Hello! Finding the time to get an extra little cardio/strength training in during the week can be challenging, especially because I am training for a half marathon and taking care of little Riley. I recently found this weekly workout that I have tried the last couple days and have been thoroughly impressed with the amount of muscle soreness I have felt from such a short workout. I have really loved the exercises, simple, but if done with the duration that it says I definitely feel the burn. The exercises are great to get that heart pumping! I have been trying to do the routine when Riley takes her naps. Another goal for this year was to work on goal setting. I am trying to keep my goals attainable by not overwhelming myself with huge achievements all to fail. I am trying to start small and just stay CONSISTENT! I am written these exercises out on a paper and I have it posted next to my running schedule. Everyday I will look to see if I have done my little 10 minute exercise for the day. Start somewhere and be consistent and obedient. Results will come just stick with something. And another thing I was thinking of was when this gets easier, adding one thing to make it more difficult, not necessarily changing it all together. Again, not trying to overwhelm myself with too much.
Here is what it looks like!
Monday:
30" plank Right and Left sides
30" plank
10 lunges Right and Left x 2
10 burpees
Tuesday:
10 pushups
30 crunches x 2
10 burpees
30" plank
10 lunges R/L
Wednesday:
10 lunges
60" plank
30 crunches
10 pushups x 2
30 bicycles
Thursday:
10 pushups
30 bicycles
10 burpees
60" plank
10 lunges x 2
Friday:
20 burpees
10 pushups
10 lunges R/L
30 bicycles
60" plank
Saturday:
5 lunges
10 pushups
l0 burpees
(x3 for all)
2/20/14
Sweet Peace and Scentsy Candles
As I sit here in my favorite place, (in my living room looking out the windows) smelling my amazing scentsy candle, I am at peace, I am thankful and I am filled with gratitude to Jesus. I am healthy, my husband and baby girl are healthy and my needs and beyond are completely met. In this very moment I just want to say Thank you to Jesus. Thank you to Him who provides and gives life and brings peace. I just want to be thankful in this moment.
Some other thoughts that have come to mind are those people that are out on the mission field abroad away from the comforts of what once was and adjusting/acclamating to a new lifestyle. To those people I want to say that I am praying for you, trying to everyday and saying thank you and blessings on you for your faithfulness/obedience/sacrifice.
I believe that peace comes from within, having a deep relationship with the Lord, but I also know that having what I have here in America can greatly affect the peace that I experience as well. Not to say that my peace is not genuine, but it may be dependent on where I live, what I have access to and the convenience in life. I recently read a blog of a woman and her family who live in Tanzania and all of the little extra things that she has to do to prepare for dinner, washing clothes and taking showers that we do not think twice about here. Those little things equate to bigger tasks, thus making it difficult, at least for me, to think of having peace in those moments.
Peace comes from within, from knowing and trusting Jesus.
Well....there was my rant and thoughts for today.
Check out: www.becomingm.com to read more about this awesome family.
Some other thoughts that have come to mind are those people that are out on the mission field abroad away from the comforts of what once was and adjusting/acclamating to a new lifestyle. To those people I want to say that I am praying for you, trying to everyday and saying thank you and blessings on you for your faithfulness/obedience/sacrifice.
I believe that peace comes from within, having a deep relationship with the Lord, but I also know that having what I have here in America can greatly affect the peace that I experience as well. Not to say that my peace is not genuine, but it may be dependent on where I live, what I have access to and the convenience in life. I recently read a blog of a woman and her family who live in Tanzania and all of the little extra things that she has to do to prepare for dinner, washing clothes and taking showers that we do not think twice about here. Those little things equate to bigger tasks, thus making it difficult, at least for me, to think of having peace in those moments.
Peace comes from within, from knowing and trusting Jesus.
Well....there was my rant and thoughts for today.
Check out: www.becomingm.com to read more about this awesome family.
2/19/14
Community // Fulfilled
Funny how our society works and what it so schemingly (is that a word?) tries to tell us. I am amazed at how individualistic and independent our culture has become. It seems that most things in life point to independence and achievement by ourselves. God's culture, the bible points to such a different way of living and I am so glad!
We all need to be independent on some level of course, but we were never meant to do it alone. I have found even more so with being a Mom how much I need others. I need people. I need community. Raising a little one is not for the faint of heart?!? It is not meant to be done alone! Super Mom? I mean really? We need people in all and every stage of life; there is no exception when you have a kid.
