Priorities and Procrastination

“Action expresses priorities.”
Mahatma Gandhi

“It’s not a daily increase, but a daily decrease. Hack away at the inessentials.”
Bruce Lee

People say things to me all the time about how frequently I exercise. Priority is what it comes back to. My priorities in the morning are as follows: 1) rise and pray (IF I’m up early enough) 2) read my Bible and 3) exercise. I used to exercise first and then decided that I would rather wake, let my system adjust, and give God the beginning of my day. It has been such a blessing to me! I make an effort to post on social media a Bible verse or a portion of a devotion that stood out to me as well. Why? Because I want to first reflect a woman who loves and fears God. How else can I do this except by reading His Word and communicating with him? The devotion, Daily Bread, makes sharing on social media particularly easy since they include an image with a Bible verse or saying that is easily shared to Instagram. What a great way to shine a light! I hope, and pray, it encourages others. I love seeing scripture posts. It inspires me!

Another priority that I have this year is to declutter my house. Oh my! When you make this a focus you realize just how much STUFF four people can accumulate. So much unnecessary junk! I haven’t hit it too hard because with all the regular daily life stuff it could be overwhelming. I’m chipping away at it though! Why? I desire for my home to be a place of peace and rest not just for my family but for anyone. When I feel stressed about stuff I know I don’t have a peaceful demeanor and this too is a priority. This is another area that social media can be useful. I’m in a group on Facebook (invited by my dear “sister”-in-law) that is for Moms and is encouraging declutter/organization. So many great ideas!

I know I mentioned social media several times. It certainly can consume us! I wanted to highlight some of the positive ways that it has helped me. I hope and pray that you’ve read something here that inspired or encouraged you. If you did feel free to drop a comment or tag me on social media with one of your favorite Bible verses, inspirational quotes or exercise move of the day!

What priorities do you have? I believe that if you make something a priority just long enough it will become a habit and those don’t seem like work at all!

What inspires you? How do you want to inspire others? I know you’ll be encouraged if you will take one small step today, or even right now!

“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.”
Johann Wolfgang van Goethe

“Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.”
Stephen R. Covey

New Year. New Goals.

I had such aggressive goals when I started this blog. The initial reason was to promote my Beachbody coaching business. Since I withdrew as a coach (due to financial reasons) my goal became personal. I had transitioned from wife and mother working outside the home to a full time, stay at home mother and home educator. I’ve always been passionate about truly supporting other women and this move gave me the ability to do just that.

It’s been a year and 1/2 filled with not only spending lots of time with my children, and neighbors but also helping numerous girlfriends with their children for a date night, doctor appointment, school trips, hair appointments, etc. I have been so blessed!

Regarding my exercise I set a goal in 2019, before Memorial Day, after reading an article in the Runner’s World magazine. Although I enjoy running I’ve always said it wasn’t my preferred method of exercise. The magazine encourages a “running streak” from Memorial Day until Independence Day. You are supposed to run at least one mile per day during that time. I completed that with a friend and enjoyed it so much I decided to continue indefinitely. I ended up breaking my streak in August when we were on family vacation because I wanted to just be able to relax and we were doing a bunch of hiking during that vacation as well. I got back to it later in the month of August and set the goal for a 365 day streak. I made it until December. My streak lasted 145 days. December 30th, 2019 was day 145.

I had started to have a lot of ache, pain and strain in my knees. I was doing other exercise during this time as well such as lifting and other cardio and weight programs. I am the type of person who once I set a goal there isn’t much that can deter me even if my body is practically shouting to take a rest. Getting sick on December 30 got my attention. I think it was a combination of some type of virus and my body just giving me the most obvious signal that I needed some rest. I haven’t run since then.

I would be lying to say that I have no regrets about stopping. Because of the “Type A” nature of mine it killed me a little to stop running after I’d set the goal for 365 days. I have since set some new goals.

