The Battle of the Scale - Fit v. Fat

I’ve debated sharing this here mainly for fear that I will fail and look like a fool. :) But, like most things in my life, committing to them publicly (while scary) generally gives me enough of a push to be successful. So here it goes...

I am overweight. Phew! I said it. Ok, so that’s not so shocking to anyone, especially me. But that doesn’t make it any easier to admit to anyone other than my bathroom scale. I have vowed to take better care of myself this year and one key part of that is to lose weight. I need to lose 30 pounds and this year is the year it’s going to happen. Come hell or high water (or a lipo clinic in Mexico) this is MY year!

I turned 29 in October. Next up...the big 3-0! There is something about a milestone birthday that causes you to reflect on the past decade and forces you to want to do better in the next one. I have decided why wait for the next 10 years to get it right? I’ve been "losing" weight (and finding it again) since I entered my 20's and I REFUSE to carry this weight into my 30's. I am tired of planning to lose it and am ready to just do it!

So if you care to follow me on this journey of The Battle of the Scale - Fit v. Fat edition, check back often for updates that will probably be filled with more 4-letter words than you can count!

Oh and for record keeping purposes, I’m down 2.5 pounds with 27.5 to go!

Today is the New Tomorrow.

I loved back-to-school shopping as a kid. There was just something about that fresh start with new supplies and clothes that made everything seem so possible. I feel the same way about a brand new calendar. A new calendar with blank pages! It’s only a matter of time before the calendar is full of pen marks, little notes sketched around the side, sloppy handwriting all over because I didn’t take the time to make it neat (more on my OCD issues later :) and appointments/occassions demanding my time and pulling me in lots of different directions. I don’t know how to simplify the calendar or the chaos called life but I do know that I have the choice to start each day as a clean calendar. I can choose how to fill some of my days and when I can’t, I can choose how I go about living in that day. So today, I choose to live for today...

JUST FOR TODAY, I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to conquer it all at once. I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts or tasks that overwhelm me.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that I can correct and accept those I cannot.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will make a conscious effort to do my best even when my best isn’t perfect. I will not give up just because I can’t do it 100% right now.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will do something positive to improve my health. I'll eat healthily. And not only that, I'll get off my butt and exercise.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will treat myself like an old friend, focusing on all the great things about me and not my imperfections.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will gather the courage and strength to achieve my goals.

What are you doing today?

Looking Forward, Pressing On.

...but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on... Philippians 3-13-14

2008 was a pretty good year for me. I was very blessed in most aspects of my life. I made some new friends, strengthened some existing friendships and let go of ones that weren't worth keeping. I celebrated my first wedding anniversary, took my sister to New York for her 21st birthday, met my future brother-in-law, got a great raise at work and managed to lose some pounds. Last year's resolutions focused on becoming more healthy and reading more books. I managed to accomplish both goals! I aimed to read 24 books last year and I am elated to say that I have just finished up book 31! I am proud of my accomplishments and thankful for all of the blessings I have received.

This year as 2009 begins, I am looking forward to seeing what is in store for the Holloway family. Brent and I begin our 2nd year of marriage and celebrate 8 years of being together. We have Jami's (Brent's sister) wedding this summer and our vacation out west to tour some of our favorite vineyards. In addition to all of those fun things, I have made a few resolutions to focus on this year. On my list of resolutions:

1. Learn to live in the moment. I am the Queen of looking forward and thinking back. While there is nothing wrong with dreaming and reminiscing, I feel like I miss out the here and now at times. So this year, I resolve to participate in my daily life instead of anticipating what's coming next.

2. Move forward in my healthy living goals. Continue to focus on exercising, eating properly and being the best version of me that I can, physically, mentally and emotionally.

3. Attend Church regularly. I've become back-slidden as us Methodists call it. This year I will focus on growing my relationship with God and seeking out a Sunday School class.

4. Give back. I will focus on finding my niche in the world. While I don't expect to solve this one in 12 short months, I do expect to make some progress. We all have things worthy of giving, and I want to find mine.

5. Live more simply.

I've got some work to do. So here's to a 2009 filled with peace, love, hope, happiness and the ability to weather whatever storms may come! Happy New Year!

Still Much To Do...

