As I suspect will happen many weeks I am reminded of how many of these changes are really a return to childhood habits.
This week I am starting to take a multivitamin. Conveniently I have a stash in my cupboard that I periodically shift around on the shelf. My trouble seems to be one of timing. Ever since my pregnancy I am very sensitive to taking vitamins on anything less than a truly full stomach. Combine that with rushed mornings and skipped breakfasts... and I hardly ever remember to take it anymore.
I decided to get one of those weekly pill containers - seven little holders in one with days of the week labeled. This is something I can pack up on Sunday and then stash into my work bag. Hopefully this will help to remind me later in the day on days I forget in the mornings.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Parking far, far away
I pulled into the lot at work this morning and thought about 52SC. So I drove to the back end of the lot.
I don't know exactly why I didn't park in the far corner spot, as far from the door as possible? I had a vision of co-workers walking around all day talking about this strange car parked in the back of the lot at least twenty-five spots from any other cars. Because of course in imaginary-land everyone would actually care about such a thing.
In the end I parked about 5 spots from the last corner spot. It felt much more reasonable.
I don't know exactly why I didn't park in the far corner spot, as far from the door as possible? I had a vision of co-workers walking around all day talking about this strange car parked in the back of the lot at least twenty-five spots from any other cars. Because of course in imaginary-land everyone would actually care about such a thing.
In the end I parked about 5 spots from the last corner spot. It felt much more reasonable.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
WEEK 3: Going, going, going
And on we go to week 3 in 52SC...
This week's change is to incorporate more moving into your life. Note that this is not referring to exercise, more the constant motion of our bodies. i.e. GET YOUR BUTT OFF THE COUCH
Some of the suggestions are not really feasible. I'm not going to walk up to the store in mid-january. Although I must admit I am looking forward to something like this when spring hits in Michigan. DH and I have already been talking about getting bikes now that DS is getting older and this is a real possibility. And I don't own a dog, nor am I going to get a dog so that I have something to walk (yes - an actual 52SC suggestion).
But there are a couple of ideas that I do like:
1) Parking in far away spots. Definitely doable just have to remember when I am driving through the parking lot.
2) Active television. Basically the price of watching t.v. would be to incorporate laundry or something. This might be a good way to get in those crunches I'm supposed to be doing daily.
3) Stairs instead of elevators. Pretty much already do this one.
Note to self: Exception for elevator at work still applies = 4" heels + laptop + coffee. (Too many embarrassing incidents on the stairs to change now.)
This week's change is to incorporate more moving into your life. Note that this is not referring to exercise, more the constant motion of our bodies. i.e. GET YOUR BUTT OFF THE COUCH
Some of the suggestions are not really feasible. I'm not going to walk up to the store in mid-january. Although I must admit I am looking forward to something like this when spring hits in Michigan. DH and I have already been talking about getting bikes now that DS is getting older and this is a real possibility. And I don't own a dog, nor am I going to get a dog so that I have something to walk (yes - an actual 52SC suggestion).
But there are a couple of ideas that I do like:
1) Parking in far away spots. Definitely doable just have to remember when I am driving through the parking lot.
2) Active television. Basically the price of watching t.v. would be to incorporate laundry or something. This might be a good way to get in those crunches I'm supposed to be doing daily.
3) Stairs instead of elevators. Pretty much already do this one.
Note to self: Exception for elevator at work still applies = 4" heels + laptop + coffee. (Too many embarrassing incidents on the stairs to change now.)
Monday, January 30, 2012
Staying on a schedule
This weekend was Epic Fail.
The week went so smoothly that I did not look ahead to challenges with our weekend schedule. We were on the road and I forgot to bring water with me. Hell, I forgot I was even supposed to be drinking it. And it was not an opportune time for insomnia to set in. It was sometime around 2:30 am Sunday morning that I even really remembered these goals. 52SC who?
Sunday morning was the second sleep-deprived day and so I compensated with abundant amounts of coffee. I dragged my butt and my 4 year-old around all day trying to half-heartedly get ready for the week. I was up past ten folding the last of the laundry. Good news, we have clean socks and underwear. But there are still a lot of errands and chores that I need to finish up this week.
