Well...here I am starting a new journal. My motivation was falling by the wayside, and I decided, I just absolutely CANNOT let myself stay like this any longer. I am feeling the negative effects of not keeping my routine, good eating habits, and exercise going. I am ready to recommit myself to getting to goal this year. I know mentally and physically it will be the best thing for me, and my family as well. I am taking things one day at a time, and getting organized. I guess you could say I am giving myself an "organization overhaul"...LOL I have lots to get done before I start homeschooling my daughter this fall. Preparing now, that way it won't be so hard when the time comes. I think that will be the hardest thing for me is keeping on a regimented schedule. BUT...I need it, as do the kids. Children desire structure, and unfortunately, that has been something I have been a bit lacks with. Also, it will be great start doing this as I have taken a part time job working from home doing piece work for a company in the area. So, in order to stay on top of that, I need to devote 2-3 hours per day to that as well. It will definitely help supplement the family income. So, all in all Organization is going to going to be my biggest key to "modification" as the title of my journal states. And add some "motivation" along with that...and I can do this!! I have really been struggling to get life itself in order these last couple of months, and I am finally taking charge! One day at a time...and I can do anything I put my mind to.

I have many of the same goals I had in my previous journal, but just going for those goals with a renewed enthusiasm! So...here I go...My journey of modification through motivation!! Until tomorrow.....

You Can Do It !!!!! :D

Beth :dance:

good luck with your goals!

my yoga teacher always says it takes discipline and constancy to reach goals.

you can do it. :flower:

Beth and Ronise...Thank you so much for your encouragement. I so greatly appreciate it! I know that without the encouragement from everyone here at DT, I would not be able to move forward in my journey. What a blessing this place is. We all have a common goal!

Well....I am getting ready for the day, have laundry to be caught up on, and a little bit of cleaning, and then this evening, I must get the lawn mowed. It has outgrown its last "haircut". So...it MUST be done. Plus I will be doing some of my "work" as well today. My deadline for my pieces is always Wednesdays. So, that will definitely be a priority.

I think I should state my goals in this journal, as I don't want to keep looking back at the old one. So here they are.....

1. Eat sensibly at ALL meals and snacks. And by sensibly, I mean, right portions,
right types of foods.
2. Drink a minimum of 96 oz. of water per day. I have a 32 oz. waterbottle, so that
will be 3 per day!
3. Some sort of intentional exercise each day. Get back to the gym, and go a
minimum of 4 days per week, but plan for 5. Will go 4, only if something
important comes up and prevents me from going that day.
4. Do my best to keep consistent journal entries here at DT. This way I can look
back, and see, progress I have made, or what is keeping me from it.
5. Weigh myself one time per week. I will make weigh in day Tuesdays.
6. Measure my body one time per month. Again to see progress to keep me going
if I happen not to see a loss, this is always encouraging.
7. Most important at this point in time. Keep up with my organization, and schedule
that I have created. I believe this will make a big difference for me all around.

SO...These are my goals for now. I have learned that once I achieve something, that I immediately expect more of myself. I need to be very conscious of this, as I think this is part of what has been hindering my progress. SO....I will do my best to take each day one at a time, and be good to myself, and not expect too much! I am who I am, and in no way am I perfect, so why should I expect myself to be that way?!?!? :laugh:

Well...better ge going for now...again...Thank you Beth and Ronise for visiting, and for your encouragement. THANKS!

Hey there AJ!! :wave:

I found your journal. Good thing you mentioned you started a new one or I would have been looking for you in the old one and never finding you there!

I think you've really set up many good goals to work towards, but please keep remembering that you are working TOWARDS these goals, and do not expect to reach them all every day, every week. Goals are not absolutes. So if you can't reach it one day, don't beat yourself up over it. That goal will be there tomorrow, so you can work towards it again! ONE DAY AT A TIME! It's such a simple concept, but so difficult to actually do!

I'm so happy that you have come back and are giving yourself another chance to be ALL THAT YOU CAN BE! I know you can do this, and I will be more than happy to be part of your support committee. We will do this together!

