Busy days start early - Motivation Tip #1

Day 4 on the walking band wagon and I was out of the house by 6:05am. Sasha and I walked for about a mile and when we got home I kept the momentum going. I changed diapers on both boybies and "encouraged" Chris to get out the door for his own exercise routine. While he was gone, I showered and nursed the baby. While Chris was out walk/running, Cole asked me about the whereabouts of the sun since it was still dark out. I explained that it would be coming up soon and he would be able to see it through the dining room window. He wasn't interested in watching it come up but kept asking where it was. I said that it was shining over another city and was moving our way. I assured him that it would be here soon. He heard an airplane overhead and asked what that noise was. I told him that it was a plane. He said, "I think it is the sun." I told him that the sun didn't make any noise when it came up but it would be here soon. He looked at me and said, "Mama, I am scared." I had to laugh.


We were out the door earlier than expected so I went ahead and did some light grocery shopping before our MOMS Club monthly meeting. On the way to the meeting, we were behind a Domino's Pizza tractor trailer truck. Cole said, "That is a pizza truck!" I didn't know how he would know that since we so rarely order Domino's pizza and their logo isn't exactly intuitive. I asked him what the words were and he said, "Pizza!" God Bless Word World and their Perfect Pizza episode where they make a Pizza full of items that start with P.


At the meeting, Cole enjoyed playing with his friends, Rhys enjoyed seeing everyone in costume, and I enjoyed talking to my friends. I was a little frustrated because Cole refused to wear his costume even though he has begged me to put it on him all week long! Cole had lots of sweet treats and I allowed myself 1 frosted cookie and avoided the cupcakes...it was so HARD!

A police officer came to the meeting as our guest speaker. He talked to the kids about stranger danger and also gave out coloring books and finger print kits. He also was so nice to treat the kids with a tour of his brand new car. Each child took a turn sitting in the passenger seat and pushing the buttons to turn the lights on and start the siren. He was one of a few of the children who was okay with it and not scared of the loud noises. I was happy that he enjoyed the opportunity since he is usually so scared.


When we got home, I had to unload the kids and groceries. Cole said that he wanted to help. I said, "I really appreciate that." He said, "I would be happy to help you with the groceries." Honestly, some of the phrases that come out of his mouth!
Well, we are getting through the afternoon. The boys are resting nicely upstairs and I am trying to relax a little too. My back is bothering me and I hope that the more I exercise, the better it will feel...one more reason to keep at it!

Motivation Tip#1:
Keep your shoes by the door. Nothing derails an attempt to get out the door more than missing shoes!

I am not an evergreen

Hooray for me! I was out again this morning with the dog and managed to hit the road just before 7. The bed was snugly and warm but I managed to drag myself out of it. Cole interrupted my slumber just before 6 when his diaper sprung a leak. Instead of changing his bed, I invited him to come to bed with us. I SHOULD have gone out then but it was still dark out and I couldn't be motivated enough to fight the urge so I huddled under the covers until the baby started to stir. I could hear my sneakers crying for me even louder and Sasha met me at the bottom of the stairs. We walk/jogged for about a mile and I am so proud of myself for doing it.

These walks give me some good time to meditate and I am finding the quiet voice inside me again. This voice gets silenced by the external voice of my toddler and the ongoing demands from my infant. This morning I mulled over the idea that any day can be the day that changes your life forever. I could find a winning lottery ticket today. That would surely change things. Something terrible could happen - to me or to a member of my family. Something wonderful could happen too! Carpe Diem and all that. These are things that I know - things we all know. I just reflected on this again this morning and am once again vowing to make the most of the days I am given and follow my new motto: "If you can, do." If I have the legs to walk, I will walk. If I have the means, I should do.

I can see the leaves starting to change and sport their autumn colors. The evergreens are stubbornly staying the same. If I were a tree, I would be a maple tree. They are useful, leave a sweet taste in your mouth, and their fall color is so brilliant. Like the maple, I am changing now too. I can feel it from my roots to my branches.

Cole is potty training again and seems to be responding to it well. We have had some accidents already this morning but I am prepared for them and he seems to be catching on. Here's hoping it sticks this time. I am ready and I think he is too.

Steps in the right direction

Well, while I struggled to get out of bed this morning and was later out the door than I had intended, I did get out and walked the dog. I didn't go as far as I had the day before but I plan on doing it again tomorrow and will try harder to get out before 7. I feel good for the commitment even though it is only the second day. We are also easing back into potty training and hope that this time it will be a successful transition for Cole...hoping.

You have to walk before you run

My husband, Chris, is a runner. He would disagree and say that he hasn't ran in over 2 years but I believe that if you are passionate about something, you never stop being that. I am an artist and say that even though I haven't picked up a paintbrush (other than to touch up walls around the house) in over 2 years. He will never not be a runner and I will never not be an artist in my eyes. I am not a runner. I have never had an ambition to be a runner. I run like an egg. Probably because, for most of my life, I was shaped like an egg. I am determined to be healthy for my boys and for myself. I eat the right foods but never feel like I will be in good physical shape since I don't have a regular exercise routine.
Yesterday, Chris found himself walking the 5K during the Baltimore Running Festival. The boys and I went out to help support his efforts but he was pretty disappointed in himself for not having trained to run it. Still, I see him as a runner. To me, the people who were warming up for the half marathon and the folks who were, at the same time, pushing their bodies to run the marathon, are no better than Chris. They are all runners and, while they take the time to condition their bodies to run the distance, I see Chris as having the same potential and, to me, that is good enough--and, something to be admired.
I decided yesterday, as I watched the overwhelming number of people at the peak of physical fitness, that I want to eat what I want. Stay with me here. People who exercise can eat what they want and I want that! I am going to be a runner! Okay, maybe not today or tomorrow but I really think I can do that too. I was out of the house before 7 this morning and walked the dog for about a mile and a half. I even jogged some of it. I will do it again tomorrow and continue, one day at a time. Maybe I will realize that I have asthma. Maybe I will get bad knees. Or maybe, just maybe, I will find that I am really a runner! I can be a runner and an artist...and eat what I want too!