This Week....

This week was a LONG one! I was so happy to have not only Friday get here but also the start of a new month!
I like new beginnings and this month started off feeling on that note.

School was all I did from last Sunday through Thursday night. I had my final exam in one class so I was focused on it all week long. By the time Friday got here I was tired & ready to get that exam over with.

All my hard work during the week paid off!! I got a 94!!!!! YEAHH & an A in the class!! I was happy & glad b/c I could mark that one off the list for this summer! One down & one more to go! 2 more weeks in this class! I can celebrate then!!

Sunday & Monday I was able to get a work out in. But Monday was tough. Because of time issues. This was my first week starting to prepare for the 1/2 marathon. So it was good that I started before the 1st b/c it gave me a good picture of what challenges face me with work, home, school, and working out. I was able to figure out when I can work out & when I just cannot.

I went online & got a training schedule for a 1/2 marathon, its very helpful. With the way it is scheduled the training stops about a 1-2 weeks before my actual marathon date, so with school factored into that time I should be right on track.

This week focusing on cooking my own food & preparing snacks for work has paid off. Plus, before I would occasionally let myself have something a little guilty, which is not bad but now I have cut that back. I just say "is it REALLY worth it?" In most cases - NO. This really helped when I was focusing on my eating habits in the past so I am putting it into practice again.

I weighed myself this morning and lost almost 2 full lbs!! WOOO HOOO!! It was great to see a small reward!! Its little goals toward a bigger one that I find real motivation in!!

Have a GREAT weekend!!
{ASWS}

Follow Your Heart

I finished it!!
I wanted to make a journal to use while I prepared for the 1/2 marathon. It is important for me to have a place to write. Write what I ate, how I am feeling, what activity I did, my stats, etc... I think it will help me stay on track.




This is exciting! & I am LOVIN' how my journal turned out! Thanks to Barb & Cathy for letting me bounce things off of them while I was working on it. :)

Tonight I met my girlfriend at the park and we walked - well I walked she walked and ran. She is doing great in preparing for this marathon! It is great to have someone along for this journey! Support is wonderful! Plus, I got some AWESOME steps in on my pedometer! I have already earned one $25 gift card & am ready to get the next, $50!!

I posted some pics of it & some of the pages I put a few things on. I have some embellishments ready to be added when I start actually journaling. I wanted to share this with you. Also, I have put more pics on my SIStv profile - I'd love for you to check 'em out!

Hugs~{ASWS}

White Chocolate in the Sky

There it is!! My "White Chocolate in the Sky"!!
Okay, there is a story to this. I am getting ready to start to train for that 1/2 marathon in November. So I figured - time for a new pair of shoes!! Plus, it will get me motivated & I really did need them.
I go to an athletic store & start looking at shoes. I am stuck between 2 pairs - this & another. So I ask the salesperson some questions & I can really tell the difference in how this shoe feels over the other. More support in mid-sole.
I ask his opinion & he said you should get the "white chocolate in the sky"? I am like "HUH???" He said that's the name of the shoe!! Of course, it is the Gel 1130 but its also called that. I said there it is! It feels better & it has a fun name! Perfect name for me! So that is the shoe!! LOL!!
It is a great feeling shoe! Glad with my purchase & I think the name is fun & will keep me motivated!

My MP3 player is going to get an overhaul this weekend - new jams! I was talking w/good girlfriend, Chriselda, & she is the Queen of Playlists for music & I mentioned to her she came to mind when I was thinking about new music to work out to. So I will create some playlists to keep all my fav jams to get sweatin' to!

Here it goes!! My training officially starts this week! I am nervous, a little scared, I have never done anything like this but I am excited too! I have a couple girlfriends who are doing it too so that will be great to have that support. We do not live all that close but on weekends we may be able to workout together from time to time.

YIKES!! Here I go! (as I bite my nails!!) such a me trait!
Hope you all have a GREAT weekend! HUGS!

New Orleans - Album!!

