Living the Active Life

So, as many of you know, one of my New Year's Resolutions is to incorporate an exercise routine into my daily life. Well, I have started, and started full force!

 

My fitness inspiration was found in one of my magazines quite a while ago. It was from a Nike advertisement and the words really resonated with me. My inspiration is the following:

 



 

 

 

I have an inspiration board in my closet and this ad is posted on it. It helps me to have a positive attitude because it reminds me that it is up to me to make the good, right decisions in my life, and so I might as well make the healthy ones now, both mentally and physically.

 

I think it is important for everyone to have a positive motivational image to keep them on track. It could be a quote like mine, or it could even be just looking at your child, making sure you are being the example you wish to be for your kid. Whatever your motivation may be, hold to it tightly. If your inspiration is a physical object, leave it in a place that will help to motivate you, like your closet, refrigerator door, or anywhere else you feel it would be appropriate. As long as you stay motivated and positive you can achieve anything!

 

I have been incorporating exercise into my daily routine by taking the stairs instead of the elevator and by getting up and walking around after one hour of sedentary school work. Small baby steps like these may seem small and insignificant now, but in the long run they can make a big impact!

 

 

 

One of the big things I have done is beginning to create an exercising routine every morning. I received the PointsPlus 5-disk Fitness Series DVD set distributed by Weight Watchers for Christmas, and this is the workout tool I have been using. I have been getting up early practically every morning and exercising for at least 15 minutes. Believe it or not, these workouts really make you sweat! Since I have been doing this routine, I have been feeling better in the morning and throughout the day. Before I had begun exercising, I had become somewhat of an insomniac, having horrible troubles being able go to sleep at night. I now notice that after working out in the morning, I am able and ready to go to sleep by the time I go to bed at night. My life is so much better already; I even feel better too!

 

This DVD set has beginner to expert level workouts, so it's great for fitness newbies like me! :) These workouts will grow with you as you progress into more intense workouts, so I will be able to use this DVD set for a very long time. It is a totally amazing product!

 

What is your fitness motivation? Do you have a work out routine that you use? I would love to hear from you!

 

Until next time, stay positive and motivated and I know that you are sure to achieve your fitness goals! Even baby steps are a step in the right direction and should be applauded!

 

Stay active and drink plenty of water,

 

 

*Today's Happy Thought: HOMEMADE SOUP

       (There is just nothing better, especially in the cold winter months!)

 

 

Welcome 2015!

Hello!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday season!

We ended up postponing holiday decorating until right before Christmas, so we are still very festive and have all of our lights up in the yard and every Christmas tree is still lit in the house. I am glad that we are continuing to celebrate the season! So many of our neighbors have already taken down every bit of festivity and their Christmas trees are already out by their trash cans to be picked up and thrown away. You know, there is nothing more depressing than the sight of a pretty green Christmas tree out by the garbage. We leave our decorations up until Epiphany, or Little Christmas, which is on January 6th. It's a tradition we have carried on for years.



Our Christmas tree this year. It makes me so happy! :)

As I sit here this New Year's Day in front of our tree, it makes me stop and contemplate the entire year and prepare for this upcoming 2015. There is much I have done, and yet there is still much left to do.

Looking back on my other New Year's Resolutions from previous years, I am proud to say that I have incorporated my plans into my life long-term, not just for the first few days of the year. That being said, I can honestly say that I am one of the strangest people that I have ever met: I have never lost a bobby pin, I always finish the tube of Chapstick until the very end, and I can actually accomplish my New Year's Resolutions. Pretty amazing, if I must do say so myself! *Wink*

I have been better about my diet habits and health habits. I am also making a conscious effort to actually put forth the energy into my appearance everyday. (I have not gone to school without makeup one day this semester - and anybody who knows me knows that this is a big deal!) I have truly accomplished so much this past year. I have gone back to school after a horrible illness (and I am pleased to announce that I made all A's this semester!!), I have made some great new friends, I am living in an amazing apartment, I was Maid of Honor in my dear friend's wedding, I have seen one of my best friends bring life into the world, and I have officially lost 37.2 pounds on Weight Watchers. It has been a big year! I cannot wait to see the positive changes this year will bring!

My 2015 Resolutions:

1) Be in bed at a decent hour every night. (No later than 12am, no matter what!)
2) Incorporate some sort of exercise into your daily routine - NO EXCEPTIONS!
3) Stress less. Don't let others stress you out or get you angry and upset.
4) Continue on with the Weight Watchers program.
5) Continue to stay current with journal and blog.
6) Leave situations and people of the past in the past where they belong. It's time to move forward and create new memories.
7) Put more emphasis on reading in the Bible and building up faith.
8) Get into a nursing school, and do everything possible to stay in it! (Diligence and dedication!)
9) Have some fun every once in a while! (Stop being such a hermit!)

A new year begins today. That means that there is a whole 365 days to better oneself, help others, and enjoy what life has to offer. Life is such a precious gift and we should be thankful to be alive and be able to experience the amazing gifts this world has to offer. Our God is so good to His world and people!

May love and happiness follow you through 2015 and always,

*Today's Happy Thought: NEW BEGINNINGS! (I always say to never live with regrets. If you learn from your mistakes you will never have to carry the burden of a single regret, you will only carry life lessons.)