The Game Plan

Socially, I'm a planner. I'm the person who plan months ahead of time. It can be annoying to certain friends and mostly my Mother, who is so spontaneous she couldn't commit to a plans 5 minutes in the future. My Mother in Law, on the other hand, is the same way, oober planner and I like to think we've bonded a little bit over that. I mean I have a day planner in my purse, wall calendar at home AND my iphone calendar. It's a bit of an obsession really, planning and lists. I'll save my list obsession for another post. But I digress...

As much as I LOVE to plan, I never seem to be able to stick to an exercise plan, coincidence...I think not. First off, I don't WANT to exercise, I think I've established and accepted that. And typically, people don't do what they don't want to. WORD. I always tend to get super gung-ho with my exercise plan potential. I will run 5 miles starting Monday and everyday thereafter followed by a mile bike ride and a few laps in the neighborhood pool. Hell, might as well cure cancer while I'm at it! These unrealistic goals just start swirling around in my head and for a split second I think, if I put my mind to it, I can do it. Well the truth is, I can, I can totally put my MIND to it. I CAN NOT, however, seem to put my actual ASS to it. As in get off my ass and do it! So a minor disconnect happening. I've submitted a trouble ticket and am waiting to hear back.

I do like the fact that I haven't given up hope on the front whatsoever. I continue to set these goals and expectations and although I continue to not deliver, maybe I should focus on the fact that I haven't given up the hope or the possibility that one day, ONE of these game plans will stick. Got to stay positive people! So last night, while on our evening walk, I sort of just blurted out a new plan. If I can stick to walking at least 5 times a week, for the next two weeks, on week three, I will start the couch to 5K routine. There it is folks, all shiny, blue and BOLD! Nothing too extravagant or unattainable, at least right now. I have to remember this isn't a sprint to healthy, it's a light jog, to ensure I do it the right way, to ensure I don't cheat and to mainly ensure I cross the finish line. I also have to remind myself that I am at a size that is not the most comfortable and I got this way from continuously doing nothing year after year. And it's not that we I am a lazy person, we I am just no exercise active and it's time for that to change. But jumping right into waking, jogging or running isn't going to be fun or easy. Hell, last night, my calf muscle cramped up after 5 minutes of walking! Now, I'm sure the 106 degree weather at 5:45pm wasn't helping, but it's going to take some time to dust the cobwebs off. And I'm okay with that.

I can't guarantee this goal will stick, but I'm going to do my hardest to make it to week three and then take it from there. Insert R Kelly's, I Believe I Can Fly Walk, playing in the background. Wish me luck.

What kind of goals do you set for yourself?

Be Happy

I feel like my adventure to a healthier me has started on numerous occasions. I feel like it's a burning desire I carry with me, always. It's something I think about multiple times a day, because multiple times a day I am unhappy with something I observe about myself. I observe my double chin in the mirror as I am washing my hands in the bathroom, I observe the extra breath it takes for me to do simple tasks because I'm heavy, I observe the immediate feeling of disappointment after eating that candy bar I simply HAD TO HAVE all but 30 seconds before and I observe that I continuously THINK about doing something about it, but seldom actually take action. It's heart breaking and further more, there is no one else to blame but myself. I WANT to be that person who is like, "YEAH, come on, let's go run 10 miles and then chug a 10oz protein shake and be plenty full until dinner time, YEAH!". I just don't see that happening. I'm starting to wrap my brain around this concept of happiness. Happiness to me is not, not eating sugars or carbs just to be in a single digit clothes size. Happiness is feeling good about myself and not just about my winning personality, but feeling REALLY good about myself. I so often look in the mirror after doing my hair, my make-up and then getting dressed and say, UGH! That's not happy. I know everyone has their off days, but I want to get to the point where my off days are few and far between. I want to get to the point where I take the compliments from my husband without first thinking he's just saying that to make me feel better. I want not dread photographs (this is a BIG one). And honestly, I want to look on the outside, how I really feel in the inside, HAPPY! It's an incredible thing to be a woman and I want to celebrate my wit, my charm, my curves, my laughter, my heart and for no one else but myself. Don't we all owe ourselves that???

source

Window Shopper

You have ZERO idea how glad I am that it's Friday. Work has been nothing less of hellacious this week and I am very much looking forward to two whole days of relaxation, even more so than usual. Rather than relaxing I wish I was shopping, to be quite frank with you. Since we've deep dived into renovations, I have tried made a conscious effort spend a little less dough when it comes to matter of the wardrobe. It's not fun, but it's the least I can do. But it always seems that the minute I tighten the reins on my wallet, I come across the things that I simply must have. By the way, Pinterest does nothing to help in this matter. I mean my heart literally breaks at the idea of not being able to spend. :( So instead of purchasing, I am going to do a little sharing. Here are a few of my favorite fashion pins.

I have been searching for Nude pumps and these I could handle!

Seeking Man Boots.

Who doesn't LOVE a shirt dress?

Flutter sleeves make my heart melt.

Striving to mix mix fun colors and patterns.

This would make me feel so manly, in the most feminine way possible.

These could curb my gladiator addiction.

Classic.

This could make me a Rebel WITH a cause, fo sho!

So there you have it. This is where all my money would go, if I had the  option of spending it. What do spend your moolah on?

*All picture credits can be found on my Pinterest page, while you're there, FOLLOW ME!

