A little a bit of this, a little bit of that

Portrait of me by kindergartener Abby

It has been a month and a half since I left my full time job. As soon as the job ended I knew that I had made the right choice. I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders and even though I didn't have full time work lined up, I was feeling confident, excited and optimistic for what lay ahead. And what that was I had no idea. I planned on piecing together work that made me happy and helped to pay the bills. Just as the saying goes, "Variety is the spice of life!"

Now, forty five days later I am doing well, keeping myself busy with a variety of different jobs. I am working at an after school program with middle school students, cleaning houses and substitute teaching. My favorite by far is being a substitute teacher. I have been lucky enough to have plenty of work and be working in an awesome local elementary school. I gotten to sub as a classroom teacher, as a para-educator and as a one on one support staff. The one thing I can say, even though I haven't been doing this that long.. is that I LOVE IT! The days are long and sometimes stressful, but working with kids makes me so happy. Does this mean I am one step closer to figuring out the rest of my life.. maybe? But you'll just have to stay tuned to find out!

Photo from: www.collegeswimming.com

www.beachbody.com

In other aspects of my life I am also trying to increase the amount of variety, namely in what I am doing for exercise. Not only am I continuing to run (and kicking ass at it I may add), but I am adding in biking inside on my trainer, PiYo and kettlebell workouts and I have joined a Master's Swim Team. I think the most beneficial workouts for me this winter are going to be the PiYo (a workout DVD program)  is a mix of pilates and yoga. It should help me increase my flexibility, strength and will hopefully help me loosen up my muscles more. The other exercise that I already know is beneficial is the Master's Swim Team I joined at Norwich University. Practices are 4 days a week (1.5 hours long), but you just go as little or as much as you can. So far it has been awesome. Even though it is pretty laid back I find myself pushing hard to keep up with the other swimmers. When I push hard, I improve. Even though I have only been swimming a few days a week I (as well as my coach) as already seen improvement.

Yes, I do still have lazy days and am learning that with my new crazy work (and commuting) schedule, that I need to start waking up earlier to get my workouts in before I head off to school rather than waiting to do them in the evenings. I'm also setting goals for winter that will hopefully keep me on track during the cold winter months. Unlike last winter, I no longer live near my old running group and haven't found a new crew of runners in my new town to team up with.

We all know it!

My health and fitness goals for winter include:

The mountains are calling!

• Go to Master's Swim Team pracitce at least 2 days a week
• Complete the PiYo Program
• Hop on the bike at least 2 days a week (for 45 minutes minimum)
• Run at a minimum 2 days a week
• Sign up for one race each month to keep me moving (5k, 10k or half marathon)
• Get out and enjoy winter! Tele ski, XC ski, snowshoe, sled as much as possible!
• Continue to eat healthy foods
• Enjoy holiday sweets and treats, but only in moderation
• Do not gain weight!

It may seem like a hefty number of goals, but they are all pretty common sense and very attainable. With these goals I should be able to keep myself on track and in race shape. And, since I am renewing my goal of running a marathon next year, staying in shape through the winter is not only important, it is imperative. Plus, winter is one of the most fun times of year! If I want to tear up the slopes this winter (and not pay for it the next day) I need to get my legs, core and back ready now! So, here's to a kick ass winter of health, fitness and happiness!!

Taking Risks

 In my pursuit of being fit, healthy and happy I have learned pay close attention to that feeling deep down in your stomach. You know the feeling. The one that warns you when something isn't right or something is off. That feeling isn't only there as a warning sign, it can also let you know when you're making a good decision or something is going well.

the "queen of compost" no more.

I recently had a feeling like this and because of it I made a decision that has changed my life. After 5 years of working at the my job I quit my job. To many people that doesn't really sound like taking a risk, but for me it was necessary for my health and well-being. To clarify a bit, I gave two weeks notice at my job without having a new job to go to, or more honestly a plan.

Was I sad to leave my job? Absolutely. But when you get to the point where you struggle to get up on time and dread Sunday nights you know it is time to take a leap of faith and make a change. I know my sudden leave from the organization wasn't optimal. I would have liked to wait out the school year or plan my departure with plenty of time for the organization to find my replacement and possibly even be able to train that person.

But at the point I had reached, one more week or two would have been detrimental to my health. I know it might sound like a huge overreaction, but anyone who has outlived a job knows what I mean. I was becoming that co-worker with the gray cloud above their head and who was a downer and nay-Sayer in situations that are supposed to be productive such as staff meetings, brainstorming sessions, etc. My negativity was starting to affect the organization and my co-workers. The fact that I realized that and took myself out of the equation was (I am hoping) the best for all of us.

