CHEERS! (I'LL DRINK TO THAT)

CHEERS! (I'LL DRINK TO THAT)

Cheers lyrics

Yeah yeah, yeah yeah, yeah yeah

Cheers to the freaking weekend
I drink to that, yeah yeah
Oh let the Jameson sink in
I drink to that, yeah yeah
Don’t let the bastards get you down
Turn it around with another round
There’s a party at the bar everybody put your glasses up and
I drink to that, I drink to that, I drink to that
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah)

Life’s too short to be sitting around miserable
People gonna talk whether you doing bad or good, yeah
Got a drink on my mind and my mind on my money, yeah
Looking so bomb, gonna find me a honey
Got my Ray-Bans on and I’m feeling hella cool tonight, yeah
Everybody’s vibing so don’t nobody start a fight, yeah-ah-ah-ah
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah)

So glad the weekend is here! Even though my workouts have been going far better than last month. It has been a long week. I've had my trail workouts and music therapy to help get me through it though. I can never have enough Ms. RiRi (Rihanna) on my playlist, and of course the Queen MJB (Mary J Blige) and Living Proof brought me to tears. 

I even braved the rain for a night run and felt like a boxer in training for a title fight. It must have been contagious since the other runner I ran into was Super-pumped. I enjoyed the moment until I noticed those birds above my head were actually bats, yup! It was time for me to call it a night. knocked about a minute of my pace getting back though. My 20 yr. old says I should run like something is chasing me. (Great advice, as it turns out)

Also trying Hair Rules out. I just started but so far I like the product line. Update with before and after pics and a review soon.

If you're on Twitter or Facebook and a Rihanna fan~ 

#CHEERS Fan Flash Mob coming tomorrow, Friday! Don't miss it #RihannaNavy @RihannaDailyon.fb.me/oIrxxT

Happy Weekend! Cheers!

FOCUS

FOCUS

For the past few weeks my Focus has been to re-align myself with who and what are important to me and my goals. I literally took ~one or two~ things out of my life that I found to be extremely time consuming and without any real return on value. The first few days I really didn't see any big changes, but slowly I found I had been wasting over 2 hrs. at least each morning. I wake up early usually by 4:30am. By 6am my routine begins, and without a plan of any kind it drifted whichever way my mood went. On any day it could include one of the following: Marathon mindless phone-calls,unnecessary online shopping+useless online coupon scavenger hunting, social-network overload, mandatory email replies, and oh just so I can stay aware of what is happening in the world CNN and the Casey Anthony Trial and repeating just one more cup of coffee, then I'm out the door.

I was devoting tons of my energy to distractions. Putting them before things I had said were really important to me. Like my morning workouts, returning phone calls/emails regarding fundraising for my Team In Training goal Donate Here, my Japanese and Nutrition courses. I'd committed myself to doing these things and I was, failing miserably. Well, it's a new day!

I came across this picture and it stuck with me. I'm not sure why but it did.

Besides being pretty it speaks volumes to what I was missing. FOCUS. 

(Disclosure:) Opening up those hours has not made getting out the door for runs any easier. I still grumble, grrumble.... It has not made miracle donations fall from the sky, I kept an eye out and I'm telling you nothing fell, shaking trees and tin cans didn't work either. Donate Here It hasn't kept me from falling asleep while studying 2000 Basic Kanji or solved any other monumental problems I had before. But, the word Focus is key. I now focus on the fact that: I own those hours. I can spend them anyway I want. And you can best believe they are better spent on the things that make a difference. Instead of posting how great something was on a Facebook page I'll take an extra weight training session, Instead of talking on the phone for hours about nothing, I'll call for help creating productive ways to help me reach my donation goal, and yes instead of replying to that email in 8 minutes and Fw: to 8 of my friends I'll spend that time making flashcards to study the 2000 Basic Kanji for my Japanese class. When we know better, we do better. 

On a positive note I put in a few extra miles last week and really focused on my training time, and I checked the scale and I am weighing in at 156 lbs! I am ready for the ahem... the bathing-suit I ordered online with that 20% off coupon I found at (...). 

Peace & Blessings.

AVON Hello Tomorrow

Mark Your Calendar

Please come by and help raise support and awareness while experiencing AVON's new catalog featuring some of the seasons hottest beauty trends. Have you seen the new Avon? Avon proudly carries makeup by MARK, apparel, shoes, household decor and much more.

Join the online party hosted by Avon Independent Sales Representative Tina Fermin. July 3rd - through - July 16th. In support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training fundraiser event Tina has agreed to donate 20% of all net proceeds from the online sales event to help me raise my personal pledge and spread awareness about what your donation can do to help someone like Honored Hero Quentin; a Leukemia survivor - and student of Tae Kwon Do!

Please use link ( Help LLS Team In Training) and enter code LMRUN during check out to ensure the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society receives donation credit for your purchases made during the online sales event.

Also, if you would like to send motivation or find out how you can join Team In Training, and are not able to attend the online fundraiser, please visit my website.

During July 3rd-July 16th I will be giving a special complimentary Avon thank you gift to the first five donations of at least $25 or more. Donate at: 

My Team In Training Page 

Hope to see you there!

Oki All Day

Oki (Okinawa) All Day

I love the island of Okinawa. It is rich with culture, delicious foods, gorgeous beaches and has overwhelmingly gracious people.  Starting June 21, 2011, thru June 24, 2011 PST, you can donate a tax-deductible gift of $25 and as a Thank You for your donation you will receive a pair of Shi-Shi dog statues (approx. 2 1/2 in. colors may vary) for helping support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training.  

