type of person you are?  It sort of reminds me of a fad diet.

Oh well.  Enough about DYT.  I did my 31 days and now, I plan to move onward and upward. ;)

2.  Eat clean.  I have gone a whole month having no-sugar days.  Love the way they make me feel.  So, a few things I have learned.  1.  I need protein, helps even my moods.  2.  I need to eat more fresh/whole foods, feels me.  The more real food I eat, the less I crave or feel hungry.  3.  Sometimes we feed ourselves for other feelings than hunger - sometimes we are hungry for love, friendship .. . I found that I am defiantly an emotional eater.

So being an emotional eater, I found that I need to figure out what I can do to make things better.  For example, I find myself being more thoughtful, asking questions why I am eating.  Why I am eating at certain times. ETC.  It's helpful to really think!

I know I have been trained to think before doing.  And it is sooo true.  Sometimes, we are so mindless with out eating.  So, I'm keeping this section moving forward.  In fact, I am going to do a few things in a new challenge.  Coming soon in my next post.  :)

3.  Kids and Spouse.  Will continue to work on this.  I decided I am going to make some plans.  1st, I am going to do what Elder Sitaki did, I am going to focus on 2 things from conference and work on them throughout the year as a family.  Of course, I am going to focus on at least 1 for the family and 1 for me.

4.  Exercise - I had a successful weekend with my kids.  They both did a 5k.  It's just 3 miles but for a little one and a not so big one, it was big.  They both found success and they will do it again!  SUCCESS!

5.  Sleep.  Doing pretty good.  Early to bed.  Early to rise.

6.  Save money - totally have a budget plan.  It's gonna be awesome.  Gotta focus on it and move forward.

7.  House - cleaning for a party this next week.  I love to host parties.  :)  Can't wait to have a house to really have lots of parties in.  :)

8.  Turn work off.  Doing MUCH better.

So, grateful for these challenges.  Glad this 31 days is over.  Now, on to the next challenge.




Tuesday, November 13, 2012

ME, Days 19 - 26

Almost through this challenge.  Whew!  I am trying to talk my hubby into doing a challenge with me.  He says, "I'm not into challenges."  Ha, ha.

1.  Dressing your truth - I am certain, I will change a few things, as I have mentioned;
      a.  Bold colors are fun for me.
      b.  I will bring in my favorite blacks, probably won't wear black slacks, but I have a few sweaters        that I LOVE and a couple skirts and dresses.  And of course shoes and boots.  In fact, I am wearing black boots right now.  :)
      c.  I will wear more jewelry.
      d.  I will wear fun colors of make-up.  I swore back in high school, I would never wear blue.  I have turquoise eye liner on.  So, never say never.  :)
      e.  Dressing the truth is more than just clothing.  It's finding out who you are.  And having the freedom to be that person.  My friend who is doing it, is amazing.  She looks great.  She is really embracing it and it's working well for her.

2.  Eat Clean - doing good for 4 days and then 3 free.  Probably need to only have 1 day or 2.  Or zero. Things I have learned:
      a.  I can go without treats mostly.  Halloween was tough - well the week after halloween was.  I made it, we still have candy, I didn't eat it all that weekend.  But, just having the food around was tough for me.
      b.  I am finding what I need to feed.  It's not hunger.  I have other things that make me want to eat.  What are they?  Am I addicted to certain foods - this I have known forever.  I just don't know what to do about it just yet.  I am reading an amazing book called "The Hunger Fix" and it is really a good one. It's really prepping me to figure out what i need to do.  I'm excited to finish reading.
     c.  When I am emotional, angry mostly, I found I need protein.

3.  Kids and spouse - still love them.  Actually, I have learned one thing about being hungry, we are hungry for attention at our house.  My kids asked the other day if they could have dessert, which they had pie for lunch and I said "no, we don't need dessert twice in one day".  Then I said, I would play a game with them.  They loved it.  It was soooo filling!

4.  Exercise - yesterday I scared myself.  I thought I was pulling or tearing my shoulder.  It made me nervous. Really nervous.  BUT,  I didn't.  I have been pumping some serious weights keeping up with the other gals in our group.  I decided I need to maintain, and gain slowly.  I don't have to keep up.  I have to do what is best for me.

5.  Sleep - last night I didn't sleep well.  But, I have slept better most of the week.  I even wake up super early like 5:30 a.m..  It's nice.  I think it's because I don't eat sugary foods or eat out.  What a difference I am feeling.

6.  Save money - next month I will be back on track.  I've got to be more careful.  Make a budget.

7.   House - we are decorating for Christmas.  Love it.  It's fun.  Today, I even hung the outside lights since it was absolutely beautiful today.