Community in my life is definitely growing and is on the rise. I desire for a richer social life, as well as presenting Riley with as many opportunities to meet others. I want her to have such a love for people, and to know what good relationships look as well as having good boundaries with people. My community group through my church has been a real blessing and has allowed for some good relationships to form. I also recently met my "mentor mom" through my church who is super awesome.
I just find it so interesting/fascinating/ shoot irritating how quickly I can become complacent, isolated and stagnant. I need people, I need motivation, I am a words of affirmation, quality time kind of a girl. I cannot be content with being at home, in the home with Riley all day everyday with no outside interaction. I slowly shrivel up inside if I do not receive these things.
We all have different tanks that need to be filled daily. Once those tanks are identified we can live a more fulfilled life and understand and thrive. Adding different things to your plate in life will require modification to the different tanks or adjustment. I feel that with this change of being a mother, I have had to adjust and understand my needs and learn how to get those fulfilled. Being in post-grad stage and now transitioning into motherhood, I have found it challenging to meet new people to connect with. I am thankful for a fantastic church with many resources that have helped me transition and find friends to connect with.
Yay Jesus!
We all need to be independent on some level of course, but we were never meant to do it alone. I have found even more so with being a Mom how much I need others. I need people. I need community. Raising a little one is not for the faint of heart?!? It is not meant to be done alone! Super Mom? I mean really? We need people in all and every stage of life; there is no exception when you have a kid.
Community in my life is definitely growing and is on the rise. I desire for a richer social life, as well as presenting Riley with as many opportunities to meet others. I want her to have such a love for people, and to know what good relationships look as well as having good boundaries with people. My community group through my church has been a real blessing and has allowed for some good relationships to form. I also recently met my "mentor mom" through my church who is super awesome.
I just find it so interesting/fascinating/ shoot irritating how quickly I can become complacent, isolated and stagnant. I need people, I need motivation, I am a words of affirmation, quality time kind of a girl. I cannot be content with being at home, in the home with Riley all day everyday with no outside interaction. I slowly shrivel up inside if I do not receive these things.
We all have different tanks that need to be filled daily. Once those tanks are identified we can live a more fulfilled life and understand and thrive. Adding different things to your plate in life will require modification to the different tanks or adjustment. I feel that with this change of being a mother, I have had to adjust and understand my needs and learn how to get those fulfilled. Being in post-grad stage and now transitioning into motherhood, I have found it challenging to meet new people to connect with. I am thankful for a fantastic church with many resources that have helped me transition and find friends to connect with.
Yay Jesus!
2/1/14
SATURDAY MORNING LOVE
I love love love hanging out with my little love in the mornings! A nice hot cup of coffee, devotions, and watching little Riley grow and discover new things has been such a great way to kick start my mornings. I have been so intrigued with the noises she makes, the mobility she now has and the way she soaks up her surroundings. The way God designed us is so incredible and I get to see her little life unfold right before my eyes. I am completely overwhelmed at times with the craziness of being at home with her, and completely satisfied and overjoyed with the privilege of being at home with her. I would not have it any other way right now. Mad props to my man who works so hard for allowing this to happen. Thank you Jesus.
1/30/14
Settled In // Goals 14'
Hello! I haven't blogged in sometime,but I am back and I am ready to do this and be CONSISTENT!
I finally feel like I have somewhat of a grasp on this motherhood thing. I would say it took a good three months, but I feel I have arrived and am actually thriving and loving life again. :) Ha! Riley is now almost 5 months and I can truly and honestly say that I am so in love with her and cannot get enough of her beautiful smile and watching her grow and learn. Motherhood has been a, not to be cliche, a roller coaster of sorts! Wow have I been in for a treat! Being home with her, not going out into the workforce has had its own challenges, but now having a routine attuned to Riley's needs is definitely a blessing. It feels a little less crazy and now I can't even imagine going back to work! Crazy how a little time and some good meditation can change a person! I feel so blessed that she has fallen into a routine. She has a pretty set bedtime and her naps are getting more consistent. I am thankful for a routine now, seeing that it brought back my sanity :)
I usually put her down around 6:30pm and she will wake for a little snack around 11pm. She falls right back to sleep and then up again around 3:30am, I feed her back to sleep and up again around 6:30am. I am trying my best to ween her off the two midnight feedings but it is hard to know if she really is hungry or just cant put herself back to sleep. I thought this motherly instinct thing was supposed to kick in and that is was supposed to be this magical wisdom that somehow was supposed to give me the right answer right in the moment; but I sometimes feel that I just kind of wing it and hope for the best.
