Monday, January 24, 2011

Week 3, still going strong!!

so, it's been three weeks since the new year, and i'm still going strong... YAY!!
they say it takes 21 days to create a habit, right?? well, i'm at 21 days today! And, i haven't had 1 soda during this whole 21 days! I've been walking A LOT lately, and my eating choices are getting better and better each week! I'm happy to say i lost another 4.2 lbs this last week.. which puts me at 12.6 lbs lost since the new year!! OH YEAH!!! every time i see a lower number, it really does motivate me to keep going!! I know i make some bad food coices each week, but they are getting better, and becoming easier to stick to something healthier.. my stomach feels better when I eat GOOD foods, and not crummy foods!! haha!

This week, I need to go grocery shopping for some more healthy dinner ideas!! I made a Honey Spiced chicken recipe last week that was absolutely delicious!! Must make it again this week!! Also, I completed my goal of 30 minutes of walking a day! I walked over 6 miles last week, and it was insane!! My legs STILL hurt!! I didn't do any daily 100's last week, but i beleive all the walking made up for it!

I also managed to go through ALL the clothes in my closet.. woah, it's pretty clean now!! up next is finishing laundry, putting the rest of my good clothes away, then going through the drawers! this will be accomplished this week! next weekend..... the REST of the closets!! time to get rid of junk!!

Also, finances! gotta get my student loans combined ASAP!! I think i'm gonna take next monday off to take care of business!! I have a free floating holiday I can use, I just gotta request it off.....


with that said, i'm done for today!

Until next time,
Holly

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

What path are you taking?

A lot of thinking and reflecting has occurred in the last few weeks. I feel like I’m finally ready to take on the world with no fears. Not quite, but almost! Haha. Also, some people have brought things up that made me think about how I make choices in my life. I’ve reflected a lot of my life and my choices from the time I graduated until now. Sure, I could have done things hundreds of different was, but based on the choices I made and the path I forged through the unknown, I have wound up here.

So, where is here? Here is exactly where I want to be, where I should be, and were I feel comfortable. I had thought I wanted marriage, a family, a big house with a minivan in the driveway - the ‘American Dream’. I thought I wanted these things early, and years ago. But then again, I also thought I knew what love was back then. Learned the hard way that love isn’t always what you dream it to be!!

I am a firm believer that all people learn and do things differently at different times in there lives for a reason. I admire my friends who took the standard college route and found great jobs by 23. I am sometimes jealous of those that had found true love long before I did, and started beautiful families. But at the end of the day, I’m forging my OWN path and there is no reason for me to do things the same way they all did.

I said earlier that I thought I knew what love was. Well, I didn’t. I was trapped in a relationship out of convenience and convinced myself it was love because neither of us left the situation. One day I got the courage to leave and when I did, I gave up on love, on life, on having a family, on living in a big house with kids running around and playing in the yard.

Only after I left did I start to learn about ME. Who I truly am, what I really wanted in my life, what I wanted to accomplish while I was still here. As I started learning about myself, I met someone. A guy who was like no other. A guy who did what I had never done before - he lived his life how HE wanted to and not for someone else, doing what others told him he should be doing. The more time I spent with him, the more I opened myself up. The more I started doing what I wanted to, not what someone told me I should be doing, what was “expected” of me. And then, it hit me, I had found what love really was. Someone who helps me grow, teaches me how to live life, someone who cares for me, despite all my faults, and loves me for who I am and I am growing to be. I realized I could still have all the things I wanted in life, but I didn’t need to rush! I would all come in time and I just needed to keep following my path and creating my own future, my own life of adventure and surprises and choices.

I am almost 27 years old. I’m not married. I have no children. I don’t own a house. And as of recently, I don’t own a car. And none of this bothers me! If I wanted to jump on a plane and move to Nevada, I could! I take care of the responsibilities I have, but the only person I need to worry about is myself and I live freely and with excitement that way.

I know that when the time comes for the family part in my life, I will be prepared and do what is necessary to provide stability for my family. But until then - I’m still young! As much as I realize I’m getting “older” it doesn’t mean I’m old, or that I have to stop having fun. I’m having the time of my life! I have a career that I absolutely love! And I have a man in my life that I love fully and completely that I share my adventures with. That’s all I need right now and it fills my life with absolute joy!

I will not make excuses for who I am and how I live my life. I don’t need to justify the choices I make and the paths I choose. I happen to have chosen a different path then many people I know, but that’s what makes us each unique!

