November Favorites

This month flew by for me personally. I cannot believe it is Christmas time! I love the twinkling lights and the Christmas spirit. Here are my November favorites:

1. Scorpion - I haven't watched this TV show since Season 2 started this fall. I forgot how much I love this show. It is about a group of geniuses who help the FBI. The situations they get into and the things they say crack me up though.

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2. Apricot Oil - This is amazing! I have sensitive skin. It has been awful this past year. I have realized over the past year that when I am extremely stressed I break out in hives. Sexy, I know. It is itchy and awful. This spring when I broke out in hives I had to take steroids, use a steroid cream, shower every other day, and take two antihistamines. So when it happened again with splotches of eczema I was concerned I would have to go on the hated steroids again.

I was trying everything when I went to visit my step-sister. She manages a Resort & Spa and they recommended Apricot Body Oil. It is the only thing I have come across that has stopped the itching and my skin has started to heal for the first time since September. Thank you God!

3. Starbucks Carmel Hot Apple Cider - I have enjoyed two of these this past week. It tastes like an apple pie! Yummy! Generally I only have them a couple times in a year so two times in a week is my limit.

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4. "Leggings Ain't Pants" - Have you seen this? She is hilarious, but she is telling the truth.

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5. Dark Chocolate Almonds - I am not an almond, peanut, cashew, or pecan person. They are okay, but I would personally rather have something else. However, these Dark Chocolate Almonds are delicious! They help kill my craving and I don't feel like they are horrible for me. You should try them! Tell me what you think!

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What is one of your favorites this month?

Excuses

I have been listening to podcasts lately and listened to an interview on Half Size Me with Biggie Fit. It was an interesting podcast so I watched some of his videos. I came across his video about making a list of excuses. Honestly, I am continuing to have trouble with getting my workouts in and eating back on track. So, I made a list.

1. I'm tired!
2. Headache/Migraine
3. Time - I'm buy with other things
4. I just don't feel like it
5. It isn't easy (especially food)
6. Divorce Crap
7. Because I don't have to
8. I deserve to take time off
9. I deserve to eat what I want
10. I don't feel well (sore, nauseas, etc)
11. Weather
12. I am not ready
13. There isn't enough time (less than 60 minutes to workout)
14. I'm hungry & don't want to prep/cook
15. How do I cook for one
16. Negative thoughts (I'm not worthy; feeling like a failure)
17. Depending on when I do have time; I'm gross afterwards (sweaty)
18. I seem to have a mental/emotional block
19. No self control

I am not sure if this had any impact on me. I know these are all just excuses. The headaches/migraines I believe to be legitimate; however, the rest are crap. It was interesting to see them all written out and where my focus needs to be from this list.

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I believe the one that is hurting me the most are the negative thoughts. This is something I thought I would just snap out of and go back to the way I was doing things before my ex-husband left me. I have realized this week I am going to have to rebuild myself again. Thankfully I do not have to start from where I was 2-3 years ago, but I will have to begin again. 

What are your excuses?

November Goals & October Recap

I have to say I am sick of writing these posts. I am tired of telling everyone about how I fail at my weight loss and goals every month. At the same time, I realize I have been through a lot. Either way, I keep going. Eventually I will write about my successes and I will begin to loose weight again. One day. Sigh!

Either way here is how my October went and what I hope to accomplish in November.

October Goals:

• Concentrate on being & eating healthy
• Continue to workout 5-6 times per week
• Re-write a list of why I want to reach my goal weight
• Write 5 posts in October

October sucked! Let's just be real. My divorce was final this month and there were multiple nights of emotional eating and pity parties. I have been doing better with working out, but I have a long way to go to be back where I was at before my ex-husband walked out on me. 

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November Goals:

• Re-write my list of why I want to loose weight & be healthy
• Continue to get up & get workouts in 5+ times per week
• Write blogs more frequently about rebuilding myself, divorce, weight loss
• Read at least 2 books on health & nutrition

What are your goals for the next month?

October Favorites

I previously said in my July Favorites post that Quest bars were a favorite. However, they have recently changed their ingredients making them not as healthy and not a favorite for me anymore. To be honest, it sucks! These were a healthy treat for me and I went for them to help my unhealthy cravings. Hopefully they hear the complaints of everyone and go back to their original ingredients. Here's hoping! 

Anyways... my favorites for October:

1. Cookie Butter - I went to Trader Joe's for the first time and had to get the Cookie Butter after hearing so much about it. Apples dipped in cookie butter have been one of my favorite snacks. 

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2. 100 Thank You's - I saw this video on A Blog About Love and loved it. We don't take time to appreciate each other nearly enough. This is something we should all strive to do more.

3. Bible Pens - I ordered these off the great Amazon due to their reviews and love them. They do not bleed through the pages and they don't smear if you don't swipe them immediately. Personally, I only use the purple to underline and the black pen to write notes.

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4. Aveeno Lotion - This lotion is one that actually works for me and I am extremely picky. I am sensitive to smells and I hate greasy lotions. My skin is dry and sensitive though so I need to keep it hydrated. It has taken years, but I love this one. 

