When I started writing this blog, I wasn't sure whether I would be able to keep it up. Turns out, I really missed writing - and this space is a perfect one for jotting down everything that is running through my mind. Whether its related to my family, my kids, my friends, or just rants about stuff in general...I find it very therapeutic and love getting feedback from everyone about my posts.
So a few months ago, I started a separate space where I wanted to chronicle my journey this year. For those who know me, its a journey that I've been on for most of my adult life - one of weight loss.
My reasons for wanting to lose weight have changed over the years; I wanted to look better, I wanted to buy cute clothes, then I wanted to get healthy so I could keep up with my kids. Whatever the reason, I've always wanted the number of the scale to be smaller. Just to be clear...I've always been pretty comfortable in my skin - I just always wanted to be a few sizes smaller.
I got the idea to chronicle this journey from a fellow blogger - the philosophy is that writing it down and seeing the progression helps to keep you on track. I decided that I didn't want this space to center around my weight (and let's be honest I have way too much other stuff to say!), so I created a new blog where the focus would be my ups and downs.
Here's the thing - initially the plan was not to share this other blog. It was just for me. But I realized that I was using it to give kuddos to the buddies who are doing this with me - and I needed to give credit where credit is due. So chances are I won't actively share these posts often...but sure will when one of my buddies keeps me focussed or when I hit a milestone.
For anyone who is starting (or continuing) down the road to weight loss, feel free to share your blog with people. Celebrating successes are a must!!
If you want to check out my ups and downs, here you go: http://my2013goal.blogspot.ca/
Happy reading...
Friday, April 26, 2013
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Mantra Shmantra!
K so I was really gung ho after my last post. I was changing the way I thought, and I was really big on the "Do it, do your best and just let it go". Then life threw some stuff at me and my new-found mantra went (momentarily) out the window.
It seems like for the last week or so I've been living in the twilight zone. Lots of "what the heck is going on" moments...and not the good kind. In one of the moments, I found myself sitting at my desk grumbling under my breath. I was complaining to no one in particular how ridiculous the situation was, how it was unfair, how everyone involved was stupid. As I brooded, I caught myself getting more and more worked up.
I ended up posting a cryptic status on Facebook about my day taking a nose-dive (yep...I'm one of "those" people on FB). I had a friend ask me if everything was ok. I continued my grumbling to her, to which she promptly replied:
"Remember your mantra. Do it, do the best you can, then let it go."
Hmph. But an amazing thing happened. I immediately felt better. Was I really helping the situation by getting myself worked up? It was not in my power to change the outcome, so who was I hurting by brooding?
Once I was out of the dumps, I also started to see that what I was doing was exactly what I was preaching to my daughter to stop doing. I had been encouraging her to let things go...was about time that I followed my own advice.
Truth be told, I was able to get together with a few friends that night...they all listened to me be upset and vent. It felt really good to get it all off my chest...then I went home and peeked in on my sleeping daughters and realized that in all the ways that count, life is pretty blessed these days. All I needed was to shift my perspective.
Well that, and have some dear friends to remind me of the importance of letting it go. And a glass of wine to simmer my nerves didn't hurt :-)
It seems like for the last week or so I've been living in the twilight zone. Lots of "what the heck is going on" moments...and not the good kind. In one of the moments, I found myself sitting at my desk grumbling under my breath. I was complaining to no one in particular how ridiculous the situation was, how it was unfair, how everyone involved was stupid. As I brooded, I caught myself getting more and more worked up.
I ended up posting a cryptic status on Facebook about my day taking a nose-dive (yep...I'm one of "those" people on FB). I had a friend ask me if everything was ok. I continued my grumbling to her, to which she promptly replied:
"Remember your mantra. Do it, do the best you can, then let it go."
Hmph. But an amazing thing happened. I immediately felt better. Was I really helping the situation by getting myself worked up? It was not in my power to change the outcome, so who was I hurting by brooding?
Once I was out of the dumps, I also started to see that what I was doing was exactly what I was preaching to my daughter to stop doing. I had been encouraging her to let things go...was about time that I followed my own advice.
