And it's a good day...

I think it's safe to post this now.  I received the call yesterday that I have been offered a new position at my company, Progressive Insurance.  I'm super excited.  For the last 6 years I have been running their trade show program for the commercial division.  This has meant a lot of travelling, and not much of a social life.  It's also taken a toll on my health.  So, in a few weeks I'll be starting a brand new position with very little to no travel.  I cannot wait to start a new craft and finally be able to get control of my health and have a personal life.  This also means I'll have time to start dating again.  Woo hoo!  Watch out boys.  I've been single way too long. 

More good news this morning.  I saw my orthopedic doctor and was finally given the ok to start really exercising again.  I can slowly start adding the workouts I love back into my routine.  I think I'll start today with a little walking/jogging.  Next week I'll jump back into zumba, spinning and kickboxing.  After that, who knows what I'll try.  I cannot be stopped!  Just kidding.  I need to take this slow so I don't reinjure myself. 

That's about it for my good news.  I have my last trade show this weekend in Carlisle, PA.  Not my favorite show, but a good one to end this part of my career with.  Wishing all of you a great week and weekend. 

-L-

Hello Tuesday!

I'm sitting here today, working at home, and loving how sunny it looks outside.  I may have to head out there to enjoy this weather.  As you know, here in Cleveland you have to take advantage of sunny days when you can because they don't last long.  I think a half day is in order.  And maybe a walk around my neighborhood.

I've been vegetarian now for a few weeks.  I must say that I love it.  However, I don't know that I've been eating as healthy as I should be.  Potatoes are so my downfall.  Last night I attempted to make some sweet and spicy sweet potato chips.  Unfortunately they burnt in the oven and I was smelling burnt agave and cayenne pepper all night.  The smell even made it all the way to my back bedroom.  Ugh, not a pleasant smell.  I need to wash my bedding today to get rid of it.

In my search for vegetarian info, I found some great resources for vegetarian, vegan and plant based recipes.  If you have an interest, definitely check out The Jazzy Vegetarian, Healthy Herbivore, and The Kind Life blog.  Great recipes.  I've tried some of theirs and am loving them.  I'll keep sharing good resources as I find them.  But definitely check each of them out.  And if you can catch the Jazzy Vegetarian on TV, watch her.  She's just fun, loves music, and is so full of life. 

Work wise, I am off to Wilmington, OH this week for the Expedite Expo.  Not a very exciting show, but a wonderful little area to travel to.  A friend/coworker of mine found us a great bike path a few years ago that we usually ride every year.  Unfortunately the bike rental place is no longer open, but we're still planning on walking the path.  It's too pretty not to.  There is also a fantastic little restaurant that serves the best chai tea.  It's called the Cobblestone Café.  It's a cute little place with great food and wonderful employees.  So, if you're ever in the area, definitely go there.  They also have lots of little trinkets and gifts you can buy, so bring some money. 

That's about it for this week.  I hope everyone has a chance to get outside, enjoy some sun, and just have a great week. 

-L-

Gone Vegetarian!

Hello all 2 followers I have.  I know it's been a long time since I've written on here.  I have had a hard time for a while financially, professionally, and personally.  But, things are finally starting to turn around (I hope) and I'm ready to start writing again. 

First thing, I got injured.  I'm not even sure how it happened, but I my left leg kept falling asleep.  It would happen at the weirdest times like standing at a trade show, or walking through a store, or even when I would sleep.  So, after months of this bugging me, I went to see a doc.  Turned out I had a couple small disc herniations in my lower back.  Ugh.  I've been in physical therapy now for 6 weeks or so.  I've been working out a muscle on my left buttocks and hip that apparently was weak and causing all the trouble.  But, after some time doing lots of stretching and no major workouts, it's finally on the mend.  I had my last therapy apt yesterday and got a thumbs up to start working out again, low impact.  I see the doc again at the end of the month to see if I've improved enough to start running again.  Fingers crossed!  I really miss running, spinning, kickboxing, jumping, etc.

Secondly, I decided to go vegetarian.  Although I do still eat eggs, dairy, and a little fish.  I think that actually makes me pescatarian.  Or something like that.  I don't really know.  So, what brought this on?  I watched too many documentaries on becoming vegan.  Those images of how the animals are treated on commercial farms literally made me sick.  I have gotten a lot of slack from people I thought were friends about this.  But, some that I expected to give me crap have been very supportive.  I'm thrilled to have such amazing support in my life.  You know who you all are.  Sending love. 

So, with the changes in my diet and being able to workout again, I'm finally losing weight the right way.  I feel lighter, happier, and can actually see physical changes in my body already.  Who knows how hot I'll be in 6 months.  I wanted to start this blog up again to keep track of how this lifestyle is working, or not, for me.  It's meant to be more of a diary for myself.  However, if I can inspire anyone, or just make them laugh at my life, then I'm thrilled.  Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or comments on anything I write.  I'm a pretty open person and will be totally honest with you about my experiences.

