Prompts:
I’m forcing myself to write today. I haven’t written much lately. I keep having these dreams where I’m writing novels… When I wake up I think “How can I write a novel when I can’t even keep up with my blog?” I really need to get back in the habit… for sure. I think I may google some writing prompts and try to write something every day… even if it’s not much. Do any of you have any ideas for anything I can write about??? I’m open to all ideas and suggestions!
Hunger:
I was horrible yesterday at my food day at work. I totally overate even though I told myself I wouldn’t. I didn’t even log all of my food because I forgot everything I ate. Horrible!!! Then I was so full that I didn’t feel like going to the gym… mostly because I felt like if I did, I’d throw up and I didn’t want to do that… I’m trying to be good today. Instead of having a piece of cake for breakfast (like I want), I had a granola bar and some yogurt… oh and some carrots with veggie dip…
I keep having this problem with being insatiously hungry. I want to eat everything in sight. I realized about a week ago that I need to disperse my calories more evenly throughout the day. I would eat about 200 calories for breakfast and about 400 calories for lunch and then about 200 calories total for my morning and afternoon snacks… this is 800 calories… My aim is 1500 calories per day. This leaves 700 calories for dinner. I don’t need that big of a dinner. My goal is to do 400-500 per each meal and then 150 calories or so per each snack. We’ll see if that helps!
Curves/Working Out:
I’m loving being back at Curves! I love the ladies there. I love the atmosphere! I love it! I can’t wait to go back tonight!
Matt moved his gaming stuff last night. It used to be set up in the living room. He’d use the TV as his monitor and then use my craft table as his desk. He would use the TV from the bedroom to use as his computer monitor (so he could play and see his desktop at the same time). It was annoying because he took up the whole living room! He used the TV from the living room, the TV from the bedroom, and I couldn't watch TV in the bedroom or anything... Ever since I got my laptop on Black Friday, I have only used my desktop probably twice. So, he unplugged my tower and hooked his up at the computer desk. YAY! I'll have both of my TVs back AND I can watch TV while he games when we're both home. The downside??? My Fitbit was plugged into my tower and he doesn't have room on his computer to plug it in so I'm not sure what I'm going to do... maybe plug it into my laptop each night? No idea.
ALSO: Because he did that, I DEFINITELY have room to set up my treadmill once I get it when I get my taxes back! I can fold up my craft table (or move it to the bedroom) and put the treadmill there! Yippee!!! My taxes have been filed. Federal has been accepted. State is pending. I'm expecting a return within three weeks... hopefully sooner. As soon as I get my money, I'm buying my treadmill. I am SO EXCITED!
Let’s Get Healthy!
I am still trying to come up with ideas for weekly challenges for the next phase. I'm so excited for it... I hope I don't get let down and get a big turnout. I'm super excited for the Virtual 5K I have scheduled in there. I thank Katie at Runs for Cookies for the idea. I know I'm not going to get as great of a turnout as her, but it will be super nice! Maybe I should find a way to get some prizes for it... Hmmm... Decisions, decisions.>
The current phase, I found a list of 80 challenges. A phase is 84 days long so I figured it would work perfectly. Unfortunately, when I posted the challenges separately, people participated in the challenges, but forgot to weigh in... now that I'm posting them weekly, no one is participating in the challenges. Maybe I should try to figure something else out for the remainder of the phase. *shrugs*
Okay, I better get back to work. Adios!
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Boring
I’m around. Just haven’t felt like writing. I don’t know. I go through spurts where I want to write, write, write and then all of a sudden I’ll be like… I’m done. LOL
I just saw a preview for Warm Bodies and I really want to see it. It looks like a funny zombie movie and I’m liking zombie things lately. Hah.
So, I’m trying to come up with challenges for the next phase of Let’s Get Healthy!. It’s a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. I was going to participate in a 5K on Runs for Cookies on Friday, but the universe had other plans and I didn’t get around to it. I LOVE the idea of having a virtual 5K so I’m going to make that the last week’s physical challenge. Each week there is a physical and mental challenge… getting healthy isn’t just about physical health. All I have so far is one physical and one mental challenge. LOL Any ideas?
I am so boring and I have nothing else to say… I guess I could say that I love that working out makes me want to dress nice!
I just saw a preview for Warm Bodies and I really want to see it. It looks like a funny zombie movie and I’m liking zombie things lately. Hah.
So, I’m trying to come up with challenges for the next phase of Let’s Get Healthy!. It’s a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. I was going to participate in a 5K on Runs for Cookies on Friday, but the universe had other plans and I didn’t get around to it. I LOVE the idea of having a virtual 5K so I’m going to make that the last week’s physical challenge. Each week there is a physical and mental challenge… getting healthy isn’t just about physical health. All I have so far is one physical and one mental challenge. LOL Any ideas?
