11.28.2012

New Blog Address!!

The new blog is now

www.heathersjourneytohealthy.com

Add it to your readers or whatever tool you use to keep up with your blogs.

I'll keep this one up for a couple of weeks with occasional reminders to switch to the new address before I delete it.

Thanks for hanging with me and following the blog!

The blog is moving!

Something happened to my domain address, and it was deleted from blogger (yay for technology), and now blogger says it can't identify me as the owner, so I'm working on moving the blog to a new domain and it will be on wordpress.

Hopefully this doesn't take too long. I'll keep up this blogspot address (heathersjourneythroughlife.blogspot.com) going until I can get it going again.

First MBA Class=Done!

Last night I submitted my final paper for my first class making me officially done! I purposefully finished early because Marketing starts on Monday and from the look of things, it isn't going to be an easy 6 weeks! My only complaint with my program is that I wish there was a week break between classes. Oh and I wish there were more tests and less papers. But I must get use to cranking out papers. For Marketing there is a 2-3 page paper due most weeks.

Tonight is my rest night, so I'm going to use that time to start reading and really look into the assignments for week one. The faster I can get started, the better.




11.27.2012

The Blog is on Facebook!

I had been contemplating a facebook page for the blog, and this morning I decided to do it! 

https://www.facebook.com/heathersjourneythroughlife

Go like it! Right now it is just my sisters, mom and one friend (hi Jordan!).

My older sister didn't know about the blog. My younger sister is a committed reader-usually she has read a post before I tell her there is a new one and my mom has read it occasionally.

The support I've gotten just from my oldest sister today has been overwhelming. Maybe I just need more real life support? My mom sent me a text after liking the page and it said "You can do this, Heather".  I have ton's of support from the WW boards, but maybe I need the people around me routinely to know that I'm on this journey? I can't decide if I want to share it on my personal facebook or not. I would say 75% of me does, but the other 25% is having self-esteem issues. I don't like failing and I don't like people seeing me fail. I think that is what is stopping me. But what if the support from "real life" people is what I need? I can't decide. I think I'm going to give it a few days to brew.

But for real, go like the page!

Scale Tales

Current: 264.2
Previous: 263.6
Difference: +0.6

I'm ok with it. I indulged a lot over the holiday weekend, but I am back on track now. I got in a solid workout last night and I am planning another for tonight.  I'm not going to let it get me down. I refuse to wait to get back on track in January when the rest of the world does. I am doing this now! I am not going to maintain or gain my way through the holidays. I'm going to make the next month really count and begin 2013 lower than I was at the beginning of 2012 (around 260). I'm going to start being more honest and accountable with myself every.single.day!

11.26.2012

Good Start to the Week

Sweat is gross, but it does make me happy when I do it!




Back Into a Routine

I usually am never a fan of Mondays. This is intensified for Mondays after a long weekend. I'm struggling to be productive today!

I thoroughly enjoyed my long weekend. It was nice having nothing to worry about. I was lazy and gladly admit to it. I enjoyed spending time with family. It was very low key. Friday, my parents went out for the day (literally). They were gone from about 10 am until about 7 pm. I enjoyed my quiet time! I may have taken two naps on Friday while they were gone. And they were glorious! Saturday my sister and I went out for a mexican lunch and to see Breaking Dawn Part 2. Yes I am still very much a teenage girl when it comes to both the books and movies. I just love them! I have to say, I really liked this movie. I won't give away spoilers in case there are readers that haven't seen it yet (and are planning on it), but Oh.Em.Gee at the ending.

And on Saturday I switched cell providers (read: I joined my mom's family plan) and got an iPhone 5 (what apps do I need)? It will save me about $60 per month (I'll be paying her for my added line). I love that they can keep your original number when you switch now! And yesterday was spent playing catch up on laundry and doing homework for this week.

This is the last week of my current class. my next class is Marketing and it starts next Monday.


And now I need to get back OP. I don't have a relationship with water anymore so I'm reforming that today. Same goes for fruits and veggies. I did step on the scale (I totally failed at that not weighing until December 1st thing, but came close) and it was only up 0.4 on Friday, but my eating wasn't great over the weekend, so we will see what the scale says tomorrow..

