My journey to a better slimmer and fuller life

 Time: 6:43AM Weather: -9C Sunrise @ 8:49AM Sunset @ 4:31PM  This is so true.  If I could learn to conquer my own fears and thoughts I could do anything.  My brain tells me all the time that I can't do something or that I will never be able to get it.  All this negative self-talk is so bad.  I have been working on talking better to myself.  Until the last little while I didn't even realize how often I am a downer on myself instead of a cheerleader.  I have discovered that i need to start treating myself like I treat my kids and friends.  I must learn to be kind to myself. This morning I am thankful for dinner out with the family last night a coffee date with my friend that the bills are all paid for the month Question of the day When am I the happiest version of me?  I think that I am the happiest version of me when I am surrounded by my family and we are having fun. Yesterday was a good day.  I didn't do any extra sna...

 Time: 6:15AM Weather: -8C Sunrise @ 8:50AM Sunset @ 4:28PM I used to get so upset with myself when I didn't lose weight quickly, or didn't chance my habits quickly.  I would have these weeks of doing things great then of course things would go to crap and I would backslide (I hate that word) and get mad at myself and give up.  This was and has been the roller coaster of my life for years.  Slowly over the last while I am realizing that this has to change.  I need to make permanent changes.  I am giving up on the all or nothing attitude that I have lived with for decades.  I am now working on small changes. This morning I am thankful for my hubby, who is my best friend my office being upstairs time Question of the day Who are the people in my life that make me the happiest?  Wow this one is easy.  My kids make me happy. My son and his dry humour, quick smile and willingness to help.  My oldest daughter and her love for life...

 Time: 6:06AM Weather: -12C Sunrise @ 8:50AM Sunset @ 4:26PM It is amazing to know that I have another day to get things right.  I think we often get caught up in the thoughts of the future but we never know that we have a future.  This last year has shown me that today, this minute is all we are guaranteed.  Life can change on a dime, sometimes for good and sometimes for the worst.  I plan to enjoy every morning that I wake up to my life. This morning I am thankful for My furnace that keeps the house warm That the daylight is starting to get longer again, I miss the long days of summer For time with my friends Question of the day Where do I want to be in 5 years?  In 5 years I want to be at my goal weight!!!! (I'm hoping that I hit that weight in one and half years from now).  I want o be working full time and happy with my career.  I want to have my daughter settled into her adult life, have her moved out of our home and into a gro...

 Time: 6:58AM Weather: -9C Sunrise @ 8:50AM Sunset @ 4:25PM New Year's Day. A fresh start. A new chapter in life waiting to be written. New questions to be asked, embraced, and loved. Answers to be discovered and then lived in this transformative year of delight and self-discovery. Today carve out a quiet interlude for yourself in which to dream, pen in hand. Only dreams give birth to change. -  Sarah Ban Breathnach I love waking up on New Year's day, it is a fresh start.  I am always so full of hope and excitement for the year to come.  This year I have decided that I really need to work on my goals and get them down so that I can work on them.  When I first started working on them I didn't think I would have an actual weight loss goal.  This morning I decide that yes I will have a weight loss goal.   I need to be accountable to myself this year.  My word of the year for 2023 is ACCOUNTABILITY.   I need to be accountable to myself f...

 Sunrise @ 8:50AM Sunset @ 4:24PM Make New Year's goals. Dig within, and discover what you would like to have happen in your life this year. This helps you do your part. It is an affirmation that you're interested in fully living life in the year to come. -  Melody Beattie This morning I am thankful for The warmth from my furnace on this cold winter morning My family new beginnings Question of the day What do I love about my life?  This question is an easy one for me.  I love my life for the most part.  I love the freedom that my hubby and I have with our work.  We both have jobs that allow us to have time when we want.  We both work from home and make our own schedules.  It is great to be able to do things together during the week.  I also like my relationship with our adult children. Daily Diary  This morning I read a blog post by Korra Shay called 9 Toxic Habits That Are Destroying Your Happiness Bad habit number 1 i...

 Time: 5:50Am Temp: -34C Sunrise @ 8:48AM Sunset @ 4:17PM Goals for today  8000 steps 30 zone minutes 81oz of good fluids Why do we always think that every is simple or should be simple.  There are so many things that are simply complicated, confusing and hard.  I mean I often think back to the way I was brought up, so many things that I was taught were wrong I now accept as just part of life.  I find that most of the time I live a grey zone... Yesterday was a cold day.  I spent way too much time behind the wheel driving on ice.  At lest there was no wind to make it really bad.  My new reps are pretty well trained.   Well go back out with them in the new year and touch base. This morning I am thankful for: Christmas music - I love to listen to it all the time Melissa went to school yesterday That my furnace works 

 Time: 6:45AM Weather: -6C Sunrise @ 7:55AM Sunset @ 4:43PM Today is going to be a get it done kind of day.  Had a relaxing day yesterday.  Too much sitting on my butt and not enough get up and go.  I've got work stuff to get done and lots of housework to do.  Hubby works in store today so I want to get some things done while he is away.  Tonight is a hockey game so we will have snacks and finger foods for dinner. Yesterday's Stats Steps: 4,876 Floors: 1 Zone Minutes: 7 This morning I am thankful for the weather getting nicer again hot coffee choices 5% Challenge Update Today was our weekly weigh in day.  I'm up 1lbs from the start.  We just ended week 6.  This week we are going to concentrate on our do's and don'ts of weight loss.  Goal for the week 56,000 steps, 35 floors and 210 zone minutes. All readings courtesy of my Versa:   Sunday - 8,615/2/48 Monday -  7,415/1/19 Tuesday -  11,171/5/103 W...

