We've been working out lately, using P90X as a way to get fit. We absolutely love it and I am finally in my second brand of size 10 Jeans!! (I have a theory that you aren't really a certain size unless you can fit into more than one brand of that size...) I have now gone from a 16 to a 10 in about 3 1/2 months.
Today, after our Kenpo X (Karate) workout today, my husband and I were discussing a song that was on the radio. It was the kind of song that would play in the soundtrack of a movie as someone was training for a big fight (you would see the people, dripping with sweat, moving in perfect synchronicity in slow motion) and then the action would start. We would walk down the stairs in our house, primed for battle, and open the door to a hoard of zombies and then the butt-kicking would begin!
We have decided that we're really not in training to be fit, we're in combat training to be safe in the event of a zombie apocalypse. Now, to take that a bit further, my daughters have been in the room and have been doing their own 4 year old and 15 month-old versions of P90X, so I guess that they're in training too. So, when the Apocalypse happens, look us up. We will be a troupe of butt-kicking, zombie-ripping, ab crunching maniacs!
I realize now that this post makes no sense but when we were talking about this in the morning, it was hysterical! I'm going to publish this post, though, because I still think it's funny.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Money Jar
Ingredients:
2 Jars (Mason, Spaghetti Sauce, etc.)
Coins
Unruly Child
Step 1. Decide on target behaviors (we decided to work on talking instead of whining, eating meals without complaining, sharing, following directions the first time she's asked and being quiet when I'm on the phone). Assign a monetary amount to each behavior (following directions is worth 10 cents, everything else is worth 5.)
Step 2. Explain rules to unruly child. Explain that if they, for example, follow directions the first time they're asked to do something they will earn 10 cents. Likewise, if they don't meet the targeted behaviors (and start whining, for example) 5 cents from her jar will go into my jar. Also explain that "extra" coins can be earned for super duper extra helpful and kind actions.
Step 3. Watch said unruly child turn into a perfect angel and magically decide that they have to clean up the play room, take her blanket upstairs, and share with her sister. Oh, and be consistent.
Step 4. Call your friend and thank her for the idea because, at least for one day, you didn't have to fight with your daughter. Hug your daughter and love her.
Step 5. Call your mom and thank her for raising you. I don't know about you, but my mom did it all alone-and I don't know how she did it. Love you, Mom!
Remember-change the goals as your child masters them and remember-this is a positive reinforcement technique. The amount of money doesn't matter to the child as much as the fact that they can see items being put in or taken out of their jar. If you don't feel comfortable with money use something else that your child really cares about. We're saving up Olivia's coins to buy a DVD or a Barbie-whichever she decides she wants more.
2 Jars (Mason, Spaghetti Sauce, etc.)
Coins
Unruly Child
Step 1. Decide on target behaviors (we decided to work on talking instead of whining, eating meals without complaining, sharing, following directions the first time she's asked and being quiet when I'm on the phone). Assign a monetary amount to each behavior (following directions is worth 10 cents, everything else is worth 5.)
Step 2. Explain rules to unruly child. Explain that if they, for example, follow directions the first time they're asked to do something they will earn 10 cents. Likewise, if they don't meet the targeted behaviors (and start whining, for example) 5 cents from her jar will go into my jar. Also explain that "extra" coins can be earned for super duper extra helpful and kind actions.
Step 3. Watch said unruly child turn into a perfect angel and magically decide that they have to clean up the play room, take her blanket upstairs, and share with her sister. Oh, and be consistent.
Step 4. Call your friend and thank her for the idea because, at least for one day, you didn't have to fight with your daughter. Hug your daughter and love her.
Step 5. Call your mom and thank her for raising you. I don't know about you, but my mom did it all alone-and I don't know how she did it. Love you, Mom!
