Never give up- Free wordart

It's a beautiful sunny Sunday. I thought it would be a great day to sit down and design a bit. I am hoping to get back to my blog. It's fun for me to look for a project but end up getting lost in memory lane. My projects have become a bookmark of what was going on with me and our family at the time. I am also hoping that a little digital wordart designing will help drive me back to my scrapbooking. So many other things have gotten in the way over the last couple of years that I am falling impossibly behind. Once upon a time I kept up on the memory books rather well. Reflecting back, I realized it was when I spent my Sundays scrapbooking. I want that again. So here is the first of (hopefully) many more wordarts. 

Last year I broke down and bought a new paper planner. I am such a list maker I fell in love with it. Each week allows for thoughts and inspiration to be jotted down. I find great thoughts and write a theme of sorts for the week. I've tried to fill my planner out in advance. It has been so helpful to keep me organized and on task with the goals I have set. Last weeks theme was "Focus".

This past week was a rough one for me. I have been fighting- literally- to lose weight with no success. I know I need to see an endocrinologist but until then I'm eating right and working out.I usually do well. I really do like going to the gym. I just feel better. I am healthy. But....

Last week though I broke.

Discouragement set in. I was tired of fighting and not seeing results. Most days I'm good but some are sooo hard. My body seems to fight me at every turn. Sacrifice is hard when there's no reward. I was in tears as I struggled to maintain my fitness level, let alone improve it. It seemed so unfair to work so hard and not reach my goals year and year. My good friend and trainer lifted my spirits to live for another day. "We have all been there. What I won't accept is not believing in yourself. You are an amazing resilient woman physically and mentally. Set backs humble us and are what makes our successes that much sweeter" she said. I love this lady! Sometimes it's hard to believe in ourselves but there is someone who does believe in us- Always!

 After a forgettable workout I sat down to plan the rest of my day. Trying to stay on track I opened my planner. It was the first time in the week I had been able to look at it. My quote for the week,

"No matter how you feel, Get up, Dress up, Show up & Never Give up!"

I wrote this quote on THIS week a couple of weeks ago. 

I stopped.

I thought.

I cried.

I said a little prayer of thanks for my Fathers inspiration;

 For knowing what I would need, when I would need it before I even knew I would need it.

The rest of the day and even the week that became my motto. I wish I could say the struggle was better, perhaps it was only a smidge but my resolve was renewed and I recommitted to continue the fight to a better me. One day I will get there. Until then I am never giving up!

Whatever YOUR challenge,

NEVER GIVE UP!

Fight for it and keep a strong support system nearby for those moments of weakness and discouragement. As Steph said, "we all have them"!

Download the printable here:

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Tracking wt loss the fun way....

Holy cow! Last week was total madness around here. I was ever so glad to see the weekend come. Unfortunatly it never lasts long enough and then it's back to work and school.

I did manage to do a couple of simple but fun crafts this weekend. I told dear hubby I needed some craft therapy and he lovingly gave me some time for just that. There is just something about this....

....that makes me smile. Being in the throws of multiple projects at the same time brings sense to all the madness of day to day life.
So I have my wellness goals set for this year. I have been working hard too. I saw this on pinterest and wanted to do it too.

I didn't have cutesy jars but mason jars were right up my alley. Plus I have lots of them.

So I gathered my small jars, some black vinyl, and glass rocks......

....set the cricuit to pressure of 3, speed of 4. I used my Jasmine cartridge. I love this font. I find it quite versitile. Set the size to about 1.5 inches and let it go....

Now I have a visual effect for each pound I lose. Simple yet fun.

I think I will leave the lids off once I put it in my bathroom.

Here's to moving those little rocks. One week, one pound at a time!

I have another little project coming up, so stayed tuned!

Plus I have some great ideas for wordart for this week!

You will have to wait until Thursday for that!

See you all then.

New Years Challenges

Happy New Years.

