Challenge 52

This week's challenge is to not focus on what you haven't done and instead focus on what you have done or how far you've come. Make a "Ta Da" list or a "Done" list to go along with the never-ending to-do list. I'm the world's worst at this, much to my husband's dismay.

So...today's Ta Da List
...got up, showered and dressed (hey, that's progress after a week of not having to do those things)
...ate a healthy breakfast
...did a few loads of laundry and the dishes
...made a few busy bags for the kids
...cleaned up some clutter
...put away clothes
...swept
...took my son (with my parents' help) to his yearly checkup...and remembered the two questions we had
...had lunch with my parents
...helped my sister organize her new kitchen
...rested (important in recovery, right?)
...played in the rain with the kids
...handled hubby's late night of working without any problems
...watched a movie with the kids
...stayed within my daily calories...and actually tracked them

Not bad for a Monday!

Challenge 52

In light of starting new things this week, this week's challenge is just that...challenge yourself. This can be in any area you want...running, fitness, weight loss, your home, your career...you name it, it's your challenge.

I'm challenging myself to lose 13.1 pounds in 13 weeks all while training for my third half marathon.

The bigger challenge here is to plan out exactly how you're going to meet this goal. For me, this means coming up with a way to eat better and keep track of it and to plan my workouts. I've started this off by signing up for My Fitness Pal to keep track of calorie intake and burn. The next step this afternoon will be to work up a calendar for my workouts. I've been doing this a week at a time...ok, let's face it, maybe the night before. So...a plan it will be. I have a training plan for my half, but I know I will need to add in some strength and cross-training in order to burn enough calories.

Challenge 52

So it's been a while, and my consistency is nonexistent lacks something to be desired. But, while I was waiting in my hotel room this morning, I watched a little of Joyce Myer's TV program. This morning she was talking about finding joy in the every day. So, that's my challenge for myself this week...to find joy in the every day, because "...the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Neh. 8:11). I'm reminding myself to choose joy each moment.

Challenge 52

Obviously this is one thing that went by the wayside last week, but here's another challenge for the week. Yes, they are starting to sound the same. Obviously, I have issues. Deal with it. :)

This week's challenge is to find a way to make one thing easier on yourself. For example, this weekend I wanted to have homemade granola for our Mother's Day brunch. I was already in a time crunch...so I just bought some (and I have to say, it is really good!). Another example, I've been beating myself up over some dresses I've been meaning to make SB...for about two years now. I feel guilty that I haven't gotten around to it yet...so I am paying my sister to make them for me. I'm not done trying to make things easier on myself either.

Look for ways to help yourself out this week.

Challenge 52-15

Last week's challenge for me...epic fail. I didn't clear any clutter. Oh, well...it's not like it's going anywhere any time soon :)

This week's challenge will be a little easier. Find a verse, quote or poem that means something to you this week and memorize it. Post it on the fridge. Stick it on your mirror. Commit it to memory. That's it. Tell me what you're choosing...

Challenge 52-14

I loved last week's challenge. Focusing on the small, positive things each day made a huge difference in my attitude. I can't say it fixed everything, but it helped. I'm planning on keeping up with a type of gratitude journal like this.

Today's challenge is something that I have to revisit a lot. It's based on FlyLady's "Hot Spots." The challenge is to find where you clutter tends to gather and clear those areas. Find one spot a day, and see how the clearing of physical clutter can free up some mental space. You might look on your kitchen counter, a dresser, that bookshelf that collects more than books, or the floor next to your bed (guilty!). If you're brave, take before and after pictures of your rooms :)

Catchup--Challenge 52

I should have posted this yesterday, but we stayed super busy yesterday. It was fun to be home with the kids, and we stayed pretty active all day.

This week's challenge is to pick a chore or task you hate and time yourself. I was totally shocked that the thing I've been putting off and putting off because I dreaded how long it would take (hanging up the clean clothes) only took 15 minutes yesterday. So get that timer out and see how long it really takes. Maybe you'll be just as surprised as I was.

Challenge 52

Today's challenge can be as easy or as hard as you make it. Be bold; be brave; be courageous. This can take so many different forms. Pick something that's been in the back of your mind or at the center of your heart. Maybe it's something you do on a whim. Maybe it's something you've wanted to do for ages. Maybe it's something that just takes you out of your comfort zone. Whatever it is, be bold; be brave; be courageous.

Challenge 52-9

Today's challenge is easy...just smile!

I tell my junior high speech kids all the time that our nonverbal language can alter our emotions...that's why I also tell them to "Fake it 'til you make it." That holds true for us too. If you smile, whether you feel like it or not, your emotions tend to follow suit.

