Girl Gone Crazy

I used to think that people were making it up- that "girl" issue that happens every month.  I seriously thought that people were using "that time of month" as an excuse to eat like a pig and treat everyone like a piece of trash.  And then, right after my second son was born, something very weird started happening to me.  Every three weeks or so, I turned in to some weird, freakish, alien-type version of myself.  I would randomly start crying for zero reason, freak out on anyone in my way, question things that otherwise made me very happy, and eat as if I'd never seen food before.  I tried to explain to Husband that I had PMS, but he didn't want to hear it.  No, Captain Rational instead made me feel like a complete idiot for not being able to explain what was going on.  Thank God my doctor is a woman. I now take both a calcium and a B vitamin supplement every day (well, when I remember) to even out my moods.  And so far they're working.  Well, they were.  I haven't remembered to take them in a while.  (Read:  I am currently a raging, hungry lunatic). Wanna hang out?

I have done a little bit of research and have found that PMS is a very real thing that affects 85 % of women. Bloating, cramping, fatigue, mood swings, food cravings... yep, they're all real.  (Wow, we are so attractive).

Here are some things that the experts say that you ladies can do to help ease the symptoms:

1. Eat complex carbohydrates (whole grain pasta and bread, rice cakes)

2. Avoid sugar

3. Drink a ton of water (more than usual)

4. Stay away from salt

5. Stick to a low-fat diet

6. Avoid stressful situations

7. Say NO to both alcohol and caffeine

8. Get enough sleep

9. Exercise

Seeing as how I downed a piece of pizza yesterday and some chocolate ice cream over the weekend, I'm finding it safe to say that I am CLEARLY not an expert.  (But how comforting is this:  those exact foods are craved for a reason- it's all related to imbalanced estrogen, cortisol, and serotonin.  Even though eating those things for the instant gratification is probably the worst thing you can do.  Sigh...) But I'm not letting my current state get in the way of my workouts- it was a nice sweaty Power Body class last night, and a Zumba/Treadmill session tonight!

Have a healthy day,

J

PS- Since I missed GSM yesterday, here's the condensed version today:
Goal 1- Don't gain 10 pounds this week.
Goal 2- Keep the crazy B*#&* somewhere deep inside.


The source for today's info:  http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=56732

TGIF!

Man, how happy are you that this week is over?!?! How'd you do with your goals this week? I set a few back on Monday, and I must admit- I did pretty well!  I wrote a bunch a lists (and crossed a lot of things off!) and workout number 4 is already scheduled for tomorrow morning at 9 AM.  (I REFUSE to be shut out of yoga tomorrow!) The only thing I didn't do is finish my book....

I can't wait to set new goals for myself on Monday.  It really is amazing how much more I get done when I write it all down.  And I know I've said it before, but nothing can beat that feeling of accomplishment when I get to look at my list of crossed-out tasks.  I could get used to this!


So what's on the agenda for this weekend? I am doing the single mom thing until Sunday afternoon. There is a wedding happening all the way across the country and it just didn't make sense for all of us to make the trip. So the boys and I will be doing some bonding. Last night was our first night alone, and so far so good. (But I'm sure I'll be ready to rip my hair out by the time Sunday rolls around. Pray for me! haha!) But in all seriousness, I'm looking forward to a weekend of yoga, chick flicks, and a break from my getting-crazier-by-the-minute job.
Whatever you do this weekend, I hope you enjoy yourself! Do something fun, something healthy, and something that's just for you! I'll be back Monday with another round of GSM!


Have a healthy day,

J

The good hurt

Have you ever been so tired and sore that when you sit down on the couch you actually FEEL relief?  Ha! That was totally me last night.  I actually didn't even realize how tired and sore I was until I sat down! After my brutally early treadmill/free weight workout, I spent the rest of the gorgeous day all hopped up on energy.  We were running errands, going on walks, and playing outside for most of it.  By the time I sat down at 8:00, my feet and legs were already sore.  And as soon as I said it out loud, Husband looked at me and said, "Are you bragging or are you complaining?"  Hmmm.  I had to think about it for a second, but then realized that I was actually bragging!  "Well, then good for you.  You must've done something right."  Wow, that early morning jumpstart to my day was actually worth it!!

Today, my calves are tight.  My hamstrings are tight, and my obliques actually hurt.  Going up the stairs was actually a chore.  I haven't felt like this after a workout in the longest time, and I've missed it!  You see, I tend to THINK I'm working hard in the moment, but sometimes by the time I get home, I feel like I could go do it again.  And I'm usually sore at night OR the next day, but hardly ever both.  That's definitly proof that I need to work harder!!! 

