New Year, New...

Eh, I don't make New Year's Resolutions anymore.  Because seriously, I never stick to them.  I do for may a couple of months, then I'm back to my old habits.  So I figure, why put all that time and energy into noting things I want to improve on just because it's the beginning of the year?  I guess it is a good time to reflect on the improvements I've already started to make, and commit to continuing these improvements into the next year!

I will continue to actively participate in weight watchers. 

I will continue to pay down debt with the hopes of being out of credit card debt this time next year!! 

I will continue getting to know my hair!!

I will continue to pamper myself (responsibly)!!

One of my goals, that I have not actively started, is to run a 5k.  Running has been a challenge for me, that I really want to overcome.  There is a 4 mile run/walk that is really popular in the city, I'm going to register for that!!

I guess those could be considered resolutions...oh well!

Week 13 Goals

Recap of last week:

1. Workout 5 times. - FAIL - I worked out 4 times.  I missed Thursday and Friday.  But, instead my typical, oh well I'm not going to make my goal, start over on Monday, I worked out as much as I could. 

I didn't really have any other goals from last week. 

Goals for this week:

1. Workout 5 times.  And, get my 3 weight lifting sessions in.  I've been doing both, but last week, I only lifted weights once.  I need all 3 sessions.

2. Drink 8 cups of water a day.

3. COOK.  I have been eating out WAY too much, time to get on track.  No eating out for dinner before the weekend.

4. No credit cards.  This will be a tight week, I cannot allow myself to turn to cc's for a break.  I have enough food at home to eat off of all week.  I don't need gas.  I have no excuse!

Week 12 Goals

Recap of last week:

1. Workout 5 times. - Pass!!!  My part time job isn't bad at all.  I'm not there as late as I thought I would be, so I have time to workout at night.  I even worked out in the morning a couple of times last week!!

2. Get at least 7 hours of sleep a night.  - FAIL - There were probably a few days of 7 hours or more, but I'm pretty sure they were on the weekend.

3.Take lunch two times a week. - FAIL - I did not take my lunch one day :-(. 

Goals for this week:


I waited entirely too late in the week to do this post.  So, I'm not going to post any goals for two reasons.  1, if I put a goal that I've pretty much already attained, I feel like it's cheating.  2, if I haven't attained it, I probably won't with it being Thursday.

I know I will get my 5 workouts in, I've worked out twice this week, and I plan on working out tonight, tomorrow, and Saturday (maybe Sunday, but we'll see). 


I am on week 4 of Couch to 5k, this week is tough.  Well, tough for me, the 5 minute runs are killing me, but I'm fighting through.  I've found a couple of 5k's that I can sign up for, but I'm leaning towards one on June 18th. It's about 13 weeks away, plenty of time to get a respectable 5k time, for me.  There are about 5 more weeks to complete couch to 5k, so that gives me some time to work on increasing my run time, work on my breathing, and whatever else I may need to do (I need to do some research maybe).  This will be my first ever race, so I'm looking to enjoy it!!  If anyone has any tips, I'm open!!!!

I had a very irresponsible weekend, I left my camera in my best friends car, I lost my ID, and a credit card (one that is paid off :-)).  I've ordered a new ID, that should be here within the next week, and reported my card lost.  Luckily I realized on Sunday before anyone could find and use my credit card.  I need to get it together.

Week 10 Goals

I have been eating maple oatmeal, with a banana cut up in it, and almonds for breakfast.  It is really good, but I need to switch it up!

Recap of last week:

1. Workout 5 times - Although I've worked out at least 3 times the past couple of weeks, I need to step my workouts up.  It's time!!! - PASS!!!!!!!!!  I feel great that I passed this goal.  It was tough, but I did it.  I also stepped my workouts up, my body feels tight, and a little sore.  What a great feeling!!

2. Eat a fruit and/or a vegetable with every meal. - PASS!!  Although my fruit and vegetable choices were a little bland, I did it!!! 

3. Drink 8 cups of water every day. - PASS - sort of.  Well, I didn't get exactly 8 cups in every day (I did most days though) I only had water and green tea to drink last week, and I am happy about that.  I need to have a water bottle with me at all times, especially on the weekend to ensure I get at least 8 cups in each day.

I knit a little bit last week, hopefully I can at least a little bit of knitting in this week to, and eventually finish the forever scarf!!!




Goals for this week:
1. Workout 5 times - I'm really looking forward to this goal.

2. Drink 8 cups of water every day.

3. Lose 2 pounds.  I go to Jamaica in 17 weeks, I want to lose 2 pounds a week until I leave.  I don't think it's a lot, but I do think it will keep me focused enough to stick with my healthiness goals!  And it would be an added bonus to not hide from the camera at my sisters wedding!!  I lost 3 pounds last week, so I'm on way!!!

4. Take more blog-worthy photos :-) - Just to liven it up a bit.

Week 9 Goals

Recap of last week:

1. Knit :-). FAIL...Again - I'm really not concerned about it though, a crafting goal isn't that serious to me, I do want to finish my scarf though!!

