Day 40: Play!!

Campus had "Spring Fever" equipped with a blow up obstacle course!

Social Media Reality Check

Yep - not all photos of people online are perfect - but my dogs look fantastic!

Inspired by Holly's post from this morning - a Social Media Reality Check:

As Holly said in her post - all too often we are convinced that everyone's life is full of roses and happy little moments (Instagram Moments, as she put it) all the time, but it isn't necessarily what happens behind the social media scenes. 

This is my Social Media Reality Check:

I started counting the days of my healthy decisions because I needed control. I desperately need control over something right now. Anything. So I chose my health. I need this control because the Friday before Spring Break Josh was told by the Dean of his department that his teaching contract was not renewed.

This is why we put our house up for sale.

We went into immediate action and started updating his cover letter, curriculum vitae, reference letters, and acquiring his transcripts. The job search (now known as the "Campaign Trail") was on and we found 11 postings in states we would consider living. Arizona, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Alaska, or Wyoming. Fortunately, there were tons of openings for a Mathematics Instructor... we just had to pick the ones we wanted. After 3 long weeks of interviewing: some 2000 miles driven, 3 Skype interviews, 2 phone interviews, and 4 in-person interviews all while still teaching full time and maintaining a spiritual life we still don't have an answer.

His contract expires in 2 weeks and we have no idea where his next job will be or if there will even be one. The house is *prayers* *fingers crossed* no longer ours in 2 weeks as well so we are also battling the insecurity of not knowing where we are going to live. In my high moments I see the adventure and search for my old spontaneous self. In my low moments (last night) I feel unsafe and lost. We do not have a home. I don't have the security a home has always brought me. I don't know what to plan for and have no idea what our future will bring. I am terrified.

Waiting on colleges to give us a decision, ANY decision - a yes or a no - is the hardest part. We can't sign a lease in Portland because we might get the call to go to Walla Walla. What is the point in renting a place in Roseburg for a month only to pack up and move again?! We have family we can stay with until the dust settles and we can finally make a decision, but then the situation with the cats worries me. How do I make sure they are happy with so much shifting of environment happening for them?!

So yes: I have my happy moments, I smile and I laugh. I have a great time with the people in my life and I post about it. This is the image I want the world to see of me because it is the image I want to remind myself of the most.

Bits of sunshine in a stormy sea.

Day 39: Psoriasis Remedy

20 minutes, once a week to battle the psoriasis on my elbows, back, stomach, and legs.

Since we moved up to Roseburg 3 yrs ago September, I have developed massive psoriasis. Nothing helped. We assume it wass the water since we use well water which is processed through a water softener.

Anyway, in December I decided to go tanning to see if it would work - and it did!! It has slowly, but surely begun to go away. My legs are almost completely clear, my back is down to about 25% coverage, elbows are smooth (but still dry), and my stomach is healing nicely!

Such an easy remedy and I get a nap in too!!!

Day 38: Sweat and Smiles!

Day 37: Upgrading from 6lbs to 8lbs!!!

Requiring more weight in my core exercises makes me happy!

Day 36: Walking/Running on the Beach and Splashing in the Waves

Took the babes to the beach and played in the water.

My mom came to stay with my for the weekend and so we went to play. There may have been a doughnut consumed at some point - I'm not sure. This day was followed by yard work - lots of yard work!

Day 35: It doesn't matter HOW MUCH you lift, it only matters THAT you lift!

Be proud of yourself for the accomplishments you earn, no matter the size!

Day 34: Keep your eyes on your own paper, Jaymee!

There is no need to compare yourself to someone else!!!

This is one of my coworkers, whose bodily composition is naturally petite. I caught myself mentally drifting off wondering how much she was lifting and comparing my abilities to hers. *tisk* *tisk* Fortunately, I witnessed these thoughts and was able to redirect them into acknowledging that we are all on our own path to good health.

Day 34 cont: Some truth

I don't know how much I weighed when I started, but my plateau weight the last few years has been an unhealthy (for me) 165lbs. I hypothesize that I was closer to 170 when I started. Here we see me at 158. I am under 165 for the first time in 4 years. Typically, I don't care about a number, about weight. I care about how I feel physically, mentally, and emotionally about my health. Today I was curious and stepped on the scale for the first time in a very long time. No matter what that number would have been, today I feel great!

Day 33: Elliptical Warm Up

Day 32: An Actual Gym!

