30 Day Challenge - Day 16

What a Monday today was!  Whew, so glad today is O-V-E-R!!  Before I get too carried away I should say that I met both my work challenge and my personal challenge.  Work was crazy busy today and in the midst of it all, I had an hour and 30 minute round table conference call that weaved it's way into my schedule.  It wasn't exactly impromptu, however, it did last longer than expected.  It was insightful but it put me a little behind.  No worries, these days I am more resilient about changes to my schedule.  I was able to finish on time.  Mission complete!

When I got home I cooked dinner and Sweetheart and I sat and ate dinner as we talked about our day.  We both had tough days; his was "good" tough -- he closed some great accounts.   He was happy about it (as was I because that means I get treats!).  

After dinner, I read my book.  I am nearly done and I can't wait to finish it!  Honestly, tonight I felt like skipping the workout and just reading my book!  Ha!  I didn't though; I put my workout clothes on and got going.  It was a pretty good workout too.  Oh, and by the way, I did not do my workout this morning and I did not do the core workout this evening.  I was hoping that if I wrote on here what my plan was I would be too embarrassed to not do it but it didn't work.  I didn't do it.  Maybe tomorrow.  Okay, not tomorrow.  Maybe Wednesday....

I watched 3 episodes of Will and Grace today during my workout. 

I have to keep focused and move forward! 

Day 16 done!

30 Day Challenge - Day 15

Happy Sunday!  Day 15 of the challenge and it's still feeling like second nature.  And not only to me but to Sweetheart as well.  As we plan out our days, he'll always remind me about my workout.   I know most of the time my obsession to detail drives Sweetheart crazy but sometimes he enjoys seeing me compete with myself just so he can see me revel in my success.  And trust me, when I say I compete with myself I totally mean it.  He tells me often that I am too hard on myself and that I need to learn to relax.  Through this 30 day challenge, I feel like I'm able to see his perspective somehow.  And I agree like I should learn to relax a whole lot more.  I've said it before, but it bears repeating: it's hard to be me!

I watched Army Wives during my workout.  I love that show!  Oh, and I think I am going to change it up with my workout.  I'm thinking of working out in the morning instead of the evening.  And I am adding a core workout that Sweetheart's trainer/friend gave him.  My plan is to do cardio in the morning and then the core workout in the evenings.   Wish me luck; I think I'll need it!

Wow, two weeks behind me and now we're on to week three!  I saw a slight change in the first two weeks and I expect a whole lot more in the next two! 

Day 15 done!

We had a very relaxing day again today.  It was overcast and we had some rain on and off but nothing too exciting.  Sweetheart cooked a great breakfast for us. We watched The Next Food Network Star and were glad about the network's decision at elimination. Then we watched Strikeforce and got a little MMA action going on.  The puppies seemed to be in relax mode too as you can see below.  They have their doggie beds but today they felt like lying in the middle of the walkway.  They laid that way for a while; if we had to walk in either of those directions we had to step over  them because neither of them were prepared to move.  I guess weekends are their day off too....

Lazy Days of Summer

I'm  looking forward to this coming week!

30 Day Challenge - Day 14

What a wonderful day today was!  It was so relaxing!   We were able to sleep in this morning which is always a welcome treat.  After breakfast, Sweetheart suggested we read our books for a little bit before jumping into our chores.   It was a great idea; we read for about an hour and it was sooooo calming!   Never something I would have done in the past.  My mindset is always "chores first, play later".   However, this time I thought I would do it his way.  I am so glad I did.  It set the tone for a very soothing day. 

It rained this afternoon and it was a very long, very wet rain!  Sweetheart and I were outside -- he was mowing the lawn and I was sitting in the patio watching him -- when these huge rain drops came out of no where.  At first we figured it would 'sprinkle' a little and then it would be over.  Instead, it started coming down so fast; Sweetheart got SOAKED!  It was so funny!  One minute he was dry, the next he was dripping wet! 

I had a ton to do today; I cleaned house, got my car washed, went to Costco and helped Sweetheart in the backyard (sort of).  BUT I still made time for my workout.   It was an awesome workout too ~ I love it!

I love my Livestrong!

Today completed two full weeks of working out.  Much more important than the workout (in my opinion) is the commitment to stay on track and not allow anything at all to falter my goal.  Focus is key!

2 weeks complete!

Hoping tomorrow is as good as today.  Hopefully it will rain again!

30 Day Challenge - Day 13

Happy Friday!   I am one day away from completing two full weeks of my 30-day challenge.  I am almost running out of things to say about my work and personal challenge because I have adapted well.  I honestly did not think it would come so easy to me.  I was expecting the personal challenge to be a bit more daunting because of the time commitment, my evening schedule and my obsession with TV.  

When I got home for work today I read my book (which I am almost finished with!), then Sweetheart and I had dinner.   After dinner, I came into the office to start planning my Saturday but got a bit side tracked.   Standby for that story.   At about 8pm, I decided to get on the treadmill and get my workout in.  I watched a show I recorded called Twisted: Ted Bundy.  My fascination with serial killers doesn't bug Sweetheart anymore.  He used to think that he would eventually have to sleep with one eye open but I think he's over that now....

