I think the condition of my home is directly correlated to my mindset in any given season. If I am operating in a "I Can" mentality, my house is looking pretty good. If I am in a season of defeat, my house begins a downward spiral of messiness. Right now when I look around my house I feel defeat. Not wanting to deal with it, I would much rather grab the backpack and hit the road to go geocaching. This summer we have spent so much time outside. It has been easy to live in the house enough to mess it up but not stick around to clean it up. Simply because life demands, I have kept up on the dishes and laundry. If we did not need clean dishes or clothes, I am quite certain these things would be left undone as well.
Today after breakfast I sat looking at my counter. Overwhelming. Stacked with bottles, trash, messy appliances, dishes and counters caked with crumbs and spills. I knew something had to be done. Part of me wanted to run away. Part of me wanted to do something about it.
Since Wal-Mart this week has their awesome school supplies sale, I picked up our year's worth of crayons, markers, folders, glue...and other misc schooling supplies. This morning I gave the kids their own art supply box complete with the essentials. With the kids occupied, I set my mind to cleaning the counter. Once everything was cleared, I sprayed it down and scrubbed away. Tough stains were visited my Bar Keeper's Friend...love this stuff! With the counter looking spiffy I tackled the cabinets, then the appliances. It looks really good and I feel good about accomplishing something.
So I think my mindset for the next couple weeks will be this: Object of My Attention. I will pick an object or small area that needs my attention. I will clean the object/area will excellence. Organize where it is needed. I noticed that once I started today I wanted to keep going and make everything around it look good too. Hopefully this will help me to get things done. Making the house look better. Without feeling overwhelmed. And still able to enjoy our summer.
Showing posts with label I Can. Show all posts
Showing posts with label I Can. Show all posts
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
And So It Begins...
Last night marked the start of the triathlon training class at the YMCA. The last session there was one guy in the class and last night there was 10 of us! Most of us beginners. Tuesdays are swimming so the first thing they had us do was go down and back to watch our strokes and breathe control. And lucky me? I was moved to the advance group. Which was awesome and EXHAUSTING. It took me to a whole new level of swimming which left me breathless. Or shall I shall short of breathe. At one point the lifeguard who has taught me a few things looked at me, smiled and said "Welcome to swimming!"
In all I think we did about 500 meters, focusing on different strokes and breathing each time. I was surprised how much I had improved because the last 50 were easier than the first 50. I would consider this is a very good thing.
Today I went back to the pool and did about 400 meters focusing on some of the things I learned last night. My goal of going the full 400 meters with forward crawl is looking much more feasible than before. I have a lot of work ahead of me but I think I CAN do it.
After my swim I headed up stairs for 15 minutes on the bike, some weights and a mile on the eliptical. I knew it was not going to be a piece of cake but I think the care provider at the Y put it well when she said she felt like "a wilted flower." After a good lunch I am revived and full of energy but that immediate period of time following the workout was slow moving.
I am eager to see what the bike and running portion of the class will be like. The run is still proving to be challenging for me at this time. I am in desperate need of some running shoes. These $10 Wal-Mart specials and not cutting it. Yesterday I checked out a few shoes at the mall. I am still uncertain what I want or need. So if anyone has some recommendations, I am all ears.
Have a great day!
In all I think we did about 500 meters, focusing on different strokes and breathing each time. I was surprised how much I had improved because the last 50 were easier than the first 50. I would consider this is a very good thing.
Today I went back to the pool and did about 400 meters focusing on some of the things I learned last night. My goal of going the full 400 meters with forward crawl is looking much more feasible than before. I have a lot of work ahead of me but I think I CAN do it.
After my swim I headed up stairs for 15 minutes on the bike, some weights and a mile on the eliptical. I knew it was not going to be a piece of cake but I think the care provider at the Y put it well when she said she felt like "a wilted flower." After a good lunch I am revived and full of energy but that immediate period of time following the workout was slow moving.
I am eager to see what the bike and running portion of the class will be like. The run is still proving to be challenging for me at this time. I am in desperate need of some running shoes. These $10 Wal-Mart specials and not cutting it. Yesterday I checked out a few shoes at the mall. I am still uncertain what I want or need. So if anyone has some recommendations, I am all ears.
Have a great day!
