Saturday, June 10, 2017

Melting Basket 97


Wax tarts from my last basket I would seek out again: TBG Gardenia Coconut Cream and Pink Sands, CFTKR Sun Kissed Sugarcane, and RG Peppermint/Shaving Cream/Gilligan's Brew (I think this will be either in the Gilligan sampler or offered on its own soon, I recently got to pick its name and chose Winter Mermaid).

Ten Digit Creations- Patchouli Mint
Ten Digit Creations- This Old House
Super Tarts- Dwarf Warrior
Handmade in Florida- Summer Smoothie
Handmade in Florida- The Garden
Vintage Chic Scents- Bogie & Bacall
Vintage Chic Scents- Rose's Powder Room
Lasting Scent Candles- Bliss
Cosmic Cleanse- Fell on Black Days
Cosmic Cleanse- Set Fire to the Rain
Rosegirls- Game Over <3 gift
Rosegirls- 2500 Calories <3 gift
Rosegirls- Triple Berry Jelly Donut <3 gift
Sniff My Tarts- Sandalwood
Sniff My Tarts- Indian Sandalwood
Sniff My Tarts- Buttercream Sprinkles/Sugared Violets
Sniff My Tarts- Strawberry/Vanilla Waffle Cone/Cream Cheese Frosting <3 gift
Sniff My Tarts- Pizzelle/Blackberry and Marshmallow Smoothie <3 gift
Sniff My Tarts- Mango Sorbet/Coconut Cream Pie/Vanilla Waffle Cone <3 gift
Front Porch- Egyptian Musk <3 gift

If you want me to review any of these scents, please let me know which ones in the comments!


 I help take care of our home, our kids, my husband, our pets, my plants and heck, even the kefir grains full of wee yeasties and bacterium on the kitchen counter. But I know I have not been taking care of myself. This is a cycle I often fall into throughout my adulthood. I will be revved up for positive change and eat better, become more active, shed weight and feel amazing, asking myself, "why haven't I been doing this all along?!" Running along a well paved road with my heart hammering and a goofy grin on my face, both literally and figuratively. Then all of a sudden I am not on that track. My eyes blink briefly and find my feet slugging in the mire and tripping in the fiery weeds, not giving a damn what I eat or how long I have lain in bed watching endless TV. The weight is back and then some. The energy is gone. The self-esteem, shot. 


Guys. I am in the mire. Big time. I can blame it on any number of things, including myself first and foremost. But I am trying to step back onto that road. Monday, the first real day of summer break, I began a new routine to try and check myself. I am journaling my food and counting calories and cutting out extraneous sugars and overly processed foods. I am working out again. (Oh God! My butt and thighs hurt.) As an educated woman, I know what to do. The equation is easy but much like following the Ten Commandments or putting others first, the execution can be challenging. But like those other things too, the outcomes and peace of mind (heart and body) are well worth it, if the battle is waged. I am trying to be battle ready.


Some tools I am using:

Food Freedom Forever: Letting Go of Bad Habits, Guilt and Anxiety Around Food by Melissa Hartwig

The Whole 30 by the Hartwigs

I have not read either book yet, but I figure it cannot hurt and maybe I will learn a few things that I can put into action.

Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30

Walking

Water

Pokemon journal for food tracking

Herbal teas (not weight loss teas just so we are clear! Just regular teas as a sort of treat to look forward to)

This is a simple plan and I know it will work for me, as I have lost weight just by tracking my food and working out before (just she says! HA!) but my point is that I know I can do it. I just need more tools to help me catch my backslides more quickly.  I feel like if I can learn what my triggers are and how to deal with them then I might make it. 


And just for transparency and clarity, I am not looking to lose just a handful of pounds. I have quite a load to lift off my burdened body. But the first step in the right direction has taken place.... the step to decide to do it. 

Sandra at Finger Candy is on a journey to better health too, you can read her story here. Do you have goals for better health? How are you accomplishing them? Have you tried the Whole 30 or any type of low carb/clean eating/paleo or whatever lifestyle eating plan? What helps you through the temptations?

15 comments:

  1. Up until recently I was in a funk that lasted about 3 years. I was tired all the time. I legitimately thought there was something wrong with me. Work was so stressful that I ultimately had had enough and asked to step down to a lower position and I've been so happy and energetic since then (this was in April). I never would have guessed that work stress was causing me to feel so bad. I feel like I enjoy life again. So although my problems weren't diet related, I definitely understand being in a funk. I hope that things get better for you soon!

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    1. Oh Martina, three years of funk is not fun. I am glad you were able to pin point what was sapping your energy. Work can do that for sure. But not everyone has the courage to step back and down to maintain their happiness. Much like you, I am content to be in a lighter position that I could/should be. I am plum happy being an assistant teacher. All the fun of the kiddos without any of the paperwork and parent traps. The pay trade off is worth it for me. I am so happy for you!!! And thank you, just taking the first steps has helped inprove my outlook.

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  2. Yay, Julie, it's so great to hear you're feeling that motivating push to get up, do something different, make changes for the better - that's awesome. And thank you so much for drawing a bit of inspiration from my experiences - anything that motivates you, right? I just hope I can help, even as I'm trying to figure this all out myself. :) Wishing you all the luck and sending you big, positive vibes.

    Oh, I really hope you like the Mango Sorbet/Coconut Cream Pie/Waffle Cone guy - it's probably my favourite scent combo, and it turned out *just* the way I wanted it to. Enjoy!