It's painful, it's time consuming, and it's frustrating sometimes.  But you know what?  IT'S ALL WORTH IT. It's the Good Hurt, and I want it every time!! 

And there's no rest for the weary.  Zumba tonight.  Yeah! I hope your workout is good today, too!  Do it till it hurts!!! 

Have a healthy day,

J

Early morning warrior

Hi!  Sorry I didn't post yesterday. (You missed me, didn't you?!) I actually had a really busy day: work, lunch meeting about some different stuff, and back to work for another meeting.  I know that a lot of people work those kind of hours every single day (I used to, too), but ugh, I was so tired by the time the boys went to bed last night! It reminded me how lucky I am to have such amazing hours this year. (Even though the job itself leaves a lot to be desired... but that's for a different time...)  And it really sucked cuz I wanted to get to the gym, but felt really bad about packing the boys up the second I got home, only to leave them again.  So my Mama Guilt got the best of me, and I played about 14 rounds of Superhero Memory instead.

Anyway, I did something this morning that I haven't done in SOOOO long... I went to the gym for an early morning workout.  My alarm went off at the blissful hour of 5:15, and I was out the door by 5:25.  I used to think that people who did this were insane, but then working full time last year pretty much left me no choice.  By the time I got home at 4, actually saw my children for 5 seconds and started dinner, it was practically time to start the whole bedtime routine.  I was freakin' exhausted! After really thinking about what was important to me, I realized that I wasn't willing to sacrifice working out.  So I started doing it before work.  Yes my days felt never- ending a lot of times, but I started them filled with energy.  And once it became part of my routine, I actually enjoyed it! 

Now that I'm only working part-time, I've switched it up again.  It's working out just fine, but I'm usually at the mercy of someone else's availability to watch the boys.  (My gym has a very annoying daycare policy.  Sometimes it works out for me, and sometimes it doesn't).  But anyway, after looking at today's to-do list, I wasn't sure when I was going to have time.  So I made time.  This morning.  And I ROCKED it! I was home before 7 with tons of energy.  And I could already cross something off of today's list!  How great is that?!

So what are you going to do today?  When are you going to do it?  It's up to you to decide what's important.  And for all of those things, you'll find time. 

Have a healthy day,

J





Goal Setting Monday (GSM)

 Are you a "lister"? I'm a wannabe. I work so well and efficiently when I make lists.   When I was working full time, I was a major lister.  Every afternoon before I left for the day, I would jot down 5 action items for the following day. (I heard somewhere a long time ago that a to-do list should never contain more than 5 items.)  Being able to cross them off as the day went on gave me such a sense of accomplishment!  My problem is that I (for some unknown reason) don't make lists when I'm home.  Instead of crossing things out throughout the day, I end up cramming a bunch of random chores in right before I go to bed.  I get some stuff done, but not nearly as much as I would if I would just write it down.  Additionally, I never feel a true sense of accomplishment.  So here it is- goal number one for this week is to write a to-do list for each day of the week. Pretty easy goal, right?

Goal number two is to get 4 good workouts in.  After taking Friday off (yeah, I totally didn't even walk like I talked about), I tried to make it to yoga on Saturday morning, only to get shut out AGAIN.  Ugh!  I tried to power through a workout anyway, but I was pretty irritated (and I was wearing the wrong pants for cardio), so after 20 minutes on the elliptical I just packed up and left.  And I never make it to the gym on Sundays.  Needless to say, I'm jonesing for a good workout today.  I'm teaching tonight, and I'm really hoping for a class full of good energy.  We're gonna get this week started on the right foot!

  

And Goal number three will probably make me sound like a total nerd, but I'm going to tell you anyway.  I need to finish the book I'm reading.  I've been reading Mockingjay for so long now.  It's not that I don't like it- I do!  I'm super excited for the Hunger Games movie to come out, and I need to have this book finished before I can go see it.  What happens is that I spend way too much time Facebooking, Pinning, and watching reality TV after the boys go to bed at night and not enough time reading.  My Kindle is telling me that I'm 30% finished with it.  So this week- get OFF the internet, and READ! 

 

So there you have it.  Starting today,   I will no longer hate Mondays.  I will instead see them as a great way to start fresh, to set new goals, and to make new progress.  HELLLLOOOOO MONDAY!

What are your goals for the week?

