I got in a really good workout today after my run. The run wasn't too bad, but not my best. Tomorrow I'm going to be dying from my arms workout. If I can feel it now, a few hours later, I'm screwed.
But then after the gym, I went right to food shopping. Um, Luna Bar for breakfast, weight watchers frozen dinner for lunch, then blueberries all afternoon. A Zone Bar on my way to the gym before 4 miles on the treadmill, then an arm and ab workout? Left the gym at 7:30? I WAS STARVING!
Somehow, after all the coupons and discounts, I managed to get out of there just under $85! Yes, I am single and live alone and I spend $85 at the grocery store! What did I buy? about 6 protein bars (a few coupons for BOGO deals), milk, frozen dinners (6 for $10 but you had to buy 6! but I had a coupon for a free WW dessert!) cat food, kitty litter, kitty litter bags (those bags were $7 right there!) crackers, chicken broth, cous cous, laughing cow cheese, rice cakes, pasta, diced tomatoes, fruit, veggies, Lays BBQ Chips, Haagen-Daaz Caramel Cone pint size. I did mention I was hungry when I got to the store, right?
And after my 4 mile run and fabulous ab and arm workout, what did I have to eat when I got home. Um, yeah. A pint of Haagen-Daaz Caramel Cone Ice Cream and MANY Lays BBQ chips with a glass of milk. Really? I really did that? But it was SO yummy!!! Sadly, Haagen-Daaz was my dinner of choice at one point. Why am I surprised that my size 12 jeans were tight at one point? But I stopped that. Just treated myself today. And its gone. The only "bad" thing I have in my house now is the chips and a few more truffles I got from work... maybe 5 of those left. Everything else is healthy.
But I now have my organic low-sodium chicken broth, diced tomatoes, fresh spinach and small box of little baby pasta to go along with the white beans, and veggies I have to make a veggie soup. But I JUST realized I wanted to get a mixed bag of frozen veggies to add to it and I forgot to buy that. I'm not buying ONE carrot. I do have lots of celery that I bought which I could add as well. I can't wait to make this soup! Not exactly sure when I'm going to find the time for this, but we'll see! :)
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Keeping up with 2 blogs is SO hard! I just wrote a huge one on Julie Runs Boston after receiving a newsletter that mentioned my blog in it! So I went on and on, with my story, my past few years and how I got where I am.
But I really am so shocked, moved and, well exited that she would share the link to my blog in her newsletter. I have no idea how many people signed up for her site or receive her emails, but wow! That just opens up the possibility for so many others to contribute to my fund raising efforts! WOW! I'm moved.
And now, as it is somehow already 1pm and I have moved from my bed to my sofa where I have been parked for hours, I really need to get moving! I am schedule for an 8 mile run today in my training. It is 22 degrees outside today. DAMN that's cold! Maybe one more cup of coffee to give me some more energy to get going.
And if you read this one, read Julie Runs Boston too. www.JulieRunsBoston.blogspot.com
Especially today with the HUGE long post I added! :)
But I really am so shocked, moved and, well exited that she would share the link to my blog in her newsletter. I have no idea how many people signed up for her site or receive her emails, but wow! That just opens up the possibility for so many others to contribute to my fund raising efforts! WOW! I'm moved.
And now, as it is somehow already 1pm and I have moved from my bed to my sofa where I have been parked for hours, I really need to get moving! I am schedule for an 8 mile run today in my training. It is 22 degrees outside today. DAMN that's cold! Maybe one more cup of coffee to give me some more energy to get going.
And if you read this one, read Julie Runs Boston too. www.JulieRunsBoston.blogspot.com
Especially today with the HUGE long post I added! :)
Monday, January 10, 2011
YAY!! Prizes!!!
I'm so excited! I got a prize to give away for my fund raising! I've posted on Facebook a couple of times about my fund raising, but only one cousin has donated so far. I was super excited when I got my first donation, but I haven't gotten any prizes yet.
Today I sent an email at work asking if they would donate Red Sox tickets that I can add to the prizes. I'm waiting on that answer. I also sent a similiar email to Friendly's restaurant if they would donate a gift certificate. I am going to go face to face to some area businesses asking for the same thing as well.
Then I had a brief moment of brilliance. I posted on facebook asking if people wanted to promote their businesses by donating towards my prizes. All donations and names will be listed on my blog and my fund raising page, so here's a way that they could get their word out as well.
Within 10 minutes, someone from high school emailed me! She is an independent sales consultant for Beigo Bags and is donating a $95 handbag for me have a prize! How amazing is that??? I am SO excited! I am going to post all of her information on both webpages so she gets credit for the donation and maybe could get a sale for it.
I'm just so excited. I know this is going to come together. Just LOTS AND LOTS of work. Between collecting prizes to give away, doing all of the fund raising, and my training... I'm going to be completely exhausted! Plus toss in a full time job! Ahh... I'm tired just thinking of all I have to do! :) But by breaking it down I can do it.
I like that I'm only focused on the prizes right now. If I start with that, then work on the actual fund raising. So only prizes! :) I have to make sure I call my uncle tomorrow to see if he can help me out too... plus my cousin.
Weird, cuz the donation today... she's one of the last people I would have ever expected a donation from. Guess people can surprise you!
Today I sent an email at work asking if they would donate Red Sox tickets that I can add to the prizes. I'm waiting on that answer. I also sent a similiar email to Friendly's restaurant if they would donate a gift certificate. I am going to go face to face to some area businesses asking for the same thing as well.
Then I had a brief moment of brilliance. I posted on facebook asking if people wanted to promote their businesses by donating towards my prizes. All donations and names will be listed on my blog and my fund raising page, so here's a way that they could get their word out as well.
Within 10 minutes, someone from high school emailed me! She is an independent sales consultant for Beigo Bags and is donating a $95 handbag for me have a prize! How amazing is that??? I am SO excited! I am going to post all of her information on both webpages so she gets credit for the donation and maybe could get a sale for it.
I'm just so excited. I know this is going to come together. Just LOTS AND LOTS of work. Between collecting prizes to give away, doing all of the fund raising, and my training... I'm going to be completely exhausted! Plus toss in a full time job! Ahh... I'm tired just thinking of all I have to do! :) But by breaking it down I can do it.
I like that I'm only focused on the prizes right now. If I start with that, then work on the actual fund raising. So only prizes! :) I have to make sure I call my uncle tomorrow to see if he can help me out too... plus my cousin.
