Happy Saturday everyone! Hope everyone is doing well. Me? Well this was my view for the last couple days...

Yup, I just spent the last couple days in bed with some kind of bug. I hate being sick, but I can't help but think it's God's way of saying, "If you're not going to give yourself a break, I'm going to make sure you take one!" It also gave me time to think, which in this case is a good thing. The biggest thing I've been thinking about is my blog, and I've decided I'm going to put more energy into it. I had a blog ages ago before a big life upheaval and really enjoyed being part of that community. THIS community. The inspiration, the encouragement, the friendships. I missed that more than I realized!! So I'm back and am looking to get more involved...and I'm incredibly excited by that thought ;)

     Right now I'm searching through blogs finding interesting ones to follow and coming up with ideas to keep my own creative juices flowing so I'll have lots to share as well. I'm also working on getting some more projects done. Right now my focus is on these 3....

1. The string quilts. 

 They are being made with 6 1/2 and 5 1/2 inch foundation squares. I would love to have them done before the snow flies, but, well, we'll just see how that goes ;)

2. This scarf. 

It was started over a year ago and should really be done by now, but my procrastination and my crafting ADHD (you know the "I've got to get this *insert project here* finished OOH!! I need to make that *insert new project here* right now!!" syndrome?) have kept in to UFO status for a while.

3. This doll. 

I made a couple toys for a co-workers kids and he had only asked for something for his youngest two children. As soon as he gave them their new toys his 12 year old wanted one too! So this little guy is going to be detailed up with skateboarding stuff. I really like the size of this doll. He's about 9 inches tall and so stinkin' cute I want to make one for myself!

     Well, here in my neck of the woods it's Sweetest's Day. So that means a busy day at work. So with that I'm off to take on the rest of my day. Hope you all have a wonderful one!!

Much love,

The Tiny Tigress

Finding Balance

It's been quite a while since I've posted. Life has been very busy. Lots of changes! The biggest being I got a new job!! It's tough, physically and mentally, but I LOVE the challenge. With a new job comes a new schedule and that leads to new challenges here at home too. I've also been dealing with this nagging foot/ankle injury. It's been really frustrating because running is one of my biggest stress relievers and I'm not able to run like I was. So all that being said I have been putting a lot of thought into what I can do to get things back on track...to find some balance and get moving forward rather than just maintaining.

     I've started to realize that you can't ignore any area of your well being and hope to thrive, and there are so many areas to invest your energy into. Of course there is the physical, but there's also the spiritual, creativity, family, and rest. After putting much thought into it, I know there were aspects that were getting the lion's share of my attention while others were allowed to shrivel from neglect. My goal right now is to shift my energies and focus to find the optimum levels of effort to put into each area to become my best self.

    So, what's my plan? Well, I'm working on it, but here's what I have so far...

1. Physical. I have been taking a break from running and doing a lot more walking and have come to realize I need to vary my activities to help prevent injury. My goal? When this injury heals I will be running, yes, but I will be mixing in more walking, biking, lifting, Pilates, yoga and more. Just like I love to learn new creative skills, I need to find and try new exercise as well. I'm also going to try to get to bed earlier (I need to focus on this big time), and up my fruit and veggies.

2. Creative. I know I poured a ton of energy into exercise when I was losing weight. Not that I don't want to lose more, but when I was cleaning out my closets I came across a ton of unfinished crafting projects and was overcome with a wave of guilt. Silly? Maybe, but I don't know if that guilt stemmed from the unfinished projects or from knowing I'd been neglecting my creative soul. My goal? To work on a project at least 3 times a week and to focus on finishing some projects before starting a new one. 

3. Spiritual. I'm not usually one to watch evangelists on television, but the other day one happened to come on tv and for whatever reason I couldn't bring myself to change the channel...and it turned out to be a good thing! His message was about stress and where you place your emotional energy. It was something I needed to hear, and it made me realize that I needed to invest more energy into my spiritual life. My goal? I found this little devotional journal and I am going to try to make time every morning and evening to put more focus into this area. Take some time to be thankful, pray and just reflect on the important things.

4. Family. It's amazing how fast time flies. It's seems like just yesterday my kids were little. Watching Micky Mouse and Nick Jr. and I was the center of their universe. Now they're watching American Ninja Warrior, Red Band Society and chatting with their friends on the Xbox and Kik. I know that it won't be long before they're full grown with lives of their own. It makes me sad and proud at the same time, but I'm realizing my time with them is more and more important. My goal is to find a way to make sure to spend time with them whenever I can. To make time for them when they want to be with me. I'll always be able to find time for myself but as they get older I know my time with them is getting a bit shorter and that makes it more precious!

