Hike

Thursday was our school's hike day. The kindergarten hike is really more like a mile walk. It's pretty flat. I really wanted to hike with my students. I had other staff at school say that they would go in my place but I really wanted to be with my students. I did a lot of praying that the pain and stiffness wouldn't get in the way. Thursday I woke up feeling better than I have had for a few weeks. I took IB (I do every day) and headed to school. I hiked with my students just fine. I had a great day. I hurt a bit yesterday but not to bad. I have family in town that wants to go hiking today. I'm sure that I'll be able to go with them.

Not Much

Don't expect much from me this week. The last week of school is always hard for me. There is a lot that has to been done to finish up the year. I come home tired. I can't even think of anything else to write.

New Reward

Here is a copy of last week's sticker chart. I was able to hold and love on the baby for 40 minutes.
This weeks challenge.......2 F and V a day plus 30 minutes of exercise. Thanks Sis! Reward.....Smoked Turkey from the Honeybaked Ham Store.

Fruit

Just a quick question before I leave town for the weekend.

Do the Fruit Loops I had for breakfast count as a serving of fruit? (LOL)

Headed down stairs to ride the bike for a bit before I head north for BHL.

Ooops!

I'm not sure what happened last night. I know I came into the office to blog, but there isn't one. Maybe I'm a little ADD and got sidetracked.

Yesterday was a good day. 1/2 hour of exercise thanks to talking to my sister on the phone and being distracted.

Today........I'm just barely getting home from school. Yes, it's almost 8:30. (Big "Art Night" at school) I'm tired but I've got to go do something. I've got to earn a couple of stickers.

+ for today.........sticker total = 26

Not So Good

Today has been a not so good day. Very high stress level at school. Overcast and gray weather. Lots of knee pain (I think the weather played a part). Didn't eat like I should have and had no motivation to exercise. Tomorrow will be better!

1 sticker today

Stickers

13 stickers in two days!!!!!!!!!!

Motivation is great!

BHL

This week I am reaching for BHL.......Baby Hugs and Loves! The challenge was put out there that if I behaved myself I'd get to indulge in BHL. I'm going for it. (If you're lost read comments on Friday's Blog.) I have created myself a sticker chart. I get a sticker for each serving of F or V and each 5 minutes of exercise. It is going to be full by Saturday. I put 4 stickers on today. I already feel the vibes for a great week. I love having something to reach for. What a difference it makes!

Saturday

I got up this morning so excited to get some yard work done. NO! Yesterday I was opening windows........today running the furnace.

Thanks for all the great ideas for something to reach for. It was a great help. Lots of ideas that I hadn't thought of. You better be prepared to not hold Emsley for a day! :-)

I don't think I had a actual meal today. I know that isn't the best way to eat, but some days just happen that way. Don't get me wrong, I ate, just piecing. I did get in 2 F & V each.

Something to Reach For

I can't believe that I haven't posted much this week. I guess it has just been one of those weeks. I have learned an important lesson this week. I need to have something to reach for. Last week I told myself I could go out to eat on Friday if I exercised each day. And I did it! This week I had nothing to reach for and I didn't reach. My F & V intake is way down. Except for some yard work this evening I haven't got any exercise this week either. Another interesting fact.......as the week has gone on, my pain has gone up. I have got to get my act together. I keep saying just let me survive the next 2 weeks (End of School Year) and then I'll get going. The problem is.......tomorrow never gets here. I can't let school and such get in my way. I've just got to jump in and do my best every day.

So here is my request..........help me come up with things to reach for. There is not a lot in my little town that I can do for a reward. It's got to be something pretty good to keep me motivated.

Tonight's Events

To see what happened today........visit my other blog.

MJ's Place

Alexander

Judith Viorst wrote a child's book that explains my day. So instead of the little boys name, Alexander, I'll just put in my name.

MarJean and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

And that's all I have to say about today.

Dancing

I have been blessed this day! I got out of bed and felt like dancing. I had less pain today than I have had for awhile. I couldn't help but feel like dancing. I didn't.......but maybe I should have.

