Goals & Checklists

April 7, 2013 by 6 Comments
Source: Etsy artist inkanddirtdesigns

Source: Etsy artist inkanddirtdesigns

Perspective

I turned 34 on February 4th. My 30th birthday was a big catalyst for me starting my life changing journey, or as my friend Susan Ito (Foodie McBody) calls it my ‘Healthaversary’. How lucky for me that my birthday and my Healthaversary happen to be one in the same. For me it’s the time of year that really reflect on where I’ve been and what I really want to accomplish in my next year of life. It’s like my own personal New Year one month and three days late.

This year for my Healthaversary I wanted to focus. I wanted to sort through the year and a half of recovery and rebuild some physical and emotional prowess. So I gave myself a bit of a challenge. Take three steps back from the phone, the computer and the exposure to what every one else has going on and focus on me. And I have. The last couple of months I’ve taken a back seat a from my social media exposure. And through a major miracle of strength of mind I have managed to start a new habit. No iphone in the bedroom.

My bedtime iPhone relationship

Yes. I’m one of those. (or I was). I would check my phone and Facebook feed and email before I tried to fall asleep and I would catch myself checking my phone before looking into my Mate Tara’s eyes to say good morning. And my sleep has never been great. I hung onto the habit out of attachment and would use the excuse “but it’s the only alarm clock we have” when Tara would ask me to try leaving it plugged in in the kitchen all night. It was scary for some reason to feel three rooms of detachment. But, I did it. We went and found an old school alarm clock and from that night forward my phone gets plugged in as we’re getting ready for bed in the kitchen and there it stays until the next morning.

And you know what?

It’s gotten a whole lot easier to leave it there. To wind my brain down at night. To connect with the love of my life. To find pleasure in reading a book again before I drift off to sleep. It’s been a big WIN. And a new habit I think will stick for good. Thank you ‘healthaversary’ for the gift of freedom from something I didn’t even realize was sinking me as much as it was.

Spring Fever

There’s something about Spring that gets me excited about the year ahead. It’s more than just the longer days and the sunny warmth and new growth all around. It’s a feeling of really wanting to get my stuff together. This month (April) it will be four years that I started working out with my Trainer Chris at Functional Fitness. I’ve always needed to maintain goals to keep moving forward. I feel a little aimless when I don’t have something I’m working on. So on my birthday/Healthaversary I came up with a plan. A stars on a calendar plan that hails from my elementary school days. Here’s how it works:

 

photo (27)

 

How I’m Doing It

I’m keeping it simple. I’m not taking on too much. And I’ve got a super easy system that is really working for me. See that calendar up there? T and I have had a calendar on the fridge like this as long as we’ve lived together. It’s how we keep track of lots of things, races, dinners and outings with friends, appointments etc. And now, it’s how I keep track of my goals. I use stars. Just like in grade school. And you know what? IT STILL WORKS!

photo 3 (3)

  • The Gold Stars : are for my daily workout completed (or a due rest day)
  • The Blue Stars : are for my water intake, at least 8cups a day but shooting for 12.5 (100 oz)
  • The Red Stars : are for extra special, holy crap I kicked serious ass days

I’ve been using my star system now for three months. I’ve earned that gold star consistently at least 5 times a week. The water sometimes eludes me, but I’ve got more blue stars than not (especially since we started using this app called Plant Nanny). And guess what? It’s been a whole lot easier to focus. I’m trying some things and I’m regaining more strength physically and mentally that I’ve been missing. That whole ‘keep it simple’ thing really does work.

Don’t Forget the Reward

Here’s the catch though…if you don’t give yourself a reward for all of those stars earned, I mean besides stacking them up every day and reveling in your awesome-ness, you might start to falter a little. I had a tough time thinking up a reward for myself that didn’t revolve around food. (go figure) But Spring reminded me of something…flowers on my desk at work make me feel good. They aren’t too expensive and if I can stack up more than 10 stars in a week I get to have some. March meant some tulips for me week to week and I loved it!

photo 2 (4)

Exciting Things

This last week has been a whirlwind of excitement for Tara and I. Tara has been here in Canada since the day after my accident, November 8th, 2011. And she’s been here as a visitor while we awaited our application for Permanent Residency for T on spousal sponsorship. The last 18 months have been a trial of patience and frustration with a process we had absolutely no control over. We watched the mailbox every day in hopes that the Confirmation paperwork would finally be in there. And last week (while I was conveniently on vacation from work) it arrived. Finally at long last Tara is an official Permanent Resident of Canada and she is able to work and earn an income. And being the person of action that she is, the minute she had the PR documents, we went and got her Social Insurance Number and she applied for work. The day after that she had a job interview and the day after that a full time job offer. She starts work thing coming Wednesday.

