Self Care - Update

I mentioned in this post that I had been wanting to get moving more and make good choices about what I am eating.  I have been out walking at least twice a week and have been doing more on other days like getting in to the garden.  In a grocery shop a while back I bought some chia seeds and intended to use the excess of spinach that we had growing in the garden for some green smoothies.  I have pinned a number of recipes and ideas.  Another never got around to it idea.  But now I have.  I bought some more spinach and did what is suggested, make up packs to have in the freezer ready to go.  I kept it pretty simple - banana, spinach and berries.  I just add yoghurt, chia seeds and a little milk and I am good to go.  Amazing how just one little thing can get you on to something good.

Taking time to organise saves you time.

Getting moving

Over a year ago I took this photo.  It was my starting point of getting moving.  To be more active. And that is as far as it got.  It was for a post here on my blog and an attempt to get motivated.   But, exercise is far down my list in terms of things I enjoy most so it doesn't get high priority.  And those shoes just got worn out and the story didn't get told.

Switch to now.   It continues to play on my mind.  And the reminder is there when I look in the mirror.  I would like to lose some of the kilos that have hung about since having children.  But more than that it is about feeling fitter.  My energy levels have been low and it's not just to do with low iron.  So what to do?  Well last week my day began like any other.  I dropped the kids at school and mentally went through my list of what I wanted to get done.  Exercise is always there but usually hits the bottom.  As I walked out the gate I bumped into a friend who was in her exercise gear and off for a run.  She will probably never know but it sparked something in me.  I wanted to do it to.  So as I started my to do's in town I found drawn to the exercise gear and picked out something for me.  And so it begins.  Instead of driving home I headed to the walkway and went for a walk.  And it was great.  I enjoyed it.  It starts when you find what works for you.  You won't catch me running but I like to walk and bike.  That's where I am starting.  You might like to know that since then I haven't got out again.  My kids have been sick and I haven't been out.  I was starting to worry when I read this post from Cathy Zielske.  She shares life about moving more and eating less and what that looks like for her.  It's real.  It wasn't so much what she said but also reading the comments from other readers. Sometimes instead of making big goals we have to set little ones.  

It has motivated me.  Setting a habit takes time.  It won't happen overnight but it will happen.  While I am waiting I won't stress about it.  Just keep living.

enough said

It has taken some time for me to get to this point.  A dream has been building that is bigger than me.  It started last week as I had the opportunity to share some of that dream.  

I have heard it said that in order to be successful we need to prioritise what is truly important. Most Christians would say that they choose God as number one in their lives. I have come to realise that as William P Young writes in his book 'The Shack” the trouble with priorities is that it sees everything as a hierachy...you put God at the top... what does that mean and how much is enough? How much time will you give him before you can go about the rest of your day, the part that interests you the most. He doesn't want a part of us and a piece of our life. He simply wants us.

So I made a start with the ladies that I shared with.  So it continues. I hope you will join me as I unpack the equation and find what is enough for you.

Check here for each of the posts
I am enough 
I have enough 
I do enough
Plus one
To the power of three

Feeling guilty

I have been absent of late as I mentioned in this post I have been working mainly on clearing my pile of to do's. In doing so I have been reflecting on the big G - guilt. It has been lurking there and as I do got to thinking. Heres what I came up with.

I began thinking about guilt when I came across a video from Cheryl Richardson talking to 'supermoms' about how to say no. The number one reason we can't say no is because we feel guilty. She says that in feeling guilty we should embrace the guilt as our friend because it means we are doing something for ourselves.

Every day I make decisions about what I am going to do. And whatever I choose to do I generally end up feeling guilty because someone misses out or I do something that I could be doing better. And that is not okay. So I have made a decision. I will not feel guilty. Sounds great but is it that easy? In short no it's not. What you need to do is start small. With one step. I like to remind myself that I can do what I can with what I have. And we are so good at thinking about what we don't have and what we aren't doing. Start thinking about what you are doing and have done that is making a difference. You might be surprised at how much it boosts you.

John 10:10b 'I have come that they may have life and have it to the full'. Whatever I choose to do I want to enjoy it not be constantly thinking about what else I could or feel I should be doing.

Wardrobe sort

The weather is definitely changing and I am digging out some of my favourites from the wardrobe to keep warm. In doing so I found a few not so favourites and thought it was time I had another look at my wardrobe to see what needs to move on and what I do have to wear. I am definitely an advocate for feeling better when you look your best. While I don't have much chances to dress up and love being comfortable, dressing casually doesn't mean you can't look good I have always been a fan of Trinny and Susannah and other shows like Gok. What I love about their shows is that they deal with the real you. Loving the skin you're in so to speak. No surgery or major dieting required. Having stumbled across a book called Colour me Confident on special about dressing to suit your style and colours I put what I had seen to the test and sorted my wardrobe. Sure you can pay loads to have your own personal consultant but it gave me a start. Now I love to shop as I know what suits me. I know what I have and buy things to add to what I've got. Which is great for when there are sales. Which is exactly what I found the last couple of days. I happened to be at the right place at the right time. 30% off one top that I had seen and liked elsewhere and 25% at another store. Now if I could just find the right pair of black shoes to replace the ones the puppy chewed I will be happy. The pain about having such big feet!

If you are feeling like you don't have anything to wear maybe its time you had a look at what you've got. It starts with accepting what you look like and making something of it. Sometimes adding a few simple things to your wardrobe can make all the difference. And the next time you see someone looking good in something don't be jealous, get inspired. You might not be able to wear what they wear (you're not them) but what was it that caught your eye? The colour, the way they put their outfit together, the accessories. It certainly has made a difference to me. And others have noticed to. Accentuate your assets and they don't see the flaws (and yes we all have them). And remember that your biggest asset is not what you look like but what is on the inside. But that is another story I will get to another time.

I would love to hear your story. Leave a comment or email me at the address to the right.

Some time for myself

Had some much needed time out to get my haircut today. It is one of the things that you really can't do with children about, but feels so much better especially when it is overdue. As much as I would love to spoil myself and get a colour and spend some time at the hairdressers. For some people this is the perfect treat and a must do. I don't have that time luxury and like to spend the money on other things. So it was off to Just Cuts which is fab as you don't need an appointment. The only downside is you can't guarantee you will get the same stylist each time. I get around this by having pictures ready either from magazines or from the web of what I am wanting. I now just need to do the dye (which I can sometimes get Mum to do when I see her). The products are relatively easy to use. There are other great money saver ideas if you know where to find them. Like hairdressing school (money saver), dye your main colour and get your hairdresser to add highlights (money saver), asking whether your hairdresser will put your colour in and then you go home and rinse out yourself (time saver). How do you get your hair done?