I’ve been interested in running a Spartan race. I haven’t due to the distance from Savannah and the cost. In November I started looking at the Spartan race again. I was looking at the obstacles to see what I would need to add to my exercise routine to be ready. I found out that if you sign up to volunteer at the race you can race for free. That is huge considering the race fees alone are over $100 and the closest ones to us are in Atlanta and Jacksonville which also requires at least a 2 night stay. AJ and I discussed it and talked about where the race was in Atlanta in April. I felt that would give me enough time to train, it’s warm enough that we can tent camp, and maybe even head up to North Georgia to visit our friends and their new baby!

What goals have you set for yourself? Is there a goal you set and you just aren’t loving it? Is your body talking to you, like mine was, and telling you to start or stop something? Is there an adventure you’ve wanted to take and there was a niggling feeling holding you back? Is it something you’ve procrastinated about? Is there a wall you need to push through? A new program to try? Nutritional changes? Relational changes or boundaries? Is there something you’ve wanted to learn and haven’t taken the time? Is there a book you’ve wanted to read?

Now is the time!

Please share your stories with me. I love to encourage and see you killing it!

Big Boundaries for Little Minds

GUILTY

Yes. I am guilty too. Turning on the TV to babysit my kids so I can do a particular task, take a nap or cruise Facebook without interruption. I can’t count the times I’ve been harsh to my children because they’re interrupting my device time. Don’t beat yourself up. Instead, the question to ask is, “What am I going to do about it?”

RECOMMENDATIONS BY “EXPERTS”

No electronic device for a child under 18 months (with the exception of Facetime). ~ We’ve been lead to believe that “educational” videos will help us grow smart kids. We’re wrong! Interesting to note that since the brain triples in size from birth to age 2 the growth is, “in direct response to external stimulation, in the context of real-world experience.”
Limit to 10-15 minute increments to decrease “brain drain.” ~ I found a comment by a friend interesting on how their daughter, although limited to 45 minute increments, can become agitated at which point they will make her turn off the tablet. Can you relate? I know I can! Even as an adult I become bored with my Facebook news feed or Instagram. Unfortunately it doesn’t generally cause me to stop and do something productive.
Stick with simple programming. ~ Several good examples that hearken to my childhood are Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers. These programs encourage learning, include repetition and request participation. I even found that Mickey Mouse Clubhouse can get kids moving, singing and counting.
Watch with your child. ~ So often I find myself saying to the kids, “What are you watching?” I’ll hear something from a show that seems a little “off”. I haven’t discovered the show is ever something that isn’t allowed, however, if I was sitting with them the entire time I may change my opinion. There have been several shows that we deemed, “stupid,” and wouldn’t allow them to watch. These are warning signs!
Help your child watch critically. ~ Of course if you’re not watching with them this would be hard to do unless its a program or movie that you’re very familiar with. Much of what I wasn’t allowed to watch as a youngster I believe to be fine content for children with the understanding, an explanation, that it is fantasy. This leads perfectly to the next point!
Connect the show to the real world. ~ Harry Potter is a great example because we know that magic isn’t real. However, the situations faced by the characters are applicable to real life such as; telling and seeking the truth, sticking up for your friends, being brave or confident, etc.
Be a role model. ~ I need so much work here! Que next point…
Make a family media plan. ~ We have never done this and our children are 11 and 7. With the days fast approaching that Silas will have his own phone, and the fact that they each have their own tablet already, a plan is overdue!
Don’t feed your kids in front of the TV. ~ We have never had a TV anywhere but the living room. We do occasionally have family movie night and will eat in the living room. Interesting to note that this parent discovered that her son would eat anything when sitting in front of the TV to eat. Since she was dealing with a picky eater it seems she solved one problem while creating another. How much more delightful to teach our children the joy of eating healthy, nourishing food and even being able to pick out particular flavors! I know I love to see my children enjoying cooking since it is an important part of life and will help set them up for a healthy future.
No electronic devices or TVs in the bedroom. ~ Artificial light, or blue light, emitted from electronics disrupts the production of melatonin and delays the onset of the REM cycle. Several helpful suggestions were to replace a “wind down” period normally spent in front of the TV with reading. Also, allow a 15-30 minute technology free time before bed.