It means a lot of change coming up for us. Change in our routine, in our income and in the amount of time that we will have to spend together. It’s exciting and a little bit scary to see how our relationship will evolve now that our constant waiting is over. We both have a lot to look forward to and some very serious goals coming up. Tara will tackle her first Half Ironman on June 23rd and on the very first day Tara starts her full time job I will be starting the incredible Mara Glatzel‘s BLH Live 12 week course. I have never feel a stronger pull to try something or to push outside my emotional comfort zone and I’m really excited to see how it all unfolds.

photo (29)

Spring is Springing

One of things I’ve missed the most about my hiatus from social media is reading what you’re all up to. Link me your latest! Tell me what you’ve been up to. What do you have to look forward to this Spring? Three months into 2013 what you done just for you? Are you as excited as I am to see the buds budding and the sun shining a little bit longer each day?

Filed Under: Goals, No Excuses, Progress, Weekly Review, Workouts

Betting on a Diet?

January 13, 2013 by 8 Comments

The DietBet

On January 2nd I signed up with all kinds of awesome-sauce people I know for Roni Noone’s very first DietBet. The whole idea behind DietBet is using money as a motivator. You pledge a certain amount (for Roni’s game it was $20) and if you can lose 4% of your body weight in four weeks you win. You will share the pot with everyone else who managed to lose 4% of their body weight in four weeks.

We all feel that urge to start over in January. There’s something magnetic about the New Year and starting fresh after the holidays. I caught that bug this year. I didn’t make any resolutions, but I do like to set goals. They keep me focused and they remind me of the things I have to look forward to. I can’t say that this DietBet is a goal of mine. But I suppose the added motivation can’t hurt.

I’ve been on this Life Changing Journey of mind for almost three years. I’ve learned a lot about myself about how my body works. I have 40lbs I would like to lose. 25lbs of that 40 I would be losing for the second time in a body post-accident and after a year of recovery and trying to move forward each day. What I do know about this body of mine is that it doesn’t like to let go. For me to lose 4% of my body weight I need to average 2lbs a week for the 4 week challenge. And I’ve NEVER, EVER, not once on this journey been able to lose that consistently. My average is 1lb a week and that’s on a good week. Sometimes I’ll lose 3 or 4lbs and then sit there for a couple of weeks before I see another change. I know this about myself and I’ve grown to be okay with it. Frankly, I know from experience that slow weight loss equals LASTING weight loss. The lasting part is more important to me than fast part any day of the week. For me this Life Changing Journey is about lasting change. When I see these 40lbs come off my body again after my accident I don’t want to see them come back again.

My Plan of Attack for DietBet

My January plan while “playing” in this DietBet is:

  1. Keep it Simple.
  2. Nothing drastic, nothing crazy.
  3. Drink my water EVERY DAY. Mimimum of 8 cups (64oz) – aiming for 12.5 cups (100 oz)
  4. NO Sugar. Zip. Zero. Nada.
  5. Get my workouts in (Bootcamp Mon/Wed/Fri, Sessions with my Trainer Tues/Thurs and run + pool with T on Sunday)
  6. Track my food and workouts in My Fitness Pal (PS username is red5tar5 if you’d like to friend me on MFP).

That’s it. I will do all of the above, and see what four weeks brings.

This is how I lost 100+lbs before. This is what works for me in the long term. This is what feels good.

One thing is for sure, on Wednesday I will be two weeks in and I already feel like a different person from the inside out. That to me counts for enough. And that to me is worth more than $20 any day of the week.

How’s your January going? What’s keeping you motivated?