Remember-change the goals as your child masters them and remember-this is a positive reinforcement technique. The amount of money doesn't matter to the child as much as the fact that they can see items being put in or taken out of their jar. If you don't feel comfortable with money use something else that your child really cares about. We're saving up Olivia's coins to buy a DVD or a Barbie-whichever she decides she wants more.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
I've turned into an A-word
I think I'll write today about becoming an a-word, no, not that one, an adult-and knowing finally, that you are one. That may not read like it sounded in my head but I think you'll catch my drift in a minute.
I recently had someone say to me that my husband and I have made good choices on how to raise our kids and that she wasn't sure if she and her husband would be able to do that. (In effect we've both stayed home with them at different times-depending on which one was set to make more money) and have been happy with that. We have both worked at the same time, too, but juggled our schedules so that we could have our children in day care the least amount possible. This is in no way a slam on parents who both work or on single parents who have their children in daycare because I, too, have had jobs that I loved and don't know if I would have wanted to give them up to stay home. There have also been times when we couldn't financially or weren't willing to give up one of our jobs and that was the best choice we could make at that time.
What I take this person to have meant was that we have decided to put our personal desires on hold, and have decided to live more simply in order to have these years with our girls. It was not a decision that was easy to make and it has taken us a long time to figure these lessons out.
I really believe that people do the best they can with what they have. We had the luck to live in a place where we could get a mortgage based only on my husband's income and I can work part time when he is home to pay for the rest. We also don't mind doing that and tend to have a blast during our family time together. Our way is not the right way for many others, but it's working for us right now.
So, how do you know that you're really an a...a...adult. That wasn't so painful now, was it? We now sit down together and make decisions in a carefully thought out way. We research. We ask for advice and help. We have to balance out what we want (such as a new deck, a garden shed, a new car) with what we need (food, a home and a newer car...ding, ding...we have a winner!) What we get may not always be what we want but it is what we need at the time. That last part isn't really so different from what it was before but this is the difference-we don't really mind. Kids spend a lot of time being frustrated or upset about what they may not have ("Mommy, I wanted Goldfish in a BIG bowl!") but adults, for the most part, deal with the size of the bowl they are given. And, if they are taught right when they were kids, will thank the giver no matter what the size of the bowl (even if, inside, they know that someone else got a bigger bowl and that's just NOT FAIR!)
Although I may have some frustration around what I want and what I can acutally get I try really hard not to dwell on that. Otherwise, what is the point of making the sacrifices? We all need to be thankful for what we have and own the choices we have made. We need to live in the present but plan for the future. We should all be proud of our adult self. We have made choices to bring us to that point and I'm proud of us.
I recently had someone say to me that my husband and I have made good choices on how to raise our kids and that she wasn't sure if she and her husband would be able to do that. (In effect we've both stayed home with them at different times-depending on which one was set to make more money) and have been happy with that. We have both worked at the same time, too, but juggled our schedules so that we could have our children in day care the least amount possible. This is in no way a slam on parents who both work or on single parents who have their children in daycare because I, too, have had jobs that I loved and don't know if I would have wanted to give them up to stay home. There have also been times when we couldn't financially or weren't willing to give up one of our jobs and that was the best choice we could make at that time.
What I take this person to have meant was that we have decided to put our personal desires on hold, and have decided to live more simply in order to have these years with our girls. It was not a decision that was easy to make and it has taken us a long time to figure these lessons out.
I really believe that people do the best they can with what they have. We had the luck to live in a place where we could get a mortgage based only on my husband's income and I can work part time when he is home to pay for the rest. We also don't mind doing that and tend to have a blast during our family time together. Our way is not the right way for many others, but it's working for us right now.
So, how do you know that you're really an a...a...adult. That wasn't so painful now, was it? We now sit down together and make decisions in a carefully thought out way. We research. We ask for advice and help. We have to balance out what we want (such as a new deck, a garden shed, a new car) with what we need (food, a home and a newer car...ding, ding...we have a winner!) What we get may not always be what we want but it is what we need at the time. That last part isn't really so different from what it was before but this is the difference-we don't really mind. Kids spend a lot of time being frustrated or upset about what they may not have ("Mommy, I wanted Goldfish in a BIG bowl!") but adults, for the most part, deal with the size of the bowl they are given. And, if they are taught right when they were kids, will thank the giver no matter what the size of the bowl (even if, inside, they know that someone else got a bigger bowl and that's just NOT FAIR!)
