My 65

My friend L posted her list of 65 reasons she wanted to get fit on her blog The Fit Girl I Wanna Be back in April.  I've also been seeing a lot of memes (is that the correct use of the word?) on Pinterest from a tumblr called Reason to Be Fit.
These have inspired to me re-evaluate my latest reasons to work as hard as I have been.  I started out with a goal of "being fit" six months ago.  My goal was and still is a good one, but it was very vague at the time.  I knew I wanted to be able to move around easily without snapping, cracking, and popping.  I knew I wanted to weigh much less.  I knew I wanted to be confident enough in my body to try new things.  And I knew I wanted to be healthy.
As I've worked hard for these things, I've found new and more specific goals.  So, after finishing Couch-to-5k, losing 16.7 pounds, and learning to cook and enjoy healthier meals and snacks, I've decided to re-evaluate my goals and share them with you.

My 65:
1. To avoid ever having diabetes
2. To never be "obese" again
3. To feel my body, not just fat, when I put my hands on my hips
4. 
5. To run faster and further every time
6. To realize I can do that yoga pose I couldn't do last week
7. To buy clothes off the rack
8. To wear a size that is a single digit
9. To know I have self-control
10.
11. To prove that it can be done
12. To feel muscles in my arms when I cross them
13. To look down when I'm wearing shorts and see new muscle tone
14. To run a half marathon
15. To never think about sucking in again
16.
17. To be asked "What do you do to look like that?"
18. To avoid heart disease
19. To have more energy for my family
20. To teach others how it can be done
21. To wear gym shorts when I run without them riding up
22. To lose the extra chins
23.
24. Because I didn't know what I could do until I tried
25. Because I am sure I'll be able to do it each time I try
26. Because my Daddy can't anymore
27. Because my Mama can't anymore
28. Because I want the rest of my family to do it
29.
30. To finally do a pull-up
31. To want to spend my money on new equipment
32. To know what endorphins feel like
33. To leave a legacy of health
34. To be known as strong - physically and menally
35. To participate in any activity that my friends can
36.
37. To do real push-ups
38. To think of sitting on the couch watching TV as a waste of time
39. To be petite
40. 
41. To treat my body as a temple
42. To respect myself
43. To look good for the hubby
44. To like what I see in the mirror
45. To run faster than a 12 minute mile every time
46.
47. To crave that early morning run
48. To have a job that helps others do this
49. To have a healthy body to carry a baby
50.
51. Because it has become a habit
52. Because every goal is a huge wall I've knocked down
53. Because other people call me an inspiration
54. Because I can't let myself down
55. Because it honors God by respecting his creation
56. Because I was born for this
57. 
58. Because being out of shape sucks
59. Because I can't go back to not doing it
60. Because I miss running/yoga/HIIT when I can't do it
61. Because my head is in this game
62.
63. To be in control of myself
64. To appreciate my capabilities
65. To look back at the last 64 reasons and say I DID THAT!

Can you think of your 65?  Link back to me if you do!

Motivation Monday

My message for you today:

You Can Do It

You can do it - whatever your goal is.  

Want to lose weight?  Do it.

Want to get more organized?  Do it.

Want to exercise more?  Do it.

Want to learn to sew or knit?  Do it.

Our biggest obstacle is usually ourselves.  We make excuses, think negatively of our abilities, or let others convince us we aren't good enough.

Let me just remind you of this...

God created you.  He is the ultimate judge of everything - not your peers, your spouse, or even yourself.  If the greatest judge of all believes in you, who are you to disagree?

The Elvis (rest his soul) Smoothie

In honor of Elvis (he died 35 years ago today), I made a Peanut Butter Banana smoothie.

It's REALLY yummy and satisfying and easy!

Ingredients:
1 frozen banana (slice it before freezing in a baggy)
1 Tbsp natural peanut butter with the oil poured off
1 cup Natural applesauce
1/4 cup-1/2 cup water

So easy! Just put all of the ingredients in your blender (love my Ninja) and blend until smooth!

Mission Accomplished - Positive Thinking Thursday

It isn't very often that I start something and finish is - especially an exercise program - but I've done it!

The mission that I chose to accept was the 9-week Couch to 5k Program.

MISSION: ACCOMPLISHED

This doesn't usually happen, but it has happened for me a few times in the last 6 months and I am so happy, proud, amazed, humbled, grateful, etc.  

I have now finished Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred, Prevention Magazine's 14 Day Work-out, and now Couch to 5k.  I started each on with an end-goal and I've seen them through to that goal.  Accomplishing each goal has been empowering and energizing.  Once I finish one I can't wait to find the next goal to work towards.

I've added several other things to my routine, such as yoga, BodyRock.tv, Billy Blanks Boot Camp, and a few others.  They are great additions, but I have learned that having an end goal helps motivate me.

I'm not a self-starter or self-motivated fitness buff.  At.  All.  I know that about myself and I know that about a lot of you too!  It's just who we are.  

