Fear of Change

I think this type of advice should be used in all aspects of our life. Not just weight loss. There are so many things that fear and uncertainty keep us from having and doing. We have to stop letting fear take over our lives.

From LOSING IT! With Jillian Michaels

Fear of change can keep you in a soul-crushing job, a bad relationship, or a physically destructive lifestyle. Ask yourself: Is the devil-you-know approach really good enough for you? Is your life making you happy? If you answered no to either of those questions, WHAT do you have to lose by embracing change?

The truth is, things should be changing — your body is changing, your habits are changing, your attitude is changing. This might be the point where, because of so much change, you're starting to freak out a little bit. You might be asking yourself, What will all this change mean — to my life's direction, my relationships, my identity?

I can't stress enough how important it is to resist any pressure you may be feeling from others to stop improving your habits or to remain a certain size. And don't worry if your spouse, family members, or friends aren't on board with your plans. You can't control them. They'll change if and when they want to change. Take care of yourself first.

Maybe you're afraid you won't know how to love yourself if you're not a certain size. Many people are buried in their weight, not knowing who they would be without it. This is especially a risk if you've never identified yourself as "skinny." Don't be afraid of what you'll be like when you're thinner. Feel the fear and do it anyway! And don't sabotage your efforts because you don't deem yourself worthy — you are SO deserving of achieving your weight-loss goal! Let's dig deep, get our hands dirty, and do this. What is there to be afraid of when you're healthy — besides living the life you're supposed to lead? When you're overweight and uncomfortable, there is so much less you can do, and you always live with the threat of having a stroke, developing type 2 diabetes, or getting cancer. Obviously, a lot more risks are involved if you give up and stay stuck instead of making changes.

The only thing that's holding you back from achieving your dreams is YOU. Believe in yourself, and stop letting your excuses keep you from living. Screw surviving — it's time to thrive! --

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend! Tomorrow is my Sweetie's 32nd birthday, and even though He's miles and states away right now, I just wanted to made a little note and say HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY! I LOVE YOU! hehe

Cheers folks!

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Movie Quotes

Nick Mercer: Close your eyes. Close your eyes. Close... your... eyes. You're safe. You can relax. I'm not going to kiss you. He's gonna be so sorry he lost you, so stop worrying. Forget the past. Forget the pain. And remember what an incredible woman you are. You do that and he'll realize what he lost.

Kat Ellis: Holy crap. You're worth every penny.

-The Wedding Date (2005)



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Happy Tuesday! (it IS Tuesday right?)

Hello everyone! I'm slowly but surely making my way around blogs and catching up with all the information you've been providing, and I'm loving it! Honestly, when it comes to people looking for advice, or help, and want real people's opinions and feelings on issues, the internet is filled with blogs for everything under the sun. I, myself, enjoy reading health & fitness blogs, because it helps to keep me on track, and keeps me focused on what it is I want to do and how I want to live my life. There are blogs from the totally serious health and fitness guru's to the light hearted housewives that find humor in their struggles. I love it, and I follow a variety of it all.

Working three jobs has definitely taken it's toll on my schedule, as well as the amount of time I have to do the things I want to do. I know I need to get to the gym more, or get up that extra hour earlier in the morning, and get my workouts in. When I DO have a full day off, it seems the last thing on my mind is getting that workout in, when all I want to do is enjoy and relax and try to get some housework done. Even THAT has fallen somewhat to the wayside, but that will have to be kicked into gear as I prepare to sort through all my things, sell what I can, and pack and forward the things I wish to keep. (BTW, anyone wanna buy a treadmill? I can't take it with me! LOL) I have to admit I do feel a bit overwhelmed, but I just need to take one day at a time and set some short term goals for myself, and that will lead me to complete my ultimate goals.

There have been a lot of things happening around me that have really made me feel blessed and appreciate the things and the people I have in my life. After events that transpired this past year, I really felt this was going to be a hard year for me, but it's taken a total "180*" and I totally feel rejuvinated and on the right path. Having gotten rid of all the negativity and bullsh*t in my life, and it has opened my eyes to all that is positive and worthwhile. Most importantly, for the first time in my life, I feel secure. Honestly, and truly secure. It's an amazing feeling!! I wish I could bottle this up and sell it, but it's up to each of us as individuals to take our own journey and discover that for ourselves. Support and love has come from so many unexpected places, and I couldn't be happier.

Guess all I have to say is to make sure to surround yourself with positive people and allow the tears of pain and heartache turn in to tears of joy, appreciation and love. Have a great week everyone! *hugs*

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I Surrender

A beautiful song by Celine Dion....