Speaking of weigh in's, I did take about 4 weeks off from the scale and it definitely helped. When I stepped on the first time, I was exactly the same as I was in October when I took the break. So I'm ok with that. I didn't gain! I will go back to normal scale tales posts tomorrow with a fresh mind and WI tracker.

How was everyone else's Thanksgiving? Are you struggling as bad as I am at being motivated today?

11.24.2012

I'm Thankful Day 24

Today, I'm thankful for the Twilight Series...yes I am one of those women, who pretends to be 15. I went to see Breaking Dawn 2 with my sister tonight, and it was really good! I like being about to revert back to my teenage years occasionally :)

11.23.2012

I'm Thankful Day 23

Today, I'm thankful for the holidays. This is the time of year that I see the family that I don't routinely see throughout the year. I absolutely love it!

11.22.2012

Day with the dogs :)


My Christmas card picture :) Spin actually didn't fight the hat!

I loved his expression in this one!

And a show dog picture since we had the camera out!

I'm Thankful Day 22

Today, I'm thankful for family. I've had posts with individual family members, but I truly am thankful for them all. And I'm thankful that I get to spend today with them!


My dad and his siblings with my grandmother, Christmas 2009. Her last


Dad, Courtney, me, Mom, and Crystal, Graduation-May 2010


Dad's side, Christmas 2010


Mom's side (most of it), Christmas 2010

11.21.2012

I'm Thankful Day 21

Today, I'm thankful for long weekends! Today is our Friday,a nd nothing makes me happier. It has been the longest short week ever!

11.20.2012

I'm Thankful Day 20

Today, I'm thankful for my friends. The true ones. Jessie, Sarah and Courtney (yes my sister Courtney). Jessie lives 7 hours away, Sarah is 4 hours and Courtney at school is 3 hours away. The distance doesn't matter at all. When I went to visit Jessie, I hadn't seen her in about 2 years, and it was like yesterday. Same with Sarah, when we had girls night back in August. And of course I talk to Courtney just about everyday. I love my best friends and I really wish we all lived close. I really need to plan another trip to Delaware and a trip to Richmond! Courtney, up for a couple road trips in the spring?


Jessie and I


Courtney and I


Sarah and I

11.19.2012

I'm Thankful Day 19

Today, I'm thankful for technology. I have met so many wonderful people in the dog world, and the only way I am able to keep up with most is via Facebook. I know when puppies are being born and when points are being won. As much as a PIA that facebook is, I still am not sure I could give it up for that reason. How would I keep up with my friends across the country?

I'm Thankful Day 18

I stayed unplugged from technology yesterday, so here is my catch-up post!

I'm thankful for exercise. <--Who is this person?  In all seriousness, I have been so much less stressed since working out semi regularly. I'm working on making it more regular. I just feel so much better lately!

11.17.2012

I'm Thankful Day 17

Today, I'm thankful for mommy/daughter days. I just spent about 4 hours Christmas shopping with mom, and it was wonderful. I love these days.

And I just read that Color Me Rad is coming back to Blacksburg next fall. I'm super excited, and will be doing it again!

11.16.2012

I'm Thankful Day 16

Today, I'm thankful for music. I can always find something for my mood, and usually something that makes my mood better. It even helps keep me productive at work :)

11.15.2012

New Way to Track

So late last week I ordered a paper diet and exercise tracker. It is the DietMinder Personal Food and Fitness Journal. It can be seen here.

I've never tracked my food and activity by hand. I have always done it on the WW online tracker. My WW subscription is due to expire the beginning of December, and I haven't decided if I will renew it right away. I think I'm going to see how I do actually writing things down the next few weeks while tracking pp's with WW before I decide on my WW subscription.


First page (starting tomorrow). It tracks calories, fat, carbs, fiber and protein, and has a couple spots if you want to track something else.


Page 2 of day one. Has a spot for activity, vitamins and water intake.

I'm Thankful Day 15

Today, I'm thankful for the motivation I have seemed to have found for my WLJ. I have went back to the basics of measuring and tracking everything. I worked out last night and this morning. I'm always thankful when I'm feeling motivated, because it isn't something that is with me 100% of the time.

