Category: Health

My journey of being the healthiest I can be.

Health

Early Riser

Christine

Every morning I set my alarm for 5:30 AM and I am not a morning person. Why would I do this to myself you ask?

My kids are early risers, always have been. So I have learned in order to have my time, I need to be up before they are.

Somethings I like to do before they awaken are workout, listen to a podcast, check work emails complete my gratitude journal, write a blog post, jump on a quick travel training video, even enjoy a nice Nespresso from my machine. I’m also trying to read 15 minutes of a self-development book each day as well.

I can do a number of things before my kids start getting up with pillows and blankets in their hands, hair all messy and groggy-eyed asking for breakfast and/or a show.

One of my favorite times of day with my kids because they are still groggy enough that I can smother them with hugs and kisses and ask them if they had a good night’s sleep.

Then my morning really begins, breakfast, shows, sippy cups, cook, clean up, get dressed, shower, get them dressed, hair brushed,etc. It’s off to the races!

I cherish my “me” time, the only bad thing is I’m wiped by the end of the day and am usually in bed quickly after that “one more book, please mom” time.

But that’s OK because I would usually just spend time on the couch, with some late-night snacks, watching too much reality TV.

Health

Quarantine Lessons

Christine

I’m trying to be positive and trying to see this as a glass half full type of situation. I know this is not permanent and I can get through this day by day.

That brings me to the first lesson I’ve learned through all this, I need to take things day by day, sometimes hour by hour. I can’t focus on the worries of tomorrow, or when this will end, it will not do me any good. I need to focus on this day and be thankful to have a roof over my head, enough food to eat and a healthy family.

We can live on less. Fewer things to purchase, fewer activities that take us away from the home. Fewer ingredients to make the perfect meal, right now it’s what we can substitute and still make the meal work.

I can appreciate the small things. A beautiful sunset, the sound of my son’s laughter, a cozy home that I get to spend ALL my time, Minecraft to occupy my kids, and a strong Internet connection to name a few. All these things make quarantine doable, am I right?

A strong family unit will help get you through the hard times. Sure my kids are fighting amongst themselves but I know at the same time they are growing closer. My husband and I can enjoy our family without all the shuttling the kids from one activity or another.

I need to be thankful for what I have and not focus on what I’m missing. A strong marriage, kids that are adaptable, my husband’s job, time to focus on myself and my hobbies. Time to find out what my hobbies are besides watching reality TV. All these blessings and more are a reason to be thankful.

Another lesson I’ve learned is my faith will sustain me. I need to lean on Jesus when I get overwhelmed, I need to trust that He has a plan

Please share somethings you have learned during this time in your life, comment below!

Health, The Macaroni Mama Blog

Give Us This Day Our Daily Schedule

Christine

Hello friends, self-quarantine day three, just had to stop and check it is Wednesday, lol.

We have not started distance learning since we are still on spring break. The weather in Colorado has been warm so we have been getting outside most days.

I had to make a schedule for us to limit screen time and get in some spring cleaning. I’ve scheduled a few donation pickups to get motivated.

I made the schedule for our family just to give some sort of structure. I told my husband that I feel like the movie Groundhog’s Day, the same thing over and over.

There have been many schedules popping up online, that you can just Google. I’ll attach mine as well.

I didn’t type it all fancy because who has time for that?!?

I’ve told my kids things are flexible and may change but we are organizing, purging and I know I feel better when my kitchen counter is uncluttered and things are organized.

Just find what keeps you calm and do it one day at a time.

Health, The Macaroni Mama Blog

Social Distancing, Self-Quarantine and Coronavirus oh my…

Christine

Well, friends, it has been a whirlwind of a couple of weeks so say the least. Last week my husband and I were packing to go on a 2nd honeymoon of sorts with a Southern Caribbean cruise. There was a bit of concern over this Coronavirus thing that was happening far away in China but nothing too bad, right?!?

Cut to Friday where we decided to postpone our cruise, the kids are on a home learning program, mass panic in all the grocery stores, and a two-week quarantine for us all.

Wait, what? How did we get here so fast? Being in the travel industry, I was constantly checking my email, business Facebook pages, cruise line Websites, Disney Websites, everything, I was on my phone constantly. It was very overwhelming, all over the travel industry, they were changing their iron-clad cancellation policies.

