What the Fuck is Balance in Life?

Hey y'all, I am still kicking and haven't totally fallen off of the wagon for a while now.  Well not the weight loss wagon at least, just the blogging wagon!  Wow, time is falling by me faster then I can even imagine and next thing I know its weeks since I wrote a post. Hmm, I have been trying to find a balance of work (oh fuck what work.... its wetter then hell out here and none of my full time kids are coming due to that!), family life and my weight loss/exercise life.  Ok don't go bitching me out yet, I know its all one life I live, just different areas I am trying to keep a float right now.

So for working life.....

When I have kids, which like I said is very few and far between right now, because my full time parents all work out side and well when your work site is flooded out due to water from the freaking snow we had all winter and then the bloody rain that seems to keep coming, it kinda hard to work.  But there is the odd day in the week I have one extra little kiddy running around my house.  I am hoping soon things will pick up again, money is getting really tight, and no so easy to pay off loans I took out for this daycare business when I don't have money coming into to pay them.  Thank the lord, most of the loans were from family member's that understand and are willing and able to wait a little longer to get their money back.  My I love my family, just hate the thought of having to keep them waiting so long..... any who this paragraph really has shit all to do with weight loss or anything in general!!! Sorry for boring you about all that crap.

Family life.......

At this time isn't all to bad at all.  One plus on my side with the fucked up Spring we have had, I get to see my husband more then usual.  Cause lets face it again, they aren't out seeding cause all of our fields are under water!  So instead of coming home from his full time job in the city and have the quickest supper one could imagine and then running out to the field to relieve his dad for the evening, he gets to just stay home and help out with the kids.  On the other hand, if (and that's the biggest fucking IF one could say) the weather co-operates we really wont be seeing much of him cause they will be working 24-7 to get those crops in.  As for my own kids, lets just say they are keeping me very busy too.  Both my oldest son and my daughter are in soccer this year, which runs twice a week, so that eats up a full evening, seems how we live a good half hour from the town we play in and they are practicing for an hour and a half.  Good thing soccer season here only runs for a few months!  It wears me out and I am just the momma driving not the kids playing.  And wee one.... wow, does he get into mischief and keep me going too.  He is just starting to walk and well, I don't want him to yet. He is my baby and my last baby, and he's just growing up way to fast for my liking.  Along with soccer and running after the 14 month old, I am still tutoring my son on the evenings he isn't playing sports with his writing, reading and fine motor skills.  We are thinking he is finally catching up a bit and hopefully by the beginning of next school year he will be right where he needs to be to start Grade 2 and not be behind.  Its truly hard to deal with all this and not blame yourself on why things happen to your children.  I keep thinking its my fault he has a learning disorder, I must have done something while I was pregnant for this to happen, or I didn't try hard enough to teach him when he was little.  These are all things that have run through my mind the last while on why he has a learning disorder.

Weight loss and exercise life.....

Wow, now this is very time consuming!  But I have been doing good and have lost almost 20 pounds in the last month or so.  Now of course some of this has to do with a change in my medications but still alot has to do with excising my ASS off.  I try to get 2 hours a day in for exercising, and lets say that ain't easy with a family of 4 and myself along with everything else that has to get done in a day.  I try to do a good hour in the morning and a half hour at "quiet time" in the afternoon and another half hour after the kidlets are in bed.  Now, before you go giving my shit again.  I know its better to do it all at once to keep your heart rate up and going, but it just doesn't work for me that way.  I get up at 4:45 am, already I am not getting up any earlier when I don't get to bed till 11 pm or later some nights.  So, I have found breaking it up this way is the only way I can get it all in.  And as for my eating, for the most part I am doing pretty darn good.  I have stopped following Weight Watchers for now and I am counting calories in and calories out, which to me is just as time consuming as WW. 

alot left at the end of a day to do.  But I just remember there is always tomorrow for it!!!! 

Tips for Keeping Your Workout Schedule

I came across this e-mail in my inbox a few weeks ago, all though I was in my slump and off my healthy wagon at that time and never did post it right away.  Now that I am getting back into the grove of things AGAIN, I have take some of these tips and used them in my exercise portion of my journey.  I thought it might be a great article to pass along to all you guys too.  Many of blogger friends, might already have read this if they follow the new Weight Watchers Program, and if so I am sorry for bothering you again with it.  just remember if we can figure out helpful tips and tricks to keep our already busy life's in order with our weight loss journey, its only going to help us all that more!

10 Tips for Keeping Your Workout Schedule

Article By: Sally Bevan

 

Excuse-proof your workout by getting organised and scheduling in fitness.
Isn't it funny that the moment you decide to exercise, something always gets in the way? Mom stops by. The kids need help with their homework. The dog ate your running shoes. Maybe it's time to organise your exercise?

Make life easy for yourself.
Plan a regimen that fits with your lifestyle. If you work irregular hours, for example, don't sign up for classes that start at the same time each week. Instead, choose activities that can be easily slotted into your day: Walk the kids to school or run errands on foot during your lunch hour.

