Does It Pay?

Do It Yourself or Not?

     We have discussed this topic before, "Should I contract out or do it myself?" Deciding whether to hire someone or do it yourself can be a difficult decision, especially if you are either a penny pincher or a do it yourself-er at heart. I finally completed two long over-do projects this week so let me tell you what I did. I contracted out and I did it myself.

Swift Lists

    I remember my mother sitting at the dining room table making out lists. Some of those lists were followed up with a welcomed trip to the store and a nickel to pick out a treat. She still has notebooks with lists that go back to before the year I was born. Lists of who got what for christmas, what candy was made and who made it each year; reunion lists, geneology lists, and lists that capture the heart of our family life over many decades. I love lists almost as much as Franklin Covey; shopping lists, project lists, and to do lists are among my favorites.
   Making a Top Six List has made my life much more productive.

Results Are In

    Good news and Bad News. Well the weight loss was not as dramatic as last week, only a decrease of -.9 and a -.12 on the BMI. I have hit the normal BMI range for two weeks, which is encouraging. Overall, it's good news. I know that I have not stuck to my workout routine every day but am now claiming that 10 minute daily workout as part of my lifestyle. I am on my third day in a row and I keep reminding myself who the new me is.
    I am my new language:
   "I start my day or time off (whichever comes first) with a 10 minute workout."
   "My drink of choice is Natural Spring Water or Hot Green Tea. Any sweeten drinks are considered one of my allotted snacks should I choose them."
   "I bless my meals (see my new, life changing blessing below) and enjoy my portions at each meal every day. My free foods,

Yoga Stretches

    So glad I was scheduled for Yoga Stretches today. What a great change from the Cardio and Total Body Workout the last couple days. Just a nice relaxing, yet somewhat challenging, routine of moves that really stretched out my muscles and spine. Nice! Tony had us move through 10 moves in 10 minutes. I even stretched a few muscles in my rear I didn't know I had. My core is feeling so strong, it just makes me feel good and alive.
    Today, I had saved a few extra calories for a bigger dinner but decided

Results Not In

     I started Tony Horton's 10 minute Trainer last week. It is amazing. Even though I am not going to share the before and after results until the end of the six weeks, I will share a few things I have learned so far. Since I got home and realized I had gained 2.5 pounds on our vacation, I did two things. I stopped drinking pop and pretty much only drink water and I started the 10 minute trainer workout and diet guidelines. What I mean by guidelines is I work my meals around the ideas Tony presents but not fanatically. I usually don't measure food although I have started reading more labels. I do try to keep to the calorie portions and make sure the food is as whole and nutritious as possible. I am beginning learn to