Quick catch up

It's been far too long since my last post.  And far too long since a good workout pattern, too.  To summarize, my smaller size as well as my "normal" sized clothes aren't fitting, so I'm trying to put an end to the bs eating and excuses I've been making lately.  The scale shocked me the other day, too.  Actually, it didn't...  I specifically got on it because I knew my ass was growing and for some reason I wanted more proof than just the tight pants.  (The next day it showed 4 pounds less though, which was a reminder to not obsess over the number too much.) 

I think I did a few P90X workouts since my last post but not more than that.  I did take advantage of my YMCA membership by trying an elliptical yesterday, which I loved.   For my own notes - I did 3.25 miles & burned 360 calories in 40 minutes.  I had no goal in mind, I don't know what's "good," I just tried it out and had fun.  I'm sure I'll go for more next time.  We normally are just there for the various sports the boys are involved in.  Jackson loves going to the playroom so any time I can use their equipment I think I will to mix it up from the home workouts. 

I definitely have a lot going on at home in terms of spring cleaning, trying to go through the kids' rooms and organize, donate, etc.  We will host Easter and the next weekend we will celebrate Jackson's third birthday.  I have found various toys downstairs that he will absolutely LOVE that have been in hiding since his brothers outgrew them.  We bought him just a few small things to open but he will be thrilled with these other treasures!  I have been working in the basement and the garage and would like to do some planting soon, so working out in the midst of these projects (at least at home) isn't happening because as usual, I'm flying around from one thing to the next.  As long as I'm working hard at something productive I am usually satisfied, but I can't go days and days without a good workout if I hope to drop any of these pounds. 

We have spent LOTS of time outside lately shooting baskets, chasing balls and running around which has been so much fun.  I took a jog one day last week, not very far, but I'm trying to throw in activity when I can.  I can't resist this nice weather and all of the sudden it will be too HOT to want to spend much time outside.  Once that happens we will make lots of trips to the neighborhood pool, and hopefully I can get back to the P90X workouts, too.  Not that I'm giving them up now, I just have zero motivation when all of these projects are calling my name.

Superman Banana

Yep, Friday was a fun one!  At the last second I realized that day 1 of week 4 was actually a different schedule than what I had been on, so I got to mix it up with a new DVD.  Happy to report I did it! 

Now it's Saturday afternoon and freaking gorgeous outside.  I've had a busy first part of the day and right now, surprisingly, I'm motivated to listen to some tunes w/ the windows wide open & finish cleaning the kitchen that didn't get finished the other day.  I anticipated wanting to nap, so I still feel this is progress.  :)  I think I'm going to settle for that, and maybe some playing outside before our family birthday dinner out tonight. 

Tomorrow is looking promising to get a workout in, feel free to hold me to that!

Happy Weekend!

Thursday

Technically, the day after Kenpo is day 7, which is the "rest or stretch" day.  I decided to nap.  I didn't earn a rest or stretch day having only done two workouts recently after the 5 days off, however I was tired, and I did some pretty substantial cleaning so I decided to nap. 

If I didn't stay up late like I do (again, tonight,) I'm sure I wouldn't need the nap but until I change my habits I need to do what I need to do.  I had the kids to myself (with places to be) tonight, so I felt a recharge was the best option and I have no regrets :) 

So, tomorrow is day 1 for week 4.  I am also going to tackle the kitchen counters and floors.  See ya!

Wednesday, still

I totally confused myself.  My last two entries were written after midnight, so of course the post shows the next day's date.

TODAY was Wednesday, and I did Kenpo.  I had tons of energy and totally kicked ass.  LOVE IT!

Sleep was rough last night due to my husband's allergies, so I'm heading to bed before midnight tonight!  That doesn't happen very often.  I am hoping it will help me stay on track the rest of this week.

Night!

Wednesday - Week 3, Day 5

I started this blog out by posting each day how the workouts were going and making a point to "check in."  I decided posting daily was kind of obnoxious, but I think it was keeping me more accountable so I may need to try that again.  I got a pretty late start running errands today and ended up waiting until after the kids were home from school to work out, but I did it!  It felt good, but it was hard.  I did the ab ripper portion, too, and that one actually went pretty well.

