lose 30 pounds

I almost hesitate to share this goal because the last thing I want to do is offend anyone, especially on my personal blog, which I try to stay positive and happy. The truth is though, that I really want to share significant and inspirational goals, as well as the fun stuff. I know how weight can be such an emotional topic for almost all women, and probably most men too. So please know, that I am not trying to imply that anyone bigger, smaller, or the same size as me needs to lose 30 pounds.
My reasons for giving myself this goal are many, but mostly because in the 11 years that I have been a mother (I say 11 because you really become a mother when you get pregnant), my focus shifted from myself to my children. This is a good thing, but as they get older and more independent, I am starting to realize that they need to see Mommy work on making positive personal changes. They need to watch and talk with me about being healthy, active, and optimistic. In the past decade I have spent so much mental energy learning how to distract myself from stress & drama. I am not a drinker, a smoker, or a drug user, but I am an emotional eater. Pizza, soda, and candy bars take the edge off of a bad day. Junk food is cheap and working out hurts.
I'm not ok with living like this forever though. I feel like I'm young enough to really benefit from healthful living in the long run. Not that you can't benefit from becoming healthy at any age, but I would love to avoid a chronic illness. Health and nutrition are so important, and if I can manipulate my future to have a sharp mind, a peaceful spirit, and an able body, than sign me up!
I'm not going to pretend that a huge secondary push here isn't a driving factor in this goal. I want to wear what I want, and feel pretty and flirty. It's hard to fake confidence. I plan on getting married in a few years, and I want to strive to be beautiful inside and out. It doesn't really matter what size you are as long as you are happy with yourself...beauty will radiate. I think that by actively paying attention to my nutrition and fitness level will make me start to feel pretty.
A transition like this takes time. There is a lot of mental work to do as well. I am giving myself until December 12 to complete this goal. It needs to be done in a healthy and sane way. It's not all or nothing. This is most definitely a lifestyle change that I have to be comfortable sticking with in the long run. I really want to be a hot girlfriend, and a healthy mom. This will make me feel beautiful.

new year

It's a new year.  Time for new & fresh ideas, new resolutions, new goals.  I wanted to give my blog a fresh new look to go along with the new year.  Lighter, more peaceful.  I've been allowing my resolutions and goals to bounce around in my brain for these first few days of 2011.  I'm a little overwhelmed with the planning process that's going on in my head right now.  I think if I could sum up my goals into one sort of phrase or idea, it would be, "follow through".  So many times I come up with all these fantastic ideas only to find myself scared of actually doing them, and coming up with plenty of excuses to not actually do what I intended.  It's easier not to.  It's safer staying in my own little bubble.  The thing is though, ...I'm not comfortable with that anymore.  The time has come for me to really push forward and motivate myself to chase after my dreams, however big or small.  Over the next few days, I plan on sharing with you my 2011 resolution list, my "29 before 30" list, and my blogging plans for this year.  There are lots of brave and exciting changes on the horizon, and I am so optimistic!

4 simple goals.

 Elsie, over at A Beautiful Mess came up with a great idea, called 4 Simple Goals.  The goals are to be achieved by the end of 2010.   Here are the guidelines:

1. choose simple goals that will make your life richer and happier on a daily basis. choose things you may not otherwise get done, but that are not difficult to accomplish.
2. do not choose result oriented goals, choose activity oriented goals. for example.... instead of "lose 10 pounds", choose something like "eat fresh fruits and vegetables every day". get what i'm saying? positive actions instead of just the end result!
3. choose goals that are personal that you believe will truly make your life richer just by doing them! they can be daily, weekly or one time experiences.
4. choose a reward for each goal as it is accomplished! it can be a small or large reward.
5. blog your goals, each one as you achieve it and a big post when they are all finished before the new year!

.......and here are my goals:
1.  Serve my family breakfast every day.  School is about to begin.  Gone are the lazy summer days of sleeping in and eating when we feel like it.  My goal isn't to cook breakfast every day, but rather to serve breakfast every day.  I will want to cook most days, but realistically we will be having cereal or yogurt and fruit days.  The point is to have a descent healthy breakfast on the table every morning so we can start the day off right.  No more last minute granola bars or McDonald's like last year!  The reward- the peace of mind knowing that I fed my family well before we all go off on our separate ways to face the day.
2.  Carve out an hour for myself each day.  More than likely I will be taking the hour I have after I drop the girls off at school.  I might sit at a coffee shop alone and work on blog stuff.  I might snuggle up on the couch with my morning coffee and a real book.  I might work in one of my journals.  I might walk.  Just me time.  The reward- This goal is the reward itself!  I feel less stressed and more optimistic when I take time to be alone.  My family will have a happier me, and I will connect more with them in the evenings.
3.  Work harder at work.  I have one of those jobs that the more you put into it, the more reward you get from it.  I'm not going to take on extra hours or anything.  Just look a little nicer, clean a little more, and be willing to make myself available to help out in any way that I can.  The reward-more $, with which I will splurge on a new pair of comfy work shoes, and a few new pairs of work pants.  And probably a new smock.
4.  Wash my face and brush and floss my teeth every night before I go to bed.  Sometimes All the time I get so tired that I fall asleep watching a movie with my boyfriend, and then drag myself to bed with my make-up still on!  This is a horrible horrible horrible habit to fall into.  I want to feel fresh and clean before I go to bed.  If it takes taking my shower as soon as I get home, than that's what it takes.  The reward- clear skin and healthy teeth and gums.  I might be inspired to treat myself to a new lipstick or eyeshadow, and some whitening strips.

I hope you all choose to join in on this exciting challenge!  What are your goals for the end of the year?

what's for lunch?

While browsing blogland this morning, i found some handy tools for feeding little ones. I saw this really cool lunch box that reminds me of a binto box. It has a bunch of little compartments, but it's all one unit. Plus it comes with a drink bottle, it's dishwasher safe, and comes with a ton of stickers for personalization! At $30 it's a bit pricey, but in terms of a convenient way to pack a healthy and fun lunch, I believe it will be well worth it. I also saw these cute little nutrition and fitness trackers too. Now if we could only find such fun, healthy, and convenient dinner options!

ten

A little late for resolutions, but it's still January right? I've come up with a little list of ten resolutions for 2010. Wish me luck! 10. go on more adventures 9. create more 8. break the soda pop addiction 7. purge, purge, purge 6. find little and big ways to make my family healthier 5. do something nice for my home every day 4. do something active every day (for 30min.) 3. get more sleep 2. work on thinking more positive 1. inject more happiness (so I don't walk around looking like this...)

dreaming

My dreams include 8 hours of sleep every night in 2010. A girl can dream right?