Have a super day and give those beautiful little girls of yours a big kiss and hug for me, since I can't reach them........... :D

Ahhh....finally made it back here...these last few days have been crazy busy. We have a teenager staying with us, while she goes to a camp this week. I have to drive in to town (25 miles one way) morning, and then pick her back up at night. So...it is making for a crazy week, with not much time to get things done.

I have been doing pretty well with eating and staying on track. I have been taking the girls for walks with me, but not able to go to the gym as of yet, because of taking her in to town in the a.m. But, as soon as she goes back home, I will be getting there....I am counting on it!! I am really excited to get back. I know I will feel so much better, and start getting this weight loss moving again!

Did lots of shopping yesterday and found some great bargains. So, that was sort of fun, and we did plenty of walking yesterday. I had a fun day with my girls. I bought the Cures "They" Don't Want You to Know About book yesterday. It is the updated edition. I have been very skeptical when I have seen it on tv, so I thought...hey it is worth a try to even read it, even if it doesn't help,oh well, but I must say, quite a bit of it makes a lot of sense. I am going to look into fibromyalgia, as my sis in law has it. Maybe it can help her in some way as well. ????? I guess we will see.

Well...not too much more for now, but will be back as much as possible with this crazy schedule. Hope each who is reading this, has a wonderful day, and a great weekend!!

Until then........

Hi AJ,

Glad you were able to grab a few minutes to pop back into your Journal and let us know you are still hanging in there, and with us.....LOL

I does sound like you have a "full plate" there with the teen, and transporting her back and forth too. And on top of that, caring for your little girls. But walking with them is a great idea. It gets you out walking, and it shows them that exercise is good and healthy for them, and as simple and easy as taking a nice walk! Setting examples of a healthy way of living is very important now so that your daughters grow up knowing how and what they too need to do to be and remain in good health.

Glad you had a good time shopping. Now is a great time to buy summer items for next year. Just about everywhere you go, they are having really good sales, and you can save big bucks!

Congrats for keeping the food in control. Doing well in that area myself for once! About time too!

Till next time.:hug:

Hi Aj,
getting organised and finding some structure is something i am always striving toward too..its hard sometimes when you are so busy and juggling so many things..but in the end when we are organised and have a plan things run smoother anyway, right?
I wish you much success with your new goals..i will keep checking in with you.
hugs bell :)

Your goals are :super: and I will be right here :cheer: you on !!!!!! :D

Beth :dance:

Well...here is another busy day. Got cleaning to get done, and laundry to do. I still have one more day left with the teen who is staying with us. I will be glad when it is over, mainly for the fact of all the driving back and forth I have to do. Although I have enjoyed having her here, it will be good for her to be back at home as well.

Food is going pretty well, but exercise has been somewhat limited the last day or 2. No walking or anything. SO, will be for sure getting back into the swing of things after things calm down around here. But, then next week, daughter has Vacation Bible School all week. It is only for a few hours each day, so that's not so bad, and I won't have to go very far to take her. But guaranteed...I WILL be going to the gym!!!

I need to get going, so I can get some of my housework, and get some piecework done to turn in Wednesday. It is nice to have a little paycheck on the side. :o

Bell...Thank you so much for visiting my journal. I so appreciate all the encouragement that I get from all of you. As you can see my exercise has been pretty low, but next week, I will start back at the gym, and then plan on getting back over to the exercise fanatics thread! I miss posting over there. Seems like I too am always seeking to become so organized, but it takes much dedication to stay that way. That is my plan though,...I think everything, and everyone would run a whole lot smoother! Thanks for always checking in on me. :hug:

Beth...You are one great cheerleader!! Always cheering everyone on. I appreciate that more than you know! Thanks for you encouragement, without everyone here at DT, this all would be extremely difficult! Thanks Beth!!

