Spicy Motivators 2025: January, February, March

AJsRandom

AJsRandom

Well-known member
Welcome to the Spicy Motivators! Come and join us to be motivated:

" You might need encouragement in exercising more (that’s me). You might want to do more walking. You might need encouragement to eat healthier or lose some weight. Your desire might be to cook more home cooked meals. Maybe you need some push to get more memory pages scrapped or maybe a desire to do more other crafts like sewing, yarn crafts or painting. You might like to set yourselves a monthly goal of how many challenges you want to take part in... or how many pages you want to achieve for an album you are putting together. "

You are welcome to start a post to share your goals and edit to add when you achieve things. Otherwise just pop in here at the end of each week and share how your week has been in achieving your goals.

Also, please feel welcome to ask for any encouragement you may need. :)
 
I have several goals for 2025! And if I don't achieve them, I will not beat myself up. That's not why the Motivators are here. :)

1- Exercise at least 30 minutes 3x/week
2- Make progress toward my Master's Degree (I start my 3rd out of 12 classes next Monday)
3- Read 25 books this year (besides the ones for my degree)
4- Cut down on sugar consumption
5- Keep up better with my family

Remember, your goals do not have to be the same as mine, but if mine inspire you, cool! Can't wait to hear from you! :)
 
Ane, thankyou so much for taking up the Spicy Motivators.

I am still aiming to do some form of exercise each day and also adding to eat more healthy foods - not eat so much in between snacks.

For the first 3 days of this year I have exercised. On New Years Day I walked up and down a LOT of stairs to see a waterfall in a National Park. But all that leg movement was not good for my osteoporosis legs ... I was in pain the next two days and am now just feeling a little niggle of pain. So I have decided no more walking up lots of stairs! Because of the pain, the last two days I only did 10 minute Youtube walking exercises each day.

Eating.... starting to improve but could do better.
 
Hey!!! Love this motivators page. I have 3 main goals this year.

1. By New Year's Eve to have $1,000 in my savings account. You know, the whole Dave Ramsey baby steps thing.
2. Date my husband once a month, grocery shopping does not count. We want PLANNED, out of the house dates.
3. Visit the temple 8-10 times this year. The nearest one is in Louisville and is 1 1/2 hrs away. Columbus is 2 hrs away (but has a fantastic sushi place nearby and a Fiiz!!!). Indianapolis is the farthest at 2 hrs 15 min away, but has a Jack In the Box AND a Swig nearby. So, good choices all around.

We're starting off well, except for the money one, which I'm waiting for husband to ask at work what they have, I don't know if it's program or an app or something. Anyway, so that one I'm hounding him about.

Dates have been planned for 3 months. January, we're going to the Cincinnati Art Museum IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY and both taking the day off. February we're going to do the Target Challenge. March 1 is the Combine in Indianapolis (we were hoping to double dip, but the Indianapolis temple is closed for cleaning that week).

We'v scheduled temple trips for Jan and Feb, but need to find back up babysitters to be available in case our 13 year old feels overwhelmed watching the younger 2 kids.


Also- I have found a fantastic app- Finch. I haven't missed a single Daily Download since getting it and I have been doing baby mini workouts fairly faithfully. LMK if you have it and want to add me as a friend!
 
AJsRandom said:
I have several goals for 2025! And if I don't achieve them, I will not beat myself up. That's not why the Motivators are here. :)

1- Exercise at least 30 minutes 3x/week
2- Make progress toward my Master's Degree (I start my 3rd out of 12 classes next Monday)
3- Read 25 books this year (besides the ones for my degree)
4- Cut down on sugar consumption
5- Keep up better with my family

Remember, your goals do not have to be the same as mine, but if mine inspire you, cool! Can't wait to hear from you! :)
Click to expand...


Do you have any books you are most excited about reading? Do you have a plan or are you looking for suggestions? Also, what's you're degree in?
 
A-M said:
Ane, thankyou so much for taking up the Spicy Motivators.

I am still aiming to do some form of exercise each day and also adding to eat more healthy foods - not eat so much in between snacks.

For the first 3 days of this year I have exercised. On New Years Day I walked up and down a LOT of stairs to see a waterfall in a National Park. But all that leg movement was not good for my osteoporosis legs ... I was in pain the next two days and am now just feeling a little niggle of pain. So I have decided no more walking up lots of stairs! Because of the pain, the last two days I only did 10 minute Youtube walking exercises each day.

