Preparing for Sin City

Couldn't be more excited for the Otto Family Vacation 2013. I have been blessed to be in a family that took family vacations every year of my short childhood. But as you grow and children become adults, the responsibilities of work and school tend to take precedent over family vacation. After over two years of surviving the responsibilities of "real life", our schedules have finally synced and the Otto family (all 4 of us!!) are now on vacation in Vegas.

In preparation for our Las Vegas trip there was one necessity... MY NAILS!! Special occasions call for special measures and special nails. I saw a nail design on Pinterest that was silver, black and had different crystals on their nails, but I thought for Vegas I wanted more of a regal look and gold screams regal! If you are in the Houston/Cypress area and want amazing nails and a relaxing experience go to Serene Nails in Cypress, Texas and ask for Amber!

Next thing to do is of course Create a Plan. Its a four day (extended weekend) vacation so planning is key. The problem with planning this vacation is two things. First, my family is full of non-planners, go with the flow, whatever happens happens people, how I ended up being the planner of every second of every day especially on trips is a phenomenon to me. Second, we have a few extended family members joining us at times and you have to be conscious of what to schedule that would accommodate all people.

One thing I have learned with all of my travels is although I believe 100% in having a plan beforehand, I also believe 100% in being prepared for plans to change and being happy with whatever may come. Things never always go perfectly as planned and that is okay, sometimes the universe has something even better planned then anything we could ever imagine! You want to have a plan so you are not running around like a chicken with its head cut off, you go with the flow but you end up getting home and saying things like "I wish I would have went to that show while I was there" or "I didn't know that was going on while I was there". Be informed, make a list of ideas, interests, and activities and create a plan of when you think which event will fit in what day and time of your trip. I made a rough draft plan for my family and so far it has worked wonders!

For our show tickets: We bought our Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson ONE tickets a couple days before leaving for Vegas and picked our tickets up at will call, as far as the other shows we are seeing we waited to get them in Vegas in case we could get better deals through our hotel. So far it has worked out great. We got rid of some ideas and implemented others but so far so good!

After making a plan, comes packing!!! I packed a checked luggage with all my necessities, outfits, shoes, and jewelry I needed for the whole four days. But what I really wanted to emphasize is what I think is essential to pack in your carry-on. This is the lightest I have ever packed my carry on and I will continue to do it every time I travel from hear on!!!

First, pick a backpack or purse that is large enough for your essentials but not too big you want to fit it under the seat in front of you. If you chose a purse make sure it zips all the way shut, it is a security measure to make sure nothing is falling out of your carry-on. I chose one of my Mary Kay leopard print bags for this trip.

Second, what are my necessities for carry-on traveling...

Always make sure you have your boarding pass, passport/drivers license, cell phone, tablet and money/wallet (cash and cards).

Magazines are key! I normally pick my top two but I had to include the Halloween themed magazine to get a head start for the coming holiday. Depending on your magazine preferences will clearly determine your magazine picks but mine were O: The Oprah Magazine (Love it! This issue is about overcoming your fear and anxiety), Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publication for Halloween (Has fantastic ideas for Halloween themed cooking, decorating, costumes and spectacular parties!), and finally Lucky with the beautiful Eva Mendes on the cover.



                                                           

I am a big reader!! Traveling whether by airplane, car, bus, train, etc. is an opportune time to get some reading done, so I am never without a book in hand. I am currently reading The Mortal Instruments series and have just started the City of Glass book.
What is an airplane ride without a crossword puzzle, word search, or sudoku puzzle book? Currently I am in love with sudoku puzzles but wow do they stump me sometimes. I think I am in love with the challenge.
My mother laughed when she saw my Italian phrasebook packed. She gave me one of the most honored compliment, she admired my love of always wanting to progress and better myself! Implement one word at a time, then move to sentences, then conversations and before you know it you will have mastered a language. But as with anything, practice makes perfect!

Finally, the last touches! Water and snacks bought after going through security for the plane ride (especially when you are traveling during a main meal time). Prescription glasses and sunglasses are a must when you want to see everything with perfect clarity. And finally lip balm, hand sanitizer and headphones cover your physical and mental health items for the trip.

