Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Embrace who you are
It's officially spring, but we'll blink and summer will be here. And that means, we'll be cleaning off the barbies for hot dogs and burgers. We'll be lathering on loads of sunscreen, blending smoothies, and wiping off watermelon from our kids' faces. Some of you (over-achievers) are already thinking ahead to Fourth of July parties, summer vacations, and a ton of fun family picnics. Baseball fans are getting out there gloves as well, ready for an exciting MLB season to begin.
But let's be honest, some of us are freaking out about every swimsuit sale in our inboxes. We love the pool but we're beginning to realize that our New Year's diet plan has not been quite as successful as we'd hoped. The truth is, we're gonna have to put on a swimsuit sooner than we'd like because the kids will be begging us to jump into the pool; plus, it's gonna be hotter than Hades here in the IE before we know it.
Maybe you're not a pool person, so a bathing suit hunt isn't bugging you. For you, it's those cute floral shorts you were hoping to squeeze into, finally. But they're still a little bit tighter than you remembered them from last summer. Or that little black dress that zips up to your lower waist with the cute ribbon at the end of the zipper, remember that one?
But don't despair cuz I'm here to encourage you! I've recently lost a little weight without following any kind of New Year's resolution. I care about the issue of body image in terms of health, but it doesn't run my life (do you know what I mean?). I haven't owned a scale for the past fifteen years; nor have I counted calories. I simply don't obsess about how much I weigh because my goal is muscle mass and fat reduction instead of a silly three digit number.
I think our culture totally overdoes the body image myth most of the time. First off, they tell you that you'll be happier if you're so skinny that you can't eat any of the foods you actually love. That just doesn't make sense. Second, most ads tell you that you can be a mom and wear a size one, which isn't usually the case either. Don't you find it refreshing when an advertisement uses a mom who actually looks like she's had a few kids?
So here's my secret: I like to keep it super simple. Let me explain with three basic steps. First, moderate the amount of food that you eat. Don't ditch the ones you looooooove. Just eat half as much of them. If you crave steak and mashed potatoes, eat half of the amount of buttery potatoes (try for low-fat butter and use less salt too). And go for steamed carrots or broccoli as an additional side so you feel full.
Snack on the good stuff between meals. Grab some lightly salted almonds or a handful of craisins instead of chips. Then reward yourself with frozen yogurt at the end of the day and make tasty protein-filled smoothies after workouts. If you crave a candy bar, split it into thirds and share with a few friends instead of eating the whole thing yourself. This way, you never feel starved. And you don't feel deprived of the good stuff either.
Second, be reasonable! Try to exercise five times per week but don't overdo it. I like to record my workouts every month so I can look back and see my progress (jog, cycle, walk, step class, etc). I see so much consistency that I want to do more the following month. But here's my main advice about moderation: let it all count! Go for a ten minute jog and record it on your calendar. And write down the fun stuff too, like fifteen minutes out on the trampoline with the kiddos or twenty minutes of soccer in the backyard.
I used to think a work-out only counted if it was an hour or two at the gym. But then I'd skip working out altogether, since I didn't have enough time. And that's where most people despair. They start out strong, like "I'm gonna exercise for ninety minutes every day for the next three months." But when shin splints set in two weeks later and sore muscles aren't recovered, they give up their unrealistic goals. Instead, shoot for ten minutes of moderate exercise five days per week for a couple of weeks. Then up it to twenty the following week.
Third, know who you are! No matter your age, weight, or skin color, you're gonna have to declare your self worth from the inside out. Some people actually feel they aren't pretty enough, tall enough, tan enough or something else "enough" to be lovable. And it boggles my mind that many top models are included in that depressed category. So many of us need a new identity! And that starts with the surrender of your heart, body, and mind to a new voice of hope and acceptance.
You may feel like you're not good enough, but the truth is, you are really great the way you are. It's not wrong to aim for balanced health goals, but make sure you're doing it for yourself and not for someone else who might never be impressed anyways. That's the wrong objective! Change who you are because you want to embody a healthier lifestyle and a happier you! You don't owe that to anyone else. Once you feel worthy enough, the changes will come naturally.
