naarasleijona

Juggling is fun! But not easy .... A lot of hip flexing as you bend to pick everything back up. You might already know this, but a good place to practice is in the bathtub, facing the wall. The tub contains your juggling balls, and the wall keeps things from flying across the room. Good luck and have fun!

Lol. The best app I've found for my disfunctional housewife abilities. It's called "Motivated Moms." It's just a basic list of daily and otherwise scheduled chores. As you complete them, they get checked off. I find it really helps me from feeling overwhelmed by everything that is the disaster of my house (three boys and a puppy). I don't have to think about what chores have to get done, because it's already on the list. The list feels very reasonable to me, like it was developed by someone who actually has had experience managing a household. (I used to try to be a Martha Stewart kind of mom, but that never worked! ) I suck at consistency with housekeeping, but I've found that even if I only do a few things on the list, it keeps the mess more manageable. The app isn't free, but it's worth it to me, because it's one less thing I have to try to manage and plan. I have yet to be able to complete everything every day, but I'm working on it!

Wow, you're a brave one! Cold showers? I would need super human mind control to try that. It does sound like a really good way to jump start a sleepy morning though. Good luck with the meditation. Personally, meditation was one of the best habits I've ever developed. I have busy mornings too (if not quote so early), but it's definately worth it if you find some way to fit it into your day.

I was doing really well a couple of years ago, but I developed posterior tubular tendinitis in my right foot. Essentially I had to stop almost all the cardio I liked, because I couldn't do anything high impact. That slowed things down quite a bit, and it was hard to keep the momentum. This past year I've also developed some kind of joint/muscle/ligament/fatigue issue that has yet to be diagnosed (still trying to save up my deductible). I also have a history of depression and my family has a history of addiction. I was sitting pretty low on the curve last May, so I finally faced the music and went to see a therapist. I had started to use escapes (mostly reading) instead of confronting what I didn't like about my life, and when May came around, I finally decided that I'd had enough, and I needed to get over myself. Respawning seemed like the perfect thing to do. This time around, I hope to be better aware of my issues with perfectionism. I've learned that "failure" is just a way to help me identify the things that I need to lean more about, or practice to get better. So I'm not as afraid of messing up, or not being perfect anymore. I need to keep things simple, instead of taking on everything all at once. I'm trying to work one day at a time, focus on the experience of the moment, and the rest can wait until I'm ready for it.

Complete and total respawn! I've wiped the slate clean. All goals from the academy were wiped at the end of June, and I'm working from the ground up. In general, I classify myself as a ranger, but for this round, I humbly begin where I started once before (a little wiser and more realistic). My goals are very general, and simple for now... But it's what feels right, so I'm going with it! 1) Sit down with family at least once a week for dinner 2) Do workout every MWF 3) Walk Ellie every day after work to help curb puppy energy 4) Check off at least 3 “daily” chores and one “today” chore every day with MoMo app

Check in from yesterday: I must have counted at least 10 times I wanted to just grab a quick bite - even when I wasn't hungry. Filling in the picture a little: My life is a little disorganized, we "have nothing to eat in the house", and so I stopped at the store on the way into work to get some lunch stuff for my boys.... So there it was just sitting in my car.... calling me when I was bored! I managed to keep myself as busy as possible with work. Will power prevailed for the work day, and I managed to get off to my evening class without breaking down. Class was fun. (Of course my professor always likes my projects that I find somewhat dull, and I like my projects that he finds good, but "needs something". Yesterday was one that he liked ). My class ended and I got home around 8:30 PM. My first instinct? Grab a cheese stick or 5 from the fridge and try to wind down from the day. I didn't, but it was amazing how strong that pull was! My dinner was not what I would call nutritionally sound, but I'm o.k. with that... as I eat my gargantuan salad for lunch today. At least my dinner didn't consist of granola bars and cheese sticks.

Well, I bought 5 lbs of carrots, 2 zucchini a head of broccoli, and 2 containers of hummus. (Hummus is frickin' expensive!). I'm hoping none of it will go bad before the 10 days is up. Veggies are in the house!

Respawn..... I know this is the middle of a current challenge and there are only 10 days left, but I've got to do something..... so a 10 day mini challenge it is. A bit of prep work for the next challenge if you will. I'm slowly climbing out of a black hole, dealing with some rather obnoxious musculoskeletal disorders. No one has been able to give me a diagnosis yet, but that is another story for another time. I've got a nasty habit of stress-eating the food I have bought for my son's lunches (cheese sticks, gummies, fruit, granola bars, etc.) . So I'm going to buy a bunch of veggies and hummus and keep them in pre-measured containers in the fridge..... So that's it. Simple as that. 10 days of eating my veggies instead of the boy's lunch food. If I can stay away from eating their food, its a win!

