"5 Days and Counting"

For 5 days (one day off on Sunday) I have set my alarm, got up at 6:30, put my tennis shoes on and went for my walk.  Today my Rhodesian, Kilty, joined me.  She is my new walk buddy.  It was exhilarating, refreshing and spiritually uplifting.  I felt great.  The air was cool and brisk.  The sky was filled with soft reds, yellows, and hues of purple.  The birds were singing good morning and I just walked, took deep breathes, and thanked God for this beautiful morning.   I am really enjoying starting my day this way.

In my walking I have come to some conclusions.  First exercise shouldn't be something you dread, you should enjoy it and look forward to it.  I believe if you don't then you are doing the wrong exercise.  There are so many ways to fit exercise into your life you just have to try them all out and see which ones you enjoy.  If you dread doing something, or feel it is a chore then you won't stick with it.  If it makes you feel good after doing it, then it WILL become a habit.  Eventually I will put running back into my exercise program but for now I am just enjoying the walking.  The greatest gift I have given myself in the past 5 days is me-time.  This gifts keeps giving back to me 100 times.  My morning mood is calmer, happier and overall just better.  I feel peaceful and relaxed.   My family is enjoying this zen like morning mommy.

To keep me on track and focused for the next 21 days, I created an exercise chart.  My children are really getting a kick out of it.  They check it after school to make sure Mommy put her sticker on.  I borrowed some stickers from my 8 year old's 1,000 motivational sticker book.  She didn't mind.  I took only the smiley faces but she said I could take 2 a week of the word stickers "Great Job, Super Star, A++, etc..." for my chart.  I thanked her.  Maybe my goal setting and chart keeping will show my children that tracking your progress with stickers isn't just for kids, moms and dads like superstar stickers, smiley faces and star stickers too.

"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try."

Anonymous

"21 Days"

Did you know that if you live to 82, that you will have lived 29,950- days (including leap years) , 718,000-hours and 43,128,000-minutes.  Did you know that 21 days is only .7% of your life.  It isn't even 1%.  They say that it takes 21 days to create a habit.  Think of all the endless possibilities that can happen when you adopt a new positive habit for 21 days.

Floss your teeth for 21 days=  better health, lower your chances of gum disease
Exercise everyday for 21 days= lower blood pressure, feel healthier.  The key is to try and do it the same time everyday
Stop complaining for 21 days= more positive outlook (see complaint free world)
De-clutter a room for 21 days= a clutter free house (check out Flylady.net)
No t.v. for 21 days= more quality time spent doing other things, games with your family, reading
No gossiping for 21 days= better energy
No sugar for 21 days= Elimination of extreme energy highs/lows
No fast food for 21 days.= overall better feeling
Eat healthier for 21 days= More energy.  Your body will start to crave the healthy foods vs. junk food.
Get up a half our earlier for 21 days= maximize your day and begin it by focusing in on you and taking care of you.
Get 7/8 hours of sleep everyday for 21 days= eat less, more focused, less irritability

I didn't really think about the so called "habit feeling" until I reflected on some of my daily habits.  I read religiously every night.  I may only read 5 or maybe 20 minutes but I read EVERY night.  I started to think about how I felt when I didn't read, I missed it.  It is so much a part of my day, it is a daily ritual and when I don't I read my day doesn't feel complete.  My 21 day goals now are to floss daily...so far I am up to 5 days (my dentist will be ecstatic), walking 2 miles 1st thing in the morning 6:00 am. wake-up call.  I have successfully done it 3 days in a row missed one (today), no gossiping (I had to start over), and starting Monday tracking everyday what I spend and where I want to spend my money.

There is an unlimited amount of things that you can do in 21 days...pick one, chart your progress with a 21 day progress chart that is visual and you can see it everyday, wear a bracelet or piece of jewelry to remind yourself of your goal, celebrate when you have completed the 21 days.  Push yourself and go for the gold a 30 day habit.   Make sure that if you mess up, forgive yourself and begin again....

Good luck and post all your successes.  I would love to hear about them.

"There's no thrill in easy sailing when the skies are clear and blue, there's no joy in merely doing things which any one can do.  But there is some sweet satisfaction that is mighty sweet to take, when you reach a destination that you thought you'd  never make."

Spirella

My Forever Dog...A tribute to Porter

My favorite season!!

I promise to protect you.

Just hangin' in the yard, lovin' life
I love being with my family.

   

The best of friends

Underneath Mommy's desk ="Heaven"

                                Smack dab in the center just
                                where I belong.




                                                                                            My buddy.

I can sleep anywhere

3 Peas in a pod

 Will you share that egg with me?

  Ok Robby we'll play "Ride em' Porter"

           "I love you buddy"

I don't like the first day of school.                                                          

 

I'm happiest surrounded by my family.

Mommy I'm tired.

 

Friends for life.

 

                                                               

A daddy's love...unconditional.

 

Our last walk together....my best friend and I.....

I am going to really miss this girl...she loves to cuddle.

                                      Me + Couch - getting in trouble= heaven

  My journey is coming to an end.

"Porter please don't go"

I love you....I love you...I love you!!!!!!!

Someday....we will be together again I promise!