Positive Vibes....

Whatever you want to call it, you need to surround yourself by like minded people. That does not mean you need to change out all the people in your life, but it does mean you need to make room for a few more. The people on your current 'playlist' know the you that you are trying to change. They are comfortable with the habits you want to rewire. They, too, are scared of change. And you are now striving for change, striving to move out of your comfort zone. Look around you and reach out. The easiest way to do this is through social networking. Add some people who have reached the goals you are working for. Add some people that are working toward goals that resemble yours. Add some people that have done some crazy stuff!! You can learn from them all. Support is not tangible but it is critical. Build a team of cheerleaders, cheer on others, and watch yourself bloom!

Saturday Mornings....

My absolute favorite day of the week. Saturday mornings I wake up and the first thing I do is make a pot of coffee. Every other day of the week my first reach is for my breakfast, but on Saturdays, I coffee up. :) Something about relaxing with a cup of coffee, changing my routine for a minute, and the quiet house just brings me full circle. My AH-HA moments.

Yesterday I took my oldest, Taylor on her second visit to a college that has expressed interest in her.  We met with the academic adviser, had a meeting with the person in charge of Health Professions, and then she went off with a girl from the volleyball team and Madison and I went to the mall for a couple of hours. Met back at the College, and met up with the coach again. I have been pretty adamant about letting Taylor own this process and make the decisions as we visit schools.Yesterday, she accepted an offer to attend Parkland College with a full athletic scholarship. I had to use all my control not to tear up in that coaches office and embarrass her. Proud mommy moment. And not because of the scholarship, but because of the way she handled herself through the entire process. Smart kid. :)

Grocery store for me today. Two papers to write for school. Two lessons plans to prepare for my field work. But for now.....I am still savoring a wonderful yesterday and a quiet morning.
It bears repeating:

Meal Plan in Hand....

My meal plan for the Biggest Loser contest is in hand. I start Monday. :) Love having a goal and a meal plan. The next 8 weeks will be me working out, eating accordingly and seeing results! Nothing motivates me more than results. :)

You will want to quit...Don't.

I saw this today. It is so true. There are many, many times I want to quit. Each time I want to I have to make a choice.....
Just this morning, snowed in and bitter cold, I was thinking Boot Camp or Hibernate. Hibernate was winning. My facebook status reveals this. Stay home, write my two papers due today, stay warm. Then I saw this post:

I have a Boot Camp to get to. Ciao for now.....

 This is so true. Me hungry defines GRUMPY. It's ugly...

 And it is such a joy to be able to say that and mean it!!!!

 Not saying but...just saying! Get over it boys....

YOu can!!! You can!!! You really CAN!!!!

Life resumes....

Weighed in for the Biggest Loser competition. 147 pounds and 23% body fat. Like I said I want to lose 10 pounds. But I was so happy about my body fat! One year ago, before I started training, my body fat was 32% and the same weight. This means my body composition has completely changed, for the BETTER! So now my goal is to drop these 10 pounds and get my body fat to 20% by march 27th. Let's go.....

Back to work, classes started tonight, life resumes insanity. Flying to Florida tomorrow for my grandfathers funeral and then flying home Thursday and today I have a hella head cold. Should be interesting. This is what we love about life, right??? It keeps us guessing.....

A couple of interesting motivational pieces I have stumbled upon.....

And THIS picture...................................................

Yes. I would be perfectly okay with looking like that.

Winter Break: I heart You!

Being a teacher means I get a nice two week break every year at the busiest time possible. It is truly a treat. When life is in full swing I often find myself so lost in routine that I rarely get a moment of stillness. Having 2 weeks off from work, school, and schedules is a gift beyond measure. Tomorrow I return to work, the next week I return to school, and life returns to hectic. I am ready.

This year's agenda is to master my finances. I am such a slacker in this area of my life it is criminal. I have decided this is no longer acceptable for me and I need to take steps to change this. Now is the time. I am sure I will be blogging about it as I go.

I will also take my fitness to a new level. I have been up and down due to a shoulder injury. Done with that. My methods of training will have to change, not whether I do it or not but how I do it. I will move to more reps, more bands, more cables and less heavy upper body lifting. I am absolutely loving my Boot Camps and hope to continue to do those also.

I have 10 pounds to drop in the near future and 10% bodyfat to shed. I am going to join the Biggest Loser competition at work to help motivate me to do this. I LOVE a good competition!!!

6 more classes until I complete my Bachelors, which means 2012 I will graduate from Kendall College. The same year Taylor graduates from high school. That goal has been in progress for 6 long years now!! Two years for my AA, 3 years at Kendall, and 1 year off in between. Wow.....

How appropriate is this.....

My journey from that to THIS!: 2012!

My journey from that to THIS!: 2012!

2012!