Weight Loss Problems

Supplement game on point 

Weight loss is *such* a pain in the you-know-what.

I am rolling my eyes so hard right now that I just saw my own brain. That is how frustrating I am. Not frustrated but frustrating. I know that I want to be healthier and in shape but I cannot seem to get my act together. I am probably doing this challenge like 65% right now because lately I have been having an issue with my nutrition.

Why do I keep getting in my own way? I have lost weight before, I know what I have to do, so what gives?

*sigh*

Have faith in yourself

Working out is not a problem for me whatsoever. In fact, I love it. Do you want to know what else I love? Food. Food, glorious food.

Moving on.

Something cool happened recently. I am finally feeling confident in myself and familiarized with all the machines. Gym time is go a flow time. It feels good knowing that I have good form and knowledge on what the heck I am doing, lol.

Also, I realized that I am finally getting stronger in regards to upper body. I am not going to brag at the pounds because it is very little, lol...BUT...I am getting stronger and the dumbbells I am using are looking less child's play like and a little more impressive, lol. So much for confidence, right?

I am so very thankful for my wonderful Coach Amanda Latona Kuclo and her big heart. Poor lady has so many girls to care after and super fans but she is super gracious and motivating to each and every once of us. Forget the fact that she is a newlywed and moved to a whole new state, but she has a new workout apparel line, has dealt with the flu, apparences, supporting her husband as he prepares for competitions, and I am sure she has her own problems (don't we all) but she is such a trooper! Thanks Amanda!

So I might have hit a little slump with my nutrition but I am fixing that and will continue doing what I can until it is all balanced again.

Thanks for reading!

Julia

Talents and Sharing

One thing I wanted before I began to blog was a watermark for my photographs. Not because my photographs are the best and people are going to rip them off but because I want people to have the ability to come back to my blog should something speak to them.

I came across a lovely lady through the OxyChallenge that is into graphics so I gave it a shot by contacting her right away and she made something super cute and creative. I love how she combined the lemon into the sunflower! So cute! My mind is just not creative like that, hahaha. If you have any graphic needs, please consider Tori and visit her website by clicking [HERE]!

It is wonderful when people share their talents; I wish I were more comfortable with sharing my talents, I suppose that just stems from a lack of self-confidence.

Something super cool happened today during lunch time. I was in need of a cucumber for my lemon chicken salad and I realized that I never purchased any this week at my local farm stand. Not 2 minutes later there was a knock on my front door and my neighbor was there with cucumbers that they grow in their yard. Local, fresh, and organic for the win, boo yeah!

When California is out of this drought, c'mon El Nino!, I am going to grow another veggie garden again and my yard will be gorgeous with sunflowers, hydrangeas, lillies, and various plants for butterflies, considering our town is a huge Monarch Butterfly sanctuary. Also, I want to have bird feeders and a bee water garden. A girl can dream and plan, right?

Do not forget to strengthen your talents every single day and then share them with others. You will bless a life and I know you will feel great making someone's day.

What Doesn't Kill You, Makes You Stronger

The cliffs (East Cliff in particular) have been calling me and I have yet to respond. I was hoping to go for a jog with my best friend tomorrow morning but she will be unable to join me so I will just go for a nice stroll.

One of my favorite self-care dates is a sunrise stroll along East Cliff but the sunrises so early that I have not been for one in months! I cannot wait for sunrise to be a little later in the morning so I can sit by the rocks and drink my warm honey lemon water in absolute peace.

Back to the subject at hand.

I did day 1 of month 2 today at the gym and here I am in bed, moving ever so slightly, and my muscles are already sore, lol. It was lower body day; I did squats and variations of lunges. My glutes were attacked from every single angle possible. I am so thankful for smartphones because I got to review all the demo videos before I tried them out for myself. It is so much information to try to keep track of and it fixes my form.

But the best part?

I did every single workout for today without having to do any modifications or without having to skip some because of my weak back/ankle.

*Snaps for Julia!*

They were not all flawless moves but I committed to them and got them done. YAY!

:::On a side note:::

My most favorite gym employee has been gone for a couple of weeks. Sucks for me because I miss conversing with him but great for him as he has found a better job that he is actually excited about. I was about to begin my cardio when he called my name and I turned around to see him standing before me. I was so excited! For a split second I thought he was back at the gym which made me happy but then horrified so I asked why he was there. He is not into fitness whatsoever, lol. He was there giving out all of his gym affiliated t-shirts he has acquired over the years as an employee and I scored his last two t-shirts. YAY! We chat for a short bit and he was on his way, that may be the last time I ever see him again but hey...at least we got to hug it out and he gave me some t-shirts to remember him by.

:::Cue "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday" by Boys II Men:::

lol.

Today I am thankful for:

1. Naps
2. Chocolate
3. Endorphin's
4. Chocolate, yes I list it twice
5. My job
6. My Dog Kaja
7. Prayer
8. Laughter
9. My Wonder Woman Mother
10. Old Friends

Balance

My best friend surprised me with some red Sunflowers last night at our bi-monthly Movie Under the Stars event that we host at my house. It was such a sweet surprise. I had to take a picture of the beautiful colors and the crazy cool detail of the sunflower and share it with you all.

These past 24 hours have been interesting. I have been absolutely exhausted. I crashed out as soon as our guests left last night and I slept almost 10 hours before it was time to get ready for church. Then, I slept a couple of more hours after I returned from church, lol.