I have been working on my New Orleans book when I get a chance on the weekends to scrap - well it is 98% done!!!
YEAHHH!! Here are some of the pics of it!! I just LOVE how it turned out! This book came together so easily & it was one of the best times making it that I've had!!
To see many more of the pics from the NOLA album visit my profile at SISTv. I have them all posted there!
Enjoy & have a GREAT Saturday!!

Motivation.....for 1/2 Marathon

The stars all must be aligned to some degree...neat things are happening with regard to this 1/2 Marathon I am going to attempt.
Last night while scrapping, girlfriend of mine, Miss Barbara, said that she would be interested in doing it. It will be GREAT to have a friend along for this journey to keep each other motivated. So I was excited about that happening for us.

Then today I was talking to an old friend of mine, we catch up about each weekend or so...Miss Scarlett. I mentioned that I wanted to try a 1/2 Marathon in November. She said me too!! Then we both mentioned the same name of the 1/2 Marathon!! It was hilarious!! She commented that we both have been on the same journey regarding our weight, health, etc... So we exchanged ideas, etc.. & will get together soon to review what we are or will be doing.

This really was exciting & inspiring...plus very motivating to me!! I am ReADY to get this started!!!

Have a GREAT day!!
{ASWS}

New Challenge!!

This week has been a LONNNNNNG one! I am glad tomorrow is Friday!! Started my new class this week & it will be lots of studying/reading, but I think I have a plan down for it & my other class.

On to my challenge ~ for myself. This November will mark 2 years of my weight loss journey. So to get motivated & stay focused I decided to give myself a goal to reach by the week of Thanksgiving~~ to have lost 15 lbs. This will be a challenge b/c I have hit a standstill for the most part - that wonderful brick wall when it comes to weight loss.

Then, I was talking with a lady from work today & she has really been working to increase her daily steps - we got pedometers from our Wellness program at work, I am our department's "champion" as we are called. Any who...she got back today from vacation & said she couldn't wait to show me...she pulled up her daily steps for this past week & increased by almost 3x the # of steps from where she was a week ago!! She has been working SO hard!! So, we started talking more & I told her my challenge, then she shared something with me she "thought" maybe about doing.....a 1/2 marathon (you can walk it too she said-doesn't have to be ran). She pulled up the website and we checked it out.....I told her lets do it!!!! Are you serious? Yes, I told her......I will do it if you will & she gave me a HUGE smile & said ok, lets do it!

This will be PERFECT timing b/c the marathon is in November also!! November 16th! Right on track for my weight loss goal! This has me PUMPED!! I have never been a runner & am not sure I will run, I may try it out for part of the marathon, but I want to do it for me & to help motivate the lady at work. She is overweight & has some health issues that I am sure have a lot to do w/her weight. She understands this too but has not been able to get motivated. I know how hard it can be. But I saw something different in her eyes today.......a fire!! And I know what that can become when ignited!! Once she gets going....no stoppin' her! It will be great to have a "buddy" to exercise with. That makes it more fun!
SA Rock n Roll Marathon - there will be bands along the route & it just sounds like tons of fun!! Check out the website if you can!

Now, I am off to read for tomorrow's class! Have a GREAT night!!
{ASWS}

A la Samantha - My {Inspiration}

When I saw Samantha in the SATC movie sportin' her cute headbands, I wanted one. I found one and had it for awhile, last week I was determined to wear it. And to complete the outfit ~~ Yes, the GOLD shoes!! It was the finishing touch!!

I wasn't sure about the headband but I figured I would go for it. I got lots of compliments & then an oh so extra special one at the end of the day. As myself & a couple of girls were leaving for the day one complimented me & the other said, "you know who she looks like? Samantha from Sex & the City"!!! Oh that just made my day! I said"there you go! Thats the look I was going for!" We all talked some more. It was fun! & we laughed & it was just great! 3 women just passing out compliments & enjoying each other - not hating, no digs, all genuine.

Yvonne, this post is in honor of you & thanks for the uplifting words & support! Here is my "hot" dress & even better those gorgeous GOLD shoes that help this Single Woman be a Single Woman!! Thanks Y~it really means a lot!
Girl, I want to see your "hot" dress & the beautiful you in it!! I know you have one too! {smile}