Quality of Life

I was having a discussion with someone the other day. We were discussing health and eating. It was brought up that 1 in 2 people will have cancer in their lives. At first this thought was scary. Then I thought about it more.

We came to this earth and were told we would suffer sickness and disease. We know within our lifetime we will be sick at some point. I believe everyone will get something, and of course we will all die at some point.

Not everyone who smokes gets lung cancer. Not everyone who is fat gets heart disease.

I know people who have exercised and eaten right their whole lives and then die of cancer. I also know people who neglected their health and ate unhealthy and lived well into their eighties.

I don't think diet and exercise is the end all, be all.

I think it is all about your quality of life that should motivate you to take care of your body. For me,  I was not living the quality of life I wanted. I was tired, unmotivated, self-loathing, depressed etc. Satan is jealous that we have a body, and does all he can to make us not take care and cherish our own.

At the time I had my gastric bypass, I didn't have huge health problems. I was probably well on my way to some, but I was generally in good health. I knew I would have a much richer life full of more opportunities if I lost weight and surgery at the time seemed the only option.

I think if you are overweight and happy and have energy to live a full life, then stay that way.

Most importantly to me was that I was out of tune with my Heavenly Father because I was so tuned in to my addiction to food. If my thoughts were consumed with food and my body, How could I hear the spirit?

I am now able to have a clear mind and heart. I have energy to be the lord's hands. I can be my best self. I am able to listen and play with my children.

I am not perfect and still have a long way to go, but I am more at peace then ever before.

I want a quality happy life. I know at some point I will be sick with something and die. Or maybe I will have a fatal accident.

I want to know I had set a good example, taught my children well, loved and served others, walked my talk, and lived life to the fullest.

I think most important is to be in tune with your spirit and your body. While I believe in the Word of Wisdom and know eating a diet rich in fruits and veggies is so important, I think finding what works for your body is important too.

Some people thrive on a diet of meat and potatoes while others do better not eating meat. It is what speaks to your spirit and makes you be able to do your best work with whatever time you are given.

Ultimately, God is in control, he loves us, is aware of us, and has a marvelous life planned for us if we will just listen and follow him.

Chicken!!!

So I have been trying some new things to mix things up around here! I usually buy cooked chicken at Trader Joe's and top it different ways. Here are a few favorites. You could cook these with chicken breast too, but since I am usually just cooking for me, this is easier.

BBQ Chicken Pizza- Stubbs BBQ sauce, cilantro (DO NOT SKIP THIS! It MAKES it!), RF cheddar cheese, and real bacon pieces.

Pizza Chicken- Low Cal Pizza Sauce ( I like Hunts garlic), RF Cheese, Mushrooms, Onions, Green Peppers, Pepperoni. YUMMM!!!

Enchilada Chicken-Black Olives, Green onions, green chilies, RF Cheese, and Enchilada Sauce.

I usually serve these with some steamed veggies. TASTY!

Saving them dollars!

 

Now that I feel I have my diet and exercise under control, I feel I can move on to the other things in life that need some shaping up.

I have gotten very good at saving money over the course of our marriage.

We can always improve and improve is what we shall do people!

I have always been worried what people will think if I put my thriftiness out there.

Some people are grossed out by the thought of wearing other people's clothes, Well, I am grossed out about the thought of living on the street. LOL

Like Dave Ramsey says, you have to live like no one else, so that you can later live like no one else.

Lots of people these days want instant gratification. They want stuff now and will put stuff on credit to get it.

I was TERRIBLE with this when I was single. I bought what I wanted with NO fear of the future.

Yeah, That was fun to try to break!!!

Now, I love saving money! I love sharing about a good deal too!

Summer is when we have all our kids and lots of extended family's birthdays.

Rob's birthday is coming up and I set our budgets at $30 for birthdays. I know some are freaking out, but $30 buys a lot if you spend it right!

I got him 2 pair of NICE slacks, 4 name brand silk ties, and 2 white dress shirts (that retailed at $25 each) all for $30!!!

I got Amelia 6 shirts and 4 dresses all for $30! I chose colors that will transition into fall to help them last longer. I also can put some cute leggings or tights under the dresses so they will work longer too!

I got Ava's Christmas stuff (now to find a great hiding spot). I doll an Aurora 18" doll regularly $25 for $12. A dollhouse with people for $5. and a darling magnetic doll for $7.

I also got her first day of school outfit for FREEEEEEE!!! Normally $50!!!

I need to get back into DILIGENTLY using coupons, meal planning, and eating what we already have! Aye-yii-yii!

I also got a FREE wallet for Disneyland, and FREE ring.

I LOVE a good deal!

 

How Jazzercise changed my life

Anyone who knows me knows I have struggled to lose weight my whole life!

It has defiantly been my biggest trial and challenge.

I envisioned the healthy Annie and KNEW it was attainable, I just needed things to click.

This process for me has taken MUCH longer than I expected.

It has not been easy or simple.

I have felt like a failure a lot.

I kept reminding myself it took Thomas Edison THOUSANDS of failures to get it right and FINALLY invent the light bulb.

I knew NO MATTER WHAT, I was NOT GIVING UP.

I was not going to stop until I found what worked.

When I am going to win something or something is right, I get butterflies in my tummy and I just KNOW it is the right thing.

I heard about Jazzercise back in 2009, (I can't believe it has been that long!)

My friend Heather won a weight loss contest doing Jazzercise (and some other serious work).

I thought it sounded like fun. I assumed it was like Hooked on aerobics so I dismissed it as an option.

It kept gnawing at me though.

I bought a video. I LAUGHED at the awkwardness and turned it off.

The gnawing didn't go away.