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

A Little Me First Goes A Long Way

January 8, 2013 by 6 Comments
care for yourself

Source: Etsy Artist Silvertreeart

Priorities

It’s no secret that I had a rough December when it comes to my emotional health. Bless Tara for being an incredible understanding and supportive mate and being patient and loving while I figured out my shit. My shit turned out to be mostly sugar driven crazy and now that I’ve cut out the sugar again my depressive symptoms seem to be all but gone. Amazing light bulb moment that one is.

What I’m learning in January is that a little of making ME the most important priority can go a long way. And it also makes me a better mate.

Today

Today was a rough day. It was busy at work, and there were a lot of interruptions. I’m talking a level of busy where literally minute by minute you have to reevaluate priorities and are constantly shifting gears. Lots of days that’s precisely what I love about my job, it’s always a new adventure. Today I had to be careful. Because I could feel the melt down right beneath the surface. I could feel all of the niggling little bits of me who were screaming: “GO FIND CHOCOLATE”…  ”You know you want a cookie…”

But I didn’t want a cookie, I didn’t need the chocolate. Instead I put my coping mechanisms into high gear:

  1. I had a workout scheduled with my trainer at lunch. Instead of bailing because it was really busy and things “needed” to be done. I went. I put sweating out the anxiety at the top of my priority list for my lunch hour. (and it was a damn fine workout I might add, hello 500 non-sugary calories GONE in 40 mins).
  2. The minute I got back to my desk, I ate something good for me. I didn’t wait until I was so hungry I couldn’t think and sugar was the only thing rational in my head. Nope, nope, nope. I ate my delicious healthy lunch and drank some water and my brain was functional again.
  3. I finished what really truly needed to get done at work. I left for home 20 minutes after my usual time. Not three hours late.
  4. The first thing I did when I get home was take a bath. Not super long, not super hot, but just right to calm down the nerves after the crazy of the day. I did the little self care things that felt really good, I used the yummy smelling soap I got for Christmas, I shaved my legs without feeling rushed, I took the left over grown-out nail polish off my toes, I used the delicious lotion that matched my soap. I washed my face and I put my hair up and I sighed a sigh a relief. It took maybe 20 minutes.
  5. I ate dinner curled up with my mate and didn’t think about the long list of ‘To Dos’ that will await me in the office tomorrow.

Imagine, just taking the time back that is MINE to do things that make me feel good and not giving in to the habit of turning to sugar when things get busy Just. Feels. Better.

Better in every sense of the word. I’m more human, I’m more grounded, I’m much more fun to be around tonight than if I had worked all the way through my day, stuffed my pie hole with chocolate or sweets and come home late grumpy and exhausted. I’ll admit I’m still tired tonight, but I’m going to blame that on my hell of a workout and find my pillow a little early.

This whole learning about yourself process doesn’t really ever stop. Even if I keep learning the same lessons over and over, I think the lesson settles in a little deeper each go around.

Be Kind To You

Whatever your job, whatever your anxiety, whatever your stress. If you’re reading this, please, please, pretty please,  take a minute or two today and ask yourself what you can do to put yourself first. It doesn’t have to be a giant thing. Those little things on my list made all the difference today. Hell, I can’t even call that bad day. #awesomesauce

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Sugar Monster Goes to the Pool

January 6, 2013 by 5 Comments

Sugar and Emotional Disaster

I made a rather important self discovery on Christmas Day. Tara and I had spent Christmas Eve at my parent’s place overnight and were there for Christmas Day. Enjoying time with family for the holiday. I was also enjoying a little too much indulging in sweets that aren’t normally a part of my day to day diet. Christmas Eve there were chocolates and drinks and sweets. For Old Meegan it was a drop in the bucket, but for Meegan in the here and now it was sugar overload and it became dramatically apparent on Christmas Day when I had an absolute emotional melt down. I felt totally alone in a room full of my family, I couldn’t stop crying and my self worth plummeted to sewer depths. It wasn’t a pretty picture and in the midst of the tears it hit me. THIS IS WHAT I FEEL LIKE WHEN I EAT SUGAR. Hello light bulb moment.

My Coach Mara knows what I’m talking about: “Sugar makes me crazy. It makes me yell at the people that I love, and feel like my body is overrun by an army of insane feelings running every which way all at one time.  It makes me self-conscious, paranoid, alarmed, terrified, and sad.”THIS IS IT EXACTLY. Consuming sugar takes away my control and my sanity and it feels all over awful.

