Sunday, September 30, 2012
Counting, Planning, and Saving Money
Friends, Family, Countrymen....
The school year has started just fine. We've had some random lessons here and there, and have done some fun activities. Now we are just trying to find our niche in the world of homeschool. I've read up on a lot of homeschool styles, curriculum, and so far, none of them fit our own home perfectly. I've heard of some families that follow one specific program, and they keep to it strictly with a schedule very similar to public school. That style doesn't work for me... maybe because I like to be different. I don't know. So far, we are studying out of the Bible, and adding on any lesson that I am excited about, or that the
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Thursday Adversity: Routine
I've been doing a lot of thinking about routine. Okay, not so much routine, but lifestyle. I think one reason why I have struggled to be successful in my weight-loss is because I have not gotten to the point where what I'm trying to change becomes a habit... a system of life that needs no second thinking, or forcing into place. Just like I mentioned in my Wal-Mart post, I want results now. I want to wake up tomorrow and be skinny, healthy, and ready to run a marathon! So, it is no wonder why, when I wake up, and my muscles ache so bad, that I don't WANT to get out on my bike and exercise...and thus, why exercise has not become a natural routine.
What it comes down to, each day, every hour, every minute, and even every second of our lives, we are faced with choices. Today, I CHOSE to buy a 32 oz soda and drink it. I CHOSE THAT! I was faced with the option to buy it, or to just go home without it. I knew full well that if I drink it, it was going to undo the awesome workout I had this morning. I KNEW that I would feel like crap after I drank it... not only physically, but mentally and spiritually, because I knew it isn't doing me any good. That is just one example. How easily I gave in! Oh how weak I am! That was the literal conversation I had in my head. Why didn't I think, "NO! Why would you sabotage yourself!? You have plenty of things working against you...why work against yourself?" (I'm pretty ticked off at myself right now, if you can't tell).
So, before we can even THINK about having a routine with all of those good habits built in, we HAVE to... no, we MUST have DISCIPLINE! I saw this quote, and I thought it was perfect.
"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment (Jim Rohn)."
If I want to change my lifestyle, then that means I have to give up those things that are not part of the desired lifestyle... duh! Makes sense right? But not only that, I have to replace those negative habits with the good. Like exercising daily, eating healthy foods, drinking water instead of soda, and spending my time where it is needed.
What I'm getting at is that this is far more than just eating right, losing weight and exercising. This is about ridding my life of the negative things that prevent me from accomplishing the most important tasks that demand my full attention, health, life, and vitality. My children.
If I don't make changes in myself, how can I expect them to do the same? I can't. I lead by example. I don't want to feel ashamed because my children realized that I expected them to do just the opposite of what I do!
Small goals! How about I make it through tomorrow without drinking a soda? How about I grow a pair, and say no to myself? How about, when I first wake up, I pull my rear end out of bed, and head out for my workout so I don't have to rush through it before Jason has to leave for work?
Sounds good to me. After all, You Are What You Say You Are!
"Whether you think you can, or think you can't, you're right (Henry Ford)."
According to John M. Grohol, PYSD, it takes us approximately 66 days, or 2 months to form a new habit. That's a long time to be consistent at changing a habit. But don't lose hope! He states that if you miss a day, or slip a day, it won't mean you are starting over. That is heartening to me. I feel like every time I slip up, or miss a day, or what have you, I am starting over. And starting over can get daunting if you do it a lot.
"In order to succeed, you must first be willing to fail (Anonymous)."
I hope this was helpful for you. It sure was for me. I find that as I'm writing, I am opened up to things about myself that can truly help me change, if I'll apply them. I recommend that you keep a journal of your own. A notebook, blog, or an official journal. It really has helped me to recognize my flaws, and my strengths!
Happy losing! You've got this!
Evelyn Curtis
What it comes down to, each day, every hour, every minute, and even every second of our lives, we are faced with choices. Today, I CHOSE to buy a 32 oz soda and drink it. I CHOSE THAT! I was faced with the option to buy it, or to just go home without it. I knew full well that if I drink it, it was going to undo the awesome workout I had this morning. I KNEW that I would feel like crap after I drank it... not only physically, but mentally and spiritually, because I knew it isn't doing me any good. That is just one example. How easily I gave in! Oh how weak I am! That was the literal conversation I had in my head. Why didn't I think, "NO! Why would you sabotage yourself!? You have plenty of things working against you...why work against yourself?" (I'm pretty ticked off at myself right now, if you can't tell).
So, before we can even THINK about having a routine with all of those good habits built in, we HAVE to... no, we MUST have DISCIPLINE! I saw this quote, and I thought it was perfect.
"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment (Jim Rohn)."
If I want to change my lifestyle, then that means I have to give up those things that are not part of the desired lifestyle... duh! Makes sense right? But not only that, I have to replace those negative habits with the good. Like exercising daily, eating healthy foods, drinking water instead of soda, and spending my time where it is needed.
What I'm getting at is that this is far more than just eating right, losing weight and exercising. This is about ridding my life of the negative things that prevent me from accomplishing the most important tasks that demand my full attention, health, life, and vitality. My children.
If I don't make changes in myself, how can I expect them to do the same? I can't. I lead by example. I don't want to feel ashamed because my children realized that I expected them to do just the opposite of what I do!