Although I may have some frustration around what I want and what I can acutally get I try really hard not to dwell on that. Otherwise, what is the point of making the sacrifices? We all need to be thankful for what we have and own the choices we have made. We need to live in the present but plan for the future. We should all be proud of our adult self. We have made choices to bring us to that point and I'm proud of us.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Losing It! Part 2
I have been neglecting my Blog lately as I have found a new obsession-exercise! I have been using the P90 system for the past 70 days and have also been tracking and limiting my calories...and guess what? It's working! Now, after 7 years of being over weight, listless, sorry for myself and generally embarrassed by my body I am finally losing weight and more importantly, liking how I look.
So far, I have lost 22 pounds. Yes! 22! I am able to wear some size 10 pants which I have not been able to do since 2002, and I now only have one chin!
I am now able to control my eating and am able to stop snacking. Actually, until I made a commitment to myself to stop eating while watching TV, I hadn't realized how much I'd been eating and how much junk I was eating. It was horrifying.
The biggest accomplishment now, though, is that I like exercise. Actually, I love exercise. I have never liked exercising before. I have never been "that girl" who got excited by the purchase of free weights (which I am) or by the prospect of working toward doing chin ups (another goal). In fact, much to my surprise, I now watch infomercials for exercise systems and think "ooh, I want to give that a try after I'm done with P90X!" Yes, all of these changes so far, and I'm not done yet.
So far, I have lost 22 pounds. Yes! 22! I am able to wear some size 10 pants which I have not been able to do since 2002, and I now only have one chin!
I am now able to control my eating and am able to stop snacking. Actually, until I made a commitment to myself to stop eating while watching TV, I hadn't realized how much I'd been eating and how much junk I was eating. It was horrifying.
The biggest accomplishment now, though, is that I like exercise. Actually, I love exercise. I have never liked exercising before. I have never been "that girl" who got excited by the purchase of free weights (which I am) or by the prospect of working toward doing chin ups (another goal). In fact, much to my surprise, I now watch infomercials for exercise systems and think "ooh, I want to give that a try after I'm done with P90X!" Yes, all of these changes so far, and I'm not done yet.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Losing It!
I am trying to lose weight. For the past 7 years, I have claimed that my slowly enlarging derriere was the product of my stressful job, disorganized lifestyle, pregnancy, thyroid problems, hormone problems, stress, alien abductions-you name it and it was an excuse for me. Now I have joined a diet plan and have actually lost 10 lbs. through diet and exercise...imagine that!
Now, I know that all of the reasons I listed above do have an effect on body weight and health, but I am a master excuse maker. I am the queen of procrastinators and can talk myself into and out of every action that I ever should take! I don't know how I got this way, but I do have a hunch-I am lazy. LAZY! -at least in this part of my life.
I have made a few pledges to myself. One is to follow through this time and to treat my body with respect. My stomach is not a dumpster-and I should not be shoveling garbage into it all day, every day. The next is to actually do the work to shed the pounds. Unfortunately, at least in my case, this means actually exercising and taking in less than I expend. There go the long nights of snacking on my favorite, beloved snacks such as Hershey's Kisses, Reeses Peanut butter cups and Goldfish crackers. Oh well, GET OVER IT!
This is a new beginning for me. I am taking charge of my health, my weight and my excuses. I will not let them decide for me any more.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Our Baby is Turning One!
My youngest daughter is turning one in a few days. It is amazing to think that a year ago she was not even a separate being from me-she was a tiny baby, dependent on my nutrients and contained within my body. She was a mystery to us, and we looked forward to meeting her and watching her personality form.
Now she is showing her personality and she is even more than I could have hoped for! She has a great sense of humor, appears to be unfailingly curious, loves to play with her sister and our dog, is friendly to strangers but is still a mommy's girl.
