Top 5 Things I have learned in September!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

1- I was right to have made FLEXIBILITY my mantra for the month:

Things have been crazy for me, and I have yet to get caught up with all my Sparking duties.

2- I have learned MODERATION is key:

I have WAY too many subscriptions to blogs and too many teams to follow. Must cut those takers and keep the givers.

3- I have learned I do not like WHINERS!:

Just do it already and quit trying to justify WHY you can't do what you KNOW you have to do in order to get results.

4- I have learned that I have ADDICTIVE tendencies when I get into something new, making #2 something I need to work on more:

I can't just start slow and little...it's go big or go home for me...reminds me of my dearly departed brother...I love you Dave...but not THAT part of you!! YIKES!

5- I have learned that I simply LOVE doing outdoor activities with my kids, even if it does take RIDICULOUS amounts of planning sometimes...
sometimes LESS is MORE!...see #4!!!



The kids and I enjoyed an afternoon at the Bonnechere Caves in Eaganville, ON.
This was taken just outside the caves, afterward...we climbed down on to a rock IN the river...was beautiful!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PLANETSPARKY 9/23/2010 1:44PM

#4 cracks me up. So True! Amd so cute! And gets you results FAST!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

CARLA-216 9/23/2010 10:45AM

Lots of good stuff you learned this month! And ugh, I tend to be "all or nothing". I'm trying to be more aware of it and catch it before I get too far in. Report Inappropriate Comment

NKBEAUTY 9/23/2010 5:58AM

LOVE THIS PICTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

VAMANOS 9/22/2010 10:54PM

DH complains about that all or nothing trait in me. I've just learned to work with it. Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize. Then apply my grandmother's principle, and I quote exactly: "I'm not a bit afraid of work. I can lay right down beside it and go to sleep." If you ever get annoyed at me for perceived whining, please know that I'm not whining...I'm reporting. Great picture of you and kids, once again. They have got to be at or near the top of your priority list. Of course, you come at or near the top, too. If you can't do it for you, you won't be able to do it for them, either. Love that you are putting both of those priorities where they belong. Report Inappropriate Comment

ALYNN1986 9/22/2010 10:47PM

It really does look gorgeous there! I have the same problem with wanting to do too much. I get really frustrated with myself bc my mind wants to run forever but my body gets mad at me! I hate taking baby steps bc then I feel like Im not busting my butt hard enough! Report Inappropriate Comment

Stronger Woman Tribute: A heart filled THANKS!!!!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Last week I worked on a little video that was aimed at my SP friends and blog subscriptions. I found a theme over the week of women feeling a bit down and out or sick and feeling under the weather and then heard Jewel's Stronger Woman song for the first time.

It struck a chord with me...especially the line where she says

...Well tonight, I'm going to be
The kind of woman I'd want my daughter to be, ....

Great line...great way to look at it!!!

I just figured I'd get my 'regulars' reading and commenting on it...you know 5-8 SP, Well I couldn't have been more wrong...I mean, it's no YOOVIE blog, LOL...but still...big numbers for me.

I was thrilled to have Coach Nicole and Sparkguy himself comment, it showed me that they are actually putting their money where their mouth is so to speak...they actually read and post...well OK...their staff probably does it for them...but hey, I can dream!

Anyway, things got even crazier when I found out that the Vlog was a featured Vlog...WOW!!! Holy cow...who knew it was that worthy?! OK...VAMANOS...I know...YOU did!!!! Thanks for telling me too!

So I want to tell you all how wonderfully thankful I am for your kind words, emails, comments, goodies, and for really just taking the time to watch it.

I will try to thank as many of you as I can, soon...just playing catch up!

I have a couple of others in the making as well....so keep your eyes peeled for a new one coming out soon..

In the meantime, I have added the lyrics here for those of you who are interested:

I guess you could say I'm one of those girls
That's always been with one of those guys
You know the type
Like right now, he sleeps while I write
But it's better than crying
I'm worn out from trying
From loving a man who always makes it clear
I'm not welcome here
Just till he's horny and hungry
or needs something cleaned
And you know what I mean

But not tonight
'Cause come the morning light, oh
I'm gonna love myself more than anyone else
Believe in me, even if someone can't see
The stronger woman in me

I'm going to be my own best friend
Stick with me till the end
Won't lose myself again, never, no,
'Cause there's a stronger woman,
A stronger woman in me

Light bulbs buzz,
I get up
And head to my drawer
I wish there was more
I could say
Another fairytale fades to gray
I've lived on hope
Just like a child
Walking that mile
Faking that smile
All the while
Wishing my heart had wings

Well tonight, I'm going to be
The kind of woman I'd want my daughter to be, oh

I'm gonna love myself more than anyone else
Believe in me, even if someone can't see
There's a stronger woman in me
I'm gonna be my own best friend
Stick with me till the end
I won't lose myself again, never, no
'Cause there's a stronger woman,
A stronger woman

This is me, packing up my bags
And this is me, headed for the door
And this is me, the best you ever had
I'm going to love myself
More than anyone else
Believe in me even if someone cannot see
There's a stronger woman in me
I'm going to be my own best friend
Stay with me till the end
Won't lose myself again, never, no
'Cause there's a stronger woman
A stronger woman
There's a stronger woman,
A stronger woman in me,
Yeah...