I am so boring and I have nothing else to say… I guess I could say that I love that working out makes me want to dress nice!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Working Out
I went back to Curves Monday night. I was so excited to go back! There was this new employee named Shauna. She’s actually not new, but she started in October. I did my first weigh and measure of 2013. My last one was done exactly eight months previously. I did lose weight and inches in every category except my abdomen. So that’s good. Shauna probably thought I was insane because I was very chatty. I did my workout, went home, did the dishes, and finally relaxed around 7…
I had plans to go to Curves yesterday, but I didn’t make it. I was contemplating taking the day off anyway. I woke up with incredibly achy shoulders, shoulder blades, and upper back. It was from my workout and while I enjoyed it, I thought my muscles could probably use the break. I haven’t done any kind of strength training workout in several months. I was headed to Subway to get dinner for Matt and me and then by Curves, but I got stopped by a train. I’m sure I’ve complained about it before, but my town is completely cut in half by a train when it’s on one of our tracks. There’s basically no way around it unless you can figure out which direction it was coming from and beat it to an intersection. I’m not exaggerating here; Subway is like… a two minute drive on a normal day. I didn’t get home until after 5:30 because of the stupid train. I ate, tried to work on some of my nutrition homework, and went to bed fairly early.
I started my period today. It is three days earlier than my birth control would have been, but if I remember correctly (it’s been nine years since I had a period not brought on my birth control), my average cycle was like 25-27 days. It hasn’t been bad. I have annoying cramps, but not painful ones. My flow isn’t bad yet, but I just started so that could change. I hope my periods stay shorter… without birth control they were a full week, but with birth control they were only three or four days. Nice.
I AM going to Curves tonight. Regardless of what I put in the TMI section. LOL I say that because normally I wouldn’t want to go, but I do want to go. Odd. I’m not going to knock it…
So, I know I mentioned that I signed up for that Virtual 5K and didn’t have a place to walk it, right? Well, my friend Jen is a genius. She’s like, “You do know that the Y has guest passes right?” (paraphrased) I contacted the Y via Facebook as I hate calling people and was told that a one day guest pass (what I would need) would be $8. Not too bad. I’d much rather pay $8 for 30-60 minutes of gym time than walk outside.
To get my three days in at Curves, I’m going to have to go tonight and tomorrow night. I won’t be able to go Friday because I’ll be going to the Y to do the 5K. Yay for working out 4 of 7 days! That’s better than not working out at all, right? LOL Oh and I need to try to fit in a workout with weights. I might do Jillian’s 30 Day Shred Saturday morning so I fit that in.
Okay, I need to go… Just a reminder that I’m hosting a giveaway for some really awesome digital scrapbooking software so check it out! It’s easy to enter!
I had plans to go to Curves yesterday, but I didn’t make it. I was contemplating taking the day off anyway. I woke up with incredibly achy shoulders, shoulder blades, and upper back. It was from my workout and while I enjoyed it, I thought my muscles could probably use the break. I haven’t done any kind of strength training workout in several months. I was headed to Subway to get dinner for Matt and me and then by Curves, but I got stopped by a train. I’m sure I’ve complained about it before, but my town is completely cut in half by a train when it’s on one of our tracks. There’s basically no way around it unless you can figure out which direction it was coming from and beat it to an intersection. I’m not exaggerating here; Subway is like… a two minute drive on a normal day. I didn’t get home until after 5:30 because of the stupid train. I ate, tried to work on some of my nutrition homework, and went to bed fairly early.
TMI
I started my period today. It is three days earlier than my birth control would have been, but if I remember correctly (it’s been nine years since I had a period not brought on my birth control), my average cycle was like 25-27 days. It hasn’t been bad. I have annoying cramps, but not painful ones. My flow isn’t bad yet, but I just started so that could change. I hope my periods stay shorter… without birth control they were a full week, but with birth control they were only three or four days. Nice.
END TMI
I AM going to Curves tonight. Regardless of what I put in the TMI section. LOL I say that because normally I wouldn’t want to go, but I do want to go. Odd. I’m not going to knock it…
So, I know I mentioned that I signed up for that Virtual 5K and didn’t have a place to walk it, right? Well, my friend Jen is a genius. She’s like, “You do know that the Y has guest passes right?” (paraphrased) I contacted the Y via Facebook as I hate calling people and was told that a one day guest pass (what I would need) would be $8. Not too bad. I’d much rather pay $8 for 30-60 minutes of gym time than walk outside.
To get my three days in at Curves, I’m going to have to go tonight and tomorrow night. I won’t be able to go Friday because I’ll be going to the Y to do the 5K. Yay for working out 4 of 7 days! That’s better than not working out at all, right? LOL Oh and I need to try to fit in a workout with weights. I might do Jillian’s 30 Day Shred Saturday morning so I fit that in.
Okay, I need to go… Just a reminder that I’m hosting a giveaway for some really awesome digital scrapbooking software so check it out! It’s easy to enter!
Monday, January 21, 2013
Binge Eating VS Food Addiction + Other Stuff
Binge Eating VS Food Addiction
On October 16th, I was officially diagnosed as having a compulsive overeating disorder. This disorder would lead to huge binge eating episodes. It made me feel so out of control of myself. After a binge, I would feel disgusted and sick... not only physically, but mentally… After being diagnosed, my doctor prescribed me a low dose of Prozac. She told me that it was up to me whether or not I took the medication, but she would highly recommend it. After discussing my options with family and friends, I decided to bite the bullet and try it.