You might think that your thighs are unseemly because they're too big after three kids or that those stretch marks need to be forever covered up with a one piece suit. But I'm here to remind you that you're awesome the way you are because you brought little precious babies into this world. That's a huge accomplishment.
You are incredibly valuable and you matter to God and to me. You aren't too ugly, too fat, too skinny, or too odd-looking to find peace and happiness. I know I can't prove that to you unless you first choose to believe it from the inside of your heart. But when you do, you'll start to see a different person in the mirror as well. And I believe you'll begin to embrace health with more enthusiasm along the way. With a few mindset adjustments, we'll all be longing for summer instead of dreading its arrival.
Remember that your self worth doesn't have to come from other people's accolades of your physical beauty. Let them see your emotional and spiritual strengths as well, which are based upon things that really matter, like the values inside your heart. Keeping it real. We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts here. :)
But let's be honest, some of us are freaking out about every swimsuit sale in our inboxes. We love the pool but we're beginning to realize that our New Year's diet plan has not been quite as successful as we'd hoped. The truth is, we're gonna have to put on a swimsuit sooner than we'd like because the kids will be begging us to jump into the pool; plus, it's gonna be hotter than Hades here in the IE before we know it.
Maybe you're not a pool person, so a bathing suit hunt isn't bugging you. For you, it's those cute floral shorts you were hoping to squeeze into, finally. But they're still a little bit tighter than you remembered them from last summer. Or that little black dress that zips up to your lower waist with the cute ribbon at the end of the zipper, remember that one?
But don't despair cuz I'm here to encourage you! I've recently lost a little weight without following any kind of New Year's resolution. I care about the issue of body image in terms of health, but it doesn't run my life (do you know what I mean?). I haven't owned a scale for the past fifteen years; nor have I counted calories. I simply don't obsess about how much I weigh because my goal is muscle mass and fat reduction instead of a silly three digit number.
I think our culture totally overdoes the body image myth most of the time. First off, they tell you that you'll be happier if you're so skinny that you can't eat any of the foods you actually love. That just doesn't make sense. Second, most ads tell you that you can be a mom and wear a size one, which isn't usually the case either. Don't you find it refreshing when an advertisement uses a mom who actually looks like she's had a few kids?
So here's my secret: I like to keep it super simple. Let me explain with three basic steps. First, moderate the amount of food that you eat. Don't ditch the ones you looooooove. Just eat half as much of them. If you crave steak and mashed potatoes, eat half of the amount of buttery potatoes (try for low-fat butter and use less salt too). And go for steamed carrots or broccoli as an additional side so you feel full.
Snack on the good stuff between meals. Grab some lightly salted almonds or a handful of craisins instead of chips. Then reward yourself with frozen yogurt at the end of the day and make tasty protein-filled smoothies after workouts. If you crave a candy bar, split it into thirds and share with a few friends instead of eating the whole thing yourself. This way, you never feel starved. And you don't feel deprived of the good stuff either.
Second, be reasonable! Try to exercise five times per week but don't overdo it. I like to record my workouts every month so I can look back and see my progress (jog, cycle, walk, step class, etc). I see so much consistency that I want to do more the following month. But here's my main advice about moderation: let it all count! Go for a ten minute jog and record it on your calendar. And write down the fun stuff too, like fifteen minutes out on the trampoline with the kiddos or twenty minutes of soccer in the backyard.
I used to think a work-out only counted if it was an hour or two at the gym. But then I'd skip working out altogether, since I didn't have enough time. And that's where most people despair. They start out strong, like "I'm gonna exercise for ninety minutes every day for the next three months." But when shin splints set in two weeks later and sore muscles aren't recovered, they give up their unrealistic goals. Instead, shoot for ten minutes of moderate exercise five days per week for a couple of weeks. Then up it to twenty the following week.
Third, know who you are! No matter your age, weight, or skin color, you're gonna have to declare your self worth from the inside out. Some people actually feel they aren't pretty enough, tall enough, tan enough or something else "enough" to be lovable. And it boggles my mind that many top models are included in that depressed category. So many of us need a new identity! And that starts with the surrender of your heart, body, and mind to a new voice of hope and acceptance.