I can (as always,) feel the extra pound or two that creeps back whenever I get off course, and it usually makes me feel sluggish.  But also motivated!  I paid for the late night a bit today, too.  I'm thankful that I found the energy to get through it and I'm trying to move ahead and stay positive.  The problem with taking 3, 4, and this time 5 days off is that getting back in feels a bit like starting over each time.  I can certainly feel a difference with the stopping & starting from how it should be.  I don't know why I would continuously put myself through that.  The workouts are enjoyable and easier when your body is prepared.  That is how the program is designed, and I know it works.

Tomorrow will be the last workout for week 3, although I am probably at least 2 full weeks behind from where I should be.  After skipping days I just resume where I left off so that I'm still getting each workout in, in the correct order.  Honestly if I could get a good 5 days in a row each week and say the hell with it on weekends I would probably be happy at this point.  I know I shouldn't make that deal with myself but it's Tuesday, and my goal for right now is going to be THREE MORE DAYS. 

However, I just found something a little inspiring that sort of contradicts that mini goal :) 

(I wasn't talking about QUITTING, though!)

Keep moving!

Still here

I've been enjoying the family, loving food and missing workouts.  Five days, to be exact.  I'm not giving up.

Today I tackled some organizational projects and it was great, but doing that meant not working out.  Looking for a way to balance it all.  Well, first I need some true motivation because if it was important enough I would have left the kitchen a mess to get the workout in.  It's still not all put back together and I have errands to run tomorrow.  We'll see. 

I just started to write, "I'm desperate to.." but I'm not.  I'm not desperate to.  I don't want to get to a point where I'm so desperate.  But I want to care and I want to want to make the time to workout every day.  I know last year we had some of the same weekend commitments and I still managed to make it a priority.  I would go out on a Saturday night but I didn't feel guilty indulging a little because I had done a great workout earlier in the day.  And I would do another on Sunday.  (Plus, I had eaten well and worked out all week, too!)  Once we even cleaned the house and left time for a workout before hosting a party because skipping a day was not an option.  This time around on most weekends I give myself a pass on Saturday, which extends to Sunday.  We go out to eat on the weekends quite a bit, and I don't necessarily feel too guilty about it.  I know that doesn't cut it and that I can do better.  Hopefully talking about it will help, not sure.

Sorry for the lack of inspiration today!  I'm going to search for something inspirational to add.

OK--so this one doesn't help. 

I wake up every day with the realization that this is it,

that there's only one shot at this life

and I can either enjoy the ride and live it to its fullest and

to my highest potential or I can stay the way I am.

I am not unhappy with who I am or how I am.  I try to live this life to the fullest and pay attention to what matters.  Of course, health matters, and taking care of yourself increases your chance of having more life to fulfill. 

BUT, this is why I'm not working out every day how I am fulfilled---

I want play time with my kids, time to keep the house organized and clean, time to cook (when I'm in the mood, which is actually a lot,) time to buy the groceries so that I can cook, and clip coupons before the shopping.  I want time to keep the kids involved in activities, help with homework and keep social lives for the five of us.  I want to sit on the back deck and drink coffee and check Facebook and watch TV with my husband and go for walks and sit by the fire.  And how about a nap?  I read sleep is important, too.  I rarely take the time to call or visit with friends, so I need time for that, too.  I would like time to read the books that are still sitting on the shelves uncracked.  I am finding that I want time to blog.  (I have probably 10 "drafts" that I have started with various ideas that I have not yet put together.)  I do not mind sacrificing sleep to write a much needed catch-up to a good friend.  I actually hate to call it a day and give in to sleep most nights.  I LOVE sleep, and I really REALLY love my bed, and my husband too.  :)  I just also like to be awake.  Having the house quiet and all to myself is exceptional.  Well, not completely quiet, I'm really digging the playlist.

I know each day isn't about going to the park and sitting around reading a book on the front porch inbetween helping with homework and checking on dinner.  But, it kind of is, at least right now.  There are these full days where I don't feel like getting a DVD out and as the weather gets nicer I am concerned it's not going to get better.  Taking a family walk is nice, but it's not good enough if I want to see results.  

