Money vs. Health ~ February 2012 Week 1

Now and again I tend to fall of the wagon.  Soda, rice, drinking, and the most crucial……… exercising. I did not need a new year to start new Celebrations or wait till Monday so I won’t lose track, or look in the mirror and get scared.  It happens few and far between but man.

So I’m not going to lie, it’s 2/22/12 and I did not complete this blog.  Hey life happens and I’m trying to unwind from the many visits within the past month.  But it never really happens.

What was my point to this blog.  Oh yeah, so there are opportunities to put a little extra cash in my pocket or just build save in a  jar I call “Celebrations”.  It feels good with the extra cash but I also do it to help out.  Single household income goes so far.  I know my tipping point and when it’s time to not work extra. An extra hour rest or sitting outside on my rocking chair having a cup of coca and wondering why I’m in shorts in 48 degree weather.

I don’t over indulge with my eating nor do a fast food run just cause it’s easier.  What really hurts is the exercise.  I enjoy doing some form of exercise daily.  I mean who can say their company created a gym for their employees free of charge 24/7?  What excuse do I have?  Money…… Is money more important than my health? Materialistically yes but in the long run……. NEGATIVE.  When I do OT, it’s usually during days I work, so longer hours.  On my weekends, all I want to do is lounge around the house.

Again time has passed and blog hasn’t posted.  Obviously it stops abruptly here.

Thanks for taking time to read my blog.  Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

MOVE, MOTIVATE, & MISSION

Sherri-Lei Sam Fong

Family, Friends, & Food

It usually takes me forever to write one blog a week.  If you could only imagine when I attempted to do it daily when I first moved to Las Vegas.  I wanted to have value and for people who read my blog, some kind of connection or “I thought it was only me.”    I decided to just wing it.  No spell check, making sense, digging for new words to put in the blog.  Nope, just pure 10-mins off the cuff. Yes I still want to have some kind of main point but just go RAW!!!  Well…… we will see.

It’s been about 19-months since I’ve left Hawaii and everyday I’ve cried and celebrated.  When the going got tough, I had a handful of friends that encouraged, supported, and prayed for me as I continued to pray for my family that they did not hate me for leaving them behind.  Things happened, opportunities happen and the desire to have it was great.  All these things have led me to where I am and my life still continues to bless me. 

Although I speak to the kids and family on the phone, nothing is compared to seeing them and just hugging them until they get irritated.  These moments are rare but I cherish every second.

What gets me through my humps are new friendships created at work.  I can’t really call my job “work” because the atmosphere and bonds go beyond the 9-5.  Employees are transplants from other places looking for new opportunities or just trying to start a new life……. hey that sounds like me!  We are from different backgrounds, places, and lifestyles but we unite because of the Core Values we strive by and the loyalty we have for a company that is like a big family.  Since living in Vegas, I have been invited to family holiday parties, family trips, etc.  I’m so overwhelmed with gratitude that I sometimes forget that I’m away from home.

Now what really gets me excited and gives me a  jolt is when peeps from back home come to visit.  Yes they are here to gamble and eat good food.  But I do not mind watching their backside as they play craps, on the table or push a button.  I do save up for moments like this.  My little container of play money, saved for the few and worthy.  Don’t get me wrong, everyone is worthy, but there are two that I will drop, play, win, and walk away. 

My friends from Hawaii are my extended `ohana.  They bring treats from back home, eat at places which I have never known about, and just spend time.  We can pick up conversations like we never skipped a beat.  How many people can say that?  I mean truly. 

In January alone I’ve visited with two great friends.  The visits were a few days apart and boy it was worth every second with them.  I haven’t laughed and ate so much.  Fantastic conversations and ideas being tossed back and forth.  We celebrate each others visions and share our mana`o. We catch up with our kids and get drunk the only way we know how.  It always hurts when they leave.  The pit of my stomach just turns and my eyes water.  I never want to let go but know that there will be a next time.

