Balance is Essential

Balance Is Essential

Balance is essential. If you find yourself shifting in your life too far to the left or right then your life is out of balance. A firm grasp on who God is and who we are in our lives can make for such peace that "passes all understanding".

Balance is essential to sanity, love, life, fun and existence.  When we do our best to create a balance in our lives it seems like things are constantly "falling into place".

Here are a few tips to assist in creating balance.

1. Read your bible and pray everyday!

Balance is Essential and there is no getting around it. When things in my life are falling apart I have been able to directly relate them to the lack of time in the word and prayer in my life.

2. Build downtime into your schedule.

When you plan your week, make it a point to schedule time with your family and friends, and activities that help you recharge.

If a date night with your spouse or a softball game with friends is on your calendar, you'll have something to look forward to and an extra incentive to manage your time well so you don't have to cancel.

3. Drop activities that sap your time or energy.

"Many people waste their time on activities or people that add no value -- for example, spending too much time at work with a colleague who is constantly venting and gossiping," says Marilyn Puder-York, PhD, a psychologist and executive coach in New York and Connecticut. 

Her advice: Take stock of activities that don't enhance your career or personal life, and minimize the time you spend on them.

4. Rethink your errands.

Consider whether you can outsource any of your time-consuming household chores or errands.

Could you order your groceries online and have them delivered? Hire a kid down the street to mow your lawn? Have your dry cleaning picked up and dropped off at your home or office? Order your stamps online so you don't have to go to the post office? Even if you're on a tight budget, you may discover that the time you'll save will make it worth it.

Stack also suggests trading services with friends. Offer to do tasks that you enjoy or that you were planning to do anyway.

5. Get moving.

It's hard to make time for exercise when you have a jam-packed schedule, but it may ultimately help you get more done by boosting your energy level and ability to concentrate.

"Research shows exercise can help you to be more alert," Brooks says. "And I've noticed that when I don't exercise because I'm trying to squeeze in another half hour of writing, I don't feel as alert."

Samantha Harris, a lawyer who works for a nonprofit organization in Philadelphia, goes to her gym 2 or 3 mornings a week before her family wakes up. "It's been a real boost in terms of the way I feel for the rest of the day," she says. "I feel like my head is clearer and I've had a little time to myself." 

6. Remember that a little relaxation goes a long way.

Don't assume that you need to make big changes to bring more balance to your life. Brooks recommends setting realistic goals, like leaving the office earlier 1 night per week.

"Slowly build more activities into your schedule that are important to you," he says. "Maybe you can start by spending an hour a week on your hobby of carpentry, or planning a weekend getaway with your spouse once a year."

Even during a hectic day, you can take 10 or 15 minutes to do something that will recharge your batteries. "Take a bath, read a trashy novel, go for a walk, or listen to music," Stack says. "You have to make a little time for the things that ignite your joy."

Balance is essential so make sure to at least change one thing at a time.  

Share your comments and let me know your thoughts.

No New Years Resolutions

No New Years Resolutions! I have always been big on committing to something with the intent of "21 days to make a habit" and then ten days later not even remembering what I started.

It is with that thought in mind then that I stopped making New Years Resolutions long ago.

Striving to get started and be consistent no matter the date has been a welcomed change to my life.  Mindset is everything, and once you can overcome the battle of your mind, you can accomplish anything. 

Check out this picture demonstration and tell me what you see in the comments below:

Here is what I see..........determination, perseverance, happiness, commitment, youth and vibrancy.

If you start thinking this year I will make a New Years Resolution it places so much pressure on you that should you fail, psychologically, you go right back to telling yourself that "oh well, I can try again next year".

However dear friends, if you get your mindset right and stop making New Years Resolutions you can spend the year being victorious for every challenge you overcome, every step forward you take, every victory and embrace every disappointment as short term.

No New Years Resolutions! say it with me! 

Be victorious this Christmas. Christ came that we might have life and have it more abundantly and what better time than in this season to make lasting changes in your life. Mindset change today is reshaping your future right now. No New Years Resolutions.