THANKS JEWEL...for writing a great piece!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ALYNN1986 9/22/2010 1:15AM

Congrats on your feature thats awesome! I am getting behind also on my SP stuff and its mainly bc it is usually so late by the time that i get on here that i am just ready for bed! Those lyrics are beautiful and inspirational- thanks for posting! Report Inappropriate Comment

KAITLYNSNAMMY 9/20/2010 12:07PM

Kudos again Annie! You deserve all the cheers and comments from your Spark family! Chris and Nichole too. I'm looking forward to the ones you are working on now! They are a gift to all of us. Wishing you another healthy, positive day! Report Inappropriate Comment

HAPPYSOUL91 9/20/2010 10:44AM

great song, great reminders Report Inappropriate Comment

NAMSMOMMY 9/19/2010 11:42PM

That is a beautiful song. =) Report Inappropriate Comment

VAMANOS 9/19/2010 11:27PM

Jewel is my daughter's favorite artist...hope she's listening to this song. Love the lyrics, thanks for posting. Report Inappropriate Comment

OVERWHELMED!!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

I am so in over my head these past several days.

I am WAY behind with SP and it REALLY bothers me. I have perhaps bitten off more than I can chew?
I am exhausted this week and super grouchy with my kids and just irritable in general.
I am having a difficult time following through with things that I have set up for myself. Like reading blogs, and tracking fitness....I have so may places that I do stuff, it is becoming difficult to monitor. Tracking food hasn't been an issue because I do it all in the Bodybugg. I have a hard time tracking all my 'extra' goals.

So I am going to take steps to reign it all in. I am going to go through my Spark teams and cut the dead weight teams.

I have to get more granular with my schedules.
Planning one weekly outdoor activity with my kids has been so rewarding, yet VERY time consuming and I think that has been the biggest issue.

So I am off to bed as I am exhausted tonight, but tomorrow is the beginning of my 'redesigning'...I knew FLEXIBILITY was going to be important this month....now let's switch things up and get the gung ho BOGUSANNIE back!!!

Can't wait til Monday to bring it on!
I want to live up to that STRONG WOMAN TRIBUTE!!!!

RUN RUN RUN!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

AMOHAME2 9/21/2010 9:28PM

I completely feel ya!! It can get super overwhelming at times, sometimes you just have to set priorities and focus on those for a while. Report Inappropriate Comment

PURPLESPEDCOW 9/21/2010 9:22PM

Must be the weather change. Many of us seem to be cutting back in some way or anohter. I went through my friends to find the ones who weren't active. Also, I have a plan on how I do my Sparking: 1. huddle with my teams 2. do Sparkpoints 3. go through my friend feed, making comments on weight loss, points earned, that type of stuff 4. go back to my teams and interact on the messageboards 5. blog if I have something to say 6. comment on people's pages I don't do this all at once. But I can usually get everything in during the evening. I am really active on two teams, and kinda active on others. I do what I can. Any way, it helps me. I won't add any more teams unless I drop one at this point. In fact, I have been thinking of leaving a couple lately. Might end up cleaning that up too. Report Inappropriate Comment

SEPTEMBERSPIRIT 9/21/2010 8:56PM

I am myself just getting caught up and have many teams I'm not active on... the 2 main ones that are the ones I live by are of course People in Ottawa and one more that I lead. There's so much in SP Land ... but as with everything else, we need to take it in moderation so as to not feel overwhelmed and lose that balance (which I felt I had lost too)... But you know what?! Your VLOG totally uplifted my spirits again! Thanks again for sharing your great talents! I'd love to learn how to make one of those... Hope this finds you feeling a bit better... Helene Report Inappropriate Comment

DARACOX 9/20/2010 8:50AM

I know how you feel! At first I was so gung ho about everything and now I find it takes up so much time to keep up with all the teams and blogs. So I'm trying to just spend a certain amount of time everyday and make sure I try to touch base with most of my friends weekly. I just don't have all day every day to spend on SP (although if I could I would!) Report Inappropriate Comment

