(R)evolution

I feel like I've been going about the concept of my "revolution" all wrong. It will now be known as a (r)evoltution. a combination of the following two words.....


Evolution - A gradual process in which something changes into a different and usually more complex or better form.


Revolution - A sudden or momentous change in a situation



I've been trying too hard to commit daily to my blogging, which in turn has led to almost no commitment. Classic Joy...as in, if I feel like I "have" to do something, I am less likely to do it. I guess that's my unconscious inner rebellion. Also, forcing it has led to something completely unacceptable in my opinion.....boring, literal prose. Oh, the horror!!


So, here's the gist of what I was trying to convey......I am trying to jump start a chain reaction of evolution in myself. To be a healthier, smarter, kinder, more adventurous, better person. Not because I'm NOT already those things but because I am capable of being "more". I have been accused of thinking I am better than others and that is not necessarily true. I do, however, think I have my shit together more than some. I do think I am a better human being than some others. I will admit to that. I could get into all the hows and whys of it but I'll save that for another blog.


Still, I don't claim to be a perfect person. I have some hella faults. And I've done some misguided, fucked up things in my life but I think I have bettered myself with age and maturity. That's the normal process, right? Yet, I still don't get it right all the time. That's why it's called a process and it's never ending. Life is ambiguous. I'm not a big fan of black and white....you can't always separate humanity into those 2 shades. I struggled with that in the beginning of my journey but I realized that I don't have to be a "perfect" person to be a "good" person. Takes the pressure off, let me tell ya. I mean, there are fundamental basics, of course...kindness, honesty, morality......but I realized that I don't have to give up things like my sarcasm, my potty mouth and that little bit of darkness that I (like everyone) carry inside. The goal is to be better, not unrecognizable.


Anyway, to make a long story short....there are things I want to change. I have been living a boring, unimaginative life. I've been comfortable and I've been content but I haven't felt like I've been really living or reaching my full potntial. I feel like there is so much more I could be doing and feeling....physically and spiritually. I've felt like myself but also in a way, not like myself. As if there's another, better version of me strolling on the path ahead and I'm just now realizing that I need to catch up to her. I'm finding out new things about myself that are thrilling and make me happy.New interests, new talents and new ways of thinking. I still have a lot of work to do but that's half the fun...learning, discovering and changing.


I can't wait to meet my future self. =)






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Let the Happy Dance commence........

SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2014

So, 2 days ago (Friday) we had our first official weigh in as a team. I think we all did wonderful for our first week. We all lost between 4 to 9 pounds. I'm pleased to say that I'm one of the two that lost 9 pounds. I almost can't even believe how easy it was. I just started following Atkins and the pounds seem to just fall off. The first 2 days were kinda rough but I expected them to be with my body having to adjust to the changes. But now I feel good. I have more energy but I also feel calmer.....if that makes sense. And to be honest, I've only done minimal exercise. I wanted to let my body settle into it's new routine. But now I'm super pumped to really amp up my fitness.

As of right now, our team is 3rd place in the overall Healthy Wage Challenge. We were in 2nd but got bumped down one. That's ok, we're going to weigh in and record it once a week. I'm excited to see what next week's results are.

I'm also excited to get more immersed into the mind and soul parts of my transformation. I've been so focused on the "body" part that I've been slacking in the other areas. I haven't even meditated once. =(  I'm in the process of compiling a list on "Ways to Be A Better Person". From my own perspective of course. I am in no way an expert on the subject.  LOL
So that will be coming in a separate blog.

I really need to meditate, go spend some time in nature or something. My focus and "passion" are lacking. Even reading over this and my recent posts, I find them quite boring and matter of fact. I'm gonna need to step that up. I guess I'm not as good a multi-tasker as I thought. It's hard to lose weight, get healthy, be a mom, work full time AND be funny and interesting at the same time. Super focused Joy needs to learn to co-exist with Super awesome Joy ;-) Teehee. I'll try and work on that.


New website/Facebook page I found that I like and may be of interest to others.....

www.livingthenourishedlife.com

The Nourished Life on Facebook

Day 3

Let the adventure begin.......

Today myself and 4 other co-workers signed up for a weight loss challenge called Healthy Wage. The 1st place winning team with the highest weight loss percentage wins $10,000. 2nd place = $5000 and 3rd place = $3000

There are also little bi-weekly mini challenges to win things as well. Our team name is going to be "Sisterhood of the Shrinking Pants". Our original name was actually "Unrepentant Thinners" but when we signed up, someone already had that name. Boooo! But whatever, I love our new name.

We are all so excited and I think that this was just the motivation I needed. The money is a great bonus but I'm most excited about having the drive to get healthy. I will be doing a low carb, high protein diet. Basically following the Atkins guidelines. Not my ideal way of eating but from all the reviews I've heard and research I've done, this seems like the best course of action to promote initial weight loss. So I'll give it a try and see what happens.