Tell me in the comments what you think about the pic demonstration, share this with your friends and let me know how No New Years Resolutions changes your life. Be blessed!

Keeping Perspective

Today I was so busy that Keeping Perspective was difficult.

When does it end?

How much can one really do?

Is 24 hours enough?


These are all questions that I ask myself regularly and I have come to the conclusion that once you embrace the freedom that God gives in Him, then it releases us from the guilt of carrying the burden and frees us to enjoy the journey.

It sounds easy, however it is the MOST difficult thing I have attempted in my entire life.


Thanks for listening. Is anyone out there?

I won today

I won today by being the best positive me I could be.

I won today by thinking of someone else before me.

I won today by not yelling nearly as much as I wanted to. :)

Did you win?

In this lifelong journey of learning me I have discovered that some days I win and some days i lose miserably. This weeks goals are to have devotion for 1/2 hour each morning, workout 1/2 hour each morning keep my children laughing all week, blog 4 times, and consistently give my clients 100%.

They are in the right order faith, family and career and therefore with a little grace and a lot of determination, consistency and zero procrastination the mission will be accomplished.

What will you attempt this week?

1. Write it down.

2. Be accountable to someone

3. Do not give up

Thanks for listening and reading.  Please comment and share the blog.

Learning to Be Consistent

Some days I win and some days I lose. The goal is to be more consistent in order to not self sabotage. I enjoy people and I have so many thoughts some days in my head that I am not sure which ones to move on first.

Do you feel like that sometimes?

I created this blog to deal with all things hair, knitting, crochet, children, life and all things in Darlene's world that will keep me sane and assist someone else.


As it continues to grow I will continue to keep you informed of the changes, ups, downs and in-betweens of becoming a better me.

This dainty little accessory reminds me of the simpler things in life that look so effortless. I will get the link for the pattern and post it for you guys soon.



As the holidays draw near, lets craft together or just let me make you something for that special someone.

Thanks for listening and reading. Please share the post, follow the blog and tell me your comments.

God bless you and keep sane!

Burpee What?

As committed as I have been to this whole weight loss thing, if after I am done anyone says the word Burpee to me I will have to cut them.

The whole idea of getting up and jumping and then getting down and doing a push up is the definition of torture.


If you are running straight or doing 50 situps you are pretty much in a repetitive position for the most part, but this burpee thing works the entire body in one swoop and your mind pays for it before your body understands it.

Ok, so I am done whining. I am getting toned, the inches are going before the pounds and I am loving the extra energy I have from being properly hydrated and eating clean (for the most part).

Here is another pic from my progress.


Like, Share and comment please....let me know what you are thinking. I can take the heat!.

This was taken September 7th. Saturday my fourth and final will turn 1 year old. This means it will have been 5 years since I was able to maintain any specific type of weight loss program since I had been pregnant all that time and delivered all four of my babies via c-section..

Feels like progress. I just keep reminding myself that 5 years to put on, patience to take off. I will not be svelte by next week however next summer I will wear my first two piece.

Thanks for your support. Let's hear you..

Belly Movements

My tummy is getting smaller.


Cannot tell by the scale :( however the inches is starting to show). Pray that I can keep it up.


The biggest keys have been staying hydrated and not eating late at night.

Check out these pics and tell me what you think.

Apologize for the brevity of the post however I had to do it and run :)

8/28

 

9/7

 

Who said changes are easy?

Let me be the honest one.....changing the way you eat, workout, get moving, whatever you choose to call it is not for the faint of heart.

Since making the commitment to get rid of my baby "snack pack" the fridge has been stocked with fruits and greens of every kind.  Yes I have been using them and yes I still want a chocolate chip cookie.

Keeping it real!

Well, enough rambling....gotta get back to my workout.

Oh yeah, I restarted the 20/100 challenge. Don't knit up your brows, I know you started over too.
20 Jumping Jacks
20 Burpees (hate these)
20 Squats
20 Push ups
20 Sit ups



 This week I am up to 40 and it will increase until I get to 100 of each exercise.

Don't sit there shaking your head, join me or at least pray.


Comment and Follow! Feedback is appreciated!

