The Planning Brat

Among my Super Powers, I would like to be able to write menus in a "swoop"... or "a single bound"... you get my drift.

I get SO so overwhelmed when I think about planning a menu for a week.  Sometimes, I get overwhelmed just thinking about what we can have for supper!

I dearly love FlyLady and her teachings, musings, and encouraging ways.  (www.flylady.net is her web address if you want to check her out).  FlyLady and her friend Pam came out with this "Inner Brat" thing a few years ago.  Since they introduced this "inner child" idea, they have changed her to an "Inner Princess".

I found that girl a few years ago, named her Peggy, and she's pretty much a brat.  There's no sugar-coating it.  I love her, but until we figure out this Superwoman thing, we have to call a spade a spade..or, in this case, a brat a brat.  Maybe someday Peggy will even grow into a mature woman, but right now- BtotheRtotheAtotheT. (yes, I am logically aware that I make my own choices and all that... but the inner brat thing is way more fun to talk about!).

Sorry, I digress... I'm hoping you can see the (lack of) maturity level I'm dealing with here. When I think about menus, Peggy likes to jump up and down and create a ruckus, screaming- "You can't DOOO that!!  You never learned HOWWW! That's too much for you, and let's check Facebook!!! (or, if the computer is off, "Look, a squirrel!!)"

Yep, ok. you win. Facebook is waaaay more fun than trying to figure out what you're going to eat for an entire week. *click*

This reminds me of another little Facebook picture I have posted before... the caption reads "Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail". I am setting myself up for ... what?!

FAILING.

What the heck?!  That is definitely not me- it's just not what I'm all about.  I have to shake this thing, and I need to move in the direction of planning.

What do I do?  How about this:

Plan two days' menus by 10:00 pm tonight. 

Does anyone else need this kick in the pants? Have you dealt with the "Planning Brat"??  How did you overcome her?

Happy Mid-Month Monday!

I'm at it again!  Blogging, thinking, challenging... hmm, can you smell the wood burning??  I am in love with this Fall Break!  My kids are on that "modified schedule" that gives us a two week Fall Break.  The weather is gorgeous, and we have been outside and active!

One thing I am so, incredibly proud of... we have biked/walked/jogged over 3 miles on FOUR of our Fall Break days!  My 8 year old is involved in Girls On The Run (read more about GOTR by clicking http://www.girlsontherun.org/), and I am trying to increase my speed so I can keep up with her at the 5k we're running in November!  I am doing a c25k program (I'll discuss this more at another time! It's awesome!).  We did "Week 6, Day 1" while the other 2 kids biked along with us.

You know what this means??? I HAVE AN ACTIVE FAMILY!!! *cheers, squeals, fist pumps*

I want to wish you a Happy Monday!  I have a little sign from a Facebook post, and it says "It's Monday, Don't forget to be awesome!"  So, remember that- and enjoy the rest of your day!

Detox Defeat.. Looking Forward to Baby Steps Success!

I posted in my last entry about a "detox".  Well, I didn't make it past day 1.  The smoothies were just yucky, and I simply quit- I quit because I was hungry, and the feeling of deprivation does nasty things to my thought processes.  Baby steps are the keys for me in any life-changing journey!

I have placed my Day #18 star on my calendar!  I am firming up my ideas for my next "21".  I think it's going to be combining all 3 previous challenges.  I am predicting some results at the end of that "21"!  I am also hoping it will solidify all of the habits so I can move on to another set of baby steps!  If you're not aware of my first 3 "21" Challenges, they were:
1. Eat breakfast and drink 20 oz of water within 1 hour of waking(getting out of bed)
2. Stop eating and drinking (EXCEPT WATER- Water is encouraged at any time!) after 7:30 pm
3. Drink a minimum of 48 oz of water each day (I have usually been drinking 64 oz, so I may just increase the water amount in the next challenge)

I can't wait to get this challenge finished and the next one locked and loaded!  I have ideas out the yin-yang about new challenges after I solidify these!!

