Category Archives: health

ahhhh… ROUTINE!

attitudes, exercise, Happiness, health, kids, Life, student, teacher, Uncategorized, ,

IMG_9386

Well, its been awhile since i had a good routine going. From all the ups and downs of my pregnancy it just never seemed to happen. Then the baby and Summer arrived and … well… just never happened!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a routine and schedule kinda gal. My thought is it keeps me organized and I get stuff done. For the kids routines are great too, keeping things consistent is important for them. However, not everyone is all about the routine and keeping in line with one (of my dozen) ‘Life Commandments’ I need to remind myself to “Lighten Up”!!

In doing so… my love of being in a groove often gets tossed and I go with the flow. It actually has been really great! My husband is not a routine kinda guy. He likes to do whatever whenever and not stress about the small stuff (like housework, bedtimes, chores etc) especially in the summer.

At our house, Summer is about makes memories and spending time together. So, if the dogs got footprints and dog hairs all over the house and we want to go to the beach, we go! Typically, I would not be able to go because I would want to clean the house first and be sure everything is in its place… BOROING!!! I Know… hence the ‘Life Commandments’ were put in place and I now say “Screw It… TO THE BEACH” 😉

Its way more fun and how many kids get to see the fun and exciting side of their parents?? How many of us are caught up in routines and chores… work and rules? How many parents say “well its 9pm and its bedtime… so No you can’t go outside and look for night worms?” (My kids like to look for Night Worms…LOL) There are a lot of us who have gotten “boring” now that we have become parents!

Its important to have rules and things in place don’t get me wrong… we have chores for the kids, weekly allowances, time outs and screaming kids who don’t get their own way. I just mean ‘Lighten Up’ on the little things! Whats the big deal really? Its summer and the kids are suppose to be able to have fun!

However, this brings me to my next point… How the heck do Momma get some ‘me time’ with the lack of schedules and routines???? I mean really… by the time 8pm comes I wanna stick the little guys in bed and sit down in quite … whew! Its tough sometimes ya know! So its kinda bittersweet really! What are we suppose to do? Finding that out can be challenging but the main thing is to just remain calm… and it will work out!

Momma Time!
Momma Time!

Tips:

1. Include the Kiddos: It allows you to do things you like without feeling too guilty about them doing nothing while you enjoy something 😉

2. Stay Calm: Its short term remember.  By the time they are in grade two they don’t wanna hang out with you.  Soon they will be packing their bags and moving out.  (I am so not ready for my oldest to be heading to grade 1- where the heck did those years go too???  Full days… nope I am not ready… Wanna keep him here with me forever sniff, sniff)

3. Laugh:  It really is the best medicine (well It ties for first with exercise) … Try not to be too serious about things that are not really that important… Who cares really if you want til supper to do the dishes?  Go enjoy the sun with your kids.

4.  Take You Time: How??  Just do short intervals… for example my run last night was 30mins.  The baby was crying yes… but ya know what it was 30mins, he wasn’t hungry or needing changing and Dad was with him!  Momma needs a little “Sweat Therapy”  and after the whole family feels the benefits!  Just take “YOU” time quickly! 😉

Last night I escaped and did a quick run to re-energize and then I took the older boys in my gym with me to workout with me.

working on our fitness ;)
working on our fitness 😉

It can be frustrating at times when they are hyper and all you want to do is decompress in peace but for me I remind myself that this is short term and allowing them to be here with me is great bonding time as well it teaches them about health and balance.

Because I am a Night Owl and and Early Bird, I take advantage of these time of the day.  Everyone else is in bed and I like to be up.  So, I took the baby down to the gym this morning for his first “workout”… (he likes early morning as well)  It was basic but it was something 🙂  And that is perfectly Ok… there will be days where I long to have them here with me and they will be gone doing their own things…

see how much he LOVES it! LOL

see how much he LOVES it! LOL

Never too young for exercise ;)
Never too young for exercise 😉

As a person who like to get a lot done… remind yourself that everything will get done eventually! But for now… just roll with it!

Monkey-ing Around!
Monkey-ing Around!

