Realistic Expectations

I got a facial yesterday, the first in about 7 years. Yikes! Let me tell you, they are not as relaxing as they sound.

Don't be fooled, this IS a weapon

But when she wasn't squeezing 7 years of dirt out of the pores in my face, I began to think about my Year's lessons. I realized that each month is not about becoming an expert in each focus. It's about learning; learning about myself and about taking care of myself. It's a year of really getting to know me, the way my body and mind works and the ways in which I can get out of it the most potential. I'm finding out what works for me; not anyone else. And I'm finding out where fear holds me back.

I'd like to make this year, also, about overcoming some of those fears. For example, during my exercise month, I did not utilize the gym pool as I've wanted to since I signed up for a membership there. I did not take any classes or try any of the weights. I was afraid of new situations and interacting with strangers. Now, even thought my exercise month is over, that doesn't mean my focus on exercise stops, which means I still have time to overcome these fears as I learn more about what causes them and grow to know myself better. During my facial, I did not ask the woman the many questions I had going on in my head because I felt uncomfortable, I was in an unknown situation. But I will work on picking up on those feelings of reservation and try to confront them within myself.

I need to make sure my expectations of this year are realistic. I shouldn't expect to be given a modeling contract once I'm finished. I shouldn't expect that I'll be able to compete in the Olympics or that I'll be a makeup artist. I have to remember that this is a year of self discovery and lessons that I'm in charge of teaching myself. I don't have a huge budget or a lot of time to spend on any one subject. I will not master skin care, makeup application, become a yoga instructor, etc, but I will have a little more knowledge under my belt as long as I keep plugging along. I should not get overwhelmed with all that I don't know, or allow my fears to keep me from doing my research.

I'm excited to see what things I'll discover about myself. This year feels like a journey to the top of a mountain, and my only companion is a version of myself that I've never taken the time to know. We are working together to reach the top, experiencing hardships and successes together which creates an amazing bond. We depend on each other, we lean on each other. And excitingly, I really like that person I'm getting to know!

Kinda like this!

Interweaving of the Months

The biggest thing I'm finding with this year challenge is how difficult (and unnecessary?) it is to keep each month's goal separate, meaning not working on month 7's goals in month 3, etc. This month, I've been learning about, buying, and trying skin products. However, not as in depth as I had imagined I would when I started this whole thing. Instead, I find I'm working just as hard at relationships (February's topic) having joined a few dating sites, career (December), and I guess you could consider my book writing as Hobby (March).

I feel a little disappointed that I have not had such life-changing revelations in month 2 and 3 as I did in month 1. My 'fitness' feels to still be a little lacking and so far I have not gotten a real grasp on what I need to be doing in terms of skin care and make up application.

But, as I said when I started this entry, how necessary is it to keep things separate and do them only when I've allotted them to myself to do? Why can't I dabble in things if I feel moved to do so? If I don't feel motivated to learn about exercises but I do want to find out the best way to get my hair cut to frame my face, that little bit of research can at least be sought out and saved for use when hair month comes up.

This year is about progress and knowledge. As long as I continue using this time to learn, I hope that I won't feel regret at the end of it.

Face Facts

Let's begin with changes to my skin simply from the change in diet.

Beginning

Present

I guess it's really hard to tell by cell phone picture. But less bagginess under the eyes, more even skin tone, etc. And a friend has told me that my pores seem smaller and my overall complexion seems to have improved over the last two months.

Here are a few things I've discovered so far in my skin research:
The obvious- Sunscreen! No smoking.
Treat skin gently- shorter, cooler showers, soft soaps, shave carefully, pat dry and moisturize.
Eat healthy
Cleansing only at night (it is possible to over cleanse)
Remove eye makeup with proper makeup remover, do not rub or pull
Hot and cold water can cause broken capillaries
Exfoliate once a week
Moisturize, but not overly so as it can clog pores

I was actually amazed at how many skin treatments I found that can be made using foods I already have in my kitchen. For instance, here is the recipe for a homemade face mask:
1/2 avocado, 1/4 cup of honey. Apply and leave on 10 minutes.
Also, Homemade skin lotion- 1tsp of honey, 1 tsp of lemon juice, 1/2 c of water.
Easy and all natural! Can't wait to try these!

