Okay, I have been long gone.  I had a little mental breakdown and had to be built back up!  Sorry for being out of the picture for so long but I tell you my mother's death had a profound affect upon me, my life, my marriage and my relationship with my children.  I was running around with a wonderful facade but falling apart inside.  I never really greived because I was so freaking busy and had to keep up fronts.  Oh well, all that came to a head in April and I got the help I needed.  Anyway, to make a long story short, I some great tools and resources that have allowed me to make baby steps in the right direction mentally and physically!

 

Number one must read...."Mindfulness in Plain English" by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana - helps in all aspects of my life

Number two must read..."How To Practice The Way to a Meaningful Life" by his Holiness the Dalai Lama

Number three.....learn and practice meditation if only 10 - 20 minutes per day....clears the mind

Number four....TURN THE TV OFF....I repeat, turn off the tv....wastes time, unwanted garbage in the subconscious of the mind, read instead

Number five...All things in moderation......eating, clothing, and shelter.  Scale it all back, tiny bits daily.....frees up the mind.

 

My favorite new quote to live by  "CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS AND YOU CHANGE YOUR WORLD" ....Norman Vincent Peale on attitude

 

Practice kindness daily and bear minimum, bring no harm to others.  Living like this will enhance your life tremendously and move your spirit graciously.  I feel so much better about so much in my life.  I am grateful for a wonderful husband, two beautiful, smart children and an abudnace of family, friends and a great job to boot. 

 

I'll be in touch, this is only an extension of my daily journaling.

 

Peace and love,

 

Julie

Hey Friends....never did get back to update March and my gosh we are rolling right into April.  Boy do I have a lot to update you on.  Our little French girl is gone.  While she was here, we were so busy.  She swears she gained weight while staying with us.  She kept telling me that she was big!  Jooo-lee, I am big she kept saying.  It probably had something to do with the white cheddar cheetos that she loved.  They totally did not have those in Marseille!  Anyway, my precious, little darling girl will be traveling to stay with her family for three weeks soon.  What a great experience and opportunity for my girl, but boy will I miss her.

 

As for exercise, health and fitness, I am on a roll.  I need to be after all of the festivities of the new year.  I chubbed up to say the least.  I am back at Weight Watchers and I am glad to say I have dropped 7.4 lbs. so far.  I am really sticking to the program with the hopes of achieving the weight this year that I did not last year.  I am so over the excuses, whining, crying and complaining.  I am just shutting up and taking it one day at a time and making it happen.  Bottomline, I just got to restrain myself from eating everything I see.  It is really amazing how little you need to survive and thrive.  Choosing high fiber, low calorie and lean protein is the answer.  Just doing it consistenty is the key.  So just SHUT UP and DO IT.

 

As for moving, I have moved to my stationary, recumbent bicycle in my bedroom.  I average five cardio workouts a week at a minimum of 30 minutes each.  That just goes back to what I learned last year with RLHL and Dr. Roizen.  Again, SHUT UP and DO IT, NO EXCUSES.  By the way, it is 11:07 PM and I just got off my bike.  Watched the TiVo'ed Ellen from today and rode for 40 minutes at 80rpm or higher.  Actually got in 10 miles and burned over 350 calories so it said.  Also did a 10 minute cool down. 

 

Tennis begins after spring break and I am looking forward to playing twice a week.  For spring break, I am heading down to the Bahamas.  I am looking forward to some serious relaxation, reading and daily fitness.  We are heading south of the tourist traps in Nassau to some off the beaten path.  I will get to hike, snorkel and spend some quality time with the family.  Not a lot of crappy food to be found, so hopefully I will weigh in less at WW once I get back.  Hopefully this Monday,  I will be down a total of 10 lbs. for this month and that will be a good thing!

 

Anyway, look for updates to the site, new playlists and links to other newsletters and stuff.  I will add pixs once I return.  Maybe by July 4th, I will have the string bikini picture ready to post!  Just joking, just motivation!

 

Peace,

 

Julie

As February draws to an end....it is all good around here.  I have been riding my stationary bicycle daily for 35 - 45 minutes at least 3-4 times per week.  I have also grown addicted to 30 - 35 minute yoga and pilates tapes.  I usually do the tapes right after I complete my riding.  I love riding because I watch tivo-ed Ellen Degeneres shows and find myself speeding right through my workout.  I also ride an interval training program that burns between 350 - 500 calories per session depending on how long I go.  The videos I enjoy most include Mari Winsor's ring workout, The Firm's Yoga, The Firm's Pilates, Gaiam's Resistance Ring, and Gaiam's Pilates Weight Loss.  I love doing those tapes and I love that my bicycle is in my bedroom vs. being in the basement.  Generally I am working out in the basement only when I am doing laundry.  I will not hit my goal of working out 22 of 28 days this month, but I will have 17 of 28 under my belt by Wednesday.  I also use my resistance band and cord to enhance my weight bearing workouts.

