Hey Ya'll,
So today marks the official start of my 180 degrees in 180 days mission. Today had a few rocky points in it because I was pretty much unprepared and having to gather myself. I went grocery shopping, which is my absolute favorite household chore but I have had little to no time to get any adequate shopping done in the last 2 weeks. I literally shuddered at that thought when I realized exactly how long it had been since I last purchased a full fridge worth of real food.
My morning started with a fruit & greens smoothie and a bag of popped chips (Yea....)
My lunch consisted of leftover pizza (yea... yet another awesome choice)
My dinner was a salad with tuna and I finished off my kid's plain potato chips from her sandwich (don't judge, that stopped me from seeking out a brownie or cookie and I'm trying to crowd out the gluten and sugar)
So food wise, not the most awesome day for me today, too many processed foods. BUT tomorrow I do all the menu prep and planning for the week and that will help things move significantly smoother.
Physically is walked another mile today (which makes 4 miles so far for this week) Only 1 more to go. I also did some dancing with some people that I love to celebrate new members of our organization being introduced. It's nearly bedtime for me....Who am i kidding it was bedtime 30 minutes ago. So I'm going to complete my bedtime yoga asana to wind down for the night and completely crash.
All in all today wasn't too much of a bust. I left the house to hangout with people I haven't seen in awhile, I got some exercise, only one meal was full of gluten, and I even had a little time to myself. Tomorrow's mission is to meal prep for the upcoming week, walk another mile, talk to my mother, and research career change options for myself. Changing my career is going to be the biggest milestone in this journey and I look forward to newness and flexibility opening up in my life. Well that's all for Day 1 folks, talk to you tomorrow.
Peace & Namaste Ya'll
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
I wonder how long it would take?
Hey Ya'll,
I've been thinking (and sometimes that can be dangerous LOL) but this time I've been thinking about making the most of...well, of Everything. This year has brought about a number of media sensationalized tragedies and the exposure that these events were given have me feeling extremely mortal. It's easy to say tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, when the kids are out of the house, when I get a new job (etc. Etc.) as a way of postponing the things that need to happen to allow room for the things we Want to happen. So I've been wondering how long would it take for one person to really dig deep and take what they want out of life? I guess it really all depends on what exactly it is that the person is gunning for in their life, huh?
I know for sure that I want to do a full 180 degree turn about in my life. The way I eat (actually my overall relationship with food), my self-care habits, my career, my exercise regimen, my housekeeping habits, even my lovemaking habits with my husband. I want everything to be cleaner, more deliberate, more reliable, more enjoyable, and amazingly fun. I've spent so much of my life waiting until conditions were just right for the next level to be okay to reach for, but why? Maybe it's because I tend to feel as though I am not worthy of my next level's desires until I've mastered the few things that I'm supposed to be able to achieve at the level that I'm currently at (weight loss, housekeeping, studying, top notch work at work, etc.) So now I find myself wondering how long would it take for me to do a complete overhaul of my life, 6 months, 12 months 18 months? I am wondering if I can make a near 180 degree turn about in 180 days. New habits, new goals, new ideas, new career path, new sex life, new clothes, all ingrained in my life by the end of 180 days.I wonder if as I put myself through my health coaching program and document daily what I've accomplished if I can really melt away the most undesirable parts of my life? I'm willing to take on this experiment and tap into my nerd girl side to test my hypothesis. Saturday April 27, 2013 thru October Thursday October 24, 2013 will be the 180 days that I use to see just how much change can occur in that proposed time. So this means that you will need to hear from me more regularly than you currently do, daily rather weekly, hopefully you don't get tired of me. :-)
If anyone else out there decides to experiment on yourself let me know and let's share focal points. Here are mine:
To clean up my food habits - both how I purchase it and how I eat it (crowd out gluten & sugar)
To regulate my exercise regimen - build the yoga practice that I have been nursing back into existence. Walk at least 5 miles a week.
To choose the direction that my career will flow in for the next 5-10 years. - pick a lane and fly out of the one that I am currently in.