Weird, cuz the donation today... she's one of the last people I would have ever expected a donation from. Guess people can surprise you!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Pool time
I'm beat after swimming and my workout from yesterday. And it is still hard to keep up with these 2 blogs now. At least I know that other blog is specific to exercise and my training for the marathon. Plus I know I give that blog to lots of people I know as well posting the info on Facebook. I don't want my family and work people to know about this one! LOL! :)
SO, I already posted on the other one today about my MMA class yesterday, followed by a 7 1/2 mile run at the gym. And then today I did a mile swim at the pool. That I put on my other blog. What didn't I put on that one?
I got hit on at the pool today. How weird is that? In the water, in my bathing suit, with a bathing cap on, and absolutely NO make up. And I was hit on.
When I got to the pool with my friend Jill, we met around 10:45 (I was SO late this morning, between just being slow then cleaning my car off from the overnight snow). The pool was pretty busy, but Jill and I were sharing a lane. She left before me, but I wanted to do some more, so I kept going.
Shortly after she left, someone asked if he could share my lane, which was fine. So I did a few more laps. Then at one point we were both in the shallow end and started talking. That's when he was hitting on me. Just weird.
He was in the lobby as I was leaving, after I showered and changed. I'm surprised he recognized me. Long hair down, clothes on and glasses on! But he asked me for my number and out for coffee. I said yes, why not. I know almost nothing about him, but we had a good conversation and he seemed nice. I figure I don't really have anything to lose. So we'll see!
Ok, now I need to get off my butt and head up to mom and dad's. That's what I get for sitting down!
SO, I already posted on the other one today about my MMA class yesterday, followed by a 7 1/2 mile run at the gym. And then today I did a mile swim at the pool. That I put on my other blog. What didn't I put on that one?
I got hit on at the pool today. How weird is that? In the water, in my bathing suit, with a bathing cap on, and absolutely NO make up. And I was hit on.
When I got to the pool with my friend Jill, we met around 10:45 (I was SO late this morning, between just being slow then cleaning my car off from the overnight snow). The pool was pretty busy, but Jill and I were sharing a lane. She left before me, but I wanted to do some more, so I kept going.
Shortly after she left, someone asked if he could share my lane, which was fine. So I did a few more laps. Then at one point we were both in the shallow end and started talking. That's when he was hitting on me. Just weird.
He was in the lobby as I was leaving, after I showered and changed. I'm surprised he recognized me. Long hair down, clothes on and glasses on! But he asked me for my number and out for coffee. I said yes, why not. I know almost nothing about him, but we had a good conversation and he seemed nice. I figure I don't really have anything to lose. So we'll see!
Ok, now I need to get off my butt and head up to mom and dad's. That's what I get for sitting down!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Hard to get going
I wish I was more of a morning person. I set my alarm today for 8:30am to get my butt up on this Saturday morning and to start getting everything done. When the alarm went off and I got up to hit snooze (and walk across the room to do it, since the alarm is physically across the room), I was all confused. I thought I was late for work, since I start at 8:30, and thinking I overslept AGAIN, 2 days in a row!
But then I remembered today was Saturday. Took a minute of fear and confusion for me to realize it. Then I went back to bed and hit snooze for another 30 minutes. Now it is after 10 and I'm laying on the sofa. I have had a one cup of coffe and breakfast (a mini whole wheat bagel with peanut butter and slices of banana- but only 1/2 the banana fits, so I just ate the other half).
I am supposed to go to the gym to get in my 7 1/2 mile run today before I go to the Fight Gym for the fitness event at 1. I need to get there a little early so I'd need to leave by 12:30 to get there. And I still need to shower before I do anything since I haven't shaved in days. I don't know if I am going to have time for all that.
I'm not wonderful about running first thing in the morning. I do much better later in the day, after I'm awake and moving. I have always been that way. The Saturday runs are hard! Especially since I could go back to bed right now! :(
I just checked the gym's website. They are open until 7pm today and tomorrow. As of now, with how I feel (cramps STILL, on top of not moving), and that I have to leave by 12:30 to get to the fight gym, I don't know if I am going to have time to get in the run that I need to do this morning. I'm thinking I am going to go after the fight gym.
I'll be more than awake by then and I'll be feeling good. I'll just have to pack a good bag to bring, with my running sneakers, my ipod, a towel... hmm what else do I need? Oh, a protien bar to get something in my belly before the run.
I do NOT feel good right now. I have such a belly ache. I hope this passes before 12:30. That would SUCK if I have to go to the fight gym feeling like this!
But I'm glad I was home yesterday and got to sleep and catch up on that a bit. Even though I'm still tired. I slept 12 1/2 hours in a 24 hour period of midnight Thursday night to midnight Friday night. And that's when I was BACK in bed... well actually I went to bed at 11:30 Frigday night but feel asleep around midnight for another 8 1/2 hours- WITH the alarm! I would have slept longer. I can't believe I was that exhausted! And I say that as if it was past tense. I still AM that tired.
Already... time to get my butt up. Oh.. wait, one more thing. I know I'm still a little cranky and I did pass that on to the fitness group today. We have the fight gym thing. As of 10am we had 22 people saying yes. 3 people put "maybe" in their comments. It drives me nuts! You are going or you are not going. One person said since it was for up to 45 people, he wasn't taking someone else's spot. Um, I need to tell them how many we have! WTF! Seriously. Go or don't go but just tell me! Don't be a dick about it.
So my comment that was emailed to everyone was:
Although I appreciate the "maybe"s in your comments & you aren't taking a spot from someone else by not changing your rsvp, no shows change how this class is set up & how many people I am expecting. As of 10am we have 22 yes's. Per the weather I just watched, we will not have more than 3 inches of snow by then. Please don't make our group look disrespectful & irresponsible by having a large number of no-shows. I will be SO embarrassed when I already said we'd have over 20 people going.
Hopefully that will smarten people up. Be a friggin adult about it! I hate that crap! I really do. Toss in I have my period and I'm a complete bitch about it.
But then I remembered today was Saturday. Took a minute of fear and confusion for me to realize it. Then I went back to bed and hit snooze for another 30 minutes. Now it is after 10 and I'm laying on the sofa. I have had a one cup of coffe and breakfast (a mini whole wheat bagel with peanut butter and slices of banana- but only 1/2 the banana fits, so I just ate the other half).
I am supposed to go to the gym to get in my 7 1/2 mile run today before I go to the Fight Gym for the fitness event at 1. I need to get there a little early so I'd need to leave by 12:30 to get there. And I still need to shower before I do anything since I haven't shaved in days. I don't know if I am going to have time for all that.