 

Right now, our family is hosting a French exchange student and that has been enlightening.  She eats small portions of food and very wholesome foods.  She likes many veggies, fruits and lean proteins.  Hhhmmm.....something I should be doing as well.  I have not seen her eat any processed foods at all.  She thinks our portions are big and is not even interested in candy and stuff like that!  I will continue to be observant of her habits to see what else good I can pick up. 

 

I guess that is about it.  I am reviewing and establishing goals for March.  I will have a new playlist to share.  Hope all is well and I will be in touch.

 

Peace,

 

Julie

Today is the annual ice skating party that is a fund raiser for my children's school.  It is 2 hours and I am sure I can get two, 15 minute bursts of skating in to account for my 30 minutes.  I would also like to get 30 minutes in on the treadmill or bike, but I may run out of time.  After the party we are hosting a party for about 7-8 families.  It should be fun.  I have already planned what I am eating for the day, so I should be good.  I will not drink any alcohol though but will fake people out with my diet tonic water and light cranberry juice.  I have to wake up feeling good tomorrow.  I have another busy day of going to mass, teaching Sunday School and doing laundry.  Then Monday will be here just like the weekend did not happen.

 

By the way, I just got the Smash Fat Diet book.  I am going to read it.  It looks short and simple.  If I see any helpful hints, I'll let you know.

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Julie

It's all good and I am back home again.  Yeah.  Chicago was so cold and unbearable just to return home to the same subzero weather.  Well in a week I'll be heading to the Carribean for three days of 85 degree weather and a much needed break!!!!! So, what does that mean now?  Well, I have kicked into high gear...working out and eating.  I remind myself of the good old days of really sticking to my RLHL objectives.  Today was a perfect day meaning I ate just right as well as kicked up the exercise into over-drive.  I have already planned my activities for tomorrow and my food consumption.  I tell you, when I plan it and write it, I do well.  I love my new journal/tracker that keeps everything neatly on two pages.  If you have not invested in a journal, please do so now.  I am also starting to feel the energy return to me vs. being pooped after I work out.  Tonight, I went to the Health Club and put in 60 minutes on the elliptical.  I was JAMMING on my iPod to the point other people were looking at me.  So what, I had my heart rate up and kept at it for a long time.  Then, I went upstairs to do free weights.  Free weights are not my favorite, I kept telling myseld that I am maintaining and building bone density.  My aunt who turns 80 on March 29 is so much shorter than me now.  She used to be way taller and remember I am only 5'4.  I am going to think of bone health everytime I punk out and don't want to lift weights.  Tomorrow I will do 45 minutes of cardio and lower body resisitance training.  Anyway, back to my night....I came home and fixed dinner.  We had spaghetti with meatballs, salad and garlic bread.  I only ate salad and fortified it with a grilled chicken breast.  No one saw me sneak in the chicken.  It was yummy.  I found this Paul Newman's Low Fat Sun Dried Tomato Salad Dressing and it is the BOMB!!!  It is really good especially if you are lacking add-ins to your salad greens.  I put cucumbers, carrots, almonds and chicken on mine tonight and it was really good and filling.  Also, I am starting to eat Edamame.  My husband sautees them up in a little olive oil and garlic.  They are good and good for you.  We buy the big ol' 4lbs. bags from COSTCO and chow down on the them all the time.  You can fix 'em quick in the microwave too.  They are some type of soy pea pod things and you pop out the pea pod part and eat it.  They travel well and have a lot of protein and antioxidants I think.  My husband got me started on them.  Try 'em out.

 

Let me know what is working for you all.  I placed new pictures from my sales meeting.  People were fun, location was cold.  Bottomline, I am glad to be back home.  Have a good weekend and peace to you all,

 

Julie 

Hey now, I am in Chicago at a sales meeting.  Ugh.....the weather is horrible.  Today's high is only about 11 degrees.  Oh well, could it be worse?  Sure, so I am going to focus on the positive like making a trip to Lori's Shoes, visiting the LEGO store, and making Christmas returns to the Burberry Store.  Indoor shopping in freezing weather can always life my spirits!