ANNE7X7 9/20/2010 8:47AM

I totally understand! I have joined and left teams often because it was just too much, and lately I have had to cut back on my blog subscriptions cause it was just TOO much. There are only so many hours in a day, and I didn't want to spend too many of them online when I could be active or hanging with friends and family. Do what feels right! I hope you find that balance!! Report Inappropriate Comment

LBEEKMA 9/20/2010 12:29AM

Sounds like we're all streamlining this weekend...you can't do/be everything and do it right! Report Inappropriate Comment

SUNNY1432 9/19/2010 11:16PM

I'm in the same boat. I'm just doing what I can and letting the unimportant things go. Find what is important to you and make it work! Good Luck and go kick Monday's butt!! Report Inappropriate Comment

VAMANOS 9/19/2010 11:08PM

I can relate, and I'm with you. Going to cut one team I don't belong on any more right now...my BP hasn't been anywhere near high for a month. Report Inappropriate Comment

Bridge to 10K: Week 2, Day1

Saturday, September 18, 2010

HOLY CRAP...I seriously thought I was going to die...I will have to say this is by far my worst run EVER! Bythat I mean, it felt HORRIBLE! I wanted to stop throughout the whole thing.

I have been having an issue with my back for a few days....then I did this AMRAP Challenge that PLANETSPARKY sent me (more on that in another vlog)...that put my back in to overload making the run by far the most painful run I have done to date.

This week i have to run 15 minutes 3 times with 1 minute walks between...

Today's Stats:
Distance = 6.94 km
Time = 47minutes
Pace = 6.46/km
Calories= 598

As per usual, warm up and cool down is not included in these stats.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KWHITE1022 9/19/2010 5:18PM

Man was there something in the air this week? I had trouble running this week as well. Ive been up to 20 minutes and could barely do 10!!! I just knew my body was revolting, so I didnt push it. Now on the plus side, some how with that I still lost 3+ lbs......go figure, this whole thing is such a head trip sometimes. Report Inappropriate Comment

ALYNN1986 9/19/2010 3:52PM

Goes to show how dedicated you are! Great job pushing through :) Report Inappropriate Comment

KAITLYNSNAMMY 9/19/2010 10:04AM

You ARE doing it! Good for you! ps really enjoy the song too Report Inappropriate Comment

PINKBEANBOO 9/19/2010 9:36AM

You did it & that's what counts. You'll never regret starting or finishing a workout. Report Inappropriate Comment

CARLA-216 9/19/2010 8:26AM

You finished even though it was tough! Great job! Report Inappropriate Comment

Bridge to 10K:Week 1, Day 3

Thursday, September 16, 2010

1 week down, 5 to go...YIKES!

So ANNE7X7, as promised, I delivered! I completed yesterday's run tonight. It was a late run, but a completed run, nonetheless!!!

It felt good...although the cool humidity kills the joints...I AM getting old ya know!..Wha wha wha...I know...That isn't very positive now is it!!!??? LOL

Anyway...it's a done deal!

Today's Stats:

Distance 6.28
Time= 43:25
Pace= 6:54 (slow tonight...funny it didn't feel slow...ahhh but it felt SOOO good!
Calories= 548

Later Sparkers,

RUN RUN RUN!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LBEEKMA 9/18/2010 12:09PM

What an awesome pace...last time I did that was at 14 yrs. old...moons ago! Keep on running! Report Inappropriate Comment

STIPER23 9/17/2010 1:18PM

Woohoo! I am just over halfway through c25k and I can't fathom running a 5k just yet, let alone 6 miles. Awesome! Report Inappropriate Comment

LOSIN4MYSELF 9/17/2010 1:08PM

You keep going, because you are doing GREAT!!! Run Annie, Run!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

VAMANOS 9/16/2010 10:05AM

I'm just beginning to comprehend those numbers. That's HUGE! I'm so impressed. Report Inappropriate Comment

FLOREAL 9/16/2010 9:22AM

thats is hugely impressive to me! I'm about 1/2 way through c25k so those numbers are still only in my dreams. WTG! Report Inappropriate Comment

ANNE7X7 9/16/2010 8:50AM

Wooohooo! Glad you did it so I don't have to be super mega angry with you Just kidding! Way to go on the run you did great, and your progress is amazing!! I think it's so weird that some days I feel so fast, or so slow, but it sometimes doesn't correspond to the pace on my Garmin. Usually it's when I am sore: I feel like a turtle, but then I look down and realize I am running faster than usual. So I can't complain when the opposite happens! Keep on keeping on! You're rocking it!! Report Inappropriate Comment

NKBEAUTY 9/16/2010 4:22AM

Wow!! Report Inappropriate Comment