I'm not wonderful about running first thing in the morning. I do much better later in the day, after I'm awake and moving. I have always been that way. The Saturday runs are hard! Especially since I could go back to bed right now! :(
I just checked the gym's website. They are open until 7pm today and tomorrow. As of now, with how I feel (cramps STILL, on top of not moving), and that I have to leave by 12:30 to get to the fight gym, I don't know if I am going to have time to get in the run that I need to do this morning. I'm thinking I am going to go after the fight gym.
I'll be more than awake by then and I'll be feeling good. I'll just have to pack a good bag to bring, with my running sneakers, my ipod, a towel... hmm what else do I need? Oh, a protien bar to get something in my belly before the run.
I do NOT feel good right now. I have such a belly ache. I hope this passes before 12:30. That would SUCK if I have to go to the fight gym feeling like this!
But I'm glad I was home yesterday and got to sleep and catch up on that a bit. Even though I'm still tired. I slept 12 1/2 hours in a 24 hour period of midnight Thursday night to midnight Friday night. And that's when I was BACK in bed... well actually I went to bed at 11:30 Frigday night but feel asleep around midnight for another 8 1/2 hours- WITH the alarm! I would have slept longer. I can't believe I was that exhausted! And I say that as if it was past tense. I still AM that tired.
Already... time to get my butt up. Oh.. wait, one more thing. I know I'm still a little cranky and I did pass that on to the fitness group today. We have the fight gym thing. As of 10am we had 22 people saying yes. 3 people put "maybe" in their comments. It drives me nuts! You are going or you are not going. One person said since it was for up to 45 people, he wasn't taking someone else's spot. Um, I need to tell them how many we have! WTF! Seriously. Go or don't go but just tell me! Don't be a dick about it.
So my comment that was emailed to everyone was:
Although I appreciate the "maybe"s in your comments & you aren't taking a spot from someone else by not changing your rsvp, no shows change how this class is set up & how many people I am expecting. As of 10am we have 22 yes's. Per the weather I just watched, we will not have more than 3 inches of snow by then. Please don't make our group look disrespectful & irresponsible by having a large number of no-shows. I will be SO embarrassed when I already said we'd have over 20 people going.
Hopefully that will smarten people up. Be a friggin adult about it! I hate that crap! I really do. Toss in I have my period and I'm a complete bitch about it.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Healthy Habits
So far so good at my spending journal. I've written down everything I spent, down to the $20 in gas I got on my way home from the pool last night. My checking account is still a mess... I can't exactly figure out what is going on with it, what cleared and overall, what the hell is going on with it. I've tried 5 times in the past 2 days, and each time I try, it comes out different and I don't know why. I'm trying to do better with my finances, but so far it just isn't going well!
With the plank position, I forgot yesterday and again today. Now it is 11:30pm and I'm exhausted on the sofa, about to fall alseep and I know I just don't have the energy to do it. So I missed 2 days in a row. I'll be back on track again tomorrow.
I have to get up early-ish tomorrow. I am supposed to do a 7 mile run. Then I have the MMA thing with my fitness group. I know I'm going to be exhausted again tomorrow night. But hopefully it'll be fun.
I didn't end up going to work today. First, I thought I set my 2 alarms, but nothing went off. After going to bed at midnight last night, I woke up at 8:45 and called in. I went back to sleep around 9:15 and work up at 11:20 (I had an 11:30 dr apt, and just threw on jeans, grabbed gum and brushed my hair in my car at a light! Good thing it was a 10 minute appointment just to get a prescription refill).
I was up until 3:30 then I went back to bed. I woke up at 5:30. SO I slept 12 hours? Really? And now at 11:30, I'm ready to go back to bed now. Man, I was SO tired and I still am! NOt good. Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow. I was struggling all week. Just mentally drained.
And maybe TMI, but whatever... ended up being that time of the month a week early. SO that might be why I was so nasty and also why I am just so drained.
Hmm... what else. Signed up for the 1/2 marathon today. REALLY looking forward to that one! At least that's what I'm training for right now. I'm glad that I broke up everything into smaller progressions. First the 10K, now going for the 1/2 all before Boston in April. SO scared about that, but we'll see.
Also slightly disappointed. I've put on Facebook a couple of times and still, not one donation for running. Even after posting today... 100 days until the Marathon. No one donated. :( I just want that first donation to help push me on my way.
Time for bed. I'm done for today.
With the plank position, I forgot yesterday and again today. Now it is 11:30pm and I'm exhausted on the sofa, about to fall alseep and I know I just don't have the energy to do it. So I missed 2 days in a row. I'll be back on track again tomorrow.
I have to get up early-ish tomorrow. I am supposed to do a 7 mile run. Then I have the MMA thing with my fitness group. I know I'm going to be exhausted again tomorrow night. But hopefully it'll be fun.
I didn't end up going to work today. First, I thought I set my 2 alarms, but nothing went off. After going to bed at midnight last night, I woke up at 8:45 and called in. I went back to sleep around 9:15 and work up at 11:20 (I had an 11:30 dr apt, and just threw on jeans, grabbed gum and brushed my hair in my car at a light! Good thing it was a 10 minute appointment just to get a prescription refill).
I was up until 3:30 then I went back to bed. I woke up at 5:30. SO I slept 12 hours? Really? And now at 11:30, I'm ready to go back to bed now. Man, I was SO tired and I still am! NOt good. Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow. I was struggling all week. Just mentally drained.
And maybe TMI, but whatever... ended up being that time of the month a week early. SO that might be why I was so nasty and also why I am just so drained.
Hmm... what else. Signed up for the 1/2 marathon today. REALLY looking forward to that one! At least that's what I'm training for right now. I'm glad that I broke up everything into smaller progressions. First the 10K, now going for the 1/2 all before Boston in April. SO scared about that, but we'll see.
Also slightly disappointed. I've put on Facebook a couple of times and still, not one donation for running. Even after posting today... 100 days until the Marathon. No one donated. :( I just want that first donation to help push me on my way.
Time for bed. I'm done for today.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Ted Williams
The story of the week on the news and internet is of Ted Williams, the homeless man with the Golden Voice. I watched the original YouTube Video which first caught the attention of everyone and has over 5 million hit in just days.
Then I found the radio station he was on in Cleveland. They paid him for one days work and had him on the morning show telling his story on air. What a great video to watch. Ted has such a positive and amazing energy. His voice really is Golden!