 

Okay, I am progressing really well on exercising in February.  I have made a personal goal of getting 22 of 28 days of exercising in.  So far I have four out of five days down!!!!!  After I blog, I am heading to the hotel gym for 30 minutes of cardio and 30 or so of resistance training.  I have been pushing myself to "GET R DONE" in the mornings to ensure I get it in at all.  I do feel much better and I am starting to have more energy.  Also, thank goodness Chicago is on the central time zone vs. the eastern at home for me.  I catch an hour every morning.

 

My eating is not bad.  I read somewhere that I should eat something every three hours to ward off any hunger.  It seems to be working.  I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, but in between I can fit a cup of yogurt, a piece of fruit and/or piece of cheese, a tablespoon of peanut butter or some nuts in without blowing up my calories.   I weighed myself at the end of last month and refused to look at a scale until the end of this month.  Even at WW, I don't want to know the number because it has an impact on my attitude. 

 

I still need my labs for my cholesterol, glucose, BP, and other stuff.  I will do that next week.  In the mean time, share some helpful hints and get that cardio in!

 

Much love and peace,

 

Julie

Okay, anyone looking for immediate results and/or gratification?  Yes, yes, yes!!!  Of course I am working on the weight loss and healthy life stuff, but I want some more immediate results that I am doing something great for myself and it is paying off!  Well...try this new Listerine Agent Cool Blue mouthwash.  This stuff is awesome, not only for kids, but for parents and adults alike!  My son told me about the mouthwash and asked me to buy some.  This is how it works.  You rinse before you brush and the cool blue mouthwash shows you where plaque is hiding out on your teeth, gums, and tongue.  Then you brush your teeth and rinse again.  Hopefully, afterwards your mouth is less blue because all of the blue-stained plaque has been removed by your brushing!  Oh boy, did I impress my kids and their friends (my daughter had a sleepover with her friend).  I rinsed before brushing and hardly had any blue stain and after brushing I had no blue stain in my mouth!  My kids are excited and hopefully brushing better and getting instant positive feedback from me and Agent Cool Blue!

 

 

 

Whooo hooo!  I can't believe it February already.  Time is blowing by so incredibly fast.  I am updating the entire website with my newest information.  In regards to diet and exercise....check this out.  I DID NOT GAIN ANY WEIGHT THIS MONTH.  However, I only lost 2 lbs vs. last month and that could be all water.  I have not calculated my BMI and did not have my labs drawn as suggested by my physician.  I do have an appointment for an ENT (ears, nose and throat) specialist because I have symptoms of a cold/allergy that have persisted since November.  I have been told by many that it is probably a sinus infections and/or something like it.  I have been taking ibuprofen, 200mg b.i.d. for almost three months and I know that isn't good, but it keeps my head from hurting.  I have a low grade, dull headache daily.  My primary care physicians assures me it is not a migraine due to it being consistent, on the right side only and resolved with ibuprofen.  It has come down to probably being a sinus problem.  I go to doctor on 2/12 and hopefully will find out something!

 

As for next week, guess what?  I am back at my sales meeting in Chicago, IL!  Again, we are staying downtown but not at the Marriott!  I am looking forward to being a away even though it is a sales meeting.  I am also in charge of the snacks for my district breakout, therefore I will bring some healthier options.  The key to the breaks is just putting fresh fruit in my bag to eat during the breaks.  After sitting, and sitting, and sitting, and sitting....you get the picture, I reward myself with grub!  Also, after the meeting is over, my group of friends usually holds a pow wow in the hotel bar and sucks down the mojitos, martini's and bar food!  Ugh....that could add poundage and heartburn!  I am taking my workout clothes to limit this type of unhealthy socializing and asking my buddies to do the same.  We can exert some of that pent up energy on the treadmill vs. drinking/eating.

 

This month our family is hosting an exchange student from Marseille, France.  In turn, my daughter will travel and stay with family later in the year.  We are getting everything ready for this experience.  Our whole household is looking forward to having our "French Daughter" come and get a real hands on American Cultural experience.  Hopefully I will have some good update and pictures to share.

 

Okay, this months goals:

 - Exercise 22 of 28 days which will include cardio of 30 minutes and every other day of resistance upper vs. lower body

 - Continue to attend WW meetings

 - Journal all food and add vitamin supplements daily (right now I am kind of sporadic)

 - Enlist my girlfriends to attend fitness classes or activities or a walk vs. meeting for lunch and/or dinner

 - Focus on looking/feeling good for spring break which only 8 weeks away!

