The Single Life

Well I am single again.  Over the past year I have been in and out of some interesting "relationships". They ended completely towards the end of the year.  It was heartbreaking.  I was feeling a lot like the first collage here.

After some deep thinking and going over the "relationships" I started feeling relieved and realized that it was for the best.  I wasn't being treated right by any of the men I had dated over the year.  I wasn't being myself and I wasn't happy at all.  I decided things needed to change.  I needed to find ways to be happy on my own and stop depending on others to create that happiness.  The collage below is my new outlook for 2017.

Happy New Year

I am so glad 2016 is over.  It was a tough year with lots of ups and downs.  Unfortunately more downs than I had hoped.  I lost my job in April which was very unexpected.  Thankfully I found a new job within a couple days and it turns out that job is a lot better so that down turned into a huge up.  I had a lot of breakups and relationship issues all year long.  I won't get into a lot of the negative of the year.  I am trying to focus on being positive now.  I decided that I needed to make a huge change and make 2017 a better year and that is what I am going to do.  I wrote out my 2017 goals last night and I am super excited about the changes and plans I have made.

Weekly Update February 14-20

Wow, what a week! I did triple coverage at work for the second half of the week.  It got a little crazy but I survived.  I finally had a chance to type up a brief summary for my amazing 2016 changes. 

Change #1

Fitness and Health

This one isn’t much of a change since I have worked on fitness for years.  However, I am changing up my routine.  I will get back to posting my weekly Fitness Updates and try and include a few tips and new workouts that I have found to be fun.  I am adding toning to my workouts using some fun new toning routines by Beach Babes Katrina and Karena.  I love doing their routines because they are on a beautiful beach and I feel like I am working out on the beach with them.  I am working on the nutrition side still.  I am a picky eater which makes following most nutrition plans difficult.  I don’t like a lot of vegetables and since most healthy eating plans are based on eating clean and eating a lot of vegetables it is hard for me. 

Change #2

Career

I am not changing my current job because I love what I do and I am good at it.  I just decided to change up my routine a little and learn some new things that pertain to my job.  I am an EDI Manager which doesn’t explain at all what I do.  Most people don’t know that EDI stands for Electronic Data Interchange.  It is the computer-to-computer exchange of business documents in a standard electronic format between business partners.  So you may ask if EDI is “computer-to-computer” then why is a human involved.  The company I work for is not fully set up on EDI for every document.  One part of my job is to complete the enrollment processes with different insurance companies and anesthesia practices. Another part is analyzing the EDI files that reject on one end or the other and determine the problem.  Right now I do not manage any people, I manage the enrollment paperwork and the many applications and interfaces we work with in our company.  I also speak a different language called the ANSI 5010 Standard which is the current standard in the EDI world. Anyway there are a few areas in my current job that I don’t fully understand so I am going to work on learning more about those areas and increasing my knowledge and experience. 

Change #3

Living Space

I am hoping to move to a place of my own soon. Right now I am working on my debt and getting it paid off so I can afford a condo, townhome or even a home.  While I work on that process I decided to prepare for my future home by cleaning out what I currently own and creating an inventory of what I will be keeping

Change #4

Simplify and Organize

This is a change I started last September.  I have grown up and grown out of a lot of the stuff I own.  I have also discovered that I do so much better living a simple life.  I won’t say this process has been easy but it has been extremely fulfilling.  I have been using the book “Magic of Tidying Up” during this process.  I love this book.  

Change #5

Hobbies and Interests

I am back to practicing the piano.  I have never quite perfected my piano skills.  I started piano lessons as an adult and got a little frustrated that it didn’t come quickly to me.  I also started voice lessons about the same time and found that I enjoyed that so much more.  I regret not putting as much effort in my piano practicing so I am pulling out all of my old lesson books and practicing as much as I can. 

Be the Change

I had no idea how many people actually followed my blog until a couple people asked me why I wasn't posting my Fitness Updates or my fun little posts each week. One friend said that I inspired her to get up and start exercising again.  Wow!  One of my changes is to start blogging again and try to be an inspiration to more people.  I have been following a couple blogs, YouTube channels and Instagram posters and I enjoy them so much.  Many of these blogs helped me and inspired me so to have someone tell me I had done the same thing for them really touched me.

I have 5 areas that I am going to change and focus on for myself.  I will post a little more about each of these changes over the next couple weeks.  Then I plan to do check in posts each month.  I will post tips, fun ideas for that topic, and what I am currently working on.  Sometimes I will post a challenge if anyone wants to join in on the fun with me.