I hope you have all had a wonderful holiday season and look forward to a fabulous new year. After a couple of difficult years this house hold is hoping to have a fantastic year. We have lots of plans and things we (I) hope to finish. Dear hubby gets frustrated because of all my to do wish lists and I always have one project or another going on. It's just how I am. I always have to have something going on. With our new house we have some "need to" do projects. This year I am hoping to:

Finish our basement

Fence the backyard- gotta keep the dog and Matthew fenced in

Build a deck

We also are planning a trip to Disneyland this year. Our boys have never been. Dear hubby and I have been to Disney World and I went to Disneyland as a kid. We are now only about 8 hrs from Disneyland so we figured this would be the year to take the boys. They range in age from (by then) 3-11. Yep, I think it will a grand time.

I am hoping to teach a couple of couponing classes. I love saving money and getting great deals. I am not the best but several of my new friends and neighbors have been asking about it so....

I also MAY tackle a neighborhood project. We have great empty corner lot in our neighborhood. The 2 streets wrap around it in such a way that only one side is not bordered by a street. I think it would make a perfect little park. Our neighborhood is newer and struggling to finish selling the new homes after the fall of the economy. I'm not sure who ownes the ground but already have people offering resources and time to go toward the project. Yeah, kinda ambitious I know but there is no park in our neighborhood and I think it would be fantastic! So many people would be able to enjoy it's use....we'll see.

WW: 10# in 10 weeks

My personal goals for this year are to finally regain control of my weight. I had lost a lot then had 2 more boys and just haven't gotten back to where I want to be. I have a weak back (to much lifting as at the hospital) and I am feeling the effects of being overweight and out of shape. So I am going to make WW work for me again. I only do online as I don't care for meetings. So,  I'm starting the year off with 10# in 10 weeks challenge.

PYP: January- nessessities only

On PYP we are doing a challenge of only buying nessessities during the month of January. No extras, no eating out, minimal traveling= minimal gas usage. I will need to plan some freezer meals so dear hubby won't be tempted to order pizza on the nights I work. I am hoping to take the money we save and apply to debt. I want so badly to be out of debt. That is another of my goals for this year. By the end of the year I want to only have our house debt. Tough order but doable.

A Year of Homemade gifts

Okay dear family, listen up. This year I plan to have homemade gifts for birthdays, mothers day, and Christmas. It's another way to be more frugal and reach my other goals. If you watch closely you will see each of the gifts as I post them. You can even put your dibs on 'em if you wanna. I hope you will like what I have in mind and anything else I stumble upon.

So there you have it. After finishing my 52 projects everyone has wondered what I have planned next. Now you know. Bigger projects but still a full load as usual. We will see what I accomplish this year.

What about you? What plans do you have for the new year? Please share, lets inspire each other!

Fitness update

I really thought I would continue at a standstill this week. I have had a hard time balancing 4 boys, house work, yard plans, and finishing the basement with all of life's plans. The first thing to go is usually my workout plans. Needless to say I have not excersiced this week. I didn't even count my points too well. Despite all that I am happy to say that I am down a couple more pounds. Horray!

With fall in the air and winter around the corner I may be digging out my eliptical soon. Of course I hear the weather is much more mild here in Utah. I think I need to get in some ab workouts too so I may be hunting for my exercise ball. All this just in time for the yummy fall baking season. I LOVE baking in the fall. Homemade soups, chilis, and cobblers.... YUM! Gonna have to look for lighter recipes!

How are all your fitness goals coming?

Fitness update

It's a bit late but this keeps me accountable....

I am at a bit of a plateau on my weight loss but I think my clothes are a bit smaller. With that in mind this next week I am going to try to check my measurements. I haven't been as consistant on my walking so I may add in some current walking at the pool too. With it getting darker earlier it is getting more difficult to walk outside. Of course with school in and cooler temps we are going to try to get out during the day to walk. The biggest positive is I just feel better. :)

We have lots of fresh vegis to enjoy this week and I plan on doing some homemade salsa on Tuesday. After all, that is the key right? Keeping healthy foods handy...... I also need to plan our menu but tomorrow we will be out having fun as family and exploring the sites around our new home.

