Vacation Plans

Vacation - a time to relax, a time to find new adventures, a time to see new things...and for me, when it comes to vacation a time to stress about many things. The clothes I am wearing, the pictures I am in, the seat on the plane, the walking, the challenges of the travel itself. I want to be comfortable on vacation, not so worried about other things.

My family is planning a vacation. A vacation that won't happen for many months. I didn't even think it would be possible. You see, in the wake of losing a loved one we acquired some money from this person we charised and in turn one of my sisters made the suggestion that we use some of that money to take a trip to our Uncle's favorite travel spot. Last night the plan was put into action. We are still waiting to get confirmation from other's, but for me I feel the reality is settling in.

You know when you have those goals. The goals for a special event, and you really should not have a goal to lose weight for that particular event (which I mentioned in a previous post -  Doing It for you), because you should be losing the weight for being healthy overall. Yes, we will be going on vacation and I WON'T be doing this weight loss just for this trip, but there here is another push for my new lifestyle!!! Even if the tickets have not been fully purchased and it has only been a short 24 hours since we last talked about the trip, I am getting really excited.

I will be in a new country, I will be traveling for many many hours on a plane and I want to be comfortable in my seat while I am flying. I want to be able to get up and down from my seat without any issues. I want to get up on that train terminal with ease. I want to love to look back at the pictures of this vacation and like what I see in those pictures - not just the scenery, but me smiling back at the camera. I don't like the way I look in pictures now, so this is something else to be striving for. I will be healthy, and I will be doing this for me, but the vacation plays another good aspect for me. Many things to look forward to and many joys to behold.

For sure I am

Going for my new size!!!!

Exercise - this is normal!

So today I was thinking about exercise and the fact that most of the time most people don't exercise on a normal basis. Like normal everyday basis. You know - when you get up in the morning and shave, brush your teeth, take a shower, get dressed for your day....that kind of normal. Okay - some of us might not be normal, but the "norm" is mostly everyone does do most of this stuff everyday.

It got me to thinking - if I get up every morning, get into the shower, brush my teeth, have say a morning coffee, read the paper, get myself to work after dressing and making myself look presentable, then why in the world would I not exercise each day?

Most of those things - the getting dressed, brushing teeth, flossing, doing up your hair, makeup (for most of us woman)...those things - can be the "normal" daily routine.

If those things are your "normal" - is exercising part of your "normal"?

You then need to ask yourself - is exercising everyday normal to my routine? Or maybe you ask yourself - WHY ISN'T exercise part of my normal daily routine?

As we are kids and we are growing up, most of us would hear some of these phrases:
"Brush your teeth"
"wash your hands"
"help clear the table"
"take out the trash"
"get in the bath"
"did you do this and that"

I never recall hearing "did you exercise today"?

Now I am not saying that every kid needs to exercise everyday to make it seem "normal", but I wonder, if I had been exercising since I was little, would I really be this size I am now? Would I be struggling to get in my daily exercise?

My exercise goal - from asking "is this normal" to actually say "this is normal"

At this point in my weight loss journey - I hear the alarm go off, I roll over and convince myself to get up. I head to the restroom, then it is so easy to lay back down. Or some mornings I look in the full length mirror and see myself - how long is this losing weight thing going to take. Can't I be there already? And then I lay back down.

Instead of looking in the mirror and giving myself the negative speech I am working hard to say out loud a positive speech. and every time I do the positive I am working towards a new normal in my life - the process of having exercise in my life everyday, each day, and days in between!!!

Working on changing my lack of exercise normal to JOYS of exercise normal.

What is your normal? Everyday, every three days, a few times a week?
What type of exercise do you enjoy the most?

Going for my new size!!!!

Doing it for You!

When you start on a new weight loss plan sometimes you sit and think  - I am going to do this for my kids, for my wife, my husband, my job, the next wedding, birthday, holiday - so many other people and things you are losing the weight for!

But, have you ever really thought about who you are doing this for? Aren't you doing this for you?

You are doing it for yourself!!! You and only you!!!! Don't do it because you want to look good for others - do it because you want to look good for you. Don't do it because there is a family member coming to visit - do it because you want to look good for you. Don't do it because there is a big event coming up - do it because you want to look good for you!! Every time you look in the mirror and say - where am I going with this weight loss process - say to yourself - I AM GOING TO LOOK GOOD FOR ME!!!

You shouldn't be looking in the mirror and saying that you are doing the weight loss journey for an event, someone else - this is your journey. As hard as counting calories, exercising and putting new regiment into your life, you need to keep telling yourself - I am going to be healthy, I am going to be a new size, I am going to feel better, I am going to be able to walk that 4 miles without breaking a sweat or more like, without being out of breath. 

Now, don't get me wrong - it is always a good idea to be taking the weight loss path for several reasons, but the biggest reason should be Doing it for you!!!!!!!!!!! 

Look in the mirror - be happy what you see and that you are on the right path to a new you!!! And remember, you are Doing it for You!!!!!!!!

Keep  up the good work!! Make this week count!!

Going for my new size!!!!

The Ups and Downs....

