October 7, 2011 - Day 4

Water, Water, Water!

Drinking a gallon of water each day can seem difficult and in fact, it was at first. I had to set a timer for the first few days to remind myself to drink, drink, drink. I can only drink 4 ounces of water at a time or my stomach aches. Placing these little glasses all around the house silently reminds me to drink a comfortable amount of water.

My challenges are in the area of Health/Weight/Vitality/Energy and Balance. I'm looking forward to balancing work/business, play, fun, family, CRAZY LOVE, friends, quiet time, physical activity and creativity. I'm getting glimpses of improved energy but I still experience sore throats, fatigue and general sluggishness. Patience is also on my list because I want it NOW! Journaling is allowing me to see my progress in all areas...I've lost 10% of my weight loss goal. The number isn't huge and it's 10%!
My values assessment revealed that my top 5 values in business/work center around personal freedom, financial freedom, creativity and helping society. I'm definitely on the right track with room for improvement. However, I'm confident that I'm moving in the direction of my vision and dreams.

I need to stop giving myself crap for being an Introvert while allowing those chosen social moments to be full of JOY! I've fought my tendencies to love being alone for years but now I allow myself to LOVE my time with ME!

I've had a long day. Good night...

October 6, 2011 ~ Day 3

Today is my third day without sugar! I'm drinking a gallon of water throughout the day. I have teeny, tiny 4 oz. glasses full of water all around the house so that I never forget to hydrate. Hydration is LOVELY! Detoxing is not! My skin is rebelling a bit but I know it's all temporary!

Bok Choy is the new veggie of the day. Tasted yummy steamed for breakfast along with brown rice. I added it to my fresh carrot-cucumber-parsley-red pepper-beet greens juice with a dash of PickaPeppa.

Everything was going well until...Chocolate Peanut Butter Haagen Dazs called my name while I was shopping. I bought what I call an infant carton; you know those little less-than-one scoop, over-priced containers. Can you believe this? I told myself that I was buying it for my Grandlet, Emory since it was his birthday. But...I knew all along that I'd eat it! Self-sabotage at it's finest! Love myself anyway;)

I ate it! No surprise there! I was, however, surprised at how quickly I crashed! Withing 30 minutes, I was passed out in my bed with a headache! Was I so unaware in the past that I didn't realize the effect sugar had on me? The answer is insignificant at this point! What matters is that I AM aware now! And...I don't like that fuzzy, lethargic feeling!

Stress! Not a huge deal for me, however, I sometimes wake up with what I call unassigned anxiety! I've been identifying my micro-tensions and the effect they have on me. More on that later.

The key for me is BALANCE! Since I LOVE my work, I can work for 12 hours and not realize that I forgot to eat, drink, move, talk, laugh etc. Until balance is second nature for me, I'm setting my phone alarm for every hour to remind myself to mix it UP!

I took a skills assessment test. No surprises there. What I realized is that I have many, varied skills but not all of them make me happy. I've decided to incorporate my own Bliss Skill Set into my work and find someone who LOVES to do the things that I am able to do but don't LOVE! I'm happy when I  think about working with someone who also LOVES their work! I have that synergy with my WerdBerds business partner, Gwen! We work together like a beautifully orchestrated symphony! I am BLESSED!

Ending another prosperous, bliss-filled, connected warm day! I am not even going to proofread this...if I made any typos...please correct them in the comments box! No worries about grammar etc. since this is journal-style...Hugs and Blessings!

October 5, 2011 ~ Day 2

As I removed all sugar from my cupboards and the fridge, I was amazed at how little I actually had to throw away. My biggest temptation is sugar in my coffee! Although I've replaced sugar with Stevia, I still LOVE sugar in my coffee!! If I eat sugary foods, it 's usually when I'm out at a restaurant or with the Grandlets.

I was hopeful, joyful and optimistic this morning as I journaled about what it'll be like when I lose my initial 25 pounds. I'm looking forward to more energy, smaller clothes, easier clothes shopping and getting my sexy on again! I love the way I feel when I think about moving faster and feeling lighter!

The weather's getting cooler in Phoenix so I enjoyed walking three times today. I'm not measuring the distance...I'm just enJOYing the JOY of being outside after a long, hot inferno-like summer! I put on some of my favorite Reggae tunes and danced in my living room too. Gotta get it movin'.

Taking a look at what stresses me. Much of my stress is caused by my reactions to things that are absolutely out of my control! I've written the Serenity Prayer on 3x5 cards to remind me of what IS in my control and to let go of what's not! I put them all over the house and in my car to reinforce right thinking.

As I go through the assignments about 'what excites me', I've realized that I live an exciting life! I have FUN! I have an ongoing Bucket List that I add to each day. I have a few desires/wants and fun adjustments that are in progress. I love the flow of my life! I KNOW what I LOVE, I KNOW who I LOVE and I DO LOTS of what I LOVE! Today was about feeling FREE...I feel FREE most of the time.

Money, Money, Money! (were you singing that? O'Jays-style?) I have and always have had a clear picture of what I would do with lotsa money! My problem has always been following through with my ideas and being willing to learn about making, keeping and making more money! I'm looking forward to learning more about money while working on my limiting money mind!

I am having a blast with the Discovering Happiness exercises!!!! I love writing about what makes me happy as I hold myself as top priority! I'm used to putting others first so it's like a huge exhale to put myself in the driver's seat and take a look at what makes me happy without taking anyone else into consideration. Selfish you say...ok...go ahead and say what you will ~ it's my time to be selfish! WOO HOO!

Day 1 ~ 30-Day Program to increase Health, Wealth and Happiness!

30 Days to Health, Wealth & Happiness

http://livingwellplan.com/

I'm participating in a 30-Day Program to increase my Health, Wealth & Happiness!

October 4, 2011 ~ Day 1

Here's what's happening in my world right now: My feet hurt throughout the day. My ankles swell by mid-afternoon. My hips hurt. I lose energy by about 2:00 and want to take a nap. My blood sugar plummets after I drink coffee with sugar to pick me up! My skin is often dry. My hair thins and then grows back in again???

Let's get to the fun stuff right away! Eliminate all sugar from my diet! WHEW...no sugar in my beloved morning coffee. I used Stevia this morning...did not particularly like the taste so I drank less coffee.

My goal is to lose 25 lbs. by January 1, 2012. I am NOT comfortable sharing my weight on the Internet so let's just agree that I need to lose some weight. I'd really enjoy losing a roll or two around my middle, as well as, toning my legs. Oh yes, I almost forgot; I'd like to have only one set of upper arms.

I'm a master cropper! I cropped part of my upper arms and cute little belly out of this pic! I'm looking forward to the day when I no longer CROP my body!

I drank 1 gallon of water throughout the day and noticed that I had more sustained energy. I also noticed that I wasn't as thirsty when I DID drink water!