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Posts Tagged ‘goals’

#14 Watch Stranger Things

Posted in Happiness Project 2018, Motivation, Positive Living, tagged , , , , , , , , on March 25, 2018| Leave a Comment »

BottlebrushI realize that I am probably one of the last humans on the planet that waited so long to watch Stranger Things. In my defense, I do not have much time to watch television, and there are few shows that I watch alone in real time or with Andrew. He is just as busy during the school year as I am, so coordinating our schedules to watch a couple of hours of television together can be difficult. However, we manage to squeeze in some time here and there for our favorite shows. Andrew and I had finished watching Parks and Recreation during Mardi Gras break, so we decided to start watching Stranger Things. Many of my friends, family, acquaintances, and even some of my students encouraged me to watch it since they thought it would be a show that I would really enjoy. Boy, were they right. Stranger Things is SUPER awesome! I’m obsessed with it. I absolutely LOVE that it takes place in the 1980s. The show is basically about a group of geeky kids who meet an unusual girl with special abilities around the same time that one of their friends vanishes into a mysterious place that is home to a disturbing creature. It is like the X-Files meets the Goonies. The seasons are not very long, so we blew through both of them within a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, the next season does not come out until 2019. Alas, Andrew and I will just have to watch Beyond Stranger Things which delves into the secrets of the Stranger Things universe, specifically Season 2 and re-watch the two seasons prior to Season 3 premiering next year.

In other news…spring has sprung! I have been enjoying the extended daylight in the evenings. Unfortunately,  I only walked on Monday during the first week. I did much better this past week by walking on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and I will walk this afternoon. I’m walking between 30-35 minutes while listening to a podcast.

I started reading Part 2: “This Is How You Eat to Get Hot and Healthy” in Jackie Warner’s book. I read the chapter “Add to Lose” which basically explains the fat-burning foods that need to be added to your existing diet without changing it, supplementing your diet to maximize results, and subtracting foods that cause sensitivities. This chapter is a 2-Week Jump Start to Warner’s program. Therefore, it looks like I will be jump starting on the Monday after Easter along with starting my food journal.

On 19 March (Monday), I started Oprah and Deepak’s Shedding the Weight Meditation. It has been a wonderful way to end my day. It definitely relaxes me.

Only four days, dear reader, until I start Easter break and drop Andrew off at the airport for his adventure to Ireland, Wales, and London. How I wish I could fit in his suitcase! While he is away, I plan to spend time with family and friends, read, meditate, exercise, and organize my scrapbooking materials for my annual girls’ scrapbooking weekend at the end of May. Have a peaceful week while striving to make some area of your life better. Happiness!

“Making each moment count positively is all that life demands from you.”               ~ Edmond Mbiaka

 

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Sprung Forward 2018

Posted in Happiness Project 2018, Motivation, Positive Living, tagged , , , , , , , , , on March 11, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Daylight Saving Time is FINALLY here!MC900432635[1] Three weeks ago I assigned myself some action steps for improving my health that I wanted to complete by today. Unfortunately, I did not complete them all. I have been working quite a bit at school and helping Andrew get ready for his upcoming trip to Ireland. Instead of admonishing myself, I am praising myself for the steps that I did accomplish (week 1). After all, I do have until the end of the year to complete this goal.

I reread Part 1: “This is Why You’re Fat” in Jackie Warner’s This is Why You’re Fat (And How to Get Thin Forever). This section of the book basically explains the three hormones that make you thin, the four hormones that make you fat, balancing your hormones naturally, outsmarting your cravings, sugar overload and weight gain, sugar addiction, hidden sugars, detoxifying your liver, thyroid and metabolism, and avoiding adrenal burnout. Sadly, I am a sugar addict, and I am abusing my body with eating unhealthily and not exercising regularly.

I increased my water intake. In three weeks, I drank a lemonade (Taco Bell) and two mocha lattes (PJ’s/BAM). Otherwise, I drank only water or hot green tea with pomegranate.  I do limit my tea consumption to two cups per day (12 ounce cups) mixed with a little honey.

I weighed myself this afternoon instead of this morning because I forgot that today was the day. I weighed in at 157 pounds which is a three pound increase from my last weigh-in on 12 February 2018. I refuse to fret. This means I need to weigh at least 139 pounds by the end of 2018. Of course, more is BETTER in this situation.