The Sad Truth

I've come to the sad truth today that this...

is the body I want to have, I mean doesn't everybody!!!?? But this...

is how I would like to obtain it. Dilemma found, now how do I solve it????

Baby Let Me Be Your Motivation

Back so soon, can you believe it! I found this dress today and it not only screamed "buy me!" but also screamed "Get off you a$$ and DO SOMETHING!". Nothing like finding the right motivation to keep you me moving. If only I could convince my husband that buying said dress, that is not available in my today size, but will one day soon be worn in my one day size, is a mighty fine idea. Regardless, this lovely piece of drapery needs to be hanging in my closes stat. Here she is ladies, bask in her glory...

What motivates you ladies????

ERMAHGERD!!!!

You poor faithful followers follower. I can't imagine how disheartening it is to pull up this blog on a daily basis and constantly see nothing from me. Believe me, it saddens me as well. Life has been hectic to say the least. The month of May kept us very, very busy. We celebrated 2 year wedding anniversaries, birthdays, Mommy's day, family reunions, the buying of a lake house (not ours, don't be too excited) and a wedding! Whew, just saying it again makes me tired. And June hasn't really seen much change. Each week bring another item to throw onto our calendars, but that is usually how the Summers go around here. Not to mention the month of June sends me into a work whirlwind, which is never fun.

Two Years Baby!

Alright, alright, alright...

Baby girl catching some sun.

Mommy's Day :)

Acker's 29th B-Day Shennanigans!

Michael and Mumsy, Stafford Family Reunion

Little man enjoying the water!

Kinsley's I do's.

New Family Lake House :)

Gettin' Chummy ;)

So I'm guessing the burning question on everyone's mind is, how is the eating and exercising going? About as well as our busy Summer schedule I would say. Things haven't really gotten back on course since my April, YES APRIL, work trip. The low sodium has really taken a back seat, but I can report I hardly EVER touch the table salt, not that that's enough. We've been making a conscious effort (by conscious, I mean we know we should, but aren't necessarily, doing) to eat at home, which is helping me stay away from fast food for the most part. But there are definitely slip ups here and there. And up until about two weeks ago, I would say exercise wasn't in my vocabulary at all. The last two weeks we've been taking about 45 minute walks in the evenings. In fact, in was during tonight's hour long, yep you read that right, a WHOLE HOUR, that I reminded myself it was about time I threw an entry onto this bad boy! I'm getting to the point where I don't have to talk myself into anymore, I actually am starting to enjoy them. I'm lucky enough, Vance goes with me, so that helps and today while taking a little break a work, I put together a bada$$ "WALK HARD" playlist! What am I jamming to you ask? Check it out...

The Motto-Drake

Loca-Shakira

Crazy In Love-Beyoncé

We Found Love-Rihanna

Hollaback Girl-Gwen Stefani

Yeah 3X-Chris Brown

End of Time-Beyoncé

Addicted to You-Shakira

Starships-Nicki Minaj

Runaway Baby-Bruno Mars

Give Me Everything-Pitbull

Good Hit-Jennifer Lopez

Run the World (Girls)-Beyoncé

Party Rock Anthem-LMFAO

Wind It Up-Gwen Stefani

Rock That Body-Black Eyed Peas

Cat Daddy-Rej3ctz

Ring the Alarm-Beyoncé

Where Have You Been-Rihanna

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough-Michael Jackson

Give a Little More-Maroon 5

Super Bass-Nicki Minaj

On The Floor-Jennifer Lopez

Rack City-Tyga

Moves Like Jagger-Maroon 5

Dance-Big Sean

Sweet Dreams-Beyoncé

In addition to our daily walks we have had a ton of house progress. Hardwood floors are in and new trim has been laid. We are very excited that things are continuing to progess.So that's life lately. We've been working on Vance's office and will continue to make our way around the house, making it a home. <3

Hardwood!

Office Re-design.

Hopefully I won't let as much time pass before my next entry. What's been going on with you readers????

Just, WOW.

I have to say I'm amazed at how huge on a kink my Florida trip threw into my better eating habits. I left for Orlando on April 16th and was there for work through the 19th. And in four days, just FOUR DAYS, I managed to completely fall off my wagon and have still not been able to completely get back on. Meals were obviously provided all week, so I didn't have much control over what I was able to eat. :( To make matters worse, my Meniere's reared it's ugly head and I got sick the last night of the trip. Needless to say, I was more than happy to get home.

But being exhausted from my trip had me immediately retreating back to my old habits. I found myself eating out, in fast food lines and right back to my dessert binges. An to be quite honest, not much has changed. I haven't really been watching my sodium as I was before and I can definitely tell the difference. My days over the past week or so have been a little fuzzy and borderline dizzy/nauseated. Yesterday I just kept thinking of the down hill spiral I've been on and how I can quickly get back on track and my first thought was to blog about it. My reason for starting this blog was to have an outlet to talk about this journey and the ability to come back and revisit how I felt and what was working or not working. And what I'm doing right now, is NOT working, so it needs to change.

So for this week, I am focusing on getting back in the kitchen and making the sodium appropriate meals I need to be eating. I took a while to get back into the swing of cooking or preparing for every mean, but I really did to start feeling better, so it's time to start it up again. Also, want to be sure and post everyday this week. Even if it's just a short and sweet entry, it needs to be done. :)

That's all I have for today. I missed writing to you guys and hope to make my absences fewer and fewer. What's been going on with you guys while I've been gone? Any suggestions for getting back on the bandwagon?