What did I do for exercise today.......planted 3 trees. I dug the hole, planted the trees, smoothed the ground, carried water to them, carried brick across my yard to go around them. I carried 2 blocks at a time. Each tree needed eight. That's 12 trips 1/2 way across my yard carrying bricks. I was tired when I was finished, had a little soreness, but NO pain! My feet hurt a bit since I took off my shoes, but that is doable. This is just another testimony to me that the Lord will bless us when we take the time for Him in our lives.

I feel like I have done well with my food today. Breakfast: Toast with cheese and an apple. Lunch: Grilled chicken salad. Dinner: Hamburger (cooked at home) and Berry Smoothie. Snack: Ding Dong.

Nothing to Say

I really can't think of anything to blog about. I guess the last couple of days have just been pretty routine. I did go for a walk yesterday for a little over 20 minutes. Went out to eat to night and ate without any guilt for doing so. Maybe something exciting will happen tomorrow.

Ice Cream

So.....I was craving ice cream tonight. I had that little battle inside my brain........you know the devil and the angel. Long story short.....I went in the kitchen poured some milk and berries in the blend (out of yogurt) and had a smoothie. It tasted good and did the trick.

I read a quote I would like to share. It might not mean much to you but it hit me hard.

"Sometimes we get caught up in the one-size-fits-all mentality, and we feel that our lives should look like other people's lives. But that's really not true. Everyone has different trials, and Heavenly Father is aware of those. If we are humble enough to follow the plan He has for us, we'll be happy." (April Ensign #29) I took away from that, that I need to try and just find the joy in where I am. My life isn't meant to be like others. The Lord's not punishing me for anything or withholding blessing. He is just trying to shape me into who I'm capable of being.

+ for today . . . snack at school was carrots.

+ for today . . . . 22 minutes on the bike and 15 minute walk.

A Little More

Every year our school takes our students on a hike the last week of school. It's a day we all look forward to. I love spending that day out in nature with my students. Our hike is more like a walk but we all have fun, it's a mile long. I'm struggling with rather I will be able to go with them. So my goal is to work on some conditioning. I have until May 24th to get where I can physically walk a mile.

Living in the country I measure my walking my telephone poles. Yesterday I walked from post one to post five before turning around. I was walking slow and hurting when I got home. Today I tried for a little more. Today I walked to post 6 before turning around. I also stopped a couple of times along the way and did some stretching. I was sore but I don't think as bad as yesterday. I'm hoping if I go a little bit more each time I can hike the mile with my students.

+ for today . . . . 3 servings of F & V.

+ for today . . . . 20 minutes walking and 12 minutes with back exercises.

If I wasn't trying so hard to be positive I'd tell how I ate to many snacks today and about how much pain I've had today.

Chocolate Attack

I think I have mentioned it before, but I am very much and emotional eater. And my morning session of kindergarten causes me stress. (Sorry if you are reading this and have a child in that class.) So lots of days all I want when they leave is chocolate. Some days I give in and other days I can distract myself. (Some days I play solitaire on the computer to distract myself.) And then there are nights that I sit at home and can't seem to think of anything but chocolate. I don't know why chocolate has such a power over me. But I have just found a couple of weapons to help in the fight.

My sister told me about the new Quaker Chewy granola bars made with Cocoa. They come in 4 different flavors. Each bar is 90 calories, 8 grams of whole grain and 1 gram of fiber. A pretty good snack. And then just this weekend my friend introduced me to Cocoa Almonds. Almonds are a good part of a diet. Even though they are higher in calories they contain good fats for our body. Another win...chocolate that is good (maybe better) for you.

+ for today . . . . 5 servings of F & V.

+ for today . . . . 30+ minutes of exercise - 15 minute walk, 15 minutes on exercise bike, plus back exercises.

Weekly Goal

Here is my plan for the week.

Watch what I eat - And what does the mean.....minimize snacks and eat F & V each day.

Exercise - At least 30 minutes a day.

My Reward - Dinner Out

I know that I should not reward myself with food. But here is the deal. I need to go to Manti on Friday. (Those that may not know....that is an 1 1/2 drive one way.) To drive to Manti I go through Salina. Salina has my favorite Mexican restaurant. I don't go very often because its almost an hour away. So that will be my reward - dinner in Salina on Friday night.