From the Diary of a Productive Girl

I feel like I've gotten nothing done at work over the past three weeks other than adding things to my to-do list. It happens. We all have those weeks. Monday I went and hid in an empty office upstairs so no one could find me. And today I went into the office until noon then worked from home the rest of the day. And let me tell you, there is nothing better than working from your bed in your pajamas. And unlike some people that I know who get distracted, when I work from home I'm way more productive than when I'm at the office.

Best of all? The items that have been sitting on my to-do list forever (timesheets, reading documentation, creating process flow docs) because they take a concentrated amount of time...DONE! There's nothing better than checking off something that's been carried over for weeks, or months because you just couldn't get to it.  I'll be a little more patient tomorrow when I go back into the office because my list will now fit onto one page. And there is nothing more stressful than having a two page to-do list. There's always something on the other page that you're forgetting.

So hurray for laptops. And pajamas. And being able to walk into my kitchen to make myself a snack cherry vanilla smoothie whenever I feel like it.

Step 1: Write It Down

In everything I've ever seen and read about making exercise a habit and losing weight, one of the most important of sticking to any plan is writing. Writing down your stats at the beginning, writing down what you eat, writing down your workout/eating plan for the week, and so on. Apparently there's some sort of connection to writing things down that makes it more real. Like if you write something down, you won't ignore it as easily as if you just thought about it. As I mentioned in my post last week, I joined a two-month get in shape competition at work that starts Monday. The goal is to get in the best shape possible and whoever does that, wins.

Since apparently writing is such a big connection to sticking to good health habits, I'm going to track my progress here. Maybe that'll give me something to write about as well. On Sunday I'll post a quick recap of the previous week and a look at the meals and workouts for the week ahead. And on Monday, I'll post my weight and any difference from the previous week.

I did all the prep work today - took measurements, looked up some good healthy recipes, stocked up on good food, and planned out my schedule. So let's start it off right with those lovely measurements.

**Since I didn't want the entire world to know all of my actual measurements, I've added an obscure, only known to me, number to all of these measurements. I'll use the same number throughout so I can measure any changes.

Stat	3/25/2011
Weight	179
Neck	55
Chest	83
Below Bust	69
Waist	69
Hips	79
Butt	80
Thigh	65
Calf	57
Bicep	53
Forearm	51

Thursday Thoughts

I'm trying to find my blogging groove again. I've been all about book reviews but have lacked in the regular blog post department lately. When I used to blog on a regular basis (like in 2009), I would just post about whatever was going on at that point in my life. What I was doing, feeling, and thinking. So to attempt to get back into the groove, here are some things I've been thinking lately.

I hope BYU never does well in sports again. Not really, but I just can't take games like tonight's loss against Florida. I was literally sick for hours afterward because of the ups and downs in that game. And as much as I love Jimmer, I kind of wanted someone to give him a good kick in the butt tonight when he just kept putting up threes that he couldn't hit. Still proud to be a cougar.

It was a weird work week. It started out on Monday with an hour long conversation with my bosses where I almost broke down from feeling overwhelmed. And then today, I came home feeling more hopeful and optimistic than I have since probably last August.

Not sure if it was just sheer desperation for motivation or what, but I joined a two-month fitness competition with a bunch of people at work for a cash prize of somewhere between $150-$200. A fitness challenge that I probably can't win but I'm going to give it my best shot.

I have a lot of clothes but there is something about buying and wearing new clothes that gives me a sense of confidence and excitement. For some reason even if I don't love it, wearing a new shirt just says, "It's going to be a good day." That and getting my hair highlighted. Which I may do this weekend.

My iPhone is the worst thing that ever happened to me. It makes it way too easy to say buy now without thinking twice. Not to mention games like Angry Birds, Words with Friends, and Tap Zoo just to name a few. But at the same time, best thing ever. How else would I look up David Cook's version of Hello during American Idol? My laptop? Yeah right.

And on the last note of the night, I hate it when people are in cars in movies and tv shows. I cover my eyes and get all anxious that someone is going to be in a car crash. Because why else would there be a car scene? Closed my eyes through the last few minutes of Grey's tonight because I just couldn't take it. Can't a writer come up with a better way to injure someone than in a car accident?

Life Update #306

I really should be kicked out of the blogging world for neglect. I have been terrible this year about blogging, and I hope that'll get better but I can't make any promises. I used to blog at night while Richie was studying but now that he's off for the year, we tend to spend the nights together doing other things. Hence the blog neglect. So that I don't actually get kicked out, here's a kick update on our lives.

First off, I signed up for the Marine Corp Marathon in October. Yes, I did say marathon as in a full marathon. It sold out in 24 hours so I'm glad that we got in but it's a little daunting. 13.1 miles is one thing, 26.2 is another. But I said this was the year, and this is going to be the year.

Second, I somehow got an eye infection from my contacts (and no it's not pinkeye) so I get to be the really cool girl in her awesomely cracked glasses for the next week. I haven't worn glasses outside of the house since maybe 8th grade so it should be quite the adventure.

Third, my volleyball team made it to the play-offs in our league this week and we're hoping to win yet another championship t-shirt on Wednesday night. And then it might be time for a short break from volleyball.

And finally, we decided after a long week at work that we needed another vacation. Or really I just felt the need to spend money since I haven't in a while. Either way, we are going to Kansas this coming weekend to see my family AND to go to the One Republic/B.O.B concert on Friday night. My little brother is done playing basketball and the rest of my family is on spring break. It should be the exact break I need after a long couple of weeks at work.