Laina Turner's Blog, page 42

Now Is As Good A Time As Any

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When you ask someone when the best time to start something is, the answer you usually get is Monday. The all-important Monday because you can’t possibly start a new goal or task on any other day of the week. That’s just crazy talk.

If you’re really gung ho you might say you will start tomorrow. But as my grandmother said “don’t want until tomorrow because tomorrow never comes” and she was so right. How many of us have said we would start a workout routine “tomorrow” and 3 weeks later we haven’t started.

The true best time to start something is RIGHT NOW! As is RIGHT NOW, today, this minute, immediately.

It is too easy to wait until circumstances are just perfect in order to start something. What I’ve come to find is there will never be a perfect set of circumstances and if you sit around waiting for that day when the stars are aligned just right and the wind is blowing perfectly in the right direction you may never start. You’ll wake up one day and realize 6 months has gone by and you’ve got nothing to show for it. Then you’ll kick yourself for letting so much time go when you could have made progress by this point. I know this because I’ve done it a million times and learned the hard way.

Take a minute and think about what it is you’ve wanted to do for a long time but the timing never seemed quite right? Are you still waiting for the perfect timing? If you had just jumped in a tried it would you be farther along than you are now which is a BIG FAT NOWHERE?

I asked my self those same questions this week. I’ve wanted to restart my podcast since September. In fact, I wrote a blog post about it back in September. But I’ve had 50 million reasons (excuses) on why I couldn’t. Wasn’t the right time, didn’t have time, what was my focus, should I wait to redo my site…the list goes on. Now it’s January and I could have had 5 months of podcasts under my belt building traffic for my products and services, but I don’t have squat.

There is nothing standing in my way except me so I will start TODAY. Even if it doesn’t turn out the way I want it doesn’t have to be perfect the first time out of the gate. I can work on perfecting it. The key is to get it going.

So what have you been putting off that you can start TODAY. Download this printable, blast through those obstacles and fears, and START.

Then come back and tell me how you did. You got this!

 

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Wedding, Workout, and Weight Loss Wednesday

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What two things go hand in hand besides chocolate and red wine or chips and dip?

Wedding dresses and weight loss.

I don’t think I’ve ever met a bride-to-be who didn’t want to lose at least a couple pounds in order to look her utmost fabulous on her special day.

And I am totally one of those brides-to-be.

In fall of 2013 I broke my ankle and did a lot of damage to the ankle/foot ligaments etc. that really took most of 2014 for me to get it back to full strength so I gained a few pounds. Nothing major.

THEN in 2015 due to a medication change, some hormonal issues, and the fact that I like wine and to eat my feelings, the wedding dress I bought for the wedding last year, that is now this year, doesn’t fit how I would like. In fact, it may not even fit. I haven’t tried it on and will not try it on right now. No way I’m subjecting myself to that. I love that damn dress and to not fit into it…yeah ain’t going there.

Let’s just be honest here. Excuses aside, I ate my way through 2015 and the scale and my clothes show it. The interesting thing is I’m still in decent shape. I may have eaten a lot but I didn’t totally stop working out though I certainly didn’t push myself, talking myself into more nights on the couch with Netflix than at the gym. Now that’s got to stop. If only food wasn’t so yummy and Netflix so entertaining!

But there’s nothing I like more than a challenge. And it IS going to be a challenge. I have 25 lbs to lose in 27.5 weeks or 193 days. I haven’t yet decided which sounds like more time and therefore less intimidating.

Now the good news is it’s totally doable. I know my body, what it’s capable of, and at what weight I feel good at which is totally not this one. I swear this isn’t ALL about vanity, I don’t feel my best physically, nor do I have the energy I want and need. Wine and Swedish Fish do not fuel your body like fruits and vegetables do.

However, while 27.5 weeks/193 days sounds like a lot there is NO ROOM for error here.

No Valentine’s candy binge

No Easter candy binge

No red velvet cupcake binge on my birthday in June.

Life is going to be rough the next 6 months #firstworldproblems.

But I can do it. I know I can.

We all know that weight loss is all about less calories in and more calories out. To meet my goal I need to chase it from both ends. I need to watch what I eat and consistently exercise, even when I don’t want to.