Well....off for now....until tomorrow..............

i cant wait to see you back over at the exercise fanatics thread Aj... good luck on getting back to the gym next week..i am finding it a bit tough to squeeze in the gym between my new work hours too...so i know what you are going through.
have a great weekend Aj.
hugs bell :)

Well...I am rarin' (sp?) to go for tomorrow. Back at the gym once again! I am really looking forward to get working towards my goals again. I have been doing ok this weekend. Been a bit busy, and very tired none the less. But...I must keep moving. I am heading off to Bible study here in a couple of hours, so I wanted to check in quick before I go, so I could be sure to post in here today, as I didn't get a chance to yesterday. Hopefully getting back to the gym tomorrow will really help get me on track for organizing, and for getting everything ready for homeschooling in the fall. Got my schedule together, so now I will be doing my best to stick to it...although I am sure at first it will not be very easy. But I am gonna give it my all!

Bell...Thank you so much for stopping by! I look forward to getting back over to the exercise thread so I can join you all again. I miss it! Work sounds hectic for you with crazy hours, but I am glad to see you are making time to get back at the gym whenever you possibly can! WTG! Thanks again for your continuing support. I need to get more active here in the journals, and be a better support to others as well!

Well...got to get the dishes done before I go to Bible Study, so until tomorrow.........

Hi AJ,

Glad to see you will be able to get back to the gym this week. I know how much you have missed that.

Glad you had a good weekend, albeit a busy one!

Keep up the good work friend.

Thank you so much Sandie for your kindness and friendship. I haven't been back to the gym as of yet, I have been laying low with a major migraine for the last few days. It sucks! It is still with me today, but is more dull, and in my right temple and base of my skull. I wish I didn't get these stupid things. So...I am praying I can get rid of it today, and get to the gym in the morning. It makes the whole day rough when you wake up with a migraine. I am surprised I was actually able to get some sleep. But....I am taking things one day at a time. That is all I can do. I won't get all stressed out and nerved up, because I didn't feel well enough to get up and do something I had my heart set on. I know, I know...here I go rambling on. I need to STOP IT....LOL

Eating has been going really well, and water has been going very well also. I need to get the lawn mowed this evening. I am hoping I can get that done. DH will be home this evening....so that shouldn't be a problem, unless of course I still have this silly headache.

I need to be going for now....kids are having a spat....until later.........

kids and spats!!! all part of everyday life!!! Have fun with that!!!
Sorry that you have been down with a migraine..i cant imagine what migraines are like.. a miserable enough with a headache.
Hope you start feeling better soon.
hugs bell :)

Well...the headaches have started to alleviate. I woke up with a mild one this morning, but it isn't too bad, so I will get going, get some things done around here and see if I can get rid of it. It has really taken a toll on me these last few days, so therefore I didn't get too much accomplished.

We had company pretty late last night, and had a great time getting to visit with all of them, but the kids and myself are pretty worn out today. Yesterday I went garage saling with my friend, and found some great buys. I found my daughter a desk, for homeschooling...really nice for 15 dollars...and found a brand new never used twinbed for my little one, for 40 dollars which the lady threw in a nice flannel plaid duvet cover, a microsuede Woolrich pillow, and a brand new mattress pad. Can't beat that! I love garage saling...it is so much fun. Found lots of other things as well. But I won't keep rambling on about all of it! LOL

Water has been going great, but eating yesterday wasn't the best. We had a barbecue, and I over did it just a little bit. But...it is in the past, and I am moving on!SO......Tomorrow, back at the gym, lots of water, and time to get things going in order. For the most part things are going very well with getting organized. Have a bit more to do, but it all falling into place, one day at a time.

Bell....Indeed, the kids will have "spats" fights and what not....LOL But why do they always seem to do it the worst when ya have a bad headache???LOL Glad to see you dear...I am looking forward to heading back over to the fanactics!! See you there soon!

Well....I better be going for now, I have some things that need to done around here...so until tomorrow...........

Hi there AJ,

Been away the past few days, got back in late this morning. My Sister threw a surprise birthday party for her hubby, and he was completely bowled over. We had a great weekend, and the weather could not have been more cooperative.

