Get Up You Sleepy Head!

"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try." -unknown

"People often say that motivation doesn't last.  Well, neither does bathing-that's why we recommend it daily."  -Zig Zaglar

"I do not try to skate better than anyone else.  I only try to skate better than myself." -Mikhail Baryshnikov (only it said dance where I put skate)

Motivation is something that has 2 parts.  The first part is desiring a goal.  The second part is the energy needed to pursue and achieve that goal.  Motivation, unfortunately, is something many people lack.  There are techniques that can be used to motivate oneself or you can have another person motivate you through support and encouragement.

First, you need to realize and accept that motivation is important in accomplishing goals.  It will be hard to accomplish anything without motivation.  If you sit around a lot and don't get active, it's hard to get motivated.  So the first thing you need to do is GET MOVING!  Physical movements affect our mental state.  Make a fist and pump yourself up!

Second, set your goals.  Write them down.  Make realistic deadlines if necessary.  The first step is the hardest so just take the leap and gain momentum from that first step.  It will get easier as you go.

One way to motivate yourself is through pain and pleasure, believe it or not.  For example, if a person does not exercise and eat right, the pain associated with weight gain or health problems can be associated with not having motivation.  If a person takes care of themselves by eating right and exercising, they can associate pleasure with it by how good they feel and look in their clothes.

Rewarding yourself is a great way to increase motivation.  If you reach a milestone in your goal give yourself a treat.  This is something you might have to set up and write down so you stick to your plan.  Even the small victories deserve celebration.

Get rid of the negativity!  While I know it is not possible to get rid of all negative things in your life, if you make the effort to surround yourself with positive people and a variety of positive environments you will have an easier time achieving success.  Distractions should be kept to a minimum as well.

Music has a way of motivating people, and if your music doesn't motivate you, maybe it's time for a change in genre.  Find something that makes you want to bounce along.  Listen to it when you feel like giving up even if you're not in the mood to listen to it.  Music has a way of changing our mood sometimes.

It's hard to stay motivated if you're not interested.  Fake it 'til you make it.  Make a point to GET interested so you can get excited about what you're doing.

Finally, find a friend who supports you in your life.  Ask them to help you stay motivated.  It could be something simple like a weekly encouraging email to tell you how great you are and how proud they are of your accomplishments.  You can and will do great things!!!  Get moving!

I'm Not Giving Up

I gained back the 1.5 pounds I lost last week.  Oh I am cheating today, but I will start over tomorrow and the next day and the next after that.  I can do this and I will prove that to myself.  Derby is the one thing I have tried and stuck with besides my family.  It helps me learn to be strong when things don't always go my way.  Losing weight to be in the best shape for my team (and myself) is my goal, and I will succeed.

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.  The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."  -Thomas A. Edison

"Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day.  It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?'"  -Peter Maher, Canadian Marathon Runner

"Failure is only a fact when you give up.  Everyone gets knocked down, the question is: Will you get back up?"

I hope you succeed too.  :-)

Eating for Sport

Now that I am actively TRYING to lose my last 10 pounds, I have been paying attention to what I am eating and trying not to snack on sugary foods as well as reduce my portion sizes.  My chiropractor mentioned to me that I should be getting lots of protein at my last appointment.  That got me thinking and I did some research on the best foods for athletes to eat.  This research helped me to see the VARIETY of foods I should and should not be eating as well as necessary hydration.

It is ESSENTIAL for athletes to eat healthy diets due to the additional energy and stamina needed to perform optimally.  Vitamins, minerals, healthy carbs, and proteins are necessary components of an athlete's diet. 

Healthy carbohydrates are an excellent energy source.  If you are trying to lose weight you should never cut carbs out completely.  You should only cut out bad carbs.  Good carbs can be found in foods such as fruits, veggies, WHOLE grains, and beans.  Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body cannot digest, but fiber aids in digestion and the prevention of many diseases.  People should be consuming 20 to 30 grams of fiber per day.  Fiber is found in all the foods listed above and is present in all foods that come from plants.

Protein is a vital part of an athlete's diet as it builds and maintains muscle tissues.  Successful athletes need good muscle tone.  Some high-protein foods are beans, dairy items, fish, and poultry.

Raw foods are important to an athlete to help build healthy tissue and muscles and also to increase energy and cleanse the body of toxins.  Consume 5 to 8 servings of raw or steamed veggies each day to achieve maximum benefits. 

