Back in to the swing of things...

So Monday morning I hit up the fitness center as planned and did about 10 minutes on the treadmill doing some power walking and a little bit of running in between. Got myself all nice and warmed up and then started my circuit on the machines. I haven't done anything with weights, even my little dumbells here at the house in at least a good month or so. I had to put everything on the lowest setting and still afterwards I was sore in the shoulder area. lol. Talk about feeling out of shape already! Crazy how fast that can happen if you let it. It felt really good to be getting back in there though. I was running short on time when I finished my circuit so after that I headed out to start the rest of my day. On Tuesday morning I woke up feeling so sore all over the place. I decided I would just hit the treadmill and then take a swim. Well when I got there the place was overrun by senior citizens and all the treadmills were taken. I ended up getting on the stationary bike instead and doing 15 minutes there before hitting the pool for another 15. Was running even more behind schedule on Tuesday so I got out of there pretty fast. Yesterday I woke up to the wettest day in my area in the last 80 years. It rained and rained and rained and there was flash flood watches and tornado watches going on so I just stayed my butt in bed. Today I'm up and ready to go but yet again running behind the schedule I was hoping to be on. I kinda have to wait for my mom to get off work in the morning so she can watch Jett for me while I go use the fitness center but I don't want to stay out past a certain time because she needs to go to bed so she can get back up at 5pm to go to work again for the next night. They have been working her late every day this week. Which is nice for her overtime and money and all that I guess though so I can't really complain too much. lol.

Anyways.. just wanted to run all this by ya'll while I've got the time to kill. :)


In other news... my boyfriend, who currently lives out of state if some of you may recall... well he is on vacation all next week so he'll be in Texas to come see me and his son and the rest of his family. They always have a huge family reunion during Superbowl weekend so I may get to meet quite a few of his relatives next weekend. He wasn't supposed to be here until Monday evening, but someone at work talked to him yesterday and let him know they didn't need him to be on call this weekend so he gets to head out Saturday morning instead and will be here in just 2 days!!! Omg I'm so excited. lol.

How fast things seem to be moving this year...

It's already the 22nd! People are bustling around trying to get things for Valentine's Day and 2012 is off to an amazing start so far.

I've been keeping pretty busy myself but unfortunately not with lots of extra exercising. lol. I did get a two week free trial to a fitness center around here though that starts tomorrow morning. I will be using their treadmill and then doing a circuit on their strength training machines just before hitting up the indoor heated pool to finish off my workout! Woot! Hopefully the next two weeks will be time spent well! lol

I want to again say thank you to everyone who has shown me amazing support along my journey this past year and wish you all the best of luck in your own.


Today I spent all day long cleaning and rearranging my room. Moved out some furniture I no longer wanted in here and then put in some lighter weight stuff that was easier to move around and proved to make things look a lot less cluttered so yay! haha. Now I just have to finish up my laundry and I'll feel completely accomplished. ^_^ That's gonna wait for another day though. It's already 9pm and I have to get up early tomorrow to hit the gym before all the Monday errands I have to do! ^_^

It's been one year since I started my journey!

One year ago today I decided that I was going to change my lifestyle and start living a healthier life. I didn't do anything drastic like have surgery or sign up for a program. I wasn't buying in to weightloss shakes or joining a gym. I didn't go out and get a personal trainer. I decided that I was capable of finding out information for myself on how to eat healthier foods, how much was enough for me, what my body needed to do to get in shape, and so I did just that. I ate less and I moved more. I am healthier now than I've ever been in my entire life. I weigh less than I did in middle school and though I'm no toothpick, nor do I wish to be, I am comfortable in my own skin. I like the way I look and feel and overall my change in health has improved me not only physcially but mentally. I am stronger and happier. I have done things in the last year I never even knew I could or thought I wanted to. I actually enjoy running now and ran my first race last month. I even did it in a pretty decent amount of time for a first try! I just want everyone to know that no matter what your goals are, you are capable of them and as long as you are determined to reach them, you will. I truely believe, if I can then anyone can.

TAG... You're it!

So I've been tagged by two of my fellow bloggers!!! April at 30 before 30 and Hyla at HourglassRed

Here are the rules:
1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things yourself.
3. Answer the questions the tag­ger set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new ques­tions for the peo­ple you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tag­ging sec­tion about ‘you are tagged if you are read­ing this.’ blah blah blah, you actually have to tag 11 peeps!

11 random Jen facts... let's see

1) Italian sausage is my favorite pizza topping!

2) I really love snail mail and sending letters or cards randomly to my friends

3) I spent 6 years in Choir throughout Elementary, Middle, and High school.

