Jump

Hello, hello, and hello to all. I am in such a great mood today. First off I started my substitute teaching position and I am so excited. I am getting one step closer to my goal to become a teacher. The children were great and it felt right standing in front of them, teaching and them learning from me. I am looking forward to February when I take my test to become an official teacher. Now I know you may ask what else does she have to be so chipper about? Let me tell you what also put such a pep in my step.

I lost 1.6 pounds!!!!!! Go me, it's my birthday!! Yep, I was sure that I had gained weight or stayed neutral because of the holiday but I managed to slide into home base for the win. So now I am so looking forward to my goal of 30 for 30 in April. I am not upset about the low weight loss because I am actually doing well and in normal range. Keep on coming off because according to loseit, I am ahead of the date they set for me to be at 30 lbs. I have finally broken the mentality of "all or nothing." We especially I have got so hooked on seeing big numbers or physical changes that when it does not happen we give up. Well I am here to say that this girl is not giving up anytime soon. I was able this morning to move over to the third hole in my belt and that alone put a smile on my face. For those that know me, it doesn't take much to make me happy and that was a boost in my little ego.

I came home today, finished homework with my oldest, and was out the door to do my week 5 day 1 run. Just because I am back to work, that will not stop me from reaching my goal of a 5K and 30 lbs lighter. My son actually ran with me and I was happy. I am glad that I am doing something that will stay with him for a lifetime. He gets to see that with determination, clear goals, and strength; that you can do anything. That sounds corny but it is true. My boys will see that I want to stay healthy not only for myself but for them. I want to be able to cry at each milestone they will cross. I want to see the girls who will try to stray my boys away with their girlish games, lol. I want them to see that their mother put time not only on her outer beauty (hair, nails, facial, etc.) but her inner beauty of making herself happy, healthy, and strong.

I want to thank again my running community for so much love and support. They have really kept me going and I hope I have returned the support they have given me. If you haven't subscribed to my blog, please do so and if you know someone else who may need the encouragement or just a person who is going through the same, please tell them about me. Like I stated before, I want to turn LINDA into a brand that will not only help the people who read but will help all. Welcome to my world and I look forward to posting again. Please enjoy this song by Madonna. :-*

Jump by Madonna

Still going strong

Today was a great day. I was able to sleep in for a change and it felt good. Knowing that I had a workout to do, I got right online pulled up my Zumba videos and got to work. An hour and a half later, I was sweaty and feeling good. The holiday has come and gone and I was not going to start the hibernation period on my workout. After taking a nice warm shower, it was time to get down to the daily Saturday cooking routine, TACO NIGHT!!! So now I know that what I would normally eat was one a lot of calories but also what was filling me was the tortillas, I decided to mix it up. Here is what I had for dinner:

2 cups salad
4 ounces of lean ground beef (using up what is in my freezer)
1/4 cup shredded cheese
1/4 cup of diced tomatoes
2 tbsp of fat free sour cream
2 tbsp of taco sauce
and here is the results

The calories on that were 337, I had veggies and I was full. So I was able to top my dinner off with a slice of sweet potato pie which was delicious. I am always looking for new ways to invent my favorite foods. So I ask and challenge you to make over your favorite foods into more healthy ones. Trust me, the flavor will still be there but it will be so much healthier. Now it is time for me to relax and watch some movies with the family. I will see you guys later and remember to keep working to be LINDA. :-*

And there goes the holiday... for now at least

Thanksgiving is over and now it is time to look forward to jolly Saint Nick whipping around the world in his sled full of nice goodies for good girls and boys. So before that begins I ask, what were you thankful for? Me, I was thankful that I was able to wake up another day, I have two beautiful healthy boys, and that my family is able to enjoy one another each day. So I am sure a lot of you jumped on the Black Friday wagon and headed off to the malls or favorite stores to get your holiday shopping out of the way. For me, I was in my bed taking in some much needed sleep.  I got cyber Monday so I am happy for that.

Thanksgiving was pretty good. I got to eat with family and even though my family was not able to be there, I was able to talk to them and feel happy. I was proud of myself for not over indulging on the foods that tasted so yummy that I was able to savior every piece of the sweet potato pie and cheese cake I had. It was so delicious. I found that the key is not to eat with your eyes but to eat with your brain and stomach. I was able to eat everything that was put out but of course in small portions. I had one plate and was full from it. I didn't feel guilty nor did I feel I cheated myself. I have finally graduated from that mentality that you only have to eat one way and suffer through it if you want to be healthy.  Were you able to stay on track for those who are trying to lose weight? If you didn't, that is ok; you can make this a lesson and hop right back into your goal. The key is to not give up.