Shisaa or Shi-Shi dog

A Shisaa is a lion-like figure used to ward off evil spirits. It was introduced to Okinawa from China around the 14th century.  Shisaa can be seen on roofs or at gates of Okinawan houses and businesses in all shapes, colors and sizes.  How they came to protectors is a story told and retold over the centuries too often to recite them all. One tells of a small boy who was given a clay shisaa as a gift from an Okinawan nobleman. One day, a dragon appeared out of the ocean to destroy the village.  The clay shisaa came to life and saved the village and that is why shisaa's are used to ward off evil spirits.  To this day, a home or business will usually display two shisaas; one, with its mouth open to scare off evil spirits, and the other with its mouth closed to keep the good spirits in.

Donate a Gift of $55 

5 -pc Japanese Tea Set

Donate a tax-deductible gift of $55 or more and as a Thank you for your donation you will receive a 
5-Pc Japanese Tea set with: teapot, four cups, bamboo/wire handle. 

Please go to my website listed below and use the Donate button to donate online quickly and securely. You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation. Thanks for supporting Team In Training .

http://pages.teamintraining.org/msla/nikesf11/lmullin8s3

Racing to Save Lives

I'm training to participate in an endurance event as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives.

I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

I made a personal commitment to raise $3000 and to train hard, and be dedicated to crossing the finish line to "Outrun Cancer" I have felt the difference running has made in my life. I make a decision every time I lace up my shoes to make that moment count. I've become a new person, literally losing 20+ pounds and reaching out to try and motivate others to do the same. I am thankful for the opportunity I'll have with your help to keep working towards my personal goal but also support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and race with a purpose.

Please use the donate button to donate online quickly and securely. You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/msla/nikesf11/lmullin8s3

Each donation helps accelerate finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Nearly 958,000 Americans are battling these blood cancers. I am hoping that my participation in Team In Training will help bring them hope and support.

I hope you will visit my web site often. Leave comments or motivation. And be sure to check back frequently to see my training updates, and posts about my fundraising progress. Thanks for your support!

On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support. I greatly appreciate your generosity.

Thank you,

Latonya Mullins

May "My" Way Update

My update is a confession mixed with celebration of sorts. I have so enjoyed this challenge it has definitely made me re-evalute my goals for the summer. I am enjoying trying new things, and finally enjoying just being me.


I kept to the goal for eating more fruits and vegetables, I ate smoothies, fruit cups, salads, vegetable soup I found ways to get 'em in.


I failed miserably at my goal to get out 3 x's per week for my workouts outdoors. I blame the weather... ;) Next week will be better. I have joined a group that does group meet-ups. I pray the weather is good this weekend so I can attend my first session. (Wish me luck)


My reason for celebration (and my "Rebels" logo above) my son attends University of Mississippi and is home for the summer, that's reason enough for me to celebrate. But when we picked him up from the airport last night, he tells me "man mom, you're getting skinny you look younger now than when I left." Say wha'at?! Lol!! I thought I would die :) Is that biased if it is coming from your own son? Well, it made me as happy as can be.


And I say... take your sunshine wherever you can find it.





Post pics soon. Happy Active Hump Day!

T.G.F.M.T (May My Way)

Thank God For MyTreadmill.... Ok that's a bit much but,




I can finally say I have reached a few of the goals I set for myself this past year+. I didn't fall prey to the resolution trap ,thankfully, because I had already started working on healthy habits long before January 2011. I knew I wanted to lose a few more pounds. My initial goal was 168 lbs. I also wanted to start switching up my routines from just the treadmill, and DVD workouts at home to hiking the hills, walking, or jogging out on the trails.




With the help of some friends who swear by trail-running I set out to find out what the big difference in outdoor vs indoor workouts. Out of my comfort zone I found some beautiful sites that make you want to sit and meditate more than run. I started enjoying myself so much that I spent more time snapping photos and enjoying the sights than actually exercising. My improvements stalled. Eventually....., I re-focused and was able to push myself to put in more miles, put down my camera phone and get back to the task at hand. I dropped down 5 lbs. to 165 lbs and ran in my first 10K Marathon in February 2011. I didn't set any records but I enjoyed to race process and have my sights on a Half Marathon in December 2011 during our vacation.











With the change of the weather I have again become a "treadmill" junkie. I suppose I secretly love the serenity and the freedom. But what I have learned this month (May "My" Way) is that my training is "My" training I have to work it whatever way it works for me. And it is working I hit the machines and have begun to see big improvements in tone, my recovery time and yes weight loss. I am 10 pounds lighter than my initial goal weight (168) at this time last year. Today at 158 pounds and just over 6' feet+" I feel great. My clothes fit better, I am eating better. And I owe that to the focus I get from creating my own personalized workout plan. This includes my treadmill. Not all my workouts are precise and planned but rain or shine, I feel proficient that I can create a workout that works for my body.








I still love the freedom of jogging on the roads, or a nice peaceful power-walk in the park but I so appreciate my treadmill. As soon as the rain lets up I will probably be back to exploring paths and hopefully finding some great adventures trails, and taking pics while out and about but my trusty friend treadmill has gotten me this far... I (<3) it! Oh and iPad you're not so bad either. (U gotta have something to watch while on the treadmill).





Part of my May "My" Way Challenge :)

May My Way Challenge

May My Way

I am ready for May my Way! This is a great month (my birthday) and ( great year) turning 40!! Perfect time for me. I am at the place where my routine needs big change, if I plan to see any improvements. Here are my goals:

Goals- to exercise at least 30 minutes everyday, and do a minimum of 3 workouts a week outdoors (weather permitting).

Working out everyday is a challenge for me. I have missed one workout day since the challenge started. But I'm going to go into the weekend strong, for my Mother's Day weekend hoping to celebrate with a hike at the park or a 5K run.

Happy Mother's Day