Draw up a weekly timetable.
To help you organise your time properly, draw up a weekly timetable of planned exercises and activities. This will also help you see how much activity you're getting. Try to do something for at least 20 minutes each day, even if it's just yard work or going on a brisk walk around the neighbourhood.

Attach exercise to a treat.
Give yourself a reward for scheduling in fitness. Buy flowers once a week for completing all of the workouts you scheduled. You can also attach exercise to an enjoyable event, such as playing with your kids in the park or catching up with a friend on a walk.

Get everyone else on board.
Make sure your family and friends know when and where you plan to exercise. This way you shouldn't get any unwelcome interruptions. If you need someone to watch the kids while you exercise, make sure you arrange this well in advance; don't rely on last-minute favours.

Anticipate motivational dips.
Everyone struggles with motivation from time to time, preparing for these feelings can go a long way to combating them. For instance, if you sometimes struggle to go to your aerobics class, get a friend to call you to make sure you're not still sitting on the sofa.

Avoid danger zones.
Many things can distract even the most hardened of exercisers: your favourite TV show, the lure of a night on the town with friends, or a neighbour popping in for an impromptu chat. Learn to recognise your particular "danger zones" and take steps to negotiate your way around them.

Buy figure-flattering workout clothing.
You don't want to look like a sack of potatoes when you're exercising. Spend money on well-designed, flattering and supportive gym clothes; you'll be more motivated to work out.

Have a specially designated drawer for fitness fare.
When you're in hurry, the last thing you want is to be hunting around for your gym socks. Keep all your exercise clothes in a special drawer so you can find them quickly.

Leave your gym bag by the door.
Always leave your gym bag by the door. This serves two purposes: one, so you always know where it is; and two, it serves as a gentle reminder that an exercise session might be due.

Put your gym clothes straight into the wash.
And last but not least, when you get back from the gym or pool, put your dirty clothes straight in the washer. Nothing is guaranteed to put you off exercising more than having to rummage around in the laundry basket for a semi-clean pair of gym socks!

The Wii

On Sunday while I was in the city I finally broke down and bought a Wii.  Both my husband and I are not big gaming people and we both have the same mind set that we don't want our children to be sitting in front of the t.v. for hours on end playing games either.  I rather have them outside running around (that's when its warm enough, it wont be happening today that for sure, its -41C out there this morning. (and once again I am for Canada, eh!  so that is Celsius not Fahrenheit)), or doing something with their imaginations inside, like crafts or playing with their toys.  Anyways on with my point!  I broke down and bought one after alot of pondering on it.  We thought at least the Wii gets us and the children moving while we are using it, we aren't just sitting there. 

Last night I hooked the system up and my husband and I tried some of the Wii Sports Resort and the Wii Fit Plus.  I enjoyed it, I must say that.  Not to good at alot of the games yet but time might come for some of them.  You see I have this inability to move my left arm and my right leg at the same time in different directions (and vise versea for the other side).  I have tried a number of work out videos that all seem to have these moves in them too.  I just can't do it, no matter how hard I try or even how slow I try.  I know I'm a gimp, I will be the first to admit it!  And I also can't seem to figure out step movements when doing... lets say a step class.  I just can't do it, tried it last night and again this morning and its a no go at this time. 

Through trying out a number of the games though I came to really like a few already.  The hula hooping is great, the free run, and some of the balancing ones.  I also like the biking and boxing with the Resort Plus.  Like I just mentioned both the hubby and I did some last night and after he left for work this morning, instead of sitting down on the couch and dosing off for a little longer I got my butt in move and put the games on again and did some more work outs.  I actually ran, no we will say jogged 10 minutes at once without stopping.  I was about 4 minutes into this free run game when I was ready to quit.  But I then thought to myself I can't, if I quit I wont know how many calories I just burned, and well I really like that part of the Wii Fit.  You do the work out and afterwards it lets you know how much you just burned. 

I came to one more final conclusion though.  If I want to actually work out and not play around on the Wii, I will not be doing it around my husband!  He can be a pain in the butt while you are trying to do it.  Not that he is trying to hinder my progress at all and I don't think he really realizes that he is getting in the road and on my nerves.  But when you are trying to concentrate on what you are suppose to be doing and trying to work hard at something and there is someone pinching you butt, snapping your panty line or bra and just plain old blabbing away at you about something totally off topic.  It just wasn't working for me, not when I was wanting to work out, I just want to do my thing and be left alone.  Its OK when I am not in it for the work out but just to have fun.  I think my work out with the Wii, will continue to be done in the mornings after he leaves for work!!!

Day one and off of routine already!!!

Now I started out my day a little slow, the routine wasn't in place this morning!  I don't think I slept more then an hour last night and I really don't know why.  So once I did fall asleep I didn't want to get up right away to that alarm going off at 4:45 AM.  So there was no work out this morning, but once I got my butt in move everything was falling into place pretty good.  I am so excited to start these meals this week, they all sound so good to me.  So any ones that I like I will add to my daily blog.  Please note though that all lunch meals are not Weight Watcher friendly (totally) or low in fat.  My lunch meals are geared towards children's tastes not adults, although they are usually really good still. 