I'm trying to see this as a good thing. Now that I know the issue I can adapt and overcome. Right?
The week went so smoothly that I did not look ahead to challenges with our weekend schedule. We were on the road and I forgot to bring water with me. Hell, I forgot I was even supposed to be drinking it. And it was not an opportune time for insomnia to set in. It was sometime around 2:30 am Sunday morning that I even really remembered these goals. 52SC who?
Sunday morning was the second sleep-deprived day and so I compensated with abundant amounts of coffee. I dragged my butt and my 4 year-old around all day trying to half-heartedly get ready for the week. I was up past ten folding the last of the laundry. Good news, we have clean socks and underwear. But there are still a lot of errands and chores that I need to finish up this week.
I'm trying to see this as a good thing. Now that I know the issue I can adapt and overcome. Right?
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
WEEK 2: Sleeping. A lot.
On the heels of my first successful day of change I have decided to condense a few weeks here and there. Mainly this is to get the 52 weeks of 52SC on track with 2012 calendar. Also, the week 2 change aligns fatefully with how drained I am feeling after the recent holidays. So...
Time to get some shut-eye!
OK. I'm going to be honest here. This is a hard one for me. I regularly scoff at my husband who requires a minimum eight-hour sleep to keep from changing into a crabby five-year-old. I laugh in the face of colleagues who cannot get to work on time because they were up past midnight the night before. I sleep an average of five hours a night - and I am a happy and functioning person just the same.
Yeah, yeah, but probably not healthy. A technicality - LOL.
So here we go. I am anticipating an issue with this. I'm going to shoot for eight hours a night in hopes of actually achieving seven. That means lights out at 10pm in order to get up at 6am. Wait - 10pm truly? Going to sleep at ten feels like I'm either pre-puberty or post-retirement.
Time to get some shut-eye!
OK. I'm going to be honest here. This is a hard one for me. I regularly scoff at my husband who requires a minimum eight-hour sleep to keep from changing into a crabby five-year-old. I laugh in the face of colleagues who cannot get to work on time because they were up past midnight the night before. I sleep an average of five hours a night - and I am a happy and functioning person just the same.
Yeah, yeah, but probably not healthy. A technicality - LOL.
So here we go. I am anticipating an issue with this. I'm going to shoot for eight hours a night in hopes of actually achieving seven. That means lights out at 10pm in order to get up at 6am. Wait - 10pm truly? Going to sleep at ten feels like I'm either pre-puberty or post-retirement.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Sloshing in my belly
I was sitting in a meeting late this afternoon just doodling. I ended up doodling a few pictures about my day:
8am
12pm
4pm
The sloshing is driving me crazy! Hopefully my body just needs time to regulate.
8am
The sloshing is driving me crazy! Hopefully my body just needs time to regulate.
Monday, January 23, 2012
WEEK 1: Drinking water
Sounds easy enough.
Not long ago I would have considered this one a gimmee. I distinctly remember carrying around a water bottle during the work day. At one time my husband and I actually bought a second Brita pitcher because one just didn't keep up with our filtered water needs.
But somewhere along the way I just stopped drinking water. Well, not stopped exactly. But my water consumption is waayyyyy down. And where I used to drink soda maybe couple times a month; that has now increased to several 20 ounce bottles a week.
Pretty hyped for this one. It doesn't really feel like a hardship because I actually like drinking water. This one is purely a habit change that needs to take affect.
I'm ready to go:
1) Got my water bottles. One for work and one for home (for when I forget the work one on my desk.)
2) Got some flavor packets. 52SC suggests some options for trying to incorporate this back into your everyday habits. This is one I will likely incorporate as I replace those occassional sodas.
3) Cleaned out the Brita pitchers and replaced the filters. Seemed like a good time to take care of that, too.
Drink up!
Not long ago I would have considered this one a gimmee. I distinctly remember carrying around a water bottle during the work day. At one time my husband and I actually bought a second Brita pitcher because one just didn't keep up with our filtered water needs.
But somewhere along the way I just stopped drinking water. Well, not stopped exactly. But my water consumption is waayyyyy down. And where I used to drink soda maybe couple times a month; that has now increased to several 20 ounce bottles a week.
