Randa Rooskie

My doctor has looked into several different things... we've scoped up and down, tested several different organs, and don't have much to go off of except that my gal bladder is almost non-functional. This means I should be uncomfortable when eating fats... but often this isn't the case and my body feels BETTER when eating fatty or greasy food! I don't get it... I've come to believe that maybe a lot of it is stress induced. Thus I'm "chillaxing" for this challenge... or trying to anyway! Thanks for the mom points! I've been more mindful about saying "yes" to things like camping out during this challenge. I also had a really busy few weeks... we really don't go to orchestras and trampoline parks and zoos all that often!

“Don't you wish you had that energy?†I hear that a lot when I'm out with my boys. They aren't excessively rowdy, but they are little boys and energetic by default. Yesterday when I heard that question from a stranger I had an epiphany. I think I DO have that energy! I'm just not having as much fun as they are! I can run for several miles without stopping, or swing my kettlebell 500 times in the morning, or complete an hour of martial arts training. I can still out-endurance my children (though that is bound to change as they grow) so I know I CAN muster up the kind of energy they have as they quite literally hop down the aisles of the grocery store. But I realized yesterday that I'm often so focused on the “I have to†or “I should be doing†or “When will I be done with...†thoughts that I miss the “look, I can balance on one foot and flap my arms like a bird at the same time!†thoughts the boys are having! Children are such a blessing. Psalm 127 fits well with this week's challenge and also with that little thought from yesterday. Psalm 127 - A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. Here's to resting this week and taking the time to enjoy what we've accomplished and the blessings we have!

I can get frustrated easily having to remind myself to do the same silly thing every day, but sometimes I need that challenge to stay in my life for quite a while before it becomes automated. I guess it goes back to that patience thing. I want to have conquered that "simple" routine thing and move on to something else, while my habits clearly tell me to camp out and work on that until I get it. I think that's part of tenacity. In my opinion, it is easier to go all out on the big challenges. It takes something special to motivate yourself through the little stuff. You're a great example of tenacity on these boards!

At least when you get your house back in order you'll be rid of some of the yard sale stuff. I'm not a fan of that feeling, though, after spending all day to get ready for something only to have the fun part fly by... and then spend all night cleaning it up. This week's adventure mini is rest - I think that's timely. You're doing well - three workouts last week is nothing to shake a stick at!

Ooops... improper alarm functions = I'm up at six and not five... Still up before my boys, which was the goal! Yesterday I got in my KB swings even though I was sore in the morning and actually felt better after. The food thing was under control - no terrible reactions to food and no gluttonous eating of it! Also, my youngest reminded me how I used to play guitar at night in the living room after putting them to bed, and how he would sit by his door on his pillow to listen to me... so I played last night. When I stopped and packed up the guitar he yelled hi to me from his room... and was just super cute. +10 fun.

Last Week's Progress: Rise and Fall 4 / 7 Be a Swinger 16 / 20 Post Positive 4 / 7 Be a Player 120 Missed a morning already yesterday due to sleeping in the tent with my boys. My goal is to make that the only morning that I miss this week.

This weekend the boys and I put up the tent in our yard and “camped.†There were marshmallows involved, so I think even though it was in the yard it counts as camping. I really enjoy waking up outside in a tent. There is something refreshing about being outside... I did not set an alarm for those two mornings, so missed out on that part of my challenge, but I don't feel like that was a poor choice. Yes to building new habits, but also yes to relaxing in the tent with my boys without any alarms... I only have four swing sessions with the KB left in my challenge, but my body is tired. A number of things have been acting up along with my old digestive issues. My diet needs an overhaul, but I'm so tired from trying to figure out what I can and can not eat. Had a relaxing healthy meal this week and felt like curling up in the fetal position after it because of the sharp pains. So many elimination diet / whole 30 things have not helped. Deep breaths. One day at a time. Missing perfection doesn't mean failure.

I'm on it! This fits right in with my challenge goals.

Also, yesterday my boys learned what "high knees" are... [ insert evil laugh ] They weren't very interested once they tried it once... but it was amusing.

What is working: The promise of getting on here in the morning has been good motivation for me to wake up early and stay up. Keeping things fresh: I just need to remember how much I enjoy my current activities... sometime I forget until after I make myself do them just how much I enjoy them! Nervous: I can get down on myself for lack of perfection by thinking the little changes I make in one part of my life are less meaningful because of the poor habits I still have in other parts. Team: Didn't sign up for the accountabilibuddy groups, but the people who pop in on my thread are very encouraging! Plans: Finish the 10,000 swing kettlebell challenge. Pray more. Worry less. Remind self of the big-picture stuff and my motivation for change. Week four is easy to get lost in... not as motivated as when I started and then end is still a ways off. I'll try to spend some time today focusing on the reason for change and being thankful for the little changes that are already starting.