I would like to give a big thank you to my running community for keeping my spirits up for the holiday. For those who read my last entry, I was a little down. I missed my family and I wish I could be with them. They sent me great support mail and for that I am very thankful. Today is my last day of week 4 on my running plan. Even though it is the day after the big feast, I know I can do it. Enjoy this day off and I will see you guys tomorrow. Who knows what tomorrow will bring but for today, live and love like it's your last. :-*

These three words

Greetings everyone. I am back and writing early because I want to get my post out before I get busy in the kitchen. I did my second run for week 4 and it went well. I was strong for the first half and kind of slowed on my last 5 minute run. There has been a lot on my mind and I think that was also a factor to me not finishing strong. I am realizing that carrying so much on my own has an effect to how I feel overall. Yesterday I was sitting and thinking, realizing how much I miss my family for the holidays. It is very difficult for us to get together but I am such a family oriented person that the holidays are what I look forward to but this year I am down. So that lead me to think about the people I have in my life.

My mom always said I was the strong one, the one people will come to for help and I would deliver every time. But then I think where are those people when I need them? Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining. Helping is in my blood and that will never end but you want to feel appreciated or know that when I am in need of support, they will be there. So I have taken the rest of this year to work on me. I have shut down Facebook communication starting today and will focus on making myself a better person. Sometimes you have to take a step back, regroup, find out who are the positive and negative energy, and come out understand who you are and what you want in life.

I will be continuing my posting here as well as to my running group and loseit group. I hope everyone is able to be with love ones and that you show and tell each other how thankful you are to have them. It is not all about the food, football, a day off or shopping the next day; it's about being able to have the ones you care for under one roof. Enjoy the day because I know I will try my best. Please enjoy the song by Stevie Wonder that my mother and I love so much. It rings true and makes you think. :-*
These three words by Stevie Wonder

I believe

I am back!! I hope everyone’s weekend went well and you were able to find some time for yourself, and go over ways that you are able to make yourself LINDA. My weekend was a little rough. I felt body telling me that it wanted to get sick so I had to rest and nurse myself so that I was able to do my run today and so I was able to sub this week. So let's talk about my run. It well very well. I thought I was going to be crawling on the ground with the new 3 to 5 minute runs I was doing for this week. I fought through it and was able to come out on top. GO ME!

I got on the scale today because it was that time and I was shocked to see that I lost 4 pounds. I pretty much had to get on the scale two more times to check. I am so happy. The work I am putting in is paying off. I had made a big goal of weight I wanted to lose but decided that since my birthday would be coming up next year; why not shoot for 30 for 30. Yes, I am turning 30 years old and I am proud of it. Where have the years gone you say? I have been going to school, working, having two beautiful boys, and being a wife. Yep, I can't believe that I will be hitting the milestone but I will embrace whatever comes my way. So tell me what are your goals? Are you trying to lose weight, finish school, looking for or trying to get promoted in your job? Let me know what know what you are trying to succeed. My mom always said "everyone always needs support,” so let me be that as I work on my journey and you on yours. Everyone learns from others, otherwise we would not have examples of the right or wrong way to do things are.

I officially start my month long subbing position next week and I am very excited. This will be a test for me in so many ways. The Principal will get to see how I work and possibly lead to a teaching position for the following school year and this is to see if Elementary is where I should be. I am looking forward to this and I can't wait to work with my first graders. So I encourage you to analyze yourself and see are you where you want to be and if you are not, how can you get there. If I can start all over at 30 (yes calling myself that already), then I know anyone can. If school is where you want to be, there are night classes and online course that can be taken from your local college. If a promotion is what you want, find out what trainings you need to take or what will get you ahead and notice as the shining star of the company. Don't be afraid to go after what you want. It is possible you just have to believe in yourself and have the proper support in your corner to get you there. As I tell my students, put your listening ears and your thinking cap on and let's see what we can do to solve the problem. Have a great evening everyone and I look forward to writing to you again before the holiday. Please enjoy this song by Yolanda Adams that I listen to when I need a boost.  :-*
I believe by Yolanda Adams

Still going strong

Oh Turkey day is around the corner. Where will you be, who will you be with? Me I will be with the family of course. My father-in-law always cooks and so the whole family will be there and we will be giving thanks for having another year together and for having things we have. I am thankful for my kids and my life. I am thankful for being able to wake up every day and to walk outside and feel the sun kiss my skin.