I am no traveling expert but I wanted to share what I packed in my carry-on because it was the most rewarding and relaxing experience I have had with packing these essentials. I encourage each of you when traveling pack simple and choose your necessities you can't live without but don't overdue it.

Well I am prepped, planned and packed! 

We are off see you when we get back from the beautiful Las Vegas! 

Have a great week everyone!

Making The Shift

Since my specific trial and journey is weight loss and a shift in outlook and attitude at the moment the article my mom encouraged me to read was called Making the Shift by Tory Johnson in the October Issue of the Good Housekeeping Magazine. The article is excerpted from, The Shift: How I Finally Lost Weight and Discovered a Happier Life by Tory Johnson ( Link to Shift with Tory website, also includes links to purchase her book). Tory is from Good Morning America, her job becomes jeopardized as her weight became an issue, and her journey to becoming a 62 pounds lighter.

Now I know what you are thinking... NOT another article about how a well known individual lost their weight, another diet, another solution that worked for them but clearly has had no impact on my life. Well this article is quite a bit different. It isn't focused on working out more, doing different exercises or eating this and not eating that, because let's face it eat a balanced, healthy diet, work out a minimum solid 30 minutes a day, burn more calories than you consume and you will lose weight (it will take time!! but you will lose it and keep it off!) This article is really about making the SHIFT! 

What is The Shift??

It is a shift in mindset, in outlook and in choices. Your way of thinking and living completely shifts like the 180 I described in my first blog. 

"I made a psychological shift. I was ready to stop playing games with myself."

This whole article is phenomenal and I encourage everyone, even if you are not going through a weightloss battle, READ THIS. It can apply anywhere in your life no matter what you are working on!

"My whole life, I've rotated through fad diets and seesawed between denial and acceptance, and now I feel the seeds of an unfamiliar emotion, at least when it comes to weight loss: determination." This sums up my thoughts completely!!! I have gone from diet to diet, I have tried Weight Watchers (lost 20 pounds the first time, over 10 the second, gained it all back plus some), Quick Weight Loss (didn't try it long enough to see lasting results), Trainer at a small gym (quit that after a month), and others I can barely remember. Through all of this I have learned its not the program I decide to do but the mindset I have finally decided to have that will make all the difference. In my life with trying to lose weight I have felt desperation, shame, victorious, and failure but never determination. But this time is different. This time I feel unimaginable determination and this time I am going to do it!

"It is no longer about what I would like to eat- it's about choosing something I want more: to lose weight." Of course I want those chicken tenders, pizza, bread sticks, french fries, etc. but is fulfilling my temporary want going to help me reach my ultimate goal: NO! So which am I going to choose: unhealthy but delicious food or a fit body and confident attitude? Temporary happiness or a happiness hard earned and everlasting? Well the old me of course would have chosen the unhealthy, delicious food to satisfy my temporary wants but the new and determined me is seeking an eternal victory and happiness. 

Her Shift Wisdom #1: "What I put in my head is far more important than what I put in my mouth." I am taking her advice from "The Cleanout" section of the article, I will soon be gutting my families kitchen and organize it to perfection for all my health needs. Yes it is good to resist unwanted food but why torture yourself by having it constantly in your face. "I need a fresh start of a clear kitchen filled only with things that support my quest."

Two months later she was down 11 pounds and not a single person acknowledged her victory because well you can't really tell. (So far I have lost 13 pounds and of course my friends and family are super nice saying how great I am looking but lets be honest I still have a long way to go!) Finally a guy she works with is getting ready for her on air segment and compliments her on losing weight, she is beaming with confidence, Whether it is a 5, 10, 50 or 100 pounds lost, compliments go farther than imaginable because its not the success you are applauding but the hard work and fight they gave you are validating was all worth it. 

Shift Wisdom #2: "Food is fuel; it does not have to be amazing, entertaining, or exciting. Each meal does not have to like a trip to the county fair or a fantasy segment of Top Chef." For some odd reason we think that everything we put in our mouths should create fireworks with our taste buds. But in all reality food has its purposes and though we should treat ourselves to fireworks every once and a while, especially on special occasions, it shouldn't be a daily experience. 