 So far, I've purchased a facial cleanser: Purpose brand which I read was a good, gentle one

An exfoliating body wash
Eye makeup remover: store brand that compares to Neutrogena
Face lotion with 15 spf: store brand that compares to Olay
Body lotion which I'm applying after showers: Aveeno Creamy Moisturizing Oil

Now on to learning about makeup application!

Month 3 begins!

Well, this year-train seems to be chugging along! Here I am in my 3rd month. And this will be the month of skin and makeup.

"You can't see me!"

Here are my goals for the month.
-Begin a exfoliation and lotion regimen for face and body
-Watch makeup tutorials to learn new tricks and put them into practice
-Research products for washing, moisturizing, makeup, etc, focusing on organic products whenever possible
-Research foods that are great for the skin
-Begin a makeup and face washing regimen
-Learn the best techniques for product application
-Discover what best keeps skin looking youthful
-Find a good deal on one esthetician service to discover what problem areas I may have
-Consult someone in makeup for best colors and products for my skin type and tone

Month 2 Wrap Up

Up until this morning, I was beginning to feel a little guilty about my month two goal keeping.  I'll be honest here, I never put together a workout plan, I didn't stick very well to doing yoga and core workouts. But then this morning, I began to think about what I did do. I discovered a deep passion for hiking, and through that, other great things have developed. I discovered through hiking, how much I value that time on my own the be with my thoughts, to be in the open air, and to have the blood pumping to my brain. During those hikes, I came up with several script ideas, one that I actually wrote down from beginning to end and am on the 3 draft of rewriting. It's a complete story! If you don't know much about me, that is saying a lot! I have no problem coming up with one chunk of a story, but I can never find my way to a satisfying ending. And if I do, the minute I speak the story idea aloud, I instantly hear how ridiculous it sounds. Well, not this time! I read the 2nd draft aloud with my friend and business partner, Mike, and it seemed a good kernel to build into something great! He seemed to like it too, which is always encouraging.

So what I let myself discover this morning was, sure, I didn't get all toned in one month from kicking my ass at the gym. But I did find how exercise can grow into a passion and can lead into other passions. It made me realize that maybe exercise doesn't always have to be painful and challenging and something to force yourself to go do at the gym so you can get home and watch TV. I'm going to go easy on myself because of this realization. I still have those workout goals that I spoke of at the beginning of Month 2, and I still will continue to work on them. But I'm not going to say that I didn't learn anything this month. Besides, what I'm starting to realize about this year thing is that, yes, I use the specified month to focus on one thing and learn about it, but the application of what I learn continues for the rest of my life.  I don't have to master it in that one month span. It's made so obvious in the application of my food month throughout this 2nd month. I've learned what works and what is important about what I eat, and I've been applying it this month and growing in confidence in the application. And it has certainly effected the exercise part as well as skin, hair, etc.

I look forward to the months ahead and continuing to apply the lessons I've learned in this exercise month, as I move forward.

Now the stats:

I weighed in at 167 when I began this month. At one point I got down to 159, but am currently sitting at 161. (I'm going to blame muscle mass :) So that is a loss of 6 more lbs. Total loss: 18 lbs.

Beginning - 179 lbs

End of Month 1 - 167 lbs

End of Month 2 - 161 lbs

End of Month 2

I will include a skin picture later.

I feel great!

After being away for a week for a family funeral, I've gotten back into a good eating routine, including many of the super foods I've read about, and it is paying off! I'm in a great mood, and yesterday I wrote 15 pages of a story that's been brewing in my mind! And I only stopped because it was after midnight, but the ideas are still flowing.

Every morning, I get up and make my "super food smoothy" for breakfast which includes juiced kale, apple, ginger, cucumber and carrot. Then in the blender, I blend that with things like banana and blueberries and then I add in all my super-super foods.

 I've spent a TON of money on these at Whole Foods the last couple of shopping trips, but I'm hoping they'll last awhile. They include:

• Maca powder - Benefit, to name a few: An adaptogen, rebuilds weak immune systems, re-mineralize poorly nourished bodies, and increase energy and endurance.