Now I am 97 days binge free. I feel better about myself because I’m not having binge episodes. However, the Prozac does not help with my food addiction. My weight has not really gone down in the past 97 days. I’m down 6 pounds from my highest weight… The reason my weight isn’t going down is because I’m still eating unhealthy foods. I think that once I’m not broke all the time eating healthy will be easier. I’ll have my own money to buy healthy things that I like… That’s going to be about a month from now. Hurry up time! Haha…
Nutrition Classes
Several months back, I signed up for some nutrition classes online. Two of them start this week and I am so excited! They’re called: Fundamentals of Human Nutrition and Nutrition for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Sounds like two awesome classes to me. One starts tomorrow and the other one starts… well, crap… now I think the second one starts next week on Monday. That’s okay though. I’ve never taken a nutrition class and I really hope it helps me make better decisions about my eating.
Curves
I am so excited! I’m going back to Curves tonight. I love that I’m excited about it. I usually dread going to the gym, but I love my Curves ladies. I’ve been on financial hold since July or August, I believe… I’m not 100% sure. I’ve missed Curves. I know that the staff has changed a lot since then. There are two people I’ve spoken to in the last week that I don’t know. That makes me sad… but I’m still happy to go back!
I made a mistake though. I signed up to do a virtual 5K this Friday. I signed up a long time ago and forgot the date. Now I’m not a member of a gym other than Curves and I don’t have a treadmill at home anymore. It’s freezing out so I don’t want to walk outside. I might go to the mall or Walmart or something and walk there… *shrugs* Unless I can find someone I know with a treadmill that would let me use it… Haha!
TMI Stuff
So, I went off my birth control after my last month of pills. If I was still on the pill, my period would be this coming weekend. I’ve been crampy all day, but no period yet. I’m not sure when it’s coming. I read on websites that usually it takes 6-8 weeks to get your first period after going off of birth control, but it can take shorter or longer than that. I don’t want to be stuck wearing panty liners or pads for several weeks for fear my period might come. *sigh*
Giveaway
Don’t forget that I’m hosting a giveaway. Winner will be announced Friday at midnight! So far only a couple of people have entered. It’s a really cool product! Check it out!
On October 16th, I was officially diagnosed as having a compulsive overeating disorder. This disorder would lead to huge binge eating episodes. It made me feel so out of control of myself. After a binge, I would feel disgusted and sick... not only physically, but mentally… After being diagnosed, my doctor prescribed me a low dose of Prozac. She told me that it was up to me whether or not I took the medication, but she would highly recommend it. After discussing my options with family and friends, I decided to bite the bullet and try it.
Now I am 97 days binge free. I feel better about myself because I’m not having binge episodes. However, the Prozac does not help with my food addiction. My weight has not really gone down in the past 97 days. I’m down 6 pounds from my highest weight… The reason my weight isn’t going down is because I’m still eating unhealthy foods. I think that once I’m not broke all the time eating healthy will be easier. I’ll have my own money to buy healthy things that I like… That’s going to be about a month from now. Hurry up time! Haha…
Nutrition Classes
Several months back, I signed up for some nutrition classes online. Two of them start this week and I am so excited! They’re called: Fundamentals of Human Nutrition and Nutrition for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Sounds like two awesome classes to me. One starts tomorrow and the other one starts… well, crap… now I think the second one starts next week on Monday. That’s okay though. I’ve never taken a nutrition class and I really hope it helps me make better decisions about my eating.
Curves
I am so excited! I’m going back to Curves tonight. I love that I’m excited about it. I usually dread going to the gym, but I love my Curves ladies. I’ve been on financial hold since July or August, I believe… I’m not 100% sure. I’ve missed Curves. I know that the staff has changed a lot since then. There are two people I’ve spoken to in the last week that I don’t know. That makes me sad… but I’m still happy to go back!
I made a mistake though. I signed up to do a virtual 5K this Friday. I signed up a long time ago and forgot the date. Now I’m not a member of a gym other than Curves and I don’t have a treadmill at home anymore. It’s freezing out so I don’t want to walk outside. I might go to the mall or Walmart or something and walk there… *shrugs* Unless I can find someone I know with a treadmill that would let me use it… Haha!
TMI Stuff
So, I went off my birth control after my last month of pills. If I was still on the pill, my period would be this coming weekend. I’ve been crampy all day, but no period yet. I’m not sure when it’s coming. I read on websites that usually it takes 6-8 weeks to get your first period after going off of birth control, but it can take shorter or longer than that. I don’t want to be stuck wearing panty liners or pads for several weeks for fear my period might come. *sigh*
Giveaway
Don’t forget that I’m hosting a giveaway. Winner will be announced Friday at midnight! So far only a couple of people have entered. It’s a really cool product! Check it out!
