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

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

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

With The Bad Comes The Good

       I'm sure you've heard people say, with the good comes the bad.  Well I think that is a little pessimistic.  So I say "with the bad comes the good".  Whenever you feel as if there is no hope, something amazing happens.  Within this past year, my life has really been flipped upside down. I lost my house in a natural disaster, I met the love of my life, I went back to school and I quit a job I hated.  Even with all that good I've been feeling lost.  Like there is something bigger and better I should be doing.  Currently I'm on my way to finishing my bachelor's in fine arts.  After that is a master's degree in art therapy.  Then, who knows?  Yet I do know that there is a reason for everything and we should never give up hope.

       I've recently taken a class titled "Quest For Fulfillment".  Hoping it would answer all of my thoughts and worries.  It has not.  Although who can honestly say they found the answer to all of their problems with just one class.  Even though I have not found my way yet, this class has inspired me.  I found a new craving to search for enlightenment.  Which brings me to why I'm creating this blog.  During this new journey I will mention a plethora of things (side note: plethora is such a great word).  I'll mention my new experiences, as well as many interests and passions.  Art being one of the main topics and of course the search of finding an old friend... Myself

Keep positive,
Nicole Joliada

Niagara Falls ~ Canada