I'm so sorry you are having headaches. I remember when my children were little, it seemed they always misbehaved most just when the phone rang, or when company arrived, or some such time when I was not giving them my full attention. Maybe that is their way of demanding it? I wouldn't put it past them. They are more intelligent than we give them credit for, I fear..........:laugh:

I do hope you will be feeling better soon. The best to you!

Boy oh boy...where DOES the time go? I have been SOOOOOO busy. I haven't posted in here for almost a week!! Things have been pretty crazy around here, my job at home is taking up a fair amount of time, so it doesn't leave me to very much free time anymore, but I guess that is a sacrifice I will have to make to make a little money at home. Eating hasn't been wonderful, but nothing I can't get past. I have been working over some issues from the past, and finally resolved them this morning. It is amazing what can happen when you talk it out with someone and find out the real truth! LOL Anyhow, other that this things are going well. I am just anxious to have things calm down a little bit. I am still diligently working on the organization around here, and must say things are falling into place quite well...Not quickly, but they are for sure falling into place! I guess I shouldn't expect everything to fall in place all at once. Little by little day by day, I will get it together! Well....gotta run...I hope to be better about finding time to post in here. But...like I said...WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?????? Until next time..........

Hello AJ,

Nothing wrong with being busy dear. The busier you are, the less time you have for eating, let alone over-eating. Right?

What matters most is that you are well and still trying.

Have another good and busy week.

Thank you Sandie so much for all your support and friendship. I appreciate you more than you know!
Well....I am finally back at the gym...and feel GREAT!! Wish I would have never lost my motivation and let other things get in the way, but it doesn't matter now. I am there, and that is what counts. I did 10 mins on elliptical at level 2, 15 minutes on recumbant bike (only one available) at level 8 and did a nice walk on the treadmill for 20 minutes, so a total of 45 minutes for the day. Not too bad first day back into it. Gonna work my time up towards the end of the week, get back to my usual hour or more. Plus, I already had 22 oz. of water down, and am working on my second bottle. Water hasn't been a problem as it has been so hot here. Icy cold water on a hot day...don't think there is anything better! :laugh: Well...I must get a ton of piece work done today, so I better be going for now, but first I am going to post over in the exercise fanatics! Hope each who reads this has a wonderful day!! Until tomorrow.........

Good for you AJ,

I'm really glad that you have been able to carve out a bit of time for yourself every day. It is so important that we do that, and yet it is one of the first things we sacrifice when time is short or we get busier than usual. But that hour for YOU helps to keep you focused and centered, and helps keep your mental outlook healthy and strong too. Never underestimate the importance of that single hour a day just for YOURSELF.

Hope you have a great week (and make lots of money with your piece-work too) :laugh:

Well...I haven't been able to post the last couple of days, as we had to exchange out our computer. No problems, but the salesman that sold us the other...LIED!!! LOL...no big surprise there! But, anyways, we ended up getting back almost 400 hundred dollars, for a better computer :laugh: Hubby was thrilled!

Anyhow.....eating has been going great, water too, and exercise has been pretty good too. I have been walking the last couple of days, because piecework has taken some late nights, and having to make trips back and forth into the city. But, I will be doing tons of walking this weekend,so there will be some exercise.... but Monday...to the gym!! At least I am making an effort to get out and walk. What a difference it makes when ya can't get to the gym.

So...just thought I would get in here and post, hope all of you have a great weekend!

WOW...things sure have been crazy around here, have been on vacation, working and getting geared up for homeschooling. So, if anyone has been looking around for me, I am here, but have been away for awhile. Weight has stayed the same, and am doing ok otherwise. I will get in here as I can until I can get use to a very busy schedule. Thanks for stopping in to read this....until next time..... :)

Hi Aj,
i was only checking in yesterday to see that you hadnt posted for a while so i am lad to hear from you!
Homeschooling isnt big here in Australia (that i am aware of anyway)..i take my hat off to you for doing it though.i think its wonderful!
hugs bell :)