Then and there I made the decision. No more sugar. And I haven’t had any sugar since. And guess what?

My emotional stability has been completely normal. I feel much more in control of my mind and my body and even my self worth.

DUH.

You would think after all that I have been through on this life changing journey that that particular epiphany would have occurred to me with the same magnitude before now. But there it is. In all its enormity. And frankly the timing couldn’t be better.

Looks like Santa delivered exactly what I asked him for.

Life Beyond Sugar

In the days of clarity without the sugar monster making me crazy I’m slowly rebuilding my confidence. I’m finding a grove again and a new routine and it feels good. My mind and my body feel ready for change again. I’m building a foundation to regain my strength and confidence and it feels good.

Conquering Fears

The fear of new things in the land of fitness has gotten less as time goes by and my life is full of activity. I remember how scary it felt the first time I:

  • met with my trainer,
  • the first race I signed up for,
  • trying my first mud-run,
  • signing up for PN’s Lean Eating,
  • meeting Tara and Val for the first time and working out in a hotel gym,
  • (some days just getting out of bed and hauling my ass to the gym is scary.)

This week I prepared myself for new adventures in fitness. And I will admit I went into with some trepidation. But what I’m learning is, the scary stuff is usually the stuff I really need to go for.

Step One – The Swimming Gear

This week Tara and I took a gift card from SportChek (who we love) and went to find me a swimsuit and swim gear. I have a bathing suit. One I can wear to the beach or the pool for bobbing around in the water. But I did not have a suit that I could use to swim some laps. I took about half dozen suits in my size into the change room and after a few disasterous attempts with suits that were frankly hilarious and made for bodies sans any curves I found a suit that felt good and held all my bits in place. Success! I also picked up a swim cap and some goggles and I was set.

Step Two – The Pool Fear

I know how to swim. That wasn’t the scary part.

I’ve been to gyms, that wasn’t the scary part either.

I think it was the new activity, and in part knowing I was going with Tara who is now so very at home in a big athletic centre. But I also knew I could do it. Just like all my firsts before, getting myself there was the hard part. Once I was there I just did it. We went to the Canada Games Centre this morning. Our plan was to be there early for a run on the treadmill and then hit the pool for some laps. This involves all kinds of relatively foreign things for me. Big athletic centre, changing room where my loose skin and wobbly bits are in site of others, a pool where my confidence in lane swimming is none existent.

But here’s the thing. When you TRY stuff you uncover things. I just tried.

I got on the treadmill, ran the better part of a 5K in 30 mins. I was happy.

We changed into our swim suits and headed for the pool. I had Tara to tell me what to expect. I had goggles with a prescription so I wasn’t blind in the pool. I’m still not confident at all about this freestyle swim business and putting my head in the water for three breaths. But my breaststroke isn’t too shabby. I managed to swim 16 lengths or 8 laps today. And I didn’t die. Nothing bad happened and no one pointed any fingers and laughed. I did it. And now I know I can do it again. And I will. Next weekend.

Moral of my fitness story time and time again is, just try it. Even if it’s scary. You may just find something you really love to do.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Finding #mybetter & Giving Better Away

December 26, 2012 by 21 Comments

Source: CleanWash LetterPress

Christmas Came & Christmas Went

Here in Canada it’s Boxing Day. AKA December 26th. Tara tells me they don’t have “Boxing Day” in the US of A. They have the day of shopping and super sales on December 26th. We have shopping and super sales too on Boxing Day, but not here on the East Coast where everything is still closed for the Statutory Holiday until December 27th. Then the shopping begins for many here too.

I don’t plan on shopping this year. Our Christmas was lovely. We spent Christmas Eve with my family and Christmas morning Tara had the chance to catch up with her family on FaceTime and text. Christmas Day was quiet mostly in our PJs with my parents and my brother ans sister-in-law. We had brunch and played some games together before Turkey Dinner.

I will confess to indulging in the 24 hours of Christmas. I will confess to having a tear filled melt down moment on Christmas Day. I will admit that I can see the clear connection between the sugar and the carbs and my emotions. It’s not a pretty combination. It is so easy to feel as though everything is bigger than it really is when I just.keep.stuffing.sugar.in my face.

