And so a new phase begins...

Yes, the appropriate question would be... where the heck have you been????

Let's see. Had another baby. Still working on the renovation. And still trying to find balance. Funny how some of the old goals still follow around no matter how much time passes. The elusive 'pot of gold' sort of speak.

My third baby - another wonderful boy - is turning one in just three weeks. I am trying to figure out where the last year of my life went. All three of my boys are so wonderful and they keep me in check.

I don't have much time today to write but I wanted to start a good habit of writing my journey. Even if no one ever reads this, I will. Even if my journey is long or short, it is mine alone. Even if right now I'm scared to fail, at what I haven't yet determined.

And so I begin...

Getting in the "zone"!

I am short on time the last couple of days. DH is gone again on business so I'm left to manage my crazy food urges in the secrecy of my home. I'm so proud of myself actually because although there is the temptation to order pizza at 6:30 when I'm tired from running all day, I have resisted! Hooray for small (yes, very small) victories!

I got the gym two days in a row and typing is almost painful right now so I know I'm working hard. I'm booked to go again tomorrow even if just for a light workout and walking on the treadmill. I just want to establish an easy routine that I can put my mind on cruise every morning and our routine is already in place. So far so good! I'm loving the new gym although the different equipment and space will take a week or so to get used to.

On the eating front I've been so frustrated that although I have clean choices, I'm not choosing them. I keep making menues but find some reason not to follow it. So, I have returned to my "old faithful" - the way I learned to eat clean and get away from sugar and wheat - The Zone. Although I'm mindful that the calories for women are about 1,200, I supplement with more protein and a shake after working out. I lost all my baby weight both times in about 3 to 4 months following the Zone rules and I really like it. I find it flexable and easy to fit into my life. I'm feeling much more in control and motivated so I figure whatever works is great.

How is your week?

My lightbulb moment

I am a self professed home-body. I love to be in my house doing all the household "stuff" and being proud of my home. The last year however has been very challenging in the "loving my home" department. We moved to this house a year ago and the minute we got possession, we started renovating. It took us 7 weeks before we could actually live in it and since then we've been struggling to get it put back together.

Walking on subfloors, a kitchen from 1979, and old windows that act more as a sieve than anything has made me feel in a slump at home. The house we left behind was a new build so it was move in ready. I brought my babies home to that house and I miss it still. I had a great schedule with the kids and the local YMCA was about 6kms down the road. For 3 years I was a gym rat and happily going there daily for hard weight workouts and meeting other moms there. It just all clicked easily.

For the last year I've been on a mission to get the groove back. You know, that feeling of being energized each morning, putting on the workout clothes and get going. Now, in our new community, I was trying to live that same life, go to the same gym, adhere to the same schedule and expect it to "click" just as easily. That is the beauty of change - just when I think my bubble is resistant, it pops and off I go to figure out what burst it and how to blow another!

Why today I don't know, but it finally "clicked"! Instead of getting in the car and driving 25 minutes back to my old community YMCA, I check out the one just 5kms away. Holy Dina!!!! Yes, it's older. Yes, it's smaller. But wait a minute... it's closer.... yes, it's less busy.... hold on, we are on a roll here! I found out I can book babysitting an hour before and I'm in! (I've had serious babysitting drama only being able to get in for 1 hour a week at my old Y). I even met another fit mom and we instantly "clicked"! She too was in the same scenario and she couldn't rave about this gym more. I'm convinced. Sign me up!

I'm ready to go tomorrow morning. My shoes are at the door, workout clothes beside the bed, kids' breaky is set and I can't wait to look like a fool trying to brush my teeth with sore arms!

Am I a circus clown or just busy?

