So I Say Thank You For the Music...

There is one thing that can put me in a certain mood no matter what and that is music! I listen to many different types of music, but there are songs that make my playlist over and over through the years and I will give you some of my absolute favorites! These songs get my spirit high no matter how I feel and they make me push myself harder, walking or running...

Sandi Thom:
-What if I'm Right?
-Mirrors
-Success's Ladder

Alanis Morrissette:
-So Pure

Amy Studt:
-Misfit
-Ladder in my Tights

Beyoncé:
-Irreplaceable
-Upgrade U

Britney Spears:
-Until the World Ends
-Outrageous

Christina Aguilera:
-Fighter
-Can't Hold Us Back
-Dirty

Eminem:
-Like Toy Soldiers
-Not Afraid
-Lose Yourself
-Sing for the Moment

J. Lo:
-All I Have

Jewel:
-Deep Water
-Hands
-Stronger Woman
-I Do

Johnny Logan:
-The Irish Rover

Nelly:
-My Place
-N' Dey Say
-Heart of a Champion
-U Ain't Him
-Warrior
-One & Only
-Shake Ya Tailfeather

Paul Simon:
-Graceland
-You Can Call Me Al

Pink:
-F**king Perfect
-Raise Your Glass
-Heartbreak Down

Robbie Williams:
-Hot Fudge
-Shame

Tina Turner:
-Private Dancer
-What You Get is What You See
-We Don't Need Another Hero

Taylor Swift:
-Speak Now
-Mean
-Better Than Revenge
-Long Live

So there you go--please give them a listen and see if you agree! Please tell me what's in your ears when you're working out!

A Good Start!

Today is the first day of my 4 week long challenge! I've been very nervous and a little anxious to get started and so afraid I'll let myself down again... But today the feeling is really good, both in mind and body and that helps a great deal!
I was really tired when the alarm went off this morning and I really just wanted to sleep, after working 36 hours this week-end. Anders thought I should, but I was stubborn enough to follow through on my plan: to get up with him, have my morning cup of tea and then an hours walk before breakfast. Said and done and I completed the walk with a good spring in my step, even though my left calf cramped last night and still strains pretty good. Wonderful weather, spring is really coming to town and the dogs were happy and pushing my to go faster... =)

So here I sit, just out of a refreshing shower, preparing a yummy breakfast: 2 boiled eggs, 1 red grapefruit and another cup of white pomegranate tea! Works on my days off, won't work on workdays... Have to figure something out there...

Weighed myself this morning, lost half a kilo in the last week and though it's not much--it's still something and I haven't even tried that very hard! Last night we ate tacos and I LOVE tacos so I had three and then we had some goodbye-see-ya-in-four-weeks ice-cream, that my wonderful man had bought thinking it might not be okay in the coming weeks... <3

So here we go: 4 weeks and I will do this as very good as I can and I do hope for good support along the way! Tonight we're going swimming for the first time in 1,5 weeks and I'm really looking forward to it!

My new goal for this challenge is a two digit weight... Cheer me on, won't ya? =)

Results Week 2

Weight: 105,2 kilos (231,93 lbs)

Results: -0,5 kilos (1,10 lbs)

Once again: not much, but in the right direction...

Thank You...

Today is the International Women's Day and I realize that it is an important and symbolic day for many people, but I must say it means nothing to me.

I don't need a certain day in the calendar to feel special--I need only look into my loved one's eyes to know that I am. Or to read a text or an e-mail that he has sent me, for I feel it in every word and I am truly grateful to have him in my life!
He is truly amazing in every way: he's extremely intelligent and smart, he is the kindest and most caring man I've ever met, he puts up with all my oddities and makes me feel good about myself and he is absolutely beautiful!!! Thank you for being in my life and thank you for loving me, you are everything to me.

All my love!

I am no poet, but this sums it up pretty good:

" So many changes this world can put you through
Sometimes it's hard to find a way if a heart can get confused
But then I hold you and it all falls into place
You've given me what time cannot erase
So when I'm feeling down or feel sorry for myself
I look around and it's easy to tell 

That I am blessed, every time I look into my baby's eyes
I think of all the friends who touched my life
I realise in a world where some have more and some have less
I have love and I am blessed"

Lyrics from "I Am Blessed" by Eternal

Pushing it with Paolo!