Have fun - To meet with my friend(s) and allow myself the chance to have mindless fun at least once every 3 or 4 weeks.
Make love a priority - Stop allowing life to suck the life out of me by the time it's "bed" time.
Do a little everyday - Let go of the idea that I have to have the time/desire/energy to clean the whole house in a single day. Try out other plans of attack to see what Really works for me. (maybe one room a day?)
Try out more of my ideas - Stop allowing good ideas to fall by the waist side, nurture them and see what really does work.
I think that these are reasonable changes to expect to happen in 180 days. They will all require daily participation and focus. These points will also have an enormous effect on my life once they are a way of life for me. I'm excited, let's see what happens and how close to 180 I get in 180.
Peace and Namaste Ya'll
I've been thinking (and sometimes that can be dangerous LOL) but this time I've been thinking about making the most of...well, of Everything. This year has brought about a number of media sensationalized tragedies and the exposure that these events were given have me feeling extremely mortal. It's easy to say tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, when the kids are out of the house, when I get a new job (etc. Etc.) as a way of postponing the things that need to happen to allow room for the things we Want to happen. So I've been wondering how long would it take for one person to really dig deep and take what they want out of life? I guess it really all depends on what exactly it is that the person is gunning for in their life, huh?
I know for sure that I want to do a full 180 degree turn about in my life. The way I eat (actually my overall relationship with food), my self-care habits, my career, my exercise regimen, my housekeeping habits, even my lovemaking habits with my husband. I want everything to be cleaner, more deliberate, more reliable, more enjoyable, and amazingly fun. I've spent so much of my life waiting until conditions were just right for the next level to be okay to reach for, but why? Maybe it's because I tend to feel as though I am not worthy of my next level's desires until I've mastered the few things that I'm supposed to be able to achieve at the level that I'm currently at (weight loss, housekeeping, studying, top notch work at work, etc.) So now I find myself wondering how long would it take for me to do a complete overhaul of my life, 6 months, 12 months 18 months? I am wondering if I can make a near 180 degree turn about in 180 days. New habits, new goals, new ideas, new career path, new sex life, new clothes, all ingrained in my life by the end of 180 days.I wonder if as I put myself through my health coaching program and document daily what I've accomplished if I can really melt away the most undesirable parts of my life? I'm willing to take on this experiment and tap into my nerd girl side to test my hypothesis. Saturday April 27, 2013 thru October Thursday October 24, 2013 will be the 180 days that I use to see just how much change can occur in that proposed time. So this means that you will need to hear from me more regularly than you currently do, daily rather weekly, hopefully you don't get tired of me. :-)
If anyone else out there decides to experiment on yourself let me know and let's share focal points. Here are mine:
To clean up my food habits - both how I purchase it and how I eat it (crowd out gluten & sugar)
To regulate my exercise regimen - build the yoga practice that I have been nursing back into existence. Walk at least 5 miles a week.
To choose the direction that my career will flow in for the next 5-10 years. - pick a lane and fly out of the one that I am currently in.
Have fun - To meet with my friend(s) and allow myself the chance to have mindless fun at least once every 3 or 4 weeks.
Make love a priority - Stop allowing life to suck the life out of me by the time it's "bed" time.
Do a little everyday - Let go of the idea that I have to have the time/desire/energy to clean the whole house in a single day. Try out other plans of attack to see what Really works for me. (maybe one room a day?)
Try out more of my ideas - Stop allowing good ideas to fall by the waist side, nurture them and see what really does work.
I think that these are reasonable changes to expect to happen in 180 days. They will all require daily participation and focus. These points will also have an enormous effect on my life once they are a way of life for me. I'm excited, let's see what happens and how close to 180 I get in 180.
Peace and Namaste Ya'll
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
San Francisco..Ding Ding!
