Can I Stay Dedicated for the Next 7 Months?

I’ve been intrigued lately by a relative of mine who has made the change in her life to go vegan. She is not a PETA vegan (she carries a leather purse and owns UGGs) but she made the choice to improve her health. In less than five months she has transformed, all by changing her diet.

Now, her measures to cut animal products out of her diet completely may be drastic to some, but to me it shows discipline and dedication.

We all talk about losing a few pounds here or there, or trying a new “fad” diet plan, but how many people are dedicated enough to make these changes permanent?

Dedication is something you have or lack throughout your life. Some things in life might come easy to you, and these changes benefit you in the long run. Other times in our lives, we are quitters – giving up because it is “too hard” or you lack the discipline to keep going at something out of your comfort zone.

We have all been there, faced with new challenges that turn and we tackle head on. But then the going gets tough, and we retreat. Sometimes it’s just hard to stick with something new. It’s easier to go back to the way things were.

I could never be disciplined enough to do what my cousin is doing. I admire her dedication to creating a healthier lifestyle. I’m accustom to eating a box of Oreos weekly. Cutting sugar out of my life would place me straight into that uncomfortable zone, and I would quit. I can almost guarantee you that.

So where can we find this dedication and discipline. Does it show up when we need it most?

There have been plenty of times that I have thought about making positive changes (starting small) – attempting to implement a workout plan (Workout Wednesdays, ladies), changing my diet by not consuming AS MUCH crap, and especially not eating after 9:00 p.m.

But here we are – going on weeks of abandoned Workout Wednesdays and I snacked on brownies and chocolate covered strawberries at lunch. My challenge list might seem minimal to most, but to me a healthier lifestyle has to start somewhere.

Now – to find the dedication and discipline. It is only 7 months till the wedding (EEEK!)

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EXHAUSTED...That's How I Feel!

This time of year is hard for everyone.  Not only do you have work and family obligations but the holidays are rapidly approaching which means, cooking, gift buying, decorating and just going here, there and everywhere.  It’s difficult and I honestly don’t know how we all do it!

The last week was completely exhausting for me.  It started off with a quick three-day trip to Philadelphia which did wrap up my travel season for my “big girl” job.  Thank goodness…I really don’t think I could get on one more airplane this year.  I got back to the ‘burgh and worked my Wednesday night and Thursday day shift at our bar.  Friday I managed to almost finish my Christmas shopping and then it was back to work at the bar for the weekend and let me tell you, this weekend was tough!  It was the first weekend, in almost five years of ownership, where I had a mental break from dealing with the type of people you have deal with in a bar.  I now know, and completely understand, why people in the service industry are slightly "off" from the rest of the population.

Friday night I had the most ridiculous customers...EVER!  We had DJs and the music was great but I was dealing with complete asses and/or amateurs.  One woman, who I absolutely cannot stand (I’m desperately trying to figure out a way to get her ban for life) actually tipped me with a plastic, 2006 Steelers football!  Really?!  I had another guy that was buying shot after shot and wouldn’t leave a tip at all and then, to top it all off, I had these amateurs that would come up to me and say “can you make me a shot that doesn’t taste like it has alcohol in it?”  Or the classic, “do you have any beer?”  Seriously…it was enough to make me pluck my eye lashes out one by one and with all the kids coming home from college this week for the Turkey Day holiday, I’m sure I have a week full of fun to look forward too!

Saturday was slightly better.  I of course was up at the crack of dawn but I did manage to get all of the gifts I bought the day before wrapped.  As for down at the bar on Saturday night, it too was slightly better.  The customers were far better than the previous night but we were insanely busy.  I spent most of the night running up and down two flights of stairs (I worked our second floor bar) to get more beer, juice, lemons and limes.  The only real perk was I got an amazing ass workout! J

Don’t get me wrong, I was happy we were busy and making money but I’m EXHAUSTED!  I’m tired of smiling and being nice.  I’m tired of drunk people acting like idiots.  I’m tired of working seven days a week.  I’m tired of cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping.  I’m tired of not getting enough sleep and I’m tired of feeling like a little, old lady when I'm only 33.  I just want to go home, put my jammies on, watch really bad reality TV (perhaps a little Housewives) while drinking hot chocolate spiked with a little something, something until I pass out!  Is that too much to ask for?  I know I probably sound like a whinning, complaining bitch, and I swear I'm not.  I also totally get the motto...Work hard now, play hard later.  Today, I just wish it was later!

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