For me, my preferred exercise consists of walking/running and yoga. And surfing the web, but my Fitbit doesn’t have a category for that one.

I have learned to enjoy running over the last few years but only in warm weather. If it’s not at least 50 out, forget it. I know I’m a baby. I need to enjoy running, or at least deal with it, in the cold and get my ass out there. I even bought a neck warmer thingy that looks so cute in the bag. It would look even cuter on.

I have a treadmill in the basement but I can’t stand running on it. It’s so damn boring. Even watching TV, I just have a hard time getting myself to run. I’ve been making myself walk every morning before I start my day to get my heart rate pumping but I need to run. I’m still in good shape even at this weight and need to push myself harder if I want to get where I want to go. I’m thinking about signing up for a 10K just to get me more motivated. I trained for a half marathon several years ago and while it didn’t kill me I’ve got absolutely no desire to do that again. But 6.2 miles…I can handle that.

Yoga, specifically hot yoga where you get all sweaty and gross, it my happy place. It’s a great workout yet relaxing as well. WIN-WIN. I sweat like a pig but it feels so good (and disgusting) at the same time. The year I started practicing yoga I noticed so many positive changes in my body. The strength and flexibility gained through this form of exercise was amazing.

My biggest obstacle here is working the classes into my schedule. I mean yes I could crank the heat up to 104 and do yoga in my living room but I’ll be honest. I’m more accountable when I’m paying for classes. I’d be just as apt to lay on the couch with a drink and pretend I was on the beach than do hot yoga in my living room. But if I’ve got skin in the game, I’m more inclined.

So to help hold myself more accountable I am declaring it Wedding, Workout, and Weight loss Wednesday until my wedding July 30th. Each Wednesday (28 to be exact starting today) I will post updates on my progress on these 3 related topics.

Goals:

lose 25lbs
log 105,000 steps a week (but I might change that if I can get my lazy ass to run)
attend 4 yoga classes a week (I’d love more but these darn kids and their sports)
eat CLEAN 90% of the time – we all need a little cheat.

Accountability partners would be GREAT.

Anyone with me? I even started us a Facebook Group. Please don’t make me be in there all-alone.

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Welcome 2016

I hope you all had an absolutely fabulous Christmas and awesome New Years! I know I did. It was a great time with my wonderful children, friends, and family. I was able to relax and really think about what’s important to me and what I want to do in the upcoming year. It was nice having time to think. Life is so busy that finding time out to sit back and reflect is almost impossible.

And yes…I realize it’s January 19th and the holidays almost a month ago and the Valentines merchandise is already on the shelf BUT you may have noticed I haven’t posted in a few weeks; today is catch up day. My absence isn’t due to some extended vacation in a warmer climate (I wish since it’s snowy and in the 10’s here in the Midwest). I haven’t posted because my website was undergoing some minor revisions, as you may have noticed, and it was easier on the web developer for me not to post new content until it came time to launch. 

Since the web developer is also my fiancé I felt compelled to make his life a little easier. I do want to get married this July.

The website was supposed to launch Jan 4th but best laid plans and all that. We had some snafu’s and it took a little longer than anticipated. After all, you can’t rush awesomeness!

But the new me in 2016 isn’t going to sweat the small stuff so no worries man, it’s all good.

The hardest part was having to wait to chat with you all because I am so pumped about 2016 and how freakin AWESOME it’s going to be. Seriously, this is going to be the BEST YEAR YET!

I’ve got so many cool things coming down the pipeline this year, I can’t wait.

First (and most important) I’m getting married July 30th (yeah, I know I said this last year too but we ended up buying a house instead). I haven’t made any more progress on wedding planning than I had last time, just the dress and venue (though a different venue than last time and I can’t wait to show you), and now I only have 193 days left to pull it all together. Piece of cake.

I want to grow Laina Turner Media SIGNIFICANTLY in 2016. I also said that last year but last year was a huge learning curve for me and I will be the first to admit I wasn’t as focused as I should have been. But I am now. To work toward creating a business that will sustain my family the way I want it to. To get to that goal, I have several new products and fiction books on my production schedule.