 

Additional fun things to keep fitness in the forefront

 - Read and enjoy hungrygirl online newsletter, it is awesome

 - download some new tunes for workout playlist #3

 - buy one new cute workout outfit

 

Keep in touch and check out my new pictures from my kid's cameras.  They both are packing digitals and grabbing snapshots here and there.  I have a new digital and will post pictures from my meeting after I return. 

 

Peace and much love,

 

Julie

 

 

Hey, hey, hey... Still at it and doin' okay.  Hit a mental slump and little sadness.  I was bummed about all the changes on my job and missing my momma and just had a little pity party.  This week I went to the gym twice and left without working out.  I also ate way too much.  However today, I said just go back to taking things one day at a time and MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!  I keep thinking about spring break and how I want to look and feel.  I will be swimming, snorkeling and running around like a crazy woman and want to be able to keep up with my kids, husband and friends.  I think I am going to take on tennis lessons again to enhance my activity.

 

Anyway, regarding my title "The Firm's TranFIRMer", it is a workout that is low impact, with resistance training and aerobic.  It claims that you will see results in 10 workouts.  I believe this because in the early '90's, I used to workout with the Firm tapes and low and behold it worked.  So now I am going to track my progress with the Firm and keep you posted.  It will take 3 weeks to complete the 10 workouts because you do one every other day and not to exceed 3-4 per week.  I must allow for my muscles to rest.  On the off days, I will walk or do a yoga/pilates/tennis or something.  Like I said, I'll keep you posted!

 

As for eating, I bombed out on that last week too.  Not and issue though, I am going to step it up with eating better.  I really want to look and feel good by the time I peel off these winter coats and stuff!   The real issue is staying positive and looking forward.  I can do this!!!!

 

Also, I got a new digital camera.   I will posted pictures soon. 

 

Peace and good health to you,

 

Julie

 

 

Still running strong with my five cardio sessions per week and 3 resistance training sessions per week.  Today I bought some new workout clothes and I felt like a new woman working out.  I totally updated my look for the gym.  I bought three very bright UnderArmor v-neck t-shirts, I bought two pair of capri workout pants in navy and gray.  I also got a great little fleece number that I can put on on my way out of the gym.  It is pretty cold here and I am usually sweaty, so the little jacket came in handy.

 

Other purchases to enhance my workout performance.......

 

 - weight lifting gloves, my hands were starting to hurt

 

 - TransFIRMation...a new bench and resistance workout by The Firm

 

 - A new three tier free weight (dumbell) rack for my workout room

 

Also, I have been eating really good since returning from the cruise.  Today I had a naked mcchicken patty, yogurt parfait, and diet coke for lunch, I had Dannon Lite-N-Fit yogurts for snacks, and a garden salad (all veggies) and breaded chicken breast for dinner.  I WANT TO SEE some muscles.  My friend, the trainer, told me I need to eliminate, starches and increase lean protein/veggies to melt the fat.  Ugh... this is so hard.  I also was on the eleptical (sp?) for 35 minutes.  My trainer friend also said that over age 40....resistance training will be the only way to retain muscle and reshape my flabby body.

 

Oh well, at least I'll be looking good in my new workout clothes!

 

Peace,

 

Julie

Everytime I think about blowing off a workout, I think of the following reasons of why I should workout:

 

- Panties not rolling down under belly

 

- Wake up feeling good in the mornings

 

- Minimizing my chances for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure

 

- Fitting into clothes that are too tight

 

- Wearing my bra all day, comfortably

 

- Wearing my tall boots without cutting off circulation in calves

 

- How good I feel after a workout

 

- Feeling strong all over

 

- Walking up a flight of stairs w/o being winded

 

- Noticing muscles growing leaner and more pronounced

 

- Putting another star on my calendar for having done my workout

 

- Carrying a load of laundry up the stairs without stopping to catch my breath

 

What makes you not blow off your workout? 

 

Peace,

 

Julie

Hello Friends and Family,

 

I just returned from a Bahamas Cruise and I am proud to say that I exercised, ate plenty of fruits & veggies and did not pig out.  I did increase my alcohol consumption, but nothing like it was over a year ago.  I was so glad to return home and get back into my exercise routine.  The gym on the ship was great though and no one was using it.  My husband and I walked the promenade deck like crazy.  Ten laps on this deck equaled 3 miles and we worked it out daily.

