The New Year is here to stay, at least for the year anyway. Gone is the tree, down are the lights and eaten are the last of Mom’s cookie delights (good riddance!). Big question: So how’s the resolution going?
If you’re like me, you don’t even remember the resolution you made last year. Come to think of it, I’m not so sure I made one. But that’s the beauty of the New Year—it’s a time to start fresh, turn over a new leaf, try to make this year the best one yet, and don’t look back. Whatever mishaps, hardships or roadblocks we stumbled upon in 2010 are behind us, and 2011 is our chance to make amends, find peace and shoot for the moon. Not to sound cliché, but the world is our oyster! Instead of bogging down the New Year with daunting to-do lists and lofty goals, I’ve decided to create a wish-list of fun things to look forward to this year instead.
It kind of seemed like a no-brainer once I read that nearly 40% of people typically break their resolutions by the end of January, while a third more only keep them up for six months. That was me to a “t.” Why are we so hard on ourselves? Human nature….or is it marketing? Think about it, how many ads for the gym did you see on TV or hear on the radio during the first week of the January? “I pick things up, and I put them down” come to mind? (A fan of Planet Fitness or not, this ad is hilarious!)
Sure, we all know that we overindulged during the holidays and it’s time to get back on track. Don’t worry, we’ll get there. Now is the time to appreciate the phrase, “it’s the small things that make the biggest differences,” and move on to the things that fulfill your life with happiness and joy. Let’s face it; you’re much more likely to have those memories stick in 2012.
Some fun things I’m looking forward to this year include:
• Running a few local 5K races, the Bellin 10K, and maybe, just maybe, the Cellcom half-marathon (I’ve yet to decide if that’s “fun” or “torture”)
• Watching Ella start Kindergarten (where does the time go?)
• Preparing Jaisa for potty training (again, not sure where this fits on the fun-o-meter, but it’s a milestone nonetheless)
• Seeing the musical Wicked for the first time
• Enjoying an annual Girls Night with my girlfriends from college
• Taking a long, overdue trip to Door County with Matt, just the two of us (Alleluia!)
• Spring breaking it to Blue Harbor Resort & Waterpark for our 4th consecutive year
• Heading to Wisconsin Dells for a summer vacay
• Hopefully doing some camping, even if it’s just in our backyard
• Packing up for a big move? Time will tell, but a house with more room to hold our stuff would be nice…or maybe we just need to get rid of our stuff…hmmm
• Scheduling regular mother-daughter days with the girls
• Spending time with family and friends, because that’s what it’s all about
And that's just the beginning...
Enjoy the New Year for all that it is – a chance to start anew and appreciate all that you have!
What’s on your list of fun in 2011?
Showing posts with label exercise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label exercise. Show all posts
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Health is a Battlefield
I’m struggling, people! I’m on Week 2 of defending myself from the cold that attacked Jaisa and Ella, and I’m this close to letting my guard down. Trying to stay healthy can be exhausting! I’ve been popping everything that Mother Nature has to offer, from vitamin C to echinacea, vitamin D and lots of OJ. But more important than anything, I know I need my sleep…something that was not had last night on account of my youngest, Jaisa, crying in the night. Normally she’s a superb sleeper, but naturally, the one night when my defenses have been compromised to dangerously low levels, THE ONE NIGHT I REALLY NEEDED A GOOD SLEEP, Jaisa had other plans.
So today, I’m upping my game. I got some exercise in and I’m gulping down obscene amounts of water to help flush out the bad mojo. I used to be a rockstar water drinker—getting my required eight, 8-ounce glasses a day without pulling a muscle. Now it seems I can’t find the time. Sounds ridiculous, I know. How much time can it take to guzzle water? But somehow I found a way to make it difficult, and I flat out forget to drink. (Maybe I should write myself a Post-It.)
It reminds me of my morning coffee ritual that’s gone awry. I love coffee. There’s nothing better than starting my day with a nice hot cup of joe. But in my hurried state of getting both of the girls their breakfast in the morning (because once they’re seated at that table, food better not be far behind), I make a pot, pour a cup, and by noon I see that sad little cup of caffeinated goodness sitting on the counter cold, with only a few sips taken. I think I need a lesson in time management. But that’s another topic, another day…if I have time.
