This thought really speaks to me. In 2009, I looked in to becoming a speech-language pathologist. I found out about the program, realized it was going to take me about 4 years to complete it and decided to pass.
Now 3 years later, I've started my first two SLP classes. If I had started in 2009 I would be almost done, but I didn't and I don't regret that choice. It wasn't right for me at the time. However, now it is, and I am so happy I am doing what I should have done 3 years ago. The timing is finally right.
Here's my challenge for you: this week take the steps to do or become something you have always wanted. If that's running a 1/2 marathon then sign up for one. If that's going back to school then do a search online and find out about classes.
It's never too late to be what you might have been and that's something to curl up with.
On Tuesday, I am starting a speech pathology program, which means my time for exercise is going to be drastically reduced. However, that doesn't mean I get to be lazy about my exercise. I just have to find new ways to get moving.
I have two hours between my two classes and the student fitness center is right by the speech building. So guess what, I have no excuse to not use some of that time to run on a treadmill or take a Pilates class or even just walk around campus.
For me, exercise is a way to relieve stress. It lifts me up, if I am sad. It gives me a boost of energy, if I am tired. It allows me some alone time, to think. I love getting on my bike and riding for 10, 15, 20 miles. It doesn't matter how long or how far I go. What matters is that I am outside moving. I have the opportunity and ability to exercise. So, I do.
I leave you with this, if you are physically able to exercise, then stop making excuses. Get up. Get out. Get moving. Because not everyone can.
Just something to curl up with.
I have always been a little afraid of eggplant. I am not sure why, but last week, when I needed a purple food, I faced my fear and I bought an eggplant. I had no clue what to do with it or how to cook it, but I bought it. I ate it, and I loved it. I can't wait to make it again. (Actually, I've already roasted some for my salads this week.)
My eggplant pita pizza was super simple to make. Here is what you need to make it yourself:
1 eggplant
1 tbs olive oil
1 tbs fresh garlic
pinch of salt
pinch of pepper
1/4 of any color bell pepper, sliced
1/2 c marinara sauce
1/2 c mozzarella cheese
1 whole wheat pita
Slice eggplant and brush with oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Grill eggplant until tender. About 15 minutes.
Pre-heat oven to 400. Place pita in the center of a cookie sheet. Top pita with sauce, eggplant, peppers and cheese. Bake until the edges are golden brown. About 20 minutes.
An eggplant pita pizza is most definitely something yummy and healthy to curl up with.
Doesn't that spread look delicious and gorgeous? This week, I want you to taste the rainbow, by eating wonderful, healthy fruits and veggies.
Here is some information, that I read a Blogilates.com, about the different colors of the rainbow.
MONDAY: RED
- red foods have lycopene which decreases your risk of heart disease and protects your skin from sun damage
- ex: tomatoes, red pepper, chili, guava, watermelon, pink grapefruit
TUESDAY: ORANGE
- orange foods have tons of vitamin A which helps with low light vision!
- ex: sweet potato, orange, carrots, cantaloupe, winter squash
WEDNESDAY: YELLOW
- yellow foods help decrease joint inflammation
- ex: banana, yellow bell pepper, pineapple, corn, yellow squash
THURSDAY: GREEN
- green foods play an important role in stimulating new tissue growth and hindering growth of bacteria
- ex: broccoli, kale, kiwi, green beans, asparagus, avocado
FRIDAY: BLUE
- blue & purple foods help prevent short term memory loss – blueberries in particular help your brain respond better to incoming messages and might spur new growth of nerve cells
- ex: blueberries, blackberries
SATURDAY: PURPLE
- ex: radish, red cabbage, beet, plum, eggplant
SUNDAY: EAT THE RAINBOW
- Try to eat one of every color today! Either in one meal or throughout the day!
The rainbow is definately something to curl up with!
This is what keeps me going. It makes me go harder, longer and further than ever before. A few weeks ago, I went for a morning run. It was the longest run I have ever done. I went 4 miles. For some that is nothing, it's a walk in the park, but for me it was an accomplishment.
