Simplifying

I've always attempted to achieve more than is actually possible.  Goals have been set over my lifespan that, now looking back, are just simply ridiculous.  The last few months, it's been all about simplifying...  Life, family, housework & homeschool.  Especially homeschool. 

 

I've learned so much from other stay at home moms, from my own mom, from WJ and from daily communion with God.  While each of these have taught me in different arenas of preparing our girls for life, I have been most convicted of my 'perfection' mentality.  While I firmly believe in goal setting and lists, I have realized that I did not want this mindset to wreck the future of my girls' well being.  In the words of my own dad, "it's all about BALANCE".  And I am thankful for this stretching. 

Over Christmas break, I revisited our lesson plans, re-writing and stretching them out a lot.  We've gone from trying to spend 3-4 hours a day in 'school' to sometimes not even an hour!  I've found that Goose is still learning her core lessons without the pressure to perform.  In changing my high expectations, she's actually learning more quickly!  Prissy's just happy with a dry erase marker board, so I'm good for now. 

 

We have desk time for an hour every day (give or take). I have divided our other activities to cover the whole week instead of every day... Nature, Worship, & Art (or a combination of these because, after all, they can go together). We are continuing our study of the states; turns out Goose loves maps as much as I do which makes this Mama smile!  She is even beginning to help me read to Prissy at night, which is amazing.  While our schedule may be more laid back, and she may not be as advanced as some... I am content with living our own pace.  She will be taught order, organization and discipline as we continue living our lessons every day. 

 

Speaking of organization...

As far as housework... well, this is the biggest challenge for me.  I have strived to keep a neat house.  I love organization.  However, I also want my family to 'live'.  While we don't encourage chaos in the rooms of our home, I've adopted what a wise woman once termed the 'functional mess'.  If something seems messy, ask yourself, "is it functional?  is it active?"  meaning:  is it being used right now?  as in crafts, stuffed animal hospitals or the rock collection that is their dinosaur museum?  Even thought I still hold to the 'everything has a place' mentality, allowing a little wiggle room has freed my neurotic mind when it comes to the inner workings of our household!  I'm quite certain this has made the other three dwellers very happy.  For me, the adjustment is so enjoyable.  Who knew?  Well probably all of you! 

 

Life is every changing.  And to think this doesn't apply to the early years of raising children, or any year for that matter, is crazy.  I have found this big sigh of relief a wonderful thing.  While life may evolves, it certainly doesn't need my help in making it more difficult.

 

Now, let out a big sigh. 

Felt good didn't it?!?

 

 

Shrinking...

Every time I think of losing weight, I can hear my Dad's philosophy ring in the ears... "Just buy bigger clothes!"  He was always intrigued by our aspirations for good nutrition... yet he didn't want it brought to his table!

 

From the background that WJ & I both have in fitness and nutrition, aspiring to re-create this lifestyle has become a priority for our family.  We feel this is one of the greatest things aside from Jesus that we could give our girls; as well as elongating the length of our days to enjoy our family. 

 

To date (since the start of this new year) I have lost 7 pounds.  That's pretty ok with me since it is only the first month.  There is always more that I could be doing, but considering what we have changed since the holiday, I am very encouraged.  And feeling MUCH better!

 

Food:  I have managed to change almost every eating habit that was dragging me down.  We are still working on the "jelly" cravings of my oldest daughter and WJ, but hey, we're getting there!  We are doing a combination of Dr. Gundry's Diet Evolution, recipes from the Daniel Fast and the basics of portion control. We have eliminated as much processed food as possible at this point and that was no small feat!  I bought a blender, because juicers still intimidate me.  And I'm thankful that the girls will drink pretty much anything I make as long as it has strawberries or kiwi in it! 

 

I also use the MyFitessPal app on my phone (or the internet) to help journal my food & exercise.  If you are serious about losing weight, start keeping detail on what you take in... it is amazing how this changed my mentality of what (and when) I eat & drink.

 

Exercise:  I have started doing some form of 'movement' every day.  The addition of the Wii (Christmas present) has been a great tool for us as we were not prepared this year to pay for gym fees.  I'd rather spend our small budget on healthy food and do the work myself.  (I do miss the gym, though.)

 

I have also found a rekindled love for strength training (which has always been my go-to).  I am using the LIVE FIT program by Jamie Eason.  She is awesome and I love the workouts.  I do however tweek each day to fit my forte of training.  The best results I have seen so far are by incorporating a cardio set in between my lifting.  This helps burn the calories as I tone muscle.  

 

TIP:  buy a jump rope.  Best way I've found as a mom to get a 'very quick' cardio workout in between meals, homeschool and laundry!  Of course you'd have to make sure the ceilings are high enough, or just step outside.

 

Rest:  Since WJ has been working crazy shifts, some into the wee hours of the morning, I've realized my need for exercise to help me sleep.  Before Jan. 1, I experienced insomnia at least 4 days out of the week.  Staying up until 3 and 4 a.m. was literally draining me of all energy.  After I started getting my heart rate up everyday, I found myself exhausted by 10 p.m.!  Can you say, "Happy, Happy, Happy!?!"  I am now almost back to my normal sleep pattern of a 10-11 p.m. bedtime, waking by  5-6 a.m. for study, prayer and preparation for the day!  A little shout out to my circle of kindred sisters for all the prayer in this department too!  It has helped!