Elliptical, Row Machine, then arms, and abs! I could have spent all day here and can't wait to go back!

Hip Jiggling Beats?? A Little WiFi Goes a Long Way at the Gym!

Watching Netflix while working on the Elliptical! A PERFECT combination!

Day 31: Groovin' to Get Movin'

After a few days off, getting back in the routine is HARD! Felt like I was starting all over again! OUCH!

Day 29: Hiking and Wildlife

Exploring Lake Tahoe with the pups after a long, long day in Carson City.

Day 28: Drive to Oregon City, Drive Home, Drive to Carson City, Sleep.

The only thing that got exercise this day was our Jeep on the Highway. We were so exhausted!

Day 27: Exercise Partners

They are only a little distracting.

Day 26: The Bulk of My Routine

Please excuse the horrible photo - I wasn't feel very creative about what to take a photo of today!

Living Beyond You - Micro Loans

What can you do with $50? $75? Go to a concert... have dinner at your favorite restaurant... buy a pair of shoes?

What about $100? $500?

What if that $100 could be loaned to a woman in Kenya to help her buy the food stock she needs to start her own business? Or an entrepreneur in the Philippines to buy plastics and scrap metal? Suddenly eating out doesn't seem so meaningful, a new purse so necessary.

Join me in helping spread opportunity across the world by donating to "World Vision Micro" - $25 can go a long way in helping someone achieve their dream of independence and financial success!


Click the image below to go to website!

 

Day 25: A Moment of Truth

Everyday, by acknowledging at least ONE healthy decision I have made, I am making progress. A few people have been asking me what I am doing to get where I want to be. It is simple really...

• I am eating less food - portion control.
• I have quit eating dairy - something which is delicious, but bloats me and makes me feel sluggish
• I am on a mostly vegetarian diet - meat has been too heavy and also makes me feel sluggish. (Seafood is still on the menu)
• I am bringing healthy snacks with me to work - like pistachios and chopped veggies
• I have cut out refined sugar - except for the occasional small piece of dark chocolate.
• And I'm exercising - only 45 minutes a day: squats, crunches, short yoga, and arms/back
• Lastly, I am working on cleaning up my digestive system. I highly recommend Dr. Christopher's Lower Bowell formula.

 It might seem like a lot, but it really isn't. Just little changes to every day life that are going a long way. I feel lighter on my feet, my clothes are fitting me better (I went down a shirt size!), and I am encouraging others to make healthy decisions too!

My daily photos, the actual paying attention to a healthy choice is helping me stay motivated! It is challenging me to make creative decisions because you all can only handle so many photos of my legs doing stuff!

Day 24: Go.Do!

My new favorite app!

Go get it. It's social networking through action. Instead of saying "I like that" you get to say "did it!" The goal is to help build leaders within our community, making a difference day by day. Working on living a life "beyond you."

I challenge you to get the app (it's free today) and go do!!!

Day 23: Rest and Reading

"The Lone Star Ranger" - Zane Grey

Hip Jiggling Beats: Yoga in Linkin Park

Day 22: The View From My Swivel Crunches (The Living Room)

Day 21: Motivation and Proper Mindset!

Day 20: Goodbye Larges - Hello Mediums!

Junior's mediums even!

Day 19: Massages, Mental Health, and Wellbeing

Before and After

Day 18: Saying "No!" to the Dessert Table!!

Pecan Pie!

Healthy Eats: Homemade Guac in a Homemade Bowl!

Ingredients:

2 soft, ripe Avocados

½ small yellow onion, diced

1 tomato, diced

¼ bushel cilantro leaves, diced

½ lime or lemon, juice

1 jalapeno, finely diced

To Taste:

Cumin

Salt

Cayenne Pepper

Garlic Powder (NOT salt)

Mash the avocados up to the consistency you like and then combine all ingredients in a bowl. For best look, omit tomatoes until the end and use as a topper.

Bowl: Take a ceramics class. Use the wheel. Have fun. Get muddy!

Hip Jiggling Beats: I Can't Stop Moving!

I double-dog dare you to listen to this song and try not to tap your finger to the beat!
It's impossible!

Day 17: Working That Imaginary Core! (Hover Crunches)

Day 16: Twilight Gardening

Preparing for realtors and potential buyers. Sprucing up our curb appeal.

Day 15: Feet Up The Wall(Paper)

Improving my circulation (and getting rid of my swollen ankles!)