• Aloe Vera - An antioxidant and cancer fighter, Oxygenates blood and energizes cells, hydrates skin and repairs skin tissue, heals internal digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, acid reflux - cleanses the intestinal tract, makes "sticky" blood "unsticky," and boosts the oxidation of your blood, plus circulation, Boosts cardiovascular performance and physical endurance, Stabilizes blood pressure and reduces triglycerides

• Cacao powder - Antioxidants, Neurotransmitters, Essential Minerals, Essential Fats

• Super green powder which includes Spirulina and Blue Green Algae - Nutrient-rich and highly digestible. It contains 60% high quality protein, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and enzymes. It is an excellent source of beta-carotene and many vitamins, minerals, and trace elements.

• and Royal Jelly - Contains an extraordinarily high concentration of vitamins B5, B6, and amino acids and is believed to be a potent antioxidants and a special rejuvenating substance that promotes tissue growth, muscle and cell regeneration

Then I make a large salad that serves as basically two meals with quinoa, pine nuts, onions, carrots, etc etc.

I toss together some cashews, cacao nibs, and goji berries into a sort of trail mix.

And then I usually bring some sort snack; apples, guac and pita chips, bread and organic peanut butter, homemade cucumber and avocado rolls.

 This is the book I've been reading to learn about all these amazing foods that you don't often hear about.

And here's a little instructional video I made to show how I make my super smoothies.

I've lost 20lbs on this journey thus far and the 2nd month isn't even over yet. The exercise part has been a little more tough to get a handle on. I'm loving the 2 hour hikes I get in on the weekends but during the week, I'm finding it a little harder to discipline myself. For example, last night I planned to go to the gym and clean my apartment, but I came home from work with this story idea in my head and part of it written at work, and I couldn't not sit there and let my fingers move until it was all out on the page.  And they just kept moving so I kept sitting. And then suddenly it was after midnight.

Oh! And I don't think I've mentioned it in any other blogs, but since I started the juice reboot, I've gone vegan (except for honey products)! I NEVER thought I'd say that, not in a million years. But as I keep telling everyone, I don't miss things so much. In fact, I'm discovering lots of new things I really like because I'm having to get creative. Except when I was with family who were noshing on comfort foods before and after the funeral, I'm not tempted to eat any of that stuff. Those brownies and sausage links and cheesy eggs did look delicious, but when I'm not limited to eat whatever is available in someone else's house, I have no trouble fulfilling my every food craving.
And I found when I crave, it's easy to see that it's obviously something I haven't had enough of that day. For instance, I'll crave avocado if I need more fat, or black beans or chickpeas if I need more protein. If I see someone snacking on a delicious sweet, I pop some cacao nibs in my mouth and am completely satisfied.

Hiking Tips for the Apocalypse

One thing I've discovered this month is that I am addicted to hiking. I love it. And not just when escaping flooding, enemy invasion, or zombies who can't climb hills well. I would go everyday if it weren't for the fear of Mountain Lions making me into a cheeseburger.

Tip #1 - Mountain Lions want to eat you.

"Sssh. I just want to cuddle."

There have been several sightings in the hills and neighborhoods around the trails I hike. Mornings and evenings are when they come out and unfortunately those are the only times on weekdays I'm able to go, so I'm limited to Saturday and Sunday.

So it's time to find out if punching a Mountain Lion is the only way to protect myself from these guys.

Tip #2 - Don't eat poison.

When the apocalypse happens, I may not have time to whip up several batches of superfood smoothies, so I've decided it's time to become knowledgeable about the wildlife of Southern California so I'll know which plants fit into my new "eat well" lifestyle (ie. the ones that won't kill me).

"I knew this plant was delicious before the apocalypse."- Hipster Raw Vegan

Tip #3- Carry something stabby.

Because MOUNTAIN LIONS!
 

Tip #4- Be open to social interactions.

I have several apocalypse contingency plans, one of which is being friendly with the neighbors solely for the reason that I may have to rely on them for supplies. But it may also come to a point where I'm injured on the trail somewhere because I just beat up a cougar and a stranger happens along.

"I come prepared for every situation, milady."

Now, my initial response would probably be to say calmly "I HAVE A KNIFE. I PUNCHED A CAT! DANDELIONS!!" I'm assuming, here, that I may be a little panicked and dehydrated. But the appropriate reaction might be to assess the stranger's danger level (I would still definitely say that to the guy above) and perhaps let him assist me. You never know, one might even find love on the road to apocalyptic salvation.

"I'm here to rescue you. I...I got a little warm on the hike up here."