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Training
This week I have taken a few steps in my training for this summer's triathlon. On Wednesday I went in to swim. The lifeguard said he would work with me on my breathing. It desperately needs help so I agreed. Here is what I have learned:
Breathe out through your nose
Breathe in through your mouth
4 count is best
My bodies natural rhythm is 8
4 confuses me somehow
Also acceptable is a 2 count; always breathing with the right stroke
I think this is how I am going to breathe for the triathlon
It is a constant exhale/inhale rhythm
I think it will work if I can keep from swallowing/snorting water
I snort water more than I should
It is best to have your hair pulled back
My hair is a huge contributor to snorting water
It may be time for a lovely swim cap
Fingers should be kept together, I was like a bear claw
Legs as close together as possible
Small brisk kicks
When breathing do not look up to the ceiling or sky
Do not bob you head or thrust it forward
It should be a smooth glance over to the wall with your head resting on your arm
I have a long ways to go
I can swim the 1/4 mile consistently
Switching strokes between free style, back and kick board.
I want to continue to lengthen my free style distance every week until I can go the whole distance this way
That is the swimming portion of the training
Biking I go about 5 miles each time I am on. I am starting to experience a weird numbness in the tip of my nose. If I am on the bike to long it is the slightest of tingling. I have an appointment with my doctor in 2 weeks. I wanted to have my blood drawn and a basic panel run. It will tell me cholesterol, blood counts, kidney and liver function and much more. I plan to talk to her about the tingly nose at that time. Also, on the bike front I am considering buying a new bike. My current bike is a Wal-Mart special. I plan on checking into models this weekend. I may be a new owner by the end of this weekend. (SMILE)
Running I am comfortable with a mile on the track. I have yet to make peace with the treadmill. I am not fond of it at all. I tend to get shin splints while running on the treadmill. Not my idea of fun. So I am currently sticking with the track. 16 times around is a mile. Around and around I go. I want to increase this distance. I know there is much to improve on my running. While there on Thursday night I introduced myself to the instructor who leads the triathlon class. He happens to be the race coordinator for the triathlon I will be running in June. He was working with a guy. He worked him HARD. I am considering joining the class. I know he will kick my butt. I also know that it would be good for me. I have a lot to learn. I think I would rather be pushed to my limit and learn, then continue in ignorance and struggle.
Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
I will run and not grow weary! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I will do a triathlon because I believe. I know the Lord is doing more than just training me for a race, so much more. If only I knew what it is.
Breathe out through your nose
Breathe in through your mouth
4 count is best
My bodies natural rhythm is 8
4 confuses me somehow
Also acceptable is a 2 count; always breathing with the right stroke
I think this is how I am going to breathe for the triathlon
It is a constant exhale/inhale rhythm
I think it will work if I can keep from swallowing/snorting water
I snort water more than I should
It is best to have your hair pulled back
My hair is a huge contributor to snorting water
It may be time for a lovely swim cap
Fingers should be kept together, I was like a bear claw
Legs as close together as possible
Small brisk kicks
When breathing do not look up to the ceiling or sky
Do not bob you head or thrust it forward
It should be a smooth glance over to the wall with your head resting on your arm
I have a long ways to go
I can swim the 1/4 mile consistently
Switching strokes between free style, back and kick board.
I want to continue to lengthen my free style distance every week until I can go the whole distance this way
That is the swimming portion of the training
Biking I go about 5 miles each time I am on. I am starting to experience a weird numbness in the tip of my nose. If I am on the bike to long it is the slightest of tingling. I have an appointment with my doctor in 2 weeks. I wanted to have my blood drawn and a basic panel run. It will tell me cholesterol, blood counts, kidney and liver function and much more. I plan to talk to her about the tingly nose at that time. Also, on the bike front I am considering buying a new bike. My current bike is a Wal-Mart special. I plan on checking into models this weekend. I may be a new owner by the end of this weekend. (SMILE)
Running I am comfortable with a mile on the track. I have yet to make peace with the treadmill. I am not fond of it at all. I tend to get shin splints while running on the treadmill. Not my idea of fun. So I am currently sticking with the track. 16 times around is a mile. Around and around I go. I want to increase this distance. I know there is much to improve on my running. While there on Thursday night I introduced myself to the instructor who leads the triathlon class. He happens to be the race coordinator for the triathlon I will be running in June. He was working with a guy. He worked him HARD. I am considering joining the class. I know he will kick my butt. I also know that it would be good for me. I have a lot to learn. I think I would rather be pushed to my limit and learn, then continue in ignorance and struggle.
Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
I will run and not grow weary! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I will do a triathlon because I believe. I know the Lord is doing more than just training me for a race, so much more. If only I knew what it is.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Operation CAN Update
It is now 2 weeks into Operation Can and things are going great. There will be no official weigh in today it will be tomorrow when we all get together for New Year's Eve. My home scale indicates I have lost another 2 pounds making a total of 4 pounds in two weeks (20% of my goal.)
Workouts: Everyday this week including Monday. I woke up early Christmas morning so after my prayer time I went downstairs and did 20 minutes on the treadmill. The rest of the week was at the YMCA mixing up my cardio between the bike, tread and some cycle step thingy (real technical I know.) With cardio being 20 minutes with cool down. I also added weight training to my workout this week. Focusing on different muscle groups each day. This is new territory for me. I can tell you I feel ALL my muscles. I love the feeling of productivity. If I am feeling it, it means it is doing something. Because my focus is on being in shape to dance, stretching is playing a huge part in my workout time, beginning and ending with it.
Eating: This is going great. I have increased my vegetable intake by about 400%. My water intake is up and my sweet intake is down. The Holy Spirit has been designing my meals and I can say, I am amazed. He has shown me how to put different things together, scrumdidiliumptious! I am venturing out in stir-fry making both steak and chicken stir-fries this week. Good stuff. I really have been trying to listen to the Holy Spirit on what to eat, how much and when including sweets, which I do eat. Amazingly enough I am able to take two small pieces of a chocolate bar and put the rest back in the fridge for another day. This has helped me curb the sweet desire without going overboard.
Sleeping and Waking: My goal is to be to bed around 10pm. I woke up every weekday when the Lord woke me. Only once did I have to convince myself to get up. Last night I went to Visions so I did not get home until after midnight. Then I read a chapter of my current read (Troubled Waters, thanks Gina!) finally turning in at 1am. The Lord did wake me sometimes around 6am, I however did not get out of bed until 7:59am. Little girl got out of bed 2 minutes later so it made quiet time a challenge. I opted for praying walking around after I made the kids breakfast. Perhaps later I will get to sit down and read some of the Word.
Operation Can has been blessing me. I see myself getting healthy and strong. It is happening. I know I will reach my goals. I can and I will. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Workouts: Everyday this week including Monday. I woke up early Christmas morning so after my prayer time I went downstairs and did 20 minutes on the treadmill. The rest of the week was at the YMCA mixing up my cardio between the bike, tread and some cycle step thingy (real technical I know.) With cardio being 20 minutes with cool down. I also added weight training to my workout this week. Focusing on different muscle groups each day. This is new territory for me. I can tell you I feel ALL my muscles. I love the feeling of productivity. If I am feeling it, it means it is doing something. Because my focus is on being in shape to dance, stretching is playing a huge part in my workout time, beginning and ending with it.
Eating: This is going great. I have increased my vegetable intake by about 400%. My water intake is up and my sweet intake is down. The Holy Spirit has been designing my meals and I can say, I am amazed. He has shown me how to put different things together, scrumdidiliumptious! I am venturing out in stir-fry making both steak and chicken stir-fries this week. Good stuff. I really have been trying to listen to the Holy Spirit on what to eat, how much and when including sweets, which I do eat. Amazingly enough I am able to take two small pieces of a chocolate bar and put the rest back in the fridge for another day. This has helped me curb the sweet desire without going overboard.
Sleeping and Waking: My goal is to be to bed around 10pm. I woke up every weekday when the Lord woke me. Only once did I have to convince myself to get up. Last night I went to Visions so I did not get home until after midnight. Then I read a chapter of my current read (Troubled Waters, thanks Gina!) finally turning in at 1am. The Lord did wake me sometimes around 6am, I however did not get out of bed until 7:59am. Little girl got out of bed 2 minutes later so it made quiet time a challenge. I opted for praying walking around after I made the kids breakfast. Perhaps later I will get to sit down and read some of the Word.
Operation Can has been blessing me. I see myself getting healthy and strong. It is happening. I know I will reach my goals. I can and I will. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
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