Fighting PCOS Naturally

Here was June's list - Work: - Keep up the 6 hour days - Mostly.  - Work on/finish the freelance web design job now that the client has made some decisions - Worked, yes.  Health:  - GET BACK TO YOGA. (This will be on my list until I succeed) - Nope - Continue meal/batch prepping - Not really - Keep taking my meds. - YES - Do the Walk of Hope - YES! - Do better at staying off oil - Ehhhh... Vegan junk food will be the death of me lol Personal/Home: - Clean my kitchen from top to bottom - nope - Clean the living room, more particularly the zoo area, from top to bottom - nope - Work another pet adoption event (that'll make 2 for the month!) - Yes! - Have fun with my niece when she comes to visit! - Yes! - Start working on next month's surprise :) - Yes! - Finish reading the self-help books I rented from the library - Still reading I'm so excited about the July surprise. Only 5 people actually know what's going on, and they are just as happ...

It's halfway into June and I realized that I never did my monthly goal post. Better late than never! Seeing as how I have missed half of the month already, it'll probably be a shorter list. Here was May's list: Work: - Keep up the 6+ hour days - mostly - Host a Norwex party - nope - Finish up a freelance web design job I picked up -no, had to wait for client.  Health: - GET BACK TO YOGA. - no.  - Re-order the supplements I'm out of - Most of them - Keep meal prepping - yep! I did pretty good last month Personal/Home: - Get office and spare bathroom cleaned up/organized for visiting family - YES! Even though that family never showed up. - Go to 2 rock concerts! - YES! There was some crap surrounding one that caused some major emotional issues for Hubs and I, but we've changed our perspectives and moved on. - Keep writing in my happiness journal - I stopped midway through the month and need to start again. - Work an pet adoption event - No, it got c...

Work: - Continue working 6+ hours a day - YEP - Host a Norwex party - Nope, because the hostess keeps forgetting to call people. - Help my first consultant  get started - No. Health: - Work out at least twice a week . - Nope. - Be consistent with my supplements. - Yes! Now I just need to reorder the important ones that I have run out of. - Meal prep on weekends so I have food when I don't want to cook - I've done this once, which is so much better than not at all. It was nice to have meals finished for several days. School: - Start and finish my Mobile App Development course - Just need to take the exam, which I might not have the cash to pay for. - Work with Hubs to set a schedule to finish another course together - Nope. Hubs isn't really interested in taking any of the courses that I have paid for, so I'm not sure what I'm going to do. PCOS Group: - Plan April's Dallas event and post details in the group - Yes. - Plan May's Ft Worth ev...

Another Goal Update! I'm fairly happy with my goals so far. But first, I have to mention something that is weighing heavily on me today. Prince died. I usually don't get upset about celebrity deaths, but this one really hurts, because I almost met him. It's been almost 10 years now. My grandparents and I had dinner with Larry Graham, former bassist/vocalist for Sly and the Family Stone. He was a good friend of Prince's, and had told Prince in advance that we were having dinner. This was the same time period that Prince decided to start studying with Larry to become a Jehovah's Witness. Since my grandfather was a JW Circuit Overseer in the Minneapolis area back then, Larry requested that my grandfather attend one of the studies. My grandparents always talked about me, so when Prince found out that I would be in town, he went to Larry's for dinner. Sadly, we had left about 20 minutes before he arrived. When I found out, I was so sad. He has always been one of ...

Work: I've been mostly working 6 hours a day. I had a 5 hour day, and I have taken a day off to deal with some family stuff. But I'm doing really good. I've been getting up earlier so I can get my hours in and be able to do other stuff afterwards. School:  I have not started my Mobile App Development course because of missing Monday. I will be getting the two lectures I missed done this weekend so I can start viewing the live lectures next week. My bosses have approved watching them at work, I just have to clock out. I'm glad I have awesome bosses. I've already got some ideas for app development, so it'll be cool to actually put this into practice. It will also come in handy at work, since we are building phone apps for our system. Personal:  I went to a "How to Make Your Own Kombucha" class Wednesday, and got my own batch brewed and "cooking" last night. Next Thursday I'll be able to flavor and package it up, then one more week be...