Here are the 5 areas:

1. Fitness and Health
2. Career
3. Living Space
4. Simplify and Organize
5. Hobbies and Interests

Oh and as a bonus I will have some fun posts with tips about Disneyland and trips to Disney. If you know me well you know I love Disney.  I get asked questions about my experiences, where to stay, when to go and what I do when I go to the parks. I thought it would be good to put it all in one place.  

Life is Simply Amazing

Yes, if you take the first letter of each of those words it spells out my first name.  I love that I discovered that late last night.  Life really is amazing.  The past month has been wonderful.  I have had some great experiences.  I have met some wonderful new people and rekindled some old friendships  I have also learned some things about myself over the past few months.  During the year that I completed my Half Marathon I learned that I can accomplish anything even hard things.  As I stated in my blog post about the Half when I crossed that finish line something inside me clicked. Unfortunately that feeling did not stay with me for very long.  I got home and some negative influences and negative talk began and brought me down.  Well about a month ago something clicked again.  I wouldn’t say it was the same click as after my Half but it made me think and created a spark of motivation and excitement. I realized that I had gotten myself into a rut.  I had started to make some really good changes in my life during 2014 but I got lazy in 2015.  Honestly, I lost myself.  I can’t explain the click or what happened because it was a very personal experience.  I can say that I found part of myself that had been hidden for a long time below anxiety, depression, stress, negative talk and self doubt.  About two weeks ago I decided it was time to make some changes.  I didn’t know what those changes would be until last night.  I am super excited to introduce some of those changes to my social media followers.  I have been amazed at some of the things life has thrown at me.  They haven’t always been good but I have chosen to focus on the good because I am a better person when I am positive and happy. We all are really! 

Fitness Update - Week 34

Sunday August 16
No run
Fitbit log 7,776

Monday August 17
1.0 mile 14:05 min
Fitbit Log 10,752

Tuesday August 18
2.0 miles 31:21 min
Fitbit Log 10,047 

Wednesday August 19
1.0 mile 16:05 min
Fitbit Log 6,268

Thursday August 20
2.5 miles 41:07 min
Fitbit Log 10,242

Friday August 21
No run
Fitbit Log 4,817

Saturday August 22
3.0 miles 45:04 min
Fitbit Log 8,051


Number of Miles This Week: 9.5
Month to Date Miles: 40
Month to Date Loss/Gain: -2
Year to Date Loss/Gain: -11.3
 

I will be back in training starting next week.  I have decided to run in the Tinker Bell Half Marathon in May.  I made the decision just in time to do the training method twice.  I am determined to be better prepared this time around.  Thankfully I am already in better shape than I was a year ago when I completed the Disneyland Half Marathon.  My heart is stronger and my pace is faster so I am excited to see where I will be in 38 weeks.  I am going to do 19 unofficial training weeks and then begin the Official Training schedule starting January 4^th.   The race is on May 8^th.

Fitness Update - Week 28

Sunday July 5

No run

Fitbit log 11,542

Monday July 6

1.5 miles 23:08 min
Fitbit Log 13,497

Tuesday July 7

2.0 miles 41:53 min
Fitbit Log 11,201

Wednesday July 8

1.0 mile 17:12 min
Fitbit Log 3,695

Thursday July 9

3.0 miles 52:26 min
Fitbit Log 12,583

Friday July 10

1.0 mile 16:53 min
Fitbit Log

Saturday July 11

1.0 mile 16:55 min
Fitbit Log

Number of Miles This Week: 9.5

Month to Date Miles: 15.35
Month to Date Loss/Gain: -0.1
Year to Date Loss/Gain: -8.3

The Single Life-Up and Down

The past year has been up and down for me.  I have been dating again which has been good.  I didn’t realize how much I missed dating life.  It isn’t always easy and things don’t always work out like I hope but at least I am trying again.  I had given up for about 10 years because I decided that I was too old to be dating, I wasn’t feeling very good about myself and I didn’t think there was even a chance of meeting someone.  But a wise friend told me to never give up.  As you may remember from one of my former posts I talked about trying out online dating.  Since that post I have been out with 5 different men. At this time none of those have turned in to a relationship and that has been a little hard for me.  However, I have learned a lot from each of them and I am not giving up hope.  I have learned again what I am looking for in a future husband and I have also learned to love myself again.  There is a saying that says you can’t love someone else if you don’t love yourself.  There have been several times in my life where I was not happy with myself and did not love myself.  I didn’t feel beautiful or worth being with anyone.  My self-esteem was really low if almost non-existent for a time.  Little by little each of these dating experiences has changed how I feel about myself and I have learned that I am a strong, smart and beautiful woman with a lot to offer.  I don’t mean that to sound prideful or boastful but if you knew how low I felt for several years you would know how far I have come.  It just goes to show that sometimes words can hurt.  So since August of last year I have been growing and trying to improve myself and be brave in my dating life.  Right now I am currently not dating anyone.  I needed to take a break because the last “relationship” was a bit of a heart breaker for me.  My heart needs to heal and trust that I will meet someone who cares about me as much as I care about him.     