 

I will update and write more later.  Unfortunately, we can not find the power cord for our digital camera, therefore no pictures as of yet.  Keep the Cardio Challenge going because I am.  I am going to hit it hard and heavy until Spring Break.  I have about 10 weeks until we head off for another little break.

 

Much love and peace,

 

Julie

Hey Friends,

 

I got 35 minutes in on the cardio challenge for today.  Went to the gym, got on an elliptical and pounded out 30 minutes of 75% maximum heart rate cardio.  I then proceeded to the free weights and completed my upper body workout which include working my shoulders, chest, biceps, triceps and back.  I then skee-daddled on to the Weight Watchers meeting.  My immediate goal is to keep focused on the three new year's resolutions of positive interactions, healthy eating & exercising, and increasing my spiritual life.  But I am also now trying to lose 10% of my total body weight.  I'll let you know how that goes.  I am not focusing on scale success but good daily choices.  I also have my weekly challenge of getting on 200 minutes of cardio.  I can do this!

 

Peace,

 

Julie

Yeh Haw!!!!  My kids go back to school tomorrow and I go back to work.  I could not be any happier about this situation.  The last two weeks have been chaotic to say the least.  My husband and I took the kids to the Great Wolf Lodge in Cincinnati last week to spend some quality family time together.  Great Wolf Lodge is a really nice indoor water park with a wave pool, 11 slides and beautiful accomodations.  We spent Tuesday and Wednesday evening in the water park from 5 PM until closing at 10 PM.  You better believe I was counting those steps up to the water slides.  It amazed me how it did not phase my kids or any other kids to climb the stairs.  They would slide down in 3 seconds and say hey mommie, let do it all again.  Two of the slides were at least 6 stories high therefore I climbed about 15 steps per story.  To say the least, we had big fun and I am glad we did it!

 

While in Cincinnati, we visted the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.  That place is great.  We explored our Black History and did some searching in the Legacy Library on my family.  It was good to show the kids where we came from and how we got to this country.  It was good to have that experience as a family together.  I highly recommend others to see the museum, it is quite moving.

 

As for health eating, increased movement and spiritual development, I am right on track.  Today I taught Sunday School at our church.  I have fourth graders.  My kids are in 3rd and 5th grade classes, so we all go together but I don't teach them.  I also made my goals of five cardio workouts and three weight/resistance training sessions this past week.  Tomorrow, Monday, January 8, I am starting a new WW(Weight Watchers)  class at the JCC (Jewish Community Center).  It is a new enviromnent and I am looking forward to it.  It is a 12 week class.  I plan on working out beforehand and then attending the meeting afterwards.  This will be a Monday event for me and I will keep you posted.  I also like the fact that WW's initial goal is to lose 10% of your body weight before you even start talking about weight ranges.  I refuse to measure my success by the scale.  I can tell what is going on with me by how comfortable I feel in my bra and if I am spilling out of it or not!

 

Specific Goals for This Week:

 - 5 Cardio sessions that total at least 200 minutes / resistance-weight train 3 times this week

 - Use my heart rate monitor to ensure I am working at 75-80% max heart rate

 - Journal all food and stay on WW program

 - Make positive choices and look forward positive outcomes regarding weight, food, friends and family

 - Pray and journal what I am thankful for daily

 

Okay, I can do this and I am looking forward to it!  I challenge others to get in 200 minutes of cardio this week and KEEP IN TOUCH!

 

Much peace, joy and happiness,

 

Julie

Time is flying by!!!!!  I am very aware of the date and how fast January is moving because not only am I blogging regularly, I am journaling.  I feel extraordinary and glad for it!!!  As for my three main goals, I am keeping on track. 

 

I will give a brief highlight because I have to take my daughter to a playdate.

 

This week I have gotten in 3 cardio exercises and two resistance/weight exercises.  I have two cardios to go and one resistance/weight.  I have been journaling and eating pretty healthy.  On Monday, Jan. 8 I am going to Weight Watchers and JCC.  I got to dash, I'll be back later. 

 

Glad to hear from you DandDsMom.

 

Julie

Hey Family and Friends,

 

I got the treadmill behind me for today!  I walked 30 minutes like I said I would do.  My daughter joined me so it was quite fun to have her to talk to while I walked.  She is the little darling that keeps my ipod and imixes up to date and allows for some very vivacious and funky listening music while working out.  Also, I joined her for some ping pong after the walk for about 20 minutes.  That ping pong would fall into the category of additional, fun, physical activity. 