Done did it ;). its Thursday, so no workout, but I did do my cardio when I got home from work, I stuck to my calories (1,439), and I shot 6 rounds of arrows. Definately need new arrows. The ones I've got are getting pretty shabby, and the arrows aren't flying as straight as I would like. It's been a while, but it's kind of like riding a bike. The movement feels very natural. Maybe tomorrow I'll geek out and wear my ranger costume just for kicks :P. Definately need to refuel the tiki torches!

Oops, a couple of days late, but everyone knows better late than never. haven't been here for a while. I took some time to get over a tendinitis issue, and I wandered a bit down the druidish path. I went on a meditation retreat with some really awesome Buddhist monks, and I'm finally at a place where I think I can continue on with where I left off... when I left, there were some big changes going on... No more 6 week challenges, so I guess it's now 4 weeks? Im assuming I'll catch on soon enough. I'm back to leveling up with the academy too So, on with the show.... fitness quest 1: academy workout MWF mornings fitness quest 2: 20 min of cardio every day (1 slow day/recovery day I'll take a walk, but the other days I've got to break a sweat) nutrition quest: 1450 calories a day, documented with myfitnesspal life quest: archery practice every day, rain or shine!

ooooph! Well, I did my workout yesterday morning. i.e. the day was a success. . I ate good food when I got home. The problem was that I was so hungry for about 2 hours before I got home, that I ended up eating twice as much as I should have. But I did make something from scratch instead of pulling it out of a box, so technically that counts towards my goal. I'll take what I can get right now. This morning was a good one. I was tired, because I didn't get home until 11PM, but I got up at 5 this morning, and did my treadmill hill climb. I don't have class tonight, so I should be able to make dinner without any stress. The hard part is going to be controlling the hunger this afternoon. (How exciting!) :\

Friday: Epic wipe-out! I was hungry when I went grocery shopping. Came home and totally pigged out. At least I had done my workout. Saturday: not so great diet wise Sunday: not much better. :\ Sigh. Tomorrow is a new month. A new start. The workout clothes are on the dresser, ready to go... I've gotten rid of my ipad for the next month. My husband is going to keep it at his work. I really need a break from it, I've got my phone still, and my computer. But I want to know if I can get by without the Ipad. I'm constantly using it to check my email, and pinterest, and ..... I want to focus on other things right now, and I'm hoping that by removing the distraction, I can do the other things I've been wanting to. Hopefully this will work.

Went on vacation for a week. It was AWE-SOME! Back to normal. I did my workout this morning. Was dragging my feet a little, but I'm always happier when I get my but in gear. Finally got paid, food has been a bit messed up, because I was eating whatever was on hand. The good side of that is that food that isn't so great for me is no longer in my pantry. Now I just have to keep from buying more of it. It would be so much easier to eat healthy if unhealthy stuff wasn't in the house! Looking forward to tonight's dinner

Another "just a day" again. I was tired this morning. I don't know what it is, but I just can't seem to go to bed as soon as I get home from class. Most nights I'm in bed around 9:30, but even when I get home later, I have this habit of staying up a little longer to go through my wind-down routine. I didn't get to sleep until after midnight last night. Anyway, I did my stretching this morning. I had a sandwich for dinner last night I'm proud of myself for not making another one. I actually listened to myself when I decided that I wasn't hungry anymore (normally, I'd eat another one anyway). So, points for at least being mindful - even if it wasn't the healthiest choice for me (cheese and bread). Lunch was good today: black beans, salsa, and avocado. I ate too much, but it was so dang yummy! When I think about what I would have been eating a year ago.... progress! I'm glad I decided not to get the potato chips. We're supposed to get a lot of snow soon, so they've gone ahead and cancelled school tomorrow. Of course I have a million and one things that I'd like to get done with the extra time off. It will be a miracle if I finish even one.

Hmmm, kind of a dull day.... Got up, got dressed, and did my workout this morning. I didn't have to fight too hard to get going this morning. I wouldn't exactly say I was enthusiastic about it, (blinkin' cold!), but it wasn't a chore either. That's progress, right? I have determined that scissor kicks are to be added to my list of exercises that are not particularly favored. (i.e. they suck!), but I did them, so there! Had left-overs last night. I've got a hankering to make something new, because I've been eating a lot of the same stuff lately, but tonight isn't the night for it. I've got class until 10:00 pm. That, and there's the annoying fact that I have absolutely zero dollars in the bank account right now Pay-day can't get here fast enough! . Back to work.... R

