Week 5 Goals

1. Bring lunch 3 times this week. PASS.  My mother made some chili, and I had enough for exactly 3 lunches last week!! 

2. Exercise 4 times. FAIL - I made my exercise on Tuesday before the play, which was excellent by the way.  I exercised on Thursday.  And I helped my sister move, although I'm sure I burned more calories than I would have doing cardio for 20 minutes, I still need to get in the habit of working out. 

3. Protein treatment on hair. PASS - I bought protein treatment, put it on my hair.  I even straightened my hair and trimmed my ends.  They didn't look too bad, however, I hadn't had them trimmed in about 9 or 10 months, so I thought I was due.  My hair is longer than it has ever been in my adult life, and healthy too!!!

4. No credit cards!!!! PASS - This needs to be a recurring goal!! 

GOALS for this week:

1. Bring lunch 2 times this week!

2. Exercise 4 times.

3. Deep Condition/Hot Oil treatment.

4. No credit cards!!!! PASS - This needs to be a recurring goal!! 

5. Count Calories.  I have fallen off of counting calories.  Although I am eating much better, I need to pick this back up, holds me accountable!

5 Things I Love About Me!!!

I feel like I spend a lot of time thinking about the things that I need to improve in my life, and rarely do I acknowledge the things that I'm proud of myself for, or that I simply like about myself.  So, this post may sound a bit conceited, or like I'm patting myself on the bad, but, sometimes I need it!!

1. Although I'm not in love with my hair at this particular moment, in general, I love my hair.  And I'm happy that I don't let anyone elses negativity dictate what it is that I do with it.  
2. I love my house.  I built a house, from the ground up, at the age of 26.  I know, there are lots of women doing that, and I'm proud to be one of them!!!
3. Although my money is funny, and I'm in way more debt than I should be, I never have to ask anyone, for anything.  I take care of myself, by myself.  Now, I would love to have a mate, to add to this, however, I think I'm doing a good job on my own, for now.
4. Although I have attitude and a half on any given day, I've managed to be very responsible professionally.  I've learned to get my point across without being a b***h, and when I'm so mad that I might say something to get myself in trouble, I keep my mouth closed.  
5. I'm a problem solver, sometimes, to a fault.  When people come to me with problems, or sometimes just to vent, I go into problem solving mode, as though it's my issue that needs solving.  In some instances, this is good, in some instances not so good, I have noticed this about myself, and although it's something I like about me, when the time is right, I'm happy that I'm working on just listening to people when they aren't really looking to me to solve their problems.

I'm Feeling Random...

• Dear people of Facebook, all of your facebook friends don't need a front row ticket to your life...keep some stuff to yourself...
• What is with all these teachers sleeping with their students???
• Huh, every time I see an infant/toddler, it makes me want a baby...
• I'm sorry to anyone I may offend, but the tv show, the game, on BET, is pure foolery.  I caught the end of the episode where Ole boy (can't remember his name) told Melanie that from now on, his child and baby mother were none of her business, and to not mention their names to him.  Yeah, there's marriage bound for success...
• If I feel like things aren't being done right, or in the most efficient way possible, I try to take over...but, I've been keeping my mouth shut lately, I feel like a new person...
• I forgot my lunch at home today :-(...
• Frontier is out of their mind, I will not be paying an extra $30 a month for cable, it's already to expensive, cancel me please...
• Why was my electric bill double what it normally is last month, something has to change...
• Verizon has the iPhone, at first I wanted it, but I'm over it now...
• I need to purchase B.o.B's album, ASAP...I know I'm late...
• I'm going to straighten my hair and trim my ends this weekend, I hope I don't mess my head up...
• To my 38 year old brother...no one owes you anything, not even our mother...get over yourself...
• Why are people so judgmental???
• I've officially been on my job for 5 years...can you say fully vested!!!
• In Indiana, we will not be receiving reminders to renew our license plates through the mail...I'm unsure how I feel about that.
• I painted my nails last week, and vowed that I would do it every week on Sunday, I've failed already...
• I am not in love with my hair right, but I feel like it's healthy, if that make any sense...
• I'm ready for spring, or warmer weather, and no snow...or ice...or wintry mix...
• I need to find some new recipes, spice up cooking at home...
• Ok, that's enough randomness today I suppose...

I'm So Excited!!!

I told Poetry a while back that I wanted to 'The Color Purple.' The play is coming here on Tuesday. He just moved into his first place, so his money is limited, so I told him never mind, I understand his funds are mainly going towards getting stuff for his place. Well, on Friday, he surprised me with tickets. That made my day. Not because I get to go to the play, but because of the gesture, he sacrificed so that we could do something I wanted to do, when he had a number of things he could of spend the money on. He's such a thoughtful person!!