PERSONAL PRACTICE

When I allow my children on their tablets or TV during the week I limit them to the length of an episode or 2; 30-45 minutes. This is rounded up actually because most episodes of the shows they watch are only 22 minutes. The weekend can tend to be a free for all though. *eye roll* Saturday morning in particular.

Unless there is something on the schedule that is taking us out of the house at a particular time on a Saturday I am very bad about setting limits. The thought is that, “They only get one day per week,” or, “It’s their relaxing time,” have got to stop! Media plan already working in my mind!

A while ago I committed to spending only 15 minutes per day on Facebook. That hardly ever happens. Ugh! I have been much more intentional about putting my phone down. If you’re like me we use our phones for EVERYTHING! My kids use my Merriam-Webster app for their vocabulary words. I Google anything and everything. I’m constantly adding food or water to my log in my Fitbit app. Something that has made me conscious about my screen time is the fact that somehow, during an update of my system I suppose, I began receiving my weekly screen time average every Sunday morning. A friend told me that during youth group time on Sunday morning they have to call out their average. Now that is a sobering thought!

REFLECTIONS

When Silas was a baby (under age 2) we had several Baby Einstein videos. I did turn them on occasionally but he really wasn’t interested. He was more interested in climbing on AJ’s guitar case, playing with empty gallon water jugs and chasing Jade (our dog) around the house.

I’m currently reading a book by Rachel Macy Stafford called Hands Free Life – 9 Habits for Overcoming Distraction, Living Better, & Loving More. The premise of these habits is simply this; to be in the moment, enjoying, loving, experiencing the people we love the most. It makes me think about the recommendation above about children under 2 years old having zero screen time because of the growth they experience through physical interaction. Honestly though, is that really limited to children under 2? I know my children need and crave my attention. Yes, the attention I give them when they’re telling me about the dream they had last night for 15 minutes. Jumping on the trampoline for a few minutes even though I really don’t feel like it. Playing hide and seek when my phone is pulling me towards Facebook and Instagram. Creating memories instead of regrets.

I plan to report back in 4 weeks on how our media plan is working. Stay tuned!

Bonbons and Budgets

I know that bonbons have never been part of my life let alone my grocery list! It does make this subject much more appealing though wouldn’t you agree?

I asked my Facebook friends to weigh in on grocery budgets and received some great feedback! The family sizes ranged from 4 to 6 (parents and children) and commented regarding both budget dollars and whether they purchase organic items. The age ranges within these families is important as well because it seems very true that when we have children in the teenage years we are being, “eaten out of house and home!” The children were at or below 12 years old; including several with infants. Budgets range from $125 to $150 per week. Our budget had been at $500 a month for a LONG time and approximately 2 years ago (when the kids were 9 and 5) we began to overspend. I analyzed the spending about 9 months ago and found that our average for the prior 6 months had been closer to $700. That became our new budget amount.

I realized from reading the comments on my Facebook inquiry that I’ve included items such as paper goods (toilet paper, paper towel, and cleaning products) in my grocery budget and if I’m going to get micro on our spending I’ll need to break these out. I also have a multivitamin and protein that I use and these are lumped in the grocery budget as well.

WHAT DID I LEARN?

First, our family is well within the range of “normal” for our family size (4). I would also categorize our eating as, “healthy convenience,” (as one friend dubbed it). Healthy convenience to me means that we eat a lot of the “perimeter” items; fruits, veggies, meat, dairy, eggs, and much less middle aisle items where the processed foods live. When I am making a mid-week grocery run it usually involves a vegetable that was either forgotten or was eaten earlier than expected or another staple item like milk or eggs.