Day 13 is tomorrow.  I'm thinking of doing my workout in the morning before I start my day.  Well see how that works...

Day 13 - done!

Meanwhile, this is what distracted me earlier.  I was supposed to be organizing my day, when I ended up on the  http://www.westelm.com/ website.   I am loving the hurricanes and I can see that ivory throw on the couch.  Of course, I can also see Sweetheart using it to cover Grievous while he lays on the couch.  Hmmm...I need to rethink that one.

Footed Mercury Hurricanes

Chunky Tassel Throw

So now, I need to sit and plan out tomorrow then head off to bed.  I have ALOT to do tomorrow!

30 Day Challenge - Day 12

Well, well, well!  Day 12 and going strong!  I actually woke up early and did my treadmill workout before work.  Yes, really!  I knew that we would be home late tonight so I had planned on working out before work, but I am a night owl and night owls just don't do the "early bird" thing very well.  Ever.   

I love how this challenge is changing my behavior both personally and professionally.   In the past, I would have rather slept the few extra minutes and skipped my workout.   But today, skipping it was not even an option.  Sleeping through the snooze was not an option.  I got up at the first alarm and got going.  It may not seem like a big deal to many, but to me it is huge.   And I am so very proud of myself for it.  

Day 12 at work was equally impressive.  I left work a few hours early so that I could come home and hang out with the pups (they are like our kids) before the movie.   There was never a doubt in my mind as I went in this morning that I would complete my daily challenge.  I put together a plan last night before I left work and executed it perfectly today.   I am really impressed with my commitment to this.  Not saying that I have commitment issues, but I do have problems with change.  I tend to be very stubborn and am normally inclined to fight change.  I am a control freak...and not in a good way.  

I like that I am open to change.  This is turning out to be a great life lesson for me. 

Day 12 is done; two more days and I will have two full weeks complete!

Day 12 is a wrap!

Oh and The Amazing Spiderman was, well, amazing!  I really enjoyed it and could have sat for another two hours following the story line.   And our friends Mike and Lindsey were there so we got to enjoy a nice evening with friends.  

We have another movie screening next Friday and I can't wait!  Can you guess what it is??

30 Day Challenge - Day 11

This one is going to be quick and easy.  Day 11 was a cinch.  Work was good; challenge met.  I got home late but I jumped on the treadmill and did my thing; home challenge met!  I actually greet each day with a smile because I know that I have a challenge waiting for me.  It is such an amazing feeling.  

I watched Design Star tonight as I did my workout.  As I alternate running and walking I need to keep rewinding if I miss what is said while I'm trying to catch my breath after the "run" part.  It's pretty comical because after a few times doing that, Sweetheart always shouts out from the other room "didn't you watch that already?".  Ha!  He has no idea how hard it is to be me.  :)

They were down to the final four on this episode and Mikel was the one that was sent home!  At this point, I'm excited for the final three -- good luck to Hilari, Danielle and Britany!  By the way, I'm such a sap that I actually cry at this point in the competition as contestants start to get eliminated.   Who does that??

Today was pretty easy.  Tomorrow presents a challenge for both work and home.  But I already have a plan in place -- no worries!

Day 11 and I'm feeling pretty confident.  

Tomorrow we are going to a private screening of a movie.  The company where Sweetheart works rents out the entire theatre room for their employees.  We have been to the movies more this year than all the six years that we have together!  We normally wait for the movie to come out on video because we both despise movie theatre noise -- you know the talking and the chomping of food and the kids crying or talking, etc.  Anyway, we get to watch these movies for free plus they give us free popcorn and a $20 gift certificate for soda and stuff!   And since it's people he works with, the "noise" is usually not a big issue!  We do have to listen to a brief presentation prior to the movie from one of the vendors that sponsors the event but that's not a big deal.  They give door prizes during the presentation so the entire event is win-win! :)

This is what we are in store for tomorrow:

This means I will need be up early tomorrow morning so I can get my workout in before work because we'll probably be home late and I have a very early morning on Friday.  Whew!  I'd better get to bed!

30 Day Challenge - Day 10

So this challenge is becoming habit.  No longer do I stress about my work challenge.  No longer do I wonder how I will get this done.  No longer do I give myself a pep talk or talk Sweetheart into giving me a pep talk about getting on the treadmill.  I JUST DO IT.

Work was great today.  It's always good, I love my job.  I love to work.  I always have.  In fact, before I met Sweetheart, I was a bonafide workaholic.   I guess meeting the person that you want to build a life with puts things in perspective.  Yes, sometimes he still has to remind me to relax but for the most part I'm a workaholic on the mend!  :)

Today I watched Dance Moms with my work out.  I liked it because seeing those young girls dance and push themselves to the limit is inspiring.  I had a great workout today.  P.S.  I went back to wearing the running shoes...

 

Tomorrow is Hump Day; we're half way through the week.  I'm half way through my weekly challenge.  I feel great!

Day 10 is done!

I want to give a shout out to my BFF.  Next to my Sweetheart, she's my BIGGEST support and I am so thankful that she is my friend.  My dear friend!

She's Themla, I'm Louise.  Together we are AWESOME!