Inspiration

I've been trying to decide what I wanted to write about...

I started one entry and decided to save that for my "Thirty to the Big 30."  It seemed like it would be a good opener for that project...

Then I turned to todays date in a calendar my mom got me called "If you can't lose it decorate it" by Anita Renfroe and saw a good little quote.  Mind you this calendar has wonderful gems all the way through, but todays really got my attention, because it is something that I think every person needs to be reminded of every now and then.

"Your life is of infinite worth and impacts many others, regardless of your recognition of that fact." 

Now, how powerful is that?  On the days, when you are feeling down and like you just don't matter or you just want to give up... This is an awesome reminder that you are important.

God made each of us special and unique and he gave each of us a purpose and infinite worth.  We impact those around us.  Sometimes for the good, sometimes for the not so good.  I hope my impact on the lives around me is a positive one.

I want to be a positive influence and person.  I may not always get to see the results of what happens when I meet someone, but I like to think that I have brightened someone's day. 
(I hope so anyway).

Yesterday was a frustrating day for me and by the end of the day I really wasn't feeling very...  There are so many adjectives to fill in the blank with there... I wasn't feeling very much like myself - I didn't feel like I had done very much that day to be worthy...  And then today, I flipped to my calendar and was reminded that because I am a child of God, no matter how my day has been, and whether or not I can see it, my day, my week, my month, my life has WORTH!!

God is using me for some purpose that while not evident to me, is totally clear to him and therefore I AM WORTH IT!

Inspiration can come in many forms, even the simple words on a daily calendar!  Interpretation is everything.  Be open minded and open of heart - your world can change.

Pleased...

This may sound vain and conceited, but I am pleased with myself… Yep, that’s right, I can admit, I am pleased with myself and my progress lately!
Before I tell you why I am pleased though, I have to tell you something that I think is funny. As I was thinking of how to word this entry and what I wanted to include the thoughts kept coming to me in FB status form (i.e. “is pleased with herself.”) Does that mean I have been on Facebook to much lately? I tend to think so.

Anyway, as for the reasons for my being happy with myself:

1. I am making steady strides in the direction of my weight loss goal.
2. I have found some new websites to assist me in attaining my weight loss goal.
3. I have set up an area with a table and good light, where I can work pursuing my other goal of growing my relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

For the next two weeks, my dear friend, co-worker and lunch companion, “Auntie MJ” is out of town, so I am using this time to really focus on myself and my eating habits. Yesterday and today I have eaten a “Smart Ones” frozen meal by Weight Watchers that is relatively low in calories and fat, but still taste yummy. However, before eating on both days, I laced up my sneakers and went for a brisk paced 20 minute walk around my office’s neighborhood. I am so proud of myself for that. Also for the next two weeks I am going to try to refrain from eating breakfast out… I stocked up on some frozen breakfast foods that aren’t too unhealthy and will be eating those. I am finding that not only is this a calorie saver it is also a money saver. Who knew?! ;-)

Tomorrow is Administrative Professional’s day, so I will probably splurge for lunch. I am after all an Administrative Assistant! I kinda hope my office does something special for us. They have for the last several years and it has always been great. If they do, I don’t know that I will get my walk in, but I will try! I am even trying to convince one of the bosses to walk with me on Thursday. He used to walk a lot and hasn’t had the time lately, but I’m hoping I can coax him into it!

I have also been continuing to keep up with my morning workouts. I’ve been really good about that… The only days that I have taken off have been a Saturday and/or Sunday here and there. I have determined that Sunday is an okay to take a rest and have been very good about getting back on track on Mondays. However, take last Saturday for instance, I had a meeting to go to and lots to do to prepare, and I woke up late, so I didn’t take the time to workout. As it turned out the meeting was cancelled, so I spent the day hanging out with mom and we went out to a couple of stores and spent an hour walking those stores, then went to the North Shore area and walked around the pond taking pictures of the Geese… Oh, brainstorm – I oughta post a couple of those pictures here! Wait, the point of that was to say, that while I didn’t do a formal workout, I still did get some exercise in and am proud of myself for that.

One of the new websites I found is: www.livestrong.com. This is a really neat website that allows you set a daily calorie intake goal for yourself. After setting your calorie intake goal, you can then log everything you eat into your “daily plate” (it has a search engine that finds pretty much anything) and it will keep track of your calories for you! You can even input your workouts and it will calculate how many calories you have burned and put that back into your “calories left for the day” category.

The first time I used this website, it was quite the eye opener. I realized that I need to pay a lot more attention to what I am eating. I’m enjoying using this website so far and hope that I will continue use it on a regular basis.

Another neat thing about this website is a feature called “Dare.” This feature “dares” you to do something good for yourself. There are many dares to choose from, not just about eating healthy and exercising. There are ones for getting yourself out of debt, finding a partner, saving your relationship, and sooo many others. I haven’t decided what dare I would like challenge myself with yet. I think first, I should just stick to my goal of losing weight and getting healthier.

This website even helps you track your water intake! I have surpassed the recommended 8 glasses of water for two days now!

The other two websites I haven’t really looked at in-depth yet, but found them on the livestrong website on the “Dare to get yourself out of debt” pages. These are websites suggested by people who have been working to get themselves out debt.

http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/

http://www.whatsthecost.com/creditcard.aspx

In reference to setting up an official Bible study area… I used to study on the bed, right before going to bed, and I just don’t feel that was as effective as I what I want it to be. I want to feel like I am really getting something out of my study and growing in my relationship with the Lord and I think I let myself be distracted too much while being all comfy on the bed… Also, by doing it right before bed, I was too tired and not really concentrating. Now I think I will be more alert and open to God’s word and what He has to say to me.


I am looking forward to positive progress and to moving forward in my life. I have a lot to do and some of it needs to be done in a very short time (less than two months)… I gotta get BUSY!


It appears I have written less of a Blog, and more of a short story, so I’m out for now and will write more later!


Have a great day and be blessed!

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!!