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5. Nyx High Voltage Lipstick - I am not a lipstick person, but have been on a search for a great one. I really like this one! The color actually stays on where I feel a lot of other lipsticks come off immediately. I love the colors Wine & Dine and the French Kiss.

October was a little crazy. I was emotional with my 7 year wedding anniversary on October 4th and our divorce being finalized five days later on October 9th. It was an emotional time. I am working to find myself again as this year comes to a close and I begin to think of a new year beginning soon. :)

How was your October? What were your favorites this month? Leave me a reply below on what I need to check out! 

Divorced

As of October 9th, I am divorced. Thankfully I did not have to go to court and sign papers. I believe this made it easier for me since I did not have to see or talk to him. I actually worked all day, which I think helped.

It was a shock when I received the email that it was completed. I believe part of me didn't think he would go through with it. No one has really divorced in his family. Thankfully, I needed to take something to a friend of mine a few blocks from where I work. It was good to go for a walk and see a few friends. I don't know if I ever knew I loved hugs so much.

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After work I spent Friday and Saturday with my three younger brothers and my sister-in-law. It was an amazing weekend and great to be around all of them. We haven't all been together since the beginning of the year so it was great to spend time together. Plus I was surrounded by people I love and who love me! 

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I wasn't as emotional as I expected. I did ask for thoughts on prayers on Facebook that Sunday night. My emotions were running high since it was our 7 year anniversary that Sunday (October 4th) and the divorce would be five days later. I am blessed for the family and friends that are in my life. On Tuesday I needed to text him and was able to say some things to him. It allowed me to close a door or at least begin to shut it prior to divorce being finalized. 

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Currently I am doing okay as far as emotionally and mentally. There will be up days and there will be down days. However, the up days are becoming more frequent. In regards to my weight loss it is not going well. I have gained approximately 20 pounds, but I am trying to not get the best of me. There has been some emotional eating and I am currently trying to work through it. This has unfortunately ruined a lot of my self esteem and I realized this past week that I have felt unworthy. So, I am working on building my self esteem back up because I deserve to be healthy and happy. 

I am sorry for not writing a post sooner. I had started one and then my internet went out. Thank you to my friend Kate who has my back! I am hoping to post more and plan on writing on the things I have done to get through everything over the past 6 months. I hope you are all having a great weekend!

October Goals & September Recap

I believe fall has arrived in Michigan. If only fall would stay until spring. I love fall!! I am ready for hot apple cider, boots, scarves, tights, vests, soups, and chilis. I have already made chicken enchilada soup, turkey quinoa chili, and I have chili on the stove. There is cider in the fridge too. Delicious! 

My October goals are not very specific. However, I want to concentrate on my health and not the number on the scale. Unfortunately, it will be an emotional month for me with my divorce being final the beginning of this month. 

October Goals:

• Concentrate on being & eating healthy
• Continue to workout 5-6 times per week
• Re-write a list of why I want to reach my goal weight
• Write 5 posts in October

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September Goals:

• NO DRINKING!!! - (glass of wine at my Thirty One Party in late September)
• Get workouts in; Plan for 6-7 days a week 
• Plan & prep food for lunch and dinner
• Win bet with Mom! :) We have a bet to get to a certain weight by the end of the month. Basically I have ten pounds to loose by the end of the month. 

I did not win the bet with my Mom. The truth is I have gained weight again this month. So I have decided to focus on just being healthy this next month. There was no drinking in September other than my glass of wine during my Thirty One party. I did continue to get my workouts in and have done better with my planning and prepping. It needs to improve though. 

How was your September? What is one of your goals in October?

September Favorites

Every month I plan on posting more and instead, I post less. I promise to get better at this. My divorce is supposed to be final in a couple weeks and I have been just trying to deal with all of the emotion I feel towards it. Even though he has been gone for five months it is still a shock to me. So I take it one day at a time and am focusing on finding my "new normal." I'll have to get into everything in more detail in October.

Here are some of the things I have been loving this month!

1. Happier Podcast - This was on Peanut Butter Fingers blog and I started listening to it a couple of weeks ago and am loving it. Gretchen Rubin and her sister, Elizabeth Craft, give tips on how to be "happier" in approximately thirty minutes. For example, if you can do something in 60 seconds or less just do it.

2. Almond Butter Pancakes - What isn't to love about a healthy pancake! These are healthy, easy to make, and taste delicious! My ex-husband would NOT eat breakfast after 11am so I have been breaking the rules and eating breakfast for dinner. Plus they are great warmed up or you can freeze them. Rockstar status!

3. Truth Jar - I may have mentioned this before, but my brother's wife, Emily, made me a truth jar. I love it! It is a mason jar stuffed full of "truths" for me to read whenever I need one. I take one whenever I feel I need a boost or a little love. These are marvelous. Some days it is exactly what I need! Today's truth was "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you." Isaiah 43:2

 

4. Downton Abbey - I just started watching this show recently. I don't know why I am so late to this, but I have been enjoying it.

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5. Hot Apple Cider - Nothing says fall like a glass of hot apple cider. I made some this past weekend and it was marvelous! I am looking forward to a couple more glasses.

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What have your favorites been this month?