 

Fitness Update - Week 27

Sunday June 28
No run
Fitbit log

 

Monday June 29

1.0 mile
Fitbit Log 10,072

Tuesday June 30

2.0 miles
Fitbit Log 11,355

Number of Miles This Week: 3

Month to Date Miles: 50.41

Wednesday July 1

1.23 miles 21:27 min
Fitbit Log 10,183

Thursday July 2

2.0 miles 42:15 min
Fitbit Log 15,249

Friday July 3

No run
Fitbit Log 13,663

Saturday July 4
3.12 miles 54:13 min
Fitbit Log 13,239

Number of Miles This Week: 6.4

Month to Date Miles: 6.4
Month to Date Loss/Gain: 0
Year to Date Loss/Gain: -8.2

Fitness Update - Week 26

Sunday June 21
No run
Fitbit log 3,533

Monday June 22

1.0 mile 18:49 min
Fitbit Log 10,111

Tuesday June 23

2.0 miles 37:32 min
Fitbit Log 10,439

Wednesday June 24

1.5 miles 26:45 min
Fitbit Log 7,168

Thursday June 25

2.0 miles 37:46 min
Fitbit Log 13,333

Friday June 26

1.5 miles 26:48 min
Fitbit Log 6,790

Saturday June 27

3.0 miles 60:00 min
Fitbit Log 12,760

Number of Miles This Week: 12

Month to Date Miles: 46.5
Month to Date Loss/Gain: +0.5
Year to Date Loss/Gain: -10.5

Fitness Update - Week 25

Sunday June 14
1.0 mile 16:53 min
Fitbit log 3,412

Monday June 15

1.0 mile 16:44 min
Fitbit Log 6,897

Tuesday June 16

2.0 miles 39:34 min
Fitbit Log 7,122

Wednesday June 17

1.5  miles 26:48 min
Fitbit Log 5,012

Thursday June 18

2.0 miles 38:34 min
Fitbit Log 7,206

Friday June 19

1.5 mile 29:40 min
Fitbit Log 4,027

Saturday June 20

3.0 miles 56:19 min
Fitbit Log 9,404

Number of Miles This Week: 12

Month to Date Miles: 34.5
Month to Date Loss/Gain: +1.7
Year to Date Loss/Gain: --9.3

I'm back

I took a rather long break from my blog posts but I am back.  I haven't stopped my fitness and training.  I will probably go back and add those posts so I have a record of what I accomplished over the past few months.  I just got so busy with life that I haven't had much extra time to write my posts.  Well life changes everyday and I suddenly have found myself with free time in the evening again.  I will share a little more about that in The Single Life post later this week so stay tuned. 

I am excited to be back to my blogging and look forward to sharing my fitness, training and other posts with everyone.  I have been inspired by many other bloggers and Youtube personalities throughout the past couple years and just hope that I can do the same with my blog. 

Fitness Update - Week 9

Sunday February 22--No run
Fitbit log 3,782 steps

Monday February 23--No run
Fitbit log 11,372 steps

Tuesday February 24--4.0 miles 1:12:26 min (Nike+ indoors) 
Fitbit log 10,775 steps

Wednesday February 25--3.0 miles 57:28 min (Nike+ indoors) 
Fitbit log 7,184 steps

Thursday February 26--4.0 miles 1:01:02 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 11,372 steps

Friday February 27--No run
Fitbit log 10,173 steps

Saturday February 28-No run
Fitbit log 1,020 steps

Number of Miles This Week: 11
Month to Date Miles: 38
Pounds Lost/Gain This Week: 0
Month to Date Loss/Gain: 0

I earned a new Fitbit badge this week. 990 lifetime miles

Fitness Update - Week 8

Sunday February 15--No run
Fitbit log 3,782 steps

Monday February 16--No run
Fitbit log 11,372 steps

Tuesday February 17--3.0 miles 58:05 min (Nike+ indoors) 
Fitbit log 10,775 steps

Wednesday February 18--No run 
Fitbit log 7,184 steps

Thursday February 19--4.0 miles 1:14:13 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 11,372 steps

Friday February 20--3.02 miles 56:55 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 10,173 steps

