Day 2

"First we form habits, then they form us. Conquer your bad habits or they will conquer you." Rob Gilbert

I have a really cool story. Remember yesterday when I said I ran into car/house challenges and I knew that I was supposed to choose a good attitude in spite of situations that were trying to get me off track? Well.. I did what I was supposed to do. I trusted God instead of trying to "fix" everything myself and in the process totally stressing myself out. ( This is what I would have done in the past)
So today, I nailed down a house for rent in Mt Juliet. Btw, it was exactly what we needed. 3 bedrooms in WA Wright school zone, less expensive than what we are living in now and right next door to my parents. : ) How cool is that?
Also, before class I drove to my best friend's house, borrowed some of her Husband's tools and was able to get my car started! Hooray! So the bottom line here is that God is good and all we really have to do is believe that and trust him to help us with our problems.
As far as my personal challenge went today. It wasn't as good as Monday. I didn't get a chance to workout. BUT, I did eat clean, and I went to lunch at Logan's with my mom and ate chicken, broc, and a baked sweet potato and didn't have a single roll! : )
And maybe I can count Kid Fit as exercise. I did have 13 kids after all, and they were WILD!
So, overall I feel great about everything. A challenge like this isn't designed for perfection, it is designed to make me aware of the daily decisions I make everyday.
I am consciously putting my phone down, (and turning off the sound), consciously hanging with my kids undistracted and overall changing my life to a life of intention. I don't want to let life slip by, or to be constantly waiting for the next step. I am where I am, and I love where I am.

Official Day #1

Anytime you start something new, something that will lead you down a better path, change your life for the better, expect something to try derail you. Do not wait for it, but don't be surprised by it.
I started gearing up for my personal pursuit of change yesterday. I ate healthy and all natural all day until last night then I had some homemade taffy. ( because i wasn't starting until today, remember? ; ) But I did clean my house and go through my closet. I got rid of 3 large baskets of clothes and shoes that I don't want or need anymore. It looks so clean and organized. I am determined to go through my entire house. I love, LOVE getting rid of stuff. I like to travel light. That means, stuff I have not used or clothes I haven't worn in a month or two, gone. If I haven't needed it, I won't miss it.
I woke up today, ready. My goal for the day today was to eat healthy and clean, and start my workouts again. I did both today. Yay!
My Diet:
Breakfast:
1/3 cup plain oatmeal with crumbled walnuts and skim milk and 4 eggs (2 whole, 2 white)
snack:
organic gala apple and raw almonds
Lunch:
4 oz baked chicken, broc, 1/3 cup brown rice mixed with black beans
snack:
cup of coffee and tea ( weird, I know.)
Dinner:
Mom's homemade turkey soup and 1/2 glass of red wine

Workout:
Deadlift
Power clean press
Front squats
3 sets of 10 (no rest)

ring push-ups
Strap rows
mat laps
3x 15 (no rest)

I also ran my neighborhood when I came home from class tonight. ( yes it was raining and cold) What kept me going was that incredibly inspiring YouTube video I watched today. I have big goals. Big goals mean rainy, cold runs at 830pm.

Overall I did great today. The derailing part.. My car died today when I was working at re:MOVE this morning, it would not start with a jump. So, its still sitting there. Thankfully I was able to borrow my mom's truck tonight. I will figure out what to do with it tomorrow. Also I am moving again. This is always stressful, so I felt like 2 major major things were up in the air today. Yucky feeling. I beat it though. I chose Joy anyway and I guarantee it will pay off.
I totally conquered this day!
Day 2 tomorrow:
-Continue my healthy, natural diet
-leg workout
-Go through kid's closets

I like this. Little changes. Stay tuned. : )

It's time to get serious about making changes!

I have things in my life I want to change. Can anyone out there relate?
When I look back I am very thankful that I am not where I once was but as I take a realistic look at where I am now, I know I'm not yet where I want to be. I do not do this in a condemning way. I refuse to allow guilt to stick around. I receive the conviction and desire to do better and make better choices.
What are "better" choices/decisions really?
For me better decisions are higher decisions.

Isaiah 55:8-9
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts."

I have some bad habits. Because this will help me to acknowledge, process and begin to change them. I am going to list them.
1. procrastination
2. multi-tasking (to the point of not being able to focus on one thing at a time)
3. spend too much time on media (facebook, my phone, my computer)
4. Enjoying and "being" in the moment is difficult for me
5. spending interrupted time with the kids where I am not distracted by a person, my phone, facebook or work.
6. I am "busy" all of the time
7. I need to feel loved and wanted
8. I crave discipline but have a hard time sticking to a goal once I set it

There are more I am sure, but this is a good place for me to begin. I want to change. I am not looking at these things and wallowing in self hatred. Just to show you (or me) that I have a healthy balance, I am going to list my positive qualities.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalms 139:14

1.I have a genuine, loving heart
2. I love God, love my family, love people
3. I am great at building rapport and relationships
4. I am business minded, determined and I refuse to give up.
5. I always try to find the silver lining in EVERY situation.
6. I know who I am in Christ and refuse to accept less than I should.
7. I am generous and loyal and protective of those I love
8. I am athletic, adventurous and fun.

So here is the consensus. I want to change and this is what I want.
I want to live a simplified life, uncomplicated by excess stuff, responsibilities that were never mine to take on. I want to break the addiction to facebook, my computer and my phone and create healthy, balanced boundaries. I want to be single and satisfied. I want to stop being a "busy multi-tasker" I want to focus on one main task each day and then if anything else gets done that day it's a bonus.
I want to enjoy and live my life now. Why wait? What is later? Are we promised tomorrow? No, we have today and today only. I want to start living that way.
How do you start? That is a very important question.
I am going to start with a small step. Writing this was my first step. Acknowledging that I have things to change and I'm ready was my first step. Putting it on paper makes it final somehow.
I'm not perfect, I don't care to be perfect, but I am ready to make some changes.

Day 1. Get organized
-basic house cleaning
-extra stuff off counters
-go through my closet and kids closet

Week 1. Detox
-add fruits and veggies
-remove processed junk
-no extra sugar or salt

Stay tuned! : )