So far this year...

I was thinking back the other day about my resolutions, or "goals" that I made for this year. I realize that it wasn't all that long ago, but I am terrible at keeping resolutions and never make them, so I went to look back at the blog where I listed them. Here they are:

"1. Lose weight. Yes, we all make that one, but I've already lost over 50 pounds, and I AM going to continue this weight loss in the new year. I am focused on getting healthy, and losing weight will help get my health back in order.

2. Read more. I love to read, and do read quite a bit, but I'd like to read a lot more. I get in moods where I just want to read and read, but other times I just don't read at all. So I'm setting a goal of reading at least 2 books per month. That may not seem like very much, but it is more for the months that I wouldn't read at all.

3. Spend more time with friends and family. I see my family once a week, but rarely see my friends. I'm going to make more of an effort to make sure that I don't let time go by so long between visits. I love my friends and family, and love to spend time with them. I don't really know how to set a concrete goal with this one, but maybe a goal of seeing them all at least once a month? That may not always work with some schedules, but I will try."

As for the first goal, I think I'm doing pretty well on it. While I haven't weighed myself lately, I'm working very hard at losing weight. I started the 5k training, and have kept on it for 21 days straight! Today is day 22. I don't have a working scale at home, so I'm hoping that I'll see a nice drop in my weight when I go back to the doctor in a few weeks. I consider myself succeeding on that goal so far though.

As for the second goal, I have been reading. :) I did get my 2 books in this past month. I have a big stack of library books that are waiting to be read. So I think I'm doing well with that one too.

Now for the third goal, I'm not sure how to measure that one. I am still seeing my family weekly, and have seen other family members a little more. I've even gone out to dinner with my hubby's family, and spent a little more time with them. I didn't set any kind of time measurement though, because I'm not sure how I could. Either way, I think I'm doing good on that one too.

So far, so good then. :) I just hope I can keep it up for the remaining 11 months.

My Training... slightly modified.

For those that are curious about what exactly I'm doing to train for my 5K, I decided to post my training guide. This isn't the whole thing, but I will include a link. I have slightly modified the plan for myself because I don't feel I'm physically up to doing the running portion, but I will get there. The program is for training in 10 weeks or so, and I'm stretching that out.

For instance, I walked for 20 minutes for about 6 days, then walked 30 minutes for roughly the same amount of days. To be honest, I've lost count of days, but I have been walking every day. Today I walked for 40 minutes. I'm going to get my body used to the physical activity before I start running. Plus I'm hoping it will warm up a little bit so I can run outside. Walking in my home hasn't been a problem, but I think trying to run will be. I need somewhere to do it.

So here is the breakdown:

Starting the Training Program:

The first step should be a complete medical exam to make sure it is safe to begin a running program. Depending on a person’s training base, an eight-to-10 week program should be just enough time to prepare to run 30 minutes, which is the approximate time it will take a beginning runner to complete his or her first 5K.

If the runner has not previously been involved in a running program, it may be best to start with an eight-day walking program routine, before starting to run. The program consists of walking for 20 minutes the first four days, followed by walking for 30 minutes the last four days. If this causes no problems, next follow a 30-minute circuit of running for two minutes and then walking for four minutes, five times consecutively. This routine should be done three times per week until the runner is comfortable. Each week, the runner should add one minute to the running time and subtract one minute from the walking time. This should continue until the person is running comfortably for the full 30 minutes.

Here is the link to the full page: http://www.fitfaq.com/first-5k-article.html

So that's what I'm doing. I'm going to get a calendar and figure out just which day I'm on now. :) All I know is that I haven't missed a single day in training, no matter how tired I was. :)

Day 10?

So by not blogging the past couple days, I have lost track of my days. lol. I'm pretty sure this is day 10 of my training. I am still sticking with it. I met a good friend of mine yesterday for coffee, and told her all about my training. We then went and walked the mall for 30 minutes, my training for the day! :) I am so thankful for how supportive all my friends are with this training. I don't think I could keep it up without all the support I'm getting.