4) I write poetry on and off throughout my life to help me figure out what I'm feeling at a moment when I'm not quite sure how else to say it.

5) I love shoes! I have several pairs of shoes I've never worn just sitting in my closet. lol. I don't have many places to wear half of the shoes I own.

6) I want to live in New York City at some point in my life and see all of the seasons there for at least 1 year.

7) I have a huge secret that effects how I'll be spending 2012 trying to keep fit and healthy that I can't wait until I am able to share with you guys!

8) I take vitamins every day!

9) I am constantly singing something to myself in my head or out loud all day long pretty much every day. I never stop singing. lol

10) I'm in love with the most incredible man I've ever met in my life and finally feel like I'm with someone who I deserve to be with and who deserves to be with someone as awesome as me! <3

11) Running has become my new favorite exercise.

April asked

1. What are your all time favorite songs? 1-3 choices and why?

Blink 182 - All the small things, it always has been and always will be. It's so simple and happy and I just love it. I feel such a connection to it in every way.

Seether - Fine Again, My favorite lyric from any song ever is "I feel the dream in me expire and there's no one left to blame it on." I think that is all too sad but true for soo many of us. If you let your dreams expire, you can't say it's because of this or that or him or her... it's all on you. You are the only one who can change how your life is gonna end up!

Smash Mouth - All Star, This 3rd one was just the first random song I like that popped in to my head. It's awesome and reminds me of my friends because we all used to scream it at the top of our lungs in long car rides together. lol

2. Who is your favorite author and/or book?

My favorite books are actually the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Any other specifics would be things I used to read in like 4th grade. haha. Goosebumps or Babysitter's Club, etc..

3. What is a word that you dislike and wish would be abolished from the human language? (I shudder at the word "kiddos" to refer to children, it just sounds stupid and creepy to me...)

lol April, I say kiddos all the time.. but I think it's kind of a southern thing. lots of folks here do it. I can't think of a word I don't like, but I know there are probably a few of them.. you put me on the spot and my mind is blank of course! My favorite word ever though is "Someday" because it's full of so many possibilities that at current moment seem unattainable.

4. What is your dream job/career/profession?

It's changed soo many times over the years, but most recently I've decided I'm going back to school someday to become a certified personal trainer!

5. Do you have a particular tradition on your birthday?

Hmm.. not really any one thing in particular. I always talk to friends and family I guess is the only constant every year. lol

6. What is your dream vacation spot?

Hmm.. I've not been on many vacations in my life so this isnt something I've given much thought to. I do wanna spend a year living in NYC, but maybe going there on vacation first would be kinda cool. Summer months I'd probably want to vacation somewhere near the ocean, winter time in colorado or something. It'd be cool to visit Paris, France someday or even Rome, Italy.

7. What is your biggest nerd trait or habit, if any? (I read newspapers front to back and I also count letters in sentences when I'm talking to people.)

Oh I'm super nerdy, lol. I feel like what you mentioned is a little OCD though, but I totally have some OCD qualitites myself. It's hard to pick just one thing... hmm. I think I may have to come back to this one later.

8. Do you believe in ghosts and/or spirits? Any encounters/hauntings?

I do believe they exist yeah but I've not really been haunted as far as I know. I've seen some crazy things but nothing I can really recollect right now. I do think part of my mattress is in some sort of spirit/dream world though. Like whenever I sleep on that particular side I always have crazy vivid dreams. This happened when my mattress was in several different rooms and places in the rooms, etc. so it's not just that part of the house or apt I was in. I normally sleep on the other side that doesnt have that but I do toss and turn frequently in my sleep so I often end up on the crazy side. lol

9. From the time you get out of bed until you get out the door for the day to work or wherever... how long does it take you? Shower, dress, make-up, coffee, etc..?

Well I don't work, usually I spend an hour or more on the internet as part of my wakeup routine. lol. other than that its usually just a few minutes grabbing some clothes and throwing them on. if i'm actually going somewhere though then shower and makeup and picking nice clothes and shoes, straightening my hair, etc will take at least an hour but usually a couple hours.

10. Did you have a childhood toy, teddy bear, etc. that was your fave and what was its name?

I loved Ariel the Little Mermaid barbie doll that I had. :) I have always wanted bright red hair just like Ariel ever since I was 6. One year I did dye my hair that color red!

11. Did you make 2012 Resolutions and what are the top two?

I have not made any yet! Let's see... 1) Maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. 2) Be a lot more patient with everything in my life.