Hey Ya'll,
So I am back in Texas, fresh faced and full of West coast seafood. Yay me! I visited and toured more places than ever during this trip. So much so that I managed to strain a muscle in my left calf. But I toughed it out to still be able to enjoy the whole trip. Chinatown, the Ferry Market Building, the Ferry Market Farmer's Market, Pier 39 and the Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, the Castro and Filmore districts, Japantown, and finally 4 beautiful wineries in Napa Valley. Are you a wee bit jealous yet? I'm kidding, I don't want to invoke jealous or envy in anyone, but if I can inspire someone to get up, get out, and see something new and lovely then that would be beautiful. Today's post will have my favorite photos of my trip rather than too many written words. So her we go:
So I am back in Texas, fresh faced and full of West coast seafood. Yay me! I visited and toured more places than ever during this trip. So much so that I managed to strain a muscle in my left calf. But I toughed it out to still be able to enjoy the whole trip. Chinatown, the Ferry Market Building, the Ferry Market Farmer's Market, Pier 39 and the Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, the Castro and Filmore districts, Japantown, and finally 4 beautiful wineries in Napa Valley. Are you a wee bit jealous yet? I'm kidding, I don't want to invoke jealous or envy in anyone, but if I can inspire someone to get up, get out, and see something new and lovely then that would be beautiful. Today's post will have my favorite photos of my trip rather than too many written words. So her we go:
 |
| CUESA The Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building Pier 1 |
 |
| Beautiful abundance everywhere |
 |
| Filmore was beautiful...for a couple of blocks at least |
 |
| Restored home in the Filmore district |
 |
| The Aquarium was smaller than anticipated, but still a lovely stop |
 |
| The sea lion friends were very entertaining as always |
 |
| One of my most favorite people to be around and I got to vacation with her! |
 |
| The Boudin sourdough factory |
 |
| The Franciscan was absolutely worth the money |
 |
| Cheese, Cheese, Glorious Cheese at V. Sattui |
 |
| V. Sattui 2012 Sauvignon Blanc so nice I brought home a bottle |
 |
| My favorite of the 4 wineries that we visited in Napa valley
These were just a few of my most favorite moments on my long weekend. I plan to make sure that it's not too long before another "New Sites" posting. Live Love and Experience EVERYTHING!! 2013 and the age of 30 starts the life I want to live.
Peace and Namaste Ya'll
|
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
I'm Going Going Back Back to Cali Cali!!
Hey Ya'll,
Guess what everyone, I'm turning the big 3-0 next weekend. Gasp! Shock! Horror! Not really, I'm very different from my peers (particularly the women) who are devastated by every birthday after their 29th. Personally I welcome each year with open arms and a broad smile because I am grateful to be given the chance to have made it through another year. Now that we are in a different position in our lives and have more means about us I intend to stop "making it through" another year and really, truly live every year that I am blessed with exactly the way I want to. Which shouldn't be too difficult because I don't want much in all honesty. I want to see the world, speak languages other than English, eat amazing food, practice yoga, and love my family and friends with every breath in my body. I believe that can be achieved each and every year until my time to leave this plane comes. And that sounds like a beautiful way to grow old.
So to kick off my quest in truly living each year given to me with gratitude and joy I will be going back to one of my most favorite places with one of my most favorite people this weekend. My Line-Sister and I are both celebrating our 30th birthdays touring the wine country of northern California!! Yay!! I am so excited I can barely contain myself, for me THIS is the epitome of Zen_Tasting. Cool breezes, wonderful food, learning new things about food and wine, practicing yoga in the early morning before touring the old Ghirardelli chocolate factory, eating salt water taffy while walking along the Fisherman's Wharf, and going to bed after drinking craft beer and playing pop culture trivia. That is the life I intend to sell myself as often as possible from now on and it is worth so much more that the vanity associated with aging.
If your birthday is approaching what do you have planned? How do you view aging? What idea makes aging less traumatizing? Find your Zen and roll with it because there is no stopping time; only enjoying it.
Peace and Namaste Ya'll
Guess what everyone, I'm turning the big 3-0 next weekend. Gasp! Shock! Horror! Not really, I'm very different from my peers (particularly the women) who are devastated by every birthday after their 29th. Personally I welcome each year with open arms and a broad smile because I am grateful to be given the chance to have made it through another year. Now that we are in a different position in our lives and have more means about us I intend to stop "making it through" another year and really, truly live every year that I am blessed with exactly the way I want to. Which shouldn't be too difficult because I don't want much in all honesty. I want to see the world, speak languages other than English, eat amazing food, practice yoga, and love my family and friends with every breath in my body. I believe that can be achieved each and every year until my time to leave this plane comes. And that sounds like a beautiful way to grow old.
