Week 2...

Today was the 2nd check in of the year. As of today, I have lost a total of 1.8lbs and this past week was 1lb. I'm looking to 10lbs. as a first small goal.

I've been having some pain this week in my back and abdoment, so that slowed me down a bit with working out, but I'm thinking I'll be heading to the doctor next week to see what might be up - speculation thinks it might be kidney stones. But, we'll see.

There have been a couple of days where I feel like I've just been eating so much - but still keeping track of what I'm eating. I have been trying to change WHAT I'm eating - if I'm going to eat the calories, I want to eat whole grains and more things that are good for me.

I also started writing thank you/encouragement notes this week. I'm up to 7 at this point - this was started by reading a book called "365 Thank Yous" by John Kralik. I started writing notes last year - mostly because I think it shows that you spent time thinking about something or that the person you're sending it to is important. I hope that by taking the time to send notes, others will do the same.

2011 is a year of reinvention for me. I know there's nothing I can't do (even when at times I want to give up).

Continuing into 2011...

It's 1-11-11. All in all, this year has been fairly good, considering I am still looking for a job.

I've been making changes in my diet that I hope are positive. Late last year, I found out my cholesterol level was at 239. I have good cholesterol, but my bad isn't great either. As I began to change things and work out a bit, I ended up with pneumonia. That put me out of commission for about a month and a half while I took antibiotics to get rid of it. Which ended up being 2 rounds worth. And then it took awhile to work back up to where I was.

So now, I have been regularly working out since December 31, and have also been changing my eating habits. I have started eating less, more often. During week one, I lost .8 lbs. Not quite the 1 lb. I was hoping for, but still progress!

I'm also taking the time I need for me. I'm finally not feeling as scattered as I had been. Having some time off has been some good for my emotional and physical self.

I'm really excited to see what 2011 has to offer!!

One year later

While I was getting ready for the Lansing Jaycees banquet last night, I started thinking about how different things are for me than they were one year ago.

One year ago, I was finishing my term as the 81st President of the Lansing Jaycees. I was starting my first year on the Michigan Jaycees Board of Directors. I had a full time job. I was in a long term relationship. If I go back 2 years ago, I lost a good friend to a snowmobiling accident the day after I was sworn in as 81st President of the Lansing Jaycees.

This weekend, I was beginning my first term as a Vice President for the Michigan Jaycees. I did my first training at LOTS. I'm single. And I'm looking for a job after one week of not having one. I still think that someone is watching over the world and ready to kick my butt when I start to get emotional. LOL.

It was a whirlwind and crazy 2010. I won't lie - it mostly wasn't a happy one. There were highlights: New Orleans, Haunted House, my Region D family. But much, especially the end part of the year, was a real blow to me. 2011 is going to be a year of rebuilding things, and a lot of change. I've had ups and downs and times when I'm just trying to stay afloat.

I am looking forward to 2011 and everything that will come with it. I'm looking forward to traveling around the state and seeing new things.

Book Goal for 2011

I posted this on Facebook recently - I added a few more to it, and I need one more to make it 15 on a list, and 15 to pick randomly throughout the year. Do you have suggestions for what #15 should be?

I decided that in 2011, I'm planning on reading 30 books. This is on par with what I've read this year (currently at 27, two in the works). I have a hard time sticking to a list - I've tried it before, but then other things come out and I want to read those. So, this year, I'm going to do a hybrid list. Some of them will be chosen books to read throughout the year, the rest can be chosen as I go along. See below for the "pre-determined" books so far...


1) The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett (re-read)

2) World Without End - Ken Follett

3) Full Frontal Feminism - Jessica Valenti

4) Speaking the Unspeakable - Margaret Abraham

5) The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - Rebecca Skloot

6) Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie

7) What is the What - Dave Eggers

8) The Passage - Justin Cronin

9) Freedom - Jonathan Franzen

10) The Happiness Project - Gretchen Rubin

11) Big Girls Don't Cry - Rebecca Traister

12) The Year of the Flood - Margaret Atwood

13) Wolf Hall - Hilary Mantel

14) A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams

15) ?

2011 - Coming soon?!

I realized that it's almost the end of 2010, and it's been a loooong time since I've blogged. In working on my New Year's resolutions (or just resolutions for any year other than 2010), I figured I'd return to my blog.

This year hasn't been the best. Job stuff, personal stuff, getting pneumonia in November and still fighting it (though will hopefully hear good news from the doctor soon) and just general being unstable. I am definitely looking forward to 2011.

1) I will read 30 books in 2010. I picked 30, because it's close to what I read this year, though I didn't really plan on reading that many.

2) I will begin working out again. I'm waiting until the beginning of the year, because I'm still not feeling 100% yet and don't want to push it. But hopefully will be able to start January 1st.

3) I will purge my apartment and it will be presentable. Yes, I'm turning into an adult. I've already started this goal, and am hoping it keeps being productive. I'm re-arranging many things, getting items ready to donate/yard sale, and settling in.

4) I will stick to my budget better. Heck, maybe I'll even make a budget...lol.

I am working on details for all of these (I think the book one will include some books that I should read, and then some that I just pick up at any random moment). I also have to schedule time for yoga classes and the like. Here we go...

Goal Update, Week #2

So after a good start to the week, I end not having much going on in the way of my goals. Here's a rundown:

#1 - Yeah, never got there. Thanks to 5 days of primary action, I was dead to the world on Wednesday. Try again.

#2 - I actually did this - took my notebook with me everywhere. It made me a little more conscious this week, but with everything going on, still didn't eat as well as I should have.

#3 - Completed this one too. Keep hoping that I don't finish "Catching Fire" until closer to the 24th, but I don't think that's going to happen.

#4 - After being down 1 pound in week 1, I went back up .8lbs in week to. So net loss is -.2. Still down, darn it!

#5 - Yeah, only made it 3 times this week. If you don't count all the walking done on Monday/Tuesday. But I did make it through the entire cardio kickboxing class on Monday night!

Even though I'm not being completely successful, it's nice to have something to work towards and check in with. So, onward I go.

Good news though - had a doctor's appointment on Monday, and I was down 10 lbs. since my last appointment in early April. Not too shabby.

Goal update, week 1

Ok, so I wasn't 100% successful in my goals for week 1. A rundown:

#1 - Go to yoga class 2 times per week. - Not successful. My 30 day, $30 deal at Hilltop ran out, but I fully intend on heading over this week to purchase some classes and also head to a free community class on Wednesday.

#2 - Keep track of all snacks, meals & drinks by logging what I eat each day. - Successful! It's amazing how much this helps me realize what and how much I'm eating...

#3 - I will read 30 minutes each day. - Successful! I have been taking time at some point each day to read, whether it's in the car, at home before bed, or just any time I can.

#4 - Lose 10 lbs. in 10 weeks. - Week 1 brought a net loss of -1lb. So far, so good!

#5 - Exercise 4 days per week. - Unsuccessful. I only got around to 2 times last week. Doing better so far this week!

So, the goals are progressing. I didn't quite think I would make them all the first week, especially with how hectic things have been going...

Next update on Friday - hopefully!