Healthy fats and oils need to be consumed generously to reduce inflammation and lubricate joints.  Healthy fats are found in fish, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and healthy oils (olive, sunflower, etc.).

Hydration is extremely necessary to an athlete's diet.  When the body sweats with physical activity, hydration is lost.  For performance and energy, water needs to be replaced continually.  Half of an athlete's body weight should be consumed in fluid ounces of water daily.  Example:  A person weighing 160 pounds should consume AT LEAST 80 ounces of water daily.  Physical activity may require drinking even more than this.  Digestion is improved by being hydrated and water helps the body absorb vitamins and deliver nutrients to body cells.  A good indication that you are getting enough water is clear urine at bedtime.  Clear urine is evidence that your body is flushing out all the toxins throughout the day and that you are well-hydrated.

In addition to the kinds of foods I am eating, I probably need to eat smaller meals more often, having 5 small meals instead of 3 big ones.  I should also be consuming little to no alcohol.  I want to kick some serious arse this year!  I may have to make a few sacrifices but I know that eating healthier will help me be at my best on the track and off.  Happy AND HEALTHY eating!  :)

Ignorant Misconceptions

Saturday night I went to a sporting event at the Qwest Center in Omaha to promote Omaha Rollergirls.  For the most part we got positive feedback with people walking up to us asking questions, asking for schedules, and saying they were fans.  We did, however, get some negative feedback which of course, stood out to me.  It made me a little angry.

What makes me angry is how ignorant people are when they place judgement on something they know next to nothing about.  I noticed my "boutfit" got some OMG looks and I even got an audible "eww."  Really??  But cheerleading outfits are okay and people let their kids watch Dancing With the Stars with their racy costumes.  That's what I call hypocritical!

Roller derby is not the same sport people remember from the 70s.  It is a legitimate sport with national rankings by WFTDA (Women's Flat Track Derby Association).  Women who play this sport do it because they love it.  They also PAY to play.  We do NOT get paid.  We practice several times a week and work out outside of practice time as well to stay conditioned so we can be at the top of our game.  We aren't making trouble.  In fact we help many local charities and help out in our community.  We work hard!

If I didn't work hard, I wouldn't look so great in my boutfit!  Ha.  I am in the best shape of my life.  My self-esteem is the highest it has ever been.  I am happier and more fulfilled in my life than ever.  I am doing something meaningful for me. 

Don't judge a book by it's cover.  You will surely be wrong, and therefore IGNORANT.  Or as I like to call it "ignoranus," a cross between an ignoramus and an asshole.

Go see a bout (game) and then you can say whatever you want.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Plundered at the Pump

I have noticed gas prices going up the past few weeks.  It gets me wondering if we will have a repeat of 2008 when gas prices soared to over $4 a gallon in some states.  According to MEMA, Americans travel over 3 trillion miles per year which is the equivalent to 820 trips from the sun to Pluto and back.  We are DEPENDENT on gas. 

After doing some research, I found that the largest portion of the money we pay for gas goes to crude oil suppliers.  The rest of the money goes for taxes, refining, and distribution/marketing.  If only I knew how to get my own crude oil.

It's too bad I live in Nebraska or I would stop driving and ride my bike all over town.  It's too cold to do that right now, but if gas prices do continue to go up I will be riding my bike to work come spring.  I just have to get my trailer fixed so I can take my daughter to school first. 

Darn That Sweet Tooth

I have been working on losing the same 10 pounds since August of last year to no benefit.  I know exactly why too.  It's my freaking sweet tooth.  I LOVE food and I can eat all day long.  Not to mention that I quit smoking and probably still feel the need to satisfy that oral fixation.  I want to eat healthy, but I have a hard time with the DOING part.  This time I want to do the DOING part.  I have a goal.  I want to lose this last 10 pounds by February 8th.  That gives me 1 month from today.

Here are some ideas I came up with to help me curb my sugary sweet cravings:
1. Get rid of anything sugary in my house (easier said than done with my hubby and kids but I will try).
2.  Drink more water which I need to do anyway.
3.  Eat more veggies/fruits.
4.  Exercise more.
5.  Find a substitute for the sugar in my coffee without adding artificial sweetener (suggestions please).
6.  Get enough rest.
7.  Don't give up if I cheat.
8.  Find alternative ways to deal with my sugar cravings.
9.  Chew some gum.
10. Suggestions??? 

