Monday, February 28, 2011

SO LONG, F-HAIR-WELL

So what is with the title?  You may have guessed, my good friend Laci and I are planning on donating over 20 inches (combined) of our hair to locks of love (http://www.locksoflove.org/) later this week.  This may not seem like too big of a deal, but for me...it is!  I have had long hair for many years, and I consider my BIG hair one of my "trademarks".

Locks of love helps disadvantaged children with long term medical hair loss by providing wigs.  I think it is a great cause and God has blessed me with LOTS of hair to give.  Sometimes we have to step outside of our comfort zone to help do good for others.  What other unique "causes" have you participated in to help those in need?

Feel free to post the link to your favorite charities or causes in the comments section.

Julie

Monday, February 21, 2011

Staying Motivated

This specific post is on the topic of staying motivated to be healthy.  That could be eating healthy, staying physically fit or even staying emotionally healthy.  Everyone is motivated by different things.  For me I have always set goals to help keep up motivation.  It seems I always have to have a reason to go to the gym or eat healthy.  Just trying to be overall healthy doesn't get me to the gym or out for a walk.  I have a number of motivations I use to stay healthy. 

About 8 months ago I found myself unhappy with my overall health.  I was over 200 pounds (204 to be exact) and most of my clothing no longer fit.  Thankfully being 6 foot tall I held my weight okay, but I was miserable with how I felt.  After a trip to visit friends in Pittsburgh and actually seeing a picture of myself I had all the motivation I needed to start losing weight.  Working out had never been a problem because I was regularly going to the gym and going to fitness classes.  It was all about what I was eating.  I was already training for a sprint triathlon and that was also the week I decided to starting counting my calories.  Finishing the race and stepping on the scale that next week and seeing the number go down by 7 pounds that first week really opened my eyes.

I went on to lose a total of 30 pounds which I am happy to say I have kept off for five months.  The thrill and excitement of losing the weight is now lessened and here I find myself in the middle of February, the weather is miserable, the gym is miserable and I have been eating whatever and whenever I feel like.  Now more then ever I need to find that motivation that came so easily when I was dropping tons of weight each week. I am signed up for a 1/2 marathon at the end of April and so that has kept me going to the gym all winter.  Again it is time to start evaluating what I am eating and finding new things to keep me motivated!

Reading weight loss success stories and seeing them on TV has always been inspirational to me.  Watching others lose weight helps me remember how hard I worked myself to shed the pounds.  Changing the music on my ipod is also a huge motivation, it keeps my mind occupied while I am running on the boring treadmills at the gym.  One kind of odd motivation for me is also going to the gym and picking up a 30 pound weight helps me physically feel how much extra weight my body was lugging around and thinking about how much pressure that put on my joints.  Subscribing to a fitness magazine and "like" the magazine on facebook gives daily information and reminders.  Finally finding a partner who I can either work out with, or even just send emails or talk on the phone with helps keep me motivated.

Eating and exercising directly relates to my emotional health.  I am much happier after I work out or when I eat a healthy meal compared to a greasy or unhealthy meal.  Staying motivated takes some creativity and is different for everyone. 

What types of things keep you motivated??

Julie

Sunday, February 13, 2011

My Special Valentine

30 years ago today it was Friday the 13th.  It was not only the day before Valentine's day, but a very special woman went into labor with her first child.  She was a strong yet stubborn woman who refused to have her first child be born on that unlucky Friday so she labored through the night and held out so he was born Saturday February 14th.  That strong stubborn woman went on to have 4 other wonderful children.  You may have figured out that the special boy born that day was Richard Thomas Goss!  I think as he grew up she maybe realized that he was meant to be born on that Friday the 13th, not Valentines day since he was very naughty as most little boys are, but she loved him very much.

Today I am very lucky to call that man my husband.  Every Valentine's Day is extra special and I am excited to celebrate yet another Valentine/Birthday this year.  As most couple's have their own ways of showing they love each other we have a couple unique traditions.  I wouldn't consider our relationship a traditional romantic relationship.  One of my favorite is that we started collecting $.50 cent pieces and $2 bills so whenever one of us comes across them we give it to the other as a surprise.  Most often it is just the small every day things that make each other most happy, picking up milk for the other (I drink skim, he drinks 2%), letting the other person choose the TV program, or making dinner before the other gets home.

Do you have any traditions or little ways you show each other how much you love them?

So Happy 30th Birthday (tomorrow) to Dicky and Happy Valentine's Day!

Julie

Monday, February 7, 2011

Superbowl Champions - Green Bay Packers!

What a great weekend for Wisconsin.  For just a moment we can forget the snow and cold and just celebrate the victory of the Superbowl!  I don't have a lot to say, but definitely thought this was worth the post.  Did the game turn out as you predicted?

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Security Blanket

Okay fess up...how many of you still have a security blanket??  Those of you that know me probably even know the name of mine!  A blanket, old toy, or pretty much anything that holds sentimental value that you keep into your adulthood could be considered a security blanket. 

I still have "cloudy" but since college have let go of the obsession of taking it everywhere I go.  A huge part of my attachment was when I moved away from home I took this blanket (it wasn't even from my childhood) with me and no matter where I traveled or moved I had it with me.

 I wonder what causes us as adults to hold on to these items?  Is it normal?  Now before you start thinking I'm crazy I know for a fact a few people and I won't mention any names "cough cough Woofy...Bunny Deebs" and I want the rest of you to post in the comments if you still have a "security blanket" and does it have a name?

The Chickee La La's

It took us years of discussion to finally pull the trigger on being "Chicken People".  Let me tell you why, our dog Lady has Cock...