Did I say New Years Resolution?

Well if I did, I'm now 6 days in and have not been perfect. (Perfect was never the goal remember, just better - improved - Swap it not Stop it).
To be completely honest, i never actually intended to start this until January 7th, for 2 reasons... we have had family visiting, and they leave for home on the 7th, so we have been having a lot of lunches and dinners out, plus TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!, so I had to have cake! (See in essence today is the 'New Year' for me)

Yes that's right folks, its been a whole year since the Latin themed 40th Bash, and I am now 41 (and at the time of writing still deciding whether to adjust the name of the blog to suit). Right now I am sitting here with my belly so jammed packed with the massive lunch today, no need for dinner.
I have one more day off before I head back to work, and back to the old routine....errrr, actually the old routine for the past few months was bad, so its back to work and a NEW ROUTINE.

Tonight I will be planning, and organising my days ahead to make sure I get through as easily as possible.
First on the agenda is FINDING A GYM.
I have decided that the time has come to become a Gym Bunny again. I realised I was spending $16-$20 a week for 2 exercise classes, and as good as they are, it seems more logical to pay $15-$20 a week for unlimited classes, plus treadmills/bikes/cross-trainers on tap.
I've been checking out the options - What I need is a Gym - Close to home or, with lots of classes, with long opening hours, preferably without a 'lock in' contract, not to overcrowded, a good atmosphere, and ideally a pool as well.... and I can tell you, this does not exist.
The gyms really close to home are 24 hour Gyms, without classes.  The next closest is Goodlife, a nationwide chain, with good hours, and a lot of classes, and priced between $17-$25 per week, the cheapest being a 12 month contract for one branch only, the dearest being a flexi-contract for all clubs in the chain.  I have been to this Gym before and the classes were always really busy/crowded.
Another option is half way between work and home, which is handy because I will be primarily visiting before or after work. Looking at the class schedule, there are almost twice as many class options in the time frames I can go (before work, after work, and weekends), and I have heard that the pricing is $15 pw, two month contract. I haven't experienced it myself, and have both positive and negative feedback from friends, but this is looking like the front runner right now.
Then there is another option, further out of my way, not as many classes, but it does include a pool.  No pricing information on the website... will have to find out more.
Anyway my point is that I really won't know which gym is right for me until I go and try them out myself... and as luck would have it there is a great website called Gym Link where you can download free trial passes for most gyms, so that is what I am going to do.
I'm going to try these gyms (and suffer through the pushy sales pitches) until I find the right fit for me.

As luck would have it, as I was researching Gyms, and checking out their respective facebook profiles, when  I saw that a friend of mine liked a page for a new local Chicks Cross Fit Class.  They had on offer a 7 day trial pass for $7, and I have paid my $7 and booked in for 3 sessions... GULP.   I am quite petrified about this but I am serious about completing this journey so I am going to give it all I have, (for at least 3 sessions anyway).

On a side note, my parents have been here on holiday,(my first Christmas and Birthday with them in 7 years), and the other day my Husband asked my Father what he had enjoyed most on his holiday so far, and he said that it was seeing me so happy and healthy!... that made my spirit sing, and guess what... He aint seen nothin' yet!

Party, Party, Party

I am not a big drinker, I've always said I was a cheap date, one drink and I'm anybody's.... so I was a bit apprehensive about throwing a 40th Birthday Party, a cocktail party at that!


Not a lot to say except, I think the diet went out the window, I managed to stay standing after a mojito, a pina colada or three, and a lot of Sangria.  The night was shared with some awesome friends, and I felt very loved, and very special. I'll let the Pictures do the talking.  Thanks to my amazing cousin Melissa for taking them. 
Oh and I woke up fresh as a daisy.. 40 must be good for me!

A lot to be Grateful for.

On Day 1 I mentioned I was being a little harsh on myself for saying nothing had changed, or nothing was achieved in 2011.  That is not entirely true.


I have created something that I am proud of... It's called "The Grateful List".



Back in 2010, I noticed that so many people would use their Facebook updates to complain, and moan about what was wrong with their lives.  I noticed that if I was having a good day, and I read negative updates, it would actually bring me down a bit. I realised I was a little guilty of this as well. We don't realise we do it, its just a vent, but it's negative energy.  
So inspired by Oprah (yeah she is my Guru) I started as a Daily gratitiude List on my own FaceBook page, and a promise to myself to have only postivite status updates. Before I knew it, it caught on with a few friends, and then their friends. It spread and took on a life on it's own. Who knew Positivity was contagious ♥ ! 
Thanks to my very wise friends and cousins (Melissa & Cyndi) who suggested I make a page for us all to post our lists on.
The idea is to List FIVE things that you are grateful for, daily if possible, but whenever you can. Appreciate the good things♥ It's the writing it down, or verbalising it that makes the difference - just thinking it, doesn't have the same power. A basic Law of Attraction principle, a gratitude list helps attract more positivity in your life.  Another friend of mine Rebecca explained it in the best way.  Everything is energy, everything you say or write is energy.  When energy is expelled from you, it causes a vacuum, and will be replaced with more of the same, so expel positivity, receive positivity.


This Facebook Page now has 394 users, and I know it is not just me who has felt a shift since doing this everyday. There are No Rules, There is No Religious Dogma, You just be grateful for the wonderful things, people and blessings in your life. 
Being grateful for the small things as well as the big things really does make a difference.  I now struggle to see the black clouds, because i see all these silver linings in the way.

Our Wedding Day, July 2000

So hard to find a pic of all 3
- this was a few years ago

Oh and By the Way , Happy Birthday to me... Today I am  40 years old. (officially sometime close midnight NZ time).  I am grateful for everyday of those 40 years. There were days that I struggled to make it through the day and I am grateful to the people in my life who got me through those tough times, because without you I literally wouldn't be here today (you know who you are).  I am grateful for those tough times, because even though it didn't feel like it at the time, they taught me lessons that I see as invaluable now. I am grateful for my wonderful family, My husband who somehow sees me as beautiful regardless of what 'state' I'm.  My 3 wonderful children, who are so smart, so talented, so caring and so special, I love you guys more than you will ever know.  My Mum and Dad, and Sister in NZ, - I didn't realise I would miss you all so much living so far away.  

I am grateful for my 95 year old Nana, for still being here. Although it's hard for her, I am grateful for every extra day we have with you.

I am grateful for Mel, making me do my walk this morning when my  legs didn't want to.

I am grateful for the experience of life, and for the hopes and dreams I now have.

I am grateful for all my wonderful friends and family who have wished me a Happy Birthday, and who will be coming from near and far tomorrow night to help celebrate my 40 years... watch out for the Jan 8th post... all the photographic evidence ...Ha Ha Ha.