February is here and boy the excitement is never-ending………. Oh wait…… I have gone over the 10-mins by 20-mins so I guess I need to leave a cliffhanger.  Yeah right.  Next week is right around the corner.

Exercise

I have done the daily kettleball and tried to make up for the time friends were here but I’m not sweating it.  So long as I move daily, I celebrate.

Work has created a gym for us.  WHAT?!?!?! And it’s FREE!!!! SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!!  I try to implement before work at least 15-mins and then 35-mins during lunch.  I hit the elliptical, treadmill or swing a kettleball.

I will be getting back into my morning routine of rebounder, abs, and push ups.  Maybe do a video.  So ready for February.

Food Habits

I have tried to hit my water goal of 120 ounces daily but hit on the average 80 – 100 ounces.  Not bad.  I need to remind myself that the more I workout, the more I should increase my water.  If I dehydrate my body, I will not be able to celebrate my daily accomplishments.

I have had soda only three times this month and I totally celebrate that!!! The cut back on my Hawaiian rice has been a minimum but it just changed to bread.  Jeez.  Need to work on that in February.

I’m so grateful that you took time to read my blog.  Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

MOVE, MOTIVATE, & MISSION

Sherri-Lei Sam Fong

 

 

Water Intake ~ January 2012 Week 3

The daily amount of water for an individual is 64oz or 8 cups of water.  But is that really the case?  Each individual is different in height, weight, mass, fitness level, etc.  I consider the  8 cups of water to be outdated information.  With the many changes in the world we live in now, what was then can not be used now.

Yes, yes we try to eat healthier; organic, soy, 2%, no %, fat-free, sugar-free, good corn, bad corn.  We try to become physically active; treadmill, hiking, walking, elliptical, workout dvds, etc.  We even try the next “best” health product or multi-vitamin.

With all that said, the second most important thing on my list besides breathing is WATER.

Growing up fluffy all I heard was 8 cups of water, you need 8 cups of water. Just drink 64 fluid oz a day and you won’t eat as much.  Seriously????  To drink something that is tasteless, makes me run to the bathroom, and feel bloated……. I can go without it.  Soda, Gatorade, and OJ was my drinks of choice.  Why couldn’t I have that instead?  Of course I know now, sugars, caffeine, and calories but it just tasted so much better than water.

A year after high school I got into paddling and it really did some changes with the consumption of liquids.  Not only did I need the water when we trained on and off-season but I started drinking.  Now it gets twisted.  My theory…… exercise more, it doesn’t matter what kind of liquids you drink.  You can even go on a liquid diet and pretty much stay away from food.  I think I drank 80% liquids and 15% food.  Wow.

There were moments in my life that……. heck I’m not gonna lie even now, liquids and dancing makes it was all good.

Why did I choose about water intake?  I didn’t need a new year to have new goals about getting skinny, eating better, yada-yada-yaba-daba-doo.   As I continue to exercise more, I’m drinking more water.  I’ve learned to drink half of my body weight in ounces.  It should be close to 110 oz of water.  However as my exercise increases, so does my water intake.  My daily celebration water intake is 150 ounces.  BTW…….. alcohol DOES NOT COUNT!!!

Thank you for taking time to read my post.  Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

MOVEMENT, MOTIVATE & MISSION

Sherri-Lei Sam Fong

10,000 Swing Challenge ~ January 2012 Week Two

 This year is not about goals but celebrations of new discoveries and life changes that will create a healthier and better me.  Last week I read a friend’s Facebook post of a 10,000 Kettleball Swing Challenge.  This challenge will not only tone obvious body areas but it will use muscles in areas that have not been used for long periods of time, possible callous on the hands, fatigue, etc.  The daily celebration swing is 333 or more.  Multiple weight/size and reps are important. 

 I think the most challenging is the mental part.  Focusing on the NEED to make the daily celebration swing or HAVING to do the full 10,000 swings by the end of the month.  NOPE……. not me. 

