Take a Nap Thursday

Don’t snooze?  You lose!  We have become a sleep poverty nation – bankrupt in the fine art of 40 winks.  I can personally attest to slumber-struggling on a nightly basis.  Some people awaken early to accomplish more (and bless your hearts, because I sure ain’t one of them).  Others (like myself) are dirty-stay-up-laters who can’t seem to find the off switch on our daily tasks, so we imagine we’re the energizer Bunny and just keep going and going until we literally drop our sorry selves into bed about half-past dark-thirty, only to awaken about 30 minutes later when the alarm goes off. 

Sleep deprivation has been found to also heighten the risk for a variety of major illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity.  A sleep deficit may put our bodies into a state of high alert, so our stress hormones elevate and drive up blood pressure.  Lack of sleep can affect our nervous system, enhance carb cravings, and reduce our alertness, thus losing our focus and concentration power.  What, what was I saying??? 

One of my favorite bloggers, Michael Hyatt, wrote a great little piece today called “5 Reasons Why You Should Take a Nap Every Day.”  Click HERE to read it – I think you’ll enjoy it!  Personally, I think that if we all had a mandatory cookies/milk afternoon break followed by a nap the world would be a much more beautiful, calm and more productive place.

I’m going to go now, get my favorite woobley and snuggle down for 20 minutes.  Yawn…zzzzzz

Blessings,

Linda

Sources

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/08/AR2005100801405.html

http://www.effectsofsleepdeprivation.net/effects-of-sleep-deprivation-on-the-body/

Wild Woman Wednesday

Wild women DON’T WHINE!  We see a problem, figure out a plan of action to solve the problem, and JUST DO IT!  We don’t whine about how unhealthy or unloved or overloaded or overweight we are – we put on our big girl panties and DO WHAT IT TAKES TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM!  While we all have a bad day and sometimes complain, whining is a whole 'nuther thang.  I have to tell you, I’m getting just a little tired of people who whine about one thing, but I can’t hear that because their actions are SCREAMING SOMETHING ELSE!

For example, yesterday was “FREE RITA’S WATER ICE DAY”.  Baby, ain’t nuthin’ free about that except your wallet will stay the same weight while yours goes up.  You see, a small Rita’s water ice = 275 calories, 73 carbs and 71g of sugar.  To burn off that “free” treat you will have to: jog for 45 minutes, do an hour on the stair master or exercise bike, stroll for two hours, do 90 minutes of yoga, intense weight training for an hour or light weight training for two hours, or 45 minutes of intermediate level Pilates.  Explain FREE again??? 

Now I’m not saying you can’t ever have this treat.  But don’t sit there with junk in your trunk and whine about how you can’t lose weight and then scarf down a “FREE” treat when you know full well you aren’t going to accommodate those 270 calories by adjusting the rest of your food for the day or by doing one of the above-mentioned exercises.  “Oh well, it’s only one little thing and it’s only 270 calories.”  Let’s put it in perspective, shall we?  270 extra calories a day for three months (let’s say 90 days) is 24,300 calories.  One pound = 3,500 calories.  So those “little cheats” will put almost SEVEN POUNDS in your trunk (or thighs or arms or belly) right in time for June warm weather, short sleeves, and bathing suits.  Look at the long-term goals of your actions and BE ACCOUNTABLE!

I must be on target, because today’s “Eat This, Not That” blog gives a list of “The Worst FREE Restaurant Foods in America” – check it out!!!  Click HERE.

So the next time you are tempted to pop a little “ treat cheat” in your mouth (and then whine about your health/weight/size later), how about you put a cork in it instead, and spend the next 15 minutes walking or working out? 

Wild Woman may WINE, but we don’t WHINE.  Be strong, be sensible, and let your words speak louder than your whine.

Blessings,

Linda

'Tractive Tuesday

Yes, I’m a self-confessed girly-girl – dresses, makeup, clothes, shoes, perfume… the whole nine yards.  Yes, I have a closet filled with imaginary outfits on pinterest  (click HERE).  Hey - don't judge, it's my way of being frugal!!  And yes, I am the only woman I know who carries a pair of emergency earrings in her car, in case I rush out in the morning and (gasp) forgot to toss them on.  I am a woman of the 80s, so don’t even TRY to take away my hairspray or you might lose use of your hand.  (However, I’d be more than happy to share if you just ask.)  I love walking through makeup stores and allowing my senses to dance with delight to the colors and possibilities and olfactory pleasures.  I think of it as a big girl equivalent to being a kid in a candy store with two bits in her pocket.  Sadly, the wrinkle cream that swears my cheeks will mimic that of an newborn’s backside costs WAY more than two bits!  Hmmm… maybe I should just smear baby oil and diaper rash cream all over my face.  But I digress…

I’m also a child of the 60s, so there is a certain conflict to my old “part my long blonde hair in the middle, no makeup, no bra, torn jeans and daisies” barefoot all-natural granola-eatin' hippie spirit.  Unfortunately, some of those choices are simply not options anymore.  I am seriously devoted and bound (yes, pun fully intended) to my collection of lovely unmentionables now, and it would be a sin to society to go without… people running and screaming, “My eyes! My eyes!”  The drama is just too much for me to fathom.  I’m sure a therapist would have a field day with my dual personalities… and those are only two inside the madness that is me.  But I digress…

What I’m trying to say here is that all the external workings of beauty, from hair/makeup/nails/perfume to clothing/stockings/shoes/handbags mean absolutely nothing if I do not practice beauty from the inside out.  Unkind words smear even the most elegant lipstick into lip-sick ugliness.  Manicured nails become claws when catty, and pedicured feet are repulsive when running to tell a tale on another.  An icy, harsh look makes even the most fetching eyes hard and unattractive.  Bitterness, anger and a fermenting attitude age one more than a lifetime in the summer sun.

Join me today in exercising your innermost beauty – that of a loving heart, a spirit of compassion, kindness and humility.  Wear gentleness and patience as soft, glowing garments more alluring than any earthly designer could envision.  The most beautiful accessories are a warm smile and a loving soul. 

Remember - you are most stunning when you strip away everything that entangles the unique and most beautiful you inside.

Blessings,

Linda

An example of what I consider to be beautiful:

Monday Moments

I am a do-aholic.  I do too much.  I overplan, overschedule and overestimate how much time/energy I will need to do a project. 

And while I'm working hard at being a reformed do-aholic, sometimes I fall off the wagon - and hit the wall hard while letting all the balls drop that I've been desperately trying to juggle perfectly. 

On top of everything, dumb traditions like this daylight savings time (my most HATED night of the year) come along and steal an hour from my already lacking sleep schedule.  Yes, of all poverties, sleep is my most depleted account.  Since I was able to stay in bed a little later on Sunday, it didn't hit me as hard.  However - today I am dragging so much that  the bags under my eyes have not-so-graciously slid into my bra and the sizzling you hear is my brain trying to remember my name in the midst of the fog that is my day.

To that end, I once again climb back on the wagon and resolve to sleep more, worry less, add margin to my calendar schedule and try to enjoy each moment more.  Anybody out there relate?

Join me in exercising your pause button muscle today and take a moment to breath and just BE.

Blessings,

Linda

Wild Woman Wednesday

WILD WOMEN ARE PREPARED FOR ANY AND EVERY LITTLE THANG!

Tomorrow begins a brand new month – have you been preparing for it?  Are you ready for March Madness?  If not click HERE and review the areas for which you want to create goals.  Do it for yourself.  Exercise your dilligence and go write those goals NOW!

Blessings,

Linda