Bored or BORING?  Boredom really is a CHOICE.  Choose to be busy or choose to be bored . . . It really is UP TO YOU!

"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive - it's such an interesting world . . ." ~ L. M. Montgomery

L.M. Montgomery was the author of the Anne of Green Gables books. What an imagination she had! I came across the above quote recently and I got to thinking about just how foreign a concept "boredom" really is to me, when there is literally an endless supply of topics about which to learn, a plethora of experiences to be had and a world rich in beauty, blessings and adventure.

So, whenever my son tells me he's bored, I tell him he's not using his imagination.  He has a room FULL of toys and fun.  I tell him I could give him something to do (i.e. a CHORE!), that way he wouldn't be bored anymore.  He then quickly finds something to do and magically isn't bored anymore!  Funny how that works, isn't it?

When the phrase "I'm bored" creeps into your mind ... READ MORE HERE.

I was chatting with my mom yesterday evening.  She mentioned how she's recently been beating herself up for letting her healthy eating & exercise habits go by the wayside and gaining back what she'd lost.  I know this cycle all too well, having been through it myself so many times before.

I've realized, and was able to relate to her from my own experience, just how unproductive it is to beat ourselves up for the choices we personally make.

I've deliberately stepped off the healthy eating & exercise habit for the past couple of weeks.  It was a conscious choice.  There's no use in looking back and making myself feel bad for doing so.  My mom also chose to hop off the wagon, though from her earlier perspective, reverting to old habits and putting the weight back on seemed inevitable, out of her hands.

I'm really beginning to realize my own personal power over my life.  I can make responsible choices or I can make excuses.  Both take the same amount of energy, yet one produces stunning results, whereas the other keeps us stuck, spinning our wheels.

This evening, my mom and I enter (as competitors and companions) our local downtown YMCA holiday weight loss challenge.  Yes, we will be competing in a weight loss competition OVER THE HOLIDAYS -- the most temptation-filled season of the year. Yikes!  We shall weigh in, take measurements and "before" photos.  January 16, 2013, is our final weigh in date.  On or shortly after this date, she and I will post our final results.

We plan to begin Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred this Thursday morning, November 15, 2012, as well as running, yoga and other various workouts at the Y.  "After Shred" photos and results on or shortly after December 16!

Stay tuned to cheer us on and watch our progress!

~ Chandra S.