Realistically, I know that I will not start my food journal until the Monday after Easter. I am off of work, so this week will be a perfect week to begin the journal. However, I do need to read Part 2 and Part 3 of Jackie Warner’s book in order to buy the healthy foods I will be implementing in my diet and to create an exercise schedule. Tomorrow, I start walking in the evenings after dinner and will begin keeping an exercise log, as well.

On 19 March 2018, I will again participate in Oprah and Deepak’s Shedding the Weight Meditation. It is a free 21-Day Meditation. I thoroughly enjoy their meditation series. I am thrilled that the Chopra Center is repeating this one. What perfect timing since I am focusing on my health and wanting to shed some weight!

Dear reader, I am getting excited about this leg of the 2018 journey. There is so much to gain from eating clean, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and incorporating meditation in your life. If you want to join the free meditation series, click on the link above to register. Enjoy your upcoming week and be proactive with your own goals for this year. Happiness!

“Life is a great asset we must all endeavor to acquire, keep and daily maintain it well with all due diligence, for without life, all other assets have no real meaning to our lives.” ~ Ernest Agyemang Yeboah

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#2 Figure Out Instagram

Posted in Happiness Project 2018, Motivation, Positive Living, tagged , , , , , , , , on February 17, 2018| 2 Comments »

 

Kat & Michelle

#oldfriendsarethebestfriends

Over the Mardi Gras break while visiting with my fabulous friend Michelle, I finally figured out Instagram. With her guidance, I was able to create my Instagram account, gain a few followers, and even become a follower myself. Although I am still learning the ropes, it is a fairly easy social media platform to navigate, and it’s a cool way to express yourself. Pictures make me happy!

 

In other news, I weighed myself at the beginning of the week. As of 12 February 2018, I weighed in at 154 pounds. Daylight Saving Time is about 21 days away. This means more daylight which means my running shoes will be hitting the asphalt very soon. This also means that I will begin working on shedding the 18 pounds I want to lose this year. Therefore, the next three weeks leading up to the time change is preparation time for getting serious about exercising more regularly and eating clean. My preparation includes rereading Jackie Warner’s This is Why You’re Fat (And How to Get Thin Forever) and taking a couple of action steps to be ready for the big day.

Week 1: Drink more water. Read Part 1: “This is Why You’re Fat”

Week 2: Start food journal. Read Part 2: “This is How You Eat to Get Hot and Healthy”

Week 3: Create exercise schedule. Read Part 3: “This is How You Exercise to Get Hot and Healthy”

11 March 2018: Reweigh myself. Put 18 marbles in the Pounds To Go container. Read Part 4: “This is How You Stay Hot and Healthy”

I’ll have nine months to achieve my goal. No more excuses. I’m tired of being tired and unhealthy.

For being off of work for a week, I have been quite busy. Thank goodness I had the week off to accomplish everything! I have more to share with you, dear reader; however, it will have to wait for another time. I still owe you a post on my last two weeks of time tracking. I thought for sure I would have more time to write this week, but alas, that was not the case. All in good time. Happiness!

“Your Monday morning thoughts set the tone for your whole week. See yourself getting stronger, and living a fulfilling, happier & healthier life.” ~ Germany Kent

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18 for 2018: A Happiness Project

Posted in Happiness Project 2018, Positive Living, tagged , , , , , on January 3, 2018| Leave a Comment »

My happiness project this year is to simply complete 18 objectives throughout 2018. I’ll keep you posted as I cross them off my list. Here is my 18 for 2018 list:

  1. Order two birth certificates for myself (contact vital records in California).
  2. Figure out Instagram.
  3. Create a Google Photo account.
  4. Lose 18 pounds.
  5. Blog at least once per month (of course, more would be better).
  6. Plan a trip to New York City with Andrew for 2019.
  7. Interact with a sloth.
  8. Buy Andrew a reasonably priced and reliable used car.
  9. Visit a museum.
  10. Try a voice (singing) lesson.
  11. Update my LinkedIn account.
  12. Organize my master bedroom closet.
  13. Make an appointment with my eye doctor.
  14. Watch Stranger Things.
  15. Complete a 5K.
  16. Read Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days by Chris Guillebeau.
  17. Keep track of my time.
  18. Plan my 50th birthday celebration.

Other Plans for 2018:

  1. On Goodreads I joined the Reading Challenge, and my goal is to read 50 books. I surpassed my goal of 50 books in 2017 by reading 55 books.
  2. Andrew and I will be attending Comic Con in New Orleans this weekend, so he can meet Stan Lee.
  3. I will be attending my annual scrapbooking convention with my gal pals May 31st-June 3rd.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Fleetwood Mac will come to New Orleans this year for their farewell tour. Seeing them perform again would be awesome and a giant boost to my happiness. So, dear reader…how about you? Have you made resolutions or have goals you would like to complete in 2018? If so, please share. Happiness!

