Motivational (and Passionate) Monday

Try to focus on making losing weight something you are passionate about versus seeing it as an obstacle or a chore and you're more likely to stay motivated, inspired, and dedicated despite all the hard work.  I know this mindset might be easier said than done but hang in there and remember mind over matter. Hope you all are having a good summer so far!

Hi everyone!  I apologize that I had to take an extended hiatus from writing on here.  I had to devote a lot of the time that I had after my last entry in March into preparing for my wedding in April.  Things have definitely been sort of a whirlwind since then and I've had to play a lot of "catch-up" these past few months.  However, I think things in my life are finally starting to calm down a little bit to where I can begin to reestablish a sense of a normalcy in some of my routines.

Anyways, for most people, Summer usually begins after Memorial Day weekend so I guess we are technically in the middle of the season.  Even though anyone can try to lose weight during the year, summer tends to be a good starting time for a lot of people given the longer days, warmer weather, and the fact that it is bathing suit season, which can provide some motivation/inspiration.  If you want to lose weight and have not started yet, there might be no better time than right now, which will give you a head start to looking and feeling better by the time bathing suit season comes around next year.

I hope that since things have started to slowly calm down a little and given that the days feel longer, I will be able to finally get "back on track" myself.  I want to start getting back to posting on this blog more regularly and to regain my focus and motivation when it comes to my weight loss regimen including diet and exercise.  Hope you are also still hanging in there and remember to stay positive (and cool) this summer!

Sorry so long!

Hi everyone!  I know I have been missing in action for over a month now and I apologize for it.  I've just had a lot on my plate this past month (even more than usual!) and I have a feeling things won't lighten up until after April.  However, I wanted to put a quick entry here and update you all on my weight loss progress.  Despite the fact that I still have a long way to go before I reach my ultimate goal weight, I am happy to say that I have lost about 35 of the 60 pounds that I had gained about a year ago and which put me at my heaviest weight ever.  I am pretty excited to have reached some of my mini short-term goals and to start being able to wear some of my clothes that had gotten too tight to wear at my heaviest.  Even though I think I may have hit a plateau weight loss wise after losing these 35 pounds, my next mini-goal is to lose another 10 pounds and I am ready to face this challenge.  Anyways, I hope you all are doing well with your weight loss efforts.  Remember no matter how little or how slow your progress has been, progress is still progress so don't forget to stay positive!

Do something small-Motivational Monday

 

Love this motivational quote because it reminds us that every (even little) positive action we do is one that gets us closer to achieving our goal.  Better to do something small than nothing at all!

Starting the New Year off right!

Hello everyone and hello to a new year!  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season.  Even though I thoroughly enjoyed mine and having a little bit of a break, I am glad to be able to start this new year off on the right foot.  I felt like one of the best ways to begin this blog and welcome in 2014 is with a "Motivational Monday" quote.  I like this quote because it is a good mantra to remind yourself that even if you are pressed for time, almost any amount of exercise is beneficial and better than no exercise at all.  Let's also remember to try to start this year with a clean slate rather than a clean plate-heehee!

Holiday Health Helpers

Hello everyone!  I hope that you all are having a good holiday season though I can't believe that the upcoming new year is right around the corner.  For most people, the holiday season is filled not with just joy and love, but also indulgences and temptations (usually in the form of holiday foods, desserts, and holiday "spirits").  This year, I've decided to trying doing some "Holiday Health Helpers" from today until after January 1st.  The idea behind "Holiday Health Helpers" is that every day I will try to do at least two things, either planned or randomly, that will help to improve my health, whether it be physically (or diet wise), mentally, or spiritually.  Though each person's "Holiday Health Helpers" will vary based on their own lives and daily activities, some possible "helpers" for any one who might want to try doing it could include:

*eating breakfast (if you normally skip it)
*if you drink several cans of soda a day, replacing at least one can with an equivalent amount of water
*drinking an additional glass of water per day
*taking a negative thought and changing or replacing it with a positive one
*instead of sleeping in until the last minute, getting up 15 minutes earlier to do some stretching, yoga, or meditation
*trying to get at least 8 hours of sleep (especially if you are sleep deficient or staying up late)
*if you are overwhelmed at work, delegating tasks if possible 
*write in a journal-either for reflection or gratitude
*brisk walking or doing cardio exercise for at least 60 minutes per day
*getting in touch with a friend or loved one you haven't seen or spoken to in awhile
*walking your dog if you have one (the exercise is beneficial for them as well!)
*if you go out to eat several times a week, replacing one of those meals with one made at home
*watch one less hour of television or spend one less hour on the computer per day
*volunteer or donate to a charity whose cause you believe in
*taking a moment to focus on the blessings in your life instead of only your problems
*doing a kind gesture for someone or even a stranger without expecting anything in return
*eating a piece of fruit instead of candy (or anything with empty calories) if you are craving something sweet

This list of "helpers" could go on and on and again, will vary from person to person.  Many people might think only doing two "helpers" a day will not make a big difference.  However, to me, the overall goal of doing "Holiday Health Helpers" is to help make it easier for any one to start making positive changes.  When someone starts making small positive changes and begins to find it less challenging, they may become open to making more and more positive changes.  These changes, when done over a period of time, can then turn into positive habits, which can improve that person's overall well-being.  Anyways, I wish you all much happiness this holiday season, through the new year, and always.  It's so weird to say, but I'll see you (blog wise) in 2014!

A Weight Loss Winter

Hello everyone!  I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!  I just wanted to remind you that even though it is the holiday season, you don't have to wait until the new year (or its resolutions) to "get back on track."  Even if you indulge in some of the food temptations that the holiday season usually brings, you can still, at the very least, maintain your weight loss and not gain any weight.  Last year, I wrote a blog entry with some of the tips and tricks that I try to use so I don't pack on the pounds during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.  For this year's winter season, I am also trying to continue monitoring my diet and exercising in between each of the winter holidays but allowing myself to indulge in moderation during each of the holidays.  I feel that for me, personally, this strategy may help me to still work on my self-discipline and willpower but also allow myself to relax and enjoy the holiday without feeling guilty afterwards.  I understand that, even with this idea, the holiday season may still be very challenging to those who have tend to have a lot of functions, events, and get-togethers with each of the winter holidays.  However, I think it still could be beneficial to at least give it a try.  What's to lose?-except hopefully some weight :) Good luck!