HELLO!

I was writing in my journal the other day, frustrated & wondering why my goals & follow-through have been sliding so much, when I realized that my journal isn't the best place for tracking my goals. I've been missing this outlet more than I expected.

First, I have to recognize the progress I have made before I go into the ones I'm still struggling with..

1. I did my Echo Triathlon last weekend! Yay! I had to dig deep for this one because I really was tempted to opt out this year with the move & everything, but I was glad I stuck with it & finished.

2. My bedtimes & wake-up times have generally been pretty good. We are usually asleep by 11pm, which is good, because I'm usually up between 6-6:30am to read my scriptures & go work out.

3. Outside time with the girls. I'm usually out there with them for at least 20 minutes while they ride bikes, jump on the tramp or play in the water. This is easier to do in the summertime.

4. I have been reading. Not as much of the spiritual or self-help, but some really good novels to add to my list.

Now... on to my struggles:

Well, the whole routine thing has been anything BUT routine. I know with the move & all, that's to be somewhat expected, but we've been here for almost 2 months now & I should really get back into the swing of things. I was looking over the routines the other day, thinking "wow. These are really good. I remember how much smoother everything went when I did those routines."

So...

For the next couple weeks, I'm going to focus on my night routine. Especially the "washing my face," "laying out clothes" and "looking at the next day's routines & appts" parts.

Also, I have had a MAJOR struggle with sugar lately! Seriously! As in... I am addicted to sugar. I mean, I knew that before, but it's BAD! I'm 90% sure sweets are to blame for this solid 5 lbs I'm still carrying around from Kezia's birth. Somewhere in my mind, I'm using the rationale that since I've been training a lot, I should be able to eat what I want, but this belly & butt don't lie! There's also this thing I have mentally that I need to get past, where I think I DESERVE a sweet after the kids take a nap or go to bed. Yup... I DESERVE a sweet. therefore I DESERVE the extra lbs that come with that.

So...

I'm going to really try to reach for fruit instead of something bad for me. AND for the next couple weeks, I'm doing to try mom's tactic (this is going to take some getting used to, though) of drinking one entire glass of water before I eat a sweet.

So - there you go... wish me luck. Or better yet, pray for me!! :)

Becka's update

Well, I think progress not perfection is a perfect theme for this year. I've yet to accomplish anything but I know I'm still trying. I've made a lot of progress this year on my goals to get up early and exercise more and although I've had a lot of set backs I feel like my mindset is changing and hopefully that will make all the difference.

Right now I am really weak and haven't exercised in weeks. I haven't cared about getting up early or gone to bed early for that matter. I know I have to start slow to regain some of my strength and I also know that I still need a lot of rest but I've decided to make a plan to get back on the right track. This week I'm going to take it kind of easy but the point will be to be consistent in doing something.

Goal 1 - Take a walk every day this week. I don't care for how long or where I go, just to get out and feel I'm doing something.

Goal 2 - To get to bed by midnight and up by 9 am. That may seem really lame but it's the routine I'm caring about not the time. I feel 9 hours should be enough sleep and this will help me to not sleep in to late.

I'll let you know how I do and hopefully I can get a lot accomplished this week.

Sometimes Progress means Counting

I woke up this morning with a horrendous headache #8 1/2. So much for progress today. I spent sometime by the wastebasket and wished the pounding and rocking would end.
Somehow between exedrine, tylenol, prayer, extra angel help and a wet washcloth doused with lavendar and peppermint I made it to church to lead the children in singing.
I left early and came home to sleep my headache off only to find that it still rode my neck like a determined cowboy when I woke up.
I went through my checklist of "things to do when you get a headache" and checked them off one at a time then I noticed the acronym EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique.) I figured that I had tried everything else so I went through the exercise.
Surprisingly, my headache went from a #4 to a #2. I am now able to think clearly enough to look at things more clearly and evaluate my options for the rest of the day. My attitude went from "poor, poor me" to "The day isn't finished yet. I can still do some good before it's over." I thank my Heavenly Father for his blessings today.