“Clear visions and positive goals, leads to positive actions and purposeful life.”     ~ Lailah Gifty Akita, Pearls of Wisdom: Great mind

 

 

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Productive Procrastination

Posted in Inspiration, Positive Living, tagged , , , , , on February 21, 2016| Leave a Comment »

I woke up this morning feeling grumpy. The grumpiness was clearly in response to the disappointment I was feeling with myself. I feel stalled in Mission Innovation. Instead of grading an assignment for school, I decided to procrastinate. I worked a good bit on school stuff yesterday and resented the fact that I would have to do it again today. With a cup of coffee in hand, my I-Pad, and a notebook, I took to the front porch to listen to the second session of Danielle LaPorte’s Fire Starter Sessions audio course that I signed up for last month. Tomorrow is the last day of the course, and out of sixteen sessions, I was just listening to the second one. Ironically, in this session, LaPorte talked about embracing easy (quality easy) and addressed procrastination as being easy and that it can be divine. Alleluia! My mood brightened somewhat.

After the session, I went inside to have breakfast and read a reflection a coworker sent out this morning. It began, “TRUST AND THANKFULNESS WILL get you safely through this day. Trust protects you from worrying and obsessing. Thankfulness keeps you from criticizing and complaining” (Sarah Young, Jesus Calling). Wow! I decided that instead of starting any school work, I would look at the emails I received all week pertaining to the two Blogging University courses I signed up for last month and have NOT had the time to really participate in. I have been storing the information with the hope that I will be able to do more with them in the next few months. I started reconstructing the ABOUT area of my blog which was one of the topics this week. Then, well, yeah…I did not start working on school stuff. I surfed the web, played some games, and procrastinated some more. I chose “inner rhythms over external pressures” (Danielle LaPorte). Magazine StashI finally dusted in my bedroom, cleaned off surfaces, threw away Andrew’s binder that had been residing under my nightstand for the last two years, and made a plan to sort through the scrapbooking magazines my BFF gave me years ago. I felt like I was on an archaeological dig to find my bedroom. And, I had fun and my grumpiness faded completely away.

Despite the fact that I do not feel that I am making much progress with my audio course or my blogging courses, I am still getting something out of both opportunities. My disappointment comes from having expectations. I need to trust and be thankful. On the other hand, my procrastination paid off today. I have two new goals to complete in the next few weeks: update the ABOUT section of my blog and go through the scrapbooking magazines (59 total). While I did not do any school work, I did make my to-do list for the week.

The weekend is over, dear readers. May you all have a fantastic week. Happiness!

“Make stuff that feels good to make-your way.” ~ Danielle LaPorte

 

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Acceptance! Thanks, Alexander Graham Bell.

Posted in Health and Fitness, Motivation, Positive Living, tagged , , , , , , , , , on April 1, 2013| Leave a Comment »

“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”             ~ Alexander Graham Bell

I discovered the above quote this morning, and it spoke to me loudly and clearly. For the last few months since I started my new job, I’ve been looking back longingly upon the closed door. On the surface, I’m grateful to have a job; however, when I delve deeper, I must admit I have not fully accepted some of the changes the job has made in my life. I miss my flexibility. And, by focusing on what I’ve lost by taking this job instead of what I’ve gained has put me in an underlying funk. Sure, it has presented some challenges, but it also has provided some opportunities. So starting today, my goal is to at least “accept” where I’m at on my life journey right NOW, in the present. Not where I was a few months ago or where I think I’ll be in a few months down the road. According to Eckhart Tolle, “Acceptance means: For now, this is what this situation, this moment, requires me to do, and so I do it MH900441932willingly….Performing an action in the state of acceptance means you are at peace while you do it.”  I have to adjust my attitude. Tolle says, “The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but your thoughts about it.” Whew! I’m happy I spotted the open door before it was too late.

I’m off work today, and that’s no April Fool’s joke.  My little guy and I are going to the movies this afternoon to see The Croods. Afterwards, we plan to work out at the gym. He’ll go to the Fit Kids class and I’ll run/walk. Yep, after two weeks of doing absolutely nothing but exercising my jaw, I’m getting back on the program. This morning I pulled out the scale, my food journal & training log, the club’s exercise schedule, as well as my health & fitness goals. The bad news: I weighed in this morning at 138.5 pounds (gained back 12.5 pounds since December). The good news: I’m getting back on track TODAY.