The day after Ted was on air with the radio station, they had back for another segment. He was overwhelmed with the response to his story and wasn't sure on how to handle everything. The DJ's were great. They told him they would take the info of all the callers, of all the offers being made (from jobs in Hawaii, to Ireland!) and he could review them and make a decision later. They were so great.
Then they said that they had to make a call for him. They knew what was up, but Ted didn't. They called a woman live on air from the Cleveland Cavailiers. She was so wonderful and really loved Ted's story and his hope and dreams. The owners of the Cav's also own Quicken Loans. They were offering him a full time job. They had radio and tv voice overs for both the Cav's and Quicken, as well as internet voice overs, as well as games. And Quicken loans wanted to pay his mortgage on a home.
It was so touching to hear him as this offer was being made!
Then he was interviewed by The Early Show and flew out to NY. A TV crew got his reunion with his 92 year old mom whom he hadn't seen in 10 years. It was so amazing.
And here I was on my sofa watching all of these video clips with tears rolling down my face.
It is so unusal to see and hear of such a touching and moving story. He has been clean for 2 1/2 years. He is looking to have his life continue to move in the right direction. With all the horrible stories that take over the news, it is amazing to see something so moving. It is all positive. And so inspiring.
I really wish the best for Ted Williams. He inspires so many and could really make a difference in the world.
Then I found the radio station he was on in Cleveland. They paid him for one days work and had him on the morning show telling his story on air. What a great video to watch. Ted has such a positive and amazing energy. His voice really is Golden!
The day after Ted was on air with the radio station, they had back for another segment. He was overwhelmed with the response to his story and wasn't sure on how to handle everything. The DJ's were great. They told him they would take the info of all the callers, of all the offers being made (from jobs in Hawaii, to Ireland!) and he could review them and make a decision later. They were so great.
Then they said that they had to make a call for him. They knew what was up, but Ted didn't. They called a woman live on air from the Cleveland Cavailiers. She was so wonderful and really loved Ted's story and his hope and dreams. The owners of the Cav's also own Quicken Loans. They were offering him a full time job. They had radio and tv voice overs for both the Cav's and Quicken, as well as internet voice overs, as well as games. And Quicken loans wanted to pay his mortgage on a home.
It was so touching to hear him as this offer was being made!
Then he was interviewed by The Early Show and flew out to NY. A TV crew got his reunion with his 92 year old mom whom he hadn't seen in 10 years. It was so amazing.
And here I was on my sofa watching all of these video clips with tears rolling down my face.
It is so unusal to see and hear of such a touching and moving story. He has been clean for 2 1/2 years. He is looking to have his life continue to move in the right direction. With all the horrible stories that take over the news, it is amazing to see something so moving. It is all positive. And so inspiring.
I really wish the best for Ted Williams. He inspires so many and could really make a difference in the world.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Now that I have 2 blogs, this is tough to keep up with. After work, I hit the gym, get home and try to quickly eat. My days are LONG. After I'm home I hop on to my online running journal and log everything I did. Then I post on my Julie Runs Bostong blog with my training status.
I try to check on my personal email, click through facebook and see if anything is going on with my fitness group. So finally getting on to this site is tough. But here I am!
Sticking with January's healthy habits still, 5 days in a row. I have kept a notebook on my coffee table that every night I write down what I've spent for the day. It has been really easy to this point. On the first I had lunch. Since then I paid my rent. No other money spent this week. I'm just at the gym every day. SO I don't spend. I don't have anywhere to spend.
And I have been doing plank position every day too. I started on the 1st at 1 minute and today I was up to 1 minute 30 seconds. I'm hoping by mid week next week I will be at 2 minutes. After that I'll get off my forarms and up on my hands. Then I can start playing with other variations too.
I've been good at the gym too. I got back to weight training this week and so far so good. I did legs on Monday and boy oh boy could I feel them when I woke up this morning! My legs were so sore! But I did some stretching in the morning and again throughout the day.
Today I did arms and I already know that my arms are going to be hurting. But it was good. And it will be good.
Here's where I get, well, different. I grabbed some hand weights to do arms instead of the machines. Just easier and felt better. I was in an area with some lighter hand weights and it has mirrors on 2 walls, sort of tucked in a corner. I was watching my form and watching in the mirror. My shoulders looked SO good! And when I was doing bicep curls, I really had biceps!
I knew that running, losing weight and swimming were all building muscles as well, but today I really saw it. I haven't ever really watched me exercise in a mirror since I did bootcamp classes which ended last March. My body has completely changed since then. But today? I have muscle defination in my arms! And I was stronger than I have ever been!
I still can't believe you could see bicep defination while I was doing curls. And I did tricept dips off of a bunch and I could do a bunch of them, and that was after I did the tricept press machine, and tricept push backs with the hand weights.
I'm kind of excited about the summer now! And I don't even care of I am being vain. My body has never looked like this in my entire life! When summer comes along, I will look completely different in a bathing suit and in tank tops. I want to do a little more for defination over all and I still really need to firm up my legs, hips and butt, but with all the running, swimming and weight training, I'm sure it will come.
Hmm... what else.
OH! I got an email today. Through the fitness group. Here's what she wrote (with some info removed).
*****************************
Hi Julie:
My name is Meg and I am a freelance writer for the Community Newspaper Company. I am currently writing a story for the Health and Fitness Section called "Ready to Run: Five Steps to Train for a 5K." I was given your group as a possible source for some information for my article.
I am hoping you can help me. You can call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx so we can set up a phone interview. I would only need about 15 minutes of your time. My story is due on Jan. 11, 2011, so I need to speak with you at your earliest convenience.
I appreciate any information you can give me.
Thanking you in advance,
Sincerely,
Meg
********************************************************
I am pretty excited about it! I emailed her with a couple of times that would work for me. We'll see what will come of it. I love the couch to 5K training and I love it being done in a group setting. The bonding that occurs is great. It is so inspriring to see people work together, encourage each other and support each other in their progress along the way.
I'm just really excited that I could be interviewed for this article! How cool is that? I might be quoted in a newspaper article? Ok, so its a communtiy newspaper, but SO WHAT! Someone is seeking ME out for an article on training for a 5k! How did this happen! WOW!!!
I try to check on my personal email, click through facebook and see if anything is going on with my fitness group. So finally getting on to this site is tough. But here I am!
Sticking with January's healthy habits still, 5 days in a row. I have kept a notebook on my coffee table that every night I write down what I've spent for the day. It has been really easy to this point. On the first I had lunch. Since then I paid my rent. No other money spent this week. I'm just at the gym every day. SO I don't spend. I don't have anywhere to spend.