I will say that I made a good turn-around this past week from last with not much of nothing to say about exercise. Besides my weekly water aerobics...but, started off the week strong, having a weak moment, and just need to finish off the last few days with a BANG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

....and here is the rundown:

Monday - got up and exercised for 20 minutes - Wii Just Dance 4 Sweat

Monday - afternoon water aerobics

Tuesday - up early and did 30 minutes on the Wii

Tuesday - afternoon 45 minute walk with my sister - close to 3 miles we do

Wednesday - up early and did 30 minutes on the Wii

Wednesday - afternoon water aerobics - loving this class and going to see if I can fit the Monday class into my schedule, which can be hard because there are Monday night meetings to attend...

Thursday  - up early and instead of the Wii it was aerobics to the news on TV - had to keep track of the wild fires that we are having in California right now. Did 100 exercise ball sit ups - feeling good about these.

Thursday afternoon was my downfall - came home and there was a meeting to attend. Didn't want to go to it, but we did - it was actually College night and my 13 year old loved it!!
Came home and made what I felt was a healthy meal, but really should have left the rice out of the equation and only had 1/2 of the portion I had.
Still working on drinking all of my water to flush the bad out. And yes, I will admit - I opened up that bag of caramel corn popcorn and at a few bites, manly the nuts in it, but still - shouldn't have done it, shouldn't have done it.

So - it will be up bit earlier tomorrow morning to work off my "get over it and just go get what you have to get done moment...." - I should have just worked out as soon as I got home and that bag of popcorn wouldn't have gotten opened. Sigh

With that being said, I still feel that it has been a good overall week. I could have pushed a bit more, but the eating is good, I am actually exercising everyday and going to keep exercising.

Here comes the weekend - preparing for a night out with friends and going to be sure to fill up on the water before I go so that I avoid getting a beverage that will do me more harm than good. There will be dancing with my favorite live local band (yes, they are alive - LOL)....so there is a plan for this Saturday night. Got invited for Pizza on Friday and we have company on Sunday - going to skip the pizza fest and the Sunday night dinner will consist of a healthy option for all invited.

Heading off to bed....having to finish off some "I don't want to do" paperwork....its done and now I am done for the night.

Going for my new size!!!!

Sometimes you just need a "To Do" List

So, I am a person about lists. Not that I go overboard with my lists, where some people have a list for everything, from what they are doing each and everyday, to the grocery list, to the never ending Christmas list, to what am I doing tomorrow list, what is going to be cooked this week list, and so many more lists that I don't know how to list them all - (ha, ha).

I feel like when I have a list and as soon as I cross the item off the list I am getting things accomplished. It gives me a sense of pleasure that I did something good. Even if I don't complete the list, I try my best not to get discouraged and throw the list out the window.

I created a list to help me with My New Size journey. I have had this list sitting on my nightstand for months now and every morning I get up and tell myself - I am going to do that list today. Well, like I said, it has been months and that list has been sitting, sitting, sitting - waiting for me to check it off.

As I have started my very own blog a few weeks back I realized - If I am going on this New Size journey I need to put the list into action 100%. So, I started. Yes, officially - yesterday!!! I am going to keep using the list and have a new one printed out for each day (I even made the list easy to print, giving me 4 on a page for 4 days....good way to save on paper, I say). I start my day with the list and I will end my day with the list. I could carry the list in my pocket, but then I might lose it or just tell myself that I will get to it later. Being reminded in the morning as I wake up and reminded again as I lay my head down to sleep is a good place to have my list - so on the bed stand it will stay.

I have thought about adding to the list - like - "flossing teeth" or "get that meat out of the freezer for dinner tonight", but for now I think my list is a good start and a good way to keep me focused, as well.

                                  Daily Check Off

Workout at 5:00 am (20-30 minutes)

Glass (or two) of water by 5:45 am

10 minutes of stretching

Breakfast

Daily Vitamins

Pack your lunch

At least one glass of water on way to work

Two 15 minutes walks at work each day

Get up from desk every 30 to 45 minutes

Water – Water – Water – all 8 by 4:30 pm

Workout for 20-30 minutes after work

5 fruits and vegetables

Healthy Choices

No Fast Food

No Soda

No Sweets

No eating after 8 pm

I set up a little check-off spot for it, too. I haven't completed everything for the last two days, like the walk at work - for some reason I have been keeping busy, and that is not a good thing. I need to set a timer on my computer to give me that remind me to go take those walks. 

I can adjust the list as I see fit and might do that as time goes on, but for now I am enjoying the list and I am focused on making sure I complete the list each and everyday.

Do you have a list? How do you keep yourself accountable to that list?

Going for my new size!!!!

Random Sunday Thoughts

Just have so much going on in my head this weekend - thought I would get it in writing....

Got on the scale yesterday and was a bit surprised - it had been going up all week, but Saturday morning showed a drop. That is always a nice thing to see (yes, I have a really bad habit of looking at the scale almost everyday - not a good thing for my mind - going to try and break myself of that habit, but it is going to take sometime)

Got on the scale again this morning and it was down again.

Something I am contemplating - cutting out certain carbohydrates. The bread, rice and crackers. I don't eat a lot of these things as it is, but wondering if that might help in my weight loss journey.

