So not dieting but changing your life-habits forever takes time and patience. Every time i set goals i get slammed. This time I’m taking it as a great way to find new ways to battle emotions… and this year has been crazy.

Jan – Friend dies, and herniated disk
Feb – Sister got married, other sister had twins, $5000 stolen out of checking account, and my niece died (one of the twins)

“80% of the people you meet are dealing with some sort of tragedy that you may never even know about. Remember that before judging them, and remember your Destiny. Often your biggest Tragedy is the greatest part of helping you reach your Destiny.” – Tragedy or Destiny

None of these are my biggest tragedy, but every single thing that happens, happens for a reason. Just like the sun doesn’t come up on accident, OK it doesn’t move at all bad analogy. Simply put I’m a better person for it all, and there is so much good that happened in balance, I just have to look for it.

Jan – Hubby got promotion, and a raise
Feb – No cold or flue bugs, nicer weather than usual, it took less that 24 hours to get all the stolen money back in our account, and looking forward to finding out how much we over paid in taxes.

When everything hits (the good with the bad) it’s even a better reason to keep focused on the basics. Exercising daily, and not emotionally eating. It really helps me deal with stress and emotions.

So what do i do instead. I get on my bike, strap my lap-top on with my favorite show and get a 50min cardio in for the day. Exactly what I’m going to go do right now. I did it the last three days and i want all 6 this week. Because, I will succeed!

Done talking, time to get biking =)

So…if you’ve been following close i announced that i had gained back my 15-20lbs that i lost last winter. I think it’s because i hadn’t made a permanent lifestyle change. I would set goals reach them, and then what.

This week i had 3 very intense work outs, ate extremely healthy, and keep busy working instead of over eating out of winter boredom.

I didn’t look at the scale, just kept chugin along and Voila!

I made sure that i never got too hungry, and i made sure to drink plenty of water, eat plenty of lean low sodium protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats.

When i was really craving a carb i would eat a low fat gram cracker. When i was craving chocolate i would eat a few coca covered almonds or drink a chocolate protein shake made with water. I feel great, and ready to see how next week goes. Yea, i do have sore muscles but that just means I’m getting the intensity i need out of my workouts.

What are some tips or tricks you use when losing weight?

Happy Valentines Day!

Hope you all enjoy this V-day treat.

So a few days back Marla found my site.  I found hers and loved it.  I’m taking control of my fitness along with my nutrition and decided to try one of her healthy snacks to help curb or even feed the craving.

Cocoa Dusted Hazel-Nuggets

I snagged  the recipe and then attempted to make it myself with almonds.  It turned out great I only had some of the ingredients but it all worked out and they taste delicious.  Not i just ate a cinnamon roll and have a sugar coma delicious but wow that was good and i still have energy and wont crash delicious.  Just the kind of recipes I’m looking for.

I usually don’t like recipes in general, or they don’t work well with me.  Just to easy to mess something up, always feels more like a job.  But just like a job when it works out, there’s confidence to be had in the end.  So I’m confidently showing off my experiment.

Almond-Cocoa-Almond

1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

1/4 tsp Almond Extract (Her’s called for Orange, Coffee, Coconut, or omit it)

1 tbs Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

1/2 Egg White (guesstimate)

1/8 cup Agave Syrup, or Maple Syrup

1/4 tsp Salt

1 cup almonds

Mix it all together and spread on wax/parchment paper

Put in oven for 375 (i did 385 guessing that i was a higher altitude) stir every 10 min, just don’t let it burn.  You’ll know you can smell it.  20-30 min should do it for the almonds (with skin they tend to burn faster, or my rack was too high)

Cocoa Dust

2 tbs Sweetened Cocoa Powder -or-

2 tsp Stevia Powder & 2 tbs Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

When the Almonds are done toss them/mix them in the cocoa dust and surve warm or store in air tight container.

-Thanks Marla

How often to you say that to your self? Well why not every day and often. It’s also a great response to “how did you do that?”. I’ve never tried it but my hubby tends to respond sarcastically that way all the time. But today (sarcasm aside) I’m amazing.

I decided yesterday that today i would get up early and work out. (thanks to a great post by Stephanie). I’m kind of a nerd/athlete, and get way to excited about working out. I know that in the morning i always have a million reasons not to get out of bed early. So i wrote down reasons (something that I would care about before the sun came up) to get out of bed.