Truth be told, I was able to get together with a few friends that night...they all listened to me be upset and vent. It felt really good to get it all off my chest...then I went home and peeked in on my sleeping daughters and realized that in all the ways that count, life is pretty blessed these days. All I needed was to shift my perspective.
Well that, and have some dear friends to remind me of the importance of letting it go. And a glass of wine to simmer my nerves didn't hurt :-)
Friday, April 12, 2013
Words of wisdom from "Lady O"
So I have a pretty great group of friends. A few weeks ago, one of them asked if I'd be interested in a ticket to see Oprah Winfrey in Ottawa. Truth be told, I was never truly hooked on her show, but when I did watch I was always mesmerized at her ability to captivate an audience, and to ask questions that everyone else was thinking. Because I wanted to witness that magnetism in person, I jumped at the chance for the tickets (plus it meant a night out with some awesome ladies - win-win!!).
So this past week was the show. And it was incredible. Here is this woman standing in front of 15,000 people, and at moments you could hear a pin drop. You could feel her pull from wherever you were sitting in the audience. She was as captivating as I thought she would be. And she was funny. I'm not sure why I thought she so serious, but she had us in stitches with stories of her childhood, and lots of her experiences. And even though we were in this massive arena, I felt like we were at a dinner party. That is her draw - she makes you feel like you are part of the conversation.
While her talk (which lasted over 2 hours with the Q&A session!) centred around her life, it was not an autobiography. I was awed at her ability to give us snippets of her life story, and translate them into life lessons that could apply to anyone. I wish I could get a transcript of her talk - there were so many a-ha moments and I'd love to add them to my mantra wall. Here are a few that stuck:
"If I could believe that a woman could only go so far, I would not be where I am today." - this is a lesson for all our kids. Believe you can be anything you want.
"The energy you give out, is the energy you get back." Should be in the back of everyone's mind for every decision you make or action you take.
"I am the master of my fate." True.
Finally, the new mantra that is at the top of my wall:
"Do it; do the best you can, then let it go".
For those who know me, I tend to hang on to things - and my daughter emulates this behaviour to the nth degree. So I've decided that this is what we will recite in the mornings on our way out - and how we should learn to live our lives. It will be a work in progress, but in the long run will be an amazing way to live every day.
So my thanks to Lady O for inspiring me to remember these lessons in daily life. And for reminding me that these will be the best gifts I can give my kids...a few key words that will guide them through anything that gets thrown at them.
Now if only I could have been the recipient of her Manolo Blahniks :-)
So this past week was the show. And it was incredible. Here is this woman standing in front of 15,000 people, and at moments you could hear a pin drop. You could feel her pull from wherever you were sitting in the audience. She was as captivating as I thought she would be. And she was funny. I'm not sure why I thought she so serious, but she had us in stitches with stories of her childhood, and lots of her experiences. And even though we were in this massive arena, I felt like we were at a dinner party. That is her draw - she makes you feel like you are part of the conversation.
While her talk (which lasted over 2 hours with the Q&A session!) centred around her life, it was not an autobiography. I was awed at her ability to give us snippets of her life story, and translate them into life lessons that could apply to anyone. I wish I could get a transcript of her talk - there were so many a-ha moments and I'd love to add them to my mantra wall. Here are a few that stuck:
"If I could believe that a woman could only go so far, I would not be where I am today." - this is a lesson for all our kids. Believe you can be anything you want.
"The energy you give out, is the energy you get back." Should be in the back of everyone's mind for every decision you make or action you take.
"I am the master of my fate." True.
Finally, the new mantra that is at the top of my wall:
"Do it; do the best you can, then let it go".
For those who know me, I tend to hang on to things - and my daughter emulates this behaviour to the nth degree. So I've decided that this is what we will recite in the mornings on our way out - and how we should learn to live our lives. It will be a work in progress, but in the long run will be an amazing way to live every day.
So my thanks to Lady O for inspiring me to remember these lessons in daily life. And for reminding me that these will be the best gifts I can give my kids...a few key words that will guide them through anything that gets thrown at them.
Now if only I could have been the recipient of her Manolo Blahniks :-)
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