Starting with:

Creating Goals to Make YOUR life everything you want it to be ebook and online course.

Ebook launches Tuesday February 16th

Online course launches Monday March 7th

I will finish my MFA in Creative Writing in June – Yeah! I told myself all of December I was going to drop my classes and push it off until after the wedding to have more time to focus on the wedding planning. Well, I don’t do well at pushing things off. I’m so close to finishing I couldn’t stop now. I’m sure I’ll be kicking myself about March now.

To get to all those goals I’m going to have to stay organized, manage my time well, and stay on track with eating healthy and exercise so I can fit into my wedding dress. Bye-bye wine.

Knowing all this helped me get to my Word for the YEAR 

Because I have so much going on, and it’s my normal nature to be juggling 15 balls in the air, I need to make sure I am clearly focused on exactly what it is I need to do, when I need to do it, and how I need to do it. I need to make sure all my actions are getting the results I want and need.

It’s a lot but I’m excited. I know we all will have a fabulous year.

What’s your Word for the YEAR

PS: Make sure to come back and visit the week of February 1st when I have my official blog re-launch which will include all kinds of fun and prizes!

 

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Fab 5 Friday – Favorite Christmas Day Traditions

Watching Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade

Much like watching the Parade on Thanksgiving, everyone’s favorite mouse is on our T.V. bright and early Christmas morning.

Opening Stockings with the Kiddos

Adding a few little extra gifts for the kiddos is always a favorite of mine. It does not even have to be an over-the-top expensive little gift. Their favorite gum or candy {and perhaps a new toothbrush for good measure!}

Christmas Morning Pancakes

Hot Homemade Pancakes are hands down simply the best Fresh Maple Syrup. Blueberries. Christmas Morning Happiness.

Watching Its A Wonderful Life

Yes, I enjoy a black and white old classic movie from time to time. Christmas certainly one of those times when I indulge and take a trip down memory lane. The kiddos may or may not enjoy this tradition quite as much as I do…

Relaxing with a Peppermint Mocha

Peppermint. Mocha. Relaxing at the end of a busy yet oh-so-fulfilling day of family time. Need I say more? A virtual cheers to you!

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My Favorite Holiday Traditions

Half the fun the holiday season brings is all the cool holiday traditions that I personally hold near and dear to my heart. The things that are my MUST DO every holiday season.

Things like:

Watching A Christmas Vacation – you can’t get much better than this Chevy Chase classic. Every year I watch it at least 2 or 3 times during the month of December, and it’s never stopped being funny.

Watching Bad Santa – this is on the opposite end of the family friendly spectrum but Billy Bob Thornton is hysterical as a drunken Santa and sitting back on the couch with a glass of wine listening to Thornton say to that poor kid “are you F*@$%#* with me” I can’t help but love it. This movie takes away all my holiday stress.

Eating a box of peanut brittle – this holiday treat is chock full of sugar, and I know eating it puts me at risk of pulling out a filling, but it’s so worth it.

Seeing The Nutcracker Ballet – I have loved this ballet since before the 1977 TV version with Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland. This year I saw a presentation that was the best I’d seen in years. It gave me goosebumps throughout the entire things. The beauty of the story in this ballet is just breathtaking.

I look forward to these things every year. What are some of your traditions?

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Fab 5 Friday – Favorite Indoor Christmas Decor

Red Wood Painted Holiday Ball Set

Add a pop of color to your table with this darling set that includes classic Christmas phrases. So easy to add to the kitchen table or on an table for instant decor.

Evergreen by Bath and Body Works

“A fragrance that evokes the magic of a perfect Christmas tree—fresh fir balsam infused with sparkling mint & white pine.”

Christmas Winter Clothes Countdown Advent Calendar

“The anticipation of the holidays is doled out a day at a time with this charming string of winter wear dated through December. Small mittens, hats and stockings are crafted out of felt and intricately embroidered, accompanied by numbered circles to keep track of the days before Christmas.”

Santa Mailbox

“Create a spot for everyone to place their letters to Santa.” Because sometimes, the holidays are a bit brighter when we all believe.

Believe Wall Decor

Do you Believe? Do your kiddos still Believe? Nothing quite like the magic expression of a child opening their presents on Christmas morning, believing they are from Santa himself.