Saturday, January 19, 2013
My Memories Suite Review and Giveaway
I was contacted by My Memories to do a review of their digital scrapbooking software. I was pretty shocked to be contacted as my blog isn't a large one with a lot of followers, but I was also very excited for the opportunity. I do enjoy scrapbooking in my spare time and have several paper scrapbooks, but I had never ventured into the world of digital scrapbooking before.
I was incredibly eager to get started using My Memories Suite right away. Signing up for the website and downloading the digital scrapbooking software was extraordinarily easy. As soon as the software was downloaded, I opened it up and played around. There are tons templates that come with the software. I chose one and got started with my own little digital scrapbook.
My Memories Suite is very user friendly.. Upon opening the first page, there were three spots for photos. I decided to make a scrapbook of my family and started with my brother's family. I chose the three photos I wanted to use on the first page. Inserting them into the spots for photos was as simple as double clicking the photo spot and choosing the photo. Most of them needed to be cropped to fit properly which was incredibly easy to do. The following are the pages I created using a template:
Then I decided to venture out of the world of templates and into the world of blank pages. I had a photo in mind that I wanted to use so using a red and black color scheme, I created another page. It's so very easy to add elements to a blank page and turn it into something beautiful. I chose a background, then added some ribbons, a bow, and an embellishment. It turned into this beautiful page:
It's also very easy to turn your scrapbook into a calendar. I chose a layout that I liked and then modified it to turn it into a calendar page. It's super easy to do and only took me a few minutes!
I can't wait to play around with My Memories Suite more... The program is very sweet (pun intended!). I hope to make many neat projects to share with you in the months ahead!
I'm also happy to announce, the folks over at My Memories are allowing me to giveaway the online digital scrapbooking software I just reviewed! If you're interested in winning this product, please enter by following the guidelines below.
ALSO: As a special for all of my readers, My Memories gave me a coupon code that provides you with a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software AND a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store - a $20 value! To use this code, please enter STMMMS80897 during checkout.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
My Memories Suite is very user friendly.. Upon opening the first page, there were three spots for photos. I decided to make a scrapbook of my family and started with my brother's family. I chose the three photos I wanted to use on the first page. Inserting them into the spots for photos was as simple as double clicking the photo spot and choosing the photo. Most of them needed to be cropped to fit properly which was incredibly easy to do. The following are the pages I created using a template:
 |
| My brother's family. |
 |
| My parents. |
 |
| My sister's family. |
 |
| ME! |
 |
| My niece Hailey. |
I can't wait to play around with My Memories Suite more... The program is very sweet (pun intended!). I hope to make many neat projects to share with you in the months ahead!
I'm also happy to announce, the folks over at My Memories are allowing me to giveaway the online digital scrapbooking software I just reviewed! If you're interested in winning this product, please enter by following the guidelines below.
ALSO: As a special for all of my readers, My Memories gave me a coupon code that provides you with a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software AND a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store - a $20 value! To use this code, please enter STMMMS80897 during checkout.
Please note that My Memories Suite provided me with the software for free,
however all opinions expressed are my own.
however all opinions expressed are my own.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Rambling
Weight Loss
I’m struggling with weight loss right now. Not because I’m having binge episodes, but because I’m just not choosing healthy foods. I’m so happy that the Prozac is working. I haven’t had a binge in… over five months now. That is amazing… Regardless of that, the jeans I’m wearing are so big that I have to pull them up as I walk or they fall around my ankles… most days. Today they’re feeling rather snug. My gut is feeling large as well, but I honestly think this is because I ate a lot of sodium yesterday… I hate fat days. They are so… deflating.
On a positive note, I called Curves today and I am definitely active. I scheduled a weigh and measure for Monday after work so I can’t ditch. This is good because once I go, I’ll want to go back. I’m hoping that I can get in the habit of going to Curves again before I buy my treadmill… I found the one I want online on Walmart’s site… It’s a good brand… and brand new. I put it in my cart, added an extended service plan for $30 extra… why not?... and with taxes and everything it’s going to cost me about $400. I already budgeted that. I should definitely have a treadmill by the end of next month, but hopefully sooner. It’s available for pickup right away so once my tax return money gets deposited in my account, Pam and I are going to go get it. Exciting!
Giveaway
I’m having an awesome time playing with the product that I’m giving away soon. No hints yet, but I’m aiming to have my entry up for it on Wednesday. I’m so surprised that I got contacted to review and giveaway a product. It’s the first time that it’s EVER happened and I couldn't be more excited.
I’m struggling with weight loss right now. Not because I’m having binge episodes, but because I’m just not choosing healthy foods. I’m so happy that the Prozac is working. I haven’t had a binge in… over five months now. That is amazing… Regardless of that, the jeans I’m wearing are so big that I have to pull them up as I walk or they fall around my ankles… most days. Today they’re feeling rather snug. My gut is feeling large as well, but I honestly think this is because I ate a lot of sodium yesterday… I hate fat days. They are so… deflating.