Two interesting blog posts pertaining to health & fitness: Fool Proof Diet Reboot by Yvette Quantz of Food Therapy and The 38 Best Methods of Successful Exercisers by Leo Babauta of zenhabits.

Whatever the day brings, approach it with the right attitude. In my opinion, this is easier said than done. Remember, I just discovered the open door today. However, strive for acceptance of the situation and don’t let your thoughts about the situation dictate how you will feel. Happiness!

“Breaking old habits and forming new ones always takes time, but it is worth it in the end.” ~ Joyce Meyer 

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Home Sweet Home: Goals for My Home

Posted in Home, Positive Living, tagged , , , , , , , on March 30, 2013| Leave a Comment »

MC900389392When setting goals for this year, I listed a few for my home. After work, I spend the majority of my time at home. The goals for my home deal with simplicity and preparation for a home makeover. I would like for my family and I to develop a way of living which embraces minimalism. My list of goals includes:

  • Minimize stuff: I want to spend the next nine months going through my house, room by room, purging STUFF. The goal is to donate, trash, use, or organize the stuff. Then minimize what is brought in the house from that point.
  • Make Repairs/Finish Unfinished Projects: My hubby loves projects, especially when it involves building something. And, he is awesome at planning the projects and starting them; however, he is NOT so awesome at completing them. 
  • Learn to Paint like a PRO: I have always wanted to learn how to paint properly. I would like to take a class at Lowe’s or Home Depot and learn how to paint the rooms in my house like a professional. Sometimes, just painting a room is all that is needed to spruce it up.
  • Bookcases: This year I plan to hire my Daddy to build my bookcases. As most of my friends know, I’m a bookaholic. I love books and plan to purge my collection; however, I will still have oodles of books that need to be placed on shelves instead of piles.  I’m hoping this project can be started over the summer after Barry finishes building his deck.
  • Redecorate Plan: If the first four goals get accomplished, I want to create a redecorating plan for 2014. It will not be anything elaborate because the main goal is simplicity. It will concentrate on the inside of the house.
  • Purchases: My hubby and I need a new bed with a headboard. We also need curtains in our bedroom to block out the light caused by a neighbor living behind us. The light he installed in his backyard is so bright it illuminates our entire bedroom, and I can’t sleep. We now have sheets tacked over our blinds. They are not the most attractive window treatments.

Since I have a couple of days off from work, I will start in my bedroom and work my way to my master bathroom and closet. Barry will be working on his deck; however, if it rains, I will suggest he start working on his closet, as well. The main hurdle for me will be eliminating the attachment I have to some of this stuff. This will be a wonderful opportunity to practice the power of NOW. Happiness!

“Have nothing in your homes that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” ~ William Morris

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376

Posted in Books/Reading, Health and Fitness, Motivation, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on March 29, 2013| 3 Comments »

I have good news and bad news. IMG_3340The GOOD NEWS: I reached one of my Health & Fitness resolutions which was to run a 5K. On Saturday, 16 March, I ran the Hammond Rotary Shamrock Run. The start and finish were on SLU’s campus. Despite the temps being in the forties, it was a gorgeous sunshiny “perfect for a run” day. I had set three goals for myself: finish the race, run the entire way, and complete in 30 minutes. I accomplished ALL three goals. Actually, I surpassed one goal by finishing the race in 28:55. I’m SUPER proud of myself. My hubby and Comet tagged along to cheer me on throughout the race course.

The BAD NEWS: I have NOT exercised since the race. I could give you my list of excuses, but I won’t. Frankly, I wanted to take a break.  I’ll be back on track Monday, 1 April.

There are three upcoming races I plan to run:

  • Holy Ghost Parish Spirit Run (20 April)
  • Mi5Ke Run (11 May)
  • Zombie Run (23 June)

My hubby and I are already registered for the Zombie Run.

I started reading Jackie Warner’s current fitness book called 10 Pounds in 10 Days. I don’t believe I will lose ten pounds in ten days; however, I do believe it will motivate me to finally drop the holiday weight.

Getting back on track can be tough, especially if you are not living in the NOW. I wish I could master living in the NOW. It seems like such a simple concept; however, it’s a very difficult thing to do. I may have to consider rereading A New Earth or The Power of Now again. In the meantime, I’ll have to do my best. Happiness!

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.” ~ Eckhart Tolle

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Spring Forward!