We are amazed at how early the sibling friction can be seen. One day, when we were in the car, our eldest daughter was trying to relax and have quiet time. Our youngest picked up on that and kept screaming at her and then laughing when Olivia would say "Maya, STOP YELLING!" Then Maya would yell again and laugh, looking right at Olivia the whole time. Needless to say, my husband and I found that very amusing.
We look back to our four-year-old's first birthday and how far she has come in just three years. At the same time, we try to predict what Maya will be like in three years and have a few theories:
For the record, Olivia thinks Maya will be a princess when she's 4.
Now she is showing her personality and she is even more than I could have hoped for! She has a great sense of humor, appears to be unfailingly curious, loves to play with her sister and our dog, is friendly to strangers but is still a mommy's girl.
We are amazed at how early the sibling friction can be seen. One day, when we were in the car, our eldest daughter was trying to relax and have quiet time. Our youngest picked up on that and kept screaming at her and then laughing when Olivia would say "Maya, STOP YELLING!" Then Maya would yell again and laugh, looking right at Olivia the whole time. Needless to say, my husband and I found that very amusing.
We look back to our four-year-old's first birthday and how far she has come in just three years. At the same time, we try to predict what Maya will be like in three years and have a few theories:
- Wild Woman: She could turn out to be the class clown, very boisterous and talkative. I have a feeling she will be a "look before you leap" kind of person. To be honest, I am nervous about what life will be like with her walking, running and exploring on her own. I think I'll have to get in better shape.
- Scientist: Maybe not a scientist, maybe more of a food critic since everything goes in her mouth. Hopefully that will stop.
- Endurance Runner: Maya watches her sister with rapt attention and clearly just wants to do just what her sister is doing. I think that she will walk for a day and run to catch up with Olivia for the rest of her life.
- Math/Academic Whiz: This is from my personal experience. I had math troubles and was forced under penalty of being whipped with a wet noodle to do math flash cards nightly. As a result, my younger sister knew the times tables, addition and subtraction and how to divide before I really understood any of that. That really ticked me off, by the way. Not enough to learn them but just enough to be really mad that my sister had beaten me.
- Cuddle Bug: Maya is a very cuddly, huggy baby and I hope that continues well into her school years.
Happy Birthday, Maya Papaya!
For the record, Olivia thinks Maya will be a princess when she's 4.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Home Made Spaghetti Sauce
I have recently discovered how to make spaghetti sauce. I don't know if others are like me or not, but a long time ago I made up my mind that I could not make a few things: namely, spaghetti sauce and pie crusts. Now I have found that I can indeed make both of those things! Making my spaghetti sauce allows me to know where my family's food is coming from, what is in it and best of all-it saves us a LOT of money!
Here's how I do it:
4 cans of tomatoes (whole is best but diced will do)
2 cans of Tomato Paste
As much garlic as you can stand
1 onion (diced)
2 tbsp. of sea salt
a dash of sugar (probably about 1 tbsp. or so) more if you like sweet sauce
Italian Seasonings to taste
Optional:
Hamburger
Sausage
etc.
Saute your onions and garlic. Add in the tomatoes and paste. Add all other ingredients and simmer for at least an hour. It will be chunky and, best of all, made exactly the way you like it! We use ours for pasta, pizza sauce, etc. Enjoy!
Here's how I do it:
4 cans of tomatoes (whole is best but diced will do)
2 cans of Tomato Paste
As much garlic as you can stand
1 onion (diced)
2 tbsp. of sea salt
a dash of sugar (probably about 1 tbsp. or so) more if you like sweet sauce
Italian Seasonings to taste
Optional:
Hamburger
Sausage
etc.
Saute your onions and garlic. Add in the tomatoes and paste. Add all other ingredients and simmer for at least an hour. It will be chunky and, best of all, made exactly the way you like it! We use ours for pasta, pizza sauce, etc. Enjoy!
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