Seriously… Monday Why You Got To Be Like That??

health, monday, stress relievers, Uncategorized, , , , ,
YUP... HOW MANY FEEL LIKE THIS?
YUP… HOW MANY FEEL LIKE THIS?

Seriously!!! MONDAY why you got to feel like this?
Ugh… you wake up Friday feeling great knowing its a few more hours to quitting time… Monday you wake up your body aches, your tired, annoyed and hating life…Why can’t we feel like Friday everyday?

Think About it…
There are 52 dreaded Mondays in a year… if we head into each one of them feeling sluggish and unmotivated thats a lot of wasted time… Thats 1,248 hours of uninspired, feeling crappy hours!! Wowzers… Lets fix this so we use this time to kick some goals/projects to the curb!

Well, to help with Maniac Monday here are a few tips:

1. MINDSET:
A big thing for me and anyone who knows me is that its all about mindset. Switch your brain on to happy thoughts of how Monday is going to be the day you wake up and actually start your day with that run you promised yourself last thursday you would. How many of you say “Monday is the day…” Well … Monday is here so get going on those promises!

2. CLARITY:
Is this you Monday morning: *ALARM GOES OFF* you hit snooze a dozen times or shut off your alarm totally only then waking in a panic realizing you slept in. You jump outta bed..bang your toes… trip on the dog…yell at your partner and kids… you can’t find your keys… you skip breakfast and head into work really feeling awesome and inspired to land those deals and tackle those to-do list??
Instead just get up… don’t hit snooze. Make time to ease into your day without all the hectic crazy drama. Sit and enjoy your coffee in the morning think about what it is you want to get done today and start it off with a clear, calm mind… It will make you feel so much better 🙂

3. SUNDAYS = ORGANIZED:
Sundays can still be relaxing if you have to do a few things to get ready for your week. Make sure your chores are done, Get organized where you know where all your things are for the days ahead. It really makes things stressful when you get to the grocery store with your two toddlers trying to remember what it was you were suppose to be getting! Can you even remember what meals you were making this week when the kids are fighting and throwing cans in the floor? because I can’t. Use Sunday to make your list, to plan your week, get the laundry done and then Monday will not be so overwhelming 🙂

4. LIGHTEN UP MONDAYS!
So not only does Mondays infect you but it effects co-workers, family members and friends. Some people are so “BLAH” on Monday they don’t even want to speak to anyone. We all know what I am talking about… we wave at people and say good morning to get a glare and sometimes a growl from the other person!! Right??

Instead, Lighten Up Monday! Make it a ritual to do something fun on Monday at work or at home… Make Monday Funday by having a Nerf Gun War (my kids love this) and yes it can happen at work just talk to your boss about doing some morale and team building activities. Or why not at your 10 o’clock break do some stretches at work … even watch some funny you tube videos while your stretching… Laughter is very powerful! Or how about instead of yelling at your kids to get ready you can SING what you want to say (I read this in a book called “The Happiness Project” By Gretchen Rubin and thought the same thing as you are now ” thats weird” but trust me it works!!! I do it to my boys and they laugh instead of being grumpy.

5.  FOOD PREPP’IN:
YES!!! This is a huge one for me and I recommend it to all my clients. Use Sunday to get your food planned and prepped for the week. Slow Cookers are amazing for working (or non-working) people. There are a load of sites on line with recipe ideas for slow cookers like :

There are lots of options and I promise once you make this a ritual in your home life gets less complicated. Meal Prep and Planning is key to eating right (losing those few ponds you want gone) and it eliminates so much stress for the evening when you get home, your all starving and have no idea what to make.

8.  WORK’IN ON YOUR FITNESS:
What is the best stress reliever EVER??? EXERCISE! and yes I shouted that (hehehe) because its true. Who feels awesome and accomplished after a great sweat session…? Everyone! I am not just saying that either because I am a personal trainer I believe it fully! Get Moving and Stress Gets Going!!! Who doesn’t want that…?

So, now Mondays are no longer the “DREADED MONDAY” its now “YAY! ITS MONDAY” where you are taking names and kicking butt!!!

HELLO MONDAY.... WE'RE READY FOR YA!
HELLO MONDAY…. WE’RE READY FOR YA!