Back to Routines

Our RV Journey – Summer Trip – Day 58

Yesterday, we began getting back to our routines with our activities. Today, I got focused on me personally – my body – my eating and exercising. I completed my individual exercises and walk, then got back to meal planning. With all of the rain, I’ve been craving soup, however due to the power loss, I’ve been unable to use my crockpot. Today I made soup on the stove as I was short on time. Sometimes it’s hard to get it all done in the morning – exercise, food shopping, preparing the meal and putting it in the crockpot! Something had to give, so I cooked the soup on the stovetop instead.  I made my taco soup. It was yummy and I was so happy to have soup in my belly again! My comfort food. Plus, I have plenty of leftovers for the rest of the week.

  ~ Happy Camper

Exercise: Creating a Routine on Vacation

I walk daily. I committed myself to this habit almost two years ago. It is challenging to maintain this routine while I'm on vacation. Our vacation has been busy, catching up with friends and family. I've learned the quickest thing to do is to create a routine for exercise as soon as possible.
We are avid campers, so we are staying at a campground. The first few days, we were so busy, I did not walk. I'm at the point with my walking where I feel uncomfortable with not exercising. I had no plan. We had not even explored the campground for me to discover a routine.
Later in the week, we finally encountered some time to investigate the campground. I found a great loop to walk daily. The next day I walked the loop twice. Just discovering a path, led me to a routine. Here are some other suggestions for incorporating an exercise routine on vacation. Staying at a hotel? Find the exercise room right away. Develop a plan and stick to it as best as you can. Try something new, if a treadmill is available, give it a try. Walk an hour a day? Find a path or beach, walk 30 minutes, then turn around and walk back. Is there a pool? Pools are frequently found in summer vacation destinations - swim laps for a change.
Explore, create a plan, develop a routine and commit to it daily.

Simple Pleasure - A Warm Bath

Good morning! I'm back on schedule! I walked all weekend. I also reconnected with a simple pleasure - a warm bath! I've decided that's a nice way to treat myself to some relaxation and wrap up the weekend. I hope to continue my warm baths on Sunday evenings and get in bed early. What a treat! I fell right to sleep and slept very well throughout the night. This morning I was awake before 6 am and out walking shortly afterwards!

Time change: Did it disrupt your schedule?

I hit a snag this past week. Was it the time change? I've been feeling great on the plan I am following. Sleeping better. Jumping right out of bed in the morning and taking my walk at 6:30 am.
The weather wasn't so great the end of last week. I missed a day of walking. I did walk in the light rain 2 days, which I probably wouldn't have done before! Just put on a light jacket with a hood and did it!
Then we had the time change. Hmmm, what happened! It's pitch black out now at 6:30 am and I am no longer jumping out of bed. I have more flexibility with the time I walk on the weekends. I will be walking Saturday & Sunday and hopefully be back on my schedule on Monday.

Exercise: Keep it Simple

Exercise. Don't make it complicated. I have several friends that attend a gym. I also attended one in the past. I have decided not to do so now for several reasons.

1. The gym is out of my way. It's not close by.
2. I'd prefer not to spend the money on a gym membership at this point in time.
3. My son does not like to stay in the child care area. I don't want him to be miserable or for me to worry while I trying to improve my health! =) Defeats the purpose.

So I gave it a lot of thought. I was trying to come up with something I could do at home and still be motivated and follow through. For the past 7 seven weeks, this is what I have been doing. I committed myself to an exercise video at home 3 times a week, then to a walk on Saturday and Sunday. I have been able to maintain this for 7 weeks.

I want to share that you can think outside the box on the exercise program. I just needed to get my body moving 5 days a week. No excuses! In addition to the exercise video, you can also play with your kids or follow an exercise program at home. In playing with your kids, play tag or have races. If they are big enough, walk together, ride bikes together or run together. You'll also get some nice quality time spent together as well. Keep it simple. Just get moving!

Still Walking Even With Assistance!

On Saturday, I was taking a brisk walk in my neighborhood. I saw and waved hello to an older gentleman out for a stroll. He was pushing a wheeled walker. Wow, that is dedication I thought. It's good to see him out here. Following not to far behind him was a woman, I perceived to be his wife. She was also walking with her quad cane (a straight cane with four prongs on the bottom). What a couple! I don't think I've ever come upon a couple so dedicated to getting out and exercising.

There I was out taking a walk. I've lost 9 lbs so far. Yay! How could I ever have an excuse for not walking or exercising again after seeing that couple? I hope I have their motivation and determination when I am their age.

I've Kicked Chocolate Out of My Life!

I am feeling GREAT!!! Just wanted to share. I finished reading Ultrametabolism by Dr. Mark Hyman. I have been applying his principles. Wow! He suggests using his book as a guideline and making the changes with which you are comfortable. He encourages eliminating sugar, hydrogenated fats and high fructose corn syrup as well as white flour. He suggests eating foods in their natural state.

I've kicked chocolate out of my life!!! Who knew I could do it! I made sure my hubby knew that I gave it up for Lent and not to buy me any for Valentine's Day. God Bless him, he did not. I can actually say, I don't even miss chocolate now.

I feel motivated and healthy. I've made quite a few changes. His book made sense to me and I was ready for a change. I want to live a long and healthy life, grow old with my husband and see my great grandchildren! Plus I want to be a really good role model for my children.

In regards to exercise, I was feeling challenged. I don't belong to a gym for many reasons, but my son won't stay in the nursery/child area anyway. I was hitting some road blocks with exercise. I finally decided I will do an exercise video 3 times a week and walk on the weekends when hubby is home and can watch the kids. An unexpected bonus, I have more energy and I've been playing tag with the kids. My daughter runs fast, so it gives me an extra workout! I was able to squeeze a walk in tonight and afterward played some soccer with my son. Don't get stuck on the healthy living or the exercise. Find something that works for you. Think outside the box if you need to. Try hanging out with your kids and keeping up with them!

Gifts for Kids: Educational, Creative & Encourage Exercise

Do you have your spending plan in hand for the holidays? What about your list of gifts to buy? Or supplies you need to make your gifts?

My favorite type of gifts for the holidays for kids are those that promote:
1. education
2. creativity (building, use of imagination)
3. exercise

Some items I like this year are:
Kids Knex
Lincoln Logs
Nature books
Reading books, especially a series

Some we are enjoying now are The Boxcar Children series, the Magic Tree House series as well as VeggieTales. We've also enjoyed the Little House on the Prairie series. My children also enjoyed watching the DVD of Little House on the Prairie after reading the books. Imagination comes alive!

If you've been reading my blog, you know I like Dave Ramsey. He also has a group of children's books available, particularly Financial Peace Junior. It is a book designed to teach kids about money. I do plan on purchasing some of them this year as well.

Keep in mind while shopping or better yet, while planning your shopping list, what values are you promoting when purchasing your children's gifts?