And another week begins.....

Well, it is Monday, another week begins. I am working really hard on keeping an optimistic attitude, because my family is sick....again. It just seems like we can't keep healthy! I have a feeling that my week is going to look alot like this:
Anyway, in regards to my January resolutions, I have kept up pretty well! Last week the name of the game was moderation. My body has been rebelling quite a bit because I think I have been overdoing the exercise a bit. In the same way I had gotten a bit crazy on my diet, and found that I am a happier person when I don't cut out the things I like completely, but just moderate what I have.
I found some definitions for moderation that I really love.
quality of being moderate and avoiding extremes
easing: a change for the better
temperance: the trait of avoiding excesses
the action of lessening in severity or intensity
It all seems to point to the fact that if I make changes using moderation, the changes will stick. I love the second definition, "easing: a change for the better". I tend to get very enthusiastic and want to change things all at once, but the thing about that is that I tend to burn out!
I yearn for balance in my life, I don't like extremes, they make me tired! Yes, extremes make adrenaline flow, just think about your last ride on a roller coaster, but then think of how you feel when you get home from the amusement park....you are exhausted!
This year I am learning to ease into things, and I really think that that will make the changes last. My goal is for my resolutions to become habits.

Week Two: A New Friend

So this week was the start of "Dump Your Plump". My competitive spirit has kicked in and I am determined to "dump my plump".
To do this I have been working out this week more than I think I ever have in my life. After I go to the gym today I will have worked out five days this week! And because of this I have a new friend....the elliptical machine!
I was hesitant to try it at first, I have always been more of a treadmill girl, but after the first time I was hooked! I can go longer and faster on it! I have been averaging four miles each workout.
I find myself missing it the days I don't go. I had always heard of people becoming addicted to exercise and seriously, I thought they were crazy! I know at this point I could just be riding an adrenaline high, but I really do want to keep this attitude and really make working out a habit.
I haven't noticed too much in the way of weight loss, but I am trying not to solely concentrate on that, but rather on how I feel. I have to say I have felt happier this week, and have more energy.
As far as my other resolutions for this month go, I am still doing better than I usually am at this point. My eating habits have improved (although I am not counting calories tonight because it is Birthday Date Dinner night). I am sticking with my bedtime routine even though it has been a struggle some nights when all I want to do is fall into bed! Overall I am pretty proud of myself!

A picture says it all....

This morning I got to go sledding, I haven't done that in years. As I was uploading the pictures I saw one that my friend took of me sledding.
And it hit me...this picture summed up the kind of mom I want to be. The past couple of weeks I have had to be "nurse mom", and that is very exhausting, it has been followed by "cranky mom", "irritable mom" and "extremely tired and stressed out mom". I don't like being those moms.
But today after a rocky start to the morning I took time just to play, to be silly, to laugh and to scream as we went down the hill.
I realized I really need to do that more often. I need to not get so caught up in the things that "need to be done" that I forget to take the time to play and have fun.
This whole year is my journey to become happier with my life. This morning I found out that one of the things that makes me happy is just playing.
As moms we have to wear many different hats, but I need to remember to put on my silly hat more often.

Week One: Going to the Mattreses!

Well 2011 is a week old now. It has been an interesting week. My husband had minor surgery on Wednesday, my son had a croup attack on Friday and my daughter has been battling a cold. I had to attach this week by basically "going to the mattresses". I had to treat this week like a war, not knowing when I would need to fight.
Even with all the craziness going on I was able to make some positive changes in my physical health. I joined a "dump your plump" team, and having other women encouraging me to work out has been wonderful. I have pretty much kept to my diet, although I did use chocolate as one of my "weapons of combat" on Thursday, but even then didn't overindulge.
I have also been able to keep my before bedtime routine, and it really has helped me fall asleep easier...(now if I could just work on staying asleep, but that is really in my kids hands!)
Have I kept each resolution perfectly this week....no, but surprisingly I do not feel discouraged. This week threw alot of obstacles my way, along with alot of stress, but I feel like I have come out of it victorious! Tired....but victorious!