 Time: 6:34AM Weather: -19C Sunrise @ 7:53AM Sunset @ 4:44pm Today is Remembrance Day.  A day to remember those that gave their loves for our freedom.   Yesterday's Stats Steps: 4,660 Floors: 4 Zone Minutes: 12 This morning I am thankful for My furnace that works my adult children the sound of silence Goal for the week 56,000 steps, 35 floors and 210 zone minutes. All readings courtesy of my Versa:   Sunday - 8,615/2/48 Monday -  7,415/1/19 Tuesday -  11,171/5/103 Wednesday -  9,632/9/32 Thursday - 4,660/4/12 Friday  Saturday  Total to date Steps left to go: 56,000 - 41,493 = 14,507 Floors left to go: 35 - 21 = 14 Active Minutes left to go: 210 - 214 = -4      Standard Time Challenge Nov 10 Journal done Blog done 10 pages of non-fiction done Listen to Podcast done Steps  4,660 Floors 4 Zone minutes 12

 Time: 6:09AM Weather: -21C Sunrise @ 7:51AM Sunset @ 4:46PM Yesterday was a long day.  I spent way too much on puppy chew stuff.  I am really starting to think that getting my body healthier may be more of my goal right now then losing weight.  I am starting to look at ways that I can change things to just step up my health. Yesterday's Stats Steps: 9,632 Floors: 9 Zone Minutes: 32 This morning I am thankful for my bff the freedom of my work my family Goal for the week 56,000 steps, 35 floors and 210 zone minutes. All readings courtesy of my Versa:   Sunday - 8,615/2/48 Monday -  7,415/1/19 Tuesday -  11,171/5/103 Wednesday -  9,632/9/32 Thursday - Friday  Saturday  Total to date Steps left to go: 56,000 -36,833 = 19,167 Floors left to go: 35 - 17 = 18 Active Minutes left to go: 210 - 202 = 8     Standard Time Challenge Nov 9 Journal done Blog done 10 pages of non-fiction not done ...

 Time: 5:42AM Weather: -23C Sunrise @ 7:49AM Sunset @ 4:48PM Yesterday was a great day.  I got some work done.  Took Farley with me for the drive.  He is no longer getting car sic and seems to like being in the car with us.  I came home and got to shovel out the back parking pad.  We plugged my van in last night so that maybe it will start this morning. Yesterday's Stats Steps: 11,171 Floors: 5 Zone Minutes: 103 This morning I am thankful for Hot Coffee it has been an early morning puppy kisses that my daughter enjoyed her visit to the new program 5% Challenge Update We are reading labels this week.  I never used to read them at all.  About a year ago I started and man oh man do they hide some weird stuff in foods.  I am really starting to watch for sugars. Goal for the week 56,000 steps, 35 floors and 210 zone minutes. All readings courtesy of my Versa:   Sunday - 8,615/2/48 Monday -  7,415/1/19 Tuesday ...

 Time: 6:25AM Weather: -18C Sunrise @ 7:47AM Sunset @ 4:50PM Yesterday was a long day, the snow didn't stop.  I didn't get much work done but did get the some important paperwork started.   Yesterday's Stats Steps: 7,415 Floors: 1  Zone Minutes: 19 This morning I am thankful for hot coffee to start the day the dishwasher I hate hand washing dishes my winter tires Weekly fitness goals 56,000 steps, 35 floors and 210 zone minutes. All readings courtesy of my Versa:   Sunday - 8,615/2/48 Monday -  7,415/1/19 Tuesday -   Wednesday -   Thursday - Friday  Saturday  Total to date Steps left to go: 56,000 -16,030 = 39,970  Floors left to go: 35 - 3 = 32 Active Minutes left to go: 210- 67 = 143    Standard Time Challenge Nov 7 Journal done Blog done 10 pages of non-fiction not completed Listen to Podcast done Steps 7,415 Floors 1 Zone minutes 19

 Time: 6:56AM Weather: -16 and light snow Sunrise @ 7:45AM Sunset @ 4:51PM Yesterday was a good day overall.  I got some shovelling done, moved both vehicles and did the back parking pad.  Today I will have to touch things up a bit because the wind is still blowing.   Yesterday's Stats Steps: 8,615 Floors: 2 Zone Minutes: 48 This morning I am thankful for time change - I like that it will be lighter earlier in the day my puppy - he is giving me so much love and laughs my new ear buds, they fit so much better then my old ones Goal for the week 56,000 steps, 35 floors and 210 zone minutes. All readings courtesy of my Versa:   Sunday - 8,615/2/48 Monday -  Tuesday -   Wednesday -   Thursday - Friday  Saturday  Total to date Steps left to go: 56,000 - 8,615 = 47,385  Floors left to go: 35 - 2 = 33 Active Minutes left to go: 210- 48 = 162    My Standard Time Challenge So I am starting...