On a positive note, I called Curves today and I am definitely active. I scheduled a weigh and measure for Monday after work so I can’t ditch. This is good because once I go, I’ll want to go back. I’m hoping that I can get in the habit of going to Curves again before I buy my treadmill… I found the one I want online on Walmart’s site… It’s a good brand… and brand new. I put it in my cart, added an extended service plan for $30 extra… why not?... and with taxes and everything it’s going to cost me about $400. I already budgeted that. I should definitely have a treadmill by the end of next month, but hopefully sooner. It’s available for pickup right away so once my tax return money gets deposited in my account, Pam and I are going to go get it. Exciting!
Giveaway
I’m having an awesome time playing with the product that I’m giving away soon. No hints yet, but I’m aiming to have my entry up for it on Wednesday. I’m so surprised that I got contacted to review and giveaway a product. It’s the first time that it’s EVER happened and I couldn't be more excited.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Jibber-Jabber
Supernatural Chicago Convention 2013
As we all know (or most of you should know), I’m a nerd and love the show Supernatural. I have gone to the Chicago convention the past two years. I have had a blast each time, but it’s very expensive. I’ve probably spent a total of close $3-4K over the last two years just on convention stuff. I decided it’s time to be more mature and not spend that kind of money when I’m still in debt…
So, my friend Pam and I decided that we’re going to go up for Friday night karaoke. It’s free to the public. I’ve been searching rates and we can stay at the Westin O’hare (where the convention is held) for $180 a night. That’s a little steep, but since I’m only going one night and not going to the convention, it’s not a big deal… I’d rather stay in the Westin if possible. There is a Mariott right across the street that’s $135 a night. Pam said that she doesn’t care which hotel we stay in… it’s completely up to me. I’m probably going to book our room soon. It would be awesome if I could get the discount for going to the convention, but since I’m only staying one night and I’m not really going to any panels or anything, I probably shouldn’t.
Jolynn is amazing and said she’d get whatever autographs I want as long as I buy my tickets and get her something to have them sign. SWEET! There are four people going this year that I don’t have their autograph yet and would like them. They total $100. Not bad!
I figure, Pam and I will go up Friday afternoon. Then if any of my “nerd friends” (as my mom calls them) are there and free we can hang out before karaoke. I’m super-excited to be able to go again! We’ll stay all night and hopefully hang around until the afternoon and maybe hang out with my nerd friends some more. It’s also my birthday weekend again. YAY BIRTHDAY!
Treadmill
I’ve pretty much decided that I am going to get a treadmill. I know it will get more use than my gym membership. I wish I could find a decent used one online, but all the people around here want just about what it costs for a new one so I’ll just buy new.
I had a few really good comments on my entry from yesterday… a few with some good points. I got several people who said I should just walk outside which would be free. Yes, I agree that it would be free except for I know that I won’t walk outside. For one, I live in east central Illinois and Mother Nature doesn’t like us to have a spring and fall so we go from 110 degrees to 20 degrees just about overnight! Also, I was advised by my doctor to only walk on completely flat surfaces (like a treadmill) because my knees are so bad…
I also had people suggest looking into a personal trainer. There aren’t many options for personal trainers in my area… that I know of. I did a Google search of trainers in my area and there are a couple of them that I found, but they both work for the same gym. I don’t want to join another gym. It’s silly to jump from one gym to another…
Low Blood Pressure
I think I might be having low blood pressure issues. I’m light headed a lot and my vision goes white like I might black out. My hands are all weak and shaky. I have had high blood pressure since November of 2009. However, I was on birth control for almost nine years and a side effect of birth control is a raise in blood pressure. I have been off of my birth control for over two weeks now. I’m wondering if it’s lowered my blood pressure enough that when I take my blood pressure medication, it lowers it too much? I don’t know. I have to go next week to have it checked by my doctor, so I think I’ll be okay until then.
Mother Nature
Sometimes I really don’t like living in east central Illinois. Sometimes I think Mother Nature is going through menopause. I mean, seriously? It was 60 degrees and sunny and beautiful Saturday morning. Then by Sunday it was barely pushing 30 with freezing rain, sleet, and snow. Awesome, Mother Nature! Way to confuse us. All of the crazy changes in temperature also mess with my sinuses and my joints. Just pick a season and stay with it, mmkay? Thanks!
Prompts
So, I’m having a really hard time coming up with interesting things to write about. I saw a few of the people I read do this so I'm following the trend... If you have any questions you want to ask me, feel free to ask… Pretty much everything is okay. *shrugs*
As we all know (or most of you should know), I’m a nerd and love the show Supernatural. I have gone to the Chicago convention the past two years. I have had a blast each time, but it’s very expensive. I’ve probably spent a total of close $3-4K over the last two years just on convention stuff. I decided it’s time to be more mature and not spend that kind of money when I’m still in debt…
So, my friend Pam and I decided that we’re going to go up for Friday night karaoke. It’s free to the public. I’ve been searching rates and we can stay at the Westin O’hare (where the convention is held) for $180 a night. That’s a little steep, but since I’m only going one night and not going to the convention, it’s not a big deal… I’d rather stay in the Westin if possible. There is a Mariott right across the street that’s $135 a night. Pam said that she doesn’t care which hotel we stay in… it’s completely up to me. I’m probably going to book our room soon. It would be awesome if I could get the discount for going to the convention, but since I’m only staying one night and I’m not really going to any panels or anything, I probably shouldn’t.