Church was wonderful. I love the people and our friendships. There were words that I needed to hear and impressions that I felt that lead me to action. One thing I want to start doing is send pretty cards to the older ladies from church who are lonely. Whether they are widowed or it is just them and their husbands. Who does not like a thoughtful, random card in the mail? Better than junk mail or bills, right? Also, I got another reminder that I need more spiritual balance. More scripture study, more praying, and more quiet time to receive answers.

As I mentioned above, I have been really tired/sleeping a lot today and as I was waking from my slumber I remembered that tomorrow is the start of Month 2 of the Oxygen Challenge. I wanted to sleep more, lounge in bed with Netflix, but I knew that I needed to strive for progress and success. I have heard that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Soooo...that meant doing some prep work was in order and I did the first step by cleaning the kitchen. How can you weigh, measure, and cook your meals without a clean space, clean pots, pans, utensils, and meal prep containers? It is a step that I often do not think about but starting the week off with a clean kitchen and cleaning as you go is a must! Then, I prepped my breakfast, snack, lunch, and cleaned up again, lol. I will prep my pre and post workout meals when I get home from work tomorrow.

It is time for scripture reading, prayers, and counting my blessings as I fall asleep. It is nice to remember that even in nature - getting down to the nitty gritty - is all about balance.

Goodnight, moon.

Introduction and Purpose

I love lemons.

I love sunflowers.

Obviously enough to name my blog after them but they have a deeper meaning. 

Here is what it stands for on the surface:

• [Lemons] Being Mexican-American I grew up squeezing lemons on everything. That wonderful sour goodness enhances everything! Even thinking about it makes my mouth water; thank goodness we have two lemon trees on my property.
• [Sunflowers] It was during my middle school years that I realized sunflowers made me happier just looking at them and I still love them to this day.

If you know this proverbial phrase, say it along with me,

"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

The lemons in my life that have been handed to me, or sometimes chucked in my face, seem to deal with my experiences with relationships, romantic and platonic. 

One of the biggest lemons that I have dealt with, we're talking the ponderosa lemon kind, has really been all about expectations blowing up in my face. My life is so much different than I thought it would be and it has been rather painful at times.

I have always waited, impatiently, for my "Happily Ever After" but my "Once Upon A Time" is taking a while to kick start since I attract or am attracted to the wrong kind of person. So it is my goal to truly go after things that make me happy. I'm looking to learn things, acquire new skills, grow spiritually, emotionally, physically, etc. So even when the lemons keep coming, I want to be able to take it in stride and use it as a launching pad into better things. 

Lemons with a nasty curve ball are going to come but it is up to us to make the most of it and in my life "light" has been very important to me and is something I always aspire to have. We all have gone through dark times, it helps us weigh the good against the bad. Let me tell you it feels so good when you can see that light at the end of the tunnel and it feels even more glorious when you
are on the other side of that darkness and free from its powerful hold. That is one thing I love about sunflowers, they naturally always face and follow the sun. I did not know that until a few years ago but it is amazing and something I want to do too!

So make sure to check in from time to time as I willingly poke fun at myself because I lack grace. I am a huge dork but I am an open book. I am going to fumble a lot along the way; not because I am naturally clumsy but because I am learning that old ways will not open new doors. 

A lot of my journey will deal with self-care* and self-dates because hey! I'm healing and I need to learn how to love myself and my life first before I can let a person of substance and value bless my life. Here are some things I plan on sharing and if there is anything you would like to share with me or have suggestions/requests please do not hesitate. 

The main bullet points are ideas taken from the following site, please click [here] to read more, the smaller bullet points are what I currently do or hope to begin soon. 

• Physical 
• The Gym Life
• 5k/10k Training/Events
• Physical Rehab (Plantar Fasciitis/Tendinitis)
• Belly Dancing 
• Weight Watchers
• Shopping at local Farmers Markets and Farm Stands
• Cooking/Baking things to nourish and strengthen my body
• Paleo, Clean Eating, Anti-inflammatory, Gluten Free
• Having fun (in moderation) and baking goodies
• Emotional
• Zantangle/Doodles
• Girl Talk: Venting is fine but no whining allowed! Fix it and move on.
• Learn to sew: Anything would be nice but clothes is ideal.
• Gardening: Once California is out of this horrific drought!
• Learn guitar/piano 
• Spiritual (Mine is synonomous with religion: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) 
• Praying/Meditation
• Reading Scriptures/Positive Quotes/Self-help
• Going to Church/Temple
• Being in nature
• Attitude of Gratitude 
• Intellectual: I struggle with this one. Any ideas?
• Critical Thinking
• reading, puzzles, look at situations from different perspectives  
• Career
• Teaching Assistant work
• Social (nurturing relationships with people outside of your immediate family)
• Being open to inspiration to do all things listed below and more
• Calling up a girlfriend for lunch
• Walks with friends to catch up and be healthy at the same time
• Sending notes (snail mail)
• Sending texts
• Relational
• Adventure time! (You'll get a feel for this as you read more about me)
• Dinner Parties
• Heart to Hearts
• #5quekrew
• Celebrations
• Safety and Security
• Thank you, ObamaCare! Check ups are important!
• Budgeting: Such a fun sucking word for me. It limits the fun but thoughtless spending is the worst and adds to the clutter. It is nice to make money but keeping it and building a savings is phenomenal!
• Take care of yourself NOW, even if you feel like you do not need to. Avoid having to "deal with it" especially if it can be prevented.

So there you have it! That is my life in a not so small nutshell. I feel like it is very self-absorbed since I do not have children of my own. Until then I am going to appreciate and respect the time from now until then and have some fun.

Best Wishes,

Julia