 One example that sticks out right now is the Zappos 1/2 Marathon.  Prior to the marathon, I psyched myself out about walking to the start, waiting till we officially start, make it to downtown, swing back around, and walk back to the hotel room.  My mind was focused and the adrenalin was pumping.  The Stratosphere was my personal half point and I celebrated.  However, not truly being prepared for the cold and correct footwear, my head let the pain take over and all I could think of was, “where is the bus.” 

 I learned lots about myself and my “lose it” point.  It’s more about the mental and what I focus on than anything else.  I am taking this challenge and WILL press forward everyday but I WILL NOT let my mind get the best of me.  Just participating in this challenge, I have already won.

Thank you for taking time to read my blog.  Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

MOVE, MOTIVATE, AND MISSION

Sherri-Lei Sam Fong

Exercise Fads ~ January 2012 Week Two

I am always trying to do new things in the gym or at home that will tweak my exercise regiment.  I do not want to ever feel that exercise is so routine or too easy that I just stop.  I take that back,  I don’t want my life to take over that I will assume if I miss a day it won’t hurt.  I never forget to brush my teeth, shower or eat daily, so why would I not take care of my body.  I will not get to my “correct weight” if I don’t take care of me.

Every year there is always a new fad video that will “change your life.”  I’m not going to lie, I have several of them that I have done but stopped because it just was not exciting as when I first started.  I don’t do a full routine but the 5-min versions of hardcore, to the point, in and out.  The ending of last year I started a new trend…….. Hot Hula.  Over the years there have been videos to teach you simple hula steps or using the hula as a workout but it never caught on.  Personally it was more embarrassing than useful, but hey……. people buy into the hype.  Anyways, there were classes and I totally know that I CAN NOT DANCE HULA!!!  I feel like I have two left feet and just not graceful.  Just the warm up kicks me in the butt.  It questions if I even have a spot of Polynesian in my body.  Well…. I wouldn’t go that far.  The scary thing is that when learning the Siva with the beating drums, I can get the motion down but not the flowing, graceful, and sexy look of the hula.  But change the music to hip-hop…….. I can tear it up!!!

My daily exercise also includes elliptical, push-ups, abs, and jumping on the rebounder.  Everyday I have added 3-mins to my workout.  It should actually be just for the cardio but I want to push all my other areas as well.

Eating habits have soda completely out of the picture.  I enjoy OJ because of the vitamin C but with all the sugar in the OJ, it’s like drinking soda.  I try to have a salad for two of my big meals.  I know that I need to change the type of dressing used but that will come over time.  If I have carbs, I will have that in the morning.  Implementing water intake that is half of my body weight which = 120 oz. (ok its a bit more but that is my celebration amount).

So many changes in my life for my physical health but I need to find a balance to find growth in spiritual, intimacy, finance, and self-education.  I know that as I continue to work on myself, I will be able to give more and receive abundantly in all spectrums.

Thank you for taking time to read my blog.  Any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

MOVE, MOTIVATE, AND MASTER

Sherri-Lei Sam Fong

New Year’s Thought ~ Thursday January 12, 2012

Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400.
It carries over no balance from day-to-day and every evening it deleted whatever part of the balance you failed to use during that day. Would you make sure you used every cent?

Each one of us has such a bank and it’s called TIME! Every morning it credits you with 86,400 seconds and every night it writes off as a loss whatever you have failed to use wisely, it carries o balance, it allows no overdraft, and every day it opens a new account. 

 If you fail to use the day’s account the lost is yours!  There is no going back, there is no drawing against tomorrow.  You must live in the present, and today’s deposit….  Use it in every opportunity time is running out, make the most of today right now. 

 To realize the value of one year, ask the child who failed a grade. 

 To realize the value of one month, ask the mother who gave birth to a pre-mature baby. 

 To realize the value of one second, ask the person who took the silver medal in a race. 

 Time waits for no one….

Follow every lead…

Opportunity missed is wasted time….

Make every second count….

Yesterday is history….

Tomorrows a mystery….