Here's my advice:

1. Choose your poison  - what is going to be fun enough that you won't cry when it's time to work out? Your answer may be: Sitting on the couch eating chips.  I hear ya!  What makes you feel good when you're done?  Do you like to dance?  Do you like how your legs tingle after a fast walk or run?  Do you enjoy a certain sport?

2. Find a support system - Surround yourself on Facebook, Twitter, the office, Blog World, your neighborhood, or church with people who know that you are trying.  Ask them to let you report back.  Ask them to hound you if you need it!  Here's a little more on the topic!

3. Set goals - Find a routine that has a certain number of days or workouts that will challenge you until the end.  Knowing that you're going to be running on the same path every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the rest of your life may be daunting.  But, knowing that there will be a day in the near future when you can say I DID IT! makes each step a little easier.

4. Schedule it - If you live in an industrialized country, you're probably uttered the phrase "I just don't have time."  Well, as much as I hate to hear my own mother's voice come out of my mouth: YOU HAVE TIME FOR WHAT YOU MAKE TIME FOR.  Make the time.  Schedule the other things around your exercise as much as you can.

I can't tell you how amazing I feel.  My goal was to lose weight and get in shape, but now that I know how good it feels to say "I DID IT", that is becoming my goal.  Just to say I've done it.  

I set a goal.

I worked hard.

I achieved something.

I DID IT!

 

I Love Disney Toms

Here's a secret about me: I am a 5-year-old trapped in a 33 29-year-old's body when it comes to Disney World.  I always enjoyed Disney movies, but had never experienced the magic that is Disney World until my honeymoon.  I turned about 5 when the plane landed in Orlando and I don't feel ashamed at all!

We have another trip planned later this year with some friends of ours.  I'm so excited that I'm not sure I can contain myself.  It is still several months away, but not too early to start planning my Disney wardrobe!

I made this necklace for a client to wear in Disney World last year.  I'll have to make one for myself!

I've seen several things on Pinterest, of course, that I plan to attempt.

Nails, of course.  I don't know how to choose!  Maybe I'll have to change throughout the week :)

 

The first set of nails didn't have a link, the second set is from Nail Network, and the third is from Disney Ruthie.


Outfits: Have you ever seen Disney Bound?  Oh. My. Word.  I could have a Disney themed outfit every day of the trip!  Here's one of my favorites:

Shoes!  I do love shoes!  I found a hand painted pair of Toms on Etsy that I just loved.  I already had a pair of Toms that I don't wear much, so I didn't want to pay for new ones.  But, aren't they so cute?

I decided to use some fabric Sharpies on my own gray Toms and see what I could do.  Here's how they turned out!

Can't wait to wear them in Disney World!!!  What else do I need?

Goal #3!!!

I FINALLY hit another goal.  I've now lost 15 pounds!!!

Actually, I've lost over 15, I've lost 16!!!

My reward for reaching this goal was new workout gear.  I bought an 8 lb squishy ball, white running skirt, white running tank, pink and black running shorts, and knee socks!  I also treated myself to some new make-up - since I feel prettier and stronger!

I'll wear the white for my Color Run and they won't be white anymore!

It took FOREVER because of vacation, a mission trip, and being sick, but it has been accomplished.  I'm thrilled and rejuvenated!

Here's how it has happened:
* I made a calendar.  I have a set schedule from august-December of what kind of exercise I'll do each day.

*I've re-committed to My Fitness Pal.  This app keeps track of my calories for me.  I can still eat "Whatever I want" but I have to stay in my calorie range.  I don't want to eat "whatever I want" as often anymore because I know how binging can ruin a week!  I still have treats, but my treats are smaller than they used to be.
*Couch-to-5k: I have no started week 9 (the last week!) and I'm loving it!  I actually caught myself saying,"I miss running" while I was sick and couldn't run.  Weird, huh?  I'll be ready for my first 5k in plenty of time!
*Yoga on Hulu - I do this mid-week to stretch out my sore muscles and get that blood flowing to finish the week strong.
* Body Rock - I know that 12 minutes a day does not sound like enough to change you body, but it is!!!  I just started doing this twice a week and I can feel new groups of muscles working that haven't worked in months.  I attribute my 1% body fat loss this week to these amazing workouts.

***THE HARD WORK IS WORTH IT!!!  IF I CAN DO IT - YOU CAN DO IT!***
JUST DO IT!!!

Motivation for you Monday: Commitment

I have been so dedicated to a healthy lifestyle...

until vacation...

and a mission trip...

and I got sick.

Well, vacation has been over for a couple of months, the mission trip was done over a month ago, and I'm almost done with my antibiotics.

It's time.

I made myself sit down this morning and come up with a schedule from today until December 31 of this year.  I am incorporating all of these things:
Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred - again!
Couch-to-5k - 2 weeks left
Yoga on Hulu
Active Trainer 5k Intermediate
5k-to-10k

Here is my calendar for August:

Link to make your own: WinCalendar

Wish me luck! :)