Easing into it

I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since I last posted! I have been easing into this new lifestyle change. I used my couch to 5k app once a week since I started, so I just finished week 1 yesterday. I know, I know that's really easing into it lol but don't worry I have been keeping active the rest of the week too. I went on a long speed walk every other day. Next week I'd really like to dive in and do all three of week 2's workouts within that week. I would do it this week but I'm a start my week on Sundays kind of girl. I will however continue to do my speed walking this week to keep active. I'm hoping by June 1st I'll be able to see some results.

As for my food intake I started using the calorie counter on my Fitbit app. I'm really enjoying it. I've been trying to record daily yet missed a day or two. Overall I have to say I'm pretty proud of myself. I have been limiting my chocolate and sugar intake. I also try to stop eating by 7pm. If I know I'll be up super late though (11:30pm or midnight) I sneak a snack around 8pm.

Like I said in my last post this blog is to help myself stay accountable. I haven't weighed myself since I started but I can feel a difference in my body. Maybe its newfound confidence or maybe I lost weight already. I know if the scale doesn't show a decrease I'll be disappointed though. So I'm going to wait until June 1st to weigh in. Thank you for following along with me on this journey. Hopefully I'll have something more exciting for you in the next post lol

Peace,
Nicole

Healthy Living

I now dub thee my health blog!

I hope you can relate to some if not all of what I'll be talking about. Let me tell you more about me though, that might be more helpful. In all honesty I haven't been the healthiest since I had my son. He is almost a year and a half. I was definitely healthier when I was pregnant. I guess it was the whole eating for another human thing that really kept me on track. After I gave birth I breastfed for several months so I was still watching what I was eating. When I finished breastfeeding, all bets were off. I was so excited that I could drink caffeinated coffee and eat tons of chocolate without harming the baby that I went a little crazy. My weight was always a little "yo-yo" so I didn't think much of it when I saw I gained a little weight. It wasn't until the past month or so I realized how out of hand it got. I am currently at my heaviest I've ever been. That includes when I was nine months pregnant. When I came to that realization it was a lot to process. I am currently 200 lbs and 5'3". I know I don't have to tell you but I know it will help keep me accountable throughout this journey.

Today I did the first workout from the app Couch to 5k. If you've seen any of my past blogs you might remember that I actually downloaded that app for the first time 5 YEARS AGO. I literally used it twice and then never opened it again. Needless to say when I downloaded it today I meant it. Something needs to change in my routine. The workout totally kicked my butt. I walk often yet I'm definitely not a jogger/runner. I wanted to stop jogging and just walk so bad yet the app breaks your jogging sessions into 1 minute intervals. I kept telling myself you can do this, only 30 seconds left. Even though its just day 1 I am so proud that I actually did it. I am not usually good at self motivation, it really depends on the task. Today was a win for sure. I even made sure to eat a healthy breakfast and not over eat. I brought a little snack and my water for when I cooled down after. Now the trick is to conquer the sugar cravings I know I'll have later. They always sneak up on me after the baby goes to bed. I just have to keep telling myself that I'm doing this to be a healthier me not as a punishment. I need to stay focused and not let life get in the way anymore. This is life, it needs to be a priority.

As for the future of this blog I don't have a plan really. I do know that I started this one in particular when I was working through some things, so it seemed like the perfect place to write about this particular journey. I will definitely be talking about my exercise practices, eating habits, spirituality and motherhood. I am an artist so I have a separate blog for my art life called Nicole Joliada, which you can find on Wordpress (sorry Blogger lol). Thank you for stopping by. I hope you will follow me on this journey and that you might find some motivation from it as well :-)

Sending you positive vibes!
 Nicole

Mandala

              I find Mandala art very beautiful and inspiring.  I found a bunch of tips on pinterest on how to start a mandala.  There are mandala basics that show you simple symbols to use.  Mandala starts small and turns into something amazing.  The simplest of symbols put together can make it look so complex and beautiful.  Here is my first attempt at mandala. 

I started with a pencil drawing

Then used very fine tip marker pens to add color

        
          My next attempt will be to paint a mandala on the left over black canvas from my canvas collage.   Here are the pinterest links to the mandala basics and mapping out mandalas.  Please feel free to follow my art therapy board or any other board that inspires you. Thank you for reading!

Draw on my friends,
Nicole Joliada

FUN FACT FRIDAY ~ Moyamoya Day May 6th!

