Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Keeping it Real

My younger daughter features posts on goals and gratitude regularly on her blog, The Good Things Comin. I think they are some of my favorite posts that she writes. 

The Good Things Comin
I know many people make resolutions for the upcoming year at New Year's. 

I don't. 

I have, in the past. When I was much younger. 

They never worked out. 

There are no magical properties to New Year's Eve that is going to make you stick to a goal, just because you announce it at midnight. 

That's silly. 

However, there are things I'd like to do in 2016 to improve my life. Many of them are things I had hoped to improve in my life in 2015, but ironically life got in the way. 

I feel like I have only so much space in my head. If I have a lot of craziness going on in my life I can only focus on the craziness and nothing additional. Unfortunately sometimes that means letting some things slip into the cracks while I focus on whatever is most pressing at the moment. 

In the start of 2015 that was very much packing, hoping, dreaming, planning. And more packing. 

Did I mention packing?

In Spring and Summer my focus was moving, unpacking, settling, and nesting. 

And gardening. Always gardening. 

Priorities, you know. 

In fall I was still gardening and nesting and dreaming of the holidays in my new home. And I finally finished unpacking and settling in and felt like I had a minute to breathe and actually enjoy my new home. 

And now we are at the close of the year and I'm thinking forward to 2016 and starting a new year in my new home. 

With no packing or unpacking to do.

May I just say.....YAYYYYYYYYYY!!!

Now I can focus on me again for a little while and get back on track. 

It's been wonderful settling into my new home and one of the big ways I 'nest' is by cooking. I love to cook, and I love food. 

Deconstructed Lasagna
But sometimes I have to back it down a notch when I start gaining a few pounds. 

I'm at that point now so in the new year I need to get back on track. A few more greens, more salads. 

A little less cheese. A smidgen less chocolate. 

I'm a big fan of Weight Watchers and whenever I need to lose a few pounds I always go back to my WW. They have a new program now that Oprah's involved that focuses more on being healthy and making the right choices in your life rather than on a number on the scale. 

Weight Watchers - Beyond the Scale
That's really what I want. A healthier me. 

I know the old adage is true - whatever you put into your body is what you get out of your body. In summertime it's very easy - I shop at the local farmer's market and in the veggie garden. That's where all meal planning begins - what's in season? What's ripe and ready? What needs to be used now?


In winter it's tougher - as the holidays approach it's easy to 'fall off the wagon' and enjoy more treats and comfort foods. 

I believe in "everything in moderation" and the 80/20 rule, where 80% of the time I make healthy choices and 20% of the time I allow myself a splurge. 

I just need to get back to that point. I'm comfortable at that point. 

What goes hand in hand with that "better me" goal? Incorporating more movement into my days. I'm great on the weekends, I'm constantly on the go. I easily get my 10,000 steps. But during the week I'm sitting at my desk and plugging away at work and there are days I don't get up from my desk for hours. 

I used to have a wonderful, dear friend who worked with me, in the office upstairs. We spent a lot of time together in the short time she worked here and lived in the area. One of the ways we incorporated more exercise into our day was to set an alarm on the phone and every hour meet up to "walk the building." We would go up a flight of stairs at the west end of the building, walk to the east end of the building, up another flight of stairs, to the other end, etc....The building is only 4 stories high but quite long so it wasn't overwhelming, just took a few minutes each hour, and we felt better. And I easily got my steps in every day. 

I need to bring it back. Too bad I'll be doing it alone. 

I miss my dear friend. And not just for our walks. 

Another area in my life that needs help is being more organized with paperwork. I have always, ALWAYS been a disaster with paperwork. I absolutely hate it. I deal with it all day at work and the very last thing I want to do when I come home is deal with paperwork at home. 

It's not the bill paying that's a problem - I do that online, automatically. Easy peasy. 

I like easy peasy. 

It's the sorting and then filing. I hate it. Despise it. Detest it. 

Currently I have a ginormous stack of papers that need to be sorted and filed. 

And a tiny itty bitty office area that does not inspire me in one way to spend any time sitting there sorting papers. 