Eating.... starting to improve but could do better.
Click to expand...


Walking definitely counts. Some days, all I can eeek out is a 10 second plank or 5 min treadmill. It's hard!
 
Thank you Ane for taking over "Spicy Motivators".

1. Exercise 3x week, it has been hard for me since hubby's condition.
2. Reading 1 book a month.
3. Spend quiet time with hubby everyday.
4. Organize my house, starting slow with 1 task per month.

Anne-Marie, hoping you get stronger soon.
 
Ane, Robyn and Karen, you all have great goals which I hope you are able to achieve.
 
imafishtank said:
Do you have any books you are most excited about reading? Do you have a plan or are you looking for suggestions? Also, what's you're degree in?
Click to expand...

Robyn, welcome! I enjoy reading all kinds of books, from spiritual, to non-fiction, to sci-fi, fantasy, and romance. I will always take suggestions and I don't have a plan but to read stuff other than stuff for my degree. Speaking of that, my bachelor's is in humanities with a philosophy emphasis, and my master's will also be in humanities.
 
Route66 said:
Thank you Ane for taking over "Spicy Motivators".

1. Exercise 3x week, it has been hard for me since hubby's condition.
2. Reading 1 book a month.
3. Spend quiet time with hubby everyday.
4. Organize my house, starting slow with 1 task per month.

Anne-Marie, hoping you get stronger soon.
Click to expand...

You're welcome! I'm glad to see you here! Those are excellent goals. Like Carla, I am also praying for you and your hubby.
 
A-M said:
Ane, thankyou so much for taking up the Spicy Motivators.

I am still aiming to do some form of exercise each day and also adding to eat more healthy foods - not eat so much in between snacks.

For the first 3 days of this year I have exercised. On New Years Day I walked up and down a LOT of stairs to see a waterfall in a National Park. But all that leg movement was not good for my osteoporosis legs ... I was in pain the next two days and am now just feeling a little niggle of pain. So I have decided no more walking up lots of stairs! Because of the pain, the last two days I only did 10 minute Youtube walking exercises each day.

Eating.... starting to improve but could do better.
Click to expand...

You're welcome, Anne-Marie! I'm glad to see you here. I hope your pain subsides and you can exercise as much as you want. Good luck on your wellness journey! :)
 
How's everyone doing so far this week? I managed to get most of my homework done yesterday, and I worked out Monday by shoveling snow from my driveway, haha. I've been reading more, at least 25 min a day. Keeping in touch with my family--I'm going to send a note to my brother to see how my mom is doing. She won't tell me the whole truth herself. My son visited her a few weeks ago and told me some concerning things, so I'm going to check up on her sneakily.
 
This week was hard. We're doing terrible on the money goal. I really need to go go get $20 cash out each week and set it aside. Otherwise it's never going to happen.
BUt we do still have our other goals (date adn temple) planned for the rest of the month.

One other unofficial goal that I set for myself is to be better to my body. That includes several Drs appointments. I had to decide what to take care of first.. In all reality I need to see a dermatologist, an optometrist, gynocologist, whatever you see for carpal tunnel, and someone to help me with my weight. I wish I could add ADHD, but I've decided to give up on having help wih that since meds are so hard to come by lately. I haven't made any appointments yet, but I did ask localy for gyn suggestions and tomorow I'm going through the list with my insurance to see who is compatible.

And Ane, shoveling most definitely counts as a work out!!
 
Robyn, I hope you can remember to take out that money every week! :) I'm glad you set dates to to out and to the temple. Hubby and I need to schedule a temple date, but he works so late and goes to the gym. He has to take off time from work if we want to make it work. He's willing to do that; we just need to decide on a day.

I did pretty good for exercising, reading, and doing homework last week. I am consuming less sugar, but still too much. Keeping in touch with my immediate family and my husband's family is easy, but only 2 of my family are on Facebook, so that makes it pretty hard. Sigh.
 