So today is Boxing Day. Today there isn’t the same desire to relax and indulge. Today Tara and I got up and went to bootcamp and got our sweat on. I will confess to swearing during the Russian twist Medicine Ball Slams. I burned 550 calories in that 54 minute session. I needed it. Then we came home and made a delicious brunch full of nutritious, non-processed, good-for-us food.

This is my #mybetter.

  • It’s taking ONE decision at a time. Remembering the things that are important to me.
  • It’s reminding myself when I do something that is in line with what is important, that I need to recognize it.
  • It’s NOT comparing where I am at right now with anyone else. (even when that feels impossible).
  • It’s remembering that I need to have some goals the horizon to keep moving towards. They help me stay focused.
  • It’s trying my very best to remember that life is better when I put myself first.
  • It’s moving this body of mine and pushing to get stronger, faster, better.
  • It’s remembering that true health and living life to the fullest means moving, resting, eating well and finding joy.

Source: Andrea Owens www.yourkickasslife.com

A Gift

Tara asked me before Christmas what I needed. She’s been a little worried about this funky-funk that I’ve found myself in of late. If I’m being honest, so am I. But I’m still trying. Everyday I’m trying. And under the Christmas tree she gifted me with 3 months to work with the ever-so-amazing Mara Glatzel. I’m a very lucky girl. In so very many ways.

Part of #mybetter will be working with Mara to uncover all of the ways I can move on through whatever this is that’s happening with me right now. One of the most incredible things about working with Mara is that she has this way of reminding me of all of very important things I already know but I have a bad habit of forgetting. (Like, I’m seriously worth it.)

Source: wickedpaper

 

 A Giveaway for your Path to Better

So enthusiasm is contagious. I know it. And I want to catch your enthusiasm. From the holiday excitement, for the things you’re looking forward to in 2013. And I’d love to be able to help you catch some enthusiasm about finding your better too. So with a little help from SportChek  and their #mybetter campaign I get to give away $100 giftcard to help you.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The contest is open until New Year’s Day when I’ll pick a random winner. I can’t wait to read about all of the ways you’re working towards your own personal better on this life changing journey. And I really can’t wait to see what’s in store for us in 2013.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

I have the power?

December 20, 2012 by 9 Comments

Source: Etsy Artist Tuckerreece

 

Dear Santa, please remind me.

 

I have a Christmas wish. I need a reminder.
I need to remember some of the things that I know I’ve already learned somewhere in this brain of mine.
I need a push. I shove even. I need to get off this precarious place I’ve been sitting in. In the muck.
Hand me a clean towel and offer me your white gloved hand and pull me on up outta the muck and tell me to click my ruby red slippers together so I can get on with it.
Please.

 

One sided Conversation on Repeat

 

Listen big guy, please tell me why I keep having the same conversations in my mind. Over and over and over again.
I don’t understand why I’ve let myself change.
I’m missing the resolve I had when I was a Lean Eater. When I wasn’t in pain.
When I wasn’t “recovering” from the accident.
I don’t want this stuff with food and procrastination to feel this difficult anymore. I want to just move on past the general feeling of suck-i-ness now, please.
I would love if the emotional tidal wave would ease to a much quieter ocean of feelings. So I stop going from these days of extreme self loathing to the days where things feel okay. A general feeling of okay-ness for a while in a row really is my Christmas wish right now.

 

What I already know

 

I know I’m eating things I don’t need.
I know I’m eating things I don’t really ‘want’.
I know I’m doing it in the name of soothing my emotions and…
I know it doesn’t help.
I know it complicates how everything functions.
I know this, and I still find myself doing it.
I also know that most of the time I’m doing it WITH thought. As in, I’m deciding consciously to go for it. And for the few times I absentmindedly stuff something in my face I realize at some point through it and put the brakes on.
I know I’m procrastinating about things. Even doing things I would otherwise love to do.
I know I’m having a hard time looking myself in the mirror and saying to myself what I already know -

 

 

“Hey you. This is all you. You have the power to do something about this.
You have to change it. Just you.”
I know that right now I feel stuck in the muck again. Like I’m afraid of something that I can’t quite put my finger tip on.
So I walk around feeling guilty about the things I’m eating (consciously and otherwise).
I walk around feeling horrible for the things I’m not doing.
Instead of slowly thanking myself for all of the things that I AM doing.
Instead of just putting the refrain, “You ARE OK” in my brain.