2. Exercise 3 times. - I did it, I ran when there was snow out.  I even took pictures, but somehow, I plugged my phone up, and ALL of my pictures are gone :-(...I guess I could look on my camera and see if anything is blog worthy...

3. No Credit Cards!!! - I am proud of myself, I've passed this goal all year!!! 

4. Bring lunch 2 times. - FAIL - I brought my lunch one time...

Goals for this week:


My main goals this year, are to take better care of my hair, get healthier, and pay off as much debt as possible.  So, those are what I will focus on.  I have my debt payoff goal in place and is automatically taken care of before I see any money from my check.  So I'm not too concerned about that, I just have to make sure I don't change anything, and once one bill is paid off, put the money going towards that bill, on another bill instead of leaving it in my checking account, and everything will fall into place there.  I have not used any credit cards this year, so I'm proud of myself there.  I have also been doing an awesome job with my hair.  I trimmed it in January, and I've been either deep conditioning, hot oiling, and protein treating it every weekend.  The one goal, that I have not been able to get together like I would like, is my goal to be healthier.  Not fast enough for my liking anyway.  With that said, I think all of my goals this week will be health goals!!!

1. Workout 5 times - Although I've worked out at least 3 times the past couple of weeks, I need to step my workouts up.  It's time!!!

2. Eat a fruit and/or a vegetable with every meal.

3. Drink 8 cups of water every day.

That's all I've got this week :-).  Even though I didn't list out any hair or money goals, they are still in the front of my mind.  Oh, and I promise to have pictures soon!!!

Week 7 Goals

Recap of last week:

1. Join the gym near my house.  PASS - Well, I haven't joined yet, but I singed up for a 2 week free trial, and when my two weeks are up, I am going to join!!

2. No credit cards!!! PASS - and this week was hard to, cause there were a million things that I wanted to get Poetry for V-Day, but I got what I could afford, and kept it moving!

3. Do not eat out for dinner (on a weekday). PASS - I did not eat out at all last week. 

4. DC/Hot Oil - FAIL - I went to wash my hair, and didn't have any shampoo with me, and was too lazy to go and get some.  So, I will do this tonight!

5. Exercise 3 times.  PASS!!!!! Super excited that I actually worked out, at the gym, 3 times last week, I also played volleyball. 

Goals for this week:

1. Exercise 3 times.

2. No credit cards!!!!  A friend of mine is coming to visit, and we have plans to go out with La on Saturday, but, I'm not using a credit card, I WON'T DO IT!!!

3. Bring lunch twice!!  I don't think I brought lunch twice last week, I did once though.  I don't want to get back into the habit of eating out for lunch everyday again.

4. Knit. I have not been knitting, I have a project that is almost done, I need to get with it.  Even if  I just knit a little bit.

Week 6 Goals

Recap of last weeks Goals:

1. Bring lunch 2 times this week! - Pass, sort of.  I brought my lunch one day.  One day, the office was closed due to weather, so I ate at home. 

2. Exercise 4 times. - FAIL - I did not work out at all... :-(

3. Deep Condition/Hot Oil treatment. - FAIL - Well, I'm giving myself a pass, because I straightened my hair last week, and it is still straight (because of my failure of #2).  I've greased my scalp and my hair seems happy.  I will not apply anymore heat to it though, so whenever it has to be washed I will deep condition/hot oil. 

4. No credit cards!!!! PASS - I passed again.  AND, I paid off a loan!!  I'm on a roll, well, I didn't owe very much on this loan, but still, I have less debt, and I can apply the payment from the loan to something else.  I'm determined!!

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!FAIL - I didn't count not 1 calorie. 

Goals for this week:

1. Join the gym near my house.  I know I've said in the past that I wasn't going to join a gym, however, it will basically be free.  I will have pay 3 months at a time, but then my job reimburses me, I think it's worth it.

2. No credit cards!!! 

3. Do not eat out for dinner (on a weekday).  I ate out for dinner, EVERY NIGHT last week...not a good look.  I didn't spend a lot of money, but that is still unacceptable. 

4. DC/Hot Oil - This will need to get done at some point this week.

5. Exercise 3 times.  I WILL get back on the wagon of working out.  It just has to happen.

I Wanna Run...

I want to start running again.  With the snow, and extreme cold temperatures, I can't bring myself to start.  I am truly looking forward to warmer temperatures to get my feet hitting the pavement!  I will start with the couch to 5k program, and work my way up.  After I'm running a decent 5k, I will begin looking into training for a half marathon.

I'm looking into joining a gym again, I will join one that will basically be free though.  My job will reimburse us up to $20 a month for a gym membership, and there are a few clubs here that have fees of $20 a month or less.  They, of course, are not the huge gyms with all of the amenities you could ever want.  They will suffice for allowing me to get some weight training in.