Keeping my Goals for 2025

Scrapbooking:
*ABSOLUTELY getting ONE page DONE in JANUARY

Cards:
*mailing birthday and anniversary cards every week

Life in General:
*journal daily
*log my meals
*5 Minute Office Break Workouts during class changes
*LazyFit twice a day

Jan 19 - I was out of town last week so I didn’t get to post. Had a wonderful time though!
About 15 ladies and I were card-making at a retreat just south of town and we all get along famously. Surprise of the weekend! Amy's (our fearless leader) son informed her that, "tonight" (Friday night) while he was "grabbing" his fiancé, in Alaska, to transport her to his new duty station in GA, they were going to get married (by a JoP) and was that okay with her? They have a big wedding still planned for Sept '25, but wanted to be married before living together. She and her hubby were overjoyed. Something they'd actually been praying for. So, Amy left us for about an hour to go watch the live stream with hubby, down at the school where her brother is the principal. They gathered as much of their family as they could from in town to have a little watch-party! While she was gone, we made her a CONGRATULATIONS card and everyone there signed it. She came back all red-eyed and blotchy. It was AWESOME! <3

Thanks for getting us started again, Ane! I am so excited for your masters progress. YOU GO!!!

Great to see you here, Anne-Marie! Sorry about your legs, but what a wonderful experience, I’ll bet.

Hey Robyn! Great goals. I like the dating part. I made the savings goal one of mine back in 2023 before Lacy’s wedding because I knew we’d need to give them cash for the reception. Boy am I glad I did that. And you are so right, baby steps is the way to go. I still do what I did then and I have recouped what we gave them and more! It feels so good to have that cushion. Ya know, I found that using my banking app on my phone was the easiest way because then I could transfer $5 or $10 (or more) into my savings at a moment’s notice and know that I couldn’t touch it. Just a thought. Now, our school district is also pretty slick where we can have it set up to split our checks automatically to separate accounts for checking and savings. I haven’t done that because my accounts are in the same bank and I do it myself, but there’s another thought if hubby’s company will do that. One of my besties is a financial whiz and gave me all of these ideas back when I was struggling to save pennies and dimes. Good luck to you. It feels amazing when you get there.

Don’t wanna get preachy on you, girlie! (Robyn) I’ve already talked your ear off, but just go get a referral from your GP to see an orthopedic specialist for the carpal tunnel. Do you remember me talking about that a couple months ago? You may even be able to go straight to the ortho if your insurance will let you. Call them and see. Anyway, see if you can find one who will perform “arthroscopic carpal tunnel surgery”!!! Best thing that ever happened to me! Right wrist on August 23rd, went to work when school started on Sept 3. Could have been working the next week, no problem. Left wrist on November 1st, went back to work on Nov 5th. Couple dissolvable stitches inside, steri-strip on top, a little of that… shoot athletic wrap around the wrist for a couple days. “Don’t get it wet for three days.” Took the wrap off and replaced it with a Band-aid and I was fine. I had a little tingling for a bit, but now I can’t tell a thing unless I hit one of them “just right”.

Absolutely Karen, spending time is the most important thing we can do with anyone. So what are your ideas about organizing? That’s completely overwhelming to me, but I need to start doing that too.


Love and Blessings!
 
Hi everyone, I see by some posts that everyone is on track this week. I had to remind my self what I wanted to accomplish...LOL!

1. Exercise 3x week, it has been hard for me since hubby's condition.
I was able to join my walking group on a hike in the wintery woods on Thursday (nice mild weather last week) then we all met at Starbucks for tea. It was nice to get out and socialize along with the fresh air.

2. Reading 1 book a month.
Still working on my current read but on track for this month.

3. Spend quiet time with hubby everyday.
Everyday hubby and I sit for tea and chat; nothing medical related, mostly reminiscing about some crazy things we did along our 45 years together. It is nice to see him smile and he always makes me laugh!

4. Organize my house, starting slow with 1 task per month.
This is going slower than I thought, organized hubby's medical paperwork but accomplished nothing else (too many appt's with Dr's, nurses and home care).
 
"Absolutely Karen, spending time is the most important thing we can do with anyone. So what are your ideas about organizing? That’s completely overwhelming to me, but I need to start doing that too."

Carla, my plan was to clean one box of my Mom's stuff each week. I have several boxes of papers to sort-keep or trash, photos to sort-keep, scan or give away to family, many household items to sort-keep or give away. It is all overwhelming with hubby's recent diagnosis but I must persevere. I hope this week I can tackle one box...at least that will be a start!
 
Carla, that is such a fun story about your friend Amy's son! It nice to see good things happening to good people. :)

Karen, it's ok to take things super slow right now. You're dealing with a lot of stuff, and that means slow down. I hope you can get that box done this week!