You may feel like you're not good enough, but the truth is, you are really great the way you are. It's not wrong to aim for balanced health goals, but make sure you're doing it for yourself and not for someone else who might never be impressed anyways. That's the wrong objective! Change who you are because you want to embody a healthier lifestyle and a happier you! You don't owe that to anyone else. Once you feel worthy enough, the changes will come naturally.
You might think that your thighs are unseemly because they're too big after three kids or that those stretch marks need to be forever covered up with a one piece suit. But I'm here to remind you that you're awesome the way you are because you brought little precious babies into this world. That's a huge accomplishment.
You are incredibly valuable and you matter to God and to me. You aren't too ugly, too fat, too skinny, or too odd-looking to find peace and happiness. I know I can't prove that to you unless you first choose to believe it from the inside of your heart. But when you do, you'll start to see a different person in the mirror as well. And I believe you'll begin to embrace health with more enthusiasm along the way. With a few mindset adjustments, we'll all be longing for summer instead of dreading its arrival.
Remember that your self worth doesn't have to come from other people's accolades of your physical beauty. Let them see your emotional and spiritual strengths as well, which are based upon things that really matter, like the values inside your heart. Keeping it real. We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts here. :)
Labels: body image, self esteem, summer
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Summer
Popsicles. Watermelon. Sunshine. Water. Pools. Ocean. Sand. Ice-cream. Parks. Library. Botanic Gardens. Swimming. Sunscreen. Sunburns. Smiles. Blossoms: roses, lantana, red-apple. Vacation. Theme-parks: Sea World, the Zoo, the Wild Animal Park. Movies: How to Train Your Dragon, Toy Story 3, Despicable Me. Computer-games: PBS Kids, Qubo, Lego.com. Trampoline. Playset. Games: Monopoly, Sorry, Scrabble. Tank-tops. Shorts. Flip-flops. Parties. Balloons. Hot-dogs. Pizza. Iced-tea. Day-dreams. Novels. Coloring. Grammy-visits. Cloud-gazing. Long walks. Bike-rides. More ice-cream. More posicles. More watermelon. Three more weeks. Enjoy!
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Some Spending Money for Vacay
So, here we are in May...already. Can you believe it? That means that summer vacation is quickly approaching. If your family is anything like mine, you love to spend money on vacation. But, because of all of our other monthly expenses, from the kids' spring clothes to gear for all the extra-curriculars, we haven't had the chance to save a bunch of spending money for our upcoming vacation. So, here's how to tackle this dilemma.
First, you need some motivation. Picture your family sipping tasty frapps near the beach. Later, you sit with that new book you bought at that fun bookstore near the timeshare resort in a lounge-chair by the pool. Your kids pine for ice cream each day to battle the hot summer sun; you don't want to pass up Golden Spoon or Coldstone either. So, go ahead and upgrade to the large cup because you've got the cash in hand. Those amazing dinners to Sammy's Woodfire Pizza and Olive Garden should motivate you as well.
So, let's get saving. Here are four ideas to get you started on your family's plan:
First, take your recycled items to a nearby recycling center. Instead of dumping the plastics and cardboard into the blue bin in your own side-yard (that you pay for), go and get some green for them instead. It's easy to get lazy with those soda or water bottles from the car since you just want to toss them right there at the gas station. But, hang on to them for a few more weeks or months and let your cash-pile increase.
Second, peruse your garage for some stuff you no longer want or need. If you have enough junk for a garage sale, then slot out an upcoming weekend and get planning. Depending on your collection habits, this could easily net you between $200-$500. If it's not a family heirloom and you haven't used it within the past one or two years, you're probably ready to sell it to someone else. That old dresser that's collected dust for the past six months might just be ready to move into a neighbor's house as well. Why keep it if you don't use it and you could get some mula for your vacay?
If you're just not in to the garage sale thing, then find five to ten bigger items and list them on Craigslist.org or PennysaverUSA.com. If you have a digital camera or a camera phone, just take a few quick shots of each item and slap them up on the web for some great results. You can even barter with other locals for some needed vacation gear. For example, your kids may no longer need the full set of Barney DVDs, so you could trade it for someone's lightly used snorkeling gear instead.