 

Here’s the Deal

 

I think I’m at a point in my recovery process where I need to mentally get myself out of “recovery” mode and figure out how to be in “moving onwards” mode. My injuries are a point now where they may just be what they are now forever. So life needs to be life and not “life in recovery.” I need to stop waiting for someone or something to nudge me or push me forward. I need to find that inside myself, right now. And I know it.
So I don’t know why I’m waiting. I don’t know why I feel stuck on the very edge of something.

 

Except Maybe I do know

I think the problem is I’ve stopped believing. I’ve forgotten the reasons why I’m worth it. I’ve let the tidal waves of self doubt and that deep seeded belief that I really am unlovable chicken peck their way back into my brain. But this time I am aware of what’s happening. I must be fighting it a little or I wouldn’t see it happening. I would just fall for it again, hook line and sinker and let myself slide back into depression. I need my confidence back. I need to remember why I’m worth it. I need to believe that I can click my ruby red slippers again and remember that I have the power.

So please Santa, just remind me.

Make my Christmas wish come true and remind me how I did this before.
Remind me of all of the reasons I’m important so I can move forward.
Please let me hear Tara’s words when she tells me what I know in my heart is the truth and not cringe or roll my eyes at her words anymore when we have the same conversation again.
Thanks Santa,
Love Mimi
Filed Under: Uncategorized

Is it Worth It?

November 21, 2012 by 2 Comments

Source: Etsy Artist daddysangbass

Committing

Sometimes when you commit to something you find yourself at a point where you wonder if it’s worth it.

At the beginning of November I committed to blogging each day this month, and to posting a new piece of jewelry in my redstar5 designs shop.

Here I am on November 21st and I’m finding this week is a serious challenge. I don’t have jewelry pieces all made and in draft listings to just publish daily in my shop anymore, so new piece is the time to hand make, plus taking photographs myself and getting each listing up one at a time. It’s all a part of the process and I was anticipating it.

I have to stick to it and be dedicated to make this happen on top of my full time day job, making my marriage and time at home a priority as well as my new venture and commitment here in November. I know this what all of our lives are like, we are all doing our own version of day to day juggling.

Sometimes it just gets tough

That’s the thing about the day to day juggle of our priorities. Sometimes they shift and move and we have to decide what is important and what we will make the time for. That’s really what it comes down to when you make a commitment.

Will you MAKE THE TIME. Will you carve it out of your day to do what you have committed to do?

For me I walked in the door tonight after a long day at work and I asked myself if I wanted to make the time tonight. I’m tired and I’m hungry and I wasn’t really feeling all that much like writing after spending all day in the office up close and personal with my computer. I’m lucky though, I’m thankful and ever so grateful to have a spouse who is happy to make us a healthy meal for dinner and willingly encourage me to go and blog while she prepares dinner because she knows I made this commitment and she knows it is important to me. So here I am. Sticking to my guns on this one. Blogging today for day 21.

It’s a Fine Balance

You have to be careful though. Because at the end of the day you need to remember what matters. If tonight I really needed my attention to be somewhere other than this computer screen in the name of self care I could let it go. If it meant it was my turn to prepare that healthy meal versus ordering take out just to get the blog post done, I think I’d prepare the meal and let this post go.

And here’s where my balance comes in tonight. After my long day at work, and making the time to sit down and write my blog post, I’m going to sit down with my Mate and enjoy a delicious meal together and go to our Wednesday evening yoga class. It will be 9:30 by the time we get home and after that I’m headed to bed for a good nights sleep.

The Jewels

Jewelry plans will have to wait today. I’m setting a priority for self care in a different light for me today. It will wait perhaps until Friday when I will catch up for the month and post three new listings in my shop. I have some incredible custom work that I’m working on in the mean time for those who have already contacted me for the holidays. If you’re interested in some custom work before Christmas, even if its just an inkling, I’d LOVE to hear from you. Shipping from Canada for the holidays to the US I’m aiming to have out before December 7th ideally, so time is moving fast!