Peace of Mind
Regular Schedule
Balance
Energy
Health
Confidence…Ding Ding Ding We have a winner

For me that is the numero uno thing that gets me up. My mind was wondering so much of all the possibilities and all my dreams that i couldn’t sleep. Then (don’t tell him i told you) my hubby started snoring (only when he has a bit of a cold). 5 hours later i was asleep. So asleep that i didn’t hear my alarm until the lyrics hit. I thought about how much sleep i got, then i thought how much better i would sleep tonight if i got up and exercised. I counted to 3 then got out of bed (I’ve done that since i was in High School. Now it’s to a point where i don’t want to break my record or let my self down.).

Yea! I’m wasted, i won’t lie, but I’m happy and confident, just like the little piece of paper said on my night stand. Now, i just need to change my cell phone alarm to something that starts with music. Today Biz is doing a giveaway and all you have to do is leave your favorite motivational song. Well, my favorite is still “Suddenly I See” by KT Tunstall

“The power to Be,
The power to Give,
The power to See…”

Those three words inspire me to be greater, and get out of bed.  So I’ll try that tomorrow for my wake up call.  Yes, tomorrow.  Every day for the rest of my life.  To me that’s exciting, but i love working out, and i love the way i feel afterward.  I’m finally taking charge and making it happen.

What are some tricks you use to reach fitness goals?

Happy V-Day Love you all! – FS

Some days…OK, most days are a little crazy at times.  My family motto growing up…”It’s better to be a little crazy, than boring.” I couldn’t agree more.  Even when times are crazy, there is still something to be said about growing and strengthening relationships, or your own personal mile stones that comes from all the crazy.

Saturday one of my little sisters got married, Sunday my hubby’s brother threw a party for his new little girl, Monday my little guy turned 2, Tuesday my other little sister had her twins 2 weeks early 1.1 lbs, and 2.3 lbs (the difference in size was part of why they had to come early), Today i picked my Mom up from the airport and ran errands with her to help out my sister.  Tomorrow… Nothing…. Peace.

A little peace goes a long way.  Part of why i love meditating/yoga.  My favorite thing to do is sun salutes moving into plank, then downward facing dog.  The patterned breathing really helps calm my nerves and slow me down long enough to remember what’s really important… Presence.  The hear the now this very moment.  Enjoy it.  Even when theirs possible heart ache ahead.  Stop for a while and just soak in the now.  Oh, that sure makes a nice oatmeal bath sound great, with a little relaxing music.

Hope you all make some time this week to really enjoy the moments.  They are constantly happening.  I just need to slow down long enough to notice and enjoy.

Today is absolutely beautiful.  The house warmed up to over 75 with no heater on so i bundled up the boys and went to the park.  They had so much fun, and i got some much needed sunshine.  Just what the Dr ordered.  The back is healing faster than i thought but that means i still need to gradually become active and more important lift with my legs and always use my core.  I’m only on 1/4 of a pain killer and 1/2 a muscle relaxant today and it seams to just like yesterday.  I’m stretching like crazy but only using proper form and drinking lots of fluids.

I keep getting more and more excuses/reasons/wake up calls to be in ultimate shape, not just “healthy” according to some BMI or fat % but back to athlete shape.  First when i was 16 with the knee and the Dr saying i should keep my weight at a healthy 145, then two years ago with the gallbladder and now i can’t eat fried foods anymore, and now with the back i needed to have a very strong core.  I guess it’s time to take get the message and stop playing around.  Exercise every day for the rest of my life.  I keep getting the feeling and for me that’s not a negative thing it’s a relief, and it is also the best way to help with my serotonin levels and keep my emotions in cheek to…which effect all aspects of health.  So wake up call given time and time again.  Time to do something about it.

Still doing great!  Taking it slow and letting my body do it’s job and heal.  With no anti-inflammatories it’s a little slow but the Dr put me on muscle relaxants that are keeping the spasms from making it worse.  It got better for a few days then i went to the gym and wore heals and the next morning it was right back to before and worse.  So, this time I’m takin’ it slow and doing lots of gentle yoga and drinking plenty of water.  I’ve just got to have patience and give it time.  Now i just have another excuse to be extremely healthy and strengthen my trunk/core.  You would think i’d get the hint by now =)