Yeah, see? What exactly about this space would EVER make you want to spend any time there? 

And this is an improvement over the way it was when I bought the house. It just isn't finished yet. 

So improving the office is on the list. Making it somewhere I wouldn't mind sitting for an hour here and there to stay on top of the filing. 

Once the office is done? I'll get to work filing the mountain of papers. 

I'm getting nauseous just thinking about it. 

Those are the things that are on the top of my goals for 2016. Not too much to handle, and my life will feel 'smoother' when I get them under control. 

There are, of course, a million other items I could list that need to be improved in my home, office, life....but let's not get crazy here. 

One thing at a time. 

Let's keep it easy peasy. 
















33 comments:

  1. After school years ago, a bunch of us would walk the halls together. I had completely forgotten about that until I read your post! Everyone else has retired or moved on, but there's no reason I can't do that by myself now. Thanks for the good idea!

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    1. We can do it "together" but in our separate work spaces, Mimi!! I'm going to start setting the hourly alarm on my phone again. That really worked!

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  2. I need to get in shape and eat better. Each year I say I am going to do that and be more regular with my meditation practice. Never happens. Maybe this is the year. Maybe! :-)

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    1. Ahhhh it's getting tougher each year, isn't it, Kim? I have never been able to meditate. I can't shut off my brain. Wish I could! This is the year - let's do it!! :)

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  3. Such good ideas for being both healthy and in shape! And I agree with you about the paperwork too....have been putting off doing some myself. Thanks for visiting me, it is great to find your lovely blog....Will be over here again soon to read more :)
    Helen xox

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    1. Helen, thanks for stopping by!! I adore your blog and you are an absolute creative wizard - I was mesmerized by some of the gorgeous things you showed on your blog! Have a very happy New Year!

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  4. I don't make New Year's resolutions either, but I do like looking ahead to a new year and making some plans and goals.

    I love to cook (and eat!), too and I agree that Weight Watchers is a great, healthy program if you need to lose weight. I've been on it twice in my life - both a long time ago. I lost weight and kept it off both times. However, I just have to tell you that I'm now at my lowest weight I've been since before I had kids - yes, even through menopause. Instead of "dieting", I now eat extremely healthy. I do the clean eating thing and rarely eat junk. Gave up sugar last April, so when I do bake now (rarely), I use recipes that have pure maple syrup or honey in them. I read labels on every food product I buy and totally avoid things like high fructose corn syrup, any hydrogenated oils, food colorings, nitrates and nitrites, MSG, excess sodium, carageenan, or anything I can't pronounce. ;-) I know exercise is really important, too - and I do need to "up my game" in this area. I walk during nice weather and I practice yoga, too.

    I'm with you on the paperwork and filing - absolutely hate it - and admittedly, I have piles to be filed in the basement. Out of sight, out of mind. But God forbid I ever have to find a piece of paper I need!

    I didn't know your daughter had a blog - I'll definitely check it out! Love, blessings, and good health in the coming new year. xoxo

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    1. I actually tried the clean eating thing for a while, too - and in theory it's wonderful but in reality it's extremely hard to keep up long term! I first tried it after finding Lisa's blog, 100 Days of Real Food - what an amazing challenge and really opened my eyes to the things we put in our bodies! I do try to eat "whole" foods and clean for the most part but when I'm dining out I'm not as stringent. And we tend to dine out 2 - 3 times a week with our busy social calendar! But you are totally right and I'm going to work backwards to a cleaner diet again. Thanks for the reminder, Melanie!!

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  5. I don't make resolutions either. Always seemed kind of silly to me. Sometimes I do choose a word though. I hate paperwork too. I'm generally pretty neat, but I let that stuff pile up. I don't think there's any way to make it fun. Oprah joining WW is going to make them a fortune.
    Brenda

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    1. I know....I wish I had bought stock in WW before Oprah joined!!