I have been reading for fun more lately; I even finished the book for book club which is good, because I hosted it a few days ago! This week my exercise has been so-so because I caught a bad cold from hubby. I didn't think it was a good idea to go to the gym when I was blowing my nose every 5 minutes, but I did manage yoga on 2 days. The homework is getting done!
 
I am not doing too bad with my exercise - missed the odd day because of the hot summer we are having. The healthy eating is not doing so good. I like food too much. :36_3_1:
 
Carla (mini)- My original finance idea was to do it digitally. We do have half of our paychecks going to the Bills folder, but we'd never keep savings in a savings file, so that we've learned, LOL. Thank you SO much for the carpal tunnel tips! I get so frustrated not knowing where to start or what to expect, so that helps SO much!!!!

Karen- LOVE the organizing idea. That's something that I one day hope to be able to pay someone to help me do, lol.

Ane- what was the book club book?

End of week update on my goals:
1. Pulled the first $20 out and decided on the place we'll be putting them
2. Sucked at workouts, but took the balance board to work and got everyone hooked. We have standing desks and take turns. Even my boss was smitten and we'll see if we end up getting a 6 pack for work, lol.
 
Anne-Marie, I like food too much too, lol!

Robyn, the book club pick was Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney (I think that's how you spell her name). It was a suspense/thriller with a couple of good twists. Good on you for pulling out the money! :) That is too funny how you got everyone at worked hooked on the balance board. It's a pretty good thing to have around. I use the bosu ball at the gym for balance.
 
Keeping my Goals for 2025

Scrapbooking:
*ABSOLUTELY getting ONE page DONE in JANUARY

Cards:
*mailing birthday and anniversary cards every week

Life in General:
*journal daily
*log my meals
*5 Minute Office Break Workouts during class changes
*LazyFit twice a day

Jan 26 - It’s been a rather uneventful week. We were actually off school for most of it. Monday was MLK and we’d planned for T-F as teacher workshop days. Then Tue was so cold that they called it, so Wednesday was actually the ONLY day we attended class! We officially called it THE shortest week of school ever! lol

So… uneventful, until this morning… Sorry if you’ve already read this over on Waffling.
We could use some prayers from anyone who's inclined. We just got word this morning that my youngest cousin, Jeffrey, is in the end stages of cancer too. His doctors are saying weeks or maybe months. I'm really struggling with this. I think the emotions from my Mom are finally coming out, but I'm really, REALLY sad for him and his family. They just bought a beautiful piece of land "up north" and they haven't even finished the house yet. Their only son is a senior in HS and he may not get to see Jeremiah graduate. I'm just sick... and angry. This shouldn't be happening to this little family. I want to take it on me. I do.

Anyway, that's all. Sad, frustrated and asking for prayers.

Love and Blessings!
 
Carla, sometimes uneventful weeks are good! I will be thinking about you and your cousin.

For my goals, I am doing fine keeping up with my own family, but not my extended family. Sigh. I'm doing well, reading for fun most days and completing my homework. Exercise went mostly out the window because I did my allergy shots late in the day and I can't exercise for 2 hours on wither side of the shot. I'll make sure I do them earlier this week! :)
 
I have been meaning to do this and have never got around to it! I started a page last year and didn't go back and do things - so let me give it a try again!


Scrapbook Related:

  • Complete ten challenges monthly
  • At least two Project 52 Pages each month

Life in General:

  • Walk 250 steps at least nine times daily
  • Complete my 30-day yoga program (once for Feb, Once for Mar)
  • Journal 2-3 times weekly
  • Write two hours a week (other than journal)
  • Be in bed before 11
  • Stay current with my Wednesday Night Bible Study assignments

Week Beginning:


  • Feb 02 -
  • Feb 09 -
  • Feb 16 -
  • Feb 23 -
  • Mar 02 -
  • Mar 09 -
  • Mar 16 -
  • Mar 23 -
  • Mar 30 -
 
Keeping my Goals for 2025

Scrapbooking:
*ABSOLUTELY getting ONE page DONE in FEBRUARY (JANUARY... yeah, that didn't happen, so...)

Cards:
*mailing birthday and anniversary cards every week

Life in General:
*journal daily
*log my meals
*5 Minute Office Break Workouts during class changes
*LazyFit twice a day

Feb 2 - Hi Lynnie! Glad you’re here with us.

Didn’t post it here because I’m guessing most of you read it already over on Waffling, but we lost Jeffrey last week and we’re heading up to his funeral next Sunday.

