Finding Your Mojo

With summer here I seem to have lost my spark, my inspiration, my motivation. Between the kids home from school, summer camps, poolside days  & patio nights I have no idea how to get back on track. After some extensive research {ie. Google} I thought I would share what I have learned.
Phone a friend - don't call Debbie Downer call Happy Hannah. Call that friend that will cheer you on, give you sage advice, someone who will get you going & pump you up. Hannah, I'm calling you after this post. 

Get Out - Do something physical. Dance, play tennis, walk, swim, whatever. Get up from your chair, couch, bed & go out. It's good for your stress, hormones, mood & life. 

Train Your Brain - Negative thoughts breed a negative life. When you mind goes down that rabbit hole you  have to capture those thoughts & replace them with positive ones as many times as needed. Read motivational quotes or books, watch uplifting movies, read the Bible, listen to great music - whatever you can do to retrain your brain.

Just Do It - If there is one thing you keep going back to or get stuck on, just do it. For me, I keep passing  this pile of giveaway clothes in the corner. It's time to put them in the car & deliver or put them out to be picked up. That pile is stuck energy & it must be moved! Enough if it's not your best work, just start the job & get it done. You will be able to move on & relieved it is over.

So what do you do when you're missing your mojo, in need of motivation or in a funk? I'm looking for "Happy Hannahs" to share their sage wisdom with me.
xoxo, Mrs. Montgomery Looking for my Mojo Like...

Finding Your Inspiration

I attended a great class last night at Surcee', a local boutique, on finding your home decorating/design style by using fashion as your inspiration. I thought I would share a few things I learned with you. We were asked to bring one piece of jewelry, clothing & magazine clipping that inspires us. 

It was so fun to see what everyone brought to class. Some ladies brought bling, others classic or eclectic pieces. We learning that we should design around things we love. Our fashion style translates in our home style. What pieces would you choose?

Our instructor is an interior designer on staff at Surcee'. Kristen is a doll & very knowledgeable. Plus she is super creative. Surcee' will come to your home & work with you on any size project. You can also come in to the store & they will show you how to stage a room or even a table, take pics & send you on your way to re-create in your home. Love these options!

We learned about websites around design. Pantone for color & Houzz for design. Houzz is awesomesauce. Seriously, go check it out. It's like Pinterest for anything home. 

My favorite idea was how to keep your inspirations. Kristen showed us an old book she had used as a scrapbook of sorts. She purchased an old book with a pretty cover & she started pasting items that inspired her. Old scrapbook paper, photos, concert tickets, magazines clippings, ect. This idea is so creative & has endless possibilities. I would like to do this for each of my children. 

We learned to always keeps a small notebook, measuring tape & camera {phone} with us as you never know when you might find something to inspire a new room design.

Make Pinterest come alive by making your own inspirational cork board. Use a small board like the one pictured or cover a wall in cork. Thought that would be fun for a craft room, game room or kitchen.

We covered so much information on color theory, wall paper & more. I loved the idea that if you find a color in nature you can't go wrong. There are a few paint companies that now offer colors from nature in the the air, water & fire categories. Surcee' has some great books to inspire your creativity.

Such a fun night. Of course Mrs. Albright kept talking long after class was over. 

So what inspires you? Are you really creative when it comes to your home design? I'm ready to get started updating some rooms in my home. Go find Surcee' on Facebook & tell them The RHOK sent you.

xoxo,

Mrs. Montgomery

Decorating Like...

Mrs. Montgomery did not receive any compensation, gifts or bling for this post.

 All opinions & statements are her own. 

If you would like Mrs. Montgomery to provide a review for your business, 

product or class contact her.  She's always up for fun ;)

Seasonal Depression

Do you believe in seasonal depression? 

I'm in a funk. 

Not sure if it's the weather or a spring break hangover.

You know you have those days where you are down, 

you just can't get it together & life is just grey.

 I feel just like the sky outside; 

hazy, cloudy, gloomy.

I could go to sleep & stay there for a few days.

So is it seasonal, weather related? 

Can the weather actually affect our moods?

I'm not sure. 

I do know I've been going, going, going & 

just feel like I'm very tired.