Until tomorrow…

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Just Like That

November 20, 2012 by 1 Comment

Source: Etsy Artist inktheprint

 

The Plan Worked

My game plan seemed to work perfectly. Today was indeed a MUCH better day than yesterday. Despite the fact that the dress that I put on and was already to wear out the door to work in (and felt damn confident in I might add) had a toothpaste explosion incident and I had to change early today – today was better.

Tara and I both worked hard to smile through the big EFF You’s the Universe tossed in our direction early this morning and turned Tuesday into a beautiful thing.

I ate only what was in my lunch bag that Tara packed for me full of healthy goodness, and the delicious meal of Paleo Pad Thai with some quinoa for dinner. I got a great workout in at lunch time and I was extra productive at work today.

AND – Tara and I will get to see Elf the Musical at Neptune Theatre next week with two good friends thanks to a great deal on tickets! Can’t wait!

It was a good day and I hope this is a pattern for the rest of this week. Bring it on!

As Promised

And as I promised to come through on yesterday, here are the two new pieces that I just posted to my redstar5 designs Etsy shop tonight. Clicking on the photos will bring you to their listing in the shop for more photos.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Tomorrow Will Be Better

November 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Source: Etsy Artist HoneycombPrintShop

Already Pooped

It’s Monday evening and I’m already exhausted. I made some questionable food decisions at lunch today in the midst of the chaos of relocating my office.  I’m noticing a pattern since last Wednesday and the binge dive of the rails. I need to get this back into control.

I know I need to give myself the space to try and sort through the feelings. I know I need to keep talking. I know I need keep moving. I know I need to remind myself to find the happy spots in things.

I know these things.

Now I just need to DO them.

Today was good

Here are my reminders why today was good when it felt anything but a lot of the time:

  1. I walked to work this morning with Tara. I love walking to work. It’s crisp bright morning air and it gives us some time to chat in the mornings that isn’t the same as the drive to work.
  2. There was a whole lot of change in one day today. I think all things considered I managed it better than I thought I could.
  3. I left my office this afternoon and said to myself, “I can only control what I can control, the rest is just stuff.” It was a bit of a mantra today. I needed the reminder. (over and over and over again).

But tomorrow will be better

Tomorrow is Tuesday and it has so much potential to be better than Monday.

  1. I will make it through my whole day focusing on the positive instead of dwelling on the chaos.
  2. I will remind myself that the decisions I make about the food eat and the time I protect to move my body are important. (And hello! They make me feel good.)
  3. I will do those two things so that I can to support my Mate in making this week a positive one for both of us.  We both need it.

 

A little self-caring goes a long way

Today is Day 19. Today is the first day of November that I don’t have a listing of a new jewelry piece ready to share with you for my shop. And because today was a Monday and a tough one at that, I’m going to let it go for today. I do have jewelry ready to share with you for tomorrow. You can look for two new pieces in the shop tomorrow evening to keep me up to pace.  In the meantime take a peek at what’s already been added so far this month.

 

 

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I’ve Got an Ace in my Pants (and I like it)

November 18, 2012 by 1 Comment

Today was a lot of fun. Tara and I ran a half marathon relay race this morning. We were a team of 3 with a kick ass friend of ours and each of us ran a 7K leg.

I was Leg 1. Lucky for me, my running partner extraordinaire Leanne who was running with Team Heart & Sole was also Leg 1.

Team Ace in my Pants was cold, but we were mighty and all three of us ran great times for our legs. My 7K was still run in intervals (which still seems to be what I can to do keep my aches and pains at bay and still run) but I got it done in 51:56  which was a lot faster than my time the weekend before and faster than I thought I would come in. (Thank YOU Leanne for the excellent company and the push at the end!)

Leanne & I after our Leg

I had a blast with my team and seeing so many familiar faces at the race today. The relay format was a whole lot of fun. I wasn’t sure about the idea of running around the Halifax Commons 4.75 times to hit the 7K mark, but I actually really enjoyed it. Coming back around to the crowd and the music and your teammates to cheer you each lap made it awesome. Our Team name was Ace in Our Pants, so each lap we collected an Ace to keep track of our laps and into our pants it went!

Team Ace in Our Pants

I may not be the fastest runner. But I am getting slightly faster with time. And best of all, I’m finding new ways to love being my kind of runner. And that is a helluva lot of fun.

 

Day 17

The 17th piece has been added my shop redstar5 designs.

 

 

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