Determination

That's the word of the day. I am, however, determined to reach my goal size by the end of the year. I'm also determined to pay off this credit card bill by the end of the year. Once I do that, I'll be able to breathe a little easier. For the most part I've been on top of paying my bills so I'm on track. I'm also determined to get rid of some of these self destructive habits.

Thanks to my home girl Roxy for posting this.

For the month of April I can start with:

1 - Doubting Yourself. While I don't doubt myself often, there are the occasional times I do. So I'm going to eliminate that.

3 - Fear of Failure. This goes hand in hand with #1 I think. Again not something I do often. I would say my biggest fear of "failure" would be as a mother. I'm not even close to parenthood yet, but I don't want to turn out like my mother. It's always my biggest fear. But I intend to be nothing like her, and I'm going to work my damnedest not be a better parent than she was.

8 - Comfort Eating. I am guilty of this to the extreme. I never used to be, so I have no idea how/when/why I started. Nonetheless I have to break this nasty habit. Find other ways to deal with my stress and emotions. I'll definitely try to sub exercise for eating.

9. Laziness. See #11 & 13 below.

10 - Negative Self Talk. Goes hand in hand with #1. I don't loathe myself (most days) but I do criticize myself sometimes and when you're having conversations with yourself it's hard to stay positive. LOL especially when it's concerning other bad habits.

11 - Procrastination. Ugh this is a big one. Who doesn't procrastinate? Unless you have severe OCD (kidding!) But procrastination is the devil in disguise and I will beat it. I'm sure all these To Do lists I have all over the place can get dusted off and taken care of.

13 - Anything Excessive. It speaks for itself. I can cut out excessive eating, drinking, complaining, laziness.... The list goes on. You get the point.

While I should get rid of all of these habits, I'm human and it's not going to happen overnight. I can focus on a few that will help me towards my professional growth and my weight loss journey. The rest will come in time. There are also a few I don't really have to work on because I've already accomplished it, or never was an issue for me.

4 - Destructive Relationships. I learned to let that one go a long time ago. If you're not helping me grow and move forward, then you're holding me back. Don't need it.

12 - Fear of Success. Never had this fear. Some people do. I get it.

14. People Pleasing. See below #15.

15. Putting Others Needs Before Your Own. This goes with #14. There are times when you have to do it - work, children, spouse. But it's all to an extent. At the end of the day you have to think about yourself. (Children excluded.) For the most part I don't do this. I stopped awhile ago. I'm pretty selfish as a lot of people will tell you, the Mister knows this first hand. But I'm not a complete bitch. I have my moments too. It took me awhile to learn not to be a puppy trying to seek approval from everyone. I like the balance I have achieved and don't see the need to change it. Just find your balance. Whatever works for you, no one is the same.

I'm sure you can tell the ones I left off are going to be the hardest for me, but I'm going to do it. Need to rid myself of the negativity. Can't let anyone or anything bring me down. There are so many good things in the works right now. God willing, I can end this year on a much better note than I did last year.

Any bad habits you need to break?
-L

Different Type of Giveaway?

Yes. Coming soon. I am thinking about doing another giveaway, but I may do it a little different. I know some people have issues taking clothes/shoes/etc from other people, regardless if its brand new or not. I personally have no shame. If its free and I like it, why not? I've gone to thrift stores before and don't mind it. Anyway.. I want to giveaway some of my shoes/accessories that I've had for a bit and don't wear. Since my barrage of ankle and foot injuries, I (sadly) can't wear any of my heels anymore ::cue violins:: Many of them are *BRAND* spanking new, just without the boxes. I feel weird about putting my club/freakum heels in the donation boxes, or dropping them off at Salvation Army. So this is where you guys come in. I want to do a shoe giveaway (only the new, never worn shoes of course) and in turn, I want to see the winners do an OOTD post via IG or Twitter, so I can see my babies in action. Not 100% sure how this is going to work out, but its an idea. Most of them will be size 8.5 - 9 and probably 3" and up.

Feedback?
-L

Get to Stepping!

Since my last post, I am proud to say, I have gotten better at not buying anything else. Just the necessities! Yay me :) I have also 100% committed myself to Hot Yoga, even increasing from the 60 min class to the 90 min one. Whooooo it's a big difference. But so worth it! I feel amazing after. Stress free and fully worked out. I have to be careful not to counteract it with junk and laziness, but for the most part I've been pretty good about it. Just not today. Its a lazy Sunday and I'm finding myself a little peckish. The Mister was raising his eyebrows at me and told me to slow my roll. So I am. I'll be working out in a little bit, I promise! And the main thing that's also been helping me, and I'm sure my Instagram followers are tired of me posting about it (sorry guys!) is monitoring my steps.

Yep, I'm walking around and counting my footsteps. Just not with a pedometer. I've been using this app on my iPhone called Moves. I like it because its so simple and it shows where I've been throughout the day. There are no extra features or buttons taking up screen space. It's simplicity at its best, without sacrificing function. It can also tell the difference between walking, running, and cycling, though I have yet to test that out. I will in the near future and I will let you know. I love it though, and it   doesn't force you into doing anything extra. Personally though, I look back at the amount of steps each day and compete with myself. LOL I know it sounds silly, but I do! I'm like "dag why didn't I walk as much as yesterday? What was I doing? I gotta do better tomorrow." It motivates me to be a little more active and walk around instead of taking the shortcuts. 

All in all I know there's more that I can do, but it's about the baby steps. I have to schedule my time better and be more mindful of what I eat. Less carbs, more veggies (especially greens) and be more focused. The fact that some of my coworkers are also on the health kick helps me because I feel guilty sneaking snacks or eating a less than amazing healthy lunch. Slowly, but surely, I will get there. I'm proud of myself to dropping a few lbs and keeping them off. It won't happen overnight, no matter how much I wish it did...

Stay healthy!

-L