Reading/Watching/listening to....

It's the last day of February....WHAT!!! How did that happen?!

I follow a blog and she often updates on the things she is reading, watching and listening to.  I love this idea. It gives me lots of ideas as I'm always looking for new things to read, watch and listen to.  So here are my current list...

Reading

I'm a read 3-4 different things at once kind of person.  I'm usually reading one fiction and one or two information books...mostly about parenting.

I just finished "When Breath Becomes Air" by Paul Kalanithi.  It's a beautifully written memoir about Paul's last year after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.  It took me days to digest this one.  I want to live this day and every day with purpose and perspective.  This story took me on a journey with someone who sought those same things.  I couldn't recommend it enough

I'm also reading "Girl in the Mirror" by Nancy Snyderman M.D. and Peg Streep.  As my girl starts to go thru puberty I need tools to help make it a good transition.  I've only stared, but so far I really like the voice these ladies have.  

Watching

I don't watch as much as I used to, but I'm really liking Baskets on FX.  Zach Galifianakis is funny and real.  

Also Brooklyn 99 for a good laugh

Listening

I'm in love with the Echo I got for Christmas.  I listen to Paul Simon radio throughout the day.  And if I"m feeling I need a little pick up, Taylor Swift to the rescue.

So.....what are you reading/watching/listening to? 

Mornings

Good morning everyone!

Mornings. You either love them or hate them. Before I had the baby I loved them. I'm lucky ( or unlucky on school days) my kids sleep in. On weekends they get up around 8:30-9am-now you know why the 7am wake up on school days is hard. Anyway, I loved sitting with my coffee reading. Sometimes I would go for a walk. Now that I'm up every 3hours mornings come too fast and too bright.
As I've talked about. And will talk about more, my oldest is a super emotional creature. She is just like me. I see her explode and cringe cause that could have easily been me. Overreacting over nothing.   We've been working for years to help her. She has come so far. Really able to pull it together.....I can't say the same for me most days. I found this article and it just struck me. I want to be present. I want to be compassionate and non reactive. I want her to come to me when she's hurting.
This year has been hard and stressful for everyone. I hope I'm able to be together for my kids. Not let the lack of sleep and stress of life hinder my enjoyment.  Below is an article I found that really struck me. It reminded me to calm down. Love them. Everything is gonna be okay!





Perspective. See why it's my word. I need it so badly.



What are your thoughts on this article? Do you have tips to help guide and enjoy your little ones?

http://www.upworthy.com/7-secrets-to-raising-awesome-functional-teenagers?g=

Motivation-Five ways to stay the course

Happy Hump Day!

Life is stressful.  Being an adult is hard.  How do you keep motivation going?

I'm at a time in my life when everyday is a big day.  So much to do kids need to go here and do that, I need to do this and the baby needs that......and now that I've begun coaching ladies on their healthy journey I'm expected to motivate and be prepared all the time....HA!

So in thinking about it I've come up with FIVE ways that work for me.



1.Think Positive!
     When I start to slide (it will happen) and need to get my mo-jo back I tell myself...YOU CAN DO IT.  It's like a crazy jedi mind trick.  Mind over matter, whatever you want to say it works.  Believe you can and you will.

2.Enlist Help
  Start an accountability group.  Tell your friends.  Getting healthy is a marathon not a sprint.  You will need help along the way.   Since having my third baby and no family near by I've really embraced the "it takes a village" mentality.  I literally couldn't do all this without the help of other moms.  We are all there for each other.  So find your village.

3.Be realistic
     I'm not going to be able to run around all day and do blog posts and keep up with my challenge team and do laundry and...and... and....So I try to go into each day with a realistic plan.  I have 20 things to do....5 will get done.  This helps me go to bed not feeling like I failed.  Even if all I got done was a shower.

4.Cut yourself some slack
   As I said above, life is stressful, things are hard.  Sometimes you will fail, sometimes you will not get everything done.  It's ok.  Get up the next day and try again!  As Scarlett says "Tomorrow is another day"

5.Make a list
   I usually make my lists at 3am after I've gotten up with the baby. I'll admit it's not the best use of my time to sleep, but you do what you gotta do.  That is apparently when my brain is awake.  Who do you have to email?  What things do you need to pick up?  What do the kids need for the school day.  Whatever is on your list write it down. Crossing it off is very satisfying.

What are your tips to staying motivated?  I want to know!

I've got Good News and Bad News....

Happy Saturday!

