Mom Works It Out by Angela Gillis

Keeping it positive

A positive attitude can take you many different places. A positive attitude will take from the darkest day to the brightest star in the sky. It’s sometimes hard to get to that positive point when things are down in the dump. But everything is achievable, including a great attitude on the worst day.

From Bryd Baggett

From Bryd Baggett

I love this quote. You can download the wallpaper at byrdbaggett.com

I’ve been dealing with some stressful things lately, but I haven’t really let it keep me down. I’ve been a little absent from the blog because of these issues but I was trying to keep myself busy. I wasn’t trying to focus on the negative and I felt like I just needed to keep moving. I didn’t want to stress eat which would have made things a lot worse.

Remember there is a positive side to every negative thing! When we’re seeing red, it’s hard to see blue. So when you’re having one of those bad attitude moments, just take a minute to think of the positive side of the situation. Yes, you may have to reach a little deeper to find the positive, but it’s always there…I promise!

A bad attitude will ruin a lot of things so why not stop it before it starts? Don’t let negative thoughts cloud your judgement, your emotions or your relationships. Remember everything happens for a reason and even when it sucks there is a greater plan. What really makes a person is how they deal with the not so good times because everything is always roses and sunshine.

Literally, let’s all take the time to stop and smell the roses or even find the roses. Let’s appreciate life and all that we are given. Let’s find the good above the bad and let’s truly cherish those things.

What is something positive about your life you wouldn’t mind sharing with me?

Me, I’ve been blessed with a great husband who loves and supports me in all the crazy things that I do. Most importantly, though, he makes me laugh when I don’t want to smile.

I’m battling the insecurity

I’m battling the insecurity

I like to think I’m ok with it, but I know I’m not.  I haven’t been bashing my body image but I’ve been more conscious of it lately.  Maybe it’s because I’ve been out of town lately and really settled into my usual pattern, but I’ve been noticing. I talk about my legs way too much.  I even mentioned it last week in a blog post. I am self conscious about my thighs.  Funny thing is, it used to be my arms but now it’s my thighs. You will see the evolution of the shorts in this post.  Maybe I…

View Post

Do you drink your calories?

Do you drink your calories?

I don’t drink my calories and when I do…it’s painful.  I would just rather eat my calories than waste them on a drink.  Most people aren’t that way.  When we decided to lose the weight, we did it cold turkey.  There was no more soda, juice, fru-fru coffee drinks or alcohol.  That was something I had to let go. It’s amazing how little a cup of juice is and how quickly you can tear through a couple of sodas before an appeterizer arrives at the table.  Just knowing that was enough to turn me off the concept. I would allow…

View Post

Random photos from the weekend

Random photos from the weekend

I meant to post this on Sunday but I was lazy! I didn’t do much on Sunday but go to the grocer and watch Willie bake. Oh, I also caught up on Pretty Little Liars! That show is CRAZY! On Friday, I got my hair done. Willie told me no running so this was the opportunity for me to get it done without having to worry about sweating it out. Verdict: My hair survived a 5 mile walk, a 55 min weight class but the 3 mile run yesterday did it in! And what was still manageable was gone after…

View Post

When it clicks, it’s the best feeling …

When it clicks, it’s the best feeling in the world

I sometimes wonder why Willie and I are getting so much praise for losing weight.  Our weight loss is not really a big deal to us.  It was something that we had to do, wanted to do and did!  It’s really nothing special to us.  I wanted to stop feeling sorry for myself.  I wanted to stop the weird stares we got when walking in a store.  I wanted to stop the struggle of finding the clothes I wanted to wear but couldn’t.  I wanted to just do something different. I wanted to lose weight before, but all attempts failed.…

View Post

The state of the union: recovery, weight loss …

The state of the union: recovery, weight loss and loose skin

There’s only one thing that you need to know: I’m tired! I feel like I finally hit the limit of doing too much and not getting enough rest.  Yesterday, “Dr. Dawn” told me to take a break and she’s right. Recovery is important but it’s not something I’m good at.  I like to be moving and doing something.  When I’m not moving, I don’t feel like myself. There’s probably some psychological thing I’ve also programmed in my mind about not being active too that comes into to play but that’s buried in the back ends of my mind. All I…

View Post

Why goals are VERY important

Why goals are VERY important

It’s that time again where I start looking forward to the future. I want to know what my next big thing is going to be so I can start working on it now! This morning when I was teaching my cycle class I thought about goal setting. My goal for this morning was the teach a successful class! When I finished the class, I felt good because I knew I accomplished my goal. Goals don’t always have to be a big ta-da in life! There are long-term and short-term goals! Short term goals are the perfect way to help you…

View Post

Try this vegetable soup on a cold day!

Try this vegetable soup on a cold day!

I’ve been sick but I’m trying to get on the mend quicker so I can run my second marathon in 6 days on Saturday.  I’ve been overloading on vitamin C and medicating up.  The Gusher will be my first TEXAS marathon and I’m glad to say it will be run in my hometown!  Things are looking better but on Monday I decided to make some veggie soup. Here’s what you need for the soup: 1 package of frozen chopped spinach 1/2 white onion, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced 2 stalks celery, diced 1 cup…

View Post

HELP! I need to lose weight.

HELP! I need to lose weight.

Every time Willie and I end up in the media, the Facebook and e-mail messages start rolling in with people saying the same thing.  “HELP! I need to lose weight.  Please tell me what to do.” I try to read the messages but honestly it’s just a lot of messages saying the same thing.  Reading the messages makes me feel helpless and at a loss for words because I don’t really know what to say.  Correction:  I know what to say but I know that’s not what you want to hear. I am not an expert on weight loss.  I’m…

View Post

Race Recap: The Little Rock Marathon – one EPIC …

Race Recap: The Little Rock Marathon – one EPIC race

There are lots of races I get for free or get a discount code for, this was not one of those races. It was worth every penny I paid for it (and it wasn’t that expensive) because of the perks that came along with it. The race directors were amazing and their staff/volunteers just the same! This was one EPIC event! Jes and I early started! She’s a 6 hour marathoner and she thought she needed to extra buffer. I needed to take it slow so I could run the Gusher close to 4:35-4:50 this Saturday. I also needed it…

View Post

Let’s Move! Turns 4

Let’s Move! Turns 4

The First Lady’s big push to end childhood obesity, Let’s Move!, turned 4 yesterday! On Wednesday I had an opportunity to speak with Executive Director of Let’s Move!, Sam Kass, about the program and where they want the program to go in the future! The childhood obesity rate has decreased since the start of the program and this is something they want to keep going in the future.  It’s the gift that keeps giving! Childhood obesity is something that weighs heavily on my heart! I was always the “bigger” kid growing up and it was cool back then, but when…

View Post