I have also decided that I'm not going to blog every day. That might get a little monotonous so I'm only going to make a post if I actually have something relevant to say.......

Day 2

Pretty mellow day. I did have one last moment of culinary bliss in the form of a Hardee's Philly Cheesesteak Thickburger. Yeah, yeah.....I know. But have you tried their new buns? Ah-mazing!

It's okay though because that was my last major carb intake for at least the next 3 months. Tomorrow starts my low carb, high protein regimen. Big changes and a new adventure starts tomorrow. (More on that in tomorrow's blog)

Day 2 of the Ab and Squat Challenge was a group effort tonight. Me, Shayanne and Sierra all did it together. 20 sit ups, 15 crunches and 30 squats. Me trying to do sit ups was comical (and way more difficult than you would think) but while Shayanne was going easy on me and telling me "it's okay Mom, you can just do 10 or 15", my little hardcore coach, Sierra said "No, Mom, you're doing 20. I know you can do it."    It was hard as hell but guess what......I did 20.

Now I'm just going to do a little stretching then meditate for a little while to wind me down for bed...........
Tomorrow is a new and exciting day.


Quote of the Day:  

"It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop. "
~ Confucius

Day 1 of my Revolution

I woke up this morning with a sense of excitement. I'm totally in a good place right now as far as motivation. Of course, it is only Day 1. LOL


I started off with my Sun Salutation. I recommend everyone try this at least once. Even for those who don't like exercise and are not into yoga, it's still a good morning stretch.
I also use this time to say what I am thankful for and think only positive thoughts. This is very important because I think that your morning affirmations and attitude is what sets the tone for the whole day. As I journal my experience, I am going to break up my day into mind, body and soul segments.....as in what I did each day that worked on or bettered each part of me. I think the Sun Salutation in the morning encompasses a little bit of each and starts my morning off perfectly.

I've worked a little on cleaning and organizing my bedroom.....de-cluttering my personal space as well as trying to de-clutter my mind. That is a job in itself though and is going to take mass amounts of time and effort. (My mind, not my room) 

I've been thinking about all the little "mini goals" I would like to accomplish this year. I'll add them throughout my blogs as I think of them or as it pertains to whatever is going on in my life at that time. I'd like to do at least three 5K walks this year. I say walks because I'm not a runner. Even when I was younger and in better shape, I didn't like to run. I may explore this option again as I become more fit and healthy, just to see if it is something I may enjoy. 

I would like to make some new friends and reconnect with my current friends. I keep my circle small but I would like to meet new people and start living a more active life. I also really want to build upon my current friendships and spend more time with my best friend, Cindy. She is my sister soul mate and we don't spend near enough time just talking and hanging out. I was talking to her today and she was telling me about a tradition she is starting with her family this year. On New Year's Day every year they are going to send off wish lanterns into the sky. I think this is an awesome idea and I can't wait to do this next year with my own family. 

In reference to the "body" part of my reVolution, I have started the 30 day Ab & Squat challenge. Starting it on the 1st helps me keep track of the days. On the 3rd, I will be adding different exercise regimens and eating habits to this. I will explain why that date in my blog for that day. Day 1 of the challenge consists of 10 sit ups, 10 crunches and 25 squats (Done!)  My daughter, Shayanne,  has "accepted" this challenge as well so I guess we can motivate each other to complete it.

As I close for the day, I just want to share a few of my favorite Health and Wellness sites. They have great articles, tips, recipes, support and tools. 

The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans (health and wellness)

www.shrinkingjeans.net

www.mindbodygreen.com

(Just what it says....mind, body and living green)

www.sparkpeople.com

(Health, exercise, weight loss)

www.peaceloveandlowcarb.com

(Low carb and paleo recipes)

www.thoughtbrick.com

(mostly meditation and self improvement)

www.30dayfitnesschallenges.com

(exactly what it says)

www.personalexcellence.co (not .com)

(Variety of articles on different subjects)

Quote of the Day - Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end

The Beginning.

With 2014 fast approaching, I have been deep in thought about the age old traditions of change and resolutions. Yes, I know....cliche. Everyone is going to be starting this year off with overzealous plans to change, quit or better something in their life. Well, good for them. I think everyone can improve upon themselves day to day. Whether or not someone else follows through on their "resolutions" is not my business. We all have to take responsibility and ownership of both our accomplishments and our failures.

I am starting fresh with the New Year, basically because as much as I hate structure and things like the concept of time(lol), I realize that I do need some sort of organization to get me started. I need lists and schedules and outlines because if left to my own devices, my memory and motivation may flounder.

Also, I'm not calling it a resolution.....I'm calling it a REVOLUTION.....a total transformation of mind, body and soul. A somewhat lofty goal, I know and obviously it's going to be an ongoing process with many different aspects of change. It will be a lifetime goal but this first year should be an enlightening challenge that should become a base for what I want my life to be.



Keeping a blog of my journey is just one way for me to keep track of my progress and express my feelings (good or bad) along the way.........


Wish me luck.