Today is a gift…..that’s why it’s called the PRESENT!

New Year ~ January Week One

The year has just begun and there is so much to be thankful for.  There are many things that I have done over the years and it has been put on the side because of time.  If I am not at work giving my best, I care for my body by letting it rest.  To me it makes sense.  Two complete days of just laying in bed and enjoying “self” time.  But this is not the case.  I must grow in someway everyday. 

When I first moved to the mainland, I created a 6-month and 1-year list of goals.  I went over my lists and realized that I have done all my goals on the 6-month and half of the 1-year!!!  I celebrated my accomplishments but I didn’t continue and grow.  I’m not disappointed but more of being aware of my present.  I even analyzed how I felt back then and now……. I have grown but need to grow more.  Like working out a muscle or doing cardio, when it becomes mundane and not a challenge, its time to step it up.

I have created a new 6-month goals list and noticed that it is more in detailed and visual.  Yes I knew this in the past but it’s like riding a bike, you never forget and things open up differently.  As I’m writing, I realize that I can tweak more. I don’t want to create a “goals list” but a “celebration list.”  I also wrote “to lose 100-pounds……”  but what I want to do is what Joy did….. She didn’t put a number to her weight loss but was going to be at the “correct weight if she cares and loves her body.”  I am so going to re-do my Celebrations.

I didn’t need the New Year to start new……… I JUST NEEDED ME TO WANT MORE. 

Thank you for taking some time to read my post. Comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

MOVEMENT, MOTIVATE & MASTER

Sherri-Lei Sam Fong

      

December 2011

There were many high and lows in December.  The two things I really want to focus on besides my end of year gratitude is the Zappos Rock & Roll 1/2 Marathon and spending time with my son.

In March I decided to go back to the gym for that extra adrenaline rush needed to continue my weight loss.  I also decided that I wanted to do the Zappos 1/2 Marathon.  When I started with the company, I did not have the opportunity to participate but it looked exciting and I felt that it would be another thing off my bucket list.

On Dec 4th I participated in the Zappos 1/2 Marathon and shared this experience with a very dear friend Nalani (a sister from another mister).  The weather was cold, my feet screamed, but I was successful.  I did not complete the Marathon.  I bus picked us up at 15K marker.  They took us to the end but the real gut check was walking back to our hotel which was a mile away.   So now I can say that I scaled a mountain and participated in a 1/2 marathon.  It’s time to think of doing these two adventures again.

The last two weeks of December I was blessed to have my son spend sometime with me.  The year before I had both my kids with me but with starting a new job, the oldest one only had memories of babysitting the six-year-old.  Trenton is a young man and will be heading off to college next year.  Each day was memorable and I tried to fight the sleep.  I would get up early, make breakfast, kiss him on the head and leave for work.  I would get home at a reasonable time to still do afternoon shopping and just enjoy each others company. 

All I wanted to do is be around Trenton and all he wanted to do was let me rest.  We had our moments of “are you going to clean,” but all in all we laughed lots.  My son isn’t a real picture person but every picture I took is a fantastic memory for me.

2011 had many opportunities, blessings, laughter, crying, and humility.  I’m so grateful for the many connections created with people.  There are a many that have helped me with my transition away from home and I consider them my Vegas `ohana.

I had many growing pains and revelations of self and how I create my life. 

2012 has many adventures that lay ahead.  Not just for me but for Trenton and Kalei.  I have begun reconnecting with lifelong friends.  I have set in motion to change the way I see and do things and continue to create a fantastic life. 

