Weight Wednesdays: 100 Push Up Challenge

In addition to my 5k training (which I am loving by the way), I also decided to join the "100 Push Up Challenge".  It is a six week training program where at the end of the six weeks I should be able to do 100 consecutive push ups!  It sounds fun and challenging all at the same time.  Plus I am only using 30 minutes a week to do it.  The website states that push ups improve your strength, fitness and general health. However what really got my attention was how they define your abs.  I have a goal to get me some Ciara abs by the end of the semester or at least by the summer time!  LOL

Before you start the challenge, you have to do an inital test to see what level you will start on.  Of course I am at level one!  Being a top heavy female, I have a lot to push up!  Nevertheless, it is my mission to do 100 push ups by the end of the six weeks.

WISH ME LUCK!!!!

Financial Fridays: Becoming Financially Stable

I finally finally recieved my REFUND CHECK from school!!!  OMG....  I am glad I was working because it really put a strain on my finances getting it so late. 

Every Monday without fail, I wake up and say, "Why the hell am I working AND going to school?  This is hard!!"  Could I make it with just my loan check alone?  Yes, but will it be extremely hard.  Trust me, there is a method behind this madness I am putting myself through. 

Since I just turned 28, I am embarking on a new stage in life.  There is one thing (other than my weight) that needs major improvement.

FINANCES

I can admit that I never been ignorant to the ways of having a good relationship with money and obtaining a  good credit history.  It is just that my past immaturity and lack of career opportunities made it a tough journey/challenge. It was particularly tough because no one taught me to manage my funds.  Thanks to my love of books, I taught myself, but due to the lack of funds, I could never put any of my learning into action.

I am financially coming to terms with knowing that I have to make sacrifices (and actually doing it) for a big return later.  I feel like since I will be in school. this is the perfect time.  My goal is to be debt free except for my car loan (08 Corrolla) and student loans by the time I am 30 (September 2012) or at the latest, by the time I graduate (Spr 13 or 14).

How am I going to do this?  Examining my financial mindset (something I am working on as we speak) and preparing myself for the adjustments and lastly coming to terms that it will not happen over night.

Things I am working on:

1. Setting my financial goals
2. Creating a budget
3. Savings
4. Tracking debt

Twenty eight things to do while I am 28!

Last Thursday I turned 28.  I do not feel any different, other than knowing that I am closer to 30 than 20 is scary.  However I vowed that instead of doing a "things to do before 30" list, I will instead make a list of things to do before my next birthday.  This list range from the small things to huge things I have always wanted to do but never took out the time to do it.  So here goes.......

1. Make at least a 3.0 or better the first year of school.

2. Lose at least 20-30 pounds and KEEP THEM OFF.

3. Take at least one trip out of the state.

4. Have credit card paid off and obtain a “secured” one.

5. Pay off four personal loans from friends and family.

6. Create an IRA

7. Complete car emergency savings.

8. Have AT LEAST one quarter of the emergency savings completed.

9. Establish a vacation savings.

10. Complete “Insanity” AND the “P90X” workout regime.

11. Find a Yoga class and take it.

12. Read a book a month.

13. Run a 5k

14. Become a month AHEAD on every bill.

15. Have credit score move up 50-100 points.

16. Check on “charge off” accounts.

17. Learn how to swim.

18. Get car refinance.

19. Start learning Spanish.

20. Take Tennis lessons.

21. Buy a bike (want to run a triathlon for my 30th)

22. Read Moby Dick

23. Go to at least 2 concerts

24. Get a breast reduction.

25. Attend a professional sporting event (probably New Orleans Hornets vs Orlando Magic)

26. Buy stock into two companies.

27. Attend a Toastmaster’s classes

28. Treat myself to a spa day at an actual spa.

Weight Wednesdays: Plan B

So me and Insanity did not work out!  I under estimated the dedication plus the level of strength needed to take this on.  I am no way in no kind of shape and after hurting my back doing one of the DVDs, I came to realize......maybe I need to take a step back and work my way towards doing this workout out regime!  LOL!! 

So I had the back injury and being burned out due to work, school, and the death of my grandmother, I quit.  I basically bit off WAY more than I could chew. 

Nevertheless.........

Plan B!

I have signed up for a 5k.  Me and a friend/soror will be running (okay maybe walking and running) a 5k on October 30th.  I think that this is an excellent way to build my strength up, get into some kind of shape, and check off step one of my 10 step plan to ultimately participate in a triathlon!!! 

You maybe asking, "Will you quit this too?"  NO!  Why?  I have something motivating me.  An ex boyfriend is coming to town in literally two months and I need to look GREAT!!!  LOL!

With training for the 5k 3-4 times a week and weight training 2 times a week, I should be at my ideal weight by the end of the year!  Cannot wait to go through this journey....... WISH ME LUCK!!!