It's the little things that count!

I learned that a long time ago and many times throughout my lifetime. At forty, I'm hoping to remember what I've forgotten! Yesterday was spent waiting for my niece to visit so rather than take off for my walk and miss her, I spent some time to work in the kitchen and house and do some baking. I miss the days when I used to always have fresh baked cookies on hand for the kids. I am going to make a point to continue to do those nice things for the family.

When we realized that she wasn't coming till the evening, we'd missed the chance to go mini-golfing as planned but Sean and Dad wanted to go down to the field and workout in the goal. I threw my sneaks on and joined them. I can't wait till I'm in better shape and can play soccer for a decent amount of time! Instead, I walked around the field and between that and the walk to and from the field, I managed to get another 2 miles in! I was so happy not to have missed a daily walk! It was a slow walk as I was on grass, but I kept it going.

This is what I mean, doing a little everyday is really paying off! I am so much more aware of what I'm doing to myself on a daily basis. I need to remain strong and committed from now till school starts so that by the time we're back at it, my daily needs are a priority!

And here's my info. (Christine)

Name: Christine Nick name or preferred name: Christine :)
Where in the world are you? Sutton, MA - 1 hour from Boston, Providence and Hartford!
Age: 40 Birthday: October 1 Height: 5'8"
Current weight: 183 :( Goal weight: 140 :) Highest weight: 187!!!!

Best physical attribute(s): Long fingers! People used to tell me I should be a hand model! And I love my eyes - they're a really dark blue!

Physical areas you want to change: Stomach - flat and toned would be totally cool! Hips & thighs: 'thunder thighs' and 'good birthing bones' run in my family and I want them gone! Flabby conductor arms!

Biggest weakness when it comes to doing what you need to do to be fit and healthy. (These could also be categorized as ‘excuses!’)
No time (once school starts - three weeks from today)
Fear - of what, I'm not sure...perhaps we'll discover that along the way!

What do you love to do for exercise?
Who's idea was it to use the words 'love' and 'exercise' together? :) Okay so I do LIKE to walk and listen to books or music. I love feeling my body come alive even if it is in pain. And I love the time alone to think of something other than work! Oh, and I just joined Curves! Although I love the idea of using all of the circuit machines, I don't think I'll stick with it for various reasons.

What foods do you love to eat?
Oh, bread, cheese and wine (I know wine's not a food, but I do LOVE it!) I actually really love preparing fresh fruits and veggies in the summer when they're local but it takes a lot of effort to get me to actually get going in that arena!

What’s your main reason for taking the ‘fitness’ plunge?
I am tired of feeling tired and unhappy with myself. My stress level is through the roof lately and I know from past experience that moving makes me feel better emotionally AND physically.
I also really, really want to fit into all of the super cute clothes I hung on to when we moved last year. They're two sizes smaller than what I'm currently wearing. :(

What would you like to get out of this group? What else do you want us to know about how to help you reach your personal goals?
I know that no one can do this for me but sometimes, connecting with people who are not family or friends who know all about me and my flaws makes it easier! I want to be able to celebrate successes with others (no matter how small) and get a swift kick in the pity-pot when I need it! I also want to be able to do that for others.

Oh, and I'm an emotional eater AND spender. The sooner I get consistently healthy, the sooner I'll be financially healthy! :)

So...A new journey is beginning...

When Sean and Meag were little, I went back to AMC to get my degree in Music. I had no idea what I was really in for until I got there. Sure music what what I was most passionate about but until you're in the thick of it you have no idea that you will be leaning everything there is to know about ALL music! It was, in fact, the hardest thing I'd ever done.

Although the kids were now in school, I was overwhelmed with guilt and stress and work! When I was home, I had to balance being the mom I was accustomed to being with getting my homework and studying done. The stress was unbelievable.

I started walking taking better care of my health to help regulate that stress and to get myself into a better place, emotionally and physically. This career in music education has been no different in the areas of stress and business. It is so easy to become over committed and as a mom, that again leaves no time to do what I need to do for me.

That stops now.

The new situation with having to now take over the instrumental program in addition to what I'm already doing at the high school will be perhaps, a bigger challenge than getting my Masters at BU while working! I will be of no use to anyone if I am not better equipped to step up to all of the added stress and workload. And thus a new journey begins....

I hope to have the details posted later today or tomorrow so stay tuned.... This blog is about to morph into something besides the daily knitting lessons, although I hope they will forever remain a part of my journey!

Day 57 - Have I said that I'm a starter......?

So, if I know this about myself already, why does it always surprise and annoy me? I love to go all out and start things but rarely finish them completely! I think I have this aversion to something great ending so I'm always looking for distractions! That's the line I'm going with anyway!

I have several projects in the works and all of this glorious weather has my fingers itching for 'non-wool' options. Thus I've made some nice progress on Meag's bamboo sweater. Truth be told, unless I knit on that all day for a few weeks, I won't finish it in time for her to wear it this summer! Grrrrr....

Sean's block-a-month has stagnated and I need to knit up May and June soon. Mom's afghan hasn't been touched for two weeks...it's virgin wool for goodness sake...hot, hot, hot!

So, true to form, I found another urgent project that just has to start now and jumped off that cliff! I've finally gotten of my behind and dug out the walking sneakers! Three days in a row now. I'm a little soar but I am determined to keep it up! I'm eating well ~ yummy, healthy foods~ and I'm letting myself 'run' with this new found desire to get back into all my 'cool' clothes! I think I may post a daily food log here so if you're not interested in those, check the title....I'll name it something obvious! I just need to record it all to keep me motivated!

Happy summer!