March Goals: - GET MY DAMN DRIVERS LICENSE - YES!!! - Proofread the novel I didn't do last month - YES! - Continue working at least 6 hours a day during the week - Mostly. I was sick a lot this month, as was Hubs, so I was only successful about 65-70% of the time. But that's a lot better than nothing! - Work out at least 4 times a week (SMART goal) - No. But I have attended multiple yoga classes this month, found a great new studio, got a new workout buddy, so things are looking up! - Be a little more successful with advance meal prep - No. I need to work on this some more. - Start, and hopefully finish, one of the multiple courses I have purchased - Didn't even look at them.  - Come up with a name for my Etsy store - No. Changed my mind, and decided that I don't really have the time for my current life, so adding more responsibility isn't a good idea.  - Cost/pricing structure of potential product options - See previous comment ^^ - Get products ph...

I think that one of the most important lessons in the Personal Nutrition course I took in January was how to set a SMART goal. I've mentioned it in my monthly goals post, but never went in depth. SMART stands for: Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic/Relevant Timely (Yes, you might find other words replaced in the SMART definition, but for the most part, it's all the same.) A word about SMART goals - Because SMART goals force you to set a timeframe, this isn't always the *best* way to set a goal. Sometimes a goal isn't always realistic in the beginning, because you don't have everything you need. For example, having a goal of being a parent is a great goal, but not necessarily a SMART goal - because nature plays a big part in your success, you can't put a specific timeframe on it without the fear of failure. Believe me, I had my parenting goals down before I was a teenager. But life said otherwise, and I'm three years past when I was supposed t...

Here were last month's goals. February: - Complete my Personal Nutrition final - Done! Finished with Distinction - Start and finish the Interior Design course so I can decorate an entire house in March - Nope. But the house in need of decorating isn't happening anymore, so no rush. - Proofread a friend's new novel - Hell no. And this makes me feel bad. - Set up some SMART goals and achieve them! I need to add more veggies in my diet, and add more physical activity! - Nope. I mean I did eat more veggies and hit my step goals more often, but didn't actually set the goals. - Do something fun for Valentine's - Yes! We waited til the day after V-Day and saw Deadpool with a good friend. - Get the February newsletter out fast. - Never did it. - Start the Couch to 5K program - Didn't even download the app - Get some more junk out of the house - This was actually successful! Hubs spent a few days rearranging, and we got some crap out. My house is almost liv...

It's February! Damn. January went by really fast, and Feb will likely go faster, even if it has an extra day this year! So how did January go? Not half bad. I got a lot accomplished, even though they might not have been on the goal list. I didn't spend a ridiculous amount of money. I took Hubs to Mellow Mushroom so he would quit nagging me. I got a FitBit! My support group had the 2nd annual clothing swap and that went well too! The fitbit story is great. I've wanted one for a while, but haven't been ready to fork out the money for what I felt was an overpriced pedometer. But surfing the facebook garage sale groups can prove beneficial. I managed to score 2 fitbits, with chargers and bands for $40. Yeah, I made sure to type that right. Other people wanted it before me, but when you have a husband that doesn't work, you can make him do things immediately that other people have to wait until after work to do. So when I told the seller that I could have the cash in h...

HOLY CRAP IT'S THE END OF 2015. I'm a little late in posting this, but better late than never! Here were November's goals: - Finish Nutrition course final by Nov 15 - YES YES YES! And I scored a 96 overall! - Start Dyslexia Therapist course on Nov 16 - Yep! 2 of 10 modules complete - Visit family for Thanksgiving - Nope. Family cancelled, and I had a horrible migraine (damn gluten). So we hung out at home and ate mashed potatoes. - Get most (if not all) handmade Xmas gifts completed - Yes! I'm fairly certain all I have left is to put some of those handmade gifts in the proper containers for distribution. - Get the Christmas Card exchange lists out to all participants - Done! - Get Christmas cards ready to mail - Mailed! I have one more card to make, but I've been really slow because I want the wording to be PERFECT. - Go to yoga at least once - Nope. But I did buy a groupon for another studio close to home, and I have one prepaid class at my favorite hot...