So, practice smiling this week...
-before you get out of bed
-at yourself in the mirror (we can be so critical when we look at ourselves)
-during a hard run or workout (personal experience shows that this improves my perception of the run)
-at your children
-at your spouse
-at your coworkers
-in the car (let people think you're crazy!)
-when you feel like it
-when you don't feel like it

Not only will this help our own attitudes, but it's contagious! Watch the smiles spread :)

Challenge 52-8

This week's challenge sounds fairly simple...be still. Find a few minutes to still your mind and still your body. You can be still while drinking a cup of hot tea (ok, technically, your body is moving a little here...deal with it). You can be still outside in the sunshine. You can be still in your favorite cozy chair. Whatever makes your heart smile...find a spot, be still and enjoy the peace.

Challenge 52-7

Ok, ok, so I'm not really consistent with this challenge thing. Oh, well. It's free and the stakes aren't high :)

This week's challenge is to try and reset some of the negative self-talk we give ourselves. Whether this means putting positive Post-Its on the mirror, writing in a journal or changing negative thoughts to positive ones out loud, just give it a try! Be aware of what you tell yourself either directly or indirectly. Then give yourself a positive in its place.

Happy thinking!

Challenge 52-6

I'm going to work backwards here and give you a challenge based on something I've already done this week. If I'd been on top of things, I would have written this Monday morning and then completed the task Monday afternoon...and come out looking like a rockstar. Oh, well. Still trying to cut myself some slack.

Your challenge: try something new. It could be a new food, a new workout, a new haircut, a new style, a new route to work...whatever floats your boat.

For me, I stepped outside my comfort zone Monday when I was asked to go run The Monster, quite possibly the only parking garage in our town, after inservice Monday with some other teachers. First, I rarely run with others, so that was somewhat new. Second, fitting this into my schedule isn't easy. And third, it's running uphill for 8 stories and then back down.

I'm glad I went and gave this a try! I got to run with my sister again. Plus, it was an awesome workout. I didn't go as far as I wanted, but I was in a little of a time crunch. It all worked out.

Challenge 52-5

I missed doing a challenge last week, and it's Tuesday already for this week. So, this week's challenge? Cut yourself some slack. Maybe you've been trying to do too much. Maybe you've been putting off something you don't want to do. Maybe the voices in your head are telling you that you aren't doing enough. So...give yourself a break, let go of the ideas of perfection floating around your head, and just "be where your feet are."

Challenge 52-5

Ok, so last week's challenge of getting my clothes ready to go at the beginning of the week proved to be a big help. I'm going to keep at that one and try to start doing the same for my kids.

This week, I'm going to pick a challenge that's more about our health but sticks with the idea of a little advanced preparation. Let's preplan and even pre-portion out our snacks. I can't say I'd advise doing this for the whole week in advance. If you're like me, you don't have the room for that. However, I can do this the night before to ensure that I eat healthy options the next day. Snacks are my downfall. I get super hungry right after school and don't always plan for that well. So...that's the plan.

Challenge 52-4

This week, let's focus on planning again, this time for just you (and maybe your kids, if you're ambitious).

This week's challenge: Plan what you will wear for the next week. Make sure everything is ready to wear. Plan everything, right down to the shoes and jewelry. If you can, set up an area where these outfits can be ready to go. I have a set of hooks above my closet window where I can put three of these outfits. I'm just really bad about remembering to do this. If you already do this, take it a step father and create a picture portfolio of your outfits and their variations so they are always at your fingertips.

Challenge 52-3

I'm all about making things easy on yourself, and sometimes that takes a little prep work up front. It seems counter-productive, but it all works out in the end.

This week's challenge: Plan a week's worth (or more if you're so inclined) of healthy meals, including lunch, breakfasts and snacks. Then schedule a time to grocery shop for these meals. It doesn't have to be for this week...just do the planning before your next shopping trip. If you already do this, why don't you plan something different for the week instead of your old stand-by meals?

And share some of your plans! I always love to get some fresh ideas!

Challenge 52-2

I forgot to post this yesterday. That seems to be a common issue these days. I'm going to write a few of these and schedule them to post on Mondays so I don't forget again.

Last week's challenge was to make an inspiration board of sorts to help you keep your year's focus nearby. I'm going to stick with my Wordle. I'll even get it printed out tonight to put in front of the treadmill.

I know we spent most of the first week of the year looking forward, but I think it's important to remember the past as well. So, this week's challenge is to spend some time looking back. Whether that's looking at old pictures of your family, flipping through a scrapbook or just thinking about your old self, focus on what has made you who you are, both good and bad. Use that time to solidify the goals you have for this year.

Challenge Time!

I am all for a challenge, so I'm going to give it a try from the other side of things. I'm going to create a weekly challenge...something simple to complete during the week that relates to your home, your heart or your health. I'll try to rotate through these areas so that we hit each at least once a month. There aren't any prizes...unless I am feeling especially generous :)

For Week 1, your challenge is this:

Choose one word that will guide your year and create some way to focus on this on a regular basis...a collage, a framed picture, a quote, etc. Spend some time thinking about this and making it meaningful to you.

I'll post what I come up with later this week.