Step 2: Do What You Enjoy

There is nothing better than finding time to spend on an activity that you enjoy.  Activities may vary based on your mood, the season or your current interests.  Over the years I have spent my "free time" in many different ways, reading, scrapbooking, card making, crocheting, playing board games, and surfing the internet.  In the last couple of years, if I'm handed a few hours of free time, you will most likely find me golfing, doing yoga or attempting a run.  

On Sunday, the weather was beautiful!  The sun was shining, the temperature was perfect and the afternoon was free.  From the moment I woke up, I couldn't wait to head out, just me and my tunes for an hour on the road.  I left home with the intention simply of spending an hour outside, running or walking, the day was simply about enjoying the changing trees and the music.  Approaching the turn for home I decided the day was simply too good to waste, so I headed out on a route I knew was at least another hour.  I ran, I walked, I stretched, I sang, I simply enjoyed being alone.  Eighteen kilometres later I arrived back home, a smiling, energized person.  Although the running may have taken a physical toll on my body, my mental state was amazing.  

Days later, reflecting back on my amazing Sunday afternoon is enough to make me smile and feel refreshed, despite the fact it still hurts to walk! This is proof to myself that a satisfied mental state is just as important as a fit physical body.  Given the day to do over, I'd make the same decision again.  Time spent doing what makes you feel good is never time wasted!

What would you do today if you had a couple hours to spare?

Step 1: Keep a Journal

It is Day 1 of my "Putting it All Together" challenge.  I've pre planned my day.  I know who has to be where, when they need to be there, I know what I'm cooking for dinner and I've included time for family fitness and fun.  Overall, despite being sore from my 18km run/walk I attempted yesterday, my day has been a success.  I do however owe a lot of my organization and success to technology.  My life is embedded with technology.  My phone and iPad are never far from reach and I have to give credit to these devices for the majority of positive changes in my life in the past few years. One of the most important things I've done with my technology is to change my habits and improve my life.  The best way I've gone about all the changes is simply to write things down.  I track my to do list, my moods, my goals, my finances and my fitness and my food intake.

Today I want to promote the act of keeping a  food journal.  Without my journal, I consume many unnecessary calories, especially when stressed, emotional or just plain bored.  There are lots of great applications on the market, however, pen and paper are good options too!   No matter what your method is, I guarantee that simply writing down everything you put in your mouth with make you second guess that 4th mini chocolate bar you slip in your mouth!  Try it even for a couple days, write down everything you eat, and if possible, make a note about how you felt during the day so later you can recognize patterns in your eating habits.

Aside from the food, and moods, is there any other important notes you should make in your journal?

A Year full of Challenges

Wow!  It appears as if it has been a long time since I've had time to get my thoughts down!  That doesn't mean it hasn't been a constant thought every night before bed.  I've contemplated where I wanted my thoughts to take me...what else I thought I had to share. I have officially come to the conclusion that as usual, sometimes I tend to over think things.

I have spent a lot of time this year involved in various challenges.  My winter healthier eating challenge, the spring meditation challenge, the spring gratitude challenge, the pre summer blogging challenge, the summer stress reducer challenge, the fall 10K challenge, the fall healthier eating challenge.  I guess my point is, that in the last 10 months I've successfully completed a lot of awesome programs that have given me proof that I am capable of a lot of things.

I'm ready to amp the end of the year up a bit now.  I have enrolled again in a meditation program, I am busier than ever in a physical sense, my healthy eating is getting better, I look forward to blogging more and heading into the Christmas season is the best time of the year to practice gratitude!  As a result, I'm going to take all of the wonderful things I learned and tried this year and I'm going to spend the next 2 months being the best that I can be.

I'm sure trying to embed these healthy living practices into my life may be difficult but I can't think of a better way to ring in the new year.  I'm happy to have others join in my journey, choose the parts you want and spend the next couple months reflecting and sharing the positive changes you are guaranteed to see!

The world is full of many people

Sometimes it is hard to balance others in our busy lives.  We have our family, we have friends from the past, friends from the present and people you could see yourself spending time with in the future.  Sometimes, the only thing I feel that is lacking is quality time to spend with any of them!