And I have been doing plank position every day too. I started on the 1st at 1 minute and today I was up to 1 minute 30 seconds. I'm hoping by mid week next week I will be at 2 minutes. After that I'll get off my forarms and up on my hands. Then I can start playing with other variations too.
I've been good at the gym too. I got back to weight training this week and so far so good. I did legs on Monday and boy oh boy could I feel them when I woke up this morning! My legs were so sore! But I did some stretching in the morning and again throughout the day.
Today I did arms and I already know that my arms are going to be hurting. But it was good. And it will be good.
Here's where I get, well, different. I grabbed some hand weights to do arms instead of the machines. Just easier and felt better. I was in an area with some lighter hand weights and it has mirrors on 2 walls, sort of tucked in a corner. I was watching my form and watching in the mirror. My shoulders looked SO good! And when I was doing bicep curls, I really had biceps!
I knew that running, losing weight and swimming were all building muscles as well, but today I really saw it. I haven't ever really watched me exercise in a mirror since I did bootcamp classes which ended last March. My body has completely changed since then. But today? I have muscle defination in my arms! And I was stronger than I have ever been!
I still can't believe you could see bicep defination while I was doing curls. And I did tricept dips off of a bunch and I could do a bunch of them, and that was after I did the tricept press machine, and tricept push backs with the hand weights.
I'm kind of excited about the summer now! And I don't even care of I am being vain. My body has never looked like this in my entire life! When summer comes along, I will look completely different in a bathing suit and in tank tops. I want to do a little more for defination over all and I still really need to firm up my legs, hips and butt, but with all the running, swimming and weight training, I'm sure it will come.
Hmm... what else.
OH! I got an email today. Through the fitness group. Here's what she wrote (with some info removed).
*****************************
Hi Julie:
My name is Meg and I am a freelance writer for the Community Newspaper Company. I am currently writing a story for the Health and Fitness Section called "Ready to Run: Five Steps to Train for a 5K." I was given your group as a possible source for some information for my article.
I am hoping you can help me. You can call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx so we can set up a phone interview. I would only need about 15 minutes of your time. My story is due on Jan. 11, 2011, so I need to speak with you at your earliest convenience.
I appreciate any information you can give me.
Thanking you in advance,
Sincerely,
Meg
********************************************************
I am pretty excited about it! I emailed her with a couple of times that would work for me. We'll see what will come of it. I love the couch to 5K training and I love it being done in a group setting. The bonding that occurs is great. It is so inspriring to see people work together, encourage each other and support each other in their progress along the way.
I'm just really excited that I could be interviewed for this article! How cool is that? I might be quoted in a newspaper article? Ok, so its a communtiy newspaper, but SO WHAT! Someone is seeking ME out for an article on training for a 5k! How did this happen! WOW!!!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Happy 2011
For some reason I have had a hard time starting this. I've had it up on my lap top for days. I knew it would take a little while to write and I needed to get my thoughts in order first.
I love New Years. I love the idea that we get to start fresh and wipe the slate clean. The new year is full of new possibilities, anything and everything being possible. Such a positive uplifting way to start over.
Every year I take a few hours to sit and journal on a specific set of questions which reviews the previous year and sets my intentions for the up coming year. I'm never sure of what is going to come up or what my focus will be until I am well into the process. Many times I surprise myself by what comes up.
And part of that process I name my year, which also helps me give the year purpose. 2009 was the year of new experiences and it completely lived up to the name. Then 2010 was the year of fitness. Just based on all that I wrote in 2010, it SO lived up to that name! I was all about fitness in 2010!
I also try to link up my new years resolutions to compliment the name I give my year. In 2009, my resolution was to do 2 things each month outside of my comfort zone. 2010's resolution was to do 2 things each month I have never done with one being fitness related. I didn't end up keeping my resolution in 2010 but that was ok. I really kept up with the fitness level and I'm proud of that.
The fitness group was a HUGE part of my life in 2010. I did the running group at least twice a week from April through December! And I'd still be doing it if the track wasn't covered with snow! We did 9 road races in 2010, started swimming did MMA events, I did yoga, zumba, hiking, kayaking, learned to golf, got serious about running and started to swim as well!
In 2010 I really made a commitment to myself on my fitness level. I had a determination I have never had and really wanted to succeed. Doing the Couch to 5K twice was great. I love seeing others reach their goals and make progress along the way. They are an inspiration to me. I find it funny that others continually tell me that I am an inspiration to them!
There were several things in 2010 that didn't go so well, including all the challenges I had with work. But I survived and I'm stronger now for all that I went through. I found what worked for me. And I'm better for it.
I made some great friend in 2010. People I really care about and enjoy spending time with. We have common goals and have fitness as a priority. Their support has helped me stay on target with my own fitness goals. I don't know if I could have done it all without them.
I set monthly goals, some I met some I didn't. But learned so much along the way and that's what is important. Finding the lesson.
By the end of 2010, I am healthier than I have ever been for my entire life. Every year my goal was to weigh 125 pounds and I really do. I am strong and fit and have muscles now too! I still can't believe the new running shirts I bought that fit are all X Small! The smalls really are too big. Who knew I could be an X Small? DAMN!
I've also learned to listen to my body for what it needs. Originally for today I was going to go to the gym to do weight training, then hit the pool for lap swimming. I swam a mile on Thursday, did an ab workout on Friday, and ran a 10K on Saturday. Today... yeah, my body is saying HELL NO! I know I can't swim right now with my abs as sore as they are (I sneezed and it hurt!) and I really think I need a break after the 6+ miles yesterday.
Even though my training schedule calls for weight training on Sunday's, I think it would work better for me to make it Monday's. I'll do legs and abs on Monday nights after my run, then Wednesday nights after my run I'll do back, chest, bi's and tri's plus abs again. This way, my legs will have more time to rest before my long runs on Saturday's and they will still have a day off after the long run.
And I might keep up with another type of fitness activity on Sunday's (just not today!) Maybe swim some weeks, walk, yoga, Zumba... whatever comes up. But I don't want to be a slave to the training schedule. I want to do what I can to keep up with it, but recognize when I need a break.