I have recently been reading a new blog: http://www.bobbimccormick.com/?page_id=29775 trying to find answers to these Mom issues. I must say this blog is super awesome! In her blog she posted a site to help with getting your baby on a sleep routine. I will be trying this coming week to help little Riley get on a sleep routine so that hopefully she will start, AGAIN, sleeping through the night. Another inspiring side note that I really loved on her blog was how motivated this woman is. She runs marathons, teaches kickboxing, has a baby, makes money form her blog, is a wife and housekeeper. Man, I was so inspired this morning reading her blogs I decided to blog myself!
This year my words are, MOTIVATION and CONSISTENCY. I want to be better, healthier, stronger and the most important, more like Jesus. I think I lack in these two areas largely because I deep down inside, (get reading we are going deep!) have little self-esteem. I think that I do not think I am worth it so I do not follow through. My goal this year is to be better in those two areas. I believe the first step in gaining self-esteem/self-confidence is giving my heart to Jesus. I know starting there is the first step. And honestly it is an everyday deal. Having a faithful and consistent prayer life and bible reading time will not only help my heart, but will also draw me closer to my savior. I think it is easy for me to get stuck and not try anymore. I in one sense am all or nothing, when all I want is to be consistent and faithful in the small things. I start things in life with grandiose plans and ideas, and a week later they are fizzled out and I am left feeling guilty and displeased with myself. The long and dismile trail of unmet goals in my past are viewed with guilt and frustration and I want CHANGE.
I have been reading this book by two of my favorite authors called "9 Things you Simply Must Do." In this book are 9 steps and practices that the author has noticed successful people doing in life. One of the points the author makes is, "Those who succeed in life cannot ignore their hearts, minds, and souls. I have found that I am more like a pancake than a waffle. In other words, I am not good at compartmentalizing my life, I am good and letting one negative thing in life affect everything else in life. If something is wrong in a relationship in my life, the rest of life is also affected. Now I am not sure if this is a good or a bad thing quite yet, but I know that knowing this fact about myself leads me to some actions that I can take. When negative things come up in life, I need to ask myself questions like, "How can I make this situation better?" "How can I make the first move in this conflict and bring light on the problem?" How can I be proactive in my response and put the other person first? One verse the book mentioned was from Proverbs 22:3 which states, "A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it." I believe when I really listen to my heart, and am staying grounded in the word that I can be a healthier individual. Some other points he brings up are feelings or statements to ask yourself in certain situations.
1. This doesn't quite feel right
2. I really don't feel comfortable doing this or agreeing to this
3. This is not what I really want
4. I don't like what I am agreeing to
5. This violates an important value
6. I am going to resent this tomorrow
7. I am going to resent this for a long time
8. I wish this were not happening
9. This feels the same as last time
I found these to be helpful when encountering a potentially hazardous conflict. Asking myself theses questions help to get to the heart and where you really are. Striving to be self aware on a daily basis is never easy and it takes a lot of work, but I hope with these statements and questions that I can be more intentional this year.
Goals this year:
Half Marathon 4.12.14
Refurbish a garage sale dresser
Throw a well prepared rad 1 year birthday party for Little Miss Mae
Increase my prayer life and work up to an hour of real conversation with Jesus
Continue eating clean
Praying for my daughter
Going deep in rich conversation with my husband
Growing new relationships through my Sandals community group
Communicating what I need and want and getting those things
Loving people even when I am tired and frustrated
Doing acts of kindness
Finish and learn from 5 books, apart form the bible.
Tithe regularly
More goals to come and look forward to on my birthday. I read another gals blog who said that she uses hear birthday as more of the launching point for goal setting. I am going to adopt that as my own and say that on February 12th when I turn 26th these goals are going in to affect fo real!
I finally feel like I have somewhat of a grasp on this motherhood thing. I would say it took a good three months, but I feel I have arrived and am actually thriving and loving life again. :) Ha! Riley is now almost 5 months and I can truly and honestly say that I am so in love with her and cannot get enough of her beautiful smile and watching her grow and learn. Motherhood has been a, not to be cliche, a roller coaster of sorts! Wow have I been in for a treat! Being home with her, not going out into the workforce has had its own challenges, but now having a routine attuned to Riley's needs is definitely a blessing. It feels a little less crazy and now I can't even imagine going back to work! Crazy how a little time and some good meditation can change a person! I feel so blessed that she has fallen into a routine. She has a pretty set bedtime and her naps are getting more consistent. I am thankful for a routine now, seeing that it brought back my sanity :)
So what is her routine you ask?
