Sunday, December 14, 2008

Living With Accountability

We all need to take responsibility for what we do and what we say. I thought about this while watching a show about real estate earlier this week. A couple were looking into buying their first home. The husband says, "Not only do I have recent bankruptcy, but I'm in debt as well. But, this is what I can afford." And the real estate agent shows them a fix-er-upper, now only does the couple need to come up with the payment, but now they need money to fix up the place. Does that make any kind of sense??? The guy is in debt. But, it represents alot of people in America, buying when they can't afford it. Heck, I was guilty of it myself once. But, I took responsibility and said, "why was I putting myself through this every single month, I deserved better." It's all about taking accountability for the decisions that are made every single day. I think if all of us take responsibility for our decisions and actions we would be a much better world.

And, remember LIFE is still good and each of us can make it better!!! As former President Woodrow Wilson said, "We are not here merely to make a living. We are here to enrich the world."

Thursday, December 4, 2008

It's Friendship

Friendship is the topic of the day. This week I have been thinking about friends that have come and gone in my life. And some of my friends have also thought about their own friendships. Friends come and go, but these individuals do leave a mark on you. You have friends at work, the gym, and even some e-mail friends. All friends serve a purpose in our lives. There a quote I read earlier this week but I don't remember who said it, it goes something like this, "sometimes you pick your friends, sometimes they pick you." It's so true. All friends teach us something about ourselves, whether is good or bad. All friends help us grow in one way or another. And sometimes, friends just drift apart or are no longer around for whatever reason. It happens and it's just fine. Remembering the good parts of a friendship is important. I had two great friends that are no longer part of my life. But, when I think about them today, it's with great joy and laughter. I decided this week that I don't think I would go back in time to change any part of myself, except when it comes to school and weight of course. I couldn't go back, because then I run the risk of not meeting many of my friends. I treasure all my friendships even the ones that are no longer around. Because as John Lennon said, "I get by with a little help from friends."

Monday, December 1, 2008

Cups and Spoons (my trick to losing extra weight)

This past week, we, in America, celebrated Thanksgiving. We traditionally get Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving off, which means most of us get a four day weekend. Thanksgiving marks the start of holiday eating, in other words, overeating. Not only do we eat; Turkey, stuffing (dressing), mashed potatoes, veggies in a butter bath, yams loaded with brown sugar and marshmallows and yummy rolls, we eat it all. Some of us eat tamales, mac and cheese, green bean casserole and ham, just to name few dishes. Oh and let's not forget desserts; pumpkin pies, sweet potato pies, apple pies, german chocolate cake and pecan pie, again just to name a few desserts. We just load up on the calories. It would fine if we all just ate one huge meal on Thanksgiving, but typically we make so much food that we eat the same meal for the four days. YIKES! WOW! I'm mean great food, but not so great on our bodies and minds. All this overeating makes us want to do nothing but sit in front of the T.V. and naps. I have always said, have a party, have your guests bring plastic containers/bags. Let's share the worth that is called leftovers. If you are one of those we continued to celebrate Thanksgiving throughout the four day weekend, I have a simple solution for you.
First of all, don't call yourself names like; I'm a loser, I'm a failure, I'm a fatso and/or I'm a moron, again just to name few. There is no point to it, believe me, I know. Just chalk up the last four days as, "I screwed up and, now, I need to get back on track." Second, get your measuring cups and spoons out (don't have any, go buy some). Now, this is not a proven scientific method, I use it to lose some pounds:

Breakfast:
1 whole egg, 1 egg white with 2 cups of veggies of your choice.
1 piece of whole grain toast.
or
1 cup of oatmeal with fruit
with non-fat/1% or soy milk (use proper serving, use your measure cups)
or
any whole grain cereal (use proper serving, use your measure cups)
drink with non-fat/1% or soy milk (again use the proper serving)

Lunch and Dinner:
1 cup - start filling the cup with your protein (chicken, lean beef, lean pork, whatever you want)- remember protein (meat) isn't brown sugar, no packing please.
1/2 cup - start filling the cup with a starch carb (sweet potato or brown rice)
2 cups -start filling the cup with any kind of veggies you want, if you want more, load up.
If you want a salad (load it up with greens, tomatoes, red onion, any veggie you want).
Dressing (either use lemon/lime juice or take your measure spoons and measure 1 tablespoon of dressing.)

snacks:
non-fat/1% cottage cheese, an medium apple or orange, a serving of nuts (almonds or walnuts).

