Day 1: One day at a time

So yesterday was the first day of "No-Nutella" (and baked yumminess). I did well. I didn't have any Nutella. That's a good start.

I also stuck to the no baked goods thing even though some pretty delicious things were staring me in the face.

Truth be told, I wasn't really worried about day 1. I'm on the bandwagon. It's the days ahead that worry me. As I get progressively more bored with missing out on my comfort foods I don't expect that I will be that much fun to be around. I give in to my cravings pretty easily so I have to try and maintain the momentum of excitement (hopefully see some results) and that should keep me going a bit longer.

Reality and getting started

The kids started school this week which means that life and routines are going to return to some semblance of normal.

Along with routines comes the reality that summer relaxation also reflected in less-than-perfect food choices. I have a friend who has a great ability to get me out of the house and go walking, so we started that, and I am going to try and eat better. I'm posting this so that I have more people that I feel I am accountable to. I have not been so good at sticking to any healthy eating or exercise plans in the past, so I'm taking it one step at a time.

Step 1: Remove all traces of nutella from my diet, as well as baked goods. Breads are ok, but good bread choices need to be made. And menu choices will be posted to help with food shopping and meal prep.

Let's try this for a week and see how it goes.

Wish me luck!

The Procrastinator's New Year's Resolutions

The New Year has come and gone. We are already February. Well people, it is now time for me to make some New Year's resolutions. I don't usually like to make resolutions. They are just another thing for me to add to my list, worry about, not achieve and then remove from my list with that twinge of failure. This year, I'm basing my resolutions on the things that I've already started that are making me feel pretty incredible. We'll go from there.

1) Re-organize my office to make it more efficient. If I can actually reach my printers, there is a much higher chance that I will be able to turn-around a stationery order in a reasonable amount of time. If I can't even find the printer, I may as well go back to bed. I chose to make printer-hiding virtually impossible by moving it out of my general line-of-dumping-crap reach. It is now on the other side of my office. I have cleaned up enough (thanks to some very generous hubby help) that you can actually SEE my floor. I was able to vacuum without fear of sucking up things unknown. This may seem simple to some born-organized people out there, but for me, it is worthy of shedding some tears of joy.

2) Create a consistent work schedule. I have been trying to do this for years. Working from home definitely has its advantages, but the BIGGEST disadvantage (by far) is the ability to procrastinate at a much higher degree of efficiency than virtually any other job. Also, people don't always appreciate that you actually work. Friends call (I don't have to answer, but I always do. I love my friends), coffee or lunch dates are set (I don't get to hang out with co-workers and I NEED people!), house cleaning needs to get done (hee hee! funny.), and errands need to get run. I just need to set work hours and house hours and stick to them. I've already started with this and it feels good when it works out. Eventually, I will get to my final resolution:

3) Exercise 3 to 5 times a week. It doesn't need to be for an hour. I don't want to set a weight goal. I just want to get exercise into my daily routine. I want to look forward to it (I'm always the dreamer), and I want to feel like crap on the days that I don't exercise. Not that I want to feel like crap. I just want to WANT TO do it. Whenever I get excited about exercising, it lasts, at most, 2 weeks before it evaporates. I want exercise to be an ingrained part of my brain. Is that so much to ask??

I have to say, over the years I have found some amazing sites and tools to help me along on these resolutions - they tend to be the same goals every year, month, week,...

Flylady is one of my favourite kick-you-in-the-ass-and-annoy-you-until-you-get-it-done-with-a-smile-on-your-face website. She e-mails you constantly with a little "project" that you should do. Anything can be done in 15 minutes at a time according to her - and she really makes you see that it can be true. If you listen.

Sparkpeople is another one I love. Their goal is very much in line with my 3rd goal - they want you to move. They don't care how hard, how fast, how long - as long as you get your sneakers on and your heart rate up. Oh. And they want you to eat better too. And be a better friend. No. Really. You get points for helping to motivate other online Sparkpeople "friends". It's like Weight Watchers. But with a better online setup and community. And did I mention that it's free?

Finally, you should all know, I have a dream. One day, when my house is clutter-free, and I'm warming up to run a marathon, laundry all folded and away, dishes dried and sink all shiny, supper ready for when the kids come home from school,....

I can't finish this. I'm laughing so hard that tears are running down my face.

I am who I am.

I just wish that someone else took care of all the housework.

Now we try to change our eating habits

I've always felt that I needed something to give me that extra "push" to start eating better. Over time, I have changed over to whole grain breads and pastas, even sneaking them into meals that my Monkeys will all eat. My problem has always been sweets. (Here's where I blame my upbringing...) I often use food as a reward. For myself and the kids. Toilet training involved candy. Going to shul involves candy. Being a good listener involves candy. I did make an effort with our eldest - she got to choose a book at the bookstore when she finished her first reward chart. It was all downhill from there.

After the dentist fiasco yesterday, I decided that we have to start limiting the crappy food that goes into our bodies. All of us. So I went to the supermarket and bought an INSANE amount of groceries that look good when fresh. The only problem is, most of the great ideas that I get while grocery shopping are fleeting. Gone. As soon as I walk in the door and put the food away.

I think I'll go make a menu. Any suggestions?