Sorry about the sweariness.... I like to be able to say what I'm actually thinking/feeling, but I do realize not everyone likes it. I tend to get more mouthy the more tired I am. I was pretty tired yesterday How I ended up working at a school with children where I have to be careful with what comes out of my mouth is quite the question. It's a good thing my kids are relatively mature about it. (They're the ones who are usually always telling me to watch what comes out of my mouth). I do manage to stay really clean while I'm at work Anyway... Wasn't very hungry last night, so I didn't make dinner. Had some orange slices, and then went to class. Didn't get home until almost 11. This morning we had a two hour delay before school. I stayed in bed and read. I was tempted to skip the whole getting dressed goal, but then, that's the beauty of goals that are set for underachieving. It seems so ridiculous to not take two minutes to put on some damn clothes if that's all it takes to check the box. So I dressed in my workout clothes, stretched for a couple of minutes, felt instantly better about myself, and then went on with the rest of my morning. I think I'm phasing into a manic mood. Not anything hyperactive or bouncing off the walls, but I'm actually feeling pretty good today for no apparent reason. The usual stuff isn't getting me down, and I've been focused more on being in the moment. It's a nice change, because being depressed and grumpy about things most of the time pretty much sucks - and also happens to be exhausting! . Gotta get back to work, Hope everyone else is having a great day . R

So, Sunday. I took a vacation. I've got to work today, despite it being a holiday, so yesterday I took my "day off." Was it the most responsible thing I could have done... Probably not, but f*ck it, it went with it . This morning: FFFFFF***********CCCCKKKK. I stayed up way too late last night and damn was I feeling it this morning. The temptation to just go back to bed was so strong. Note to self: I am not some little prick of a college student that can stay up to the wee hours of the morning and bounce back like the energizer bunny the next morning. Sorry to all you little prick college students who can bounce back the next morning, you all are really great, but I'm so jealous of you right now! I think I may have said this before, but trust me I mean it. Never get older than something like 32. 34 tops if you really want to push it. . Somehow I managed to drag my ass out of bed this morning, and I even did my workout. I didn't put a lot of intensity into it, but at least I did it. Now I've just got to get through the rest of the day. Looking into the future, I see a power nap before going to class tonight .

So yesterday afternoon was a total wipe out. My son had left a few Reece's pieces on the countertop, and it went downhill from there. Peanut butter, grapes, cheese nips, cheese sticks, a little bit of scrambles eggs (that my son didn't finish for dinner). I didn't eat much of everything, but I just couldn't mentally commit to making an actual dish. That feeling of it being Friday, and being done with work and not wanting to do *hit kicked in. Oh well... Moving on.... I've got a training at the national gallery today. It's a full day of driving into DC and walking around all day. I know I'm going to be tired at the end of it. I find it amazing that a day of walking slowly around and looking at pictures can be so tiring! I've decided to go minimalist Just bringing my phone, ID, and credit card in my back pocket. I'll buy lunch at the gallery. It will cost a fortune, but I've done it before, and at least I know they've got healthy stuff. I did stretching this morning. Maybe someday I'll turn the habit into official yoga or something, but for this challenge I'm just content to get up and commit to being healthy in some way. My glutes are tight, which I consider a good thing. I apparently gave them a bit of work yesterday . It's all good

Yesterday afternoon: Got home, ate healthy food, went to bed at 6:30.... Man, did I need that sleep! 10.5 hrs. Was still a little groggy this morning, but nothing more than the usual. Made the mistake of stepping on the scale this morning. Yesterday I was 147, this morning the *ucker said I was at 151. I need to chuck that piece of !%$#^$# out the window. I've tried hiding it, but my husband still wants it around. I KNOW it isn't about the weight, but still, it's an emotional roller coaster ride I don't need: Happy, happy if it's going in the right direction. End of the world apocalypse if it goes in the wrong direction. I knew this would happen if I stopped counting my calories. But I'm staying strong with my focus for this challenge - it's about building good habits of being physically active, and eating healthy food. Each workout brings small improvements and THAT is what I want. (not a number on a scale). GDMF%($%*$# scale... grumble, grumble) It's so hard to try to rewire my thought habits!!!! Anyway. I told the scale to "bite me". My workout was good this morning. Put a little more focus on form for my lunges and my legs felt like jelly for the next 30 minutes or so. Walking down stairs to breakfast was fun I haven't had any issues with my tendinitis or muscle cramps for a while, so that's good. Tangent: I've been spending my free time looking for good vegan casserole recipes. I still have a hard time shaking the idea that meals should be square (meat, milk, fruit & vegetable, bread & cereal.... does anyone remember those days before the food pyramid). (god, I'm old!), Anyway. So many vegan recipes seem to be bowl or salad oriented. I've gone without meat for a long time, so I don't need a slab of something on my plate, but when you start to remove cheese and dairy, all those dishes that are glued together with eggs and or cheese disappear. That pretty much leaves just grains and veggies. - a lot of them! I love the flavors, but I still feel like I should be having some kind of "dish". I assume I'll get over it eventually... it's just.... different. Back to work.....