Third, drink plenty of water. And, finally, increase your workouts by 15-20 minutes. Within a few days, you will see a difference.
I got the idea about using measuring cups and spoons, when my youngest sister was first diagnosed with Diabetes Type 1 (she was 10, I was 12 years old). I read all her materials and pay attention when the doctor spoke with my parents. It just makes sense.

Again, I'm sharing what I do with those who read this post. I'm not a nutritionist, a nurse or a doctor, just someone who has used this method for years.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Letting Go of the Past!

I learned a lesson this weekend. I realized that I never, really, truly knew the meaning of letting go the past to move into the future. I was hanging on to a bit of my past that was just unhealthy. The thing is, I didn't even realize it until something happened late, last week. But, once I did, it took me 7 hours and 32 minutes to let that part of my past go. It wasn't easy, but I had to do it . I kept repeating to myself, LIFE IS SO SHORT, WHY CARRY THIS AROUND! My intention is not to preach, but let me tell you I felt a huge weight lift off my back (too bad it wasn't weight). I, also, realized that I wasn't paying enough attention to what was happening to me. I remember reading somewhere to take five minutes everynight to reflect on the days events. It's the best way to figure out what you did that day and how it impacts where you want to go. I started doing that and it has opened my eyes. Again, nothing is rocket science, when you know what you want out of life!!! All this reflection reminds me of a quote from President Kennedy that I read years ago, "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." Why hold on to something that can't be change? There is no point to it. Live life, for we only get one to make the most of it.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Living Your Dreams

Yesterday, I had the Monday Blues. You know feeling sorry for myself, feeling like crap, feeling hopeless about my future. Then, late, last night, I read an article about living your dreams. The article was titled "Live Your Dream, Start Over." Have you ever thought about your dreams??? Do you feel like that ship has sailed??? I used to and sometimes I do have moments of doubt (like yesterday). But, I believe anything is possible as long as you know what you want. I truly believe this mantra. If your goal is to read more, then do it. If your goal is to finish school, then do it. If your goal is to travel, then do it. Whatever your goals are, it is possible to make them happen, if you believe in yourself. I believe as long as you have the ability to change, you have the ability to make anything happen. Even if you don't achieve your goal, you might discover something new. Life is great in that sense. One of my goals is to stop complaining. It's getting better, but sometimes it still gets the best of me. But, I haven't given up. What's the point in complaining!!! At the end of the day, I'm the one that is in misery, obsessing over something I couldn't really change. The only thing that I can control is what I think. And what I think is, it's time to reach for the stars. Take baby steps to do something that you have always wanted to do for yourself. Because taking the time for yourself, will make you a better you!!!

So when I hopped out of bed this morning, I was feeling pretty good. I still feel alittle lost, but with renewed energy to start moving forward again. And I remembered my mantra, "anything is possible as long you know what you want." And I remembered one of my favorite quotes by Henry Ford, "Life is a series of experiences, each of which makes us bigger, even though it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and grieves which we endure help us in our marching onward."

So, join me, NO MORE LIVING LIFE, I COULD HAVE DONE THIS OR THAT!!! Make your list today and start taking steps to a better you!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Proposition 8 and Barrack Obama

California has always been known for it's progressive views, it's liberal views. Yet, on the same night that the United States elected it's first black president, California passed a proposition that would ban same sex marriages (Proposition 8). We overwhelmingly voted for better conditions for our animals (Proposition 2), yet the yes vote won to ban same sex marriage. I don't understand, especially since over 61% voted for Barrack Obama in California. That begs the question, how many voters voted for Barrack Obama but voted yes on Proposition 8? It's seems so hypocritical to me. How can you say you want change, when you don't support civil rights for all???