Jolynn is amazing and said she’d get whatever autographs I want as long as I buy my tickets and get her something to have them sign. SWEET! There are four people going this year that I don’t have their autograph yet and would like them. They total $100. Not bad!
I figure, Pam and I will go up Friday afternoon. Then if any of my “nerd friends” (as my mom calls them) are there and free we can hang out before karaoke. I’m super-excited to be able to go again! We’ll stay all night and hopefully hang around until the afternoon and maybe hang out with my nerd friends some more. It’s also my birthday weekend again. YAY BIRTHDAY!
Treadmill
I’ve pretty much decided that I am going to get a treadmill. I know it will get more use than my gym membership. I wish I could find a decent used one online, but all the people around here want just about what it costs for a new one so I’ll just buy new.
I had a few really good comments on my entry from yesterday… a few with some good points. I got several people who said I should just walk outside which would be free. Yes, I agree that it would be free except for I know that I won’t walk outside. For one, I live in east central Illinois and Mother Nature doesn’t like us to have a spring and fall so we go from 110 degrees to 20 degrees just about overnight! Also, I was advised by my doctor to only walk on completely flat surfaces (like a treadmill) because my knees are so bad…
I also had people suggest looking into a personal trainer. There aren’t many options for personal trainers in my area… that I know of. I did a Google search of trainers in my area and there are a couple of them that I found, but they both work for the same gym. I don’t want to join another gym. It’s silly to jump from one gym to another…
Low Blood Pressure
I think I might be having low blood pressure issues. I’m light headed a lot and my vision goes white like I might black out. My hands are all weak and shaky. I have had high blood pressure since November of 2009. However, I was on birth control for almost nine years and a side effect of birth control is a raise in blood pressure. I have been off of my birth control for over two weeks now. I’m wondering if it’s lowered my blood pressure enough that when I take my blood pressure medication, it lowers it too much? I don’t know. I have to go next week to have it checked by my doctor, so I think I’ll be okay until then.
Mother Nature
Sometimes I really don’t like living in east central Illinois. Sometimes I think Mother Nature is going through menopause. I mean, seriously? It was 60 degrees and sunny and beautiful Saturday morning. Then by Sunday it was barely pushing 30 with freezing rain, sleet, and snow. Awesome, Mother Nature! Way to confuse us. All of the crazy changes in temperature also mess with my sinuses and my joints. Just pick a season and stay with it, mmkay? Thanks!
Prompts
So, I’m having a really hard time coming up with interesting things to write about. I saw a few of the people I read do this so I'm following the trend... If you have any questions you want to ask me, feel free to ask… Pretty much everything is okay. *shrugs*
Monday, January 14, 2013
Honesty
I know I'm probably not the only one, but I really hate going to the gym. It's not because I don't like exercise... which I don't. It's because I don't like feeling like I'm being stared at... I don't like being the biggest person there. I know when I go to the gym, I always scan the equipment and try to find someone who is heavier than me. If there's someone who's heavier than me, I don't feel as self-conscious. Usually though, the gym at my local YMCA is filled with athletic men on weight equipment... or women in short shorts and tank tops running super-fast on the treadmills. Usually when I get to the gym, there's not even much equipment open and I get stuck on a recumbent bike. I do like recumbent bikes, but you don't get a great workout with them. I burn a lot more on a treadmill than I do on a recumbent bike any day. I'm really thinking into canceling my YMCA membership and getting a treadmill. I pay a little more than $20 a month for my gym membership... So about $250 a year. I don't ever go because I don't like being the heaviest person there. I also don't like having to settle for a recumbent bike because all of the elliptical trainers and treadmills are taken.
When I was doing my best at working out, I was going to Curves every day after work and then going to this little gym in town and walking on a treadmill. I would just turn on Pandora and have at it... I wouldn't talk to anyone or watch the TV or anything. I'm really considering just buying a treadmill. I was going to buy one off Craigslist from a girl this summer. She bought hers and then broke her ankle and needed the money. She was going to sell it to me for $200. I found the exact same treadmill brand new at Walmart for less than $300 and it comes with some added extras. I'm considering canceling my YMCA membership and getting the treadmill with my tax return.
I didn't use my last treadmill. I know this. Mainly it was because the wiring in our house was screwed up and the circuit would trip every time I turned the treadmill on... We got this fixed over the summer. Our breaker won't trip all the time now. I also now know that I get a better workout alone with just some music to guide my way... I want to keep my Curves membership and start going after work again. Then as soon as I get home, I'll walk on the treadmill for however long... I honestly think this will work for me. But do I really want to spend $300 at one time for a treadmill... Decisions, decisions...