October goals were a bust. I'm starting to think that my list of goals should be things I don't want to do, so I can accomplish not doing things. October : - Pay someone to clean my kitchen - NOPE - Get kitchen organized - NOPE - Go to yoga at least once - NOPE . Paid for the class, but didn't go. - Work enough to not stress about next month's paycheck- OH HELL NO. - Get some items listed for sale on eBay / garage sales- NOPE - Work on eating healthier again - YES . - Sit down with Hubs and make a plan to change things up over the next few months - NOPE . He thinks that nothing needs to change. - Use the October 12x30 Cooking Challenge to focus on food - SORTA . I did 2 posts. That's better than none. - Finish the review guides for my final exams - EHHHH ... I finished one page of 5. - Write up a proposal for custom appointment software at Mom's job - NOPE . Decided it wasn't worth my time because I know they can't and won't pay what I...

So Sept was a partial bust. It came with a lot of stress and some big changes. My goals were pretty much thrown out the window. But I've made some heartbreaking decisions and I think that October will be better. I have decided to temporarily stop all efforts on my support group/non-profit. I've been really stressed out about it, and I am making myself physically sick. So I'm probably not doing anything in regards to that group until the beginning of the new year. I need the next few months to focus on myself. It's going to be hard to give up the group, but I trust that my best friend can keep it afloat until I'm ready to try again. I am glad that Hubs and I got the office rearranged. We moved our desks into the same room, along with our computers. That has solved the problem of my need for him to be in my personal bubble. We can be in the same room and do completely different things now! So he can play video games while I work. It will be of big help as I focus ...

I haven't written a monthly goals post in several months, and I think I need to get back to it! Since it's still fairly early, here it goes! September Goals: - Finish rearranging the office - Start a batch of homemade kombucha - Pay someone to clean my kitchen - Complete all 3 miles at the PCOS Awareness Walk - Create some more PCOS Awareness images for Facebook - Go to a yoga class at least once - Lost 5 pounds - Work enough to not stress about next month's paycheck - Get some items listed for sale on eBay - Start work on some handmade cards for etsy - Create 1+ shirt designs for CafePress I know this list seems long, but most of the items are fairly easy, and I think I can do it! I might have to get some assistance, but that's ok. What are your goals for the month?

I've made it through the first 3 days as a vegetarian, and I haven't missed meat at all. I know that the first few weeks are the hardest, and I'm pleased so far. I've been using quinoa and hemp seeds for proteins, and will be using nuts and beans as well. There are thousands of recipes online, and I've already tried some. I'm having to teach Hubs that it's okay for him to eat meat, and that I have no problem cooking it for him. I just don't add meat to my meal. It's surprisingly easy. We went to the grocery store on Saturday, and I walked out with no animal proteins or dairy in my bags. It was easy to ignore the meat. My PCOS group is doing an event called "Creating Goals with Soul", using Danielle LaPorte's Workbook O' Fire. Some of the girls are so excited to participate - and we could all use a little help sticking to our goals. My current health goals: - Continue my vegetarian lifestyle change - Eliminate my coffee consumpt...

I'm officially in school and taking my first course, anatomy and physiology. There's a lot of information to learn, but I'm loving it. I'm ignoring arthritis to make flash cards, so that has to mean something haha. I had the first thought last night that I might even want to proceed with my doctorate in the future. But I'm getting way ahead of myself. One course at a time. I've been eating better because I'm not buying crap anymore. Salads are the new meal of choice for myself and Hubs. The fridge is full of veggies, we're stocked on salad dressing, and dinner is super easy now. It feels great to eat healthy, and it's even better when Hubs tells me he wants salad for dinner. :) We did have a little headache-causing situation a couple of weeks ago. The next door neighbor was washing dishes when he got distracted by a work call and rushed out the door. He forgot to turn the water off. So Friday night, half our apartment was soaked. Maintenance got ...