 Time: 6:08AM Weather: -12C Sunrise @ 7:43AM  Sunset @ 4:53PM Normally I am not a fan of Yoko Ono  but I do like this quote from her.  It is so true.  If we smile at ourselves daily it does change us. We are just finishing having our first snow storm of the season.  In a little while I will need to go out and shovel the front walk and then tackle the back parking pad.  I also need to drive to Tofield today for work.  It should be an okay drive. Today is the first day of Standard time.  For the next 18 week (126 days) we are on Mountain Standard Time.  I decided that I am going to give myself a personal challenge from today until time changes again on March 12, 2023.  I am going to blog at https://mjsflife.blogspot.com/ my journey to a healthier me.   November 6 2022 to March 12 2023 (18Weeks or 126 Days)   Personal   Journal (252 times AM and PM) Blog (126) Read 10 pages of non-fiction (1260) Li...

 Time: 7:16AM Weather: 7C Sunrise @ 7:41AM Sunset @ 7:05PM I often wonder what people will remember or think about me years from now.  I often find that I think about my grandmother and MIL both who have been gone from this earth a long time.  My memories are important to me as I loved both of these women and they both had big influences on my life today.  My grandmother taught me how to look after people and love them.  My MIL taught me how to keep things real and call a spade a spade. Yesterday's Stats Steps: 10,776 Floors: 5 Zone Minutes: 99  This morning I am thankful for my job that allows me to make my own schedule my hubby who is my best friend our weather 5% Challenge Update I am doing well on the challenge.  Adding the walking cardio workouts this month have really helped with my stats.  Plus I am feeling better already. My Goals Update. My annual Weight goal is to lose 52 pounds by July 1, 2023. - I still feel this...

 Time: 6:51AM Weather: 9C Sunrise @ 7:40AM Sunset @ 7:07PM A long time ago someone told me that I needed to learn to make my own happiness.  I wish I could remember who had told me that but I don't.  I remember that at the time I thought they were stupid.  to be happy I needed to be having fun and laughing with friends or family.  Over the years I have learned that I take happiness in many ways that when I was younger I never thought about.  Happiness and contentment are great.  I know longer rely on others for my happiness and find that often being by myself brings me the most. I woke up yesterday with a headache.  It stuck around almost all day.  I did some yard work and walked to the grocery store for some buns.  So I managed to get my steps in.  I didn't do my workout.  I will this morning after getting my youngest on her bus for school. Yesterday's Stats Steps: 12,087 Floors: 4 Zone Minutes: 87 This morning I am t...

 Time: 9:27AM Weather: 11C Sunrise @ 7:38AM Sunset @ 7:10PM  Thinking about this quote makes me remember all the times in my life that I have planned things and they haven't turned out the way I thought they would or been as helpful or great as I thought.  But in all those times, I have learned things and they have brought changes to my life that I would never have thought of.  I'm glad life can only be planned so much and that things happen that we don't think will happen or plans will not go as planned. Yesterday was a great day. As it was the first of the month I did my measurements.  That was eye opening.  I knew that the scales really haven't moved much this last month.  Some days I have been down and some days up.  Overall the scale barely moved from the beginning to the end of the month. I was getting frustrated and thinking that maybe I was on the wrong track.  But wow I lost 2inches off my waist!!!  I knew that my body was c...

 Time: 7:20AM Weather: 4C Sunrise @ 7:36AM Sunset @ 7:12PM Today is not only the start of a new 5% Challenge, it is the start of a new month.  I love the feel of a new start.  It's like we are given a whole new clean sheet of paper to fill with anything.  What was written or drawn on the last paper doesn't matter.  Of course when I return to real life I know that yes some things that I did in the past do matter and do affect me today.  But today is another chance to change things. Last night while watching the Oilers/Flames pre-season game I was starting to think about my goals for this month.  I have gotten very good at tracking things this last month, not so much at blogging/journaling.  Why I stop journaling I don't really know.  It helps me so much and I do so much better working on my goals when I journal.   I have decided to give myself a 30 day challenge.  here are the things I am challenging myself to do this mo...

 Time: 8:19 Weather: 14C Sunrise @ 6:49AM Sunset @ 8:18PM I have found that life often throws us curveballs that we just don't see coming.  Over the years my life has taken many turns, some good some not so good, but they all got me to this point in life. I had a really busy day yesterday. I got up way too early, around 2:30am couldn't sleep, ended up reading then getting some paper work done. Fun times. It was also my youngest girls birthday, so I had to clean the house to prepare for her party. I am going to say that it should not have taken me all day but it did. Lots of extra things to do. We ended up having a great time. Thankfully today is back to normal. Whatever that means.  This week is going to be a busy one for me.  I have way too much work to do and a short overnight trip to Jasper for work.   Yesterday's Stats Steps: 11,248 Floors: 10 Zone Minutes: 151 This morning I am thankful for The cooler temperatures at night, it is making sle...