Posted in Health and Fitness, Healthier Lifestyle 8-Week Challenge, Motivation, tagged , , , , , on March 9, 2013| Leave a Comment »

MC900432635[1]Don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour before going to bed tonight. Daylight Saving Time is FINALLY here (rock music plays with confetti spewing everywhere)! I’m just a little excited thinking about everything I plan to accomplish in the upcoming months.

For the past ten days, I have been setting my clock 5 minutes earlier each day so I can get up earlier in the mornings (even weekends). Today, I woke up at 4:30AM. Hopefully, by Saturday (16 March), I’ll be up at 4:00AM. Before it got cold, I was getting up at 4:00AM. This allowed me the time to run/workout before my day got started.  I didn’t have to worry about unexpected stuff happening in the afternoons, getting out of work late, or shutting down because it got dark early interfering with me exercising. Also, the weather is warming up which means I’m able to run outside more often. Soon, I’ll be enjoying my early morning runs again. I can’t wait! I’m already energized just thinking about it.

Mon frere, Moonius Maximus and I completed the Healthier Lifestyle 8-Week Challenge. My week #8 total was 156 points. I earned 156 points for making healthy choices and 0 points for weight loss. Our points for exercise were doubled this week. My final weigh-in was 134 pounds. Moonius Maximus earned 92 points. He earned 92 for making healthy choices and 5 points for maintaining his weight loss. His final weigh-in was 184 pounds. Despite the fact that neither one of us reached our initial weight loss goals (Kat: 125 pounds/Moonius: 175), we are not treating ourselves as failures. Moonius won the challenge of losing the most weight. I won the challenge of earning the most points for healthy choices. Both of us have developed better habits because of the challenge and will continue striving for a healthier lifestyle.

Now, it is time for me to lace up my running shoes and head over to the gym for my run on the treadmill. I have plenty to do today, and I want to start my day off on the right foot, so to speak. Wishing my readers a SUPER weekend. Happiness!

“Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Health & Fitness Goals 2013

Posted in Health and Fitness, Healthier Lifestyle 8-Week Challenge, Motivation, tagged , , , , , , on February 26, 2013| Leave a Comment »

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to think about different areas of my life (health & fitness, home, acting, family, finances) and wrote down a few goals I’d like to work on in each of these areas this year and beyond. One would think after losing weight, exercising on a regular basis, and eating clean 90% of the time there wouldn’t be a need for more health and fitness goals. This couldn’t be further from the truth for me. While I like routine, I also like variety.  And, I like challenges. My challenge has been to drop the 7 pounds I gained from the Christmas holidays. Unfortunately, I haven’t been too successful. Not sure exactly why. However, I have my suspicions it has something to do with the weather and getting dark early. Daylight savings time is just around the corner (10 March), and spring isn’t far behind. I’m hoping the combination of warmer weather and longer daylight hours is the answer to shedding these unwanted pounds.

This is my list of Health & Fitness resolutions:

  • Continue to exercise on a regular basis (shoot for 5 days a week).
  • Try new classes/exercises to challenge muscles and keep it fresh.
  • Run a 5K.
  • Run a 5K with zombies in it. (June 2013)
  • Continue to eat clean, and shoot for 95% of the time. More veggies and 8 glasses a water each day.
  • Try new recipes even though cooking is not my favorite thing (shoot for 3 new recipes a month).
  • Make the time to prep food/plan meals ahead of time (shoot for 3 days a week).
  • When the weather gets nicer, walk my dog (Comet aka Tooty) on a more regular basis (shoot for 4 times a week).

On Saturday, I registered for the Hammond Rotary 5K Shamrock Run being held on the SLU Campus on Saturday, 16 March. Of course, my main goal is to finish; however, I want to run the entire race in 30 minutes. Pray for good weather.

Here is an interesting blog post from Leo Babauta of zenhabits about health & fitness: Create the Habits of Being Lean, in 7 Years

Healthier Lifestyle 8-Week Challenge Update

My week #7 total was 169 points. I earned 169 points for making healthy choices and 0 points for weight loss. Our points for not eating after 9PM was doubled this week. According to my scale Monday, I gained 3.5 pounds (REALLY!) which makes my weight 135.5 pounds. I weighed myself again this morning with 133 pounds. Still a pound gain! I want to kick that scale to the curb. Moonius Maximus earned 105 points. He earned 100 for making healthy choices and 5 points for maintaining his weight loss. His weight is still 184 pounds. We have one more week to complete this challenge. Moonius and I will NOT give up. We are determined to finish this challenge with a positive attitude. Happiness!

“It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.” ~ Andy Warhol

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