Small goals! How about I make it through tomorrow without drinking a soda? How about I grow a pair, and say no to myself? How about, when I first wake up, I pull my rear end out of bed, and head out for my workout so I don't have to rush through it before Jason has to leave for work?
Sounds good to me. After all, You Are What You Say You Are!
"Whether you think you can, or think you can't, you're right (Henry Ford)."
According to John M. Grohol, PYSD, it takes us approximately 66 days, or 2 months to form a new habit. That's a long time to be consistent at changing a habit. But don't lose hope! He states that if you miss a day, or slip a day, it won't mean you are starting over. That is heartening to me. I feel like every time I slip up, or miss a day, or what have you, I am starting over. And starting over can get daunting if you do it a lot.
"In order to succeed, you must first be willing to fail (Anonymous)."
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| Find what inspires you and go with it! |
Happy losing! You've got this!
Evelyn Curtis
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Foodie Wednesday: Green Smoothie
I posted about the green smoothie before, but I want to add a little variation. I love the green smoothie, and the rest of my family does too. What a great way to get a child to eat their veggies, when they would ordinarily turn their noses up at them!
Every other day, go ahead and use kale, mustard greens, or other green leafy veggies packed with vitamins. It is good for your body to get a change up, and it keeps things interesting. Thus far, I have ventured to the kale. I really like mixing kale with spinach sometimes. Kale tastes slightly different. Its a little bit more earthy tasting than the spinach, but you get used to it. I'm sure that my kids wouldn't touch kale in its natural form with a ten foot pole!
Next week, Monday and Tuesday, I'm going to start a smoothie and juice fast. I feel like I'll feel so much better if I can detox. I'll be drinking nothing but green smoothies, beet juice, and water. I'll let you know how it went on Wednesday! It'll be hard to not eat anything, I'm sure... especially as I prepare my kids' breakfasts, lunches and dinners. :)
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| Spinach |
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| Kale |
Have you found an amazing recipe for green smoothies? We'd love to hear about them! I'll even post them here if you want!
Happy Losing!
Evelyn Curtis
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Tuesday Fitness: Setting Little Goals
This is a little late in the day. I typically like to post in the morning, or in the early afternoon after we've had our school time. Today was slightly different, as the lack of bananas, milk, cereal, and bread necessitated our taking school on the go, in learning how to navigate a store, and how to pick out certain produce etc. Life skills... that's what I'm talking about!
Weight-loss can be a very VERY long term goal. We establish how much weight we want to lose, and we make strides baby steps toward that goal. It can get overwhelming and frustrating to get to that goal. Heck, I've had to start over twice now. Its not easy. We've established that.
But what about those little goals? I'm not necessarily talking about losing five pounds in two weeks. Like I mentioned yesterday, I think it can be debilitating to be so dependent on our weight. I'm talking about the fitness goals that we can see ourselves achieving. A new runner might find it hard to run the full length of a block, or a track. When I was running, I had a predetermined point that I was sure I could reach. I would start out, and I can't tell you how many times I wanted to stop before that point... and there were many times that I did. But the point is in setting goals. As you consistently work at reaching that point, you will find it easier and easier, and then you will be surpassing that goal!
For me, I am not running just yet. But I do have my bike. I've set myself a goal to peddle 3 miles. That doesn't sound like much... but for me, that was quite the achievement, especially since last Tuesday (my first ride), I barely made it 2 miles without dropping on the floor when I got home. Oh wait, I may have.
Each day has been easier and easier. I've been very VERY sore, but that is the feeling of progress! My little goal this week is to bike that 3 miles in less time than I did it today, which was 25 minutes pulling Baby K. Yesterday was faster only because I did not attach the trailer. After I got home, I drank a lot of water (it was hot out this morning), and I did a great ab workout!
Well, my new activity has me beat, so I'm sure I'll be in bed in no time! My second little goal is to get up earlier each day, and go to bed earlier as well... You kind of need to do the latter in order to do the first.
How are you doing? You sore? What do you like to do to mix up your workout?
Evelyn
Weight-loss can be a very VERY long term goal. We establish how much weight we want to lose, and we makeBut what about those little goals? I'm not necessarily talking about losing five pounds in two weeks. Like I mentioned yesterday, I think it can be debilitating to be so dependent on our weight. I'm talking about the fitness goals that we can see ourselves achieving. A new runner might find it hard to run the full length of a block, or a track. When I was running, I had a predetermined point that I was sure I could reach. I would start out, and I can't tell you how many times I wanted to stop before that point... and there were many times that I did. But the point is in setting goals. As you consistently work at reaching that point, you will find it easier and easier, and then you will be surpassing that goal!
For me, I am not running just yet. But I do have my bike. I've set myself a goal to peddle 3 miles. That doesn't sound like much... but for me, that was quite the achievement, especially since last Tuesday (my first ride), I barely made it 2 miles without dropping on the floor when I got home. Oh wait, I may have.
Each day has been easier and easier. I've been very VERY sore, but that is the feeling of progress! My little goal this week is to bike that 3 miles in less time than I did it today, which was 25 minutes pulling Baby K. Yesterday was faster only because I did not attach the trailer. After I got home, I drank a lot of water (it was hot out this morning), and I did a great ab workout!Well, my new activity has me beat, so I'm sure I'll be in bed in no time! My second little goal is to get up earlier each day, and go to bed earlier as well... You kind of need to do the latter in order to do the first.
How are you doing? You sore? What do you like to do to mix up your workout?
Evelyn
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