To Change or Not To Change???

"Keep your chin up and you will see the clouds in the sky. Keep your chin down and all you will see is the dirt on the floor." (Shelley L. Young)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!  

You know when you're watching a program about someone that has struggled to lose their weight and something inside them finally clicks and they realize what they need to do and they go out and do it. Well, that's how I feel.... FINALLY!!! I'm not sure where it started, but I do know that some light bulb went off in my head around my birthday. We went out for dinner at a Chinese buffet.  I watched people pile their plates like there was no tomorrow and even one of them went back for a second heaping of food. You could say that I've been wearing blinders when it comes to the amount of food people eat. It just really shocked me this time and maybe that's when it just clicked for me. If something doesn't change that I will end up miserable and eating myself to a slow death, but that will not only happen to me, but everyone else out there who continues to let the food win the war.

 

All of a sudden I had this "a-ha moment" not only about how much food people eat, but what foods they eat. And that is why I've been working on changing around everything from what I eat, my workouts, beauty routines and how I can improve just my life as a whole. Things have to change, not only for myself, but for the people out there who feel that they go through the same roller coaster with their weight loss. One of the biggest reasons that people give up on weight loss is the stubbornness to change things. Sorry, but that’s the truth. Some people think that their way is different and will work for them. They tend to pull an idea from a handful of different diets programs throw them all together to make this super diet for themselves and in a short amount of time see no results and give up.

 

You have to decide for yourself one of two things; do you really want to lose the weight and change your life or do you want to stay the same because you like to get the attention of others cheering you on. Now don't jump down on me because that is some people's truth. There are people out there that get the sympathy and attention and deep down fear that if they lose the weight that will all go away. Once you start to see yourself as the "fat person" first and then everything else after it can be hard to lose the weight because you don't see yourself as anything else other than fat.

 

Some people get into that mindset that you can never change because you’re too old or too overweight must change. YOU have the power to change that way of thinking. I have this clarity about everything for the first time and I know now that I can do this and I will do this. I'm like my own cheerleader. That's what we all need to be, it's nice to have others in your corner, but they can't lose the weight for you because you have to do it.

 

Carve out some time this weekend or over the next week sit down with a pen and some paper to plan your weight loss journey. Put pen to hand and write out your workout routines, what days you will do certain workouts and how long. Figure out what you're going to eat, write a menu down include snacks and then write that grocery list out. Type the plan up and make a couple of copies of it, post it on your fridge or wherever you workout. Make things happen for yourself, change it up. Tell that Doubting Thomas to take a hike and that you are worth it and you will succeed. 

 

 Thank you so much for stopping by! Hope your morning/afternoon/evening is extra cozy and delightful. Until our paths cross again!

Almost to 100 Days

 

"Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last you create what you will." (George Bernard Shaw)

 

Hello, my lovely friends! 

 

    Wow, we're already zooming towards the 100-day mark of 2025! Feels like January 1st was just around the corner, right? Remember that fresh start energy, all those plans bubbling up for a more organized, healthier you? Have you had a chance to dive into those goals yet? What were the big things you were hoping to accomplish this year?

 

     Feeling stuck in a rut? Now's the perfect time to shake things up and inject some fresh energy into your routine! Or, if you haven't quite gotten around to starting those new habits or projects, consider this your official launchpad. Take a moment to reflect on your goals and aspirations, and map out a clear plan of action. I'm even revisiting my own resolutions from the beginning of the year, taking stock of what I've accomplished and identifying areas where I can refocus my efforts. 

 

Here's a glimpse into what I envisioned for myself back then:

1. Clean Eating
2. Stick to a Fitness Routine
3. Write it down
4. Vitamins, vitamins, vitamins
5. Get Organized
6. Let it Go
7. Be Selfish
8. Be Positive
9. Pamper Myself
10. Live Life with Passion 

 

    You know, I've been putting in the work on all of it. But honestly? I could definitely dig a little deeper and push myself harder. I mean, I've been focused, sure, but there's always that extra gear you can find if you really try. It's like, I've been running a marathon, but I've been pacing myself for a casual jog. I can feel that I have the energy to sprint, to really push past my current limits and see what I'm truly capable of. I've been ticking off the tasks, sure, but I haven't been truly challenging myself to exceed expectations, to innovate, to find new and more efficient ways of doing things. I've been comfortable, and comfort is the enemy of progress. I need to break out of that comfort zone and really strive for excellence, not just adequacy. It's got me thinking about what I've actually done and where I can really step it up.

 

 Thank you so much for stopping by! Hope your morning/afternoon/evening is extra cozy and delightful. Until our paths cross again!

Need To Figure It Out

"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you; they're supposed to help you discover who you are." (Bernice Johnson Reagon)

 

 

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

     So, you might've noticed I've been a bit in and out lately, and I wanted to touch base about it. Huge apologies for the blog silence – things have been a little whirlwind-y on my end.