Before the Brawl

Hello everyone, missed me I am sure :)

The Cuisinart was delivered and we got right to work. My husband and best friend is a huge supporter and we are on this journey together. 

Below I will post the before pics of the challenge we are embarking on.  After, we will be juicing for 7 day detox and starting the transformation with exercise and change in eating habits.

Again, let me say that this is not easy, however if this process helps just one person realize that our "temple" is important and they too can change their lives one bite at a time, then it will all be worth it.

This is what my midsection looks like almost one year after having four babies in five years.  Needless to say my diet played a huge part, however having babies so close together did not allow for me to get rid of a lot of the weight in between.

I will be sharing update pics, recipes, exercises, good days, bad days etc with all of you.Live your best life.

Thank you for subscribing, sharing and liking these posts.  Leave me a comment, let me know how I can help or just your thoughts.

Cuisinart Ordered!

 

So the juicer is ordered. Once it gets here, the detox begins.  I have been weaning myself and getting ready. I can sense that there will be some withdrawal from coffee, sweets etc..

By the grace of God I am ready.  Once the juicer gets here I will have some pictures taken for your benefit, my dismay and encouragement :)

All things work together for good. (Romans 8:28). As a child of God I have a goal to see my children grow up if this is what the Lord desires for me, therefore I must take better care of my temple.

Thank you for subscribing and supporting me through this journey.  Please share it with others.

Looking forward to next week...over and out...God bless

Don't ask where have I been. I am here to tell you all that I just watched "Fat, Sick and Nearly dead" and coupled with the conversation I had with my husband today, I am done with being overweight.

It needs to be said I had four babies in five years, last one being 11 months old.  I lost some of the weight BUT I got stuck with this 3 month pregnancy looking stomach that is not at all attractive.  It looks the worst in clothes and yes we do have to wear those don't we?

I will be juicing for a ten day detox and then if all goes well, continuing to juice and change my diet.  Apparently these changes do not mean I cannot have the occasional favorite however they cannot be my staples.

My downfall has always been sweets.........cookies, cakes, ice cream, whole milk, chips.  I have SEVERELY cut back as we do not feed them to our children and therefore do not keep as much of it in the house as we used to, however, I still eat them more regularly that I should.

After finishing watching the documentary I made sure to go to the kitchen and eat the last of the chocolate chip cookies that were still here (4).

I will post the pic of my before later today and since we have also been on a financial overhaul, in a months time my juicer will be purchased.  In the meantime I will start to prepare by changing some of the little things.

I will document this journey via this blog and my prayer is that it will encourage someone else to take control of their bodies and stop treating it like a toilet and start treating it like a waterfall. Guilty as charged and now I am learning better I will do it no more.

Please comment and share this information with everyone.  Thanks for the support.  I endeavor to be as honest as possible and as candid so that this journey is beneficial to all of us.

I am no blog expert however by the end of this journey I may learn a thing or two.

THE GOAL IS TO BE HEALTHY AND FIT......WEIGHING 140LBS IN A YEAR.   I WILL PROBABLY GET THERE IN A MONTH BY JUICING AND EXERCISE, HOWEVER I WILL BE SHARING WITH YOU MY CHALLENGES AND CHANGES OVER THE NEXT YEAR!!!

Signed,

Disgusted and Excited  :)

New Hairtude!

Wondering where I have been? Discovering a New Hairtude, yes I made up a new word.



Turns out that keeping a family of four, four and under running and keeping your hair laid all the time is not such an easy feat :)

Below is a pic of the latest thing I did with my hair.

BEFORE

Just to bring you up to speed, I have cut and colored it to get to my New Hairtude.  I went to a Beauty School for the cut and I experimented with the color myself.  Needless to say I love the color tremendously.




I feel that the look has given me some of my spunk back that had gotten buried under several diaper changes per day.





I will be posting more often and sharing this journey of fascinated mom, wife, fashion and hair fanatic with you.

AFTER

Over the next few days I will be explaining the how-to as far as the process I used to get to these results.

Please leave your comments and share the blog with others. As I continue to share my New Hairtude, someone may be helped and that is my goal.