When I was doing my best at working out, I was going to Curves every day after work and then going to this little gym in town and walking on a treadmill. I would just turn on Pandora and have at it... I wouldn't talk to anyone or watch the TV or anything. I'm really considering just buying a treadmill. I was going to buy one off Craigslist from a girl this summer. She bought hers and then broke her ankle and needed the money. She was going to sell it to me for $200. I found the exact same treadmill brand new at Walmart for less than $300 and it comes with some added extras. I'm considering canceling my YMCA membership and getting the treadmill with my tax return.
I didn't use my last treadmill. I know this. Mainly it was because the wiring in our house was screwed up and the circuit would trip every time I turned the treadmill on... We got this fixed over the summer. Our breaker won't trip all the time now. I also now know that I get a better workout alone with just some music to guide my way... I want to keep my Curves membership and start going after work again. Then as soon as I get home, I'll walk on the treadmill for however long... I honestly think this will work for me. But do I really want to spend $300 at one time for a treadmill... Decisions, decisions...
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Catching Up
Resolutions:
I decided that every week or so, I’m going to do a recap of my resolutions and how I’m sticking to them. I’m hoping this helps keep me motivated to stick to them…
Health Related:
A few weeks ago I was online and one of my best friends was on Facebook chat. I sent her a message asking her what was up and we started chatting a bit. She informed me that her mom’s cancer had come back and the doctors said there is nothing they can do for her this time. This whole situation absolutely breaks my heart. When I think of my friend’s mother, it always takes me a while to remember what her first name is because ever since middle school I’ve just called her “mom”. I don’t know if they gave her a time frame or anything, but it’s just so sad… Please keep my friend and her mother and the rest of their family and friends in your prayers.
Let’s Get Healthy!:
I have been running a weight loss group on another site since 2007. That site has some server issues and randomly goes down for days at a time so I would like to move my group elsewhere. Also, because of the nature of the site, it's hard to get a lot of participants and I'm hoping to expand the group greatly. The following is my attempt to move the blog over to this site...
Here is an overview a quick overview. The next phase doesn’t begin until the very end of March. A lot of people are worried about privacy issues… Ultimately, you decide how you participate in the group. You have a few options… You could just do weigh ins which will not be shared online at all and I will be the only one to have access to everyone’s weights. All weigh ins will be done via email instead of by comments on an entry. With the current phase, I introduced Phase Buddies. These are a person (or persons) that you email one-on-one to help support you in your healthy goals. In the next phase you will be given two buddies (one for the first six weeks and one for the latter six weeks). You could also join the Facebook group. Right now the group is closed and only members of the current phase can join, but I will be opening the group up to whoever is interested in joining once the current phase ends.
I’m also introducing something with the new phase that I’m calling “Monetary Motives” or “MM”. For some people the option of winning some money motivates them. I know money always motivates me… If you decide to participate in MM, you must send in a $10 participation entry fee and photo of their feet on a scale for proof of their weight. The size of the overall pot depends on the number of people participating. There will be five prizes and they will be awarded like this:
Please let me know if you have ANY questions. I will be more than happy to answer them!
Health Related:
- No unhealthy fast food.
I have not had one piece of unhealthy fast food thus far. YAY! In fact, I haven’t had any fast food period. - No soda and limited caffeine.
I have had a few cups of coffee, but absolutely no soda. I’m very proud of this one as I’ve been tempted a couple of times to get a Sprite for an upset stomach, but I’ve figured other ways out of it and haven’t succumbed to soda. - Use my gym memberships.
This one gets a big fat fail right now… I haven’t been to the gym at all this year. I’ve actually been contemplating canceling my YMCA membership and getting a treadmill. I know, I know… I am still a member of Curves and don’t plan on quitting there because I do like the workout I get. When I go to the gym, I usually just ride a recumbent bike or walk on a treadmill. The elliptical throws my back all out of whack… I don’t feel like I get a good workout on the recumbent bike so I’d rather walk on a treadmill. When I was doing SO good with working out, I was just going to Curves and then walking on a treadmill for an hour. I could do that from home and then I’d be less likely to skip the gym. My electrical problem has been fixed so I don’t have to worry about tripping the breaker every time I’d walk on it. I spend a little over $250 a year on my gym membership and I don’t use it. I could get a treadmill for that much… I’m not 100% decided yet, but I’m thinking about finding one when I get my tax return back… Decisions, decisions… - Log all calories all year.
Off to a bad start here. I’ve logged most days, but not all of them. I am proud to say that the days I have logged, I’m logging everything I eat… That’s a start I guess! - Do at least three 5Ks.
Zilch done yet on this one, but I still have all year to plan!
- Put at least $25 from each paycheck into my savings account.
I haven’t been paid yet this year… Unfortunately, my first paycheck of the year is going to be so little with so many bills due that I will only have $15 left to my name for two weeks. I will make up for this with my last paycheck of the month by putting $50 into my savings. - Finish one of my novels.
I haven’t worked on writing at all yet this year. I need to set aside time to do this. - Read at least 24 books.