There's so much life I've left to live
And this fire's burning still
When I watch you look at me
I think I could find the will
To stand for every dream
And forsake the solid ground
And give up this fear within
Of what would happen if they ever knew
I'm in love with you

'Cause I'd surrender everything
To feel the chance to live again
I reach to you
I know you can feel it too
We'd make it through
A thousand dreams I still believe
I'd make you give them all to me
I'd hold you in my arms and never let go
I surrender

I know I can't survive
Another night away from you
You're the reason I go on
And now I need to live the truth
Right now, there's no better time
From this fear I will break free
And I live again with love
And no they can't take that away from me
And they will see... yeah

I’d surrender everything
To feel the chance to live again
I reach to you
I know you can feel it too
We'd make it through
A thousand dreams I still believe
I'd make you give them all to me
I'd hold you in my arms and never let go
I surrender

Every night's getting longer
And this fire is getting stronger, baby
I'll swallow my pride and I'll be alive
CAN'T you hear my call
I surrender

(I'd surrender everything
To feel the chance to live again)
I reach to you
I know you can feel it too
We'll make it through
A thousand dreams I still believe
I'll make you give them all to me
I'll hold you in my arms and never let go
I surrender

Right here, right now
I give my life to live again
I'll break free, take me
My everything I surrender all to you

Right now
I give my life to live again
I'll break free, take me
(My everything) My everything (I surrender all to you)



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Water vs Coke

Many of you may have seen this email circulating, as my sister sent it to me, but there are some definite truths to this email, but I've also removed those that have been unproven. There's still some definite interesting facts and things to think about when it comes to what we put into our bodies.

Check out more information at http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/w/watervscoke.htm or http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/w/water.htm

____________________________


WATER

1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. (Likely applies to half the world population)

2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is mistaken for hunger.

3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as 3%.

4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.

5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.

7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.

8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%., and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer. Are you drinking the amount of water you should drink every day?


COKE

1. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl and let the 'real thing' sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous china.

2. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola.

3. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.

4. To loosen a rusted bolt: Apply a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.

5. To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminum foil, and bake. Thirty minutes before ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the drippings to mix with the Coke for a sumptuous brown gravy.

6. To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of Coke into the load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.

7. The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. It will dissolve a nail in about four days. Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major contributor to the rising increase of osteoporosis.

8. To carry Coca-Cola syrup! (the concentrate) the commercial trucks must use a hazardous Material place cards reserved for highly corrosive materials.

9. The distributors of Coke have been using it to clean engines of the trucks for about 20 years!


Now the question is, would you like a glass of water? or Coke?

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The Sleep Factor

Yes, that's me and my kittybutt Shamrock passed out on our old couch a while back. Cats can sleep up to 18 hours a day. Can you imagine!? Unfortunately we cannot do this. I'm sure there are many of us that DO wish we could do that. Then again, I'm glad we can't otherwise we'd miss out on so much of our life! Like the old saying goes.. "You can sleep all you want when you're dead!!"

Sleep is an important factor in maintaining and losing weight. I've always been a bit of an insomniac, so I've learned to get by on less sleep than what I should be getting, and I know it's inhibited my weight loss. There's also the flip side to that too... getting TOO much sleep. Let my girl crush explain...

Are You Getting Too Much Sleep?
by Jillian Michaels

Are you one of those people who likes to brag that you get by on very little sleep? Or do you love to sleep the day away? I've told you before that too little sleep can mess up your weigh-loss efforts, but did you also know that when you sleep too much, your metabolism can also be negatively affected too?

If you sleep 10 hours a night, you might face some of the same hormonal risks as those who sleep too little. A recent Canadian study found that people who sleep fewer than seven hours or more than nine hours weigh an average of four more pounds (and had wider waists) than people who sleep eight hours every night. Researchers believe that having too much or too little sleep interferes with your ability to control your appetite, because it simultaneously increases hunger hormone ghrelin while it decreases satisfaction hormone leptin.

Want to be sure you are getting all the benefits of a good night sleep? Get your rest! Shoot for a consistent eight hours of sleep and stick with the same bed time and wake-up time each day — even on the weekends!

Interesting eh? I usually don't sleep in on the weekends anyway. Never really could. I should probably start setting a bedtime for myself. Working out helps me sleep a full eight too. There are so many suggestions on the net on how to get to sleep better, quicker, deeper. Find what works for you, and try to stick to a routine! Have a good one y'all!! Happy Hump Day!

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Double Blog: Depression & Diet Pills

Found this among my email, and thought it appropriate since many of us, myself included, have been dealing with the enormous amounts of snow that has seemed to rock America. Something to keep an eye on, because many people are actually "shut in" due to snow, utilities down, etc. This of course is not to diagnose anyone, or give advice, just sharing information:

Ask Dr. Michael Thase
Could Winter Dread Be Depression?