Pretty hyped for this one. It doesn't really feel like a hardship because I actually like drinking water. This one is purely a habit change that needs to take affect.
I'm ready to go:
1) Got my water bottles. One for work and one for home (for when I forget the work one on my desk.)
2) Got some flavor packets. 52SC suggests some options for trying to incorporate this back into your everyday habits. This is one I will likely incorporate as I replace those occassional sodas.
3) Cleaned out the Brita pitchers and replaced the filters. Seemed like a good time to take care of that, too.
Drink up!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Taking Stock
I decided to take the survey suggested inside "52 Small Changes..." - which I am going to refer to as 52SC from here on. (frankly the title is just too long to type over and over)
Here are a few thoughts I jotted down as I answered the questions posed about my current habits:
"A lot of these questions end in "when I can remember". I'm envisioning a horde of people that are barely making it through their everyday activities. How will they ever remember to follow the steps in this book?"
"Coffee doesn't count as breakfast? What if you use flavored creamer?"
"Um, yeah, I must be the unhealthiest person on earth."
"Entire section on organic products - i feel a sales pitch coming on..."
"How many questions does it take for the survey to put me into the lazy piece of slop category?"
"OMG the page crashed. I'm going to have to fill that out again?!?!?"
"OMG its back. Awesome."
"Question - How often do you feel anxiety? Answer - Every time I take a wellness survey."
Survey complete and (big surprise) every aspect of my life "could use some attention". Their words, not mine. The good news is that 52SC can address all these issues - LOL. It is at this point that I actually pay attention to the fact that this site is run by the author of 52SC. Walked right into that one.
All kidding aside, this was actually a good exercise. The results were fairly generic unfortunately. But the questions were thought provoking about how I really do run my life. Hits just the right tone between shameful and alarming. Pretty motivating stuff when facing a lifestyle change - as I intend year this to be.
Here are a few thoughts I jotted down as I answered the questions posed about my current habits:
"A lot of these questions end in "when I can remember". I'm envisioning a horde of people that are barely making it through their everyday activities. How will they ever remember to follow the steps in this book?"
"Coffee doesn't count as breakfast? What if you use flavored creamer?"
"Um, yeah, I must be the unhealthiest person on earth."
"Entire section on organic products - i feel a sales pitch coming on..."
"How many questions does it take for the survey to put me into the lazy piece of slop category?"
"OMG the page crashed. I'm going to have to fill that out again?!?!?"
"OMG its back. Awesome."
"Question - How often do you feel anxiety? Answer - Every time I take a wellness survey."
Survey complete and (big surprise) every aspect of my life "could use some attention". Their words, not mine. The good news is that 52SC can address all these issues - LOL. It is at this point that I actually pay attention to the fact that this site is run by the author of 52SC. Walked right into that one.
All kidding aside, this was actually a good exercise. The results were fairly generic unfortunately. But the questions were thought provoking about how I really do run my life. Hits just the right tone between shameful and alarming. Pretty motivating stuff when facing a lifestyle change - as I intend year this to be.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Getting Started
I have been thinking about this whole resolution thing. And then I watched Julie and Julia this weekend. You know the movie where Amy Adams blogs about her journey through a Julia Childs cookbook. (okay, okay, but it really is a good movie) Anyway, I was inspired. And then I saw a book promo for "52 Small Changes: One Year to a Happier, Healthier You".
I thought to myself, "Well, I'd like to be happier and healthier in 52 weeks." <head nod>
So I started a blog. You know, to kind of be accountable to something other than my cat. Seems simple enough. Pick a layout. Type, type, type. Not much to worry about since no one will read it. And although part of me worries that the lack of readership will affect my dedication, I'm still not keen on the idea of promoting the blog to anyone I actually know.
However, I did change my name. Just in case.
I thought to myself, "Well, I'd like to be happier and healthier in 52 weeks." <head nod>
So I started a blog. You know, to kind of be accountable to something other than my cat. Seems simple enough. Pick a layout. Type, type, type. Not much to worry about since no one will read it. And although part of me worries that the lack of readership will affect my dedication, I'm still not keen on the idea of promoting the blog to anyone I actually know.
However, I did change my name. Just in case.
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