In 2000, voters voted not to recognize same sex marriages (Proposition 22). Opponents for this proposition took it to the California Supreme Court and on May 15, 2008, ruled that Proposition 22 violated the States' Constitution. That was awesome, same sex couples were able to marry once again. Then, I heard about Proposition 8, I thought here we go again. We take one step forward and two steps back.

America, California, when are we going to get it right?

Saturday, November 1, 2008

What A Smile Can Get You!

An interesting encounter happened to me earlier this week at the grocery store that reminded me about a show I heard on XM radio about a week ago. The subject of the show: smiling. The host was wondering why people just don't smile anymore. Is it because of too much stress or unhappiness? The host went on to say that she tries smiling even when she is angry, miserable, upset, unhappy and/or depressed. And it makes a world of difference in her outlook for the day.

So, of course, I tried it. I sometimes get comments like; "you look mean, you look sad, you look angry or you look depressed." You can imagine my reaction, if I could boot people, I would. But, I'm in a different place now, so I'm trying the smiling thing. Let me tell you, it works. I wasn't a smiling fool by any means, that's just not me. But, if someone looks at me, I smile and in some cases, I say, "Hello." People's reactions are awesome. A couple of them did ignore me, but it didn't change my outlook for the day.

Now, let me share the "encounter" I wrote about earlier that happened at the grocery story. Here is what smiling can, also, get you. A guy was shopping and his cart was blocking the aisle. As I was going around the guy, I smiled at him and said, "excuse me." You know what his replied was, "oh, oh, I'm sorry I'm married." I replied back, "What? Ok, good for you." As I rolled my cart to the end of the aisle, I realized what he said. I turned around, looked at the guy and started laughing. The guy turned beet red, speed up and rounded the corner.

Try smiling today and see what happens to you!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

A Reality Show Motivates Me, WHAT!!!

If there is a reality show that I look forward to every year, it's the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team on CMT (Country Music Television). It's cheesy but oh so addicting. Week after week, I find myself tuning in to see who can't master the dance routines, the "famous" Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders kick line and who still hasn't lost the weight. YES, throughout the show, the viewer becomes aware that the "uniform" is unforgiving. I soon began to realize that watching this show I'm motivated to move my butt. Why? Because, these women work their butts off to look fabulous.

1.The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders stress physical fitness for endurance (on game day, it's non stop dancing for 4-5 hours). Under the direction of Jay Johnson (Boot Camp Fitness), the basics and importance of proper nutrition and fitness are taught. The ladies met 6 days a week (begin with a 2 mile run, stretching for 1/2 hour, then practice for several hours.) Some of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders even blog about what they eat on a typical day, one example is: whole grain cereal with non-fat milk for breakfast, a chicken breast sandwich with a fruit cup and water for lunch and fish with veggies for dinner.

2.The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, also, stress on appearance. These ladies have an image to uphold and represent the Dallas Cowboys Organization, so dressing for success is key.

This show has reminded me that it does take work to look good inside and out. I have watched this show for three years, I have seen the transformations of some of these women and work they do. The lesson here is simple, you want to look and feel fabulous, you need to work at it.

Monday, October 27, 2008

It's Official- I'm blogging

So, I have a blog now! You are reading my first official blog post (WARNING: it will be short). Excited, you bet. I have wanted to have my own blog for over a year and just didn't have the courage. Well, I decided that today was the day that I was going to begin to write. I'm passionate about health and fitness. And to be quite honest, I'm passionate about a variety of things. And sometimes I rant, boy do I rant.

In the coming days, I will write about my adventures as only I see it.

Thanks for taking time to read my first blog post.