 

BTW...the ping pong/pool table was a gift from my husband to me and the family.  Boy is it fun to play ping pong and challenge the kids.  I also joined the JCC in Indy.  It is closer to home than the Healthplex(my old club) and has many more children's/tween's activities for my kids.  They also have indoor tennis for my husband and I too. 

 

I have looked on the schedules for spinning, pilates and yoqua (water-yoga) classes.  I am going to incorporate new and different into my workouts to keep it all fun and enticing. 

 

I am off to cook dinner.  Blog more later,

 

Julie

Hope everyone brought the year in with smiling faces and an abundance of love in their hearts!  My cousin told me the other day that no one can take your joy away from you.  I thought about her comment and it is true.  How we live, work, interact with others, etc. is all about our personal reaction to the outside world.  I will never let others take my personal joy away and I will try to share it at every attempt that I get!

 

Anyway...enough of being on my soap box, let's talk about those three goals I set in place and how I am doing. 

 

Personal: Enhancing relationships and positive interaction with friends and family 

I spent some quality time with my neighbor today.  We took our kids, my two and her three, ice skating.  It was a fun time and an activity that I don't do very often.  Therefore I had positive interaction with my neighbor and some additional exercise.  Actually, my daughter and my neighbor's daughter came up with the idea of ice skating and it was quite fun.  I usually only ice skate once a year at my children's school's annual skating party.  It was also good to get to know my neighbor better.  How many of you know your neighbor and have developed a realtionship with them?

 

YEAH for me!!!!  Today, I ate pretty healthy and exercised in my basement workout room. 

Here is my routine: I repeat this circuit three times so I get 30 minutes on treadmill and three sets of each weight exercise.

Cardio -

10 minutes treadmill @ 3.3 - 3.5 mph @ 1% incline

Weights -

15 reps of plie squats

15 reps of squats with 8lbs weight in each hand

15 reps of forward lunges (15 for each leg and this is a killer!!!!!)

15 reps of calves raises (another killer which I will feel later)

15 reps of crunches w/4lbs. medicine ball (make sure to keep lower back plastered to floor to avoid injury)

 

I felt so good afterwards, I walked on the treadmill for another 20 minutes at 3.0 reading a magazine.  Tomorrow I will only do 30 minutes of cardio and then on the next day follow a similiar routine but focus on the upper body.  The day after my upper body will include only 30 minutes of cardio and then the next day cardio split with the lower body.  That will be a total of five days this week of cardio and three days of weight training.  It's a start and I am going slow.

 

As for eating, I had oatmeal and coffee for breakfast, popcorn w/butter and salt for lunch, peanuts for a snack and crab legs with butter for dinner.  I did eat some barbeque potato chips before I caught myself and reminded me of what I am trying to do!  Sometimes the mind slips for a second.  I also drank 4-16oz bottles of water.  I have been using Lipton's Green Tea/Mandarin mix-ins for my water too.  It claims to have antioxidents and some kind of flavinoids or something in it?  Who's knows, it taste good to me.

 

Well, I missed church/mass today but I did pray.  I am also starting as a sunday school teacher next week.  I am on my way to share my time and talent.  We contribute financially to church therefore I have the treasure part covered. 

 

Writing the blog really keeps me focus.  I guess no different that writing in my journal and I always do better with life when I am writing, planning and organizing.  If anyone has any tips, pass them along.  Right now I am focusing on "Clean Days" that can lead to a "Clean Week".  What I mean by that is taking my goals one day at a time and building one day into seven consistent days of staying on track.  I know I can do this and I want to do this!

 

Keep in touch, I sure will.

 

Peace,

 

Julie

 

I have been through so much lately.  Life has thrown me some major curve balls and guess what I have learned?  There is no time to whimper around and not be proactive about any situation.  I am focusing on three things this year and I hope you can support and do the same if your life needs improvement.

 

Health: Being the best me possible throught fitness activities, healthy eating and metrics that involve lowering blood pressure, decreasing my BMI and ridding myself of daily headaches. 

 

Personal: I am in the pursuit of increasing my exposures to positive, loving individuals; celebrating and enhancing my relationships with friends & family; and allowing my inner joy & peace spread to others. 

 

Spirituality: Attending mass regularly and sharing my time, talent and treasure with our new parish family. 

 

I also would like to blog more frequently and continue to support and seek help in my three major areas of improvement for this year.   I am journaling daily in my little green book and keeping track of daily progress that helps me move forward.  Let me know what are your goals for the year and how you seek to accomplish them.  By sharing our "best practices" we can all help one another!

 

Peace to you all,

 

Julie