While editing I realized that the above list was not only excuses for why I have no time to workout (at least every day,) but also the reasons I need to workout.  I will have more strength and energy to enjoy all of these things that I want.  I will probably go to bed earlier and wake up more refreshed, better able to tackle some of the less pleasant parts of the day--including the afternoon workout!  I will feel more satisfied and accomplished when it comes time for some chilling once everyone is home again.  I realize it's a cycle for me, I just need to get back in it.

I guess I was able to make that quote work for me after all.  Definitely going to bed (1:09 am!?)  I sat down here to post a couple of sentences just to check in.  Typical me.

GOODNIGHT!

A great day!

Yesterday was a really good day and I realized it had a lot to do with being more energized because of working out, getting to bed a little sooner, and eating better. 

My six-year-old was honored in the morning with a student of the month award.  So proud!  We all got up earlier and got ready to go to school, and it set the pace for an excellent day for me.  Instead of dragging out of bed and then rushing everyone off to school to come back home and slowly get going, I was ready to go for the day and filled with energy.  The beautiful weather in February didn't hurt either.  Gorgeous!

My youngest, Jackson, will be three in April and last month I signed him up for preschool for next year.  (Only nine hours a week.)  It has occured to me ever since that evening that he is no longer a baby.  He needs to learn his ABCs and he needs to be potty trained, among other things that I think he is mastering just fine.  Staying on top of this and enjoying these precious times while he is still mine full-time means picking and choosing how to spend the days.  Today I got back to business with housework but yesterday was some good Mommy & Jackson time.

We got home from the morning award program at school and he wanted to play with his basketball and hoop, which is his favorite thing to do.  Normally in the morning I would say, "maybe later," but this time it was different.  After a couple of minutes he was ready to move to the backyard to play on the swingset.  When his big brothers are home they usually all play together, I don't always take the time to go out with them.  Somehow racing around with the light sabers isn't as appealing to me as one-on-one giggle time with a 2 year-old.  We sat up on the top platform of the playset and laughed and had the best time.  It reminded me of what I already know, that doing something simple is usually enough.  You can be "in the moment" anywhere.

I also realized yesterday that Jackson is at the perfect age to "walk" on a walk.  Don't you often take a walk but the little one goes into the stroller or a wagon, set up with snacks and a drink in the cup holder?  I hope that isn't just me!   We have taken plenty of walks in the neighborhood but I realized he is always riding, especially when the older two are riding their scooters.   I guess last summer and fall he wasn't as good about holding hands, that is probably why this was a new event.  There are certain ages and seasons for different types of walks with various wheels, but what a treat it was holding his tiny toddler hand and walking side by side.  We were not on a time schedule and I wasn't trying to break a sweat.  It was just for fun, but far healthier than being stuck inside in front of the TV.  We listened to birds, counted mailboxes, stopped to look at orange paint spots on the street, jumped over cracks and watched the men building houses up the street.  We also shared Skittles.

 



Jackson had been spotting these markings on the streets and kept saying "orange."  He has a speech delay so all of these language experiences make me extra happy.  In fact this was the first day I heard him say "mailbox," and he was saying it over and over again.  Back to this picture...  I said, "Go look at that orange spot," and he sat down in the middle of the street next to it!

A walk doesn't even come to mind when I'm in lazy-mode.  Yes, I've gone through many months of lazy phases over the years.  Whenever I try becoming more active I tell myself, "Any activity is better than what you were doing before, which was nothing!"  But the more active I become, the more strength and energy I have, and the more I want to do.  It's pretty amazing.  Today I started strong on week 3 of P90X and I am feeling good.  Yesterday I chose a walk for Jackson and I rather than playing with the same old things inside.  The night before last, even after an intense workout, I was playing basketball and running in the streets a little with the bigger kids after dark.  (If this was my typical energy level it wouldn't be worth mentioning.  This is positive change!)

Being outside is so rejuvenating for me and I look forward to a lot of warm days where we can soak up more experiences like these. 

  

"Mommy up, please!" 
Even little boys run out of energy sometimes.