“If you take responsibility for yourself, you will develop a hunger to accomplish your dreams” ~Les Brown
“And in the end, its not the year in your life that count, it’s the life in your years” ~Abraham Lincoln
“A Man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams” ~John Barrymore
“Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.” ~Les Brown


Peace and Good JuJu to You,
Holly

Monday, January 17, 2011

Week 2 wrap up!

week 2!! woah... this week started off FROSTY!!!
I decided to go walking, and after 15 minutes, i had to go inside. I was so bundled up and multiple layers, even had ear muffs on, yet in just that 15 minutes, i froze! I thought the rest of the week would get warmer, and it did, but it then decided to POUR RAIN LIKE CRAZY!!  needless to say, my exercise was limited to inside my apartment, and it was very light. Starting this week, I start taking the bus full time, so it's a mile walk to and from the bus stop to my apartment... will definitely be getting the exercise in every day!! and i'll be doing my best to walk it faster than the first time I did it back in november!! haha
I found myself slacking off by not entering my food eaten on MyFitnessPal.com, and as a result, i let my self slip a little with my snacks. as a result, i didn't lose a pound this week.. but on the plus side, didn't gain one either!! I creidt most of that to my eating habits the FIRST part of the week.. like my new blender and smoothie action I got going on in the mornings?! OH YEAH! So yummie!

So, goal for the next week: minimum of 30 minutes of walking a day... regardless!! shouldn't be too hard! a Daily 100 a day! woot! and also, getting to bed at a good time!! So far, i've at least been doing 2 of those!! haha.

In other news, last week was a rough one personally, which i believe contributed to my extra snacking. Josh not able to find a better job isn't helping our situation to be able to live without roommates. Me not having a car hit the fan this morning, so no more carpooling for me, i'll be taking the bus permanently now. And a night out with friends turned into a big to do that really irritated me, and made me question my friendships and how i chose to live my day to day life. I'm planning on writing about that seperately, so let's just keep this post as Jolly as possible!

I'm off to enjoy the rest of my day!

Until Next time...

Holly

Monday, January 10, 2011

what a surprise!! Week 1 recap!

boy oh boy was i surprised this morning when i stepped on my scale and saw the big change in weight. i'm down 8.4 pounds since New Years Day! WOW!! and it's all been such little changes.. i haven't really done much exercise lately because i've been sick and its been freezing.

First of all, i'm glad to finally be rid of this crazy cold i've had!! it made me have the worse runny nose i've had in a long time!! and i was so tired every day, that i would pass out before 8!! so lazy!! i hardly wanted to move from bed, but every morning, i got up and went to work, and did my routine and i made it through! now, if only this freezing cold weather would go away, i could go walking outside!! looks like i'm gonna have to finally pay for the cabana key to use the gym at my apartment complex!! it's free, might as well!! haha!

Hmmm, so I've completely cut out soda, and boy does it feel good. I haven't had any headaches lately, so hopefully that continues. i know it's gonna be rough when i do get one, because i'm so used to using pepsi as a means to calm the headache, because my migraine medicine is so expensive!

I've way increased the amount of water i drink. I have dozens of water bottles, but i find i get bored of them quickly, and forget about them sitting on my desk all day! even though they could be full, i'll just ignore them. But, i have a reusable plastic starbucks cup with a STRAW, and i am sucking down water like crazy now!! it's mindless really!! i'll put my cup in front of me, grab the straw, and just start drinking away while i keep typing! TOTALLY HANDS FREE!! I LOVE IT!!

This week, i will start doing more exercises, implementing a Daily 100 every night before bed, and starting to walk/jog, so that by mid february, i'll be able to start run/walking without killing myself, haha!

I'm feeling confident, i'm feeling fantastic, i'm feeling rested... I can do this!!

In other news, i have been thinking about buying a new car when i get my tax returns, since my poor hyundai is no more. I've also been getting together my financial stuff so i can start resolving some matters I have. This weekend I am going to start cleaning out the outside closet and consolidating/recycling the items i have!!! i need to have clean closets!! maybe i'll do the outside closet on saturday, and my bedroom closet on sunday!! haha!! way too many clothes i have, haha.

well, that's all for today,

Until next time...
Holly

Friday, January 7, 2011

Only 169 Days left!!

That's right, only 169 days until the Seattle Rock N Roll Marathon! I messed up my training days, so fortunately, i've been able to take this first week of the new year to get acclimated to the big changes heading my way!
I plan on buying a new book this weekend, called "Cinch!" by Cynthia Sass. It's had great reviews, and it's by the Weight Loss coach from Shape Magazine! I figure since i'm implementing some exercises from Shape, courtesy of the Quickie Chick, I might take a look at the food options available to me. I need to make CHANGES to my eating habits, and maybe this is the way to do it!

I am really hoping that by Monday, I can kick this cold I have. It is NOT fun, and I hate being stuffy! I find I have no motivation to work out if I am feeling under the weather, so I need to get rid of this and fast!!

Monday, I will start a basic running plan to get me in the habit of jogging/running, for about 5 weeks, and after that, it's go time!! 20 weeks of Half Marathon Training!! I have decided to take a picture every day and then when i'm all done, compile a slideshow type video showing my progression! i'm hoping to lose some weight, build some strength and get some killer looking legs!!

Well, that's all for today!

Until next time...
~Holly