I worked out today at the gym and did quite a bit more than I did the last 2 times!

My DS6 is going to a flag football clinic tomorrow- he has no idea how to play football, but he is VERY excited!  I hope he enjoys it as much as he thinks he will!

Challenges, Challenges

I just returned from my second day of going to the gym on my own.  It sounds like such a mundane, no-big-deal thing, but for me- this is HUGE!  I am sore, stiff, and sweaty... So it did some good for me physically AND it was a huge step emotionally!

I also met with Ian today.  I'm wrapping my head around the challenge he gave me.  I need to decide if I want to accept the challenge of challenging friends/acquaintances/etc. to a challenge.  See why the post title is what it is????  I'm whizzing from thought to thought... wondering if I can even begin to do this!  I told him I don't have the kind of social connections that would be good for this (it's the truth- I just don't roam around social circles as a SAHM).

I wonder about your (whomever may happen to see my blog on this big blue planet...) "21" challenges.  Did you start one?  I'm on day 15 of mine (48+ oz of water each day) and already racing from one idea to another about what the next challenge should be!

I also started a "3-Day Detox" today.  It's a Dr. Oz thing- the smoothies look really healthy and stuff.. If it seems to do some good, I will post a link to the recipes!  I don't want to post them if it's a bust, though.  I HATE the idea of a "diet", but I can definitely use a detox from all the sugar and processed crap-o-lah I have been eating!  maybe I'll feel good enough that I'll want to stay away from that junk... (ha. ha. I'll just keep focusing on baby steps!)

Slacker Status Securely Sucking Someone's Spirit

It's been a while- Here's the latest news:

I participated in a "Zombie Run" 5k on June 22nd (if you're curious about this, check it out aRun For Your Lives).  Upon reaching the half-way point, I promptly crashed and burned.  I was trying to avoid a zombie, and my body zigged while my foot zagged (or something like that).  After a trip to the Emergency Department, I found out I quite thoroughly sprained my ankle and tore whatever-it-is that holds it all together.  it has been nearly 3 weeks, and I am turning in to a ball of Jell-O.  Heaven forbid that I push my physical limits and exercise the rest of my body because my ankle is sore/swollen.  ACK!  I make myself crazy!!

I am writing this blog post as a SCREAM out to my inner brat- I'm letting her know that I understand what's going on, and we're not going down this road any more!! The junk stops HERE.  Junk food, stinking thinking, self-sabotage, and negative self-talk are done!  No excuses, more action, and here we go!

On a positive note, I have learned a couple of valuable things in the past few months (thanks to Ian, my trainer).  One of which is a habit-building "game", of sorts.  I like to call it "21".  I have used this tool to do some useful things!  I now eat breakfast and drink 20 oz of water within an hour of waking up at least 90% of the time- Pretty cool!  I am on day 10 of my 3rd "21" now- drinking a minimum of 48 oz of water each day.  Want to know how the "game" works?

1. Find a very simple (BABY STEPS, folks!) change you would like to make in order to improve your life just a tiny bit.  Be specific and simple!  Set yourself up for success!
2. Commit to 21 days IN A ROW. (yes, this includes weekends and vacations!) If it's a bad time, don't start yet.  Again: Set yourself up for success!
3. Put a star/smiley face/other fun marking on the calendar to show each day you have completed.
4. If you mess up (expect to mess up- we're human!), you MUST START OVER.  That's right- if you are on day 18 and you slip up and break your commitment, you start over at day 1!  Remember: this is a habit you want for a lifetime anyway- get the 21 days in a row!
5. (optional) You could reward yourself when you finish the 21st day!  I have rewarded myself by cheering, getting a pat on the back, and then announcing my next "21".

** Side note:  I fully understand that "21" will not offer a magic spell that MAKES your habit "stick".  This is a tool to help get the ball rolling!

I love sharing this challenge!  I want to hear your feedback about "21".. ideas, your challenges, your successes, struggles, or what you have learned!