So to kick off my quest in truly living each year given to me with gratitude and joy I will be going back to one of my most favorite places with one of my most favorite people this weekend. My Line-Sister and I are both celebrating our 30th birthdays touring the wine country of northern California!! Yay!! I am so excited I can barely contain myself, for me THIS is the epitome of Zen_Tasting. Cool breezes, wonderful food, learning new things about food and wine, practicing yoga in the early morning before touring the old Ghirardelli chocolate factory, eating salt water taffy while walking along the Fisherman's Wharf, and going to bed after drinking craft beer and playing pop culture trivia. That is the life I intend to sell myself as often as possible from now on and it is worth so much more that the vanity associated with aging.
If your birthday is approaching what do you have planned? How do you view aging? What idea makes aging less traumatizing? Find your Zen and roll with it because there is no stopping time; only enjoying it.
Peace and Namaste Ya'll
Friday, April 5, 2013
So Close I Can Taste It
Have you ever felt as if you knew exactly what you needed (to do or obtain) in order to allow the dominoes to all fall into place in your life? That if just one major "Primary Food" would shift in your life toward the right direction everything else would correct itself. I have that feeling often, but I now have the feeling that I will need to endure some discomfort and maybe even be a little "bad" in terms of what is expected of me at this stage of my life. You know, the whole wife, mother, sister, daughter thing. This year I made a goal board for myself and the biggest part of the board was to do things for me, things that make me happy or will place me in a space to advance my life in a way that will impact my eternity.
At one point I began to view my course work with IIN as just a way to see inside myself and heal. And I do absolutely still view this program as my personal healing platform, but what is different is I am viewing myself as my very first client. Which plants the seed of thought that there will be other clients to follow. Until the concept of group coaching was brought into the the coursework I was apprehensive about even considering myself a health coach. Now that I see a way of coaching that better suits my style, the concept does not produce such anxiety for me. Because I am nearly finished with the program I now have access to pretty much all documents and coaching tools. So unlike 6 months ago I am now equipped to really test my coaching skills out on the most difficult client ever... Me
Starting this Sunday I will begin a 6-month program on myself and hope to achieve some life altering goals. Both in my Primary Food (the food that nourishes my soul) and my Secondary Food (the food that nourishes my body). I fully intend for this year to be different from years past. I intend to live the life that I know is deep within me and in doing so I will be able to share my beliefs with credibility. I only hope to bring awareness to my community and to "Be the change that I want to see in the world". Which domino of your life needs to be re-positioned first to get the line falling into place?
Peace & Namaste Ya'll
At one point I began to view my course work with IIN as just a way to see inside myself and heal. And I do absolutely still view this program as my personal healing platform, but what is different is I am viewing myself as my very first client. Which plants the seed of thought that there will be other clients to follow. Until the concept of group coaching was brought into the the coursework I was apprehensive about even considering myself a health coach. Now that I see a way of coaching that better suits my style, the concept does not produce such anxiety for me. Because I am nearly finished with the program I now have access to pretty much all documents and coaching tools. So unlike 6 months ago I am now equipped to really test my coaching skills out on the most difficult client ever... Me
Starting this Sunday I will begin a 6-month program on myself and hope to achieve some life altering goals. Both in my Primary Food (the food that nourishes my soul) and my Secondary Food (the food that nourishes my body). I fully intend for this year to be different from years past. I intend to live the life that I know is deep within me and in doing so I will be able to share my beliefs with credibility. I only hope to bring awareness to my community and to "Be the change that I want to see in the world". Which domino of your life needs to be re-positioned first to get the line falling into place?