Please comment if you have an idea I haven't listed.

In a month I will post my progress and hopefully will have good news. 

Snow Fun

If only I could have some snow fun.  I like snow...except when I have to shovel it or travel in it.  Lol.  We all complain here in Nebraska when it comes to snow.  I am sick of it already.  However, if I were allowed some time off like my kids get when it snows, I might enjoy it a little more. 

I love sledding.  It's great for exercise too.  I like making snow angels and snowmen.  I LOVE snowball fights.  Snow is good for the inner child.  Plus, it is so pretty when it's fresh and powdery white.

This time around, I will not be able to enjoy it.  My husband and youngest child are both sick.  Poor things.  Plus I have to work.  Maybe next time.

If you are lucky enough to have the time, use it to enjoy this beautiful (or not) weather we are having.  Drive careful!

Collecting Treasure...Or Not

Hoarding is the excessive collection of items along with the inability to discard these items.  It is also called compulsive hoarding and often times only pathways remain in homes filled to capacity with unused items.  Hoarding is thought to be a symptom of OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and can be very difficult to treat as people who hoard don't see it as a problem.

Signs and symptoms of hoarding can include cluttered living spaces, inability to discard items, moving items from one pile to another without throwing out anything, difficulty organizing, excessive attachment to items, and even perfectionism.  There are more symptoms not listed here.

Hoarding cases can be mild to severe and the longer it takes to receive treatment, the harder it is to treat.  Some hoarders start hoarding in childhood.  Others begin after a stressful life event.

Complications involved with hoarding are fire hazards, unsanitary living conditions, and inability to perform daily tasks such as grooming.  Loneliness and isolation could be another complication.

In order to diagnose a hoarding disorder, mental health professionals would assess the acquisition of items most people would consider useless along with the inability to discard them.  They would assess the home to determine if it is overly cluttered and also assess the patient's distress over their hoarding.

A combination of psychotherapy and medications can be used to treat hoarding but treatment as early as possible is important to get the most benefit from treatment.

Since most hoarders don't see their hoarding as a problem, there are steps to take to care for yourself to prevent it from becoming worse.  First and foremost, bathing and hygiene must be taken care of in order to feel worthwhile.  Next is proper nutrition.  As hoarding can lead to isolation, reach out to others.  Take small steps to declutter (your place didn't get that way overnight after all).  Stay focused on your goals to treatment.  Do what is best for your family and pets by working to keep your home sanitary and free of disease/vermin.

If you have a loved one with a hoarding problem, please remember that hoarding is bigger than you and your loved one.  Like addiction, the person has to be aware and accept that they have a problem in order to change.  Please be the supportive person in the team of people it will take to treat your loved one.

"I Don't Like Them and You Can't Make Me!"

Let's face it, no one is going to like everybody.  There are just those people you don't get along with.  It is inevitable that you will encounter people you dislike for your entire lifetime.  Rather than being negative towards people you don't like, I suggest these 3 things:

1.  Understand nobody is perfect.  Chalk it up to a character flaw.
2.  Focus on the positive.  There has to be at least one good trait about every person.  Find it.
3.  Be nice to them.  Being kind to others leaves you feeling warm inside. 

If you do these things you can feel good about yourself regardless of how you feel about your "enemy."  You never know, by doing these 3 things you might end up liking the person in spite of your earlier dislike.  Not only that, these things will teach you how to tolerate those you dislike without building frustration and anger.

-"I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me...All I ask is that you respect me as a human being."  -Jackie Robinson

New Year Resolutions???

I typically don't make New Year's resolutions.  This year I just want to strive to be a better me than last year.  I already quit smoking.  I could stand to lose 10 pounds and I do want to eat better to do that but if it happens, it happens.  I just want to learn to be a better team player and support my team better.  I want to think of myself less and others more.  I want to be a better mom.  I strive to make quality time rather than quantity because there is never enough time.  I want to be a better wife and friend. 

I want to take more time to smell the roses.  I want to help others who are less fortunate than me.  I want to walk in the sunshine and be truly thankful for it, as this winter has taken its toll on me.  I want to ride my bike more often and I want to run more often.

I truly think 2010 taught me a lot and 2011 can teach me even more.  I am looking forward to what's in store for 2011.  What's your resolution?