As I have already told you, I plan to put together some sort of home work-out and do at least three times per week. Because, let's face it: when you're extremely unfit--the gym is no fun! Which means I won't go, which means I don't get enough training! So, home it is. Yesterday when we were shopping I came across this book:

For those of you who don't know him, Paolo is a famous Swedish boxer and athlete and after he stopped competing and got kids, he realized he needed a new kind of training that he could do at home. So this is what we'll try for these four weeks of my challenge, meaning that poor Anders must get involved as well! There are ready-made programs and you can also put your own together with your favorite exercises. I hope it'll work out good!

Some good news yesterday afternoon seems to have helped chase the cold away, I sure hope it stays away this time!

Three Wonderful Days!

I've forgotten to tell you about our wonderful week-end down south! And since I'm in some sort of house-arrest, I might as well get it down now.

Friday: we went down rather late, there were lots of things we needed to buy and stuff to sort out before driving south. We went to my beloved friends and the best kids in the whole world, I was so nervous since it was the first time they'd get to meet each other. But all went very well and as usual I feel grateful and strong whenever I've been there, it's easy to believe in love and a good life after a visit to them.
Late Friday night we drove up to Anders' parents house in the country-side and fell asleep after a long and good day.

Saturday: woke up to a wonderful breakfast and gulps of the fresh, amazing air that you only find in the country. The dogs love it there, partly because Anders' mother loves dogs and gives them a whole lot of TLC and partly because there's space to run around in.
After breakfast we packed for a day out in the woods on Sörmlandsleden and drove off in the pale, promising sunlight. Once there, it took about ten minutes before Harry was missing! So typical! We called for him and whistled, but not even a sound to tell us where he might be. He has done this before, but it's just as tough every time as the hours go by.
Long story short: after 3 hours I made Yoggi bark three times and when Harry didn't show up after that, I told Anders we'd take the car and come back later. Just then Anders called: Look, there he is! And there he was! Standing underneath a pine-tree looking very remorseful and tired. A wonderful feeling! Beloved little menace of a dog!
In the evening we went Texas Longhorn for a good bite with Anders' parents, one of his two sisters, her husband and their cute little baby-son. After that we went to the movies and watched "War Horse". I really liked it, but whoever made it doesn't know all that much about horses... =) But I admit it, in the end I shed quite a few tears, as did Anders! <3

Sunday: woke up before every one else, feeling well rested and took the dogs out for a good long walk. The air was crisp and a pale sun greeted us as we made our way through a frost-bitten forrest. It was absolutely beautiful! One of those days when I really feel so lucky to be alive and to just be, no need for anything material at all. The dogs very enjoying themselves immensely, just running straight on, taking a short detour off the track and into the woods here and there. Harry stayed relatively close and we didn't loose him even once! =) 

We went down to Norrköping to meet Malin and Nicklas and baby Fabian--for the first time!!! So small, I can't understand that he'll be a "real person" one of these days, really tiny! So happy for them and it was great to see them again! I'm used to seeing them almost every day and now it's been months... 

After that Anders went with his parents and I went to see my family, well Fredrik's really, but after five years it feels like mine as well. The dogs LOVE them! Above and beyond everything! Since they haven't seen each other for months, the greeting-ceremony took quite some time... =) It was wonderful to see them again, but it breaks my heart that I can't see them everyday anymore! 

We drove back up to Anders' parents and waiting for supper, we played a game called Kunskapsjakten, sort of like Trivial Pursuit. Lots of fun! 

We ate and had tea and I felt myself delaying the journey home for as long as I possibly could, I really wanted to stay longer. I love it there. 

So I think that's the remaining feeling from this week-end: I miss home. And home isn't here. Don't really know what to do about that... 

Results Week 1

Weight: 105,7 kilos (233,03 lbs)

Results: -0,6 kilos (1,32 lbs)

Not much, but at least it's going down...