Counting Points

I didn't lose any wt this week but my arms are definantely sore from helping with Bountiful Baskets. I didn't do so well last week at counting my points which translates into not tracking what I ate well. I think I also lacked some activity points. The week I lost the most was the week I was swimming, walking and building. The local pool has current walking in the mornings and the evenings. I love walking in the evenings with Kaylyn but lately several things have interupted our walks. This week I want to try the current walking. If I go in the morning to the pool I will have some activity points in even if we don't get our walk in in the evening. I would really like to kick things up a notch; I am hoping with school starting this will happen. I have stocked the kitchen with lots of fruits and vegis. I have a plan for activity this week. Added together I am hoping to report good results on Friday.

This week, I'm moving and counting points- every point!

How are your fitness goals coming?

Fitness Friday

Ok, so once again I am a bit late on this but work sometimes gets in the way.

I am proud to say I have lost again this week! Horray, I am now down 5 pounds. The best part is Robin told me my back side was getting smaller. Now, I am not sure if he was just trying to make me feel better (having woke up way too early for work) or if it is true. I responded "yeah, right". "No, really you're getting smaller". Well of course I love the man dearly now! ;-)

This past week I have been working VERY hard. We are trying to get Josh's bedroom finished in the basement before school starts. With Robin working long hours that means a lot of sheet rocking for me- with Josh's help. Add to that building food storage shelves- yep I built another one- swimming and my evening walks uphill I have really racked up the activity points! I am also rather stiff in the mornings. Overall it is apparently just what I needed to loose weight and get toned up. Who needs "The Firm" workout anyway.

By the time we get the basement done or mostly done, we will be ready to put the back yard in and then I will get to be doing yardwork again. I do love gardening, it is very therapeutic for me but don't get me wrong it is not for the weak. Especially in the heat we have been having lately. Perhaps the heat just seems worse without having grass surrounding the house- oh, I DO hope so!

So for this week I am not worried about adding to my fitness goals. I still have lots of sheet rock to put up. Then comes the taping and texturing. Painting, I can handle no problem and of course the carpet will be done professionally. Add in a bit more unpacking and sorting through books and toys, plus stocking and organizing shelving units and I think I will get plenty of activity. Of course this is in addition to my nightly walks around the neighborhood. That is becoming another source of therapy for me! It is so nice to talk with Kaylyn and visit. The walk goes by much faster and before I know it we are done. Gotta love exercise partners. Now if I can just convince her to go current walking at the pool with me.........Either way I am thankful to have a new great friend!

Fitness Friday

I didn't walk everyday this week but I was incredible busy with physical activity each day. I am feeling it in my muscles too. My chest is sore, my back ackes and my legs are stiff but it's all good. I am trying to drink enough water but doing so is difficult in this heat. I am not use to high tempatures that don't cool in the evening. I have started looking forward to my evening walks though. It is nice to have a walking partner to talk to. Kaylyn and I have a good time walking and before I know it our walk is done. It may be the slow route but I am enjoying this diet/wt loss plan.......

Fitness Friday

I didn't do to bad this past week despite not loosing anything. I nearly met my activity goals, there was one night I just couldn't get my energy up to do stairs on my break, otherwise we walked every night. I didn't add the weights in though for a couple of reasons. The biggest reason is that I have not tracked them down from the move yet. Yeah, we still have many boxes to unpack but it is slow going until rooms and shelves are finished in the basement. My other reason is how FAST these ladies walk. I am out of shape I admit it but I never thought of myself as a slow walker. I am also the tallest and yet there are times I have to do the quick step to catch up! Last night I just let the other two go ahead. UGH! I was so out of breath. We walk 2 miles in about 40 minutes. Last night I think it was closer to 30 minutes. That pace is not bad, I can handle it but when we start climbing some pretty good hills, oh yeah, I start to feel it. Seriously, tell me why I am not dropping pounds? Plus, Robin and I have been hauling sheet rock downstairs every morning before it gets to hot. That's like 20 trips downstairs. It's gotta count for something! I am somewhat sore each morning but still functional, acutally come to think about it I wasn't as sore this morning as I thought I would be. Hey, maybe I am making headway after all.

