God is watering His flowers

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When the kids were little, I would tell them that when it was raining,  God was watering His flowers. God has been watering His flowers a lot lately down here in Southern Georgia! I don't think a day has gone by over the past week where it hasn't rain at least somewhat.

Oh, the rain is fine by me. Aside from Girl Scout activities and various doctors appointments, I don't have a whole lot going on right now. I've been catching up on the house cleaning as well as some long-overdue Netflix movies. The kids, however, are a different story. They have had to get creative with their time since TMB and I have limited their screen time. But they are managing just fine being the resilient children I know they are.

The rain can be a damper (pun intended) when you're starting a new exercise. Taking walks around the neighborhood is a you-against-nature adventure as you brave fierce summer storms. Running will only get you wetter. (Really, Mythbusters proved it!) There's always the gym. Just hop in the car, drive down the street where treadmills, step climbers, various machines, and free weights await.

Of course, if you're a little low on funds, you have to get creative.

You can always create your own exercise routine: sit ups, push ups, squats, and jumping jacks. This is free and uses your own body weight: win/win. But, what if you can't do a sit up or push up? What if squats and jumping jacks really hurt (and not the PE-in-high-school hurt where you would try anything to get out of running that mile)? We can't all be Sherman Klump.

Thanks to a friend of mine, I discovered Leslie Sansone's Walk At Home program. She is a bit of a mix between Richard Simmons and Tamilee Webb from Buns of Steel. Leslie's Home walking program involves just four basic moves and her workouts range from a beginner's one-mile workout to an advanced 5-mile workout. The 3 Mile Power Walk that I'm currently working through includes hand weights for a brief upper body workout.

This workout is perfect for someone who is a beginner or who has the aforementioned knee problems. Or for someone who might be stuck at home by choice or by chance. I also like Leslie's DVDs because they are easily customizable. After completing a 3 mile walk, I could easily go back and add another mile or two (or three!) I'm a long way from a six mile workout - but it's there if I want it. I also recently discovered that Leslie has audio (tapes, cds, and mp3s) workouts so that when I'm ready, I can take a walk outside.

These walking workouts might not be for everyone. But Leslie Sansone does for people who want to lose weight and get fit today, what Richard Simmons did for people back in the 80s - she gets people moving. There aren't any complicated steps to learn or memorize. I have no rhythm. None. I can't dance. Not at all. But I can do a Leslie workout. And every day gets a little easier.

One day, I hope to get to moving outside. But until it dries up and cools off a little bit, I'll be walking in my living room, working up a sweat.

Tomorrow, I will share what I'm eating in my quest to get healthier.




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Summertime

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Hello blog world!

It is good to come back to the blog - it kind of feels like home. I haven't had much of a chance to come and write, although I've had a lot of really great ideas. Not suprisingly, most of those great ideas have gone out of my mind. I need to devise a system where I can make note of my great ideas and use them later when I think, "I really need to update my blog, but I don't know what to write." I wonder if there's an app for that?

We are in full-blown summer mode here at the Turtle Dwelling. The Man Beast still goes to work every day (and makes sure I'm up before he does - thanks for that, honey). Getting up earlier allows me some quiet time to get things done. Which on good days, means getting a head start on the laundry while drinking a cup of coffee. I tend to the kids up between 9 and 10 and then we start our day of lollygagging around the house. Chores get done but that's about it. TMB and I have recently set limits on screen time for the kids. Baby Girl is doing a fabulous job with it (I've really noticed a change in her temperament) and she even told me yesterday, "It feels like I've been in front of the screen for hours even though I was only online for a few minutes checking out the Dum Dum website!" The Boy seems to be having a tougher time with it; probably because his whole world exists online. The good news is when the kids are away from the screens, they are so much more creative. Baby Girl is all about the Legos® at the moment. The Boy is a fantastic drawer and given the option, will draw for hours (when the lure of the screen isn't present, that is).

Big news professionally - I begin student teaching in August! I cannot believe I am so close. I am in my next to last class and will be taking a glorious 2 week break until my last class before I begin student teaching. I'm not sure what I'm most excited about: student teaching, having only two classes to go, or graduating. Four years ago, I thought this day would never come and here it is! The only sadness I have is that I won't be able to walk across the stage in Phoenix (unless anyone wants to sponsor my family and I go to!) In the end, however, I suppose a college degree (!!) is only a piece of paper; one which no doubt stay in a box up in the closet with my high school diploma. However, it is a huge achievement for me and only 12 years past due! But hey, better late than never, right?

Health news - not so big. I've been reading about the dangers of sugar and the effects wheat has on the body (hint: inflammatory properties). It all started while watching Tom Naughton's Fat Head video on Netflix. Later, I read Wheat Belly (at Tom's recommendation). Then, the ball just kept rolling from there. I also had some fabulous input from a friend who knows her stuff when it comes to how foods heal (and hurt) the body. Two weeks ago (after we came back from our Girl Scout cruise), I decided that Monday, August 28th was my starting day. I have since cut out breads, pastas, cereals, and rice as well as sugar. I've lost 8 lbs so far, which feels fantastic. However, I've lost inches which feels even more fantastic!

Because I've cut out the added junk, the family has, too. As a result, the kids are eating healthier. It makes me proud when I see my kids eating healthy, real food as opposed to processed junk. I'm working with Baby Girl about serving sizes and portion control.

My next step, is learning about which supplements the kids should be taking in order for them to be at their peak, particularly Baby Girl who has recently been diagnosed as being on the Spectrum.

Hoping to update everyone on a regular basis (we're talking daily, here - there will be plenty going on later in the summer!)

Until next time,


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