The question I am sure you are asking is, what am I doing now or "how's retirement" (which is my newest favorite way of asking what on earth I am doing with my time). The short answer... figuring out what to do with my life!

So many people who I've talked to say that they are still trying to figure out what to do when they grow up also. It doesn't matter if they are 65, 45, 25 or even 85. We are all on a path to figure out who we are and what our dream job/career is. What are we here (on this Earth to do)? Many of us don't ever take that leap and take a chance to take the time to figure it out. Let me tell you, I don't have the financially security to really take time to figure things out. I am mashing together part time work like it's my job (hahaha.. I crack myself up!). Do I have small melt-downs? Yes. Am I wildly optimistic that things will be okay? Yes (which is very new for me I might add).

nothing like kayaking in Maine to soothe the soul!

I do believe in the American Dream. And no, I don't mean the big house, 2.5 kids, 2 cars, blah blah blah. I believe that I can be whatever I want to be and that I should do what makes me happy in life. As much as no one likes or wants to admit it, each and every one of us only has a certain number of days on this planet. And I'm sure as heck going to spend them doing what I love!

Now if only I knew what that was....

10 Things...

So, I get inspired at what seems like very odd times and by very odd things. A moment of inspiration for a challenge came to me today. I was on Facebook reading a post my friend AF had just put up. She said that she felt so much better about her body while she was on vacation. She wore a bikini and loved how she looked and felt. When she came home she started to feel worse about herself, nit-pick and obsess over the scale and the reflection she saw in the mirror. All this - even though she weighed exactly what she did on vacation. But, instead of getting down and depressed about it, she decided to take a huge step and not step on the scale all summer! She is going to hide it and go by how she feels, not by a number on the scale. I love this idea! And completely applaud her for challenging herself to throw the scale away!

I would love to take part in this challenge - I need to take part in this challenge, although for me it may start with baby steps. I'll start with a week. I will not step on the scale until next Friday - June 6th! And since this is in writing, and on the internet for all to see - it is pretty official! Hopefully by June 6th I won't feel the need to step on the scale. If that is the case, whoot whoot!

Ugh, my feet are so ugly!

I am completely and utterly guilty of this. I hate my legs, I hate my stomach, my butt is fat, I hate my face, I have a big nose. At times in my life I have been very mean to myself. I have criticized myself for the way I look or my weight. Over the past few years, what I've learned about body shaming is that even if you are trying to lose weight or get in shape, even if you are eating healthy and exercising - if you are mentally beating yourself up and telling yourself negative things, you won't lose the weight. When I lost 25 pounds last year I was positive about my journey. I set a goal (to complete a triathlon) and worked towards it. Yes, I weighed myself every now and then, but I didn't set out to lose weight because I thought I was fat. I set out to live a healthier life and finish that triathlon I signed up for. I was excited about being outside, running, biking and swimming. I enjoyed trying new recipes and eating healthy. The bonus in all that was that I lost weight! But, that it is what it was, a bonus, not the focus.

I still catch myself thinking negative thoughts about my body. We all have bad days. But what I have learned is that to make change you have to think positively and you have to be kind to yourself.

The List

So, back to my inspiration today. I got inspired to challenge myself and my friends on Facebook to write a list of 10 things they love about themselves. The first time I did this was only within the last month. I was having a bad day, was down about my life, being sick, my job, etc. To help get myself out of that rut I made myself think of and write down 10 things I loved about me and made sure that it wasn't completely focused on my body.And you know what? It helped pull me out of my funk that day - it put me in a better mood.

Here are my 2 lists: 

But, why stop at just things you love about yourself. What about your friends, your family, your home? Here is a 5 day challenge for you (don't worry, I am going to do this as well):

10 Things 5-Day Challenge: 

Day 1: Write down 10 things you love about yourself

Day 2: Write 10 things you like/love about a friend (and share them with that friend).

Day 3: Write 10 things you like/love about your home. This can be your actual apartment, house or your town or even state.

Day 4: Write 10 things you like/love about your family (immediate or extended).

Day 5: Write 10 things you like/love about the world.

How do you feel after writing each list? How do you feel at the end of the week? I hope you feel happier and more positive about life. It is easy to get overwhelmed and feel down about things. But during the hard times remember - "this too shall pass", "it could always be worse" and "it might be a bad day, not a bad life".

  So take a deep breath, smile and put one foot in front of the other!