11.14.2012

I'm Thankful Day 14

Today, I'm thankful for my grandparents. They are my favorite. I seriously don't know what I'd do without them. I call them at least 3 times a week. I still love when I'm able to go and spend a weekend with them (that doesn't happen nearly enough). They have definitely been there when I needed them. They spoiled me growing up like all grandparents do. They will always be my favorite :)


Grandparents and my cousin Shyla.

11.13.2012

I'm Thankful day 13

Today, I'm thankful for my health. Am I where I want to be, no. I still have a long way to go, but I can feel a difference in my activity levels and fitness. I'm thankful that I have no major health problems at this time. And I'm thankful that I decided to make the change in my health before I got even older. I definitely have a ways to go, but I'm thankful that I can do the things I can, and I look forward to being able to do more as I get healthier.


11.12.2012

I'm Thankful Day 12

Today, I'm thankful for my job. I do complain about it 90% of the time, and I do want to find something else, as the industry isn't for me, but I am thankful that I get a paycheck every two weeks.

11.11.2012

I'm Thankful Day 11

Today, I'm thankful for our veterans and active military. They sacrifice so much on a daily basis so we can all that we have. Thank you service men and women for your work!

11.10.2012

I'm thankful day 10

Today, I'm thankful for college football. I live for Saturdays in the fall :)


11.09.2012

Fresh Start

I know I've done this before. You're probably just as tired of hearing it as I am saying it.

I was thinking last night about my WLJ and how it is going nowhere fast. I've been losing and gaining the same 5 pounds since July/August. I've been lazy. I've been complacent. I've not been giving it any effort basically at all. I haven't tried like I should. And I haven't wanted it like I wish.

I'm starting over from scratch. I'm going to pretend this is my first time back at WW. I'm going to track and measure everything. I'm going to make sure I get in the good health guidelines (fruits, veggies, water, healthy oils and dairy). I reset my tracker to start from scratch. I know I can do this. I know how much I really want to succeed. I know that I'm going to have to work my ass off (literally). I'm prepared to give it my all. This will be my last time starting over.

To begin with I'm going to take it one meal at a time. If I keep doing that then I will basically be stringing good, OP days together, which will lead to weeks and months. I will be successful this time. I'm going to focus on why I really want to succeed and remind myself of it everyday.


Source: Pinterest


I'm Thankful Day 9

Today, I'm thankful for my dog show life. I have met so many people I wouldn't have otherwise had the opportunity to meet. I've been around wonderful dogs. There have been ups and downs, but I wouldn't change it. I've wondered why I still do it many times, and have had a few long-ish breaks, but I always come back. Will I do it forever, who knows, but for now, it is what I do and it makes me happy. There is less of it with school now, but I don't see it changing much in the foreseeable future.

Here are some of the dogs throughout the years.


Bear as a baby


Carlee as a baby


Spin the day after I got him.


Macy Moo


And the dog that has my heart even though he isn't with me anymore, Marlin

11.08.2012

I'm Thankful Day 8

Today, I'm thankful for my sister, Courtney. She is truly my best friend and I am very glad we are close. She has been there for my highest and lowest points. She's been there in happy and in bad moments. She is always honest with me. She was there for me when I called off my wedding, helping me move my stuff back home. Conversely, she was there with me through wedding craziness (that hopefully I'll get to share with her again someday).


Love you baby sister!

11.07.2012

Last Political Post

Ugh, ok. This will be it (until the next stupid remark about women's rights), I promise. I just want to round up my thoughts.

I have unfriended many people on Facebook because of their comments in the past 24 hours. I have seen more racism and hate in the last day than I have in my lifetime. This is not what 2012 should look like.

I honestly don't care who voted for who. I really don't. Just respect the opinion of the other side.

One of my bosses today called the President a negro (but the other word that I refuse to use). I work for racists. Even more reason to up the job hunt.

My other boss made comments about how half of the country relies on welfare and expects to be taken care of. Some of my best friends are single moms. They work their asses off everyday providing shelter and warmth and food for their children. But some of them do need the additional help of food stamps. Believe me when I say that they would rather not have to do that, but they are being good parents and providing for their children.

Enough negativity.

I am very happy with the results. I am very excited for Maine and Maryland that voted for marriage equality! I am very glad that the extremists on women rights, for the most part, lost their House and Senate races!