Week 4 Goals

1. Stay under 1600 calories each day. FAIL

2. Protein and hot oil treatment hair. FAIL - Let me explain, about a month ago, I purchased 2 packets of protein treatment, and when I went to put it in my hair, to my surprise, I could not find them anywhere, I tore my linen closet up looking for the packets. So, I did a regular deep condition and hot oil treatment. So, I will do a protein treatment this coming weekend :-(.

3. Take lunch two days this week. - FAIL

4. No credit cards!!! - PASS

Well, last week I said these goals were simple, so simple that I failed most of them. I did not plan, so, I did not have anything to bring for lunch. I did not plan, so I did not stay under 1600 calories a day. To be honest, I'm not really disappointed, I'm learning WHY I've gotten to this weight, and why I've gotten in debt. And I'm taking steps to correct this, so I'm making progress! In the past, I fail a goal, I feel like I've let myself down yet again, and I fall back into the same habits that got me where I didn't want to be. Not this time, I will pick myself up and keep on trucking. I didn't get in debt overnight, nor did I gain weight overnight. I went to the grocery store, I planned my meals, and I cooked. So, this weeks goals should be a piece of cake to attain!!

1. Bring lunch 3 times this week. I brought my lunch today, and with the food that is already cooked in my refrigerator, I should bring my lunch at least 2 more times (if not everyday) this week.

2. Exercise 4 times. My back no longer hurts, so, I am going to get cardio in at least 4 times this week. I think I am going to wait on doing sit-ups again for a while. I will also complete week 2 of 100 push-up challenge!

3. Protein treatment on hair. I will make my way to Sally and purchase more protein treatment packs since I can't seem to place the ones I bought earlier this month.

4. No credit cards!!!!

One awesome thing that I accomplished last month, I paid off a credit card. I only owed $160, but, instead of sending them a smaller payment, I just sent the full amount. A small step in the right direction, and I'm proud of myself for making it. Cause what I really wanted to do was buy some boots, and underclothes, and clothes, there were all types of sales at the mall this weekend. But I didn't do it, I was good!!

Those Who Fail to Plan...

Plan To Fail....

That is seriously me. In an effort to learn myself, I've found that I give myself too much credit. Let me explain!!

I decided that I was going to do better. I am going to plan my meals, eat breakfast, lunch (twice a week), and dinner at (or from) home. Well, I did good, for about two weeks, then, I got cocky. Thinking to myself, 'oh, I'm good', 'I can make healthy decisions now'. As if I haven't been trying failing to make healthy decisions most of my adult life.

So, I know, what I should have known a long time ago but ignored, is that given choices, I don't make the healthy ones. Not with enough consistency to chance it, especially not after a measly two weeks. I cannot trust myself to go to the cafeteria and get a salad when chicken tenders and french fries and cookies and Mountain Dew is staring me in the face. I will not choose soup and salad at Wendy's when a junior bacon cheeseburger is calling my name. If I go to the vending machine, I will almost always choose M&M's over animal crackers, or nuts. It's like, I am successful at making healthy decisions when I plan, that I somehow forget, that it's the plan that makes me make healthy decisions.

The key, is doing something about my new learned knowledge about myself. I will plan my meals. That's the only way. I understand there are times when life will get in the way, however, I know that will be the exception. I am going to grocery shop once every two weeks. Typically, when I go to the store, I look and see what I'm short on, and replace. Instead, I will come up with a menu of things to eat for two weeks, and buy the things that I need to prepare those meals. A very simple concept, that I somehow refuse to do.

On the Bandwagon

I have been reading about this new brush that a lot of naturals were in love with, I read such rave reviews, I HAD to go and get one. Yep, I jumped right on the band wagon. It's not specifically for naturals, but, it works great for us!!

It's called the Tangle Teezer.



I was so excited, I absolutely have to use it!! So, I came home, put in my netflix movie, and started detangling on dry hair. My hair typically sheds, A LOT. The amount of hair that came out didn't even make me blink! I must say, I'm glad I jumped on the bandwagon this time, I absolutely love this brush. I definitely need to try it on wet hair before I'm ready to release all of my other detangling tools, but I have high hopes.

If I remember, I will update with what a review of using it wet!!

Week 3 Goals

For this week:
1. Exercise 4 times this week (completing week 2 of challenges) - FAIL

2. Write down all food eaten (staying under 2000 calories everyday) - FAIL

3. Do not use credit to do anything! (I feel silly that this has to be a goal, but it is) - PASS

4. Deep Condition hair (I am getting in the routine of deep conditioning my hair weekly, but I want to keep track.) - PASS

5. Bring lunch twice a week. (if this isn't a goal, it will not happen) - PASS

Ok, I have an excuse, a really good one. Thursday night, I woke up in the middle of the night, with the most excruciating pain I've ever felt. It felt like someone was stabbing me. I was having muscle spasms, at least that's what my doctor told me. So she prescribed me a muscle relaxer and anti-inflammatory. These pills didn't do squat for the pain I was in. I had the most horrible weekend ever. So, needless to say, the last thing on my mind was writing down what I was eating, and exercising was definitely not going to happen. So, although I didn't meet my goals, I am not upset nor disappointed. I am taking this week off of exercise. I felt like I had asthma this morning walking in to work. I cannot take deep breaths, cough, or lay on my right side. So, if my breathing doesn't improve in the next couple of days, I'm going back to my doctor, and this time, I'm going to make her do her job. So, my goals this week will be different than what they would have been if I were healthy. Life happens right, so I'm going to roll with it.