The last entry I told you guys about my doctor visit and the results. I am still going to go with the radiation but I am also going to get a second opinion. My health is all I got but I want to make sure that all options are looked over. With that said, I finished the third week of my running. It felt real good getting over that hurdle. Now week four comes and I am a little nervous because it will test my strength, especially mentally. I am taking it one step at a time and know that I will conquer this week coming up just like the last three. Changes I have seen are my clothes have gotten looser and I have been paying attention to what I put in but not restricting myself. I love the lose it website because every day I have to plug in my foods and I get to see just exactly what I am putting in me and how much cals it is. I realize that although I am eating my veggies, I need to add some more into them. So that is the plan, to incorporate more veggies into my meals. Monday will be the weigh in and I can't wait to see what I have accomplished. Even if it is not a big change I am going to be happy because I am finally doing this for me.

Today I had to take it easy. I felt a cold coming and I want to take care of myself so that I am able to push through my run and work for the week. It felt good that yesterday the Principal at the school I was subbing for was giving me advice and letting me know that I was doing the right thing and getting great feedback from the teachers. He doesn't know that he help put another notch in my belt of achievements. I know that the change in careers was the right decision and I am looking forward to having my own room.

I hope that everyone had a great week and will be enjoying the weekend. I look forward to posting again and I want you guys to remember to stick to those goals and if you have goals, see how you can achieve them. Well I am going to leave you with my corny song I have been singing in my head, Eye of the tiger by Survivor. Have a great weekend and I will see you tomorrow.  :-*
Eye of the tiger by Survivor

What's next?

Hello everyone. I am glad that my running community is keeping up with the plan and is doing well. So today was the big day. I went back to the doctor to find out what I got and why my thyroid was enlarged. The ultra sound and the scan confirmed that I do have hyperthyroidism but I have several nodules on both sides of my thyroid that are not cancerous. So my options are medication, radiation, and surgery. Medication is ruled out because the cause of my thyroid being overactive is the nodules so taking medication will only mask the problem. So that leaves radiation which will shrink the nodules but the downside is I could go to hypothyroidism and have to take meds to balance my thyroid. The surgery is the other option and I was all for that until I got to the downside. With surgery there is the risk of damaging the vocal cords as well as damage to my parathyroid glands in the back which put me on medication for life to balance my thyroid and to make sure my blood-calcium levels stay normal. So the decision I have made is to do the radiation. The decision was not made lightly. Either choice there is a big possibility that I will be taking meds afterwards. So I want to do the radiation to see if it will work and if not, then surgery will be the next step.

I post this for all to see because it is very important to go for yearly checkups. You should get your blood tested and tell the doctor everything that is bothering you. Never dismiss an ache and pain if it continues to occur because it could be a sign of something bigger. In previous entries I stated that I get one every year so this was a big surprise because the tiredness, the hair loss, sweating started to about 4 to 5 months ago. If you are reading this, please take the time out to take care of yourself. There is only one you and if you have kids you want to be in the best health as possible for your children. I am going to get off my soap box now and tell you how the rest of my day went.

Running this morning was wonderful. I was a little distracted due to my appointment today but I got through my run and I felt good about it. I also started using the lose it website to log my food and I feel good about being accountable for my workouts and eating habits. That is the key. If you do not like how the workout or not seeing the pounds come off, look at what you are doing. You have to account for everything that you are trying to do be a better yourself so why not jot down what you are doing so you can have a blueprint and change where needed. Please also remember that things don't change overnight. You didn't get lazy overnight, put the pounds on overnight, or start putting yourself on the backburner so give it time.

So don't wait until New Years to change, start now. Is if you are Living, Inspiring, Nourishing, Dreaming, and Ascending to a better you. The moment you decide where you are amongst those words the sooner you can change for yourself and people will truly see the beauty in you and what you are truly worth. I will see you guys tomorrow and take care. :-*