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  6. I do make resolutions...cause I am perfect.LOL...no way is that true... I pray on being better all the time. I love that you garden. It's so nice to see something you plant, grow into a flower ,or veggie, or tree. Getting healthy is much more important than one's weight. Although too much weight isn't so healthy. I would love to eat more whole foods...less processed things. I am wishing you a peaceful healthy New Year. xoxo,Susie

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    1. Ha ha - it must be nice to be perfect, Susie!! :) Happy New Year to you!

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  7. Being healthier is always a great goal! I'm trying to get there, too. We don't keep a scale around and that is a good thing. Happy New Year!

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    1. I keep my scale hidden and drag it out once a week....except I left it hidden all month through the holidays and now I'm going to pay for it. Yikes!! Happy New Year, Linda!

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  8. My husband and I want to get healthier and exercise more. We both have problems with our knees, backs and feet (arthritis is setting in everywhere) but still try to get out and walk our dog.

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    1. It's not always easy, is it Debbie? Baby steps....baby steps. Happy New Year!

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  9. Oh boy, we're going to be moving this summer and already have begun the process of looking over our home and planning what to pack . Beginning next week I'll be tackling one room at a time to see what can be packed, what needs to be sold, etc. BUT, the most dreaded chore for me is going through all the paperwork. YIKES ! I completely know and understand that chore. That and sorting and organizing about 15 years of photographs. I think the 10 pounds I need to lose will come off easily once I begin the physical work required for al the tasks looming over me. ( At least I'll be telling myself that as added inspiration.)

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    1. I thought I'd lose the 10 lbs I wanted to lose when I was packing/moving....instead I "nested" and gained another ten - oh boy!! It's time to go back to my healthier lifestyle...starting now. Happy New Year, Kathy!

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  10. I had NO idea your daughter had a blog. I just subscribed to it. I love it so far! YAY :)

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    1. I had a feeling the two of you would like each other's blogs - I've sent her stuff from your blog in the past, also! Happy New Year, Ellen!!

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  11. This was a great post. I think just trying to be healthier and changing things to fit your style and life are a great idea. I think if you find things that you love and can incorporate into your day like your walks at work every hour are a great way to stick with something healthy and good. This was a great inspiration post to read today. Happy New Year my friend. Let's all get a little better in 2016!!!
    Kris

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    1. I used to go for long, long walks around the country roads in my area, Kris - and then I got divorced and my whole life changed and somehow I lost that. I'd like to get back on track with my walks - they were such a great time of contemplation for me and I felt healthier than ever. Happy New Year, my sweet friend!! May 2016 be a wonderful year for you and your hubby!

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  12. Oh I wish I was there to help you file that paperwork! I love filing paper work. Is that odd?

    Here's to a happy New Year!
    karianne

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  13. If you want to lose weight read Dr. Davis's book Wheat Belly Total Health. He explains how whole grains raise blood sugar levels which contribute to weight gain and diabetes. The food pyramid is backwards. Healthy fats are not fattening. Both my husband and I eat a high healthy fat low carb diet. We lost weight effortlessly. We eat full fat dairy products yes full fat cheese! Fat is not the problem. Do you know that low fat food is high sugar food? Both my husband and I are living proof this way of eating is both healthy and a great way to loose weight and keep it off.

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    1. Thanks - I'm going to have to check that out! Is it similar to the Atkins Diet?

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    2. It is better than the Atkins diet.

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  14. Best Wishes on your goals for 2016! I am setting a goal to lose 10 lbs. by valentines Day. I have gained 20 since my wedding last year...Yikes! Happy New Year to you and your family :)

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    1. Good luck to you, Karen - I'd love to lost 10 lbs by Valentine's Day!! Good goal!

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  15. I like to set goals for the new year, they really helped me last year.
    I tend to go into a little post Christmas funk, and having some things in my pipeline give me hope and inspire me. This year it is going back to living plain and simple and incorporating the farmer that lives within me:)
    Wishing you the best of 2016 I hope it is overflowing with all of the really good things and so much love and laughter that you say this is enough!
    xoxo
    Jemma

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    1. A simpler life sounds wonderful, Jemma - I think we all would like to be able to live a little more simply. Great goal - I love it. Happy New Year to you, my sweet friend - xoxo

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  16. Thanks for the feature mama, love you xoxox

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