When my emotions get this "funky" I try to reflect on my life. 

What is going on during this time? 

Is there something God wants me to deal with in my life? 

Or is this a matter of circumstances and 

it will pass as quickly as it appeared? 

I believe we should go deeper into the darkness 

so that we know the light.

So eating my favorite junk food, laying around in my pjs and watching Lifetime movies doesn't really help much. 

I do find reading encouraging books, scripture, prayer and listening to inspiring music does help. Talking and hanging out with girl friends also encourages me. My hubby tries to encourage me, however he doesn't really get it so this is one situation where I go outside of my family for inspiration.

How do you beat the Spring Blah's? What is your favorite way to improve your mood? 

Be Happy Friends. xoxo ~ Mrs. Montgomery Not Poppin' Happy Pills Like...

Run, Mrs. Albright, Run!

A few weeks ago I shared that I've recently taken up running. Okay, I use that term loosely. I hardly see myself as a "runner", but my training group leader keeps insisting that I AM a RUNNER! Who knew I had it in me?! 

After completing an Ease into 5K program on my iPhone, my sweet friend Shea (who just also happens to be the director at my local YMCA) talked me into joining the training team there. What really didn't compute with me is that it was a training for a half-marathon. I'm going to be real with you here... When I say that I didn't know how many miles a half-marathon is, I'm not kidding. And even after I learned how many miles, I still had no clue how many hours that might take. LORD HAVE MERCY ON MY SOUL AND MY BODY! What have I gotten myself in to?! I am now registered for the Route 66! Gulp!  Well, happily, I can report to you that I've almost made it through 5 weeks of training and I still haven't died. BUT!! I'm no where near ready for a 13.1 mile run. As a matter of fact, my farthest distance so far is 5 miles. Tomorrow we will go 6 miles. I'm already getting a little stressed and anxious about it. How can I do 6 when 5 seemed almost too much? However, I have no doubt that I'll be able to do. I continually shock myself when I do just a little bit more or a little bit better than the time before. SHOCK, I tell ya. My mind seems to be my worst enemy. My shins are a close second.  I'd like to share with you how we train. It's because of this training philosophy that I'm able to do this and even remotely think of myself as a "runner."  I've always thought to be a runner meant you couldn't walk - at all. 

Our training is based on the run/walk method by Jeff Galloway. I'm learning to love that man. My leader encouraged our group to buy a book by him. She said it really didn't matter which one because they are all good. I bought the book called Running: Getting Started. It was a very easy read and made SO MUCH SENSE!  Run/walk means you do interval training. You run for a certain time and then walk for a certain time. Beginners generally start out at a 1:1 (run a minute, walk a minute, run a minute, walk a minute, etc.) Those in our group that have been running for a long time are running 4:1.  I've learned a few very important bits of information from him and one that really surprised me.  1. You shouldn't run with a long stride. It should be a short stride and more of a shuffle. It's important not to "pound" the pavement too hard. When you run with too long of a stride or too fast, you can do damage to your shins. Sadly, I learned this the hard way. I should have read this book BEFORE my first run with the group. My first two times out with them I ran way too fast and too hard (4:1). My shins have paid for those two runs ever since. I now have to ice my shins after my runs, take Naproxen and wear compression sleeves on my legs. I also have slowed my running way down to a 2:1. I did do a 3:1 interval on our Wednesday run but that proved to even be painful on my shins. Boo! My mind and most of my body can move up to a faster interval but these dang shins are refusing to comply. 