Super sleepy this morning. Wednesday is a 5 am to 11pm day. Getting up this morning was a bitch! I only had 6 hours of sleep. I'm glad it isn't a workout day, and the stretching felt really good (and needed), but I'm really tired right now. The room where I do my workouts and stretching is the coldest room in the house in the winter (the one above the garage). I think the cold actually helped me get moving, but it was still rough to wake up. I think Thursdays are going to be recoup days - I'm just going to go home after work and sleep! I made dinner when I got home yesterday - super yummy. I still feel like I'm rushing through things when I sit down to eat, mostly because my family is off elsewhere doing their own thing. Without anyone to talk to, I just sit there and eat, and it only takes a couple of minutes. Maybe after my classes are over I'll work a goal for eating family meals together into one of my challenges. I know I don't have the brain power to tackle that mountain right now. On a tangent. My husband tried my food last night and actually liked it. Said he would eat it again. So I consider that a plus. Even if I could get him to eat with me a little more often that would be nice . Granted he made himself a plate and went to eat in the living room while watching TV, but I'll take any progress I can get. At least he wasn't eating a bowl of cereal... again. After I got home from class - that need-to-eat trigger kicked in as soon as I walked in the door. It's total weirdness. I'm not hungry at all the second before, but something triggers a Pavlovian reaction as soon as I get home. I ate a handful of grapes, told myself to get my *hit together and went to bed. Now I just have to make it through the rest of the day without falling asleep at my desk.....

First snow of the year! Yay! Happy Dance . We had a two hour delay for school. I love slow snow mornings. I still got up at 5 and did my workout, but I didn't have to rush around and get ready and eat breakfast...and help my boys get ready. The house was quiet while everyone else slept in. My stress levels took a major nose dive as soon as I realized I had plenty of time to get everything done and enjoy the morning. Work at the school is pretty much a waste of a day on a delay. By the time we get in, it's already almost time for lunch. I've been doing my homework (it's related to work, so they let me study here), and I've planned out some of my meals for the week (that was on breaks between reading mind-numbing, gawd-afwul,dry IT textbooks) (Shhh, don't tell anyone, but I find most of the stuff pretty interesting. These authors just need to take a few writing or communication classes). After two days of not so great dinners, I'm looking forward to tonight's dinner. And I even should have plenty of time to relax and eat before I leave for class tonight.

Socks were definitely needed this morning. First snow of the year. At least the cold seems justified now. I took your advice and made a quadruple batch of a dressing for a dish that I make often enough. I don't think it should go bad. I had the extra time this morning, and it certainly relieves the stress of having to do everything when I get home. Thanks for the reminder! I also picked up some grapes during lunch and plan on divvying out portions when I get home today. I know eating a lot of fruit is not ideal, but it's better than junk food .

Monday, when I got home I immediately nashed on peanut butter and crackers until the pasta cooked. I gave myself a couple of points for at least cooking something. So yesterday I got up and dressed. Did stretching but not more than that as fa as activity goes. The afternoon was not so great goal wise. I just snacked. This morning, work is on a two hour delay, so I've got time to make my lunch. Thinking about yesterday, I feel like I haven't found a strong enough incentive for a better eating habit when I get home. Intellectually I have good incentives. I just can't seem to nail down the craving I need to help override my desire to immediately eat something when I walk in the door. I watched it yesterday. I had absolutely great intentions even as I pulled up into the garage. The second I walked in the door all I wanted to do was dump my backpack and head straight to the fridge/ pantry. Knowing that was going on, I made myself go upstairs and change out of work clothes, and I sat in the living room and read. So that was good, but later when I was truly hungry, I had zero motivation to make anything. I can't even remember what I snacked on, but I don't think it was remotely healthy. I have to find that trigger that motivates me to want to cook/ make something. Grrrr! Anywhoo, I got up this morning and did my workout. I REALLY need to work on my chin-ups. Those suckers kill me! I can tell they'll get better if I keep working at it, but I have to work at it consistently... It's nice to start the day on an up-note

Ahhh, and so it begins. My IT classes start tonight. I've got just enough time to get home after work, make a quick dinner and then head off to class. I've just had a lovely conversation with the hubby regarding numerous amounts of bills we have to pay, and reflections that neither of us have had a significant raise in about 8 years. We've always been able to live within our means, but each year just gets tighter and tighter..... Fun! Fun! The rest of the week is going to be really busy too..... I'm going to have to be very careful about food and dinner. I can feel the urge to stress eat already. It's tempting to think about ordering out for lunch . That's why I'm writing now - diversionary tactic! Did my workout this morning. My son decided that he needed to sleep in, so it was a quiet morning, but nice