My Summer Challenge & Goals!

Its JUNE! Which means summer is right around the corner! Actually its pretty much here, but technically around the corner. Anyway-I forgot about the Jump Start Diet thing until yesterday so I'm 2 days behind, I've been so busy and it just doesn't feel like its June already! But I really love the old Jump Start, its so simple but it really works, last time I can't remember if I made it to the end, all I know is it worked but I fell into my old habits, actually worse habits! :S Speaking of good habits, I'll list some of my new ones that I'm celebrating today!

• Drinking TONS of water! (Makes me feel SO good!)
• Eating slowly and consciously, it really really works! I've found a way to enjoy one square of dark chocolate for a good 4-5 mins, its like meditating! Only better! Try it, trust me!
• I'm back to working out in the mornings! Lights my spark for the day.
• I'm currently doing a food log, but I don't write it down ASAP I'll do it at night so it's a little less stressful, I'll usually watch a comedy or listen to music while I'm writing it down too.
• Doing hard core (literally!) and arms and going a little lighter on my bottom half since I'm a pear shape! Thank you Fitness mag for that! Actually I just started this one today, but its a good idea I'm going to stick with for the month, or maybe summer!

I'm also reading the book Why French Women Don't Get Fat its really great, sound advice for the most part. Similar to the Paul McKinna stuff with recipes and french humor and stories. Its inspiring as well, the author has a good story behind her weight struggles. (at least I think its cool!) But the book is helping me remember the mindful eating stuff, only it doesn't talk about workouts, only walking a lot. This summer I do plan on walking to as many of my destinations as possible, but lately its been raining hard, with some thunder storms thrown in. Not great walking conditions!

I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances. -Martha Washington

Good Luck & Happy Summer!

May I Be.....meditating!

Hi guys! My new favorate stress reliver is....drum roll...meditating! Its not totally new to me, I have been (attempting to) meditate for a year or so, but I always had trouble staying on task, or focused (seems to be a recuring problem! lol). I did do the whole exhaling and saying something positive, so just maybe my subconcious will start to believe that I'm "fearless" or "focused" or "happy". Still, it only helped my concentration a little. So I was extatic when I read Fitness Mag a few days ago (old issue, just missed it the first 20 times I read it! lol) to relax by exhaling and saying May I Be...healthy, happy, focused, fearless, calm, relaxed, positive, etc. I tried it! And it works like a charm! Its so much easier to stay focused on the breathing, and I get to that dizzy, in my head, out of body kinda feeling after a few mins! Not like 15mins, which I could never actually do before! Give it a try, anytime you need a calming boost (studys show it can actually make you smarter, and help improve your focus in other areas of your life!) Just try this for a few mins! Let me know how it works for you!

"Prepare your mind to receive the best that life has to offer." -Ernest Holmes

Ash!

Happy Weight

Recently I've read a few magazines, including Self & Glamour, talking about finding your happy weight. That really jumped out at me. To me my happy weight will be the weight where I feel great 98% of the time, where athletics is easier for me on a fitness & strength level, where my clothes fit & I don't have the fitting room meltdown EVERYTIME I go shopping, just occasionaly! lol There my weight and health won't be in issue for me in everyday life, I won't worry about it as much. Where I won't have to workout for 3 hours everday, and count EVERY calorie. I'll be able to have treats almost everyday, and fit workouts into my schedule, workouts I LOVE! If you're with me, let me know! Leave me a comment & the link to your site if you have one! Hey, we can be in the together!

Live, Laugh, Love
Ash!