I had some clients cancel, move things around and postpone including myself. I have been on hold countless hours to help my clients. Although the travel industry has taken so many hits right now, I know it will bounce back stronger and better. And I think Travel Advisors will flourish in the future. You want an advocate to fight for you, reschedule for you, be up to date on all the current news because, at times like this, the information was pouring in so quickly and changing hourly, how can my client keep up.

I decided while the kids are home I am cutting back on social media, you guys, it was draining me. I was panicked, fearful and stressed out.

I need to refocus on my family, our blessings and know that He has got this. My kids need to feel safe and I need to provide that for them.

In these uncertain times, I can only pray, take care of my family, count my blessing, wash my hands and take it one day at a time. Raise your hand if you loved that show?

Health, The Macaroni Mama Blog

Snow Much Time at Home

Christine

In Denver, we have had a rough, cold winter so far. We usually get more sunny days than in Hawaii. But this winter has seemed looong, dark and cold. We haven’t had those days where you can go to the park and play. There is too much snow and ice and the playgrounds are all muddy.

The cold and flu this year is pretty bad as well so we have been laying low so to speak and trying to avoid the germs out there too.

This season, I am struggling with was to burn off my kid’s energy.

My 5-year-old is a homebody, to begin with, and loves a good PJ day so he is more than happy to stay at home.

Since he is Junior Kindergarten, we get a homework packet to do each week, so we do that daily. We also do some other type of school work, either cutting paper, writing our name or learning letters and numbers.

He is in a huge Lego phase right now, so he loves to play with those. Our basement is like a Lego minefield at the moment.

I also put all the many, many, many Christmas presents that Grandma and Grandpa had given my kids under my bed. My kids know whenever we are super bored, I let J pull a new toy from there. I also try to rotate toys so an “old” toy seems “new” again.

Do you want to build a snowman? All else fails, bundle up, go outside and play in the snow with your kiddos. Make sure you have hot chocolate when you return, one of our favorites.

A mom needs to be creative when stuck in the house. I also let him pick out 3 long books, that honestly at bedtime, I’m too tired to read. So I let J pick them out and he loves for me to read him these “special long books”.

Some activities I’d like to try more are:

  • Homemade Playdough
  • More Arts and craft projects
  • Indoor picnic
  • Teddy Bear tea party
  • Make our own children’s book

What are some of your favorite snow day activities? Please share in the comments below.

Health

January 2020

Christine

The New Year has come, there has been a lot about this being the new decade, a fresh start etc.

I have fallen prey to that as well. Not so much as a New Years Resolution but more changing things in my life.

I’ve kinda started with my 100 days to my birthday challenge. I have changed my mindset with my weight loss/lifestyle change.

I started a gratitude journal each day.

I’ve incorporated daily exercise, since my surgery it’s really been only walking but I can do it from home on my treadmill whilst I watch some reality TV. It’s a win-win.

I’ve been doing daily training for my travel business, whether it’s destination training, resort training or listening to a Podcast on sales.

I’ve been reading 15 pages of a self-development book daily.

So January as come and gone and I’m still implementing my daily healthy habits, professionally and personally.

The older I get, the easier I think it is to just keep the status quo. But I know my dreams and goals are bigger than that and I need to dream big which entails pushing me out of my comfort zone.

To quote the book I’m reading “Chase the Lion” if your dream doesn’t scare you, it’s not big enough.

2020 mantra perhaps?

Health

WW

Christine

I’ve been on this health journey for a few months now and I feel like I was back and forth and back and forth. If I wasn’t seeing “fast” results I would jump over to a very restrictive yet “fast losing” program. After a few days of deprivation, I would totally fall off the wagon which would lead to guilt and more eating.

I was in this cycle for a long time, probably the last 12 years. I’ve always felt that Weight Watchers was more of a lifestyle change that I could do forever. I always had it in the back of my head that this would do that program after I lost all my weight from one of these quick programs.

Well, friends that have not worked and I go into this deprive/binge cycle. I have recommitted to Weight Watchers, now WW. No matter how slow or fast the weight comes off, it will come off and I am learning how to live my life.

This week I was tempted to return to this quick fix program after I had not lost any weight this week. But I held strong and said no, keep with it, you will lose those pounds. You will see this through.

Every time I go back to WW, I feel a sense of calm, a sense of peace. My family eats healthier with more fruits and veggies in the house and my kids are learning healthy eating habits.

Join me on WW’s Freestyle program. With WW Freestyle,  It’s easier than ever to eat what you love & lose weight. Here’s one month free to explore!

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