Have to research thyroid issues. I am on some medication and wondering if it is actually working. I guess it would help if I went back to the doctor for a follow up, right? The hardest part is that I have a co-worker that talks non-stop about her thyroid issue and it drives me crazy. I get that you have to get it under control and there is a lot to know, but when it is everyday, each day, and constant it makes me not want to research my own problem...not sure why...just too much going on in my head, I guess.

Have this lousy sore throat, but not really sore like normal. Taking some simple medication and drinking tons of fluids. Hoping it does not get worse.

Mowed the lawn this morning - boy, did that feel good. Just hard to mow a lawn that does not grow very fast, as we are in the massive water reduction in my sunny state of California. So sad to see so much brown. Hoping for the rain to come -- and soon, especially after this 100 degree weather we are having this weekend. Yuck.

I got on our Wii yesterday and I did 30 minutes of the Just Dance 4 workout session. It was kind of weird. Doing a cool workout, then intense, then back to cool, then two more intense and then back to cool. Every time I was on cool it was registering intense and every time I was on intense it was registering cool. It felt really good to do that. Will continue that workout and see how it goes. Have to mix it up from time to time.

Went to a party last night. I was in total control. Only made up one plate of food, and didn't even eat it all - okay, okay - I did go back for a few carrots and one more tequito (how do you spell that). I only had one alcoholic beverage and had some water to wash it down. Did about 20 minutes of dancing with the group - would have done more, but they had the most boring band playing. Well, not boring, just wasn't music you could dance to unless you had a really cute looking dance partner. Getting my cardio in at a party is always a good thing.

Off to do some work around the house and get the rest of my day completed. Want to work on cleaning up a spare bedroom, but keep putting it off. There is a photo album from my sisters wedding I want to create. More photos from years ago to be sorted and organized. Emails to send out. Letters to mail (I love sending out "snail mail" - its always a treat to get something that isn't a bill in my mailbox).....not a long list of things to do today...

Wish for the rest of the week:

Exercise each morning (I told myself yesterday that you just need to do it - just get on it and do it)
Water - Water - Water (bought a big water jug to take to work - want to get it empty each day)
Looking into myself and finding what is going to make my happy.

Wishing you all a GREAT week!!

Going for my new size!!!!

Motivation - Where might it be??

I started this blog the other day and I thought - YES - this is it!! I am well on my way.

Well, well on my way went out the door without me. I wish I had packed my bags and went with it.

It has been a rough week. I always tell myself -

this is it

tomorrow is the day

I am going to do this

there are no excuses

don't sleep through the alarm

when the alarm goes off in the morning get up and get working out

look at your list of things to do and accomplish them (one being exercise)

don't be so lazy

you will feel better once you exercise. 

Do any of these things sound familiar?

I so want all of these lines out of my vocabulary.

Struggling already........this is not good!!

Going for my new size!!!!

Exercise Goal

My daily goal - everyday - exercise - everyday!!!

20 minutes
30 minutes
maybe even 60 minutes

I know this is something that I need to do EVERYDAY!!!

My mind is better
My body is better
My soul is better

I have a better day when I exercise in the morning - not only is my mind waking up, but I am waking up my body from a good nights sleep. I am planning my day, thinking about what else I need to accomplish, what other goals are on the horizon.

I end my day on a high note when I come home and put in say maybe 20 minutes of exercise - a time for my body to relax, to think about my day.


Having a workout buddy always helps - too
The Wii Just Dance moments with my 13 year old
The 45 minute walking the neighborhood with my sister
A morning text from a friend encouraging you to get up and exercise, is a good push in the right direction.

When I exercise my body is saying THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU

and I say back to my body - Thank You too!!!

Going for my new size!!!!

The Time Is Now

blink
blink
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goes the courser on the screen

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Now that I have finally set up my own blog - my very own blog to do with what I want to do with - I am not sure what to write.

I have done blogging before, with a really good friend. And not that I don't want to continue with that blog, it is just time for ME to find ME and to do things for ME.

This blog will be about getting healthier. As the title says - It's My New Size - I am going for a goal. A goal to lose weight. At this point I don't know how much total weight I want to lose. I know for sure that I want to lose 47 pounds before my 47th birthday. Just a few months from now, but I have been down this weight loss journey before and I know that I can work hard to hit that first goal of 47 pounds. It might not be exactly 47 by that 47th birthday, but it is a start in the right direction.

But that title - It's My New Size  - what new size - several sizes - one new size or many?

How will I achieve it?
When will I achieve it?
What will go into achieving it?
Where will I achieve it?
Why am I trying to achieve it?

there goes that blink - blink - blink again.............

Let's just start with the list -

1. Continue to avoid Fast Food (more to come on that later)

2. Drink 8 glasses (or more) of water a day

3. Exercise 30 - 45 minutes each day

4. No Soda

5. No Sweets

6. 5-6 Fruits and Vegetables a day

7. No eating after 8 pm

8. Get 6-7 hours of sleep a night (if not more)

Another good start in the right direction.

Going for my new size!!!!