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    1. Thank you. I was wallowing WAY too long.

      I am excited about melting it!! Thank you for sharing your yummy blend! It is thrilling when a custom blend turns out just like you'd hoped. <3

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  3. ROCK ON Julie! I hate how HARD it is as we get older. I'm a huge pattern person and it's all about break those patterns isn't it?
    Starting another wellness challenge through work in a few weeks, with a fitness tracker. If you are like me and need visual prompting-they can be super motivational. I just checked out some sort of fitness DVD from the library, god help me-we'll see. Nothing makes you feel less in shape than hoofing it through NYC for 4 days, so use that as an end goal. Get fit in time for NYC! My knees wish I would have:((
    I wish you such luck and strength:)

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    1. It is harder as I age. And I can pin point many cycles I tend to roll through in my life. Even seeing it coming doesn't always help me side step it. But I can try.

      I am a tracker too. I tend to do it on the old pen and paper route or charts but I am always down for anything (except virtual tracking- trying to limit my techy time). I love fitness DVD's. They are my preferred method of activity. Free and fun!

      You dead on about NYC trips. My dogs were barking last time every night. My friend and I walked non-stop. But all that activity did make food splurging a little bit more easy. Affogato, anyone?

      Thank you, Jay! I appreciate the well wishes!!

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  4. I've gained so much from Whole30! I hope you will find what you are looking for through that program and everything else you're doing. Sending hugs! <3

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    1. I think the Whole30 will be a great way for me to get a better handle on my Sugar Dragon, as she calls it. I am still going to count calories (because I seriously need to get some of this weight off my frame) but still follow the plan. Today is Day 1!!!! Thank you for bringing it into my field of vision. You are an inspiration to me too. <3 Much love to you Nancy!!

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  5. Ever since my teen years, weight has always been on my mind. I've been up with my weight and I've been down with my weight, but it always always always flashes through my brain before every single meal. I am not one of those naturally thin people, I am short and stumpy and I have to work HARD to be thin. I know the struggle. The cycles we get ourselves into. Food is good. Food is bad. Right now, I'm way up. I can't lose my baby weight and it's wearing on me. I thought at 8 months I would have everything figured out but I just can't seem to find any time for myself still. I'm struggling with self-care in general lately and I'm working on it!

    Thank you for sharing your goals with us! It takes a lot of courage to admit that it's time for a change. The Whole 30/Paleo/Primal way of eating is something I have been doing for years now and it is really fantastic! Unfortunately I've slipped into bad habits and lots of convenience food since baby but I'm always on a mission to work my way back to it. I wish you the best of luck with your journey Julie!! It shall be a fantastic summer for you!

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    1. I hope you are giving yourself a little slack. Having a baby in and of itself is a huge body changer, but then add the responsibility (and lack of sleep) of the baby on top and it is a cauldron of crazy. You will get where you want to be though. I know it. The first year was always the most difficult for me. I do hope you are able to break away now and then for some self-care. Gotta have a happy mommy.

      And I totally share the lifelong weight struggles. I have never been "thin" but I have definitely been healthier.

      The low carb plans seem to work best for me since I do get out of control sugar cravings.

      I would like to do some check-ins every now and then just to touch base with my journey. Probably within my melting basket posts.

      Wishing you all the best luck too getting back into a healthier regime. I know you can do it. And I hope you have a happy summer too, taking care of yourself. <3 And that sweet, sweet handsome little boy. Looking forward to meeting him.

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  6. Have you ever looked in to Beach Body programs? I'm the runt of the family, but my sisters have struggled over the years. One became a beach body coach. She ripped a favorite skirt one day and decided enough was enough. She's done very well with the workouts (several for beginners) and the eating (they teach portion control).

    I've always worked out because I enjoy it, but not in over a year. I did the 21 Day Fix workout for fun and enjoyed it back to back three times. It's a great one for beginners! Getting a beach body coach is free. May be worth looking in to... Hugs to you!!

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    1. Hey Amber! Yes, I have looked into it. I had a couple friends hoping to have me join. I like the idea of portion control and the work outs (both very important) but the shakes and the cost were really prohibitive. I am against pills/shakes/prepackaged food for my own personal weight loss though I know it is a huge help and convenience to many. :-) I like to be stubborn and do it the old fashioned way, count calories, less processed junk and getting active. And after a week and a half I am already seeing results. It feels great!

      Thank you for the love and support!! I really, really appreciate it. <3 Hoping you can find some time to be active too. Though I am sure pouring wax and packing orders is quite the workout. I know it sounds strange but even photography for this blog is pretty sweat inducing. The awkward poses and being over and doing isometric holds has me sweating in no time. About to head back into Jillian's world so she can beat me up.

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    2. The shakes are actually optional...except when a coach requires it to be in the challenge group. I understand it, but think it's dumb to require people to spend outrageous money. Are we wanting to help people learn how to eat or make a profit?

      Yes, 11-12 hours a day on my feet is as much working out as I do! :) I do miss kickboxing though. I did thatbfor four years until a wrist injury halted that. Apparently I have a mean right hook ;)

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    3. Kickboxing looks fun. The closest I go to that was old Billy Blanks Tae Bo work outs.

      If we ever get to have lunch or coffee I will make sure I don't piss you off too bad so I don't end up meeting your mean right hook. LOL! :-)

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