This is a picture of me wearing shorts to run in for the first time along with my lovely compression sleeves. 2. Stretching isn't necessary for running. WHAT?! Yes, you heard me right. When my shins started hurting and I posted about having to take a few days off from running on my Facebook page, I got all kinds of feedback from my friends. And all of them said I needed to be stretching before and after my runs and that's probably why my shins were hurting. Of course that made perfect sense to me so I started stretching. I also did everything else that was suggested - ice cups, compression sleeves (I personally recommend these as they let your leg "breathe" and not get wet with sweat), getting a massage, anti-inflammatory medication,  and rest. It's good to know my shins weren't hurting from not stretching and more because I pushed myself way too hard before I was ready.   Jeff Galloway talks about stretching in the following short video. 
3. You can burn more fat by interval training and then on your "off" days, walking at least 30 minutes. I'm a believer in this now. The week I incorporated this I weighed in at Weight Watchers and had lost 4 pounds!! The past two weeks, however, I haven't tracked my food like I should and I've not lost any more. This running business makes a person hungry!  I also learned something else new this week from an article sharing running tips. Chocolate milk is an excellent recovery drink. The perfect mix of carbs, protein and sugar.Who knew?! Apparently lots of sports moms, that's who! Mrs. Montgomery informed me her boys' coaches have them drink it after practices and games. I've happily started drinking a glass of chocolate milk about 30 minutes after I run. No need to buy those expensive recovery drinks. 

I hope I've inspired a few of you to give running a try. For those of you who consider yourselves a runner, did I share anything you didn't already know? Have you read any books by Jeff Galloway? If not, I'd highly recommend that you pick one up. I'm going to pick up his book on running and weight loss and the one on training for a half marathon. I need and want all the help I can get.

Do you know what I really, really love? I love that runners everywhere are genuinely supported of each other. It's like I belong to some sort of cool club where everyone is nice. Want to join my club? If I can do this, most anyone else can as well.

Priss shared this one on my Facebook wall and it made me LAUGH OUT LOUD! 

I'd like to give a special shout out of thanks to a few people who have been extremely helpful and encouraging to me while I'm learning to run: Jonni, Jen, Tracy, Dana, Shelly, Michele, Shea, Jennifer P, Jennifer K, Nicole, and countless others who "like" and comment on my run posts on Facebook. You all encourage and bless me in ways you'll never know. Mwah! 

~Mrs. Albright  I'm a runner and.... 

Inspiration

Source: google.co.uk via Dawn's Diversions on Pinterest

What inspires you? Who inspires you? Or do you tend to be the one who inspires others?  I am blessed to have such crazy talented, driven friends. I'm also blessed with wonderfully inspiring women in my family. I draw strength and inspiration from the women in my life. They are strong and they are beautiful. Here's just a glimpse of what I"m talking about....

It's the same women who encourage me along my life's journeys. I know, without a doubt, they love me and want to see me do well in life. They have been especially encouraging to me on my weight loss journey. I've been working hard since the beginning of May to be a healthier, happier person. I've taken up running and joined Weight Watchers. The combination of the fitness, "dieting" and encouragement have helped me continue to reach new goals. Not only have my closest friends encouraged me, but countless other friends on Facebook have as well. It means so much to me that they take time out to send me an encouraging comment or congratulate me when I lose another pound or run an extra minute.  Yesterday was my 13th weigh in at WW. I'm happy with how well the program works, especially when I work the program!  I am less than 10 pounds away from my Weight Watcher's goal weight. I can't wait to call myself a "Lifetime Member" and stop having to pay out monthly! Ha! 

I also find a lot of inspiration from Pinterest. I love seeing the pictures with the inspirational quotes. I also love finding healthy recipes and reading personal stories of people reaching their goals. Yes, those inspire me. If you're so inclined, you can follow my boards here. 

Source: facebook.com via Dawn's Diversions on Pinterest

I will even go out on a limb and say, I sometimes inspire myself. What?!? Yes. You see, I have never NEVER been a runner. Matter of fact, I have never wanted to run. But, out of nowhere one morning, I decided to download an Ease into 5k app and start running. Every time I run one minute longer than the last time, I amaze myself. It drives me to do more. So I guess, in a way, it's inspiration.
 

                              Source: waterwatereverywhere.net via Dawn's Diversions on

Pinterest

I've been told that sharing my journey on Facebook has been encouraging to others. That makes me feel good and feel like it's more than just about me. I'd like to encourage you to put yourself out there and be real with people about your struggles and goals. I've found Facebook (my friends that live in Facebook) to be one of the best accountability partners I've ever had. I can't thank them enough, but I can take the time to encourage them. 

~Mrs. Albright Reaching my goals one pound and one more minute at a time, like.....