Today I want to explore Health and Fitness.  The Good and Bad.  In December I joined a 21 Day Fix Challenge group with Beach Body.  It went really well and I lost 6lbs.  I've continued and even become a coach.   Losing another 4lbs.  And leading my first ever challenge group.  I've really liked it and love connecting with other people.   I felt that there was a big hole in the Beach Body program not having easy information for new mommies and especially nursing mommies.   I'm just getting going, but hope I can help new mommies become their healthiest selves.  Not their skinniest, or who they were before the baby.  Because once you have another person live and grow in your body...it's gonna change.  Sometimes drastically.  Sometimes just a little.  But you are forever changed.

The good news- I've been able to really stick with a healthy eating plan!  this is huge for me.  I've never been successful at a diet or plan.  But I LOVE that I can actually feel how good my body feels when I eat whole foods.  I feel sluggish and tired when I indulge too much in sugar/fried foods.  I still have a long way to go...I indulge almost everyday.....but I really believe in this program and am excited to be a part of it.  I am striving everyday to break the bad habits i've acquired over the last almost 40 years....

The Bad new-  I've lost a little weight, but I've been lacking in the workout department.  Beach Body makes it so easy to work out.  I have multiple DVD's (30 min or less) and am a part of the On Demand, where workouts are at my fingertips, but I just can't get myself going.  I know I will feel better and get stronger....but I just have a hard time.

How do you find time to work out?  How do you find time for yourself?   Being a mom is hard, taking care of ourselves is important.  I'd love your tips!

Till next time!

Emotions

**Warning Rambling Post ahead

Internets.....the emotions.....9 year old girls are emotional.

To back track a bit...My 9 year old has always been emotional.  She was an extremely fussy toddler, easily thru seven.  Brushing hair, putting on socks, eating pretty much anything could be met with EPIC meltdowns.  By the time she was 4 we were constantly on the defense whenever we did anything.
We (mostly her) have worked very hard to give her an outlet, to make feelings ok, to really work thru and talk thru the issue.  "Another Speech" is a term that has been used by her.
Now I am a very emotional person.  Its too long a story to share with you internet friends, but I was very emotional when she was tiny.  I'm not sure how much is her, how much is that she's my first.  How much is my influence....


I'm not sure what I'm looking for.  Just trying to figure out how to navigate.  The girl drama at school, the spiraling emotions, the unable to reason.  Girls are mean, school has pressure, sports are hard and my girl feels things x1000 so I just ache watching her go thru this without really knowing how to help.

I recently read "The Whole Brain Child" and really liked it.  It helped me to approach her differently.  How I react is a big part of how long it takes her to come down.
Anyway any tips as we go forward into to tween/teen land?  Any ways I can prepare to help her navigate.  How can I help my super sensitive/emotional girl come out with minimal injury?

Goals/My Word of the Year

Hello everyone!

I'm a little late with my word.  I have a feeling with three kids this is my new life, being late.  I HATE being late.
                         
                                               My word of the year is

                                                     PERSPECTIVE

I feel like this word will help me this year so much.  I often get worked up and need to remember that it will all work out.  I know this, but declaring this....remembering it daily (it's written on my mirror) will hopefully help me breath and slow down.  Modeling this for my often emotional daughter is another big plus.


Now onto the goals!  I like goals to help me strive for positive changes I can make in my life.   I want to explore monthly or weekly goals in the coming weeks, but for now this is a good start.


Goals
1.  mentor/guide new mommies to a healthy lifestyle-more to come on this too.
2. exercise every day.  whether it's walking or a tape
3.  weekly yoga.  I have the classes purchased....i need to use
4.  date night once a week!  SO important
5. monthly one on one kid time.
6. read 15 books-2 down....I'll fill you in on these later.  I have some good ones on deck
7. laundry, because life.

What is your word?  Do you make yearly, monthly weekly goals?  How do you keep yourself accountable?

Hello Internets

Why Hello there Internets.....
I've decided to start a blog.  I know what you are thinking....but Sarah you have three kids, a busy husband and lots of school/after school commitments.  Why on earth would you start another project.  Well, that's me.  It's what I do.  I like to have lots of balls in the air.
Anyhow....on this little corner of the internet I will start by tracking my progress with postpartum weigh loss.  I had my third baby in late June and am determined to enter 40 (less than two years away) in the best shape of my life.  I recently became a Beach Body Coach after having great success (lost 9lbs) with the program.  Message me if you want more information on this process.

This is my first year as a full time mom.  I want to have some non fitness goals to keep me sane.  I will explore those more in posts to come.  I hope to post every day or every other day.

And as I'm now a full time mom I'm sure my family will make an appearance.  Trying to get everyone eating better is a HUGE goal this year.

2015 was a whirlwind year.  Full of lots of changes.  I'm determined to enter 2016 with more focus and purpose.
Maybe some of you will join me on my journey thru motherhood, fitness and life.  I would love that.  Sharing our joys and struggles, I find, is super helpful for a healthy self.