Breakfast:Hand full of mixed nuts and Coffee w/sugar X 3

AM Snack: Coffee w/sugar X 3

Lunch:  Cheesy Hamburger-Roni (see recipe below)  Strawberries or Grapes, 100% juice


PM Snack: Coffee w/sugar X 4

Supper: Spicy Steak, Red Mint Potatoes (see recipes below), Salad and yogurt with a chocolate zucchini muffin

Cheesy Hamburger-Roni

Recipe from Kid Approved Meals

Ingredients:


1 pkg macaroni noodles, cooked and drained
1 lb hamburger, browned and drained
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 soup can of milk
½ tsp seasoning blend
1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Directions:

Mix together soup, milk and seasoning in a large pot. Stir in noodles and beef. Cook over
medium high heat until heated through. During final minutes of cooking time, stir in
grated cheese.

~this would make quite a bit so I cut all ingredients in half because I only had myself and 2 children to cook for today! 

Spicy Steak ( we like spicy food and this wasn't that spicy but very, very good!)
Recipe from Wovenfare

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar (I didn't have apple cider vinegar, so I used 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar and 1/4 cup of water)
2 table spoons of brown sugar
1 teaspoon of curry paste (1: you find curry paste in the Asian food section of your grocery store. 2: this is where if you are a spicy kinda person to add more I would even try 2 teaspoons)
1 clove of garlic minced
1 table spoon of olive oil
2 4 to 5 ounce steaks

Directions:

Mix together all ingredients except steak, trimmed fat off of steak.  Pearce steak a few times on each side with a fork.  Place in mixture and let sit for 10 minutes.  In the mean time hot frying pan with oil or cooking spray.  Add steak to heated pan and cook to your liking.  Just at the end add the rest of your seasoning mixture and re coat the steak for added flavor.  Serve the remaining sauce over the steak once plated.

Mint Red Potatoes
Recipe from Wovenfare

Ingredients:

6 to 8 red potatoes
large handful of fresh mint leaves
1 tablespoon for butter

Directions:

Clean potatoes and cut into 1 inch cubes (I left skin on them, but you can do what you want).  Add to pot cover with water and add mint leaves.  Cook until soft and drain, add butter and shake pot to coat potatoes.  Now I don't know if you were suppose to take the mint leave out when you serve the potatoes or not but I did. 

I wasn't to sure about these at first but I thought hey lets give it a try!  I am always tell my daughter that she has to try new food besides Kraft dinner, so why shouldn't I?  To my surprise they were really good.  Not a strong mint taste to them at all, just a nice little flavor to them.  I really liked them, it was a good change to normal potatoes. 



Quote of the day:

You have to stay in shape.  My grandmother, she started walking five miles a day when she was 60.  She's 97 today and we don't know where the hell she is.
~Ellen Degeneres

Not really one to think about a whole lot, but I sure though it was cute.  I am hoping to keep you up to date on my quote calendar I have made for myself.  Some of them will make you think and others are just for a good giggle.

I am off to try to set up our new Wii.  And maybe try to get some exercising in tonight too.  I will keep you all posted on my efforts!

Needing a routine in life

So I have come to the conclusion that I need some structure in life, just like teaching a child while they are growing up.  I need that structure and routine to keep me on track and keep myself going.  I have been doing a lot of research and reading (a number of great blogs!) and have decided that I will start meal planning and making a daily routine for my day, the daycare day, my workouts, everything.  Now, I know before one says to me that routines aren't good because you can never follow them 100%.  I have come to realize that and I think I am able to take that into count too.  With running a home based daycare you can never be on time 100% cause kids are kids, out bursts, fights, fun, accidents happen.  I have run my daycare on a routine for a while and find it works fairly well most days, so why not try it in my everyday life too?  Whats really going to happen if I do try and its not right?  Nothing.  I will continue on like I am now that's all.  Things get done still, its just usually last minute and a stress over it then.  So I am going to try and pre-plan as much as possible and hope that things go with the follow.

I have sat down and made my daily schedule for Monday to Friday, leaving Saturday and Sundays open because there is often many things going on those days as a family.  I made my house clean schedule so that not everything is done on one day and makes me feel like I am cleaning forever.  I have also made a 2 week supper menu too, with recipes, calendar, and grocery list.  I am hoping to get to the lunch menu planning this afternoon while the young ones are napping.  Its a little harder to plan the lunch menus I find because kids seem to be picky with foods and I also have a lactose intolerant child in my care so that's a lot more to take into consideration.  I try to make as healthy meals as possible with a few food groups at lunch time.  

If I can keep on routine! I am hoping to be able to post my daily routine and food menu each night before bed.  If not the following morning.  As well as recipes (well the ones that turn out!) for each supper meal and possible lunch ones too.  

If any one out there knows some great healthy kid liking meals I can make for lunches, please pass them on!!! I would greatly appreciate it.