When I moved to the UK I had to give / throw away a lot of stuff: clothes, books, electronics, furniture, sentimental stuff, knick knacks, etc. I realized in doing so that I had formed attachments to stuff that I didn’t really need but kept just in case.
Some of my stuff (and two cute cats), before
I had an entire apartment full of stuff and I had to part ways with most of it in order to fit my life into one large suitcase. Doing so helped may have made me feel a bit homesick in the beginning, but it was also liberating.
Some things I have noticed after letting go of my stuff:
- It’s now much easier to ruthlessly purge my wardrobe
- It feels good to donate to charity / give to friends
- If I ever had to move countries again it would be much easier to let go of my possessions
- When my stuff is organized, the rest of my life is easier to organize as well
- I’m more picky about what stuff I spend my money on. I ask myself “Do I really need this?”
Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying everyone should live a minimalist lifestyle with no collections or frills. I have quite a bit of stuff now, in the UK.
I just think that being able to make the distinction between ‘want’ and ‘need’ is important. And also, it’ll save you public embarrassment on How Clean Is Your House.
Well, technically it’s been one week and two days, but who’s counting? 
I’m proud to announce that I have now stuck with my diet and exercise regime for a week. According to the gym scale, I’ve lost some weight (approx 3-4 pounds). More importantly, I’ve gained some self confidence and determination. Here are some other things I’ve learned:
- I’m better with portion control if I know exactly how many calories are sitting on my plate. It makes me more inclined to stop when I’m full enough and save some for later!
- I push myself harder if there is a random stranger on the cardio machine next to me, particularly if they are givin’er
- I push myself harder if I am angry or stressed
- It’s not being at the gym that sucks, it’s the waking up early and making myself go.
- In the past I’ve used my asthma as too much of an excuse not to exercise.
- My social life is inevitably going to take a beating. If you want to meet me for a drink, ok, but I’m going to shoot vodka!
- About 12 minutes into my cardio workout, the endorphins reach my brain and everything becomes easier.
- I can still have peanut butter every day, just not as much of it.
- I’m doing this so I can be happier with myself and not to impress anybody else.
- Rowing machine near the beginning of my workout isn’t a wise idea yet.
- The cardio machines that face the weights room have the best view
- I’m going to have to have a gym membership forever if I want to stay healthy
Goodbye, beer. I’ll miss you!
Well kiddies, today was officially “Day 1″ of my new fitness regiment. I’ve long since realized that a sedentary lifestyle won’t yield the results / positive body image that I long for but lacked motivation (I’m sure many web professionals can relate to this).
In combination with diet & exercise, I’m also–with Chris’s guidance–starting a course of natural fitness supplements, namely Sci-MX Pyro-MX Leanburn. People have very mixed opinions on the subject but all I can say is that I have had lots of energy today and not a huge appetite, considering the diet change. It has natural stuff like green tea and hot peppers in it, to jump-start the metabolism.
I think I found my motivation somewhere between finding out my blood pressure is slightly high (it runs in the family), realizing I was de-tagging every picture of myself on Facebook and having to get weighed at the hospital last week for my pre-surgery appointment.
As well, the Bristol Softball season is coming up, which is even more reason to get in shape. I am playing on an even more competitive team than last year and I need to make sure they don’t regret recruiting me!
My goals are not solely to lose weight but to improve my core fitness. I’m going to measure myself not by stepping on the scale, but by how my clothes fit, how much endurance I have, and what weights I set the machines to.
Best of all, the gym didn’t charge me an initiation fee again since I used to be a member before. Ok, off to drink water and get on with my day!
Some time ago, my desk moved upstairs to a new office. The office used to be a bedroom and the wall colour is a shade of less-than-inspiring brown. I have been finding it very hard to keep my desk clean, focus, and get in the zone.
As such I’m going to give it a makeover with a lick of paint, some wall shelves, a white painted pine desk and a few indoor plants. Ikea, here I come!
I’ve been dying to use a salmon pink and apple colour scheme ever since I saw it on Cougartown.