Second, I plan our meals weekly (7 to 10 days) and base these on what we like as well as what is on sale. The freezer we used to stock up on items like meat and frozen vegetables died a while ago. I miss it! This has caused me to have to plan much more carefully since I have less freezer space. It also keeps me accountable for what I’m buying so that I don’t end up with a bunch of junk that we don’t need. Junk items such as frozen pizza, toaster strudel, Eggo’s, etc.

Third, I’m trying some new things like “Meatless Monday.” I’m not vegetarian or vegan but recognize that our bodies need more plant based food and less meat. We will have a large salad full of many different grilled or steamed vegetables, beans and hard-boiled eggs for dinner. Although we will add grilled chicken this is an easy change for “Meatless Monday” by simply adding only the eggs.

Fourth, we went through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University many years ago. Staying within the budget could easily be achieved by using the envelope system instead of my debit card. What works well for you?

DID ORGANIC MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

The feedback I received on the organic front was generally that those families didn’t buy much organic unless it was on sale. My stance is that there are items that are better bought organic because of the exposure they may have to pesticides; such as apples, potatoes, or other fruits and vegetables that you eat the skin of. If it has a thick skin or is something you peel, bananas and avocados come to mind, I don’t buy organic.

I’m interested to hear from my readers on whether they buy organic, why and how they make allowance for that.

I plan to go into more detail on protein powder in the future as well as vitamins.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

New Year’s Resolutions. FAIL!

Approximately 55% of resolutions are health or fitness related. According to a study of athletes specifically January 12 is the fateful day of failure and the death of a resolution. The University of Scranton states that just 8% of people achieve their New Year’s resolution.

Why so dreary? Well, it’s catchy! But seriously; what have you “resolved?” Honestly I’ve never resolved to lose weight. *Cue all the people who just stopped reading this blog.* It doesn’t mean that I haven’t been overweight. And to clarify “overweight” is determined by measuring your Body Mass Index (a measurement of your height and weight which categorizes you as underweight/normal/overweight/obese). As far as health and fitness for me I think about how I feel in my clothes and how the food I’m consuming makes me feel.

Enough about me. This blog is actually dedicated to encouraging you to DETERMINE, rather than resolve, how you can make the change you’ve been hoping for by December.

First, goals. Or rather; your determination. Working with my 2nd grader this week on exact nouns is a perfect example of how to do this best. Instead of saying, “I want to lose weight,” or, “I’m going to exercise,” be S.M.A.R.T. and say, “I want to lose 10 pounds,” or, “I’m going to exercise 3 times per week for 30 minutes minimum.” The acronym, S.M.A.R.T., is probably so overused I’m getting an eye roll about now, however, it bears repeating.

S-Specific M-Measurable A-Attainable R-Realistic & T-Time Bound

This is beautiful! Just typing it out made me smile and realize that I have a few to add to my day planner.

Second, write it down. If you don’t have a calendar investing in a day planner, white board calendar for you and/or your family or simply a wall calendar that inspires you and keeps you on track. I wasn’t a day planner type until a few years ago. Let me just say I’m hooked! I love having it. It keeps me organized. I’ve found mine at Michael’s and enjoy the way it is divided by month, week, etc. I know some people spend a lot of time deciding what planner they will use and they can get expensive. I spent less than $20 on mine.

Third, and last. I read a great article from MyFitnessPal with 10 Simple and Realistic Ways to Eat Healthier in 2019. A few that stood out to me that meet the criteria of S.M.A.R.T. goals listed above are:

Swap a sugary treat for fruit
Drink at least 64 ounces of water per day. Or 1/2 your body weight in ounces.
Cook more at home. To be SMART decide how many days you’ll try to cook at home and for how long you’ll try before increasing or changing.
Eat 5 servings of vegetables per day.
Try Meatless Monday. I’m adding this to my plan for sure!
Focus on one change at a time.

If you’re looking for an accountability partner comment here and I’ll reach out to you. I personally LOVE the Beachbody programs which you can stream at a tremendous value! Ask me about the programs or for a contact to get yours today.