Finish a one month challenge

So I have been SUPER (early) on time to everything this week except once, where I was about 5 minutes late to my duty. Of course I have an excellent reason, I didn’t have time to make my copies because I didn’t get there earlier enough. Oy. Oy to me.

It wasn’t a big deal but little things like that tend to creep up on us. I wanted to share this Ted Talk I found. He must have read my one month challenge. I might have to sue him for plagiarism is all I’m saying but enjoy the clip (it’s super short).
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/matt_cutts_try_something_new_for_30_days.html

So this past week, I’ve been back to work (school) and I have been early, on time, to every event that we’ve attended. We had to get on a bus and go somewhere else to meet with all teachers and I totally rocked it by being on time.

I even told my team so that hopefully they can keep me accountable as well. Sometimes sharing goals, helps keeps us on track.

It’s been forever since one of my one month challenges but I think I’m up for this new one.

My new goal is: To be on time.

And what I mean by that is early is on time and on time is late. I’ve been early, i.e. on time, to appointments, classes, etc. this past week and it’s felt great. I can ask questions first, I look like I know what I’m doing (which I never am) and it makes me think of my dad. He was ALWAYS on time. Being late was a pet peeve of his, I think from others, and it’s becoming one of mine. I am always late to things and I HATE it. I always have some stupid excuse, kids, traffic, blah blah blah. This past week, I have given the dirtiest looks to people who are late and when I think about it that people have given me those same looks, I totally deserved it. I always felt like a jerk and just shrugged my shoulder like, “Eh watcha gonna do?”. Uhhh, make more of an effort to be there on time. Duh. It’s rude to walk in late and unprofessional, honestly. Hopefully this huge effort, no…this challenge WILL continue in my life, forever.

My last entry was August! Yeesh! Oh my…

Well for lent, I gave up self doubt and timidness so I’ll go with that for the remainder of March. I asked that guy out, I’m going out for St. Paddy’s Day, the possibilities are quite endless :)

Officially the contest was over on Aug. 3, but we carried it out to the 5th. We both lost 4.4 lbs. but percentage wise I lost more! YAY! We’re doing it again and I’m currently at a weight loss of 3 lbs. but she’s been doing really well lately. She said she lost like 8lbs(gulp). Ultimately, I hope we both lose weight and get healthier but this competition puts a new spin on it.

This will be my goal for this month as well. September will be something different for sure although I think she and I will continue this contest.

So I have lost 4 lbs. since the 3rd which is pretty good I think BUT my friend who is a bit heavier than me, might have lost more and she seems pretty confident too. Hmmm…we are going by percentage so we’ll see…

Tonight, she invited me to play softball with her tonight and to be honest, I did pretty well, sweated a lot and had a great time, most of all.
(Also there was a really cute guy playing with us who was really nice and just adorable. He was a ginger. I love gingers.)

I was really great about reading, working out and living fairly frugally this past month. The magazines or new things, eh not so much. I think I did like 2 things. BUT, overall I would count this as a win. I love reading every night and it makes me feel so complete. I finished a another book too!

NEW GOAL FOR JULY-
Beat my friend in percentage of weight lost.

My best friend and I are trying to lose weight, get fit, etc. So I suggested a contest. Whoever loses the highest percentage of weight, ala the Biggest Loser, will the treat the other one to someplace new & exciting for dinner. Maybe a Jamaican or India place. (I’ll put more in my lose weight goal)

So I clipped out some workout routines from my magazines and I have taped them next to my mirror and will start them this evening. They are doable; I just need to take time for them.

They are “4 Week Results” kind of exercises so we’ll see. I did the obligitory take a picture of myself before the work outs and then we’ll take new ones after the 4 weeks. I know I have the ability to stick to it like I have with the other things in my life that are important, so why don’t I do it with this and stop feeling bad for myself about my looks?

The only thing I haven’t done well is that I have NOT tried a new thing from a magazine from mine although I was reading Sunset Magazine and read about the Verde Valley and how it’s a great wine country kind of trip that I would love to take. That would also incorporate another goal of visiting Jerome, AZ so perhaps…perhaps…

My last entry was from MARCH! Holy crap!

If that’s any indication on how my monthly goals have been, well…
I was able to “save” $100 but within a week I needed it again. I am back on the path to saving. I have a little help from Dave Ramsey and Suzie Orman this time :)

Since summer is here and my regular job is over, I have many side jobs though especially in June, I technically have more time to commit to goals since that pesky 9-5 is outta the way. I will be working on 4 this month.

1. Actually use or try to do something out of a magazine I check out or have WEEKLY. Like a recipe, work out routine, trip idea, etc. I do this very rarely and it’s time to put it into more practice!
2. Read EVERY night. If I want to improve on my money situation and ultimately myself, this is key.
3. Enjoy life frugally. All I need are my boys, my parents and friends and we can have a great time together without going overboard with money (not like I can anyhow!)
4. Get in some activity at least 4 days a week. The boys and I love going out for nightly walks and I need to get back into some yoga for myself/cardio.