Spring

28Mar2011

Last week was the first day of spring ... now, here in SC, it was in the 70's-80's, sunny, warm, beautiful and we were enjoying the great outdoors. But, where my in-laws live in NY, it was cold, wet, snowy and down-right depressing really, from what my mother-in-law said. Definitely NOT the start to spring the groundhog predicted in February!!!  And, I'm sure these are not the only goofy weather patterns that have graced the first few days of our new season.

No matter what the weather is like where you are, even though we're a week into the spring of 2011, you can still find encouragement in the meaning of spring: new life, new growth, fresh start, etc ... I love dictionary.com's definition, "to come into being by growth, as from a seed or germ, bulb, root, etc.; grow, as plants."

Every area of life requires growth, a new start as it were ... if we stay in the same spot, doing the same stuff, we become stagnate ... just like plants wouldn't grow so well if they stayed the same size, told their roots to stay put and not venture out to get bigger.

I heard once that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, but expecting different results.

So, in this new season, make a conscience decision to change something ... to try a new exercise technique, to run just a little farther, to eat a few new veggies, to spend some extra minutes relaxing ... whatever it might be for you, make a change that will help you reach you're next goal.

For me, I just need to get back on track ... March has been a CRAZY month at our house ... haven't been eating like I should ... my exercise regimen has fallen by the wayside ... have had several bouts of illness go through our family ... it's been one of those months where I had other people and things to tend to and my weight-loss goals got pushed off the priority list.

BUT ... I'm getting back to it ... growing myself a little more ... pushing myself to reach the next goal ... it's all about the growth that takes place: going through experiences and circumstances, accepting them but moving on and bettering yourself through those things so you can find success in all you do.

Happy Monday

Starting Over

21Mar2011

Boy, have the last couple weeks been crazy ... nothing that I had planned happened or was accomplished (except the wonderful vacation to TN with my hubby ) ... in fact, there were a few things that occured that definitely weren't planned for and they literally sapped most of my energy ... and all my 'exercise' time ... and any motivation to eat well ...

But, I'm thankful for this new week ahead ... the new opportunity to 'start over', as it were ... to get back in the habit of exercising ... to choose to eat well 'cause I know it'll help me feel better ... to wake up each morning with the option to begin again on my road to optimal health.

This journey is not about what causes you to become discouraged, "fall off the wagon" or what you might consider failure ... the thing that matters most is that you begin again ... you 'start over' ... get back up and continue where you left off ... this is what SUCCESS!!!

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." -- C. S. Lewis

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -- Nelson Mandela

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." -- Japanese Proverb

"Another sunrise, another new beginning." -- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

"Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently." -- Henry Ford

"With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts." -- Eleanor Roosevelt

Success

28Feb2011

This last week, my husband and I reached a level in our business that we have been striving towards for a LONG time ... so that got me thinking about success ...

Everyone measures success differently ... to some it is reaching a certain career level, to others it's the ability to accomplish a hobby or sport, and to still others, it's the realization of a weight-loss goal. No matter what you believe is success for your life, it is always something to push towards with every ounce of your being ... because when you reach that point of being successful ... you will feel like you can conquer the world and the emotions, euphoria and excitement will help carry you to the next goal.

Happy Monday!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other." -- Abraham Lincoln

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." - Thomas Edison

"Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success." -- Dale Carnegie

"I've missed over 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." -- Michael Jordan

"Most people give up just when they're about to achieve success. They quit on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game one foot from a winning touchdown." -- Ross Perot

Motivation

21Feb2011

By definition, motivation means many things, but my favorite is "desire to do; interest or drive; incentive."  I think that exercise is one department where motivation is very much needed.  You could use anything for your motivation when you reach your weight-loss goals ... but really and truthfully, it needs to be something concrete, something that is able to be touched, looked at or tasted.

Lots of motivational ideas include: a fun exercise class (yoga, pilates, etc), a new book by your favorite author, a lovely piece of jewelry you've been eyeing, a couple new pieces of clothing, a visit to the spa ... the creative ideas are endless!! What ever helps incentivize you work hard, to obtain optimal health, keep it in front of you till your goal is reached.

My motivation is this: to reach the weight I was when I married my husband 7.5 years ago ... 135lbs ... and by achieving that goal, my wedding dress will once again fit!!  So, every time I look at the wedding photos I have around the house or see my wedding gown hanging in the closet, I remember my goal and my desire to work hard towards that goal is revived.

Good luck on your journey this week ... and remember to always keep something motivational in front of you =)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion.  You must set yourself on fire.  -- Arnold H. Glasow

~ Motivation is when your dreams put on work clothes.  -- Author Unknown

~ Vision without action is a daydream.  Action with without vision is a nightmare.  -- Japanese Proverb

~ When you know what you want, and you want it badly enough, you'll find a way to get it .  -- Jim Rohn