Today I have to kick this cold to the curb for good because it’s already inched its way into my system and left me with a scratchy throat. I know the full-blown effects won’t be far behind. There’s never a good time to get a cold, but this week REALLY is no good for me. It’s Homecoming Week at Matt’s school and he’s the teacher in charge. Every year, this week brings a little stress to my life as I put on my single-parent hat. Thank goodness I don’t have to wear this hat a lot. Those of you who do, I applaud you. Thankfully, come Sunday I get my husband back and hopefully a little R&R.
Here’s my plan of attack…
Sleep: If that means missing Glee tonight (gulp), then so be it. (Thank goodness for DVRs.) Studies show that if you get less than seven hours of sleep a night, you’re three times more likely to catch the common cold, since sleep deprivation has been shown to impair immune function. And if you sleep poorly, you’re five times more susceptible to one as well. Sandman, it’s time to help a mother out.
Hand Washing: It’s something I harp at Matt about regularly. When he gets home from work “Did you wash your hands?” Before he fixes the girls a snack, “Did you wash your hands?” And believe it or not, after he uses the bathroom, “Did you wash your hands?”
To make things easier for everyone, I now house a canister of sanitizing wipes near our kitchen sink as a reminder to keep it clean, at the very least, before we eat—no excuses.
Healthy Eating: I’ve been upping my intake of fruits and vegetables…again something I’ve been lacking lately. There’s nothing like fresh, natural sources of essential vitamins and minerals to ramp up the immune system.
Family Time: Carrying my healthier habits over to my family helps us all stay healthy and stops the vicious sickness cycle. So if it means I have to keep asking…
“Did you wash your hands?”
“Did you wash your hands?”
“Did you wash your hands?”
…That’s exactly what I’m going to do.
What’s your secret to keeping your superpowers intact?
So today, I’m upping my game. I got some exercise in and I’m gulping down obscene amounts of water to help flush out the bad mojo. I used to be a rockstar water drinker—getting my required eight, 8-ounce glasses a day without pulling a muscle. Now it seems I can’t find the time. Sounds ridiculous, I know. How much time can it take to guzzle water? But somehow I found a way to make it difficult, and I flat out forget to drink. (Maybe I should write myself a Post-It.)
It reminds me of my morning coffee ritual that’s gone awry. I love coffee. There’s nothing better than starting my day with a nice hot cup of joe. But in my hurried state of getting both of the girls their breakfast in the morning (because once they’re seated at that table, food better not be far behind), I make a pot, pour a cup, and by noon I see that sad little cup of caffeinated goodness sitting on the counter cold, with only a few sips taken. I think I need a lesson in time management. But that’s another topic, another day…if I have time.
Today I have to kick this cold to the curb for good because it’s already inched its way into my system and left me with a scratchy throat. I know the full-blown effects won’t be far behind. There’s never a good time to get a cold, but this week REALLY is no good for me. It’s Homecoming Week at Matt’s school and he’s the teacher in charge. Every year, this week brings a little stress to my life as I put on my single-parent hat. Thank goodness I don’t have to wear this hat a lot. Those of you who do, I applaud you. Thankfully, come Sunday I get my husband back and hopefully a little R&R.
Here’s my plan of attack…
Sleep: If that means missing Glee tonight (gulp), then so be it. (Thank goodness for DVRs.) Studies show that if you get less than seven hours of sleep a night, you’re three times more likely to catch the common cold, since sleep deprivation has been shown to impair immune function. And if you sleep poorly, you’re five times more susceptible to one as well. Sandman, it’s time to help a mother out.
Hand Washing: It’s something I harp at Matt about regularly. When he gets home from work “Did you wash your hands?” Before he fixes the girls a snack, “Did you wash your hands?” And believe it or not, after he uses the bathroom, “Did you wash your hands?”
To make things easier for everyone, I now house a canister of sanitizing wipes near our kitchen sink as a reminder to keep it clean, at the very least, before we eat—no excuses.
Healthy Eating: I’ve been upping my intake of fruits and vegetables…again something I’ve been lacking lately. There’s nothing like fresh, natural sources of essential vitamins and minerals to ramp up the immune system.
Family Time: Carrying my healthier habits over to my family helps us all stay healthy and stops the vicious sickness cycle. So if it means I have to keep asking…
“Did you wash your hands?”
“Did you wash your hands?”
“Did you wash your hands?”
…That’s exactly what I’m going to do.
What’s your secret to keeping your superpowers intact?
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