Have a healthy day,

J

Spring Fevah...

:

I've got it sooooo badly today, don't you?!?!  It is such a sunny day, and the birds are going nuts out there.  It's still pretty chilly (my car told me it was 50 as I was driving home), but it's coming, friends.  It's coming! 

He's figured out that if he
rides his bike fast enough, the cape
will fly out behind him like
a REAL superhero!

I CANNOT wait until we don't have to be cooped up inside anymore.  The boys are dying to get out there and ride their bikes, and I'm so excited for the long naps and early bedtimes that come with all of that fresh air! 


It's ALMOST making me want to get out there and go for a run (jog? walk/jog?)  But I pretty much hate running, and there is zero shot that I'm pushing the huge ass double stroller the whole time.  I'm hoping though, that I can convince them to accompany me on a nice long POWER WALK later.  The daycare at the gym is closed today, which means that Friday is usually my day off.  Getting out there to enjoy this day would definitely be an added bonus!

This weather is also making me cotemplate cleaning my gross house.  As you know, I'm on a kick to detoxify both my body and my home.  I found this awesome cleaner on Pinterest (Yes, I'm addicted to Pinterest.  I'm not ashamed.) It's completely homemade, and chemical free!  And once I looked in to it a little further, it turns out that it's actually a pretty well known little secret.  Here's the ridiculously easy recipe in case you're interested:

Homemade Disinfecting Cleaner

1 cup Dish Liquid (I use the clear Palmolive stuff)- heat it up for about 30 seconds

1 cup white vinegar

water

Essential Oil (optional. I used Lavendar so my house didn't smell like vinegar)

That's it!! How easy is that?  I diluted the soap/vinegar mix with water because I was planning on using it on my counters and basically everywhere else around my house, but you totally don't have to. In fact, my original source left the water out.  I will totally be using this from now on!

Giving some credit where it's due... here's the original source

(This is totally not my picture.  I stole it from my Pin).

Have a healthy day (weekend!),

J

The Little Things



When I bought my house 6 years ago, my grandmother gave me the most amazing housewarming gift.  It was a gigantic framed print that reads, "Enjoy the Little Things". The quote is surrounded by small vegetables and bunnies (it's very grandmotherly).  The best part is that it was completely hand-stitched.  And it took my lovely grandmother over a year to complete because the arthritis in her hands was so painful every time she picked up the needle and thread.  On Sunday, we will be remembering the third anniversary of her passing.  I continue to miss my Gram every day, and am reminded every morning I walk in to my guest room to get dressed (yes, I have my own dressing room. And no, it's not because I'm spoiled.  It's actually because my house lacks an appropriate amount of closets) to "Enjoy the Little Things". 

(I totally tried for like an hour to upload a picture of this thing in all its glory, and it just wouldn't work.  Boo.)

And so, in honor of Gram and her wisdom, here is what I'm enjoying today:

1. For the first time in MONTHS, the scale spit a number out to me that was 5 (count 'em, 5) pounds less than I'm used to seeing.  I'm 99% sure that it was just a fluke, but it was amazing.  I must have either had my ankles hanging off the edge, or I was dehydrated (probably a combination of both).  It gave me pure hope that this number will one day be the norm. 

2.  When I left my house at 8:30 this morning, my little one was still asleep!!!  If you've ever met him, you understand completely why this is something to celebrate.  I love both of my kids more than anything, but to say my little one is high maintenance is an understatement.  He is very fun and cute, but also makes it difficult to do anything calmly.  I'm usually a complete crazy mess in the morning as I rush around to get ready for work, and his sleeping in today was a very welcome surprise.

Hello! I drive my mother completely insane.

3.  When I got to work, I found out that one of my students was suspended.  I know, you're all thinking that I'm completely evil for celebrating this "Little Thing".  But when you spend your days working with teenagers who are effing crazy display challenging behaviors in an alternative learning setting, a day off from one of them once in a while is in fact a little slice of wonderful.

4.  It's finally March. Spring is FINALLY coming.  It's gonna be almost 60 next week!  Yes, in this gloomy city, these are little things that need to be enjoyed. 

5. Zumba tonight! Yeah! It's one little thing that I really freaking love.  I cannot believe that I actually look forward to going to the gym these days. 

What are you enjoying today? (I'd love to hear. Seriously!  Write me a little comment!)

Have a healthy day,

J

PS- I have no idea why my font is all messed up today.  After the frustration of not being able to upload my picture, I'm giving up.  I hate technology.  Sorry.