I kept making excuses. I have a gym membership, they have classes at the gym, I am not coordinated, I can't do that.

Then this spring my gym membership was FINALLY up.

As I thought about my options as far as exercise went, I KNEW I needed fun, structure, and  I DID NOT want to go to a gym.

I have LOTS of workout videos, but I get bored and turn them off.

I love "Dance Club" Music.

I would run if my body could do it, and am working toward that goal, but running wasn't the answer at this time.

I felt it burning inside me that Jazzercise was the answer.

As soon as we got back from Disneyland I knew what I needed to do.

I was SO SCARED that day driving up to the rec center.

I could feel that this was my answer and I was scared as to what that meant.

NO MORE EXCUSES

CHANGE WAS HAPPENING

I was LITERALLY turning the door to my new life.

My hands were shaking as I turned the doorknob.

I felt like I was going to throw up.

The fat girl inside was trying to tell me every excuse as to why I should turn around and leave.

I ignored her :)

I went inside and I knew this was it. This was where my journey would evolve to the next level.

The teacher was darling with a HUGE smile on her face.

The music was awesome.

I was keeping up.

My eyes welled up. My heart swelled. I KNEW this was it.

I was so happy.

Since then Jazzercise has given me so much.

Confidence

Strength

Endurance

Joy

I can do things I never thought I could do

I keep up

I am more limber

I am gaining tone and definition

I am meeting new friends

I am excited to workout every day.

I have endorphins like crazy.

I feel good about myself

I feel accomplished

I want to make good food choices

I LOVE my workout

I leave SO SWEATY

I am building strength

Most of all, I am changing my life.

You attract who you are.

 

We are all mirrors to each other.

 

When you are attracted to someone else in friendships, in relationships, in general, it is because they are reflecting back to you the attributes within your self that you already have and can refine and make a strength.

 

A lot of times this attraction is misinterpreted as jealousy, envy, or self loathing.

 

That girl in high school you thought was so perfect, your ex-boyfriends new girl, you perfect sibling.

 

All the things you think you are jealous of, really are just seeds of greatness that you have yet to water and grow within yourself.

 

You also see in others what you dislike about yourself.

 

Those people who annoy you, the girl who can't stop talking about herself, the guy who disregarded your feelings.

 

Instead of getting angry or hateful, look inside yourself and see if maybe they are reflecting back to you something that needs remodeling inside you.

 

We are attracted to people who are like we are, or who we want to be like. We want to feel better about ourselves, be inspired, lifted up and have a happy experience.

 

If we are depressed, self-centered, unhappy, miserable, and mean, guess what we attract?

 

Like attracts like.

 

I have been thinking a lot about this concept lately.

 

I want more good people in my life. I want close friends who truly care about me. I want to be thought of, and validated. I want to be inspired to be my best self.

 

I have felt like garbage about myself for so long. I have felt like my opinion and who I am was unimportant. I have felt like I have no talents and nothing to contribute.

 

HELLO! Look at the message I was sending out! STAY AWAY!

 

The people I admire are kind, thoughtful, look for the good, encouraging, faithful, loving, spiritual, close to Heavenly Father, Happy:)

 

So DUH! What do I need to be if I want that in my relationships???

 

It is simple when you think about it.

 

Like attracts like.

 

The things you love or hate about someone has NOTHING to do with them and EVERYTHING to do with you.

 

We have greatness within us!

 

I choose from today to find that greatness, harvest it with care, and tenderly separate all that I wish to change by finding the roots of those weeds and pulling them out so they NEVER come back.

 

Here are the things I am going to do to find the good in myself and see things with rose colored glasses:)

 

1. Find 3 things to be grateful for everyday.

 

2. Journal daily about a positive experience from the day.

 

3.Take care of my body

-relieves stress

-endorphins make me happy:)

-I can physically do god's work

 

4.Meditate

-learn to stay present and in the moment leading to more quality interactions

-Learn to listen more

 

5. Practice more kind gestures, compliments, acts of kindness, service, and thoughtfulness

 

6. Pray for others

 

7.Ask for forgiveness

 

8.Think before I speak

 

9.When I feel jealous, angry or bitter ask WHY?

 

10. Treat people how I want to be treated.

 

Thanks to everyone who loves and supports me.

Friday Favorites

I know this is late! I know I have been slacking! Well, I have been busy changing my life ya'll! I finally found our camera cord so Disney pictures will come next week. Today, I am telling you some of my favorite finds!



So you guys, lets get real, I need a treat in the afternoon. I have been trying to eliminate fake sugars and artificial junk. I never thought I would like dark chocolate, but these are FANTASTIC! I eat two squares round 3:00 and I am so so satisfied! So good!

Another treat

Chocolate covered Bananas! SO creamy and satisfy that sweet tooth! Also it's a banana so it can't be all that bad!

Now I usually drink only water, but this stuff is LOADED with anti-oxidants! So good! I use it to take nasty vitamins and  pills.

Coconut water. This is something I have tried many times and just didn't like. It is so good for you. It helps you recover after a workout and also helps with dehydration. It is LOADED with potassium. No Charlie horses here! I mix it with the juice above or in my protein shake. Chocolate is the best if you are just drinking it alone.




I am on a wraps for lunch kick. I love turkey with avocado, sprouts, tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce and banana peppers. I Use Hummus instead of cheese or mayo. SO GOOD! These have 9 grams of fiber which makes them low carb. SO TASTY!



I have a love hate relationship with bars. I love how convenient they are, I hate that most are loaded with junk! These are great. All natural, you could make them yourself. They are in your dairy case usually. Keep them cold! I eat half at a time with some fruit.

I hope you are all having a great weekend! Here's to another GREAT week!