Q: I have always dreaded the grey days of winter in the Midwest. I'm 66 and I have been a widow for three years. I find that I linger in bed in the mornings, always want to stay home, and look forward to very little. I have never thought of myself as depressed — rather that I'm just getting older and tired. Could I be wrong? — Vivian, Kentucky

A: The changes that you describe sound a lot more like depression than those that can be attributed to getting older.

Your association between your mood and the gray days of winter is not uncommon. A significant minority of the U.S. population — perhaps 15 to 25 percent — report feeling lower moods or decreased energy levels during the shorter days of fall and winter, when there is less sun exposure. In some people, these low moods and lack of energy are diagnosed as SAD, or seasonal affective disorder.

For you, the loss of your husband, added to this seasonal pattern of mood disturbance, may have been enough to push you over your capacity to cope. You should go see your doctor and, if he or she agrees that what you’re experiencing is outside of the normal range, you can learn about your treatment options for depression. If persistent grief is a strong factor, psychotherapy may be recommended.

Some people with winter depression also benefit from treatment with bright white light, delivered via a small portable light box.

I've always found a way to get out of this for myself is to try to stay active. In cases like this, I think it's more so more staying mentally active. Whether a project or hobby, playing a game, chatting with a friend, or even makeing a list things that need done that you've been holding off on. Whatever it is, it's hard to escape the winter blues sometimes, but like everything in life, we can try our best to rise above it.

On another note, have you see my girl-crush, Jillian Michaels, is being sued by some typical money hungry woman? (Click here to read story) I know I had this posted on my Facebook page, and people were definitely quick to comment.

Listen up folks!! There is NO MIRACLE PILL!!! Most people start these programs without doing the 3 basic things all of them say you need to do.

1. Consult your physician first before starting any weight loss program. How many people you know call their doctor before starting up these diet pill programs? I highly doubt she went to her doctor complaining about her weight and calorie intake, and the doctor said.. "Hey! Try Jillian Michaels Maximum Strength Calorie Control!!! NOT!

2. Use in conjunction with either their specific program or a diet and exercise program. Way I look at it, if you have a good diet and exercise program, you most likely wouldn't be using these pills anyway. I know these types of pills are supposed to surpress your hunger, or speed up this or that, but in the end, the key is a good diet and exercise program.

3. Individual results may vary. Um.. hello?!?!? This woman used the pills for one month. ONE month! Did she take them everyday? I know I commented on Facebook that pills like that don't work when you down them with a box of Krispie Kremes in the morning.

Anywho, I can't wait to see how this plays out, because it will set a precident for all weight loss pills on the market and what they can claim. This product was marketed and labeled no differently than any other weight loss enhancer out there.

Oh well, back to the grind. Loving the DJ gig, and today I have to go review and file my big D paperwork. Always such fun! LOL. Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! Keep warm, keep safe, love ya!! *hugs*

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DJ & Big D Updates

Well, things are rolling along for me. I picked up Friday night DJing out at the pub, so that would be 2 nights a week right now, and the pay is more than I make working at BB part-time, so I may have to think about letting my manager there know that I'll be leaving soon. He already knows I am planning on quitting in April, but looks like I may have to leave a little earlier if Friday becomes a permanent gig for me. Sorry, two nights DJ'ing brings me more money than working 3-4 nights at BB, and I only work 4-5 hours a night instead of 6-7. It's a no brainer, and I really love it. I'll just miss the free movies!! hahaha!

I dropped off a check to my laywer this afternoon. He said that he will try to have the complaint drawn up by next Friday, and the date Ry signs it will be the start of the 90 days, so it's just a waiting game until then May. At 90 days, we both sign off on the divorce, and it's final. At that time, I will sign off on the deed as well. His secretary is out in the hospital, but he said since it's so cut and dry, he should have them ready for me. He'll also have the documents ready next Friday for me to sign, as well as notarized letters for me to go back to my maiden name. I hadn't really thought about changing my last name, but I guess if I'm to put all this behind me, keeping his name just seems silly.

I hit the gym last week and this week, as I really need to get these last 10-15 lbs off and tone up. I just want to look and feel by best, and there's nothing wrong with that. They have a hip hop class that I want to try out. Anything with dance moves incorporated is right up my alley. Besides, all the dancing I do behind the DJ booth helps me on the weekends!! LOL. I have a sore throat and a bit of congestion today, but all in all, I've really been feeling great. I'm sure it's because of someone special in my life, but I'll save all that for another post! *smiles*

Happy Hump Day Everyone!!

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