 

    On the home front, Mom's still dealing with pain, but thankfully, we're seeing more good days than before! It's been a journey. Honestly, the biggest headache has been navigating Kaiser; it feels like she's been getting bounced around a bit. The one bright spot has been her kidney doctor – even though he's out of network, he's been a real lifesaver.

 

    All this pain has really taken a toll on her overall health. Her blood sugar's been up and down, and her A1C is higher than we'd like. They've been adjusting her meds, trying to find the right balance. She's off Metformin now, and her insulin dose has been increased. Unfortunately, they can't move forward with her back treatment until her numbers come down.

 

     It's been rough seeing Mom go through this, and honestly, it's been dragging me down too. Her moods have been all over the place, and lately, it feels like anger is the default setting. We've been butting heads a lot, and it's just wearing me out. Nighttime has become my refuge, those moments catching a movie and just chilling with Mike after a chaotic day. Having him around this past week while he was on vacation was such a relief.

 

     And speaking of Mike, it's wild – we've had this connection for a year now. We're actually planning to meet up this summer and see what happens. It's the strangest, most wonderful thing to feel this kind of bond with someone.

  

    You know, by the time evening rolls around, all I crave is sinking into the couch with a movie and Mike's company. It's funny 'cause even though it's snowing right now, I can feel that warmer weather just around the corner, and with it, I know there'll be more ways for me to unwind. I'm really looking forward to getting my hands in the garden again and taking Scoots on some longer walks, just the two of us. I just need to get a better handle on my time and stress levels, you know? I also have this feeling that if I actually made time to blog, it would be a great outlet.

    So, yeah, I'm making a promise to myself to be more present here and get some better blog posts up. My sister's been on my case, telling me it's time I got a little "selfish" and actually focused on what I need for a change.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Hope your morning/afternoon/evening is extra cozy and delightful. Until our paths cross again!

 

Thank you so much for stopping by! Hope your morning/afternoon/evening is extra cozy and delightful. Until our paths cross again!

It's My Birthday Month!

 

"The first fact about the celebration of birthdays is that it is a good way of affirming defiantly, and even flamboyantly, that it is a good thing to be alive." (Gilbert K. Chesterton)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

    Woohoo! February is HERE, and you know what that means?! It's my BIRTHDAY MONTH! I'm a birthday fanatic – always have been, always will be! When I was a kid, the countdown started practically before the New Year's Eve ball dropped. January 6th? That was D-Day minus whatever! I'd be at the breakfast table, mid-Cheerio, announcing, "Only 27 more days until the big day!" (or whatever ridiculously specific number it was). I know some folks are all, "Birthdays? Nah," but me? Bring on the candles, the cake, the questionable singing – I'm here for it! Another year of life? Heck yeah, I'm celebrating!

 

    And speaking of celebrating, you know I'm a huge advocate for treating yourself! My birthday festivities have already commenced with a little Sephora haul (birthday rewards, baby!). And as soon as I'm done typing this, I'm diving headfirst into the Ulta website for some curly hair goodies and MORE birthday rewards! I'm dying to see what freebie I snag! So, if you're looking to make your own birthday extra special (or just any day, really!), keep reading for some fun ideas!

 

Let's get this birthday bash started... with YOU! Here's your official "Pamper Yourself" birthday checklist:

1. Nailed It!: Unleash your inner nail artist! Grab that sassy red or pretty pink polish and give your nails some love. Think of it as tiny birthday hats for your fingers!

2. Bubble Bliss: Transform your bathroom into a spa sanctuary! Dim the lights, light some yummy-smelling candles, put on some chill tunes, and sink into a mountain of fluffy bubbles. Ahhhhh... pure birthday heaven.

3. Un-wine-d: Treat yourself to a glass of your favorite vino! Red, white, rosé, bubbly... whatever tickles your fancy. It's your birthday, you deserve a little sip of celebration!

4. Movie Magic: Pop some popcorn, snuggle up in your comfiest blanket, and press play on your all-time favorite movie. Bonus points for dramatic reenactments (performed solo, of course!).

5. Birthday Freebies Frenzy: Get ready to be showered with birthday goodies! Do a little online sleuthing and find out which restaurants or stores offer birthday freebies or discounts. It's like a treasure hunt, but the treasure is delicious food and awesome deals! Late lunch? Early dinner? You decide!

6. Chef You: Feeling culinary? Whip up a special birthday meal for yourself! Go all out or keep it simple and delicious. And don't forget the most important part: splurging on a decadent dessert from your favorite bakery. Because, cake. (Or pie. Or cookies. We don't judge.)

 

Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a day/evening/morning filled with sunshine, laughter, and perhaps a little bit of magic. Until next time, ta-ta for now!