Onto better things. Had a GREAT day yesterday. It was a full card-making day. First was the regular STS (Stamp Together Saturday) with my upline Amy. She’s just awesome and has an online chat every Saturday morning for about 10-20 minutes and we make a card. She posts supplies to have ready on Friday night and then directs us on Sat morning. Really fun. Then, at 10am, it was our monthly team meeting and we talked a little business and a lotta fun and made a couple more cards. I even got to share my perpetual calendar and they were all amazed at my organization and several asked me to train them in Google calendar and “bring them into the 21st century”. HA! So, I’m doing my first online class next Wednesday! Wish me luck. At least it’s with my team, so they’ll all be gracious and helpful. I’m actually excited because it’s something I’ve been interested in doing with my card-making too to maybe actually sell something to others instead of just me. Yes, I call myself my best customer.

Love and Blessings!
 
Welcome, Lynnie! Good to see you here! I need to work on getting to bed before 11 myself lol.

Carla, how fun to have 2 creative outlets! I used to sell Close to My Heart ages ago, but lost my zeal when I discovered digital scrapbooking. :)

As far as my goals go this week, I didn't get in a lot of exercise. I had a sinus infection and some lower back pain. I didn't get in a lot of fun reading either. I just ran out of time in my days, plus PMS so I just didn't want to. Keeping in touch with my family--going pretty well, though I still need to contact my brother. Homework is all done for the week. I'm looking forward to some me time this week and getting Valentine's presents for hubby. Should be fun!
 
Not sure how well this is going!!

as of 2/6, which is not a full week, but still...

Scrapbook Related:

  • Complete ten challenges monthly I have done 7, so I am ahead of the game here....
  • At least two Project 52 Pages each month

Life in General:

  • Walk 250 steps at least nine times daily Nope! not done once, sadly, I need to pick up my game
  • Complete my 30-day yoga program (once for Feb, Once for Mar) I started this, but my wrist hurts so much from my accident in December, I had to stop. The yoga aggravated my wrist. note to self: doctor appointment.
  • Journal 2-3 times weekly I journaled once!
  • Write two hours a week (other than journal) no writing for fun so far.
  • Be in bed before 11 not once, although I did sleep once from midnight until after 11 next day, which is unheard of!
  • Stay current with my Wednesday Night Bible Study assignments Again, not once. I really need to get better

Week Beginning:


  • Feb 02 -
  • Feb 09 -
  • Feb 16 -
  • Feb 23 -
  • Mar 02 -
  • Mar 09 -
  • Mar 16 -
  • Mar 23 -
  • Mar 30 -


I am sad!
 
You're making a good start, Lynnie, that's what's important! I need to get going on those challenges, LOL! :)
 
Keeping my Goals for 2025

Scrapbooking:
*ABSOLUTELY getting ONE page DONE in FEBRUARY

Cards:
*mailing birthday and anniversary cards every week

Life in General:
*journal daily
*log my meals
*5 Minute Office Break Workouts during class changes
*LazyFit twice a day

Feb 9 - I’m so sorry about your sinus infection, Ane. Hope you’re feeling better. Headaches of any kind really drop me. I can be sicker than a dog and muddle through, but I cannot work through a headache.

Dangit Lynnie, I’m sorry your wrist is still giving you fits. Hope you get some “good” news from the doc. Take care of that wrist.

Not much new or different here. Heading up north for Jeffrey’s funeral today. That’s all. *sigh* Weather is absolutely perfect. Should be a beautiful drive. We had snow yesterday so the ground is a stunning, bright white and the sky is a brilliant blue. It’s like Jeff and God created it just for us.

Catch ya next week.

Love and Blessings!
 
Carla, my sinus infection is supposedly over (well, the course of antibiotics ended) but if I overdo the caffeine like I did today, then the sinuses clog back up. I don't know why caffeine does that. It's probably related to my allergies.

I still have not reached out to my brother, but my younger son called yesterday and we had a nice chat. I need more grandkid pictures to scrap--how do I tell this nicely to my oldest & DIL?

I did lots better on exercise last week. I went to the gym for 3 days and got a bonus workout at physical therapy. I hardly read for fun at all, mostly because my school reading was so lengthy! I did get all my schoolwork done for the week though. So I am hitting most of my goals but not all. Oh well, at least I am making progress.
 
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