So on to 2011. Again, I love the idea of wiping the slate clean and starting fresh. SO many opportunities are available and it is so exciting to dream and think of what can be accomplished! Your only limits are the size of your dreams and how much you believe in yourself. Think big, dream big! I mean, I'm running The Boston Marathon! Really? So absolutely ANYTHING is possible! :)
I sat down on New Year's Eve and started my journaling, reviewing 2010 and thinking of 2010. The themes that continued to come up where all about taking positive healthy steps for everything. My finances, relationships, fitness, general health... all of it. After recognizing that theme, I came up with the name for 2011.
2011 is my Year of Positive Health
This will reflect everything my life. My physical heath, my nutritional health, emotional and mental health, the health of the relationships I have in my life, my financial health and my professional health.
To compliment the name of the year and keep the focus and intention of that strong, I set my new years resolution as well. And kept up again with the "2" that I've done for the third time now! :)
This year, my new year's resolution is try 2 new positive health habits every day for each month. At the end of each month, I will review and see if those habits will continue to work for me. Should I keep it or toss it? Then the next month, start up with 2 new habits to try. This will give me the opportunity to try out 24 positive healthy habits in my life and to really commit to trying them without overwhelming me. One month isn't that long and 2 at once is manageable.
For January, I am starting with one for an area that I do need to focus on. My financial health. I have not been good in the past with my finances, although I have gotten a little better, I'm still not great at living within my means. So, one of January's positive health habits is to keep a spending journal. I will be writing down every single penny I spend this month! Yesterday I drove up to the race and had 2 passengers. They each gave me $5. I had $2 on me yesterday. I spent $3 on the toll on the way home and spend the remaining $9 on lunch after the race (a greasy juicy cheeseburger and fries! YUMMY!) Hopefully at the end of the month, I will have a better understanding of where the hell my money goes!
My second positive health habit for January, I stole out of a magazine I was reading! :) I am going to do the plank positive every day. Originally I thought I'd do it for 2 minutes every day. Yeah! A year ago when I was working out with a trainer taking bootcamp classes 3 or 4 times a week I could do plank for 2 minutes. Now? Not so much! So after doing it yesterday, that's now update to doing plank for at least 1 minute every day and adding on it when I can. This will help my core strength for running and swimming. It will support my abs, my back, my gluts and hamstrings as well. Plank is such a powerful pose to hold!
I started making a list this weekend of other possible ideas. And I want ideas from others too. After searching for HOURS on the internet, I was a little disappointed that there weren't more options. Well, there were options, but it was things I have already incorporated into my life! Guess that's a good thing, but left me short coming up with ideas!
Here's what I have for options as of now:
Floss daily (I SUCK at flossing!)
Mediate for 5 minutes every morning
Drink at least 64 ounces of water daily
Keep a photo food journal (take a picture of EVERYTHING I eat)
Compliment someone daily
Keep a gratitude journal with at least 3 things I am grateful for each and every day
No fast food or take out for the month
Eat breakfast within 2 hour of waking up every day.
Eat at least 6 servings of fruit and veggies daily
Make my bed every day
Stop negative thinking & self talk as soon as I notice it & redirect my thoughts to positive thoughts
Pick a positive affirmation and spend a minute here and there during the day on it
Spend time in nature every day
Stretch or do yoga for at least 15 minutes daily
Go to bed every night by 10pm
Journal/free write first thing every morning for 5 minutes (or 5 pages).
SO that's a list of 16 options. Plus January is already done. I'll need to come up with a few more options as I go along. And I'm staying open to change as well. Who knows how this year will evolve, as my life continues to every year. Things that are important to me now weren't even thoughts in my life 2 years ago. So I do understand that my focus and priorities will change along the way. As long as the intent stays with positive health, then I know I'm in the right direction.
I have strong hopes for 2011, for everyone. I have worked to have healthy positive people in my life who help bring me closer to my personal goals and these are people who I have learned so much from.
With all of the changes that have occurred in my life, with all of the work I have put in... and it has been work! I am happy! I didn't sit and wait for things to happen and life to change FOR me. I got out there and made changes for MYSELF! I WORKED. I got out, I met people, I started running. I organized events. I stood up for what I believed in. I made decisions. I asked for help when I needed it. I recognized my mistakes and tried to learn from them. I chose to be a better version of me. I took what worked and expanded it. I made me a bigger and better version! :)
I really think that is one of the biggest changes in my life over the past few years. I used to sit and wait for life to happen around me and react to it. Now I don't just react. I ACT! I MAKE those changes happen. I make decisions on what I WANT, not just want comes to me.
Yeah, of course, life happens. Things I don't want, happen. And I have to react to those events. But I have power over the direction of my life. I realized that life isn't a spectator sport. I now play an active role in the direction I am headed. I make the choice of what I want to do, who I want to have in my life, and what influences I want to be open to. This active role is SO important.
I am not a victim of life circumstances. I have a voice, I have a mind and I have the ability to choose the road I travel on. This was not who I was a few years ago. I was a victim of life. I was a reactor. I wasn't an active player. I didn't make decisions on where I was headed. I responded to what I was presented with.
Now I find the things I want. I'm NOT presented with anything. I make the choice of what I want and I go after it. I do the work. I dig in and go for it. I find the determination to what it takes to reach the goals I set for myself.
I have become a very strong person that I never knew was within me. I pealed away layer of doubt, insecurity, anger, fear, and I worked hard to develop self respect, self confidence, determination, pride, and an overall hunger for life! I want experiences. I want to live life to the fullest.
In the past 2 days I have had 3 different people tell me that I was an inspiration! THREE PEOPLE! And that's only from the past 2 days! That really happened. Me. A person who used to sit on my sofa depressed about my life, about the circumstance that were handed to me. I am considered inspiring by others. And the thing is, I have taken so much from others, from seeing them achieve success.
Seeing new runners with the Couch to 5K, when they realize what they did, when they see their successes, I LOVE seeing that! A few weeks into the training, the schedule calls for a funky amount. The track is a 1/4 mile long and that week is:
Jog 1 lap
Walk 1/2 lap
Jog 2 laps
Walk 1 lap
(repeat)
When they finish that, they are pretty happy that they did it. Then I point out, "You just jogged 1 1/2 miles. Did you realize that?" And every single time, they did NOT know that's what they did. I have to actually add up the distance that they jogged to prove it!
I love seeing the smile appear and pride they have when the really realize it. That's when they all start to see the progress! And then I ask, "A few weeks ago when we started and you did the 60 seconds of jogging 8 times, did you think you could run 1 1/2 miles? YOU JUST DID! GREAT JOB!" Their faces light up!
The fitness group brought so much into my life. I got active. I made new friends. I found a purpose. I get to help others. I found my own successes.