My 20s are over in 3.5 years. To me, that seems like tomorrow. Mainly because of how fast 2014 has gone. There are a couple of things on my 30 before 30 list that I know will be happening soon, but some don't seem feasible to me anyone, so I'm modifying my list. 30 before 30: Go Sky-diving Go Scuba diving Get my concealed handgun license. Buy a cute bikini and wear it with pride. Successfully complete one week  as a vegetarian. Empty my storage units Get a second dog Take another vacation Get a nicer car Complete blueprints for our tiny house and get started Find my inner peace Create an exercise routine that becomes second nature Run a 5K - actually run, not host Teach Spike to dance Become a Big Sister volunteer Get a passport and use it Take a course in something interesting Get a new tattoo - Scheduled for Oct 28, 2014 Learn to play another musical instrument Become fluent in another language Get something pierced Dye my hair a crazy color Learn CPR H...

I can't believe it's already 5 months into the new year. It has gone so fast. And since it's a new month, I'm ready for new goals!  But first... How did I do last month? April Highlights: - Organize and decide what large items will be making the move - Yep!  - Finish packing everything Yep! Not exactly the way I wanted to, but it still got done (come back tomorrow for the full story) - Start taking things we won't be moving into the new apartment to storage unit - Yep! - Surprise my niece at another t-ball game - Nope. We missed it because of our move, but there's another game next weekend! - Continue to increase my usual work hours - Sorta.  - Clean and repair any issues that could lessen our returned security deposit - No. Oops.  - Get rid of all the crap in the pantry Pretty much! I trashed a lot of stuff I've had forever. I found a box of mac and cheese that expired in 1998. WTF? I don't know how that has always slipped thro...

Goals, Goals, Goals.... It's time for my April Goals! But a recap of March first..... March Goals: - Work an average of at least 6 hours a day so we can save up for our move at the end of April - Sorta. I've been doing 5-8 hour days, depending on how my body feels. - Find a place to move to. - We did! It's an efficiency halfway closer to work! - Make something healthy and yummy for this month's PCOS group meetup - a picnic potluck! - It got cancelled due to weather.  - Start working out again. - Ugh, no. No excuses, just lazy. - Continue the slow changes in my diet for success - I've been eating better and worse. - Visit my bestie - We did! Went to see one of my nieces play in her first t-ball game! - Take Hubs outside city limits so he can set off fireworks for his birthday - No, we sat at home, and didn't really do much.  - Completely ignore my 26th birthday. That was easy. I didn't do anything because I wasn't really excited about it. -...

I haven't blogged in a while. I'll have to post an update about life later... (Like how today is the first day I've ever voted!) But it's already time to create March's goals! February Recap: - WORK OUT! I've been slacking for two weeks and that has to change. -nope - Eat more salad! - nope - Visit the gym at least once! - nope - Prep a week's worth of food over the weekend. - I did it on Mar 3. I'm counting it as Feb hahha - WATER WATER WATER! - yep - Beat Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light with Hubs, if I can drag him away from Dead Island. Nope! We started Diablo 3 and Toy Soldiers instead. No more gaming goals.  - Figure out something fun and cheap for Valentine's Day. Guess I need to get started! - we didn't do anything. - Reorganize the baking and spice cabinets in the kitchen. - sorta. I did put some of my bulk goods like oatmeal and quinoa in containers. - Finally go see Dad and have Christmas. - Yep!  I'm not even g...

So I'm a little late with this because Feb is almost half over... But two weeks of goals is better than none! Let's recap Jan's goals first. Read 5 books (already read 1 - I love being a fast reader!) - definitely done! Use all the produce that comes in the house - no waste! - Almost a total success! I've been letting lettuce go bad, so I need to get more salads in my menu! Fill my mp3 player with good music and head to the gym! - Nope.  No fast food! Ok, this one isn't as simple, but I'm ready to try it! - Success!!! I think I went out for fast food once. And it was chicken nuggets from Chick-Fil-A. They were too yummy to feel bad about it. I don't think I have ever had that many green results! I'm quite happy with myself. February's goals: WORK OUT! I've been slacking for two weeks and that has to change. Eat more salad! Visit the gym at least once! Prep a week's worth of food over the weekend. WATER WATER WATER! B...