June Recap

Happy Monday people of the interwebs.  This is the best I've felt on a Monday in a long time.  I attribute the happy feelings to a number of factors.  

1. I made a large and difficult decision last week, and I feel good about it.  (Ooooo, mysterious.)
2. I have worked out hard for the week and a half and consistently for the past two months.
3. I am wore a neon, safety-colored tank to jog this morning.  

Yes, the neon made me happy.  It also made me feel safer as I plodded around the neighborhood in the early morning hours.  Sleepy motorists have no excuse to run me over.  

I felt so great after my jog this morning that I took a photo.  Apparently this is it what I actually look like after a jog.  After I saw what I look like (as opposed to how I felt), I almost didn't post this photo.  Then I decided I have nothing to be ashamed of.  Yes, I look sweaty and lumpy, but I just finished jogging.  If you have snarky thoughts about my sweaty lumpiness, you can keep them to yourself.

That pretty much sums up my June.  My weight loss was stalled, but I was so much more active than I have been lately. I had a few very stressful weeks at work, but I stayed up with my fitness and added in some more once the chaos calmed down.

I've been loving my weight bench (weight lifting has long been my favorite fitness activity).

I added in jogging and now I am in week two of the Couch to 5K running plan.

I am going to continue these activities into July and beyond, even though my July Challenge is shoe-related.  I will continue to post occasional updates about fitness because I'm worth it.  

Heavy Lifting

With all of my various houseplants, it's almost like workout out in the jungle.  

I did something exciting and frightening last night.  I finally set up my weight bench.  I have no excuse to avoid the heavy lifting that I have long loved.  Weight lifting has been my thing since middle school.  I like being strong.  I like being able to lift heavy objects.  Three years ago I could leg press three times my body weight.  Now that my legs are weaker and my mass is greater the thought of that is a bit scary, but I'm taking baby steps.

This morning I had a great workout.  Did the numbers stack up to my past?  No.  Not even close.  But that doesn't matter.  I put in the work.  It felt good.  I'll go back tomorrow.  I'm worth it.

I guess my take home message is find what you love to honor your body and do it.  I can't wait for the DOMS.

May Recap & Friday Duds

Last week was intense, and I needed the weekend to recover before I was prepared to post again.  As you can probably see in the photos below, I was bedraggled and makeup-less by Friday.  

 

Dress, Dare to Dress, thrifted; shrug, Moda International, Victoria's Secret; belt, thrifted; sandals, Merona, Target; earrings and bracelet, handmade by me; necklace, Fire Mountain Gems.

My in-laws were in town for the weekend, and it was great to see them.  As proof that I am a terrible influence, my mother-in-law got her ears pierced this weekend.  She had a second piercing done on each ear lobe.  Of course in March my mom got a cartilage piercing when I got my tragus pierced.

 

The month on the whole went much better than last week.  I lost just over six pounds, and I'm feeling somewhat better physically than I did at the beginning of the month.  

I've been walking a lot, eating lots of fruits and veggies, and mostly steering clear of foods with which I have problems with moderation.  I'm still more or less following the South Beach style of eating, but I'm consciously trying not to be rigid or punitive.  

I also took steps to check things off my to-do list that have been lingering for far too long.  I am going to continue my I'm Worth It Challenge into June, and I will see if I can end the month even healthier physically and mentally than I am today.  

Two Weeks on the Beach

It has been over two weeks since I decided to tackle some of my issues head on, including my excess weight.  It has gone pretty well, with just a few hiccups along the way.  I am kind of amazed that I have cut out grains and starchy veggies for two weeks.  I never thought I would want to do that.

Chicken with mixed beans, cheese, salsa, tomatoes and cilantro
with a side of cucumber salad.  It was tasty.  

I've been eating lots of vegetables, lean protein, legumes and dairy, as well as some fruits and nuts.  I've walked with Gadget and my mom every morning (except for yesterday- it was pouring rain).    I've lost three pounds.  I'm happy with that.

I've also scheduled a long-overdue dentist appointment, massage and hair cut using the magical powers of to-do lists.  Huzzah!

Copy (Writing) Cat

This is one of the rare outfits that Stephen commented on spontaneously.  This morning he told me I look pretty and springy.  I like that he doesn't give the rubber stamp to everything I wear.  I like his genuine comments and compliments.

 

My creative juices are flowing today, and I'm excited for the work work to be over so the recreational work can begin.  I have ideas for some more fun jewelry that I plan on making this weekend.  I'm also doing some freelance copy writing, and I'm writing copy for some items I'm listing in Chenille's etsy shop So & So.

 

Chambray shirt, Talbots, thrifted; tank, Oscar de la Renta; skirt, Southern Lady, thrifted; belt, thrifted; silver bracelet, gifted (thanks Mom!); glass bracelets; thrifted; necklace and earrings, gifted (thanks Stephen); shoes (not pictured), Rack Room Shoes.

