Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Pigture of the Wheek! Week #1

I started a cute Tumblr called "Pigture of the Wheek".

It will feature an adorable, original guinea pig picture every week!


Remember to "Follow" when you get there so you'll get to see a delightful piggy weekly.

      Wheek!  ✿ Buttercup reads a book ✿ The first featured guinea pig picture of the week!

Wheek!

✿ Buttercup reads a book ✿

The first featured guinea pig picture of the week!

I don't have enough blogs/photo journals/projects (HA!) so I thought I'd make a photo Tumblr for my guinea pig pictures!  I think they are just adorable and I love to share the joy!

This first photo was one I already had; it was taken in August 2014 but it was a good one to get the photo blog going.

Friday, September 12, 2014

The Motivation Train has Entered the Station!

I'm not sure what's caused the sudden rejuvenation of spirit I've felt in the last couple of weeks, but I'll ride this train until it gets to where it's going!  I've really felt motivated to plan a house-hunting trip to the Catskills, knuckle-down on my nutrition and exercise regimen , and get a few crafts projects done! Yes, I said DONE!

This kind of confluence almost never happens, and I know I should have the determination to do these things even when I am not motivated.

I have lost 4 pounds in two weeks and here's how I did it:
  1. My Fitness Pal app on my iPhone

    I set my goal weight and time-frame I want to reach it. 
    I enter my age, gender, weight, etc. So it can calculate the total number of calories I should be consuming daily.
    I enter everything I eat and any exercise I do each day.  I record my weight.
    I eat under the prescribed number of calories each day and check my nutritional content to make sure my carbs, fats, and proteins are balanced.
  2. Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012 on Xbox 360

    Yes, I play a video game to help me get active and lose weight.  This is my first fitness title on the Xbox 360 and it's pretty good.  I've been using it at least 3X's a week and I have noticed that I am getting better at some activities.
    I really feel like this is one of the major reasons that I have felt so uplifted lately.  Mood enhancing endorphins are flowing through my system much more post-workout (which I try to do in the morning) and I feel like my day is much more productive afterwards.  No more sluggish feeling.
  3. Ovia Fertility app

    Okay, that probably doesn't sound like a fitness tool, but it's been pretty great!  It is an iPhone app focused on fertility and tracking cycles, but it's a great health journal as well.  I can record my moods, symptoms, sleep, blood pressure, weight, nutrition, activity, and medications daily.
    Recording this information daily has helped me become more aware of what's affecting my body and I feel it will be a great record that I can use to communicate more effectively with my doctor. 
    I encourage my lady-readers to check it out.  It's free!
  4. Walking

    My husband has supported my dedication to change by making time a few mornings a week to go on a walk together.  We live in such a pastoral area and it's so nice to get out and enjoy it at a slower pace (at least before the snow comes!).
    I've gotten some beautiful photos along the way which is inspirational and hopefully marketable.  And it's always good to spend some quiet time together in the beauty of nature. 
    The 2-5 miles a few times a week has been doable with noticeable benefits.
I am encouraged by the results and I just can't wait to see more progress.