I have worked hard in my life to get to where I am. I am not going to stop. When I stop playing an active role in my life, then that is when I will be giving up on myself again. I know I am worth more than that. I won't give up on myself. I will keep working and continue to fight for what I want and what I believe in as long as I have the ability to do so. I will not give up me and watch my life pass me by again. I fought hard to get here and I like where "here" is.
With all of these changes in my life, with this new found pride and self confidence, I am happy. I have a sense of happiness and confidence and peace within me that I never had. It isn't about outside influences. It isn't because something wonderful happened TO me. It is something that is now within me. I am happy with me, with who I am and with my life.
I don't need others to make me happy. I don't need outside things to happen or to come to me for me to find that happiness. I have it within me now. A few weeks ago when my group with the life coach had our last group, the facilitator (the actual life coach) told me that she sees the change in me. That I have a different energy around me. It is visible to others. My happiness within me, my peace and the joy I have, others see that!
Maybe that's why others think I am inspirational. I have an excitement about me for life and for experiences I didn't have before. I have a energy and zest with this enthusiastic excitement that I didn't have before. I bring others in with that excitement. It is contagious. And then people start to believe in themselves more and are able to try new experiences for themselves.
I really love where I am right now. I'm looking forward to where I am going. I have more hard work ahead of me, but I am up for the challenges and I know I can succeed at anything I put my mind to.
I hope everyone finds what they are looking for, their own strength, their own happiness, their own motivations. This is a great place to be and I wish it for everyone.
Happy 2011!
I love New Years. I love the idea that we get to start fresh and wipe the slate clean. The new year is full of new possibilities, anything and everything being possible. Such a positive uplifting way to start over.
Every year I take a few hours to sit and journal on a specific set of questions which reviews the previous year and sets my intentions for the up coming year. I'm never sure of what is going to come up or what my focus will be until I am well into the process. Many times I surprise myself by what comes up.
And part of that process I name my year, which also helps me give the year purpose. 2009 was the year of new experiences and it completely lived up to the name. Then 2010 was the year of fitness. Just based on all that I wrote in 2010, it SO lived up to that name! I was all about fitness in 2010!
I also try to link up my new years resolutions to compliment the name I give my year. In 2009, my resolution was to do 2 things each month outside of my comfort zone. 2010's resolution was to do 2 things each month I have never done with one being fitness related. I didn't end up keeping my resolution in 2010 but that was ok. I really kept up with the fitness level and I'm proud of that.
The fitness group was a HUGE part of my life in 2010. I did the running group at least twice a week from April through December! And I'd still be doing it if the track wasn't covered with snow! We did 9 road races in 2010, started swimming did MMA events, I did yoga, zumba, hiking, kayaking, learned to golf, got serious about running and started to swim as well!
In 2010 I really made a commitment to myself on my fitness level. I had a determination I have never had and really wanted to succeed. Doing the Couch to 5K twice was great. I love seeing others reach their goals and make progress along the way. They are an inspiration to me. I find it funny that others continually tell me that I am an inspiration to them!
There were several things in 2010 that didn't go so well, including all the challenges I had with work. But I survived and I'm stronger now for all that I went through. I found what worked for me. And I'm better for it.
I made some great friend in 2010. People I really care about and enjoy spending time with. We have common goals and have fitness as a priority. Their support has helped me stay on target with my own fitness goals. I don't know if I could have done it all without them.
I set monthly goals, some I met some I didn't. But learned so much along the way and that's what is important. Finding the lesson.
By the end of 2010, I am healthier than I have ever been for my entire life. Every year my goal was to weigh 125 pounds and I really do. I am strong and fit and have muscles now too! I still can't believe the new running shirts I bought that fit are all X Small! The smalls really are too big. Who knew I could be an X Small? DAMN!
I've also learned to listen to my body for what it needs. Originally for today I was going to go to the gym to do weight training, then hit the pool for lap swimming. I swam a mile on Thursday, did an ab workout on Friday, and ran a 10K on Saturday. Today... yeah, my body is saying HELL NO! I know I can't swim right now with my abs as sore as they are (I sneezed and it hurt!) and I really think I need a break after the 6+ miles yesterday.
Even though my training schedule calls for weight training on Sunday's, I think it would work better for me to make it Monday's. I'll do legs and abs on Monday nights after my run, then Wednesday nights after my run I'll do back, chest, bi's and tri's plus abs again. This way, my legs will have more time to rest before my long runs on Saturday's and they will still have a day off after the long run.
And I might keep up with another type of fitness activity on Sunday's (just not today!) Maybe swim some weeks, walk, yoga, Zumba... whatever comes up. But I don't want to be a slave to the training schedule. I want to do what I can to keep up with it, but recognize when I need a break.
So on to 2011. Again, I love the idea of wiping the slate clean and starting fresh. SO many opportunities are available and it is so exciting to dream and think of what can be accomplished! Your only limits are the size of your dreams and how much you believe in yourself. Think big, dream big! I mean, I'm running The Boston Marathon! Really? So absolutely ANYTHING is possible! :)
I sat down on New Year's Eve and started my journaling, reviewing 2010 and thinking of 2010. The themes that continued to come up where all about taking positive healthy steps for everything. My finances, relationships, fitness, general health... all of it. After recognizing that theme, I came up with the name for 2011.
2011 is my Year of Positive Health
This will reflect everything my life. My physical heath, my nutritional health, emotional and mental health, the health of the relationships I have in my life, my financial health and my professional health.
To compliment the name of the year and keep the focus and intention of that strong, I set my new years resolution as well. And kept up again with the "2" that I've done for the third time now! :)
This year, my new year's resolution is try 2 new positive health habits every day for each month. At the end of each month, I will review and see if those habits will continue to work for me. Should I keep it or toss it? Then the next month, start up with 2 new habits to try. This will give me the opportunity to try out 24 positive healthy habits in my life and to really commit to trying them without overwhelming me. One month isn't that long and 2 at once is manageable.
For January, I am starting with one for an area that I do need to focus on. My financial health. I have not been good in the past with my finances, although I have gotten a little better, I'm still not great at living within my means. So, one of January's positive health habits is to keep a spending journal. I will be writing down every single penny I spend this month! Yesterday I drove up to the race and had 2 passengers. They each gave me $5. I had $2 on me yesterday. I spent $3 on the toll on the way home and spend the remaining $9 on lunch after the race (a greasy juicy cheeseburger and fries! YUMMY!) Hopefully at the end of the month, I will have a better understanding of where the hell my money goes!