Third, stop spending so much money. Seriously, put a $20 bill in a marked envelope for the next four to six weeks and there you've got an extra $80-$120. Instead of drinking those lattes and frapps over the next month or two, think of how you'll enjoy them even more during your upcoming vacay. You could even postpone a few movie dates or some lunches out; just buy those tix and gift cards ahead of time and add them to your white "VACATION" envelope.
Fourth, if you have a job where you're able to get overtime or increased pay, go ahead and work like a dog over the next month and use that fat paycheck for the following month's relaxation on the beach. If your pay is based on a fixed salary, you could always beg your boss for a bonus, but that might make you appear desperate.
As an alternative, look into some side jobs. If you're a techy gal, offer some computer consulting online. Or, maybe you're a teacher and you could offer some private tutoring during the evenings for some neighborhood kids. Music lessons anyone? What about sewing a few baby blankets with all that extra fabric in your closet? eBay buyers would love you for it. Just remember to think creatively!
And if your kids want to save some money for vacay, they could offer to watch a neighbor's dog or cat while they're away on an earlier vacation. Or, they could offer to babysit, mow someone's lawn, or provide other types of housework.
Saving now means some fun spending later. So, get going. Carpe diem and let me know how it works out. Plus, share some of your own ideas for how to save for an upcoming vacation. We'd love to hear from you. :)
First, you need some motivation. Picture your family sipping tasty frapps near the beach. Later, you sit with that new book you bought at that fun bookstore near the timeshare resort in a lounge-chair by the pool. Your kids pine for ice cream each day to battle the hot summer sun; you don't want to pass up Golden Spoon or Coldstone either. So, go ahead and upgrade to the large cup because you've got the cash in hand. Those amazing dinners to Sammy's Woodfire Pizza and Olive Garden should motivate you as well.
So, let's get saving. Here are four ideas to get you started on your family's plan:
First, take your recycled items to a nearby recycling center. Instead of dumping the plastics and cardboard into the blue bin in your own side-yard (that you pay for), go and get some green for them instead. It's easy to get lazy with those soda or water bottles from the car since you just want to toss them right there at the gas station. But, hang on to them for a few more weeks or months and let your cash-pile increase.
Second, peruse your garage for some stuff you no longer want or need. If you have enough junk for a garage sale, then slot out an upcoming weekend and get planning. Depending on your collection habits, this could easily net you between $200-$500. If it's not a family heirloom and you haven't used it within the past one or two years, you're probably ready to sell it to someone else. That old dresser that's collected dust for the past six months might just be ready to move into a neighbor's house as well. Why keep it if you don't use it and you could get some mula for your vacay?
If you're just not in to the garage sale thing, then find five to ten bigger items and list them on Craigslist.org or PennysaverUSA.com. If you have a digital camera or a camera phone, just take a few quick shots of each item and slap them up on the web for some great results. You can even barter with other locals for some needed vacation gear. For example, your kids may no longer need the full set of Barney DVDs, so you could trade it for someone's lightly used snorkeling gear instead.
Third, stop spending so much money. Seriously, put a $20 bill in a marked envelope for the next four to six weeks and there you've got an extra $80-$120. Instead of drinking those lattes and frapps over the next month or two, think of how you'll enjoy them even more during your upcoming vacay. You could even postpone a few movie dates or some lunches out; just buy those tix and gift cards ahead of time and add them to your white "VACATION" envelope.
Fourth, if you have a job where you're able to get overtime or increased pay, go ahead and work like a dog over the next month and use that fat paycheck for the following month's relaxation on the beach. If your pay is based on a fixed salary, you could always beg your boss for a bonus, but that might make you appear desperate.
As an alternative, look into some side jobs. If you're a techy gal, offer some computer consulting online. Or, maybe you're a teacher and you could offer some private tutoring during the evenings for some neighborhood kids. Music lessons anyone? What about sewing a few baby blankets with all that extra fabric in your closet? eBay buyers would love you for it. Just remember to think creatively!