I usually put her down around 6:30pm and she will wake for a little snack around 11pm. She falls right back to sleep and then up again around 3:30am, I feed her back to sleep and up again around 6:30am. I am trying my best to ween her off the two midnight feedings but it is hard to know if she really is hungry or just cant put herself back to sleep. I thought this motherly instinct thing was supposed to kick in and that is was supposed to be this magical wisdom that somehow was supposed to give me the right answer right in the moment; but I sometimes feel that I just kind of wing it and hope for the best.
I have recently been reading a new blog: http://www.bobbimccormick.com/?page_id=29775 trying to find answers to these Mom issues. I must say this blog is super awesome! In her blog she posted a site to help with getting your baby on a sleep routine. I will be trying this coming week to help little Riley get on a sleep routine so that hopefully she will start, AGAIN, sleeping through the night. Another inspiring side note that I really loved on her blog was how motivated this woman is. She runs marathons, teaches kickboxing, has a baby, makes money form her blog, is a wife and housekeeper. Man, I was so inspired this morning reading her blogs I decided to blog myself!
GOALS
This year my words are, MOTIVATION and CONSISTENCY. I want to be better, healthier, stronger and the most important, more like Jesus. I think I lack in these two areas largely because I deep down inside, (get reading we are going deep!) have little self-esteem. I think that I do not think I am worth it so I do not follow through. My goal this year is to be better in those two areas. I believe the first step in gaining self-esteem/self-confidence is giving my heart to Jesus. I know starting there is the first step. And honestly it is an everyday deal. Having a faithful and consistent prayer life and bible reading time will not only help my heart, but will also draw me closer to my savior. I think it is easy for me to get stuck and not try anymore. I in one sense am all or nothing, when all I want is to be consistent and faithful in the small things. I start things in life with grandiose plans and ideas, and a week later they are fizzled out and I am left feeling guilty and displeased with myself. The long and dismile trail of unmet goals in my past are viewed with guilt and frustration and I want CHANGE.
I have been reading this book by two of my favorite authors called "9 Things you Simply Must Do." In this book are 9 steps and practices that the author has noticed successful people doing in life. One of the points the author makes is, "Those who succeed in life cannot ignore their hearts, minds, and souls. I have found that I am more like a pancake than a waffle. In other words, I am not good at compartmentalizing my life, I am good and letting one negative thing in life affect everything else in life. If something is wrong in a relationship in my life, the rest of life is also affected. Now I am not sure if this is a good or a bad thing quite yet, but I know that knowing this fact about myself leads me to some actions that I can take. When negative things come up in life, I need to ask myself questions like, "How can I make this situation better?" "How can I make the first move in this conflict and bring light on the problem?" How can I be proactive in my response and put the other person first? One verse the book mentioned was from Proverbs 22:3 which states, "A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it." I believe when I really listen to my heart, and am staying grounded in the word that I can be a healthier individual. Some other points he brings up are feelings or statements to ask yourself in certain situations.
1. This doesn't quite feel right
2. I really don't feel comfortable doing this or agreeing to this
3. This is not what I really want
4. I don't like what I am agreeing to
5. This violates an important value
6. I am going to resent this tomorrow
7. I am going to resent this for a long time
8. I wish this were not happening
9. This feels the same as last time
I found these to be helpful when encountering a potentially hazardous conflict. Asking myself theses questions help to get to the heart and where you really are. Striving to be self aware on a daily basis is never easy and it takes a lot of work, but I hope with these statements and questions that I can be more intentional this year.
Goals this year:
Half Marathon 4.12.14
Refurbish a garage sale dresser
Throw a well prepared rad 1 year birthday party for Little Miss Mae
Increase my prayer life and work up to an hour of real conversation with Jesus
Continue eating clean
Praying for my daughter
Going deep in rich conversation with my husband
Growing new relationships through my Sandals community group
Communicating what I need and want and getting those things
Loving people even when I am tired and frustrated
Doing acts of kindness
Finish and learn from 5 books, apart form the bible.
Tithe regularly
More goals to come and look forward to on my birthday. I read another gals blog who said that she uses hear birthday as more of the launching point for goal setting. I am going to adopt that as my own and say that on February 12th when I turn 26th these goals are going in to affect fo real!