Fun Fact:

May 6th is Moyamoya Day!
This year is the 2nd annual Moyamoya Day. 

Moyamoya is a rare disease that effects the arteries

in your brain.  The arteries become blocked or "tangled" and can cause

strokes and other symptoms.  The word Moyamoya is Japanese for "puff of smoke".

  My aunt was diagnosed with Moyamoya disease over a year ago.
In support of her and others with this disease I ask you all to 
send up a light blue balloon into the sky.  
You can write on your balloon either your loved one's name, their initials,
the letters MM or even WG (my aunts initials).

If you can't send up a balloon then be creative.
Draw, paint, create your own light blue balloon.
Take a picture of it and set it free into cyberspace for all to see!

Please take photos of your balloons and post on
instagram, twitter, Facebook, or even on here.
If you put them on instagram or twitter please use #MoyamoyaWG and tag @JoliadaPhoto
I hope many of you will participate.  
Thank you, thank you, thank you in advance

Please sign this petition in order to help May 6th become 
officially recognized/documented as 
"World Moyamoya Day". 
We need to raise awareness about this disease in order to help
others. There are links at the bottom for more information. Please take
a look and share them, thank you!

• Moyamoya support and information
• Facebook page for Moyamoya.com
• What is Moyamoya?
• Stanford Moyamoya Center
• Moyamoya awareness on Pinterest

*All links above helped me further understand Moyamoya disease.  These links are informational and are not meant to be used for medical advice.  These links are strictly used to raise awareness.

Share on!

Nicole joliada

Collage Canvas

          This week was all about letting the creativity flow.  My painting teacher assigned us to do a collage painting.  I tried to focus on what I love in order to be inspired.  My first passion is photography so I figured I'd start there.

            I painted a canvas black so I'd be able to create a slight texture with the paint.  Something I wouldn't be able to get with a regular black canvas.  I cut the black canvas the way I wanted.   I then took modeling paste and pasted it to my working canvas.  I placed it in a way to resemble a camera.  I used more modeling paste to form a circle.  Resembling the lens.  I let that dry and then built up the lens with more modeling paste, to get it the way I wanted it.  In the center of the lens I used acrylic paint, as well as a charcoal drawing and some newspaper clippings.

           The end result was a little different from my original idea, but that's the best part of art.  You can keep building on it until it fits your vision.  I don't think this is the finished product yet but I'll keep you posted.  Thanks for reading!

Happy Wednesday,
Nicole Joliada

Well that's upsetting

Check out @UberFacts's Tweet:  apparently people today are 40% less empathetic than people in the 1980's. That's upsetting :-\  Our world is becoming less and less empathetic towards others. I think it's time for a revolution.  Or a simple reality check would be nice

Today's Tiny Wins!

              I feel as if I don't always know how to be myself. When I'm home, away from my other responsibilities I have the freedom to be me.  It's like a weight has been lifted and I get to express myself.  Whether I'm reading, creating, bike riding or just relaxing, I feel centered.  I came to the conclusion I'm not good with stress. I don't freak out or anything yet I do get very anxious. My mind is constantly racing thinking of all the things I have to do.  Today after work I was able to take a bike ride to a local coffee shop.  I sat for about an hour and a half.  I was supposed to be writing a paper for school (don't worry its not due until next week).  Instead I ordered my small iced coffee and anise almond biscotti.  I sat and listened to music.  I searched for new bands downloaded a bunch of new songs.  When the coffee shop was closing i packed up my things and rode home.  I then walked around the corner and ordered a brick oven pizza for me and mom.  She met me there and we had a nice dinner and conversation.  I felt happy.  I felt normal.  These are the days I love and feel like myself again.
              I came across an article today, "20 things to start doing in your relationships".  I think this is a great list, not only for your relationships with others but with yourself.  Before I even saw this list I've continually reminded myself of several of these points.  Especially the part of staying away from negative people.  I feel in the chaos of everyday life its hard to always remind yourself of who you want to be.  After reading this it reassured me of who i want to be.  I believe if I can remind myself daily to be kind to others, not to sweat the small stuff, and to keep positive.  Then eventually I won't have to remind myself and it will become second nature.  So staying on the positive theme lets celebrate:

Today's tiny wins!

new elephantz bracelet! (only $1 at 7-11)

iced coffee made to perfection!

           AND made an awesome new playlist on YouTube!

Yay to the tiny wins!

Nicole Joliada