In May Challenge news, I have not eaten grain, flour, added sugars, or starchy veggies in 12 days.  Amazing, right?  (Ok, I did have a little piece of egg boat when I visited Chenille last weekend, but this is about lifestyle, not a food dictatorship.)  It hasn't been too hard.  Most of it has been a cake walk (but not literally because I haven't been eating cake).  I'm eating lots of vegetables, legumes, nuts, and dairy and some lean meat and fruit.  I'll write a better update next week.  I've also been crossing lots of things off my to-do list that have languished there for far too long.  Yippee!

Orange You Glad It's Thursday?

We only have one more work day this week, and I think that's wonderful.  I also think the colors in this outfit are wonderful.  You may recognize the shirt dress as identical to this one except for color.  I really like the green one, so I went back for orange.  Every now and again Walmart gets it right, style-wise anyway.

I love my hair in this pic, though my hands are kind of awkward.

 

 

Shirt dress, Miss Tina, Walmart; printed dress, thrifted; belt, came with shirt dress; shoes, Bare Traps, Younkers; earrings, TJ Maxx; pendant, ebay; bracelet, gifted (thanks Mom!).

Can you see the intaglio flowers carved in the amber?

This outfit is only partially thrifted, but it's a part I'm very fond of.  The dress I'm wearing under the shirt dress is from a garage sale a few years ago.  

Memorial Day Weekend 2010 (engagement weekend)
I love my honey. Cheesy, yes, but doesn't that beat the alternative?

This thrifted dress holds a special place in my memory because I wore it the weekend that Stephen proposed to me.  That was almost two years ago.  Now we have been married for a year and eight months.  Life changes so quickly.  

It's Thursday, and Thursdays are for Thrifters!

May: Because I'm Worth It

This is not a post about L'Oreal (though I love L'Oreal Infallible LipColour).  This is a post about how I haven't been taking care of myself.  It is a long post, and if you're only interested in the style component of this blog, check out some of my favorites.

“Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.”~Henry Hancock 

As I alluded yesterday, I've been thinking a lot about the way habits drive my life.  I am not satisfied with the destiny I have been building, so the time has come to re-examine the deeds and habits that are shaping my path.

For me, the basis of any habit is planning (or lack thereof).  This may be is letting my geek flag fly, but I enjoy planning.  I feel more secure when I have a plan.  As Stephen recently pointed out, I even like planning about planning.  I like it when my life is sorted into lists and schedules.  I don't like things being up in the air.  

The problem with life for the past couple years is that it has laughed at my planning.  I have gone from a regimented single gal who got up every morning at 5 to lift weights, to engaged, planning a wedding, getting married, moving across country, family crises, health problems and more.  Eventually (probably about a year ago), I threw up my hands and stopped trying to plan.  This was bad for me.  I need a new way to plan.  

Part of this is about weight.  I have gained around 60 pounds in the past three years.  I hate admitting it to myself, so I'm not sure why I'm telling the interwebs.  It doesn't affect my value as a person, but it has affected the way I experience the world.  

Image Credit:
Amazon.com

I am tackling the terrible D word: diet.  I have dabbled here and there in the past couple years, but I haven't devoted myself to it.  Now is that time.  I don't give particular credence to named diets, but I am going to try The South Beach Diet Supercharged.  Not because I think it is magical or the only way, but because I want something to help me break out of my sugar/carb comfort food rut, I don't feel like counting anything and I like structure and rules .  (Geek flag still flying.)  This way the "rules" are already set and all I have to do is follow them.

The next step is exercise.  I know I love exercise.  I really do, but since I haven't been doing much lately I am starting small.  My friend Beth recently completed a 30 days of biking challenge, and I am using her as inspiration for my own 30 days of walking challenge.  Walking is about the easiest form of exercise there is, and it is as portable as my own two feet.  Check the Daily Mile widget in the sidebar to the right to check my progress.  

“First we make our habits, then our habits make us.” ~Charles C. Noble

My notebook: where the magic happens.

So here is my planning plan:  I have a handy notebook that will be my primary planning repository.  I have a sheet at the beginning of each week where I will put to do lists for the week.  They are categorized as high priority, low priority, and @ some point.  Pretty much everything goes on a list: from diet and exercise to transferring my old 401k to making appointments to crafting and reading.  I like writing things down.  I like checking things off.  That's just how much mind functions best.  I have tried various apps for my phone, but they just don't work as well for me as pen and paper.

This isn't going to become a diet blog or a fitness blog, but I am continuing the mission expressed in my blog manifesto:

Challenge Yourself.  Live Beautifully.  Love Your Life.

I will have some updates about my challenge progress interspersed with my regular style and creative posts.

At the end of the month I hope (and plan) to be on a firmer footing.  I plan to be feeling better, be more organized and be ready to take the next steps on this journey called existence.  Wish me luck.