#2: Relatability, Enjoying Life, and Recommended Helpful Apps

 It takes minimum 60 days before something becomes a habit. 

I cannot tell you how many times I've started and stopped my health routine within the past seven years. It definitely is a journey! The first three years, I still had an injured back from the car accident. So even when I exercised hard for a month, I ended up being down for another two months due to massive pain. One step forward, two steps back. 

Weight loss drugs and surgery: I've tried almost every weight loss drug. Saxenda was the one that massively helped! And then it didn't one day; it just stopped. It was a helpful tool. But I will admit I was sick all the time- from all the drugs. My personal opinion, I wouldn't recommend them in the long run. Also, for personal reasons I am not a fan of weight loss surgery. I've been an athlete my whole life. Life happened, my body had health issues, the car accident injured my lower back, and years of fighting for my personal health until a doctor took me seriously, here we are today. I can walk again. In fact, I'd like to train for a half marathon in Spring 2026 officially. So my goal is to do it the healthy way, again. 

There was a story I read this morning. It made perfect sense. Not only is this mom an inspiration but how she started is very similar to my motivational start. Woman, 29, Loses 240 Pounds by Sticking to 1 Simple Daily Habit She just opened up the door and made the decision to start running, and the life changes have been incredible for her.

My reasoning: I'm tired of talking about it! I've always been a doer; so let's get it done! 

• I want my body back
• I want to run a half marathon
• I want to have self confidence and self love again

It's that simple. So I just started. 

For years I've heard the saying "life is a journey" and "everything happens for a reason." I cannot tell you how aggravating those sayings are. Maybe there is some truth. Time will tell. In the meantime, what I can tell you is life is short. We need to embrace the time we have while we have it. Because in the blink of an eye we can lose it all. Nothing is promised and nothing is guaranteed. (Also, nothing is fair.) We need to give our all every chance we can with what we deem important in our life. 

A few weeks ago I started using two apps: Fabulous and Gratitude. 

• Fabulous is in essence a checklist of getting things done each day with motivational speeches morning, afternoon, and evening. 
• Gratitude is a journal you write in talking about experiences that you are grateful for. It helps remind you of all the positive in your life. (A few sentences a day keeps your heart and mind in a gratitude-like-state-of-mind.) 

These have been helpful getting me started. 

In the meantime I'm still playing tennis, working with a personal trainer, working at the fitness center daily. (Can you tell fitness is kind of my life?) But it hasn't been enough. Something is missing. So I tried two more apps: 

• LazyFit (workout in your bed)
• Pilates Workout (quick, easy, effective stretches)

These are both fantastic. It requires roughly ten minutes a day of exercise. That's it. Your body will feel the results with minimal effort and impact. (The bigger issue here is minimal impact.) Honestly, working out is becoming FUN again. The secret: if you enjoy what you are doing then you will want to do it again. It reminded me the other day when I went home to my roots what I'm missing: ENJOYMENT. I've been pushing through the motions for so long that I've forgotten how to enjoy the small things, especially regarding exercise. 

Find the enjoyment in your life! Are you ready to make today a new beginning? If so, let's go! 

#1: Talk the Talk AND Walk the Walk

Wow! It's been 13 years I've been attempting to write on this blog on a regular basis. 

Have you ever gotten to the point you are so frustrated it's time to finally make a difference? Yea, that's where I'm at. I've never been a person to just talk. Usually I do what I talk about; I've always taken action. As of late I dream. But dreaming is not action. I'm so tired of talking. Let's finally get it done.

- Fitness in the morning

- writing everyday

- prayer and meditation in the evening

These are the new daily goals. I'll leave this post for starters and report back tomorrow. It is my understanding that writing everyday is the beginning of starting a new process. Let's make these actions a new habit. 

New Beginnings (Prayers Answered 12+ Yrs Later)

 Another incredible day! 

    * Started the day with Dog Bathing for the first time; it was more fun than I would have imagined. Loved working with the new team, and the pets are lovely to help bath, dry, and prep. (What's funny, I wanted to get my grooming license over 10 yrs ago but for certain reasons- not due to lack of trying- I was unable to do so in the SW MI area, even though there was a massive grooming shortage.)

* Next stop basic needs. Surprisingly had time to stop home and feed the pets, get changed, and off to work. Note: roads are still solid black ice, and temperatures are icy cold.

* Off to the full-time job. Arrived on scene to find out the building had been hit by a snowplow truck and everything has been dealt with accordingly. Needless to say everything has been interesting and will hopefully be finalized and resolved in a timely manner- like maybe by tomorrow! We shall see what miracles await.  

     - Then there were some very interesting conversations throughout the day: positive, helpful, inspiring. When people work together we motivate one another!

* Which makes me think about: why is it so important to remain focused and positive at all times? (I keep receiving this message over and over for the past two weeks.) To stay positive is to think clearly, to receive higher messages of inspiration, and to make choices and changes with the best of intentions for the higher purpose of ourselves. Note: always best to listen more than we speak too; that is another way we continue giving back to others. 

* Left work to take care of low pressure tires during these very cold days/nights. Enjoyed speaking to a friend. Then got home and briefly spent time with the animals while taking care of basic house chores. Then left to enjoy time with the boyfriend which then turned into washing dishes and picking up his bedroom/living room briefly. 

* Now, here I am sitting back finally reflecting on the day. Taking a moment to breathe. To prep for study time. (test next Friday) And go to bed for a few hours, to do it all over again. (Another long day tomorrow.) 

I think we forget how blessed we are in this world as Individuals. We always look to someone else to say how lucky they are or we see how special they are. Sometimes we need to stop and realize how special WE are. Look in the mirror and take note of our own unique abilities. Everyone is going through something; everyone has it tough right now. But each of us contributes with something special. 

Today, I studying and learned that the people who have harder struggles tend to have greater rewards. They appreciate what they have earned in the long run vs. what someone has been given (example: studying and failing a test multiple times before finally passing with flying colors; you learn to appreciate, value, and give back to those with difficulties.) The greater reward with the most advanced skills struggle. Don't get me wrong, the struggles are NOT fun in the moment. (Personally, I'd like to know when the struggles subside.) But apparently, there is a larger rainbow at the end of the path if we keep pushing and pursuing our goals that we are told we will never achieve. 

Find happiness. Trust inner wisdom. Never give up!

Arctic Blast & Not Giving Up

The polar freeze has swept through SW MI. As wonderful as it is to have a normal winter and January again, the roads are extremely icy and the temperatures are downright frigid. In fact, local schools have been closed for three days straight. Yay for kids and snow days; the excitement for a random day off! Boo for such cold temps, bad driving on black ice, and getting through the daily grind.

Other states have the cold temps too. Some snow.. some rain. May we all stay safe and warm.

Today has been a challenging day. Trying to obtain goals and succeeding at nothing can be beyond challenging. It puts things in perspective. So I'm reminding myself to stay positive. I survived driving to GR and back in these crazy conditions. I spoke to like-minded people. Found new-found inspiration. And will try again. (Trying to improve career success and the ability to help others.)

For now, good night; I will type more details later and include pictures at a different time when I gain access to a better working computer. 

Stay positive and until next time.