I kept saying it to myself. Although, I was a little more harsh about it. In my head, I said, "Go until your body gives out, then MAKE it give you more." I believe that you have to push your limits to succeed. If all you ever do, is what you've done before, then how are you ever going to become more than what you are?
So, challenge yourself. See how far you can go, before you turn around and go back. If it's not hard, then it's not a challenge.
Just some motivation to curl up with.
Over the past 16+ months, I have been on a weight loss journey. As of today, I have lost 63 pounds. I want to lose about 12 more.
On Saturday morning, at my Weight Watchers meeting a woman said, "I had every intention of going to the gym on Wednesday. I even put on my workout clothes. Then I just sat on the couch."
I never even imagined, that I would be one to say, "I love exercise." But here I am, posting it on the internet, for the whole world to see, I LOVE exercise. I love it. I'm going to say it one more time. I LOVE exercise.
That being said, it's hard for me to imagine someone getting ready to go exercise just to sit on the couch. If you are going to make the effort to change clothes, then go all the way. Don't think! You already have your shoes on, grab your keys, walk out your door, and go. It doesn't matter if you go for 20 minutes or 2 hours, just move.
Then when you get home, you can curl up on the couch and know you did something great for yourself.
In 2011, I rode 1500.2 miles. I put more miles on my bicycle, than my motorcycle. To me that's just crazy. But honestly, I loved every inch of every mile. There were days that, I didn't want to get on the bike. It would have been so easy to just sit on my ass in front of the computer or lay in bed and read, but instead, I saddled up and felt so much better afterward.
With it now being two days into 2012, I feel like I should set a cycling goal. I want it to be attainable, yet challenging. So here it is...4000 miles. That's right 4000 miles. If I ride every day, then I only need to ride 11 miles a day. However, I generally don't ride on the weekends. So that puts my rides at about 15 miles a day Monday thru Friday. And that, I can totally do.
4000 miles in 2012 that's something to curl up with.
I don't think anyone truly likes Mondays. So I decided to start "Motivational Monday". It's my way of giving you a little motivation, in whatever area you need.
My goal is to hopefully inspire you to get up and get moving. It's just something to curl up with.
Year 2012 Overview
With lucky Jupiter continuing to bless your stars, you can definitely expect to have the Midas touch in 2012, Taurus. Take advantage of your cosmic carte blanche during the first half of the year and get yourself firmly on the map. The first six months of the year are part of an ongoing personal renovation project before generous Jupiter leaves your stars. Not that you'll be losing much once the planet of fortune and fame moves into your neighboring sign and starts to bless your money sector. On the contrary - as soon as Jupiter moves into Gemini in June, your luck continues to build while grounding you in positive energy. The second half of the year will bring you great financial prosperity and opportunities to expand your talents.
You certainly won't starve for love, lust and creativity in 2012. Mars, the planet of action, will heat up your romance sector for the first half of the year. The first four months of 2012 could bring the return of old flames. Use Mars's first quarter retrograde phase to wrap up old creative and romantic business. Having both Mars and Jupiter working hard on your behalf for the first six months of the year is a glorious predicament, indeed. Between mid-May and late June, your ruling planet, Venus, will turn retrograde, so mark that period on your calendar as a reminder to slow down, reflect and re-evaluate your relationship priorities. In fact, this would be an ideal time to take a hiatus from responsibilities in favor of completely relaxing and immersing yourself in beauty.
Money and finance take center stage for most of the year as you experience several gains and losses. The key to your sanity will be to ride the wave of unpredictability and, in the end, trust that you'll still come out ahead. Pay special attention to your finances around the major eclipse points in May, June and December. Watch for new money-making opportunities around your birthday. It's just in time, because you may very well need to pad your piggy bank for some unexpected expenditures in June and July.
Sounds like I should have a great year ahead of me, and that's something to curl up with.
