Diligence and Discipline

Diligence and Discipline are two similarly defined words for me.

According to the dictionary,
Diligence is characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort and discipline is to train or develop by instruction and exercise, esp. in self-control.

In my opinion it takes both diligence and discipline to be successful in any endeavor.

One of my latest endeavors is to become healthier and more fit.  In an effort to accomplish this goal I have begun working out daily and trying to eat more sensibly.  Thus far I have been diligent in my workouts, having worked out steadily and daily for the last few weeks.  I gave myself a rest on one day (a Sunday) because I felt it would be okay and was encouraged to do so by a trusted friend.

My efforts to eat healtheir however have been stifled somewhat by time constraints and my willingness to go grocery shopping.  I don't like grocery shopping and menu planning, which I have learned is somewhat essential for planning and executing healthy meal planning and cooking.  Also, I'm not the world's best cook...Yet (shh, don't tell anyone)... ;-)

I have been posting on my Facebook(www.facebook.com/smileyamw) page daily that I have been continuing my workouts and as I found out when I was quitting smoking, my friends and family on Facebook are the best support network possible.

I started my efforts to quit smoking in July of 2009 and had a few slips, which I posted on Facebook.  My friends and family were so great about encouraging me to continue that by August I had completely quit except for another couple of slips while out of town during a stressful situation.  Then again with their encouragement I stayed smoke free until another weak moment in October, when I bummed and smoked one... I didn't really like the taste of that one and haven't had once since.  I can now say with a broad smile that I have been smoke free for SIX (6) MONTHS!  Go me! :)

Once again with my Facebook support network firmly in place, as mentioned above I have begun tackling another daunting task - getting physically fit... And what do you know - it's not as horrible as I thought... Of course, I also have the help of my mom, and the Good Lord above and the prayers of my Church Family.

With all of these amazing people and God rooting for me, I am bound for success!

I am so excited to be working toward another goal that I know I can reach, because I have the diligence, discipline and support to succeed!

It's funny, when I initially thought of the topic Diligence and Discipline, I was thinking more of my writing...  And the fact that thus far I haven't been very diligent about writing daily.  I will have to do better when it comes to write the "30 to 30" Blog, but I am sure I will.  I am very excited about that project.  Anyway, I guess I wrote what was foremost on my mind first...

Have a great day all! :)

Welcome to my Blog...

This is just the beginning for me.

I decided to try to get creative today and begin working on my blog.  I was hoping for a few more customization options, but I think I can make this work.

As stated elsewhere in my profile, I am 29 years old.  I will be turning 30 this July and I created this blog as a way to express my feelings about this occasion.  So here goes *screaming*...

Seriously, I have been told that 30's are a woman's prime so I have much to look forward to and little to fear, it's just such a milestone!  I am excited for it, so in order to commemorate it, I have borrowed an idea from a colleauge and will be writing a blog: "30 days to the Big 30"...

I think this will be a fun and interesting project and I am very much looking forward to this journey.

I hope you will take this trip with me and join me daily to hear of my adventures as I progress toward the Big 30!!