I have not done today's training yet, but I will as soon as I finish blogging. It's another day of walking 30 minutes. I'm taking it slow with stepping up to the running stage. I will get there, but I'm not going to push it just yet. I think I need to get used the the daily physical workouts before I jump to that point.

Well, off to train! Thanks to everyone for all their support!! :)

Frustration, and day 7

Well I did it! Day 7! One full week of training! That is the longest that I've ever stuck to any kind of diet/exercise routine. I'm pretty proud of myself. If it weren't for the support of my Tina, I'm sure I would have given up days ago. So I bumped it up to the next level today. I walked for 30 minutes. I have a few more days of it before bumping it up again. We'll see how my sugar holds out on that one.

As for the frustration, that is regarding the reactions I received when telling people, mainly my family, about my exciting school news. I'm so excited about going to school to be a vet tech, but my excitement wasn't shared. It was mostly met with a disappointed look, or questioning. I definitely did not get the support that I was hoping for, and even expecting. Somehow my leaving nursing is the worst thing possible, and being a vet tech just isn't good enough.

Now I'm very aware that I won't make near as much as a vet tech as a would a nurse, but I don't care about that. I want to love what I do, and not do it for the paycheck. I truly think this line of work will make me happy, and it hurts to have people that don't believe that and don't agree with it. I didn't even get a congratulations, or a "that's great!"

Thankfully I did get much needed support and encouragement from my friends, and I also got that support from my mom. I just wish the rest of my family approved of it and were as excited for me as she was.

Anyone that really knows me knows what an animal lover I am. This just feels like a perfect fit. To those that don't approve, I'm sorry you feel that way, but it isn't going to change my mind or the way I feel. This is my life, and my decision.

Day 6 : Done!

I'm still sticking to the training, and I completed the training for today, day 6! I'm still only walking 20 minutes, but I think I'm bumping it up to 30 tomorrow. I can't stay at the first step forever. Plus my sugars seem to have gone back up a bit. I had a snack right after my training, and I've been keeping a close watch on them. I hoping to hear back from them Monday.

Not too much to say today, but I'm glad that I'm sticking to this training. If it weren't for my best friend Tina, who knows if I would still be doing this. Having someone to be accountable to, that is doing it with you makes all the difference. :)

Day 5.. and school stuff

Well I completed day 5 of my training. I'm actually a little behind schedule, but I did that on purpose. Since I wasn't very active before this training, I'm going to ease myself in a little more. Day 5 was supposed to be a 30 minute walk, but I just did 20 minutes like the previous days. I'm going to give it a couple extra days, and then jump to the next step. I'm proud of myself for keeping it up. 5 days in a row!! :)

I really think this exercising is affecting my sugars though. They have dramatically dropped, and now seem too low. I'm waiting for word from my doctor on what to do next. That is another reason I didn't want to jump to the next step on my training. I'm hoping the dr. will cut back on some of my meds.

I got some good news today. I enrolled and was immediately accepted into the vet tech program at Baker College!! Woohoo!! I'm so excited. I was told that because of my income level, I should be able to go to school for free! I should qualify for enough grants to cover my tuition! That made my decision so much easier with this school. I'm really happy about it. Orientation is in March, and classes start in April!! :) Woohoo!

Day 4

I started out early this morning, but I was sure to get my walk in. I walked inside my house again, shortly after breakfast, then I got ready and went on my way.

It was a pretty busy day for me today. I drove to my doctor's office to pick up some samples, then went to my sister's house to spend some time with her and my nephew. :) After that I had an appointment with an admissions advisor from Baker College. It went SO well! I'm really excited about their program, and I really think this school is the right one for me.

The advisor was wonderful. She was so kind, and so helpful. She was more than willing to work with my on everything, from getting my old transcripts, to working on financial aid things. :) She even said that with my low income, I will more than likely be able to go to school for free! I should qualify for a lot of grants, and possibly not even need to use student loans! This opportunity is just too good to pass up!