I thank my `ohana back home that love and support me.  The prayers and sacrifices so I may be able to live the life I have.  I’m so grateful to Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost for they are my foundation of my life and without them, I AM nothing.  I’m grateful for my son Trenton who is a fine young man and that he stays true to himself and what he wants in life.  I’m grateful for Kalei and the trials he goes through daily with school and focusing in class.  He continues to try his best and will succeed with the love given.  I’m grateful for Ryan who is still trying to find her way in life.  I’m grateful for Aunty Lumpy who continues to pray for each of us because we do not go to church.  I’m grateful for my Mom and the faith she has to continue to live with all that noise in her ears and helping to balance everyone to have a roof over their heads.  She doesn’t just sacrifice for our immediate `ohana but our surrounding `ohana.  I don’t think anyone realizes just how much she goes through every month with lies and dishonesty.  I don’t take it for granted but it is also not my life lesson to go through.  I’m grateful for my bestie Nalani for being that rock of reason.  The love she shows the `ohana and the crazy adventures I drag her on. 

My gratitude is overwhelming and endless but I shall end now.  To a new year of life, love, and growth.   I can/will change my state in a second.  Motion is created by Emotion.  Changing my physiology, focus, and language, and things will have better clarity. I will move 3-mins more than I did the day before.  I will enjoy the process of becoming a better me.

MOVEMENT, MOTIVATE & MASTER

Sherri-Lei Sam Fong

November 2011

There is always opportunities at Zappos.com to grow within your department, expand and try another department, increase growth through books…… the list is endless.  If you can think it up, it could happen.  Before I left for my trip to Hawaii last month, I decided to apply for a Speciality Team.  I’ve been on the fence for a few months.  I knew my direction was growth in skills and books but wanted more of a challenge.  I’m not saying taking calls from customers is not challenging.  You will never get the same type of call twice. 

I applied before Leadership Camp in September and assumed that I did not make it to round two.   As I interviewed it was just an amazing experience.  I did not realize how much I learned within the department in a year.  I was leaving to Hawaii in days, so I thought I would just enjoy my vacation and hear the results when I return.   Oh no……… I was told the day before and I was stunned.  Even with the words coming out of Weasty’s mouth, I heard but did not react quickly.

As the new month begins, I have transitioned from my old team Ca`ve to a new team Zaptropolis.  Some much to learn and understand.  The pieces of the overall puzzle makes sense.  I am so blessed to be able to have this opportunity. 

This month was also my first event with work.  5K Turkey Trot.  Will it prepare me for the Zappos 1/2 Marathon in a few week?  Lets just say that it was good to get back into the groove.  It didn’t give me the jolt to get back into the gym but it was a reality check. 

I did keep an account of my daily exercise and food intake but due to the lack of catching up, my personal journal has all the details.

I will continue to write in the hopes to remind myself that all journeys taken have positive rewards.  I also have the hopes to inspire someone else who may have the same struggles with living a healthy lifestyle.  It is my choice in everything I do and there are many who inspire me and that is why I do this.

MOVEMENT, MOTIVATE & MASTER

Sherri-Lei Sam Fong

October

My intentions was to create a daily accountability of my physical activity and eating habits.  To my dismay, the time set aside for my daily blogging seems to get lost in the shuffle with other things.

The new year has already begun but there are so many things that have happened that I decided to just re-cap the last three months of 2011.

After Leadership Camp in September, I was diligent in continuing my growth with audio books, exercise, hour of power, and reading.  I started to meditate and things manifested.  To me these manifestations was great abundance.

The ending of October, I was blessed to go home to Hawaii for 10-days.  It was my first trip home to Hawaii since I moved to Vegas June 2010.  16-months and not a moment longer to see the green mountains, smell of the ocean, and the love of my `ohana.  I wanted to spend time with friends but time was too short.  I spent everyday at the beach, ate what I wanted, and enjoyed my kids.

I did keep an account of my daily exercise and food intake but due to the lack of catching up, my personal journal has all the details.

I will continue to write in the hopes to remind myself that all journeys taken have positive rewards.  I also have the hopes to inspire someone else who may have the same struggles with living a healthy lifestyle.  It is my choice in everything I do and there are many who inspire me and that is why I do this.

I am humbled that you have taken time to read my blog.  Any comments or suggestions is greatly appreciated. 

MOVEMENT, MOTIVATE & MASTER

Sherri-Lei Sam Fong