Special Olympics - Grand Rapids Jaycees

I had the privilege to visit the Grand Rapids Jaycees this past Friday, as they began the weekend hosting the 2011 State Basketball Finals for Special Olympics.

I have to be honest - I have never volunteered with Special Olympics before. I'm fairly new to learning about the organization and their mission.

While I was at Rockford High School for the tournament, I had the opportunity to watch a couple of games before the opening ceremonies. These guys were good! But what impressed me most was the way the members of each team worked together and were so encouraging. I could hear members of each team on the court and on the bench giving each other tips and encouragement. I could see the pride each and every one of the players had for their team and their play.

And then - opening ceremonies. There is nothing like watching over 900 athletes pour into a gymnasium to Olympic music and cheering loudly. I also learned during the opening ceremonies that this is the 30th year the Grand Rapids Jaycees have hosted the State Basketball Tournament for Special Olympics. It was amazing to see so many of the past chairs of this project in attendance at the event.

If you have never had the opportunity to go to this event, please try to go or volunteer next year. You can also get involved on the local level by going to the Special Olympics Michigan website at www.somi.org

Thank you to the Grand Rapids Jaycees for allowing me to come out and visit this event. It was a great experience and has inspired me to learn more about Special Olympics!

Time

I admit it. I'm guilty of making the comments "I wish I had more time" or "I don't have time for that." Come on - you know you have too.

But a comment I saw the other night pushed me over the edge (I might have been having a stressful day - LOL). I happened to be working on something online and had one of the basketball games on in the background on my TV. Of course, it was one of those games that broke my bracket, which honestly could have been any game in the last few days!

Someone posted (paraphrasing this) that in another life maybe they'd have time to do something trivial like brackets. Now - I am not a basketball fan that watches games throughout the entire season. Though I find it fun to do a bracket and see how good my guesses are. It takes me about 10 minutes to actually put the bracket together.

This comment started to make me wonder "well, how much time do you spend on Facebook? Procrastinating? Doing whatever you do?" And it made me remember what time management is really all about - PRIORITIES.

People tell me that I'm busy all the time. And it's true. However, my schedule has been altered a bit since the beginning of the year - I'm not spending 8 hours a day (or more) at work at the moment. Things have been a bit easier to juggle, and it's been a bit easier to fit in some of the things I like to do but don't always put as a priority, like reading.

My position on the Michigan Jaycees state board of directors takes me all over the state. I'm in the car a lot. I've traveled over 2,000 miles just going to chapters across the state (that's not even counting all that I do with my home chapter). But, it's about putting a priority on things. I keep track of my deadlines and if I slack off, I know I have to bust my butt to get it done.

We all commit to something - whether it's our family, friends or extracurricular activities. We have time - we all have 168 hours in a week. But we have to choose how to use them, and balance our lives so we get the most out of them.

I'm actually looking forward to reading a book called "168 Hours: You Have More Time than You Think" by Laura Vanderkam. I still need help sometimes in prioritizing and using my time in the best way possible.

I know when I am back to work, I will have to reorganize my schedule and reorganize my priorities (goodbye reading, ). I am hoping this book helps along with knowing what I want to do with my time.

This is me - take it or leave it

This is me. Today, my friend Lauren took some photos of me at the Capitol, because I need a high quality headshot.

Today, I'm 5'6" and 170 lbs. Yup, I just divulged that information. Oh no!

I was inspired this week by a few amazing women who have decided to change their lives, give out some information and be comfortable with themselves.

In the past 6 months, I've been on a journey and I have no idea where it's taking me at this point. I'm honestly just along for the ride and dealing with things as they come. I started out this year after battling pneumonia in November and December. I was really good and ate well, exercised regularly. Since the beginning of March, I've slacked off just a bit and I've decided I need to get back to the plan I set in motion for 2011.

I've learned recently that I need to take more time for myself and I'm learning to balance things in my life much better. I'm looking forward to embracing who I am and enjoying life.

Yes, I'm new to some things. Yes, I will typically tell you what I'm thinking. Yes, I'm learning. That's who I am. This photo is who I am.

It's almost April...

I came to the realization today that it's almost April. Wow. Where has the year gone?

It happened that I got a phone call today for an appointment for April 5th. Wow, that seems really far away! Nope - less than 2 weeks. I hate when things catch me off guard!