I talked it over with my hubby tonight, and I really think this might be the place for me. All I need to do is fill out the application, and I'm in! :) It's really exciting! :)

Days 2 and 3

I haven't really found an indoor place to walk near here, and since it's been snowing and really, really cold, I'm just walking at home. I'll walk in place for a bit, then walk around the house. All my animals look at me like I'm crazy. :)

So I'm happy to report that I am keeping up this training!! :) One more day of walking for 20 minutes, and then it's bumped to 30 minutes. For anyone curious of what the training entails, here is the link: http://www.fitfaq.com/first-5k-article.html

So I'm sticking with it, and hoping it warms up a little so I can go back to walking outside! Anyone have any suggestions of a place indoors to walk? The mall by me is really weirdly set up, and is not really made for walkers.

I'm thinking of adding a cardio workout also. The walking is great in getting me ready, but I want to lose weight too. I have a Biggest Loser workout video, so I might start using that if I can find it! It's around here somewhere! lol. :)

I hope everyone is having a great week! :)

Day One: Check!

I have decided to start a 10 week, 5K training program in support of my wonderful, amazing friend Tina. She is going to be doing a 5K race in TN on March 21st. Since I live in MI, it's not that easy for me to be in it with her, but I'm going to be there in spirit and training along with her!

Today was my first day of training. The task: walk for 20 minutes. Now in my mind I'm thinking that it's no big deal. I would walk around work all day, and I was fine. However, I haven't worked in a few months, and have given way to a much more sedentary lifestyle. No more!!

So I bundled up as warmly as I could, drove to my local park, stuck my earbuds for my ipod in my ears, and took off! It was a little bit of a fight for me at first. I was really cold, since it was only 19 degrees out and windy, and my legs were not happy with me. I pushed thru it and hit a bit of a stride. I was done in no time. :) By the end of the walk, I wasn't cold at all. :)

So I'm pretty happy, and maybe even a little proud of myself for starting this. I just hope to keep up. :) One day at a time.

Pound For Pound Challenge Widget

I was just given this blog award from my wonderful friend Kath!


Thanks Kath! You're too sweet. :)






Here are the rules to follow through when you receive the award:

1. Post a copy on your blog.

2. Mention who gave you the award.

3. Pass the award onto 6 others.

4. Leave a message on their blog letting them know the award has been bestowed upon them.

So I'm going to nominate the following people for this award:

My Journey in 2009 - My wonderful friend Tera, who definitely deserves the award. :)

Random Thoughts and Rambles - The wonderful Julie. Yes I know Kath already gave her an award, but I'm giving her one too. :)

Over The Boards - My good friend Jamie. :)

I'm aware that it's only 3 nominees and not 6, but I don't follow many blogs. :) So that's all you're getting!

7 Random Things About Me! (MEME)

My friend Jamie tagged me in her blog, so it's my turn...

7 Random Things About Me! (MEME)





1. I am totally addicted to purses. Seriously. I have several bags full of purses in my basement. I have some that I've never used, and the others I've only used once. I rarely use a purse more than once. Plus I never use them for longer than a couple months. I get bored with them too easily.




2. I can spend hours in my local library. I always feel like they must think I'm loitering, because I just keep walking around, making sure I didn't miss anything. :) I always come home with a ton of books, and I'll have to renew several of them because I don't have enough time to read them all before they are due. I don't read as much as I'd like to, but I'm working on it. It's one of my resolutions, or goals. :)




3. I absolutely hate the smell and taste of black licorice. I love the red stuff, but can't stand the black. My mom would eat it all the time when I was a kid. I can't even stand the smell of it. Even thinking about the smell makes my stomach turn. Ugh.




