It's worth a try

I found some beauty products in the bargain bins that claim to help me with a few "problem areas."

I've been using the cocoa butter for a month now and still no improvement on the stretch marks, but honestly I don't really expect to see one. I think if there really was a cure then everyone would know and nobody would have stretch marks ever again.

The cellulite cream I've been using for about a week, but that I really do hope to see something. I've had good results with the Avon one in the past, so I have at least minimal expectations for success with this.

Either way, they cost me a grand total of $6.50 together. What do I have to lose?

Judgment Day, Part 3

Huh. Not sure what to make of this.

This past month I've worked out the most since I started this project and I've stuck with the healthy diet. The scale is finally moving down again -- 153! -- and my clothes keep getting baggier. And yet, I don't see much change in these photos, or in my measurements.

Maybe it's all coming off of my face or somewhere I'm not measuring. Maybe the scale is a liar. Who knows. It is really frustrating, though, that I make the most progress when I do the least. I know that's not right, but that's what the evidence points to right now.

Well, instead of letting myself get too discouraged, I'll end with a comparison that really does show all my hard work:

And can we all agree that these are the most unflattering shorts ever??? Ug.

A new month, some new goals and new inspiration

It's been about a week and a half since I added personal goals to my workouts. I was really pleased to hear from those of you who said you wanted to join me in some of these. I could not be happier about that! The more people working for good, the better our world will be. 


For me, this week was definitely a good time to add these goals. Quite a bit of tension is cropping up at work, and with the ongoing stress over bills and such I really needed all the positivity I could muster. 


Well, I'm proud to say it worked.


Here's what I pledged last week:


Physical goals: 
-Crunches daily
-Cardio three times a week


Personal goals:
-Smile at everyone I meet
-Sincerely compliment at least one person a day


I am happy to report that I met my physical goals... until the weekend, as usual. But it's the best I've done so far, and I am proud of that. I also feel that I'm getting a lot stronger. I can haul my Moose Baby around a lot easier and my stamina is increasing.


Surprisingly, I found it much easier to do cardio -- that thing I loathe the most -- than to sincerely compliment someone every day. It made me rethink my interactions with people, which is a good thing, but  it also made me realize I don't often get past the surface with others. I found myself trying to think up compliments for the people I knew I would see that day, which defeats the purpose of making them sincere and individual. Even though I really did mean them, I don't think it counts if it was planned. 


I also kept up the smiling and cheerfulness -- also very genuine -- which really went a long way at work. I always find that positivity multiplies. Each time you get past something stressful or upsetting, you realize just how strong you are and become empowered to try again. Not only does it get easier, you build on that strength until it becomes second nature to react to live with determination and positivity.


So this week, I will keep my goals rolling and add to them. Before I do, I want to share some new inspiration for the week (or two).


I recently read an article in the June 2009 Ensign called "Hope: The Misunderstood Sister" by Larry Hiller. The part I want to share isn't about hope, but her sister Charity. Hiller describes her this way:

"I picture Charity as being modest and refined, beautiful and gracious. In her presence you feel genuinely loved and accepted. She's unfailingly kind and generous, patient, empathetic, aware of every need, and responsive without being asked. How could you not want the companionship of someone like Charity?"

I will go one step further: How could you not want to be someone like Charity?


From this passage I will derive my personal goals for the next few weeks. I will keep the physical goals the same but add to them until I get my butt into shape.


For the week(s) of June 1 - June 11, 2011:

Physical goals: 

-Crunches daily

-Cardio three times a week

-Leg exercises three times a week

Personal goals: 

-Look for opportunities to engage in meaningful conversation. 

-Ask people questions about themselves and learn to appreciate who they are as a person.

What do you pledge to do this week?