Have a great week everyone!

-L-

Let it snow...

It's January 15th.  There's a beautiful, bright yellow glow of sunshine streaming into my house.  The ground outside is covered with shiny white snow.  Do I dare go outside and play in it?  Nope.  Here I sit, in my pj's drinking my coffee and watching a cheesy movie on the Bounce network.  I know I should be workout out or cleaning my house, but I just can't seem to get moving.  It's almost noon and I've done nothing productive, except make breakfast.  Why have I felt so drained lately?  I need a big burst of energy.  I need to get things done.  But, here I sit.  Lazy as ever.  Feeling as if my life will never truly change.  I know change is something that I can control.  But lately it feels like no matter how hard I try to do things differently, the more I revert back to my old lazy self.  I feel like a failure.  What happened to me?  I used to be unstoppable.  The best at everything I tried.  Now, I can't even be ok at what I try.  Am I not trying hard enough?  Or do I just not care about the things I'm trying to change about my life?  Maybe it's a little of both.  So, how do I fix this?  Maybe I can't.  All I know is, I cannot keep doing this.  I need to find something I truly care about.  I need to find a life.  I might be alive, but I'm not really living.  And I'm getting entirely too good at faking it to others. 

Sorry, I know this one sounds depressing.  Just trying to get out some feelings of inadequacy that have been haunting me the last few days.  Don't worry about me.  I'm a survivor.  I'll find my way.  Eventually. 

Happy 2012!

So, this year started off a little rough for me.  In December, I applied for another job in my company, but found out this week that someone else got it.  I also found out there are some really negative perceptions of my work capabilities because of the job I'm in now.  That was very disappointing.  I work hard and am good at it.  Just because I haven't done certain things in a few years doesn't mean I can't relearn them.  Oh well, it was for the best.

Then, earlier this week I dropped my personal laptop and it wouldn't turn back on.  I thought I had fixed it, but didn't.  Turns out I might have damaged the hard drive.  So, I sent it out to a friend to see if he can fix it or at least retrieve my music and pictures.  What a week!

On the plus side, I am making great strides in my weight loss.  I gave myself a challenge.  Every day this month, I am going to workout at least 30 minutes a day.  It's day 6 and I've kept it up.  I feel better.  My stress has been significantly reduced.  And I can see a visual difference already in my body.  My hope is that after these 31 days, I'll keep it up at least 5-6 days a week.  I started this month at 213.  So, we'll see where I end up on Feb 1st. 

This year is going to be a crazy busy one.  I've got 2 weddings, 1 of which I'm in, a birthday weekend celebration out of state, and a cruise in May.  In addition, I have almost 30 trade shows this year.  I'm going to be tired come Thanksgiving.  :)

That's about it for now.  I hope each and every one of you has a fantastic 2012 full of love and happiness.  I know I plan to. 

It's a green December...

It's mid December here in Cleveland, and we still don't have snow.  I'm not complaining.  As much as I love the look of clean, white, untouched scenery, I'm happy to not have the car accidents and freezing rain.  But, I would like a little snow on Christmas if possible. 

Holiday prep is going very slowly this year.  I'm just getting my cards done and out this week.  I haven't even started shopping yet, except for my niece and nephews who are out of the state.  It's just sad.  It seems like every year we get our bonus closer and closer to Christmas.  I know, I'm not supposed to depend on the bonus, but I do, as do most people.  However, I think some of my family has become dependent on that bonus as well.  You should see some of the items on people's wish lists.  If I ever won the lottery, I would not tell anyone.  I would just randomly and anonymously help people. 

Well, if I don't get to write again until January, have a great holiday season all!  I wish you and yours the best!

Run Forest Run!!!

I'm going to be a runner!  I mean it this time.  lol

I've decided on a new fitness goal.  I want to really become a runner.  If you know me, you know I've been talking about this, and occassionally running, for a couple of years now.  I've even done a few 5k's, which I've written about on here.  But, I think it's time to start getting serious about this.  Yesterday I signed up for the Reindeer Run 5k in Lakewood Dec 3rd.  That gives me a little less than a month to train.  I want to run as much of it as I can with as few stops as possible.

Well, today since I decided to work from home, I went out and ran.  Well, I actually walk/jogged.  I completed 3 miles in 53:50 minutes.  I know that's not great, but it did include 1 stop light and several stop signs that I had to pause at.  I also burnt 533 calories.  I'm so incredibly proud of myself.  I took my first official steps today.  I know I have a long road ahead of me, no pun intented, but I really want to do this.  This is for me, not anyone else.  Just me. 

Reminds me of my favorite saying, "the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."  This is so true and is now the theme for my life.  Here's to many more journeys.  It's tough taking that first step.  But trust me, once you do you'll be so much happier you did. 

Have a great day all!

-L-