 

 

~ I started the new year at 148 pounds (yeah.  that's a ton of weight on a 5ft frame).  I am now at 141 with a decrease of 4.5 inches total.  Not as much as I'd like, but I'm not going off numbers... simply creating habits of doing something every day and maintaining a nutritional mindset! 

 

If you want change, start small.  Don't put the pressure on with an unattainable goal.  Set weekly, daily or even hourly goals for yourself and get moving!  Lean on the internet for resources and find others who will support and keep you accountable! 

 

Happy Shrinking!

 

What are some of your goals and how is it going now that we are one month into the resolution season???

Pulling the sweet tooth...

Yesterday was a great day in the journey to shrinking. Even saw my first decrease in weight: down 2.5 pounds this week!! Yet this was only the calm before the storm...

Out of nowhere, today I found myself standing over the cake. The cute chocolate cake that Goose made for us on New Years...and yes, yes I did. Fail.

Do I regret having the cake in the house? no. Because the memories of baking with my daughters is something that is very dear to me. We have designated Sundays and holidays for these times of indulgence, or "letting the sweet tooth loose" as the girls say. Although I have declared that I'm pulling my sweet tooth out for a while :)

I simply have to allow my will power to overpower my weakness!!

So what was the trigger? Well the day started out good, worked out early and eating clean through lunch. Then it hit. I was overwhelmed with a dirty house, dirty clothes & trying to get Christmas stuffed back into the attic (a bit nostalgic missing my Mom...and my Dad). The girls are restless, the hubs is working yet another weekend... Need I say more? Good. Because I try not to excuse myself from life. So why this paragraph? Because I want you to know that you are not alone. Temptations and pressure will come begging you to give in. But there is a way to beat it...

It's all in the mind. Prepare mentally for the day as much as you do physically. If I had started my day with a mental workout, a little reading/prayer, it may have been a better day. It's ALL mental!

And another thing! what if? my twisted little subconscious tried reward itself for actually shrinking this week... This is a VERY lame but reoccurring affect in the female journey. Don't fall into this trap.

Note to self: Just because you reached a goal doesn't mean it's time for a treat... Especially the first week! So I dropped a pound or two. Big whoop. High five the mirror and move on!

I am picking myself up and starting the day over. Right now. 2pm

On a side note...
Here's a little bit of sunshine in my storm of a morning.... Ms. Prissy joined mommy in the fitness groove. How cute is this? (and yes, I know, my girls never wear clothes)

Raw determination

So as the second day of my little (ok huge) quest comes to a close, I am happy to say that I have met today's goals: no caffeine, no sweets (duh), drink a lot of water & work out at least 30 minutes! Oh, and I "got dressed" today, even fixed my hair.

After replacing the Dr. Pepper for water and drinking what seemed to be my weight in it, I feel great! Had a little headache, ok a big one, from lack of coffee...oh how I miss my creme brûlée creamer! But I am determined to do this!!!

I am using the "my fitness pal" app to track calories and workouts. One key thing to remember is if you are wanting to shrink, don't eat the "workout calories"! Example: if your caloric goal is 1200 calories and you burn 250 during your workout... The app will give you that 250 on top of the 1200. BUT DON'T EAT THEM!! Stick to the 1200 limit and let your body burn the fat!!!

Hope you got up and moved a little today. It felt great to get back in the groove... Think I'm gonna like shrinking! As long as I can stay strong!! Thanks for helping - leave me a comment and let me know how you are doing or share a little support! Happy Healthy!

(I bought the arm band for my workouts with music... The motivational girly pic was a bonus, lol)

Raw confession

Ok, so I'm finally going public. I am overweight.

If you just giggled, good! Because starting today, I could use your humor to get through the awkward moments of putting myself out there... Accountable to you.
All six of you.

I have failed in the past three years to actually stay consistent and whip my 5ft frame back into shape. If i had just done it right after baby, it would have been so much easier. I could list the excuses and reasons that have contributed to this, but bottom line is.... It's all on me.

Every day I think about it. Every morning I wake up determined to do better. Some days I do. Most I do not. Being a stay at home mommy makes it tricky being that most days my wardrobe consists of PJ's or leggings, no make up and shirts with paint all over them!

Although i see being 20+ too big as a major issue, it gets old to be thought of as "not" having weight issues because I have a small frame. Thankfully, this is not an internal problem. I have a wonderful husband who is not only patient and understanding, but also very supportive.

So, I am starting with our daily routine. We are pretty scheduled with home and homeschool. Now I'm applying it to my personal appearance. Each morning, I am going to "get ready". Just as if I was going out, I will BE for myself and my family what I would attempt to be for society (Old timers would call this "gettin done up"). And that's just what I'm going to do. Because WHO I see in the mirror is going to gauge HOW I see myself. And act accordingly.

So there. I am transparent. No pictures yet. I have before pics, but hey, this post was hard enough. Not going to make it harder... Yet.

Baby steps! Happy New Year!