4. I love the color pink, and anything Hello Kitty. :) Right now, I have a Hello Kitty purse, and my sister gave me a matching change purse for Christmas. :) I even have a pink Hello Kitty flannel sheet set in our spare bedroom. I don't know what I like so much about it, but I just do! :)




5. I'm a huge animal lover. So much so that my pets are basically my children. Some people think that's crazy, but I really don't care. I love them like they were my child. They are my babies. I could spend all day around animals. Even when I go to someone's home, I always go right to their pets. They make me happy, and I just love them. :)




6. Sometimes I feel like I'm old for my age. I say that because of some of the things I like to do. For instance, I love knitting and gardening. I also love having houseplants. Not many, just a few. I don't think there's anything wrong with any of those, but it's like I'm not old enough to like that stuff. I want to learn to crochet too, but that is more for personal reasons. Maybe I am old for my age, but I can't help what I like. :)




7. I am a very emotional person. Seriously, I can cry at anything. Any kind of show of emotion, whether good or bad, can make me cry. Like on TV, any kind of emotion, like something sad or even something happy can get me crying. Not full on bawling, but I definitely shed a few tears. I don't think it's a bad thing. I just think it's part of who I am. I think it has to do with my caring about things or people. I can't help the emotions, they're just there.

7 people that have been tagged for the MEME

1. Kath
   
2. Tina
3. Julie
4. Mandie
5. Tera
6. Heidi
7. Rachel
   

* Link your original tagger(s), and list these rules on your blog.
* Share seven facts about yourself in the post - some random, some weird.
* Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names and the links to their blogs.
* Let them know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs and/or Twitter.

Great Diabetic Website

My friend Jamie told me about this new website. I've just signed up, but it seems great so far. So check it out if you want. :)

My friend Kath posted this blog, and I liked the idea. So I decided to blog it for myself, using my answers. :) Here are my Top and Bottom 10 things about 2008.
Worst of 2008

1. Losing my grandma, not even a year after losing my grandpa.
2. Losing Dan's grandma.
3. My mom moving to SC.
4. The loss of friendships over a misunderstanding.
5. Hurting my arm.
6. Losing my job., due to hurting my arm.
7. Health issues.
8. Family drama.
9. School disappointments.
10. Dan's dad's failing health.

And the Best of 2008

1. My nephew being born.
2. Finding good friends where you least expect it.
3. My first plane ride!
4. Getting over my fear of flying.
5. My trip to TN to see Tina.
6. My trip to SC to surprise my mom for her b-day.
7. A second chance with my health.
8. Finally figuring out what I want to be.
9. Losing my job. Yes, I consider it a good thing too. I hated that job.
10. Getting accepted and starting a new school. Even though it didn't work out, it was a great thing for me.

I'm sure I could think of more than 10 good things, but this is good enough. :) Thanks for letting me use it, Kath. :)

The Frustrating Search

Now that I have finally decided what I want to study, I'm having a hard time finding a school! I have a few choices, but none seem to be working out so far. There are 2 schools with what I'm told are great vet tech programs, but both are almost an hour drive away. If I were working and had a way to pay for all the gas needed for that daily commute, I would only have the decision of choosing which school. Since it doesn't seem to be an option, it feels like those are ruled out right now.

There is another school closer, maybe 15-20 minutes away, but it is in downtown Detroit, and not in a very nice area. Also, I found out that the program revolves heavily around laboratory animal research, and that is definitely an area in which I have no interest in exploring. It would be much closer, but I have no interest in that school.

There is another option that I've recently found, but I don't know much about it. It's a vet tech program from Penn Foster College. I've never heard of them, and don't know much about the school. From what I can tell by the information they have sent to me, it seems to be more of a self-taught program. I would receive books and packets, and take my tests and quizzes online. That part doesn't bother me too much, but I don't know if this school is one I should even be considering. Not to mention that they do not have financial aid, so that may be a big issue. I need to look into it further before dismissing it. It may be good for me, I just don't know much about it. If anyone knows anything about Penn Foster College, please let me know.

So my plans to go back to school this coming semester may have hit a bit of a snag. I hope I can get it straightened out before the next semester rolls around.