Peace & Namaste Ya'll
Friday, March 29, 2013
Good Choices
So I woke up this morning feeling exceptionally proud of myself after stepping off the scale and witnessing a teenie tiny success. But a success none the less. Last night I was faced with sit and be lazy while waiting for a free pizza to come my way OR get up fix dinner and get move my body around long enough to break a sweat. Without much convincing I chose to fire up the grill (no pots and pans to wash, yay!) make dinner and step up on the treadmill. Dinner was simple, taste, did not cost me extra money beyond my budgeted grocery bill, and did not break my gluten free dairy free fast before I was supposed to.
I think I am most proud of the fact that I didn't have to berate myself into a guilt laden half @$$ed job. I got to watch one of the many television shows that I have on DVR while I took to the treadmill. I knew that unless I changed the way I looked at what needed to be done I would always struggle with actually doing it. This of course will be a daily effort but with each day less effort will be required. I look forward to when all of these better choices feel simply like, my life.
 |
| Grilled rosemary chicken, bacon wrapped asparagus, grilled sweet potatoes and russet potatoes |
Namaste Ya'll
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Confessions of a Classic Over-Eater...
I have a confession to make,
My name is Ashanti and I am an emotional over-eater, thank you... But in all seriousness, eating myself into an emotional coma has been a very bad habit of mine since I was about 10 years old. When I learned that food was good company and an even better distraction from the things that are may have made me unhappy. Fast forward to today and I am struggling to remind myself that the issue upsetting me needs to be handled swiftly and completely rather than giving into the overwhelming urge to stuff my face until I'm literally ready to pass out.
Today specifically has been a bit difficult for me, I am finding myself anxious in my weight-loss journey. Things are moving in the right direction but they are going so slowly that I am having a difficult time appreciating the success I am having. Not to mention my desire to move things along with changing my career field. I guess all in all my problem is my impatience. I know, just get over it, right? But that requires a totally new frame of mind and I am working on that (part of the whole Zen thing) but that will also take time. LOL funny, all the things I want most I have to wait for and work like crazy while I wait. But I guess we've just gotten so used to everything happening instantaneously in our microwave society that the real world just does not happen fast enough for us.
While I sit eating a grapefruit, instead of ordering extra large fully loaded pizzas like my mind is screaming at me to, I find myself proud of my choice but unsatisfied because I know that there is something else I should be doing. Writing is helping with this feeling though and I am so grateful to have a platform to share my thoughts on. I think that I need to take more pictures to share with you all though. Because like I said before we want everything instantly and that means quick captures of stories in image form. :-) Today however, is not that day. Today I simply spill bits of who I am and hope that someone out there understands and would like some support in their journey to live their best life.
Peace and Namaste Ya'll
My name is Ashanti and I am an emotional over-eater, thank you... But in all seriousness, eating myself into an emotional coma has been a very bad habit of mine since I was about 10 years old. When I learned that food was good company and an even better distraction from the things that are may have made me unhappy. Fast forward to today and I am struggling to remind myself that the issue upsetting me needs to be handled swiftly and completely rather than giving into the overwhelming urge to stuff my face until I'm literally ready to pass out.
Today specifically has been a bit difficult for me, I am finding myself anxious in my weight-loss journey. Things are moving in the right direction but they are going so slowly that I am having a difficult time appreciating the success I am having. Not to mention my desire to move things along with changing my career field. I guess all in all my problem is my impatience. I know, just get over it, right? But that requires a totally new frame of mind and I am working on that (part of the whole Zen thing) but that will also take time. LOL funny, all the things I want most I have to wait for and work like crazy while I wait. But I guess we've just gotten so used to everything happening instantaneously in our microwave society that the real world just does not happen fast enough for us.
While I sit eating a grapefruit, instead of ordering extra large fully loaded pizzas like my mind is screaming at me to, I find myself proud of my choice but unsatisfied because I know that there is something else I should be doing. Writing is helping with this feeling though and I am so grateful to have a platform to share my thoughts on. I think that I need to take more pictures to share with you all though. Because like I said before we want everything instantly and that means quick captures of stories in image form. :-) Today however, is not that day. Today I simply spill bits of who I am and hope that someone out there understands and would like some support in their journey to live their best life.
Peace and Namaste Ya'll
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)