Saturday February 21-No run
Fitbit log 1,020 steps

Number of Miles This Week: 10
Month to Date Miles: 27
Pounds Lost/Gain This Week: 0
Month to Date Loss/Gain: 0

Fitness Update - Week 7

Sunday February 8--No run
Fitbit log 4,911 steps

Monday February 9--No run
Fitbit log 10,775 steps

Tuesday February 10--1.01 mile 16:14 min (Nike+ indoors) 
Fitbit log 11,974 steps

Wednesday February 11--2.0 miles 36:00 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 11,915 steps

Thursday February 12--No run
Fitbit log 11,550 steps

Friday February 13--No run
Fitbit log 12,441 steps

Saturday February 14--No run
Fitbit log 10,776 steps

Number of Miles This Week: 3
Month to Date Miles: 17
Pounds Lost/Gain This Week: 0
Month to Date Loss/Gain: 0

Fitness Update - Week 6

Sunday February 1--No run
Fitbit log 5,860 steps

Monday February 2--1.0 mile 18:29 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 11,974 steps

Tuesday February 3--No run 
Fitbit log 12,572 steps

Wednesday February 4--3.0 miles 47:28 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 11,324 steps

Thursday February 5--3.0 miles 50:40 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 11,804 steps

Friday February 6--3.01 miles 50:04 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 11,759 steps

Saturday February 7--4.0 miles 1:05:07 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 16,453 steps

Number of Miles This Week: 14
Month to Date Miles: 14
Pounds Lost/Gain This Week: 0
Month to Date Loss/Gain: 0

Fitness Update - Week 5

Sunday January 25--2.0 miles 38:12 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 10,019 steps

Monday January 26--5.0 miles 1:26:02 min(Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 14,143 steps

Tuesday January 27--3.01 miles 56:11 min (Nike+ indoors) 
Fitbit log 11,352 steps

Wednesday January 28--2.01 miles 37:31 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 12,111 steps

Thursday January 29--2.01 miles 33:49 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 10,374 steps

Friday January 30--3.01 miles 57:50 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 10,651 steps

Saturday January 31--6.01 miles 1:55:28 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 16,951 steps

Number of Miles This Week: 23.05
Month to Date Miles: 50.07 miles  
Pounds Lost/Gain This Week: 0
Month to Date Loss/Gain: -3.5

Fitness Update - Week 4

Sunday January 18--2.26 miles 39:34 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 10,294 steps

Monday January 19--1.0 mile 20:10 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 10,357 steps

Tuesday January 20--3.52 miles 53:49 min (Nike+ indoors) ***FASTEST 5K 46:11*** 
Fitbit log 10,383 steps

Wednesday January 21--2.01 miles 31:55 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 10,669 steps

Thursday January 22--No run 
Fitbit log 7,732 steps

Friday January 23--No run
Fitbit log 5,412 steps

Saturday January 24--No run
Fitbit log 2,959 steps

Number of Miles This Week: 8.79
Month to Date Miles: 27.02 miles  
Pounds Lost/Gain: -1
Month to Date Weight Loss/Gain: -3.5 

Fitness Update - Week 3

Sunday January 11--No run
Fitbit log 2,870 steps

Monday January 12--1.01 miles 16:08 min (Nike+ indoors) 
Fitbit log 8,365 steps

Tuesday January 13--1.0 mile 17:53 min
Fitbit log 11,064 steps

Wednesday January 14--No run
Fitbit log 5,136 steps

Thursday January 15--3.17 miles 49:21 min (Nike+ indoors) 
Fitbit log 11,629 steps

Friday January 16--1.00 mile 17:58 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 10,948 steps

Saturday January 17--No run
Fitbit log 7,874 steps


Number of Miles This Week: 4.17
Month to Date Miles: 18.23 miles  
Pounds Lost/Gain: 0
Month to Date Weight Loss/Gain: -2.5

Fitness Update - Week 2

Sunday January 4--No run
Fitbit log 4,807 steps

Monday January 5--1.0 miles 16:25 min (Nike+ indoors) 
Fitbit log 11,185 steps

Tuesday January 6--2.01 miles 31:31 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 10,108 steps

Wednesday January 7--1.01 miles 15:53 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 12,855 steps

Thursday January 8--No run
Fitbit log 6,954 steps

Friday January 9--2.03 miles 34:44 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 14,098 steps

Saturday January 10--3.01 miles 53:54 min (Nike+ indoors)
Fitbit log 13,508 steps


Number of Miles This Week: 9.06
Month to Date Miles: 14.06 miles  
Pounds Lost/Gain: -2
Month to Date Weight Loss/Gain: -2.5