Redefinition

So today started like any other Wednesday. I got up, got the kids off to the bus stop and headed to the gym. Some of you might know I volunteer ALOT and alot is not an exaggeration. I love doing it but I had let it take over my life.... so while 1 of my 12 goals was volunteer more I meant it differently then put in more hours.... anyways, Today was a class that I normally would be at teaching/mentoring from 8am-1pm but not today. I made the commitment to go to the gym BEFORE volunteering. So on the drive to the gym I pass the front gate of base and I'm literally sitting there talking to myself.... "No, you said you'd be in later, you need to go to the gym." I even answered myself, "But it's raining and the gym will be crowded. blah blah blah. Needless to say, I got to the gym and dashed in hoping to get a spot in the class. As I'm walking into the room where the Bodypump class is, on the big glass mirror were the words REDEFINE YOURSELF. Those words made me stop and think a minute even got me to say hmmm, good idea, out loud. All day they have been stuck in my head, I have been thinking about them and wondering, what does that mean? Redefine Yourself, Like give myself a definition or what?

Jennie; noun; a person, who is totally awesome, can also be a bit crazy, someone who cares about her friends and family.

I'm not sure what the gym wall meant. I'm not sure what you all will think of the words Redefine Yourself. Right now I'm thinking it's making myself ME! When I meet someone, how would they describe me? Hopefully not something like the crazy girl who not only talks to herself but answers herself too :) I'm taking those words as a permission slip to drive a stake into the ground saying THIS IS ME- take it or leave it! I don't want to "change" who I am but I want to get back to who I am. I have spent several years going above and beyond to make a name for myself and it has gotten me zilch! Alot of drama, alot of headaches, it has created insecurities I never had before and brought on alot of disappointment. What if I let it all go and plant that stake and say you know what I am who I am, I do what I do and I do it well. You either love me or loathe me but I don't need your approval. I love me, I love my life and I am going to spend everyday making myself a better me. Yeah, that sounds like a good plan :)

How would you redefine yourself?

Almost let my resolutions go

Well in case you didn't catch on I posted really good for a few day then bam NOTHING- there's that commitment issue :) But here I am... I caught myself slacking and followed through. I have been hitting the 8:30am classes at my gym this week and it feels great to be back in there!!!!!! I feel great all day when I spend that time on myself, doing something I enjoy. I am hoping that I continue to stick with it and not let that resolution/goal of whatever you want to call it slide at all. Along with my exercise I have been watching what I eat and drink. I was using my fitness pal but I just wasn't loving it which then made me not use it. A friend of mine sent me an invite for LOSE IT! A online program and app that is free and easy to use. I love it! It has a reward system "badges". I am so competitive and I love rewards do that digital high five is motivation for me. All the hard work is kinda paying off, I lost 3lbs! Not what I wanted for the first week but I will take it!!!
I am still doing that 52 week devotional which is a great personal experience. I'm so glad I'm sticking with that as well.

Well I'm off. 

Day 2 of the New Journey

Sigh.... so I told you about my resolutions, my very long list of resolutions. I had alot of them. There is one that is truly the most important to me at this point in my life.The one that is most important to me isn't finishing education, isn't the clean house, isn't even volunteering more it is losing weight and getting control of my life. All 12 of my resolutions or goals are important to me but right now I don't feel like I can effectively accomplish them due to my health and my weight. Sounds crazy, I know, but until you are in this position you will not understand.

I don't know how I got here..... no, I do know how I got here.  I just choose to make excuses for why I'm in the shape I am. I literally have a million excuses as to why I'm here but 2012 will be my year of fitness! I'm off to a fairly good start. I spent the first week of the new year feeling sorry for myself and making some more excuses as to way I can't go to the gym and why I can't eat healthy. The second week is looking a little bit better..... I have made it to bed earlier than usual. I have been watching what I'm eating and drinking.**** DRUM ROLL**** I've been going to the gym too!!!!! Now I just hope to see results! I am thinking about investing some $ in a calorie counting watch or something along those lines, some workout clothes and a new pair of kicks (those would be shoes) Maybe I will have those be rewards instead of rewarding myself with a trip to Starbucks or a dinner out. Yeah fitness rewards fit better into my new year goals than food rewards.

I leave you with this gem I found on Pinterest... I'm thinking about printing it out and hanging it everywhere.

My New Year

Well I survived Day 1 of my new year's resolution of getting back into a shape other than round :) I decided to hit up an old favorite class of mine, Body Pump! Being the good friend that I am I couldn't torture myself alone so I had a friend come with me. Not only is she a good workout partner she keeps me on my toes and holds me accountable for everything!!! Definitely what I need! Anyways, I chose light weights per the instructors recommendation since I haven't been to a class in FOREVER. I felt like a total loser, I wasn't lifting 1/2 of what I use to  :( One day at a time though, I didn't get where I am overnight and I'm surely not going to correct it all overnight either. I just hope to see progress. The scale steadily moving down along with my endurance and strength going up is my goal! I'm 100% aware it is going to take work and alot of it, I just hope I have it in me!!!!

Well off to bed- Tomorrow is Day2 and I will be doing Zumba!!!

Choosing Joy

Well it's the night before my plan to attack my "new year's resolutions". Eve of destruction, maybe?!?!?!? I jut hope I don't wake up feeling blah. I've been fighting a cold for over a week but maybe a good dose of sweat and exercise will rid my body of some toxins.

I forgot to mention along with all my goals for 2012 that I started a 52 week devotional. A friend had posted about a book she wanted and was going to collect a few orders.... After reading the escription I raised my FB hand and liked her post :) I had forgotten about it until one day it popped up on my newsfeed again. "Oh shoot, I forgot to tell her in person like a normal adult that I wanted one." Long story short she had ordered me one without me "telling" her. Thank Goodness!!!! I am a week into the 52 week devotional all about Choosing Joy. Here is a brief snip it of what the book contains. "This 52-week devotional helps readers discover the ever-illusive quality of joy. Best-selling author Angela Thomas draws from her vast experience in teaching and speaking to women all over the country. In this four-page per devotion format, Angela shares... * An inspirational message, including personal antecdotes * Biblical teaching * Questions to guide reader into self exploration, with blank lines for personal answers * Encouraging quotes * Bible scriptures for meditation This book is the perfect choice for the many readers who work through a devotional book each year." I will keep you posted periodically on my progess :)

I hope you all enjoy your Sunday. Mine is full of watching football games none of which include teams that I enjoy watching play. No play offs for the Redskins or Colts this year.

Happy New Year

I logged into my blog for the first time in over a year..... and if you read my last post (in NOVEMBER of 2010) it is very apparent I have a problem with commitment and following through.....SIGH.... Thankfully it is a NEW YEAR!!! I realize we are nearly a week into 2012, but better late than never right?!?!?!?

I was at a meeting this week and the meeting icebreaker was list 5 goals you have for 2012. I apparently am an over achiever because I came up with 12 while many people were struggling with 1 or 2. So I figured what better way to tackle my commitment problem than to share my goals for 2012 with my blogging friends....all 2 of you :)

1. Keep the house clean
2. Exercise 5 days a week
3. Eat healthy
4. Volunteer more
5. Finish my degree
6. Cook more, eat out less
7. Hug someone everyday (not including kids and husband)
8. Be friendlier
9. Read something other than a magazine
10. Be more paitent
11. Spend sometime outside everyday
12. Appreciate what we have instead of focusing on what others have

There you have it my 12 goals for 2012..... that is a daunting list.