     There are other areas I need to work on as well, but to me, these are the big four. I'm hoping to find a better balance over the next few months so I can head into 2015 in the best shape (physically, spiritually, emotionally, financially) as I can. Also, I'm going to try to blog more. I'm hoping it will help to motivate me and keep me on track. So there you go. If you need to find balance like me I encourage you to make a plan. We can do this. Here's to becoming our best selves in every possible way!!

Much love,

The Tiny Tigress ;)

Blogilates, running, and the permission to be me

So, I'm going to go about this a different way. I don't know that anyone is even reading this, so that being said, I am truly going to treat this like a web log....an on-line diary of my fitness routine, thoughts and randomness that I can look back on to see what worked what didn't and what motivated me at my best times. So with that little disclaimer out of the way, here I go!

     So, I downloaded the Blogilates app the other day. I can honestly say I don't know why I waited so long to get on the Blogilates train like a beast to look like a beauty bandwagon!!! I am in LOVE with the program after only 2 videos!! I can see this becoming a regular addition to my running. A new addiction. A new passion.  I love that there are videos, forums and recipes at my fingertips. I tried the mug muffin recipe (but added some pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger and honey) and it was AMAZING!

As I type I'm also making a grocery list in my head of the things i need to buy to try other recipes! Number one on my list? Healthy boba tea!!!!

After having an awesome run on Saturday I am feeling some serious achiness in my ankle. I think I'm going to be trading in views like this...

for views of a cinder block wall for a good chunk of my runs. I can really tell a difference when I run on the more forgiving treadmill deck. Also going to be doing more research on what more I can do to treat my ankle at home.

Well, I just have to get through one more shift and I have two whole days to devote to family, fitness and my favorite things. Have a great Sunday!!

Much love,

The tiny tigress 

But what if it is broke?

If it's not broke, don't fix it! It's a saying we've heard many times, and there's a lot of truth in it. If you find something that works for you...consistantly...you get results from it and it makes you happy, by all means don't change it!! An example in my personal experience is running. For me it is the most effective exercise to lose weight and (besides that) running just makes me insanely happy.

     On the other hand it can be hard to let go of something that used to work for you but no longer does. I don't know if it's the memories and happy thoughts you get from remembering how it was working for you. Or maybe holding on to the hope that things may change and it will work again, but in all honesty, sometimes you need to take a step back and take an objective look at something and decide if it's worth holding on to. Case in point...one of my social media accounts. I struggle every day with the decision of do I keep or delete it. It was the account that got me back on track. I met lots of great people and found so much motivation there. It was a joy to log in everyday and see what was new, get inspired then crush my workout. Not to mention to just have a community of people who didn't think you were crazy for wanting to run/lift/yoga/exercise your day away. I loved it. Then in recent months it changed. The spark was gone and it morphed from fitness focused to sarcasm, pity parties, vulgar posts with the occasional fitness post thrown in. To be honest I've only been on that account a couple times in the last week. It makes me sad to see what it's become, but for some reason I just can't bring myself to delete that account.  

    I think this applies in other areas as well. Your job. Relationships. People in your life. Habits. Things change...people change, and you need to listen to you heart and your gut and make the changes you need to to make your life the best possible life you can live.

    Things in life can lift you up or pull you down. Everything you do can be viewed as a balloon or a lead weight. Some things morph from one to the other. The trick is to be able to see that change and to know when to cut free from the lead weight so the balloons can lift you higher.

      I've found new social outlets. Ones that are much more focused on the things I want to be. Ones that make me happy, and truly my heart is there, not with my old account. I really feel it's time for me to move on to bigger and better. Time for me to cut that lead weight loose so I can turn my focus to the higher places the balloons are going to help me reach. I challenge everyone, if you are going through a rough patch, if you've backsliden, if things just aren't making you happy like they once did, take a step back. Look at what might have changed. Then muster up your courage and cut yourself free from the weight pulling you down. Soar to higher heights, let yourself be happy and reach toward your goals. I have faith in you that you are capeable of great things! Go out there and make them happen. Let's do this! I know we can!

Much love,

The Tiny Tigress