And that brings me to today. I'm still on the hunt for a job. I've had some promising leads. I definitely want something to happen, but trying not to be impatient. Luckily, my parents are able to help me out a bit while I go through this rough patch. However, I think things will be better in the long run if I'm just not so impatient.

I'm still undertaking this purging project in my apartment. It's gonna be a loooong project. I can't believe how much STUFF I've accumulated in the last 10 years. And for as much stuff as I've already donated (8 boxes of clothes and a box of shoes), I still have a ton more to go through, shred papers and set aside stuff for a yard sale. It may take awhile, but I know I'll be better off for it to just get rid of things I don't need anymore. And my place might be somewhat presentable!

And to realize it's almost April, I then came to the realization that I haven't worked out since March 4th. Yup, that's a good 18 days. No more! I cleaned off the clotheshorse (er, exercise bike) today. However, I'll be using it tomorrow and going to yoga tonight. It's been far too easy for me to just not do anything or stay home. I have no excuse for not working out. I have time. I have an exercise bike. No money required. So, the excuses and procrastination stop today.

Here we go...

Ups and Downs

This year has been going fairly well, all things considered. Though, a couple of weeks ago, I came to a bit of a stand still with working out I've worked out twice in the last two weeks. It's almost like I hit a wall - and I just haven't been able to get around it yet.

I've felt busy, but just in the last week or so, I've had a hard time focusing on the things I need to get done (like still clean my apartment!). It's been difficult - I don't have anywhere I need to be most days, so my sleep schedule has gotten all weird. I think I'm naturally a night owl.

Today, I was home all day, and decided to start my Etsy page again - you'll see it on the side of my blog page, and I've also started cleaning off my craft table (trust me, there was NO space on it...). This is good - once it's cleaned off, I can start making some new items! I have lots of beading supplies, and now have some time to use them!

I also am going to go back to yoga tomorrow - I haven't been in a few weeks, and while I know I probably won't make it through an entire class at this point, I need to at least go back.

So, here's to getting past obstacles and moving forward! No more stalling!

Why am I doing this?

I started reading Jackie Warner's "This is Why You're Fat (and How to Get Thin Forver)" tonight.

I didn't even make it past the first 3 pages because it got me starting to think about why I'm on a weight loss journey. 2010 brought a couple things that got me thinking.

#1 - my mom had a heart attack in May. She had to have a stent put in. She's doing very well now, but it was a wake up call, in addition to a diagnosis of high blood pressure (which she's had for a long time) and diabetes (which was a new thing).

#2 - I started going to a new doctor and had a blood test done. My cholesterol was 239 - borderline high, but closer to too high. This was in September - and I started working out and trying to be healthy, until I came down with pneumonia, which delayed things for a couple months while I tried to get back to normal.

So, when I had the opportunity to start over in 2011, I actually started looking at what I was eating (a lot of fast food in the car; lots of eating out). When I got the results of that blood test, I asked for 6 months to get my cholesterol down by myself. I knew I could do this if I made it a priority.

So, here I am on this journey - so far, so good. I've been watching what I take in for food by keeping a food journal - not so much to be a calorie counter, but to see what types of foods I'm eating. What can I eat in the car instead of fast food? I've been taking granola bars and snack mixes with nuts, fruit and dark chocolate (yum). I've switched out potato chips and dips for chips and salsa. Whole grains are now in almost everything I've purchased. Ice cream has been replaced with yogurt...etc.

I don't have to work out 7 days a week. I take a break when I want one, but realize if i haven't worked out the day before, I have to the next day. Now I'm trying to find new things to do to add to yoga and the exercise bike.

I feel much better, and I'm looking forward to the results of all of this. I feel like 2011 is off to such a great start!

Not a bad start

I weighed in for the end of week 4 on Saturday. Since January 1st, I've lost 2 pounds. Not a huge amount, but it's something. I've been working on switching things out in my cabinets - ice cream for yogurt, lower calories foods, more fresh foods...and I haven't been eating out nearly as much. I've also been working out regularly, only missing some days during the month (but not a majority!), so that's been going well.

I'm trying to figure out how to take this to the next level. But, I also am content with where I'm at and where I'm trying to go at this point. Slow and steady wins the race. My first small goal is to lose 10 pounds, and I'm 20% there already.

I'm looking forward to seeing where this takes me!