I didn't do as well on my water intake but that is a daily challenge. I find myself at the end of the day and having not had enough glasses of water. I have gone to always having a glass of ice water sitting on the counter. Then when I walk into the kitchen I'm reminded and can just grab a drink; I refill it and leave it sitting on the counter for next time. When I go to work I fill my mug with ice water and mindlessly drink it while I am getting report. It doesn't take long for me to get my water in that way. I just have to get it filled first thing.

I think I am going to rejoin weight watchers online. They are having a deal where sign up is only $1 until August. I find my biggest barrier to wt loss is that I don't eat enough; especially of the right foods. This means my body holds onto food ie. energy, longer. If I increase my intake (I'm talking healthy foods- fruits and vegis) then my body knows more is coming and we are not in famine season. If you want to see fuel effeceincy let me show you! Highly efficeint body right here! lol. I did well on WW before and with life settling down a bit I think I could do well again. I have already gotten a exersice habit going..... for me that is a huge hurdle. Of course it helps having ladies that I enjoy walking with. The time seems to fly and I work harder than if I were by myself!

Oh baby! Next year I will be totally in shape. No hiding under a swimsuit coverup for me! (ok, maybe I will still use the coverup. I've never beed THAT comfortable in a swimsuit.;-)

Good luck with your goals. Keep on a working!

Fitness Friday

WOO HOO! I am proud to say despite burgers on the road yesterday I am down another pound. That's a total of 3 pounds! I am focused on long term loss and improved health so I am ok with just a pound or two a week! What is even better is I have a walking partner. Fitness is always more fun with a friend. Kaylyn moved in a week before we did and has had many of the same trials I have. The Lord is watching out for us both. Each night we have been walking the neighborhood. We are getting in a couple of miles each night. We will work to increase that but it is a great start. Plus, I am giving added points for walking up and down hills. We get the muscles working pretty good. And yes, we walk more than we talk! ;-) Feelin' the burn and lovin' it. 

So this last week I almost met my goal. I had planned to walk everyday but missed Sunday and Monday. I am not sure how walking on the days I work will be so I plan to run some stairs on my lunch break. This will be a bit of a challenge cuz my body does NOT want to work out at 2 AM! But even a few trips up and down the stairs will help boost the metabolism. 

I did great on my water consumption. Still need to work on it but much better than I had been doing. 

So for this week my goals are:

Improve water intake- 8 glasses a day minimum

Walk everyday (stairs on work breaks)

Pump weights while walking the neighborhood to improve arm muscle tone.

How are you doing? What goals did you set and did you meet them? Just remember slow and steady wins the race! Come on ladies (cuz I'm not sure of any guys that read this) you can do it. Remember that great body and toned muscles? It's just around the corner.

Ok- actually the thing I love the best is just feeling better. As I drove in the van for 8 hrs yesterday I kept thinking of the blood pooling in my legs. It felt ohhh, so good to move. To use my muscles to get the circulation going. Yes, I am a cardiac nurse through and through. I have seen too many problems from nasty clots, both blood and cholesterol clots. I felt so much better after walking last night.

The other major bonus for me, especially right now, is to just talk! I talk with little boys all day then, as wonderful as his is, another man in the evening. Walking with Kaylyn gives me much needed ladies time! I am so thankful for a husband who is mindful of this and supports me by taking the boys and puting them to bed if needed!

Let me know how things are going for you! Good luck with fitness this week!

Fitness Friday

Ok, so as things are settling in I am trying to get back to fitness. I am totally out of shape and weigh more than ever in my life. Loosing wieght gets so much harder the older you get but staying in shape helps with balance and bone growth as we age too. No, I'm not old but I am not young anymore either. I want to join Weight Watchers online again but haven't done that yet. Gotta look at our budget with Robin first. In the meantime, I know a lot of things I can do. I also know the boys could benefit from more biking, hiking,walking, running etc. So my plan is to do a new challenge each week. Join in if you want. Share your ideas on my path to fitness. I would love to get back to my skinny jeans but mostly I want to improve my health, activity level and stamina.

This next week I am working on 2 goals:

walking every day

drinking 8 glasses of water each day

I have been better about walking but not consisitantly, especially after working all night. Also by the end of the day I often realize I was too busy with house chores to drink enough water. Water is fuel for the body to burn more calories. I don't drink much else so I know I am really dehydrated, especially in the summer heat. If I improve my hydration I will feel better too.