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Weekend in Nashville

Being a mom of two active kids doesn’t give me many opportunities to have time away without them. So when my friend Damita asked me a couple of months ago if I wanted to meet up in Nashville, Tn. for a girls weekend (she lives in Virginia but is from the Nashville area) I said hell yah! I was super excited for this getaway and to be able to spend time with my good friend (Iris & Val you were sorely missed).

It’s an easy 5-hour drive from Indianapolis so I headed down Thursday afternoon, we went to dinner, talked, and just relaxed. Sometimes the best time is in doing nothing.

Friday she had some work to do so after breakfast like a good friend I said see ya, peace out, got a latte, and went exploring. I love walking around the city.

I came across this chapel and tried to get Matt to come down and tie the knot. You know how I love Elvis. He, unfortunately, said no that he wanted to wait for our wedding date next July.

I came back to the hotel and was starving so sat down in the hotel restaurant and ordered me up some fried green tomato’s made with a Doritos batter. I know it sounds a little gross, but it was tasty!

I went with Damita to get her hair done (she wouldn’t let me take pictures – she said that was potential blackmail) and that evening we went to a place called Sips & Strokes, a wine and painting place. I’m no painter, but we had a blast!

Saturday we walked around and took in the city and, more importantly, ate great food.

This fried okra was the bomb. And yes I ate the entire basket. I felt like a stuffed pig, and we had to go back to the hotel and take a nap after but it was worth every calorie.

Swearing never to eat again we walked around downtown, and I got to see the Opry museum, a gorgeous church, and the Batman building that technically is the AT & T building, but it looks like Batman.

 

And of course, delicious chocolates.

We soon worked up an appetite and went for some hot chicken at Hattie B’s.

OMG…this may have been the best thing I’ve ever eaten.

In fact, I’m still dreaming of hot chicken.

I did NOT get on the scale this morning because I was afraid. I ate my way around Nashville and loved every minute of it. But now I only have 229 days until I get married so no more eating.

Nashville was an awesome place to visit, and I can’t wait to go back.

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Tiaras & Texans a Presley Thurman mystery

Presley wins a bet with Cooper and thinks she finally is going to get her chance to work with him. She knows she’s got the potential to be a good security detail for his company. She’s miffed when she finds out her first assignment is to protect a bunch of self-absorbed beauty queens at a Texas pageant. She had been hoping for something a little more exciting. It soon becomes a more interesting gig than she thought when one of the beauty queens turns up dead. The fierce competition leaving the door wide open to suspects. Can Presley find the killer before anyone else turns up dead?

Download for Kindle.

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Get cozy with Gems & Gunshots a cozy mystery

Looking forward to a trip to California and to get away from the Chicago winter Presley planned on doing nothing more than enjoying the sunshine and hanging out at the local coffee shop working on her novel.

Things were going according to plan until she witnessed a robbery and felt compelled to investigate. After all she’d been a witness.

Cooper wasn’t too happy when he found out she was involved in a robbery that happened at one of his client’s place of business. But when his clients wide asked for her help how could she refuse.

Can Presley figure this out before Cooper puts his foot down? The last thing she wants is to damage their romance.

Get on Amazon.

 

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Fab 5 Friday – Favorite Chocolate Christmas Desserts

Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes

If you follow me on Pinterest, you know how much I LOVE cupcakes. Cupcakes are the perfect Christmas dessert to easily package up and share with friends and neighbors.

Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake

I mean… lets just call this what it is: Utter perfection. Pass a fork please!

Chocolate Roulade

I personally enjoy ending both Christmas and Thanksgiving with a dessert in a roll form. For Christmas, chocolate. For Thanksgiving, pumpkin form!

White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge

Fudge is one of those desserts that allow you to have something sweet without overdoing it. One little slice has been know to satisfy my sweet tooth in full.

Chocolate Truffle Layer Cake

“This outrageous chocolate cake was born from a lucky mistake. Kimberly Sklar, pastry chef at Literati II in Los Angeles, was baking a creme fraiche-spike chocolate cake and, by accident, took the pan out of the oven early.”

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