1. Stay under 1600 calories each day.

2. Protein and hot oil treatment hair.

3. Take lunch two days this week.

4. No credit cards!!!

I feel like these goals are too simple, but I know my history, I lose focus, and I have to hold myself accountable.

Week 2 Goals

First, let's recap last weeks goals:
1. Exercise at least 4 times this week. (Start 100 push-up challenge, 200 squat challenge, 200 sit-up challenge) I have to say that I achieved this goal, barely. I worked out Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. I completed week 1 of all of the challenges. Overall, I think I'm off to a good start!!

2. Drink 8 cups of water everyday.
There were a few days that I did not get 8 cups in. It wasn't because I wasn't trying to, I have to admit, I was going to the restroom so much, I decided not to drink anymore water on those days. The frequency of bathroom breaks is decreasing though, so, I'm going to keep pushing!!

3. Bring lunch from home twice this week.
I was definitely successful here!!

4. Gather final numbers for paying off debt!! (Sadly, I did some damage for Christmas gifts...)
I did this, and let me tell you, it ain't pretty, but I have my starting point. This number needs to continue to go down!

5. Write down ALL food eaten.
I did it, and man, I eat like crap. My resolution for the year, is to get to eating 1600 calories a day. Needless to say, I have some work to do. I ate under 1600 3 days last week, the other days, well above.

I have to say I am proud of myself, I obtained my goals.

For this week:
1. Exercise 4 times this week (completing week 2 of challenges)

2. Write down all food eaten (staying under 2000 calories everyday)

3. Do not use credit to do anything! (I feel silly that this has to be a goal, but it is)

4. Deep Condition hair (I am getting in the routine of deep conditioning my hair weekly, but I want to keep track.)

5. Bring lunch twice a week. (if this isn't a goal, it will not happen)

I'm Feeling Random...

• We've been dating for almost 4 months, feels much longer than that...
• Journaling my food shows me that I really...truly eat like crap
• My ex needs to grow up, I can't believe I dated such an immature person...
• Hindsight is always 20/20...
• Consistency, I need to work on it...
• My stepdad is one of the nicest, most annoying people I know, I love him dearly...
• My nephew needs a wake-up call, soon...
• I need a ladder...
• My sister is getting married in the DR...because of my financial goals, I don't want to go, but that's my sister...I'll be there
• I will not use my PTO up this year, working the week after Christmas was a chore...
• I need to call my new CASA family...
• Considering taking money from my Roth IRA to pay down some debt, but I think I need to take the slow route, to truly learn my lesson and not get credit card debt again...
• Volleyball starts tonight!!
• I can't wait for the library to allow checking out of eBooks!!
• Until then I'm taking advantage of the free classics that I can read...
• I'm much broker than even I thought...
• I brought my lunch today!!!
• I need to give my niece her gift, she was with her mom on Christmas...
• I need to take that gift back, I need the money, lol...
• I have a serious love hate relationship with my hair...
• I need to get my DVD's from my mother's house...
  

Da.nce Yo.ur A** O.ff

That's what I plan on doing. Well, not completely, in my perfect world, I would like to lose equally all over. I do understand that I'm dreaming.

On Christmas, after we ate and talked for a while, my brothers children started up the Wii, the game of choice, Just Dance 2. I absolutely loved the game. I didn't want to stop playing, but since my brothers wasn't my only stop for the day, I gave up the remote.

My other niece got The Michael Jackson Experience for Christmas, when I went to her house and played, I fell in love with the game. My sister bought me one of the games, and I bought one with a gift card that I had. Technically, to get a lot of points on these games, you simply need to move one arm with the dancer on the game, but that's no fun. I get into it. When I'm in my living room dancing, I'm dancing to impress. No one in particular, but it makes the games much more fun and interesting. And, it's great exercise. I do not plan on getting a gym membership, so these games will add some variety to my workouts!

I now have options for cardio, elliptical, running, dancing!!!!!

Week 1 Goals:

1. Exercise at least 4 times this week. (Start 100 push-up challenge, 200 squat challenge, 200 sit-up challenge)

2. Drink 8 cups of water everyday.

3. Bring lunch from home twice this week.

4. Gather final numbers for paying off debt!! (Sadly, I did some damage for Christmas gifts...)

5. Write down ALL food eaten.