Here is to four more years. Four years in which I hope that Congress can learn to work together.

I'm Thankful Day 7

Today, I'm thankful for coffee. I was up way too late last night this morning watching election coverage. There may not be enough coffee in the world for me today.

11.06.2012

Ah, The Anxiety

I'm not made for this politics stuff. I'm so anxious. I just wish they could hurry up and call more of the battleground states! I can't go to bed not knowing, but I'm getting so tired.

I was in line for almost 2 hours. It was 35 degrees outside. The line was much longer than it was in 2008. That gives me hope that the enthusiasm is still up. One can only hope!


I'm Thankful Day 6

Today, I'm thankful for freedom. I'm thankful for the rights that people in some countries do not have, but should. These things are something that I do not take for granted, because they could be taken away from us.

11.05.2012

Vote


I hope everyone votes tomorrow. I don't care who you are voting for, just exercise your right. It isn't always a right that we have always had, unless you are a white male. This is a critical election on many levels. One of those being equal rights and defending rights that some of us have the potential of losing. I'm voting for my rights as a woman and the ability to make my own decisions. I'm voting for the ability of everyone to have health insurance, regardless if they were unfortunate enough to have a preexisting condition. I'm voting for the rights of those people who want to marry, but can't. I'm voting for my rights as well as the rights of my fellow citizens.

This country was founded on the basis of equality. It is now 2012 and we are far from being equal. I'm voting for equal.

I'm Thankful Day 5

Today, I'm thankful for the opportunities I've been granted. I was the first person in my family to attend a four year university and have a Bachelor's degree. I'm the first person in my family to attend graduate school (although my sister isn't far behind)!  I have had a lot of opportunities come my way, and I'm thankful for all of them!

My acceptance letter into Averett University's GPS MBA program

I officially being my MBA journey today!

11.04.2012

Dinner Time!

Such a yummy dinner tonight. Honey Mustard Chicken, Parmesan Yellow Squash and Zucchini, and Mashed Potatoes. So good.



And while dinner was cooking, I was busy making my lunch for tomorrow: Salad with lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers and red wine vinegrette dressing. And I'll probably put some leftover chicken on top. This will be a good week!


I'm Thankful Day 4

Today, I'm thankful for my dog show moms. These are wonderful ladies that have given me so much encouragement for everything I have encountered over the past 12ish years. If it weren't for them, I probably wouldn't be in dogs, and I wouldn't have always gotten the advice from not only my mom, but from my 5 other moms. They have been there when blood family wasn't. They know more about me than most people in my family. They are what I consider real family. I honestly have no idea what I would do without them. Thank you all for everything.
 
From left to right: Carol, Michele W, Michele M, Me, Suzy and Pam
 

11.03.2012

And it starts

School that is.

The official start is Monday with an intro class. Very similar to the intro class I took during my short time in the bachelors program, but since this MBA program is strictly online, the intro class is different in both textbooks and assignments. I won't get a grade, since I already received one, but I figured since it does cover different things, I should take it again. And it is half the tuition, so that helps.

I'm excited, and a little nervous. The core classes will start the first week in December with Marketing Strategies. That class I'm excited about.

If you've been a reader for any length of time, you know that I strongly dislike my job, and I don't want to stay in the industry I am currently in (financial services), and marketing is something that I want to explore further. I honestly don't know where I want my career to go at this point, hence going back for my MBA. Hopefully having such a variety of courses will help me figure it out!

I'm Thankful Day 3

Today, I'm thankful for my parents. They are incredibly supportive, and they are truly my rocks. They made it possible for me to go to a 4 year college. They have always made sure my sister and I have had the items we need to succeed. They are extremely generous. They still let me live at home without having to pay anything (believe me, I've tried). Beyond anything, they want me to be happy.

 

11.02.2012

Thankful Day 2

Today I'm thankful it is Friday. It has been a really long week!


11.01.2012

The Month of Thanks

For each day in November I'm going to do an "I'm thankful for..." post.

Day 1

I'm thankful for Spin's breeder, who graciously contributed a few hundred dollars to help me pay his vet bill of a few thousand dollars from his emergency surgeries a couple weeks ago. She definitely didn't have to do that, as he is my responsibility, but it was much appreciated.