8.  Turn work off - still a work in progress.  No pun intended.  :)

To another 6 days!  As my good friend says, "We've got this."

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

ME, Day 13-18

I have been enjoying this journey.  Lot's of learning!

1.  Dressing your truth.  So, here is my plan.  I will be ME!  I will have fun with color.  I will wear my hear curlier more often . I will accessorize.  I will have fun!  Which, has brought me to another point I decide about myself.  I will love activities and having a good time.  I love doing outdoors things and playing.  I'm gonna play more often.  Because that crazy lady, CTsays I like to have fun.  She just opened the door to my new found freedom.

2.  Eat Clean. . . I have done fairly well here.  I have learned some great lessons.  I have been 90% faithful on my couple goals.  No soda - I made a mistake last weekend and drank one, when I was having a major meltdown.  :)  No fast food  - did that the same day.  No sugar M-Th - did good.  Except one time, I snuck a skittles - so my trainer made me do 10 pushups.  Ha. Ha. So, want worth it.

3.  Kids and Spouse - share the love.  I think this may be my hardest area.  I just really need to see the way the Lord loves them and love them . I get so annoyed by little things.  When I really just need to LOVE them.  I can do this.

4. Exercise.  So, today I totally rocked the triceps.  Ha, Ha.  We were all working out and the big strong  guy did triceps push downs at 37 lbs.  I thought that was what I was suppose to too.  So, I rocked them.  Then I started on the pull downs and I was like "Holy cow, this is soooo hard.  I'm not sure I can do it."  Ha, ha.  I had on 10 extra pounds.  I am starting to see definition.  Love that.  My friend helped me see tonight, that I am super strong and I need to enjoy that.  Thanks Ang.  What would I do if I didn't have your encouragement.

5.  Sleep.  Somedays I sleep better than others.  Sure love the day light savings round this time.  I feel like I wake earlier and can do so much.

6.  Save Money.  Got my hair done - didn't really save any money.  BUT, loved it.  Loved it.  :)

7.  House.  It's a disaster.  Tomorrow, I'm home and will clean and will pull in Christmas stuff.  I know it's early. But, we are putting it up.  It's gonna be fun!

8.  Turn work off.  Actually have done pretty good over the past week.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

ME, Days 11 and 12

31 days to figure out ME. . . .

1.  Dressing your truth - I am not going to rant and rave tonight.  I really am having fun with colors!  Bright, vibrant colors.

Along with dressing your truth - you can buy "The Child Whisperer".  It teaches you how to parent your children with your type and their type.  So, I did some assessments of what I think my family is.

Boy - he is a Type 1 & Type 3
Girl - she is a Type 3 & Type 1
Hubby - he is a Type 4 & 3

Ha, Ha.  I am not sure they are labeled right.  But, it kind of makes me smile.   So, me - I had 11 characteristics that put me in Type 1 and 10 characteristics that put me in Type 3.  I would say - I have a split personality.  Ha, ha.  :)  Which totally makes more sense to me - I am definitely an idea person and I am definitely a get it done person.  So, that was eye opening and interesting.  Now, to find out what Carol has to say about type 1/3 - that are so close - almost a 50/50 type personality.

2.  Eat cleanER.  I did good.  Halloween came and went and I didn't eat any candy.  Today, was a real struggle.  I worked from home.  And I didn't plan.  That makes a huge difference for me.  Also, I was really annoyed with the world today.  And I am an emotional eater.  I found today a tip or technique that helped me - when I need to eat emotionally I use to turn to sweets, candy, and things like that.  But, I have learned that I need to add some protein.  Actually, it lifts my mood too.  Tonight, I dropped my kids cupcakes all over the ground (of course, frosting falls on the floor).  I was annoyed and made (tired too) and I craved something sweet.  I ate instead a protein packed food (nuts) and feel so much better.  These 12 days have helped me see some important techniques to help me eat better.  Kids have stopped asking to get fast food.  Yeah!!!!  Another big hurdle.

3.  Kids and Spouse - I didn't share the love so well.  I was ornery.  I can be quite selfish.  Need to work on that.

4.  Exercise - stretched a lot.  I am very stiff today from yesterday's workout.  It was tough.  But, way fun!

5.  Sleep - I don't sleep well sometimes.  Kids have been coming in and out of my room.  My spouse is home - and I don't have the HUGE bed all to myself.  My back has been tight lately - need to get to the Chiropractor.  Helps me a ton.

6.  Save money - I am going to be frugal.  Stopped at target tonight to get some produce.

7. House - cleaned.

8.  Turn work off - I'm doing a little better with this.  But, I'm stressed and will have to work this weekend.  Journal Articles.  Oh my!!!