My second positive health habit for January, I stole out of a magazine I was reading! :) I am going to do the plank positive every day. Originally I thought I'd do it for 2 minutes every day. Yeah! A year ago when I was working out with a trainer taking bootcamp classes 3 or 4 times a week I could do plank for 2 minutes. Now? Not so much! So after doing it yesterday, that's now update to doing plank for at least 1 minute every day and adding on it when I can. This will help my core strength for running and swimming. It will support my abs, my back, my gluts and hamstrings as well. Plank is such a powerful pose to hold!
I started making a list this weekend of other possible ideas. And I want ideas from others too. After searching for HOURS on the internet, I was a little disappointed that there weren't more options. Well, there were options, but it was things I have already incorporated into my life! Guess that's a good thing, but left me short coming up with ideas!
Here's what I have for options as of now:
Floss daily (I SUCK at flossing!)
Mediate for 5 minutes every morning
Drink at least 64 ounces of water daily
Keep a photo food journal (take a picture of EVERYTHING I eat)
Compliment someone daily
Keep a gratitude journal with at least 3 things I am grateful for each and every day
No fast food or take out for the month
Eat breakfast within 2 hour of waking up every day.
Eat at least 6 servings of fruit and veggies daily
Make my bed every day
Stop negative thinking & self talk as soon as I notice it & redirect my thoughts to positive thoughts
Pick a positive affirmation and spend a minute here and there during the day on it
Spend time in nature every day
Stretch or do yoga for at least 15 minutes daily
Go to bed every night by 10pm
Journal/free write first thing every morning for 5 minutes (or 5 pages).
SO that's a list of 16 options. Plus January is already done. I'll need to come up with a few more options as I go along. And I'm staying open to change as well. Who knows how this year will evolve, as my life continues to every year. Things that are important to me now weren't even thoughts in my life 2 years ago. So I do understand that my focus and priorities will change along the way. As long as the intent stays with positive health, then I know I'm in the right direction.
I have strong hopes for 2011, for everyone. I have worked to have healthy positive people in my life who help bring me closer to my personal goals and these are people who I have learned so much from.
With all of the changes that have occurred in my life, with all of the work I have put in... and it has been work! I am happy! I didn't sit and wait for things to happen and life to change FOR me. I got out there and made changes for MYSELF! I WORKED. I got out, I met people, I started running. I organized events. I stood up for what I believed in. I made decisions. I asked for help when I needed it. I recognized my mistakes and tried to learn from them. I chose to be a better version of me. I took what worked and expanded it. I made me a bigger and better version! :)
I really think that is one of the biggest changes in my life over the past few years. I used to sit and wait for life to happen around me and react to it. Now I don't just react. I ACT! I MAKE those changes happen. I make decisions on what I WANT, not just want comes to me.
Yeah, of course, life happens. Things I don't want, happen. And I have to react to those events. But I have power over the direction of my life. I realized that life isn't a spectator sport. I now play an active role in the direction I am headed. I make the choice of what I want to do, who I want to have in my life, and what influences I want to be open to. This active role is SO important.
I am not a victim of life circumstances. I have a voice, I have a mind and I have the ability to choose the road I travel on. This was not who I was a few years ago. I was a victim of life. I was a reactor. I wasn't an active player. I didn't make decisions on where I was headed. I responded to what I was presented with.
Now I find the things I want. I'm NOT presented with anything. I make the choice of what I want and I go after it. I do the work. I dig in and go for it. I find the determination to what it takes to reach the goals I set for myself.
I have become a very strong person that I never knew was within me. I pealed away layer of doubt, insecurity, anger, fear, and I worked hard to develop self respect, self confidence, determination, pride, and an overall hunger for life! I want experiences. I want to live life to the fullest.
In the past 2 days I have had 3 different people tell me that I was an inspiration! THREE PEOPLE! And that's only from the past 2 days! That really happened. Me. A person who used to sit on my sofa depressed about my life, about the circumstance that were handed to me. I am considered inspiring by others. And the thing is, I have taken so much from others, from seeing them achieve success.
Seeing new runners with the Couch to 5K, when they realize what they did, when they see their successes, I LOVE seeing that! A few weeks into the training, the schedule calls for a funky amount. The track is a 1/4 mile long and that week is:
Jog 1 lap
Walk 1/2 lap
Jog 2 laps
Walk 1 lap
(repeat)
When they finish that, they are pretty happy that they did it. Then I point out, "You just jogged 1 1/2 miles. Did you realize that?" And every single time, they did NOT know that's what they did. I have to actually add up the distance that they jogged to prove it!
I love seeing the smile appear and pride they have when the really realize it. That's when they all start to see the progress! And then I ask, "A few weeks ago when we started and you did the 60 seconds of jogging 8 times, did you think you could run 1 1/2 miles? YOU JUST DID! GREAT JOB!" Their faces light up!
The fitness group brought so much into my life. I got active. I made new friends. I found a purpose. I get to help others. I found my own successes.
I have worked hard in my life to get to where I am. I am not going to stop. When I stop playing an active role in my life, then that is when I will be giving up on myself again. I know I am worth more than that. I won't give up on myself. I will keep working and continue to fight for what I want and what I believe in as long as I have the ability to do so. I will not give up me and watch my life pass me by again. I fought hard to get here and I like where "here" is.
With all of these changes in my life, with this new found pride and self confidence, I am happy. I have a sense of happiness and confidence and peace within me that I never had. It isn't about outside influences. It isn't because something wonderful happened TO me. It is something that is now within me. I am happy with me, with who I am and with my life.
I don't need others to make me happy. I don't need outside things to happen or to come to me for me to find that happiness. I have it within me now. A few weeks ago when my group with the life coach had our last group, the facilitator (the actual life coach) told me that she sees the change in me. That I have a different energy around me. It is visible to others. My happiness within me, my peace and the joy I have, others see that!
Maybe that's why others think I am inspirational. I have an excitement about me for life and for experiences I didn't have before. I have a energy and zest with this enthusiastic excitement that I didn't have before. I bring others in with that excitement. It is contagious. And then people start to believe in themselves more and are able to try new experiences for themselves.
I really love where I am right now. I'm looking forward to where I am going. I have more hard work ahead of me, but I am up for the challenges and I know I can succeed at anything I put my mind to.
I hope everyone finds what they are looking for, their own strength, their own happiness, their own motivations. This is a great place to be and I wish it for everyone.
Happy 2011!
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