The demands on our time is sometimes so overwhelming that I want to crawl in bed and go to sleep instead of trying to figure out how to fit everyone in.  Tie in demands on time with work and activities and stress level tends to jump thru the roof.  I'm working on changing my stress into gratitude, being thankful for the wonderful relationships I have with everyone I'm lucky enough to care about.  

So to all of you I spend my time with, please know you mean a lot to me, my life is richer with you in it, even if our time together is limited :)   Also beware...I may be hounding you to spend more time with me, something I don't often do because I know everyone else leads busy lives too.  You won't hurt my feelings if the timing just isn't right, just walk away knowing that if I asked you, it must be because I value your time and involvement in my life.

Who Am I?

I've spent a month enjoying life.  Doing things I want to do, some days doing nothing at all.  Health and happiness were the top priority and stress for the most part non existent.  The month at a much slower pace than our family is used to has given me a chance to reflect and renew my goals for the rest of the year.  Step one...to set the stage for my goals, I have to know who I am.

I've realized that...

I am unique.
I am caring.
I am stubborn.
I am competitive.
I am controlling.
I am open to change.
I am reflective.
I am easily distracted.
I am full of good intentions.
I am judgemental.
I am weak.
I am strong.
I am kind.
I am helpful.
I am quick to act.
I am sensitive.
I am shy.
I am impatient.
I am eager to please.
I am a leader.
I am influenced by others.
I am clearly in conflict with myself!
I am still becoming who I am!

Looks like I have some work to do and like my photo...it's going to be an uphill challenge...or is it? Perception is everything :)  Do you know who you are?

Reflections of a Busy Month

It has been a month since I've had a chance to share my thoughts.  A month full of stress, relaxation and many opportunities to reflect.  Every bit of downtime I had to focus on a post left me wondering where to focus my thoughts, the result was to back off completely.

Just as "June" taught me many things, good ole "July" was a month of reminders.  I was reminded that stress does not do my body well, teaching summer school, feeling like the days are not long enough and there was not enough time to accomplish all I needed to do caused me to eat, be grouchy and not take time to appreciate my surroundings.  I had flashbacks to the days when health and fitness were not a top 5 priority for me, and my body sent me clear messages it doesn't enjoy a poor diet, less exercise and a lack of sleep.

My family, although understanding were also placed on the back burner.  Although well intentioned, my crazy schedule did not make our days the most pleasant.  It took a couple days away from technology to help us reconnect and enjoy the time we had together.

"July" has once again reminded me that my choice to focus on me, my health, my family and my lifestyle over the past couple years has been the right one!

I'm still continuing to simplify my life, choosing quality over quantity in many aspects, doing things I enjoy as much as I can, and focusing on the wonderful opportunities I have available to me.  I'm looking forward to a month to do just that before the fall schedule sets in.

Here's to hoping I can find time for all the important people in my life, continued improvement in health and fitness and opportunities to continue learning and exploring topics of interest to me....up first, a weekend with friends and family to do just that!

What "June" has Taught Me

 As a mother, a teacher, a coach and a volunteer, with a life on the side, the month of "June" was, as usual, the craziest time of the year.  Every year, "June" teaches me many things.

"June" reminds me that I have an amazing family that puts up with my craziness, busy schedule and insane mood swings, for that I am grateful. 

 "June" reminds me that I have a wonderful friends and co workers who I truly enjoy spending time with, for that I am grateful. 

 "June" reminds me that I am blessed to have a wonderful job, complete with tasks I love, such as celebrations, explorations and opportunities to help others and change lives, for that I am grateful.  

"June" reminds me that I'm lucky to be active and able to participate in many interests, sports and activities I enjoy, for that I am grateful.

"June" reminds me I live in a beautiful country, complete with wonderful opportunities, for that I am grateful.

"June" reminds me I have strengths, such as organization skills, the ability to help others and the ability to multi-task, for that I am grateful.

"June" also reminds me that I am human. I have my faults, sometimes I try to hard, do too much and don't think before I act.  For the reminder I can improve, I am grateful.

I think it's safe to say, without "June" I wouldn't have as clear of a picture of who I am, what I'm not, and where I need to be.  

Everyone has something that makes you reflect on yourself.  What is your "June"?