Day 100, the challenge ends

Day 100 is apparently today.   I obviously lost count somewhere in there. Yesterday I started looking at all my past posts.   My plan was to do a synopsis.  That didn't happen.   But I did find myself getting motivated.   I wish I talked to myself that way all the time!   It feels good!  

I did not achieve the goals I had wished to over the last 100 days.  Part of me wonders if I just expect to not achieve them any more.  It has been a learning experience though.  I have started working with the trainer.  My weight has not decreased but I am noticing my strength increasing.  My measurements today were decreasing around my waist and hips and increased around my arms and legs.  That is telling me that I am creating muscle.   This is only going to work in my favor.   So although I didn't achieve my big goal, I have made great changes that are allowing me to make progress.  I am not stagnant, I am not going backwards, I am moving forward and with that I will have no doubt of reaching success!  So here is to the next 100 days!  May I have even more success with them. 

Day 99 of 100--Dancing to the music.

Here my 100 day challenge is almost over,   I had expected to be in a different place now than I am.   Of course I have had challenges, but the question is whether those ended up being glorified excuses.   "I'm sick, so I will bag what I have been working on."  

The power of consistency (Day 90 something, I won't be counting dates much longer!)

I was listening to the Best Life Ever CD today and Darren Hardy started talking about the power of consistency.   How creating habits and completing them bring success.   This thought has been on my mind a bit because I have been contemplating my success over the first 3 months of this year.   Mind you I have had better days.  The sickness got to me.   The question I had posed to myself this weekend was whether in order to be successful, one needed to complete the habits that they decided upon even when sick or having a bad day.

Day 89 of 100---cycles of brilliance

For only 100 days, I sure have not been consistent.  I apologize for the lapses.

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I have come to realize I have cycles of brilliance.  Moments where I feel everything is going well and I am on task.  Where everything is going my way.  Then I have the 180 degree different moment where I feel at the bottom of life, nothing is working right and I just can't get it all figured out.

Day 84 of 100--get up and move

JUST DANCE!



A lot of times when you are just feeling down, or in a rut.   It is just time to move.  Do something about it.  Stop letting your negative voice tear you down.  Get up and do something about it.    Even just walking in place for 5 minutes can get you out of a slump.  Get your heart pumping.  Get moving.  Put yourself in action mode and see where the momentum gets you!  Just move!


(This is definitely a moment where I am talking to myself!  Getting up and moving, working in the yard at the new building today was exhausting and yet exhilarating.   Something to be said about the benefits of hard work!)

Day 83 of 100

Don't expect a straight line.   This journey isn't about getting from point a to point b.   It is about living life and handling the ups and the downs.   Its about finding joy in the little things.   Life is meant to be enjoyed.  It is meant to be lived.  Getting caught up in trying to make you plan happen, can sometimes become a lesson in futility.   The truth is we need to ride the waves, expect them and as the magnificent surfer does turn the waves into something beautiful.  Only when we recognize the beauty and joy in life does it become easier and more enjoyable to live. 

Day 78 of 100---the blame game.

I have often played the blame game when it comes to food.  It is only recently since I started into intuitive eating that I have been able to get out of it.  More or less.  It is easy to get sucked into, so occasionally I will catch myself.  :)

My hubby brings home treats frequently.  In the past I would say it was his fault I ate it, because he brought it home.  I even used to use the excuse that he wanted the treat so I would by it for him, and eat it myself.  I was placing the blame outside of myself even though he didn't force feed me the donuts. Just brought them into my vicinity.   Those cookies....those were just on the counter.  They didn't ask to be eaten, I wasn't commanded to eat them.  I chose to eat them.  

Day 77 of 100--Luck!?!

The Darren Daily this morning was about getting lucky.  No it's not that kind of luck. 

What we sometimes view as luck is actually preparation meeting opportunity.   There are times we miss out on opportunities because we are not looking or acknowledging them.  What can sometimes feel as though something falls in our lap is because we have been prepared for it, whether we realized it or not.  

I am a believer that it isn't plain luck...but blessings from God that we receive.  The more we look for those blessings the more we will be prepared and find them. 

So what opportunities are you preparing yourself for?   Are you looking for them, are you grateful for them? 

Day 76 of 100--Mantra tool kit

71 of 100, an apology

I have skipped these secondary posts lately because I have had a hard time even coming up with ideas.   My brain seems to be focused on healing and frustration over being sick more than anything else.  Shortly I will start them up again.  Hopefully tomorrow.  Only 30 days left.   :)

Day 69 of 100--accept help

Many times we think we can just do it all.  Or maybe we think we should be able to do it all.   Notice I said should!  Guilt meter going off!!   A long time ago my Grandma H taught me a lesson.   My youngest brother had just been born and I was telling someone that we didn't need meals brought in.  She interrupted me and said "let them serve"   this is one of those moments that has stuck with me

Day 68 of 100--Say No

In order to take care of ourselves, we need to sometimes say no to outside influences.   This can be someone asking us to do something.  It can be something that takes away from our real priorities.  Whatever it is, we need to take stock of our priorities and do what is best for ourselves, not whatever is asked of us.  I have a hard time feeling like I let people down if I don't do what is asked of me.  So I have a default of yes all too often.   I learned this weekend that sometimes it is better to be upfront in a no, instead of pushing it down the line.

