For a 4 day week, it has been a ROUGH. WEEK. I can only assume it’s because grades are being turned in and our students started their second semester. I feel like I can’t breathe when things get this crazy. We can’t finish one assignment before we get another one. Then I have to prioritize and decide which is more important and which I should focus on first. I can’t focus on them all at once or I would screw everything up, big time!

I’ve been waking up at 5 am-ish to walk (outdoors and indoors this week). Even with that, the last half of the week, I hit the snooze button no less than 3 times and couldn’t even get myself ready and moving in under 30 minutes. To just walk in the dark where nobody else can see me. It’s been tough and I am exhausted.
I fight with myself each morning and think –
Bad Self : one day off won’t kill me.
Good Self : I am already up and probably won’t go back to sleep.
Bad Self : But I might have the best sleep ever in the next hour
Good Self : I have to – that diet bet is calling my name and I need to win
So I get up. Slowly.

Don't be jealous of my view

The nice thing was, Regulate came on my playlist. It took me back to the summer before my senior year. Windows down, driving around with my manufacturer radio bass turned up, on my way to work. I was a life guard that summer and thought I was hot stuff. Especially with the windows down. (My poor Ford Tempo).

Now to look forward to the weekend! I have walking to do, crafts to buy for and not actually make, and people to see. Plus, a to-do list to check off!

Feel alive

Just some thoughts.

I had my alarm set for 5:01. (I never set it on the hour, always a random time around the hour). In my dream, I was hearing someone's alarm and looked everywhere for it. I was turning off people's phones and asking those around me if they could hear the beeping. At 5:15, I FINALLY wake up to my alarm beeping. That dream had me searching for the alarm for 14 minutes!

I actually enjoy being up early. Not so much the waking up part but the part where I have already accomplished something by 8:00 am. I had my meeting at church, I have started some laundry, I picked up the kitchen, and I logged in to work. (and I'm writing a short blog... a SHOG really).

Also at church, I noticed that something smelled a little off. Turns out, one of my little men peed on my jacket sleeve. That's fun to figure out in a meeting where you don't know anyone. Why do my dogs hate me?

I attempted a faster walk type jog thing for about 5 minutes out of the hour on the treadmill. I also did some squats. WHY do my inner thighs hurt so much today. I don't recall doing anything with them. But WOW they are angry.

I love to cook. I enjoy making dinner and trying new things. I hate getting my hands sticky and messy. I love having people over and cooking for them. (I love having people over and not cooking for them too). I like trying to cook new foods and having them turn out well or not so well.

Mason asked us on Sunday what makes us feel alive. That is one of mine.
Cooking
Being with friends (and this weekend was a great weekend of friends and family!)
Dr.Pepper (sad)
Iced Chai Lattes
Apparently being up early (after the wake up part)
Looking forward to a new year and the awesome changes and greatness that is coming

What makes you feel alive?

Another reason I love cooking. This guy. Pretty sexy huh? A man doing dishes! I love it.

I love carbs

I do. I love carbs so much. If someone asks me where I want to eat, I always think in my head where I can get mashed potatoes. I love mashed potatoes. What's up with that. Why are they so good? Why can't I eat them at every meal?

Why is it so cold right now? Doesn't the weather know I gave up Dr. Pepper this week and am trying to get back into walking. How can I do that when my lips want to freeze off?!? I quit drinking Dr. Pepper again on Monday. It has been tough. This morning I woke up with a KILLER headache. This afternoon I popped some Advil and went for a walk. Take that, Dr.Pepper! (gosh I still love you though)

I don't know how it works for other people or why it is so darned hard for me. But these... these are my 20 pound shoes. If you see me wearing them, give me a high five! That means I am down 20 pounds :)

2015 has been good so far. I know we are only 9 days in but I feel good. Even with this terrible cough and congestion, I feel good.
I am excited about all the things I have coming up. I am loving the cold (minus when I am trying to walk in it). I love being in a HOUSE during the cold rather than the Cabana and portable heaters! I love all of the friends I have seen so far and plan to see soon. I'm just excited and looking forward to the rest of January.

Day 1

Here it is. The start of 2015. It's a blank slate. Brush off 2014 and let's look ahead.

I probably should have cut back on the things I am doing, but I didn't. In fact, I may have added. :)

I just started reading The Daniel Plan, and I intend to follow the thoughts in there to lead me toward a healthier life.

I also signed up for a 2015 miles in 2015 (it's a team of 3 so we split that!) which equals walking/running about 2 miles a day. I can only walk right now but intend to build up to running.

Jeff and I ended our year with a chilly 5K yesterday - the New Years Double. We were supposed to do today too but that didn't work out. Side note - I love that he doesn't care about the 5ks or running or anything but he will do them with me to support me. He's pretty great sometimes.
Regardless, I forget how good I feel after I get out there and exercise and walk. I felt great yesterday and want more of that. I have my alarm set for 5:00 am (eek) for tomorrow. Fingers crossed it wakes me up!

I also signed up for a Diet Bet that requires me to lose 4% in a month to win. I feel like I am probably the most competitive person I know so these challenges are all perfect. I am so competitive, I have challenges with others without them even knowing. I'm pretty sure that boarders on pride but it helps me get it done when I need to.

The hardest part of this new year is to kick that darn Dr. Pepper habit again. (and find time for everything!) I love it. All of those people who say they quit and then tried it again and they didn't like it are crazy talkers! I love it every time. And each time I drink it, it draws me in. I am absolutely addicted to it. So I have to quit. Cold Turkey.

Which brings me to my random thought. I wish I liked coffee. I wonder how long it would take me to force myself to like it. I want to like it so very much! Maybe I will start with super sweet coffee and work my way down? Or maybe I will never like it (boo).