Later in her journey she was asked by a friend what her secret was. Tory said that she will be "disappointed to learn that I have no big secret, just a lot of discipline and hard work." Her friend wants to lose weight but she admits there are things she is just not willing to give up. You have to choose: preference or priority. "You can't begin this journey until you're ready- really ready." Of course you can go from diet to diet, but until you are really ready your journey of true weight loss will never truly begin. 

Shift Wisdom #3: "What the shift will do for your waistline is nothing compared to what it will do for your confidence and self-esteem." This couldn't be more true. The better you look, the better you feel. If you are working hard for a body to be proud of there is no way the confidence and self-esteem won't come naturally along with it. I can't wait to get there. I have already lost an inch in my waist and I know when that time comes to try on clothes and find out I am sizes smaller, it will be impossible to walk out of there without a permanent smile for days.

A year later she steps on the scale to see her official weight loss. She has lost a total of 62 pounds. "It hasn't always been easy saying no to my favorite foods, but it's all been doable." This journey will never be easy, no dream is, but it is all doable if you are determined.

Shift Wisdom #4: "Stop putting a number on your weekly goal. Trust that this will take time." Before this shift, I was all about what would help me lose the most weight the fastest. Now I am in it for the long haul. I have a total of 100 pounds to lose and I realize this journey is going to take quite a bit of time but I know every day will be worth it.

Summing it up:

Are you ready to make the shift? Before starting your journey ask yourself 4 key things:

1. How fed up am I, really?- When you're at the point where the pain of the present outweighs the sacrifice change demands, you're really ready.

2. What am I willing to give up?- Many people promise to stick to a plan, then cheat at every turn. For the shift to work for you, you must accept it as an all-or-nothing deal.

3. What's my plan?- There's no winging it when you're serious about making a significant shift in your life. You need to spell out clear, concise rules for yourself to eliminate ambiguity.

4. What's my accountability?- It's easy to fool yourself into thinking you're on the straight and narrow when you're not. Daily weigh-ins are my reality check. Establish a system that works for you. It could be changes in clothing size or keeping a photo of the original you at hand. 

So are you ready to make the shift?? I want to challenge everyone no matter what you are working on, make the shift or get to a point where you can. Get to a point where you have no complaints, no excuses, no regrets and no more wasted time. Get to a point you are proud to be at. I am not saying wait till you finally accomplish your goal, get there now while you are working towards your goal. It's going to take me time to accomplish my goal but I realized there is no reason why I can't and shouldn't make my psychological shift to a better, positive and more determined self. I can't remember how many times I have told myself "I will reward myself with _____, when I am finally ________." Yes have goals, create deadlines, but reward yourself along the way with living a positive life full of opportunities, reward yourself with things that are ultimately getting you closer to that end result. Take chances, live life to the fullest, and never let what you want today get in the way of what you want most!

So who's joining me in making the shift?? Let's get started on our journey!

No Complaints, No Excuses

This week my mother knowing the path I have been set on brought me a fantastic magazine, the October issue of Good Housekeeping. 

I want to share a bit about the man on the front cover. Good Housekeeping did an interview with Michael J. Fox. After 20 years of living with Parkinson's disease he has decided to continue with his love for acting by starring in his new TV series on NBC called The Michael J. Fox Show. If you are interested in watching the show the video to the official trailer is below.

 

In the Good Housekeeping magazine his article is title "No Complaints, No Excuses". We all struggle with something in life (some trials seem more difficult than others but each is tailored to each individual person). No matter if it is Parkinson's disease, cancer, depression, anxiety, weight problems, addictions, or who knows maybe even a mixture of it all are we living our life to the fullest with  NO complaints and NO excuses?? If not are we trying to?