My new attitude is proving to be just what I need to win this race that I have with weight loss.  I haven't had any amazing weeks of loss, however, I don't feel stressed out, I don't feel anxious about falling off the wagon.  I'm remembering that it's a marathon, not a sprint.  I didn't gain this weight overnight, and I'm surely not going to lose it overnight.  And if I do lose overnight, I truly believe I will gain it back, with a couple added pounds!  I'm slowly learning to make better decisions.  Patience, that's the key for me.

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!

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!!

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)

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.

Change #3

This is probably the most important of my goals. My financial goals. Right now, I pay my bills, and then I spend. It's like, if I have any extra, I think of what I can buy with it, and then it's gone. Every two weeks, this cycle repeats. So then, if things come up, or I absolutely have to have something, I use credit. Well, this is not working for me anymore. It's irresponsible, and almost embarrassing. So, there a number of things that I am going to accomplish starting now!

1. I have 8 credit cards that I need to pay off, I will pay of at least 5 of them next year. I had NO IDEA how much credit card debt I had, until I sat down and added everything up last week.

2. I will only pay cash for things I purchase. If I can't pay cash, I will not purchase. This is another one of those things, I do well, I think I've figured it out, and then I start using credit again. And before I know it, it spirals out of control. I am too old to keep making the same mistakes.

3. I will save $25 dollars a month that I do not touch for any reason. I need to build up some type of emergency fund. When things come up now, I use credit to deal with it. I need to get to a point where I don't have to use credit for anything. I know $25 isn't much, but with paying off credit cards, it's what I can afford.

I have created an excel spreadsheet with my monthly bills and have created a budget. It is going to be tough, but I have to do this. I cannot keep living check to check. My finances have gotten to the point that I'm stressing about them, and that is not ok.

Change #2

My health goals. This is a two part goal, exercise and diet!

Exercise:
I have an on again off again relationship with exercise. I decide I'm going to start working out regularly, I do so for a month or more, I think I have it figured out, I fall off. The whole cycle repeats. The time in between repeats varies from 1 - 3 months, then I start the whole cycle again. So, I am going to commit to working out at least 3 times a week. I have an elliptical machine at home, so if nothing else, I can get cardio in. However, my preference is going to be running.

Along with exercising 3 times a week, I want to run in at least 1 5k. I believe I have one picked out.

Diet:
I am going to start counting calories. I've done this before, I know it works, I think I have it figured out, and then I go back to my same unhealthy habits. I am going to start with eating 1,600 calories a day. I would like to do less, but I want to be realistic.

I will stop eating out for dinner so much, meaning I will cook at least 3 times a week, and I will start taking my lunch twice a week. Of course I can take it more, but 2 is the minimum.

Change #1

So, I feel the need to break my goals for the new year into their own posts. So, here is change number 1!

I have a love/hate relationship with my hair, most of the time, I love it, sometimes, I hate it. I think the hate is because I resist caring for it. Let me explain. When I first went natural, I cut about 8 inches of perm off, so it was short. I went about 6 months without a perm before cutting the permed ends off. So, I didn't have to do much to care for my hair. I wet it, everyday, put product in it, and was on my merry way. I didn't twist, oil, deep condition, nothing. The true definition of wash 'n' go.

Well, now that my hair is longer, probably as long as it was permed (if not longer), I have realized that I need some type of regimen. The hap-hazard care isn't cutting it anymore. I tried to blame it on the products I was using, the tools, anything but myself. So, my new regimen will be as follows (at least for the winter):

1. Deep Condition once a week - I will use Cholesterol. I will either leave it in my hair with a shower cap all day (or night), or I will sit under the dryer for 15 - 20 minutes.

2. I will give myself hot oil treatments twice a month.

3. Protein treatments once a month. I will experiment with different ones until I find the one I like the most.

4. Oil my scalp and massage for at least 5 minutes once a week (the day prior to washing).

This is what I have so far. I will tweak this regimen as I see fit. I am also experimenting with styles so that I only wet my hair once a week, this is proving to be a tad challenging, but I won't give up!!

Get It Together

One shot to your hear without breaking your skin, no one has the power to hurt you like you kin...kept it inside didn't tell no one else, didn't even want to admit it to yourself...and now your chest burns and your back aches...from 15 years, of holding the pain...and now you only have yourself to blame...if you continue to live this way...

Get it together is my theme for 2011 and beyond, yes, and beyond, hehehe. I have been lax, lax with my finances, with my health, with my job. I need to start focusing on being more responsible. I'm embarrassed with the amount of credit card debt that I have. I have no excuse to not be getting healthy. And my job, my income, my bread and butter, I haven't tried to better myself in I don't know how long. And I complain about the training that they don't provide, but let's be honest, I should want to better myself, for me, not for that company. I don't plan on working there for the rest of my life, and I should not behave as though they owe me something. Should they train us, I think so, should I not better myself, because they are not, absolutely not. I've gotten lazy, and much to lax. I'm just coasting, and that isn't getting me anywhere.

I don't typically do New Year's resolutions, however, I will start making goals for myself, and holding myself accountable for achieving them. They will start small, and increase with time.

So, with that, my first goal, is to have some goals set by 12/31/2011 for the entire year. Reasonable, attainable goals.