100 Things To Do Before You Die (Thanks Kath!)

I've taken this blog from my wonderful friend Kath (thanks Kath!) and am changing the answers to show the things on the list that I have and have not done. Much like Kath, I don't feel that everyone should do these specific things, but it's a great starting list. I might just add some ideas of my own at the bottom.

1. Started my own blog- obviously I have :)
2. Slept under the stars- many times
3. Played in a band- yes
4. Visited Hawaii- not yet
5. Watched a meteor shower- no
6. Given more than I can afford to charity- yes
7. Been to Disneyland/World- yes
8. Climbed a mountain- no, but not sure I want to
9. Held a praying mantis- not that I remember
10. Sung a solo- yes, when I was young
11. Bungee jumped - no
12. Visited Paris- not yet, but I will
13. Watched lightning at sea- at sea? I don't believe I have
14. Taught myself an art from scratch- yes
15. Adopted a child- no, but possibly someday
16. Had food poisoning- yes, and hopefully never again
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty- no
18. Grown my own vegetables- no
19. Seen the Mona Lisa- no
20. Slept on an overnight train- nope
21. Had a pillow fight- yes, many times
22. Hitchhiked- no, and don't plan on doing it
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill - of course
24. Built a snow fort- yes
25. Held a lamb- yes
26. Gone skinny dipping- yep
27. Run a Marathon- no, and no plans to
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice- hopefully someday
29. Seen a total eclipse- no
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset- many times
31. Hit a home run - yes
32. Been on a cruise- No, but someday
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person- yes, but was young and don't remember it. I hope to go again.
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors- which ancestors? I would love to though.
35. Visited an Amish community- yes
36. Taught myself a new language- yes, but poorly
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied- not so far
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person- no
39. Gone rock climbing- yes
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David- no
41. Sung karaoke- no, but I'm sure I will
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt- no
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant- yes
44. Visited Africa- no
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight- yes
46. Been transported in an ambulance- no, but not in a big hurry for that
47. Had my portrait painted- no
48. Gone deep sea fishing- nope
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person- no, but hope to
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris- no, but that is my dream
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling- yes
52. Kissed in the rain- many, many times
53. Played in the mud- yes
54. Gone to a drive-in theater- no
55. Been in a movie- do home movies count? lol
56. Visited the Great Wall of China- no
57. Started a business- nope
58. Taken a martial arts class- no
59. Visited Russia- no
60. Served at a soup kitchen- no, but have helped one
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies- no, but I've bought plenty :)
62. Went Whale Watching- no
63. Got flowers for no reason- yes
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma- yes
65. Gone sky diving- no
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp- no
67. Bounced a check- yes
68. Flown in a helicopter- no
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy- yes
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial- yes
71. Eaten caviar- no
72. Pieced a quilt- yes
73. Stood in Times Square- no, but will
74. Toured the Everglades- no
75. Been fired from a job- yes
76. Seen the Changing of the Guard in London- no, but hope to
77. Broken a bone- no
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle- nope
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person- no
80. Published a book- no, I'm not a writer
81. Visited the Vatican- no
82. Bought a brand-new car- yes
83. Walked in Jerusalem- no
84. Had my picture in the newspaper- no
85. Read the entire Bible- no
86. Visited the White House- yes
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating- no, I could never do that
88. Had chickenpox- yes
89. Saved someone’s life- yes
90. Sat on a jury- yep
91. Met someone famous- sure have
92. Joined a book club- yes
93. Lost a loved one- yes. too many of them
94. Had a baby- no
95. Seen the Alamo in person- no
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake- no
97. Been involved in a law suit- no
98. Owned a cell phone- who hasn't?
99. Been stung by a bee- no, and hopefully never will
100. Ridden an elephant- no

Those are my replies to someone else's list. Here is a small list of things I want to do before I die.

*Go to Paris, and see the Eiffel Tower.
*Take a vacation to Hawaii with my husband.
*Get a college degree.
*Drive across the U.S. with my husband.
*Go to Australia.
*Make sure that all of my family and friends know how much I love them.
*See my husband achieve his dream.

So what's your list?