Anyone want to join the challenge? What goals are you working on? Baby steps and little by little I will get in shape.

Fitness Friday

Ok- so it's not exactly FRIDAY but I wanted to try to keep up on something. How have you all been doing on your health/fitness goals? I have been doing ok. I am not stressing if I don't get my walks in. I figure with all the packing I am still increasing my activity level. I have been trying to do my 25's still though. Plus I have been taking the stairs at the hospital- even when I really don't want to. I am so out of shape by the time I get up 8 flights I am winded like never before but I think it is getting better. After several days on I notice a difference. Then I have several days off again so it's a revolving door. Bottom line is I'm trying. Life is so crazy right now with moving so I think of my "excersice" more as a way to relief stress. Little steps will make a difference.

What have you done? Help to keep me motivated -k-!

Fitness Friday

Oh, am I tired tonight. I have decided that the stress from living in limbo as to where we will be living in a couple of months is going to drive me crazy! I have been much more active this week, cleaning, sorting and packing things off to the D.I. We are attacking our spring cleaning and clearing everything that we will not want to move. This includes baby supplies as we are done having babies. It is rather heart renching to drop items we have cared for over 4 boys at the D.I. There are a lot of stories that go with each outfit or swing or bouncer or stroller. Yeah, it was kinda hard to see them go. I wondered if I should save some pieces but.....I do have each of their blessing outfits preserved and stored in my cedar chest. We haven't gotten rid of many of the clothes yet so I may change my mind. I wonder though if it will be more work than it is worth. I have lots of pictures. Maybe having nice scrapbooks will be great enough legacy for my boys.......

Anyway, how did you do with your fitness goals this week? With the weather less than cooperative I didn't get in all my walks but I did do my sets of 25. I have a confession though. I don't do actual pushups YET! I have no upper body strength so I am doing wall pushes to build some strength. Then I will do pushups using my excersice ball. Do you have one of these? I love mine. I also do my situps on it. It supports my back better and I do a better crunch with it. Plus you can adjust  your resistance with it depending on how high on the ball you sit. This works great for building strength with situps. I have been working on my lower abs this last week so I didn't use it. I did reverse cruches instead. You know the ones where you lift your legs and butt instead of torso. After 4 children my abs top and bottom need some serious work!! Although I would love to drop some pounds I am just hoping for more tone at this point. I did notice some soreness in the back of my legs this week. I think that is how I will gage my success until I am able to go full steam ahead.

So my goals for this week are: do my 25's every day, walk 3 times, drink more water and take the stairs at work. Since I work on the 4th floor of the hospital this will be tought. It will be 8 flights of stairs and I am usually huffing and puffing something terrible when I get up to the floor. I also don't like the water at work so drinking more water will be tough but I always feel better when I force myself to drink more water.

What about you. What little change are you going to make this week? Little changes add up to big improvements and they are the improvements that last!

Fitness Friday

I have resolved to get in better shape. I need to lose weight, as do most of us, but mostly I want to be in better shape. However, I need some accountability too. So I am making Friday "Fitness Friday". I figure I will post my successes and trials on my way to getting in shape and becoming healthier. I dream with fond rememberance of when I was tone and fit. I was smaller than in high school and I LIKED IT! I hope to be there again. After  2 additional children my time has sagged as much as my body. This week I started walking. I MUCH prefer moving outside so I am hoping the weather will start to cooperate and allow spring to come. I also have a nursing certification test coming up in June so I plan to listen to the lessons and review while I walk and excersice. Plus I want to tone a bit. Before I did 3 sets of 100; 100 situps, 100 pushups, and 100 squats. I did these every day and let me tell you what they made a difference! I actually had abs!

So this week I plan to walk 3 days and do 25-25-25 (I'm starting small and working up). These may seem like small goals but they work for me. I have to learn to balance my excersice with my other daily to do list, which is incredibly full already. So what are you going to do? Join in the challenge and lets get each other moving. BIG or small we all need support to reach our goals. Good luck!