How many "balls" should I have in the air at once? I've been asking myself this all day and really, I must admit, it is just too damn many! Can you tell I'm a bit frazzled... perhaps even dazzled by women who seem to do it better than I. (Oh, don't let me fool you, I know it's all perception and really, the "balls" hit us in the head sooner or later... :)


Hubby who goes on last minute business trips; two kids going to two different preschools so mommy gets to drive about 2 hours every day back and forth; renos from hell - no seriously - we've been walking on sub floor for 8 months and we only have one bathroom with a door; working nights to afford the renos; the usual cooking, cleaning, laundry that never ends with 3 boys in the house; me. Now I do realize that "me" at the end looks bad but I'm working every day at giving priority to 45 minutes for "me" - walking, running, weights, yoga, whatever. It just feels crazy to pack so much in but I'm not the first and certainly not the last.


So here is my question - how do you get it all done without feeling like you need to sacrifice "me"? Here are my thoughts -


1. Prioritize once a day. Make a list at the beginning knowing the limitations that it doesn't all need to happen today. Pick 2 + you. That's three. Easy.

2. Build pillars. Pillars include (at least for me) exercise, eating well, 30 minutes of quiet time, and good rest. Its been studied, wrote about, tried and tried again - do these things every day consistently and you can't help to be happier, more energetic and feel like you get more done.


3. Let it slide. Listen, we all need a dose of reality now and then. Do you really need to scub the grout on the shower that the window people are guaranteed not to see? No. Trust me, they won't judge you and you shouldn't judge yourself either.


4. Get up just a little earlier. I've been working on this one lately. I listened to a podcast on Hip Tranquil Chick with Kimberely Wilson & her guest Anne Thiel discussing ayurveda 101. She recommended to get up just a bit earlier and watch the difference in energy levels. Although I work till 11:30pm, getting up just 30 minutes before the boys makes a huge impact on my day. I'm ready before they even get up, have a quiet breakfast or go for a quick walk. I feel much more calm and organized all day.


What are your strategies to get the most out of your day?

No break for the determined

Thank goodness for breaks and thank goodness to get back at it! My determination tested but that just makes the victory more sweet! Damn house renos, you will not win!

My weeks has started great - groceries in the house and meals planned. For me that is half the battle. If I plan my week of eating I don't get "creative" and hit a drive thru or totally lose my mind in a bag of choc chips! My workouts need to rev up though and I really need to stop making my "schedule" the problem. I'm at home with my little boys during the day and at 4:30 I run off to work until 11:30pm. Try as I may, the workouts are suffering which means one thing... I'm really not trying as hard as I need to. So my goal this week is to do a 5km run/walk at 8:00pm during my break at work. I get about 45 min so that should be about perfect.

My 3 year old is hanging off me asking "Can I play yet?" ... of course.... mommy doesn't mind..... maybe I should get another computer.... hmm... I will manage to write a bit each day though to keep myself in check. Thanks SB... I needed the vote of confidence! :-)

Quick and quick

Not much time for my newly found voice today but I'm trying to create a habit of entering how my day is going. Not bad. Ok, good. On to tomorrow.

Down Dog!

TGI Wednesday! I love Wednesday because it is my yoga day. I look forward to it all week and even if I'm completely ignoring my body's need for exercise, I do yoga. After 3 years I must say I wish I was better at yoga but that isn't the point, I know. Sometimes I think it does more for my mind than anything so in the end, if I never get my head on the floor, oh well.

I read Scrumpy's Baker today and it really got me thinking about why I sabotage myself. I sometime think I deny I even do it but hell, we all do! My mirror is proof I do. I lost my momentum while on vacation with my hubby and kids visiting his family. They couldn't get why I cared what I put in my mouth. Why organic? Why not McYucks? Why exercise every day? Why not dessert at every meal? So after being watched and questioned I stopped explaining and just gave in to their madness! I was furious with myself for letting them weaken my resolve but they weren't proud of me or encouraging - just the opposite. So instead of sticking to it and simply doing what I knew to be right, I allowed them to pressure me. Now, reading this it sounds sad really - what, am I 5 and can't stick up for myself? Next time, I go in with a plan of action and instead of justifying myself, I need to just be me. Ah, wisdom, that sneaking snake!

Tonight for supper is Turkey cranberry sausage (delicious!) brown rice and veggies. I work till 11:30 pm so I think a latte may be in order tonight.

Did you eat well today too? Good work...