Friday morning I was NOT motivated as I posted about giving myself permission to fail the past two days. I tried to post positive, but inside I really wanted to call Friday a failure, too, and it wasn't even 6am yet! Then I thought about how I hadn't touched my kettlebell but once all week... and the thought of falling behind on that was depressing enough to get me moving. I put on an audio version of Ephesians, took a few deep breaths, and hunkered down to swing. So grateful that I did! Everything else in my day started off more positive because of that. Although I didn't have anywhere near a perfect day, the potential for another surrender was squelched by the joy of swinging a large heavy object around. Thank you, Russia. In spite of falling off the band wagon this week, I actually did have some exciting times with the boys. We went to my brother's regional track meet and got to play with the cousins there. 25 pts! Plus, we've had tickets to go trampolining indoors for months and we finally used them. Indoor trampoline park!? Yes, please. 50 pts! If it wasn't so irrational and really not a good idea I would move to the city to live next to the trampoline park... sooooo much fun... I even did a front flip! Without dying!! Bonus 5 pts. Friday we had fun playing PIG with the basketball and pushing each other on the rope swing. 10 pts.

Thanks! Legos + Robotics = Much fun!

All of this! So good! I find that unless I workout in the morning I don't get as much water in before lunch. I get a LOT of water in when I do my kettlebell stuff! I've heard of some people putting lemon or lime in their water, even apple slices and cinnamon to make the taste better. Maybe that could help? I also fail to get enough water when I don't keep my bottle in sight. Out of sight out of mind is very true for me... Great job staying positive!

Congratulations on already getting something accepted! I think the writing part sounds like fun and the submission work is where the tenacity has to come in... Love that the habits are making you feel stronger! And yes, I think Kermit makes everything better!

I understand how a death in the family can bring a lot of things to a halt, but life has a way of pulling us forward again. Maybe you'll find that starting from zero is easier this time since you've worked hard in the past at building good habits. Kudos to Joy for the yoga stuff and to you for pushing through with nagging injuries! My week has been so busy, and some bad choices food wise made me feel like giving up on other things. Funny how one bad choice can try to wreck the entire day... or week! Trying to end positive this weekend and stay on track, stay motivated. Life is worth the effort!

I got a few of these in on Tuesday and promptly forgot all about them! I'll see if I can get my boys to do them with me today for fun - funny the "work" you can turn into a game with kids.

It's really funny HOW happy I am with the skirt, even though I see plenty of things I'd do differently next time. This was a great learning experience! And I love the "Done is good. Done is beautiful." thing. I have some more fabric for a different pattern I wanted to try, but I think I might use it to do this skirt again - round 2! This week is sort of crazy, so that will have to be a project for the (hopefully near) future. I missed the past two days because I gave myself permission to fail. I don't really know why I do it... maybe the lazy in me? Maybe too many negative thoughts? But I can't keep doing that. If I have to hit "reset" on myself everyday and remind myself of my motivations behind building the habits then that's what I'll do. Permission to fail has meant no more KB this week since Tuesday. I really do enjoy it, so lets get this thing done, self!

How is your challenge going? I didn't give myself nearly enough water yesterday and felt it. I also notice I eat a lot more than I should on days when I'm not hydrating well.

I still don't just stop and enjoy my children enough, but recognizing these little moments helps. Thanks, I'm going to have to make sure I'm stocked up on healthy fats. I finished sewing my skirt... which means I finished an intensive exercise in frustration. Sewing isn't easy for me, but I do believe I've learned some things during this project which will help me the next time around. That was really the goal with this thing anyway, so win win. I give myself 0 fun points, though, because... well... yeah... The gym never called back this weekend. The instructors were all off at a convention and I'm not too worried about it. I'd skipped my swings Monday morning thinking I'd be doing some at the gym so I'll need to get back on track. Not really feeling motivated at all this morning, but going to try to spend some time praying and reminding myself of the big picture things.

I love that you go for walks with your son! When mine come with me our walk always turns into something a little more exciting... either they're hiding and jumping out at me, or stopping to look at creepy bugs, or daydreaming out loud. What kind of yoga do you teach? How is the kettlebell thing going? Have you tried to submit any writing to be published? Keep up the good work!

Learning a martial art online sounds a little scam-ish, though we do form checks and stuff on the forum here so there is a place for that as a resource in your tool box. Thanks for the link.

"Mamma, can you help me make my octopus look more evil?" - My son yesterday. ...and I did... +10 pts Last Week's Progress: Rise and Fall 6 / 7 Post Positive 6 / 7 Be a Swinger 13 / 20 Be a Player 115

Funny how swinging heavy things around makes people around here so happy! My children will definitely remember legos when they grow up. I love how they can sit for an hour with the instructions and build some crazy monster truck space invader whatever thing. Healthy fats might work! I just have to be careful to eat slowly and not overdo them by eating WAY more than I need.

Hey there! How are you and the wife doing? Still trying out the yoga? Paleo-ish w/rice eating? Have the old injuries healed up?

Congrats on two more levels crushed! You're doing awesome! Question: When you started KBs did you wear anything to protect your hands? I have a homemade sock thing I slide over the spots that hurt when it gets bad, but I'm trying to build up some calluses. Don't know if its the norm to get gloves and train with them or just to try and toughen up your skin.