I have already read two books so I’m off to a good start on this one. - Pay off all of my credit card debt leaving only my two loans open.
Yeah, not done yet. Haha. I hope that in about a month I can say I’ve made some real progress on this one. At this very moment, not including my two loans, I owe $1844.60 across five different credit card accounts. Since I’m not going on any trips this year, I will definitely have more money to apply to these. I’m hoping that after my tax return, I can be down to less than $1000 owed. I should easily be able to pay this off. Even before I get my tax return, I’ll be able to pay off one account (with my next paycheck). - pend more time with family and friends.
I haven’t done this yet either. I haven’t spent any time with any friends or family yet this year at all… That’s sad… granted it’s only nine days into the year.
A few weeks ago I was online and one of my best friends was on Facebook chat. I sent her a message asking her what was up and we started chatting a bit. She informed me that her mom’s cancer had come back and the doctors said there is nothing they can do for her this time. This whole situation absolutely breaks my heart. When I think of my friend’s mother, it always takes me a while to remember what her first name is because ever since middle school I’ve just called her “mom”. I don’t know if they gave her a time frame or anything, but it’s just so sad… Please keep my friend and her mother and the rest of their family and friends in your prayers.
Let’s Get Healthy!:
I have been running a weight loss group on another site since 2007. That site has some server issues and randomly goes down for days at a time so I would like to move my group elsewhere. Also, because of the nature of the site, it's hard to get a lot of participants and I'm hoping to expand the group greatly. The following is my attempt to move the blog over to this site...
Here is an overview a quick overview. The next phase doesn’t begin until the very end of March. A lot of people are worried about privacy issues… Ultimately, you decide how you participate in the group. You have a few options… You could just do weigh ins which will not be shared online at all and I will be the only one to have access to everyone’s weights. All weigh ins will be done via email instead of by comments on an entry. With the current phase, I introduced Phase Buddies. These are a person (or persons) that you email one-on-one to help support you in your healthy goals. In the next phase you will be given two buddies (one for the first six weeks and one for the latter six weeks). You could also join the Facebook group. Right now the group is closed and only members of the current phase can join, but I will be opening the group up to whoever is interested in joining once the current phase ends.
I’m also introducing something with the new phase that I’m calling “Monetary Motives” or “MM”. For some people the option of winning some money motivates them. I know money always motivates me… If you decide to participate in MM, you must send in a $10 participation entry fee and photo of their feet on a scale for proof of their weight. The size of the overall pot depends on the number of people participating. There will be five prizes and they will be awarded like this:
- The participant with the highest percentage of weight loss will win 35% of the pot.
- The participant who refers the most people to sign up for the MM portion of the phase will automatically win 10% of the pot.
- Every participant that weighs in each week of the phase without missing any weeks will be entered in a drawing to win 20% of the pot.
- Every participant that completes each weekly challenge and has documented proof (email, blog entry or photo, if needed) will be entered in a drawing to win 20% of the pot.
- Everyone who submits a personal phase challenge at the beginning of the phase and completes his/her personal challenge by the end of the phase will be entered in a drawing to win 15% of the pot.
Please let me know if you have ANY questions. I will be more than happy to answer them!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
2013 New Year's Resolutions
Health Related:
- No unhealthy fast food. If I need to eat out, I can eat something healthy out. Like a grilled chicken salad with my own low-fat dressing from McDonald’s or a six inch sub sandwich from Subway with no mayo or cheese.
- No soda and limited caffeine. I am a soda fiend and I need to stop. No soda… no diet soda… no soda at all. This is going to be hard… especially because I use Sprite for an upset stomach and I have an upset stomach a lot. Any non-soda remedies for an upset stomach? Also, limited amounts of caffeinated tea and coffee.
- Use my gym memberships. I really need to start using my gym memberships. My plan is to go to the YMCA before work. If I can get there by 6 am, I can do a 45 minute cardio workout before work. Then after work I can go to Curves and do a 30 minute strength training workout.
- Log all calories all year. I am horrible at logging my calories. I have a bad day and then don’t log anything when I should log every day possible.
- Do at least three 5Ks. I did my first 5K this year and enjoyed it. I would like to continue to do 5Ks throughout the year.
- Put at least $25 from each paycheck into my savings account. I spend too much money on frivolous things each paycheck. $25 is one meal out each week. If I don’t eat out just two meals every two weeks, I could save $650 in the year 2013.
- Finish one of my novels. I have three novels in the works… and a short story. I would like to finish the short story and one of my novels. I need to spend more time with my writing.
- Read at least 24 books.
- Pay off all of my credit card debt leaving only my two loans open. I am tired of paying tons of money each month to credit card companies. I also would like to start saving some money which is incredibly hard when you’re paycheck to paycheck paying off old debts. I should be able to be fully out of debt by early to mid-year if I stick to my budget.
- Spend more time with family and friends. I tend to be a bit of a homebody. I don’t go out often with my friends and I have been slacking on visiting with my family. I would like to see them more often instead of sitting at home watching television or using the computer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)