"A life well lived is demanding and exhausting and tiring; it was already that way without the element of work, so you could say that this job could be the straw that breaks the camel's back--but it could also be the needle in the haystack." This was MJF's response to that carrying a TV show may be too physically and mentally demanding. I absolutely love his response because I think it shows that life is really all about perception. Yes it is inevitable that we will all be dealt crappy cards but are we going to focus on the crappy cards in our hand or the great ones that could win the jackpot? Taking risks can break us. Have you ever made a life changing decision where most people prepared you for the worst or advised you against it? It was challenging but in the end didn't it change your life. Life can break us but taking chances and living our passions never will. If we live our lives to the fullest we will faces opportunities that ultimately can be our needles in haystacks, our golden ticket. 

When he was asked if anyone discouraged him from doing the show, MJF said "You know your situation. Don't let others project onto you what they think you should be feeling." Sometimes we do takes risks take on challenges that sometimes we aren't even sure we can accomplish but if you decide its the right time and the right thing to do, don't let anyone discourage you from your path or your feelings toward your dreams! 

Good Housekeeping asked: " Do you ever have days when you don't feel like being positive?" 

MJF: "I have days when I am tired- days when I want to turn on a classic movie channel, hang out, and eat chocolate. But I don't look at that as being negative or depressed"

"Living a life well lived" is exhausting sometimes we need to take a pajama wearing day in front of the TV with comfort food! Don't beat yourself up, don't be ashamed. If we go till we physically and mentally can't that is when we become bitter and negative. Take a day relax, veg, do what you need to do and pick yourself back up the next day. Don't become lazy, but take a day off from your everyday life, because trust me YOU DESERVE IT!!

Finally, "My 7 Life Lessons" by Michael J. Fox:

1. DON'T LET AN OPPORTUNITY PASS YOU BY!

2. Marry the right person

3. Keep Your Head UP!!!

4. Listen to your loved ones!

5. Teach your children well

6. Fight the Good Fight!

7. NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!

Let's begin today to live a life of No Complaints and No Excuses. Live a life of positivism, give ourselves a break every now and again. And NEVER...EVER.. GIVE UP!!!

Creating Amanda Marie

Hey there, my name is Amanda Marie Otto and this is my brand new blog. For the past month I have done a 180 with my life. I have drastically changed my diet, implemented exercise daily, and have changed my whole way of thinking to a new and positive outlook.

For a long time (well as long as I can remember), I have felt limited, no good and well just about a nothing. I have been overweight, ashamed, and constantly doubting myself. My physical appearance and environment led to a life of anxiety and depression.

And can you think of what I might of said to all of that?!? ENOUGH!!! I have had ENOUGH feeling sorry for myself, ENOUGH of thinking I am not worth something or thinking I have nothing to offer, ENOUGH of thinking I can never have life I feel I was born to have (no I don't know exactly what it is but I know what it should feel like.) Put simply I had enough of the shame and guilt. No more blaming myself, no more blaming others, and no more blaming God for why I am not who I want to be, where I want to be, or why I am not there.

At the beginning of this new journey, I came across a quote that said "Life isn't about finding yourself, it is about creating yourself!" There you have it, this sums up my whole journey right here. I am no longer focused on the past or finding who I am, I am 23 (I hope I know who I am at this point), but I am now CREATING the person I want to be! I am CREATING a fearless woman full of potential who has no limitations to anything she can accomplish in this life and I am truly believing it! I am CREATING a life with endless possibilities. I will never again miss an opportunity to live my life to the fullest. I will never miss a movie date with a group of friends because of "social anxiety", miss a workout at the gym because "I look like a dummy", miss a picture full of memories because "I look too fat" or sleep in bed all day because "there is nothing I can really offer the world".

I am not just CREATING a happier and healthier me by exercising and eating but I am learning to love myself with every step of the journey. Everyone in this world has something to share, some wise words to tell, some awing talent to show and share, whatever it is don't hide it any longer!!

I am hoping this blog is not just a venting page or spill of my life but an inspiration to others, I will share encouragement, motivation, my interests, my struggles, my victories, my ideas and I hope you will do the same! Whatever it is that is holding you back, say ENOUGH and start CREATING everything you want to be!!!

Welcome to Creating Amanda, a new journey, a new ME!!