I stole this list from someone else, who probably stole it from someone else. Maybe I should add "stolen something" to the list. I've bolded everything I've done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/DisneyWorld
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (only in the shower)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (you can longer do this)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept overnight on a train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dippin
27. Run a Marathon (only a half)
28. Ridden a gondola in Switzerland (only gondolas in the North East)
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen Amish country
36. Taught yourself a new language (if the Italian I learned counts)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (no, but I've bought and eaten my fair share)
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life (If giving the Heimlich counts)
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. One cavity or less (I wish)

So many things to add to the list and so many more to check off. What have you done?

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving. A time with family and friends to indulge in the usual eating of too much food, watching the game and taking a walk down memory lane. The truth is, love ‘em or loathe ‘em family can be a lot to take at times, especially ALL at once. Lots of hugs, laughter and snippy remarks, poisonous as mistletoe yet just as traditional. In addition to dealing with the immediate family, the in-laws and the out-laws (you know your family has them), I find myself stressing about:

How to prepare a Martha Stewart approved Thanksgiving feast;

How to NOT eat 10,000 calories in one meal and spend the rest of the day wishing you could just pull the old finger down the hatch trick;

How to avoid going postal and making your adorable relatives disappear;

How to swallow the fact that women pretty much slave away in the kitchen while men sit on their asses (with exception to my husband) only to swoop in just in time to carve up the bird (as if they had a damn thing to do with making it) because after all that’s "man’s work;" and

How to manage to find time to feel all thankful and shit.

Seriously. I don’t know about your family, but in mine I rarely have ten minutes to actually focus on what Thanksgiving is supposed to be about. I spend more time running all over the place trying to get everything ready for dinner, cleaning up from dinner and planning out the leftovers than I actually do sitting, enjoying the food, catching up with family and focusing on the many things I have to be thankful for.

I’ve decided being too busy on Thanksgiving does not give me an excuse to walk through my life without taking a few minutes now and then to remember how blessed I am. I may be a few days late, but I am thankful for these all the same:

Brent. My wonderful husband who provides me stability in so many ways and an endless amount of laughter.

My parents, sister, brother, and all of my in-laws, though we can drive each other crazy, I love them all.

My job even though its not my dream job, I am grateful to be employed in this economy.

My friends. Without them I would undoubtedly go insane!

Anders, my dog. She keeps me company when Brent travels, making my alone time more enjoyable.

Freedom.

My health.

My memories of all the places I’ve been and experiences I’ve had.

My dreams that allow me to want something much bigger for myself and my family.

The promise of life eternal.
So many others I am thankful for. What about you? What are you thankful for?

GIVE 'EM HELL TECH!

Between the hedges of Sanford Stadium the Yellow Jackets rise victorious and emerge ahead of Georgia in the polls. Amidst the anthem chant "TO HELL WITH GEORGIA" and the dumbfounded Dawg fans, GT has given new birth to the Old Fashioned Hate that is Georgia v. Georgia Tech. The Jackets’ 45-42 win over UGA has ended Georgia’s seven year streak leaving Georgia Tech on top with the most (eight) consecutive wins in the rivalry.

Congratulations Yellow Jackets!

Happy Everything

I love this time of year. The cool weather, beautiful leaves and the anticipation of the upcoming holiday season really make me feel alive. What I don’t love is seeing Christmas decorations lit up like it’s December 24th and yet I’ve only just put away the Halloween decor. It seems we’ve traded campaign ads (thank goodness) for "holiday" ads (because "Christmas" is so non-P.C. but that’s a whole different blog topic) and it’s not even Thanksgiving.

Remember Thanksgiving? The holiday where you spend all day preparing a feast for your closest family and friends and eat entirely too much and swear you will NEVER do that again? The holiday that begins by watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade anxiously awaiting Santa’s arrival and ends searching for the Black Friday sales?

It’s not that I don’t love Christmas, because I absolutely do. I am the friend that will remind you on June 25th that we only have six months until Santa comes! I look forward to dragging out the Christmas Tree on Thanksgiving night, getting up at 4 a.m. to make sure I don’t miss a minute of Black Friday, watching my favorite Christmas movies, driving around for the annual Holloway Tacky Light Tour (coming soon to a city near you), making cookies, wrapping presents and playing Christmas carols until you just can’t stand to hear another one.

Looking forward to doing all of these things brings me just as much joy, if not more, as actually doing them. However, this early rush to Christmas cheats me out of really enjoying the spirit of the season because by the time the season actually starts, I’ve been so inundated by the commercialism of it all that I find myself ready for New Year’s Day when I can pack it all up and start anticipating once again.

It’s really just a matter of time before you start seeing this...