And if your kids want to save some money for vacay, they could offer to watch a neighbor's dog or cat while they're away on an earlier vacation. Or, they could offer to babysit, mow someone's lawn, or provide other types of housework.
Saving now means some fun spending later. So, get going. Carpe diem and let me know how it works out. Plus, share some of your own ideas for how to save for an upcoming vacation. We'd love to hear from you. :)
Labels: parents, summer, vacation
Friday, August 07, 2009
The Magical Forest
Have you ever walked into a forest and felt you had ventured upon the pages of your favorite book? This past weekend, I felt I had walked into C.S. Lewis' magical world of Narnia. My family and I drove up to Oak Glen for the afternoon and came upon a deserted forest. We picked some wild blackberries and our kids climbed a variety of trees. My husband and I lounged on a soft blanket while watching the children play. We took pictures and laughed under the tranquil trees that provided shade from the harsh afternoon sun.
And then, as if a black cloud had blown in from the east, a wild mountain lion raced out into the clearing. My husband jumped up and told my kids to run toward me. I made my mouth look as big as possible showing my razor-like teeth to the wild beast. Meanwhile, our kids screamed and ran toward the car. This was unwise, as the mountain lion instantly targeted them as objects of prey. My husband, who has been trained in karate, launched on top of the cat and took it down in one valiant leap. Daddy saved the day!
Just like my tall-tale, it can feel like you're living in the middle of a story sometimes. But, it's no fun when you feel like you're visiting the title page or the table of contents rather than the pages clothed with adventure and excitement. Just like the forest we came upon, life is full of daring details just waiting to be told.
Sometimes the monotony towards the end of summer gets us down. That's why we have to spice up the day with a little bit of creativity. As moms, we have to remember that real life can co-mingle with fiction. To combat the end-of-summer blues, you could set up a picnic blanket in an imaginary forest or a real one like we did, for telling stories about wild talking beasts. Perhaps you could turn the couch into a shipwreck full of fish-loving pirates. What about a bunk-bed island with imaginary palm trees, dolphins, and whales? You could even keep things cool by turning your pool into an enchanted pond full of mermaids and monsters.
If your house is getting boring, then take your kids on a hike up to Mount Rubidoux or venture out on a bike ride around Lake Perris. You could always try out Oak Glen as well. The apple pie is delicious and the imaginary mountain lions are pretty friendly too. If you're going a bit stir-crazy, as I have been, then mix it up a little and keep things fun! We'll blink and the school-year will be upon us. Just a few more weeks to go!
And then, as if a black cloud had blown in from the east, a wild mountain lion raced out into the clearing. My husband jumped up and told my kids to run toward me. I made my mouth look as big as possible showing my razor-like teeth to the wild beast. Meanwhile, our kids screamed and ran toward the car. This was unwise, as the mountain lion instantly targeted them as objects of prey. My husband, who has been trained in karate, launched on top of the cat and took it down in one valiant leap. Daddy saved the day!
Just like my tall-tale, it can feel like you're living in the middle of a story sometimes. But, it's no fun when you feel like you're visiting the title page or the table of contents rather than the pages clothed with adventure and excitement. Just like the forest we came upon, life is full of daring details just waiting to be told.
Sometimes the monotony towards the end of summer gets us down. That's why we have to spice up the day with a little bit of creativity. As moms, we have to remember that real life can co-mingle with fiction. To combat the end-of-summer blues, you could set up a picnic blanket in an imaginary forest or a real one like we did, for telling stories about wild talking beasts. Perhaps you could turn the couch into a shipwreck full of fish-loving pirates. What about a bunk-bed island with imaginary palm trees, dolphins, and whales? You could even keep things cool by turning your pool into an enchanted pond full of mermaids and monsters.
If your house is getting boring, then take your kids on a hike up to Mount Rubidoux or venture out on a bike ride around Lake Perris. You could always try out Oak Glen as well. The apple pie is delicious and the imaginary mountain lions are pretty friendly too. If you're going a bit stir-crazy, as I have been, then mix it up a little and keep things fun! We'll blink and the school-year will be upon us. Just a few more weeks to go!
Labels: kids, moms, monotony, summer
