Getting back on track

I wish I could go back about a month or so ago and give myself a good shake, tell myself to breathe, and not start my stress eating. My doctor was not concerned about my sudden and big weight gain, stating that 90% of people gain weight with stress. I'm obviously "normal" and hopeful that food will fill that spot deep down where all my stress and anxiety live... unfortunately, it seems that the more I feed this empty spot, the larger I get which creates more stress. You'd think our bodies (and minds) would be wise enough to know that this strategy is fruitless, I guess the 10% of the population that lose weight with stress have it figured out!?

So I've been struggling with where to start? I tried jumping into the 21 Day Fix Extreme but it was too overwhelming and challenging with us going back and forth to Sioux Falls the past couple days. I also thought of doing the 3 Day Refresh. I'm taking the advise of my husband, and thinking about how I've been successful in the past. The greatest thing that has helped me is Weight Watchers, YMCA classes, and doing the 3 Day Refresh every three months or so.

I had given up on Weight Watchers since I'm moving and am unable to commit the time to helping/ working for the organization. I do, however, need to make the time and get back to meetings and recommit to myself and using the resources they have for members. I will be calling corporate today to get all my technology stuff sorted out and will be at the meeting bright and early Saturday morning.

I also will be rebooting with the 3 Day Refresh and re-commitment to Myfitnesspal.com as well as the 21 Day Fix Extreme videos & getting back into running (mostly because I will be gone so much the next few weeks that I am unable to go to or teach classes at the Y).

The number one thing that I am going to commit to, above all other things, is making time for meaningful prayer and meditation. With the stress of trying to sell/ buy a house, start a new job, and move to a new community, I need that extra time to organize my thoughts, regroup, destress, and allow God to be in charge... all of which is extremely difficult for me.

I posted my favorite prayer at the bottom and here are links to other's blogs about finding time for prayer or prayer for tough times:
Setting up a New Quiet Time Routine
15-bible-verses-for-trusting-god-in-tough-times/
How to pray everyday
How to Pray When Too Busy

How to gain 8 pounds in 2 weeks with NO MAGIC PILL! ;)

Yep, it finally happened. I took a giant leap backward in my weight loss journey. I have not only seen the scale change but my pants are all getting tight.
Here are my helpful (insert sarcasm) hints in gaining back your weight:

1) Allow stress to consume your thoughts- morning, noon, and night... think about how many things you need to do and how little time you have to do them.
2) Remain negative- if someone gives you a complement, shrug it off and remember that you feel like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Make sure to not focus on the positive.

3) Eat EVERYTHING! If it looks good, eat it, if it doesn't look good, try it, if you think it will help with your stress, eat it.
4) STOP working out and teaching classes- make sure to become SOO busy (some of which can be accomplished by simply being a teacher at the end of the school year with children in cub scouts, soccer and baseball) that there is absolutely no way to work out or take care of yourself!
5) Be angry; at yourself, at others, both...
6) Isolate yourself; it's easier to mope by yourself, pity party for one?!

7) Don't record any of your food. It's easier to ignore the crazy amount of food you ate when you don't see the calories that go along with it.
8)When your pants get tight, switch to yoga and jogging pants... those things will fit for a LOT longer!
9) Reintroduce alcohol into your diet. It numbs your senses and allows you to eat more, guilt free!?!

Fitness and Motherhood

When people ask me how much I work out or the time I put into meal planning, it usually has a chord of disdain. Many people look at me or others that spend time daily on their health as selfish and with a hint of jealousy. The problem is that I'm actually being a better mom now that I do take that time to care for myself. I am showing my children that my health and their health are important and need to be continually worked on. They see that I am not perfect and that doesn't mean I throw in the towel, I push through the difficult times and keep moving forward.

Spending time working out doesn't just give my children something to look toward, it also gives me the mental down time I need. It provides me with the opportunity to refocus and to sweat away my frustrations, boosting those endorphins that allow me to have more quality time with my kids! Before I would come home from work stressed, frustrated and ready to snap. My poor kiddos and husband would get the blunt of my build up. Now I look forward to my sweat session after work and come home amped up ready to be with my family.

Start the week off on the right foot, commit to being a mother; loving yourself enough to eat right and workout in order to provide your children a role model and a less stressed, healthy parent.

Someone shared this on fb this week and it hit the mark with me: Fit mom, happy mom

Declutter to Destress

Circumstances have brought my family into the path of change and onward to a new city. We are very grateful for God's very apparent signs and direction. I am also grateful for the forced decluttering. This will be our third time moving in four years and although I should be bitter and stressed (which I am a little bit), I am very blessed for the opportunity to go through all our belonging and to throw out the stuff we don't need. This becomes much easier the more times a person moves, you realize the important things are the people, and not the items, in our life. 

I just went through my daughter's room and put a lot of her clothes into a box to give to family members. It made me sad to think of her not fitting into her cute little Elmo shirt anymore and thought maybe, just maybe, I should hold onto her cute little booties... but for what? She may have a little girl someday but do I really think that a pair of cute pink booties are going to create a magical moment of happiness? Reality tells me that I'd forget I had them and someone would find them in a box after I (hopefully) make it to heaven one day! No, instead I'd rather give them to my sister or cousin or friend that would get use from them in the near future. That will bring much more satisfaction and take up much less room in my home.

I also find that decluttering helps my mind. When I organize, clean, and get rid of things it relieves a burden that I did not know I was carrying. It's so therapeutic, like letting go over past frustrations and build up of emotions while briefly reliving happy thoughts of moments past. Those memories stay with me forever and I do not  need an old t-shirt, pair of shoes, purse or trinket to remind me of them.

Of course there are things that I could never part with, my journals, pictures, some of the boy's school work (but not a lot) but all of those things need to be organized and easily obtainable and not hidden under layers of unnecessary waste. 

This can also be applied to our lives/ minds, we need to declutter our minds from what's the newest show on T.V., who's the best dressed celebrity, what newest diet should I be focusing on, or who just created drama on fb. We need to remind ourselves of our priorities. My priorities are my faith and my family, these priorities were what helped us to make our final decision to move. You can have the best job but if you aren't able to keep centered on  your faith and spend quality time with your family, it may not be the "best" job. What are your priorities? Have you spent time on the things that truly matter?

I'm appreciative of the next few weeks where I will, again, be decluttering and refocusing my priorities. God has provided us with a wonderful new opportunity and I will remain focused on Him to get through this crazy time!

Follow Your Heart

I truly believe that following your instinct is synonymous with letting God lead. Many times I have doubted myself and let insecurities dictate my actions. Not today! Last night I visualized how I wanted today to play out, what time I wanted to wake, what things I would get done, working out and prepping food for the week. This morning I have followed through with my plans. I took my measurements and my before picture and I bought the food I need to start the 21 Day Fix Extreme tomorrow. I have written down the week in my planner; boys' baseball & soccer schedules, workouts, meals, lesson plans, etc. It's all there and I'm not naive enough to believe that I'll complete everything with 100% follow through, however, I do know that having it planned out and everything easily accessible is one HUGE step in reaching my goals. I cannot express to you how elated I am to dive into this week and give it 110% (yes, I know that's not mathematically possible). 

This week will not come without challenges, some of which I cannot express. I have to trust that God's plan will be revealed and decisions, although difficult, can and will be made. Knowing this takes a heavy weight off my shoulders. I will push myself, do my absolute best in ALL things this week, exuding self confidence and, hopefully, motivating others to be the best they can be as well!

Let's give this week our best! Happy Sunday!