April Challenge

To help myself I am doing a 31 day less spending more saving challenge. The sad truth is I probably need about three months of this challenge. I also have really been searching and processing blogs. I found some blogs, aj wears clothes and Into Mind today. Well actually A.J. I had found before but didn't really give it a go. I had been following some other blogs but they just haven't been feeling right for me. I think a lot of it is their style and mine don't match, their life styles and mine don't match, and I really need to work on figuring out what my style is. I slightly worked on this last year but the truth is I still struggle. I want to buy often instead of really working my wardrobe. I love love putting me together. She is amazing at working her wardrobe.

One challenge for me has been my weight. It has fluctuated so much this year I haven't been able to really work my closet.

L.

Budget struggles

Since one of my main goals is working and sticking to my budget I have unfortunately realized that I am very good at creating the plan but I suck at the actual implementing it for the whole month. I realize for me there are a few reasons I keep dropping the ball on my monthly budget.

1. I can't for the life of me remember to look at my budget throughout the month and document spending.

2. I go out to eat more than I used to because to be frank, I don't like to be at my job.

3. I forget to take out my savings for certain areas each paycheck and then end up spending that money instead.

So there is the truth. Maybe since I officially admitted it I can feel even more obligated to stick to the budget.


L.

Short term goals

Since I posted last week about my goals for this week I have been pretty good at following them! I had one meal on Tuesday that had white bread and fries but other then that I have eaten really well. The one bad meal was a result of having to work until 10 pm when I should have gotten off at 5 pm. Needless to say I was tired and over an hour away from home. The small town did not have any really healthy places to eat, and well that was all my excuses for the fact that I just wanted some fries.

I did wake up for class on Monday but then found out that the gym does not have class on Monday. I did stay at the gym and workout anyway. I went to yoga last night, killer legs, then this morning I slept in ha. So, I did do two classes this week and I worked out four days!

L.

What a job!

I have really been struggling lately with making myself work out and stay focused on my health. I know that life gets in the way for many of us and an excuse is just the same as any other excuse. However, for me job situation and my health are major. I have realized, the super super hard way, that how I feel about my job effects everything. Some people work, get off, and go live. As a social worker with a job that requires 24/7 on call as well as constantly changing visits and meetings getting off work is in a sense confusing. I may receive a phone call at 2 am and then end up working until 9 at night. SO where do I fit in a workout and meal prep??? Well, good question and  I currently do not have the answer. I do know that I have a lovely 5k next Saturday and I have not been training or eating as well as I should. My lack of self discipline in anything outside of work is embarrassing to me. I am tired of constantly getting on here and saying "well I didn't do what I said I would do." I get it is all a learning process.

 That said I am proposing a challenge to myself and to whoever is reading this-

The next six days I will make my lazy butt get up and work out each morning.

I will attend at least two workout classes at the gym, morning or evening.

I will not eat white processed breads or any other sweets.

I will food prep, no excuses aka any work related event, family or friend time.

L.

Going out

Last night a friend had a birthday party and we went to a local bar/club. For starters, I am not really a club person, but also I was trying to be good and avoid alcohol. At first I was concerned I wouldn't make it and would end up drinking way way too much. Another friend who came was not going to drink so it ended up being perfect. I felt like I had support while drinking water! I also had just as much fun staying sober and dancing singing with friends then drinking. Oh, and I woke up feeling okay and not hungover and nausea.

Even though going out can be a problem in sticking to eating right I realized in the long run it really does not matter on the fun scale if I am drinking or not. That is the important part after all.

L.

when you cheat

I am just curious, when you cheat on your eating right and workout plan, what makes you cheat? Is it going out to eat with friends, bad day at work, stress in the home, too busy to schedule your workout, or all of the above? For me lately it is work. I was all ready to do right yesterday, packed my lunch and everything, and then I ate frozen yogurt, pizza, and wine yesterday after work. It is not okay to do that! Also, I felt physically sick the rest of the night and this morning. So I ate right for breakfast, eggs, turkey bacon, and spinach.

(Side note, I returned some clothes to Maurice's this week because the more I thought about it the more I realized I did not need those clothes.)

L.

Saving money

I am slowly learning the importance of saving money. I have always been an impulsive buyer. It drove my mom nuts. I don't know if it is the thrill of spending or just loving having something new but man spending and shopping became a craze for me. Obviously, at almost thirty, I still struggle with budgeting. Today I searched different tools for budgeting online. I still have found that Dave Ramsey's is the best. It seriously covers every area of living. I know I have been working on budgeting and using envelops. For me another step I had to figure out is how to divide it all. When I do my monthly budget I realized that I was still having money issues. Why? Because I did not think about the fact that I don't get my monthly amount at one time, I get paid twice a month. Therefore, now I have to divide each category or decide which ones get the money out of which paycheck. Next month I may just do the budget for one paycheck not both. It isn't the way most people do a budget but it may be easier for me.

I have to make my mind turn to future planning and saving not the here and now. When I am stressed I can't see past right now. I have three weddings next year, one may even be mine, and I have about 40 bucks saved. It is sad. One issue I have with saving for things for the next year is I keep thinking, "What's the point? It isn't going to be that much money saved in a year at this budget." Then I go blow like 100 on clothes I don't need and rarely wear like a smart person. (Sarcasm btw.)

So, I have some brain thinking to turn around! All three areas that I have been trying to work on with this blog are future oriented, fitness, budgeting, and eating healthy. They all also revolve around proper planning. Planning the budget, planning workout time, and meal prep. Still working on it all.

L.