Fallen off track

I have certainly fallen off track these days, my blog is far from being kept up to date, school work has been on complete hold for a few weeks...ok so probably pushing closer to 2 months, healthy habits have gone astray and finding time for the gym has become a bit of a memory for the past 4-6 weeks. Time to catch up!

Even though a lot of the things on my to do list have taken a back seat lately, I can say that I have not been feeling as stressed for time, I’ve had more family time, I’ve had more chill time and certainly had more make the pants fit tighter time as well! All of this down time has not been kind to my healthy habits, my oh my why is it so easy to fall off track?

Now I shouldn’t be so pessimistic on the situation. Its not like I’ve completely fallen off track, just dipped my toes into some days (maybe even some weeks) of complete lack of self control. Ok, scratch that, who am I kidding? I did not dip my toes into it, I jumped in with both feet, hands held high screaming woohoo, which has now turned into a few pounds gained and a boohoo.

So, why is it that it is so easy to totally forget all that you have learned and just dive back into old habits and lose the brain for a while? Obviously the old habits didn’t work before; obviously the old habits brought excess weight, lack of energy, lack of motivation etc, so why do we still get called back so often. We say its comfort, comfort food, comfort clothes etc. Really, I don’t know what’s so darn comfortable about feeling crappy, tired, slow, bloated, heavy, foggy, need I say more? I don’t find the extra little weight to be comfortable; I find my jeans tighter, my dress pants tighter and find I'm pissed at myself for getting further behind in my schoolwork, someday I'd like to complete the course in full.

Last week I decided to give myself until after my husband's birthday to get back on track (considering it’s less than a week away). However, really what am I waiting for? Seriously, that’s like a ticking time bomb, ok do whatever you want for the next week and then magically all will be well after that. Why set a time in the future to begin something? Why not today? Why give yourself that extra time to over indulge and get further behind on whatever it is you are avoiding? It certainly doesn't help. If you know you need to change then now's the time. Baby steps are ok, but big change is better and certainly provides a greater outcome in the end.

So, today it begins. I’m not perfect, but certainly need to at least be following the 80/20 rule with the 80% being good and 20% not (since it’s been reversed this holiday season). Clean up the diet, rearrange my calendar to fit in my 3 x week gym time, get some school reading done and get moving in the right direction.

What are you doing to get back on track? Don’t wait for the New Year to change something you know needs to be done today. Find some support if that’s what you need, you’re never alone in your struggles and help is always within reach if you’re willing to speak up when it’s needed. Be sure to make time for yourself and reach for your goals. Remember that everything is attainable and within your reach you just have to be willing to take the first step.

Birthdays

Well another year older and so far I can say that I'm not feeling any different. When you're a kid you can't wait for that next big day to arrive, you want to be that one-year-older. Kids think the world will change with a new number. I guess for some things in life the number really does make a difference.

When you’re a kid that number means you reach the age where you are able to go on that ride at the amusement park, ride in the back of the bus with the big kids, you are allowed to ride in the car in a normal seat (without a booster), as you get older you can get a license, go to the bar in Canada, then you are legal to drink in the US. Really when I think about it these are all milestones that we all anticipate, or most of us anticipate. I have memories of each of them. Beyond this there are the decade birthdays, 30^th, 40^th, 50^th, 60^th and so on.

I can honestly say my 30^th came in pretty mild, as I was pregnant with my daughter. For my 40^th (which is still a ways away) I would love to hop on a plane and take a trip, however am pretty certain that it may have to wait till my 50^th but a girl can dream!

Birthdays come and go, we tend to see a few more gray hairs in the mirror, we may have a few more wrinkles, but we’ve also created another year of memories, some good and some bad. It’s a great time to take some time to reflect on the year that has passed by and set a plan for the year ahead. Many people do this at New Year’s but birthdays are a great time to do it as well, however if you’re like me it all happens at once anyway.

Some years we may reflect and find that really not much has changed since last year, other years we may find that alot has changed. Take note of whether you learned the lessons and moved ahead or if you simply got stuck in a rut and stayed static. Without learning the lessons you will simply repeat as you have always done.

Remember, no regrets either, if at once it made you smile then it was worth it.

December has arrived, filled with all things Christmas!

It’s hard to believe just how quickly December seems to be passing us by. Forget November, where did 2011 go? Really, everyone I chat with says the same thing; days, weeks, months and years are flying by! 

Christmas is approaching just as quickly as ever! This year I vowed to myself that I would partake in a few of the Christmas season events that I missed out on last year. It really is a busy time of year but I wouldn't pass up December for anything.

Last night I was fortunate enough to have a night out with my mom and my sister to pay a visit to my Mom's church in Goodwood for “Carols by Candlelight”. The Goodwood United Church is the prettiest church around and the ladies (and gents) who keep the place going are extraordinary as well!  The place is always full of smiles and laughter and I can say that I have many memories in this pretty little place. This time of year it is always decorated so beautifully and the glow of the candle light in the evening always sets the mood perfectly.

The One Voice Choir from Uxbridge sang for us last night (which I can happily say my Aunt Donna is a part of), as well as an exquisite performance by Michael Hardock, Hayden Kerry, Victoria Ianou, Raphaella Cameron and Anthony Holt. Mixed in with the local talent was a Christmas story and a sing along which we all participated in. I have to say I sound much better in the car, alone, belting out Christmas carols than what I did last night! But no one was there to hear me sing and Christmas just doesn’t feel like Christmas without a visit to mom’s church and a night of singing carols.

Saturday we were fortunate enough to get a private session with Santa! Sweet World Media, Deborah De Ville, John Wood and Glen Buchanan put on a Photo with Santa event to raise funds for the Bonner Boys splash pad and Abby and I just couldn’t pass it up! Her pretty pic arrived today in my email box and made my day so I thought I would share it here.

They did such a fantastic job that I’m really hoping they do it again next year. Santa couldn’t have done a better job too! He’s a pretty busy guy this time of year with lots of events on the go but always a jolly soul with much love to share.

This time of year is filled with Christmas parties, baking, gingerbread house building, parades, the Living Nativity, the Festival of Lights, School concerts, Daycare Christmas and so on but you can bet I’m looking forward to making memories at each one.

I’m hoping you all find time in your busy schedules to enjoy some of the great festivities that are going on around you this time of year. You don’t have to be religious, you don’t have to celebrate Christmas and you don’t have to have children in order to find the spirit of the season and enjoy.

It's early, but Merry Christmas to everyone!

On a funny note, it was just yesterday that I was declared to be the meanest mommy ever which Abby quickly continued with "you are on Santa's naughty list and he's going to bring you coal in your stocking"! Could be an interesting December in our household!