So figure out your priorities.  What comes first.   For me it is my health and family.

Make a plan to say no.  If you need to say let me check my calendar so you have time to think it over. 

Be kind.   It doesn't have to be mean or abrupt.  Thanks for asking, I won't be able to this time.  Something of that nature.

You don't need to explain it.  If you just don't want to you can just say no.  Don't go into detail.  People don't always need to know your reasoning.  :)

So are you good at saying no?  Do these tactics work for you?   Are there any that work better?

Day 66 of 100

No wise words today.  I came down with another cold.  I am just so frustrated.  I have lost my voice, again.   Coughing, again.  My son looks like he is about to get pink eye.   Everything feels like it is working against me.   I am just frustrated!  I'm off to drink some hot honey and lemon, and go to bed.  Hopefully I can get feeling better by morning, and Hopefully I don't lose my voice for 2 weeks again!

I know in order to get out of this mind set I need to be grateful, but I don't want to right now. I am a little bit angry...

Day 65 of 100--Self Sabotage

I have noticed that I am gravitating to sweets...my first instinct is to get angry at myself and wonder why I am sabotaging my results.  The question is am I really sabotaging, or am I after something else.   My prior programming (yes I am using that term) says that when I don't feel good I eat, when I am uncomfortable, or angry or depressed I eat.  If I am tired or dehydrated I crave sweets.   So I know this, but still I wonder why I am sabotaging my eating. 

Day 64 of 100--adapt and adjust

I have lots of ideas on what to write about through the day, I tend to neglect to do anything about it until night time though.  So it is 10:30 and I am sitting here writing my thoughts.  ;)   One of the things Erik talks about a lot in boot camp is Adapt adjust and accept.   or A3 for short.   Adapting and adjusting is very important.  Even the best laid plans get mixed up.

Day 63 of 100--Who do I want to be

Chasing success makes success elusive.   So instead of chasing a goal, you need to become the person who achieves it.   So who is it that you want to be?  Who is it that has the type of success that you desire?


Writing a goal in the now helps you to visualize that success.  In the movie "the Inner Weigh" it talks about writing your goal starting with "I am so happy and grateful now that..."  So writing it out that way would look something like this:

I am so grateful and happy now that I am strong and healthy.  I am able to do 10 full push ups easily and effortlessly.  My blood sugar is in a normal range, my cholesterol levels are normal.  I enjoy fruits and vegetables.   I create healthy and yummy meals that my family eats around the table, we enjoy each other's company and the food as well.   I feel good in my body.   I have energy to chase the kids, clean and keep up around the house.  I enjoy keeping my house clean, and creating wonderful food.

That's a beginning, I think I will revise and lengthen...so what would your future look like?

Day 62 of 100--success is hard!

See the ants?  Such a good example!

Today has been a difficult day.   I have allowed my negative voice get the best of me and my performance has suffered.  I was on a big high yesterday, today is quite the opposite.  Then this shows up on my facebook feed: 95% of what it takes to succeed sucks!   and I totally agree. 

Day 61 of 100--Cut your big goal into small goals

Today I realized after listening to the Darren Daily and the 30 in 15 video that My current why is to show myself that I can do this!   I want to finally tell my negative voice that I am in charge and that I don't believe it.  I am going to show her up and do what I have decided to do.  NO IFs Ands or BUTS!  It's time to jump out of all the excuses!!

So in order to get to my goals I am taking a step at a time.   Ultimately the goal is to get to a size 8 and drop 30 lbs in 15 weeks.   If I only pay attention to the end goal it could get overwhelming and my negative voice would have a heyday!   So instead I am dividing it up into weekly and daily goals.  This week's goal is to take steps that will help me drop 2 lbs by my weigh in.   This includes my daily workouts, Random Acts of Fitness (namely 10000 steps) drinking water, eating more fruits and veggies.  Picking from these ideas for the week, I used them for my daily goals.  So today my intentions were to get my 10000 steps, drink 64 oz water and eat 5 fruits and veggies.   I was successful for day one of the 15 weeks!   It feels good to base my success off of the things I have control over.  :)  I believe that my daily success will ultimately lead me to see weekly success, and even greater success from there.   I know I can't help but be successful as I have all the tools at my disposal that I am using.  Trainers, motivation, healthy and easy meals.   Now I am going to go plan my day for tomorrow.   That is another step towards success!!

Day 60 of 100--how do you talk about yourself?

My very smart hubby had the insight the other day that if you talk about yourself in a negative way, you become that.  Say you always put yourself down when you talk to others about how you are doing.   Soon you start to believe it.  Soon you actually are that.  Why sell yourself short??   Be your authentic true self no matter who you are talking to.  You deserve to be you!   Don't talk down about yourself.   Be honest, and lift yourself up!

Day 59 of 100--motivation reboot

Ever have those days where you just can't seem to do what you want/need to do?  Maybe it is time for a motivation reboot!  As Zig Ziglar would say: "People often say that Motivation doesn’t last.  Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily."   I always laugh at that quote.   I  usually don't wait until someone says I stink to take a shower.   Perhaps it is wise for us not to wait to boost our motivation until it stinks as well!   When I am really having a hard time keeping up, or doing something what can I do to help me enjoy the process?