Hello New Life!

I am starting a new life today.  I have to.  I am 35 (almost 36), 30 pounds overweight, have high cholesterol, high triglycerides and am tired and moody. 

What happened to me?  I used to be so cute, happy, and fit!

Here is what happened-
3 kids, working full time, struggling with a stressful business that is bleeding us dry, running from place to place, not planning meals or planning meals for the kids and not myself, putting school, work, volunteering before myself.

This is what some moms do.  We try so hard to be everything to everyone that we run ourselves ragged and forget about what is important in life. 

My health, my husband's health, and my children's health is what is most important.  Everything else is not a priority.

The light bulb turned on at my oldest son's last doctor visit.  He is semi-active and has  just joined the swim team.  He practices 3-4 times a week and eats ok. 

The doctor is worried that he has gain 40 over the last 2 years.  He is not obese, but on the way if I don't help him. 

What did I do wrong?  I am failing him.  What example am I setting for him?  Both my husband and I are overweight, not too active, and eat terribly.  How can I expect him to be healthy if we are not?

So here I am.  I am changing my ways so that my children are healthier.  I am changing my ways so that my children are happier.  I am changing my ways so that I am healthy and alive to see my grandchildren and to live life to the fullest.

Today I am starting.  This is scary for me.  I know it will not be easy.  I have to change so much.  Becoming the person I am today involved years of letting myself go.
How do I start?

As a speech pathologist I am always setting goals for my students.  Here are mine:
Long Term Goals:
1.  More real foods in our diets.
2.  More exercise in our lives.
3.  Losing 30 pounds (my husband's and my personal goals)

The only way to achieve this is by short term goals.  I am going to focus on one change at a time.  I will stay motivated by seeing these little goals achieved. 
Short Term Goals
1.  Eating 1 fruit per day
2.  Drinking water each day
3.  Eating 1 vegetable per day.
4.  Being active for 1/2 per day ( I know it seems little, but I want it to be achievable)

Today's healthy change is offering fruit as snacks, before the kids are famished and looking to eat crap.

What are some changes that you have made to help yourself and your family become healthier? 

Tell me about your journey to a healthier family.

Spend Time With The Ones You Love

Over the past few months, my life has been touch by too many tragedies.  It is difficult to explain to my children why things happen to people we care about.  There is no rhyme or reason to events that happen in our lives. 

As I sit back to reflect on all the changes occurring in the lives around me, only one thought pops into my head.

Spend Time With The Ones You Love

How many times do we worry about not having enough, not doing enough, not being enough?  I constantly worry about keeping my children busy, active, and happy. 

Have you ever asked your children what makes them happy?

I recently asked my oldest what was his favorite part of the summer.  He replied, "Spending time with Daddy and the family."  This is after going to amusement parks, camps, out for ice cream,  movies (I can go on- my kids have had an AMAZING summer....)

So I guess my point is, on the rainy Sunday afternoon, to spend time with your family.  Do something or do nothing.  Just pass some time together and savor the moment.  Life is so unpredictable these days, don't let it pass you by without taking the time to enjoy your loved ones.