Hyla's questions
1.How do you plan on meeting your goals this year? Are they realistic? If so do you have high hopes of meeting them and surpassing them?
I plan on meeting them by setting realistic goals I know I'm capable of. Yes. I do have high hopes of meeting them and they aren't exactly surpassable since they are open ended goals. :)

2.Are you looking forward to any big events this year?

YES!!! I can't wait to tell you guys, seriously. lol.

3. Where in the world is Carmen San Diego? LOL, I meant where would you like to be?

LMFAO!!! I miss that show!! hahah. Right at this moment I would like to be in New Mexico at my boyfriend's place.

4.What is your favorite piece of comfy clothing?

The hoodie my boyfriend got me for christmas. :)

5. What is your favorite piece of "I feel hot!" clothing?

These black pumps I got for 3.99 at goodwill! omg they make my legs look AWESOME! They are shiny and go with everything in my closet pretty much. lol

6. Honestly, what are your thoughts on Facebook?

I've had it since 2005 when I was a student at SFASU and you had to have a college email address to even sign up for an account. It was cool back then that it was exclusive to college kids and it was a great tool for meeting people on my campus and finding out what things were going on around my school, etc. Now it's great for sharing pictures of my son with family members who don't live nearby, etc. I like that it's easy for me to keep up with my close friends as well as those I havent heard from in like 10 years. lol.

7. Have you ever done anything daring? If so, what?

hahah, oh man so many things! I guess the most daring thing I did recently was be the first to tell my boyfriend I love him. I never say it first, but I knew it was important that I was the first to say it this time so I took a chance. I love that he makes me wanna take risks on him and that I feel like he's worth it.

8. What is your favorite book and author?

hmmm.. same answer as above.

9. What is your favorite movie?

10 Things I hate about you or He's Just Not That In To You. lol. I like Romantic Comedies!

10. What is your favorite Disney princess or other princess? Ariel of course!

11. Do you dream? What about? Omg all the time.. and here lately it's been pretty intense. I dreamt about being chased by zombies the other night and I was hiding in my room with a giant shovel ready to smash them if they broke in.

Tag 11 people..

1)Stormy

2)Half Chinked

3)Stef

4)Kate

5)Frickin Fabulous at 40

6)Tammy

7)Erika

8)Kristin

9)Erin

10)Sarah

11)Sarah

Here are your 11 questions!

1 - What do you want done with your body after you die?

2 - Would you rather receive a practical gift you need or something silly that means something special?

3 - How many pets do you have and what kinds?

4 - If money weren't an issue, what would you buy?

5 - What is one thing you plan on doing before 2012 is over?

6 - How did you spend your last birthday?

7 - What are you hoping your next NSV will be? (Non Scale Victory)

8 - What is your favorite healthy snack?

9 - Do you like crunchy or creamy peanut butter?

10 - Do you wear your shoes inside your house?

11 - What kind of car do you drive?

New equipment!

So look what I got!! :)

Woohoo! I bought myself a Golds Gym Body Ball at walmart today and last night I got a great deal for an elliptical someone was trying to sell locally online facebook. The screen is broken but the resistance and pedals still work fine so it was only 20 bucks! Woot!

In other news I passed along Katie's Garmin today! Sent it on it's way to New Mexico. It was fun while it lasted. I want to save up some money at some point and get one with a heart rate monitor for more accuracy!

I hope everyone's New Year has started of on the right foot so far, good luck to all of you in 2012! May this be your best year yet! I have a feeling it's going to be mine. :D

Chicken Soup winner...

Congratulations to Terbear287, who is the winner of this giveaway! Please send me your mailing information to chicka1601 at yahoo and I will be sure to get this out to you asap! ^_^ I hope that you enjoy the book as much as I did!

I wanted to share all the inspirational quotes everyone entered in to the giveaway too so everyone can get a chance to see them... There just might be one here that motivates you to get up and start the new year off on the right foot! :)

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."

"Nobody ever drowned in his own sweat." ~Ann Landers

"The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph!" ~Marvin Phillips

"No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch."

"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it's too low and we reach it" ~Michelangelo

"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."


In other news... I just wanted to mention that some things in my life have come up recently and I wont be able to join the Spring Chick Challenge anymore and will no longer be starting P90x this month. I know some of you were looking forward to doing these things with me and I'm sorry to disappoint but all will be explained in time and I'm sure then you'll understand. <3

I stepped on the scale today just to see exactly where I will be starting my New Year off at and this is what I seen.

Considering the ups an downs of the past month and where I'm at in my life right now, I think 175.8 is a nice number to be at for the time being. My only hope is that by the time I'm ringing in to 2013, my weight can be lower than it is on this day.