Cranky Mommy - End of the Soda Era

A week ago today I blogged and said that I would cease drinking soda, minus a one day a week cheat day. I have, officially, been soda free for one full week! It feels great to accomplish a goal that I set down in print, and shared with the world. It has not, however, been easy.

To be honest, I had visions of drinking water/Crystal Lite and feeling healthy, rejuvenated, and energetic. Instead, what I got was a migraine. Let me clarify, from day one through to day 6 I had a migraine to the point I wanted someone to take an ax and chop my head off. Even migraine medicine (with it's weeny'ish amount of caffeine) didn't do the trick to give relief. I caved one day and had a small mocha and that didn't do anything. What I did notice, though, was that each day the migraine and sluggish feeling lessened (not by much, but enough to have some hope and a pin prick of light at the end of the tunnel).

This has made me cranky. I'm cranky towards myself, my parents, my kids, my husband, the kids I work with. You name it. Yet I continued to plug along. At my son's 5th birthday party I was somewhat sullen, head pounding, trying to seek meaning in the idiocy of a mere drink ruining my life. Then Sunday came, my cheat day. I made certain to drink plenty of water before finally drinking the diet coke I had so badly needed during the week. As I drank the soda, I realized that it did nothing for me. The taste was okay, but nothing to crave. I am happy to say that I drank way less than I normally would on a cheat day, and am contemplating not having it even then.

I will admit that, despite doing so well, I cheated today and had 1/4 of a can of Diet Coke. I don't even know why I did it, the migraine had left, I did not (and do not) miss the flavor. It was like a routine of needing something in the morning other than just water, a call that I answered. Yet when I started drinking it, I felt guilty, and ended up pouring it down the drain.

All in all, I feel this is great progress, and hope to see my body react to healthier drinks being put in it. Since the migraine has passed (hopefully for good), the energeticness and rejuvenation should start at some point.

Up next, working on the food intake for a healthier, less cranky, me!

The Road to Fit

Almost everyone I know tries to get fit in one way or another, and whether it's really needed or not. I have definitely been among those seeking and striving to look and feel better. After having my second child, my body morphed into being an out of control blob that I have finally come to terms with. The terms being that this out of control blob needs to get healthy, fast. And, by healthy, I don't necessarily mean to focus on the pounds lost.

In the last year, I have realized that living healthy is more important than what the scale (or pesky tags on the clothes) read. So, in talking with a friend yesterday, I have come up with a personal reward system towards a fitter, healthier lifestyle. Before I lay out what the plans are, I will say I am doing this to live the longest possible,  to actually "live" while I'm alive, and to show my kids anything is possible. And, last but not least, to feel like myself again in clothes, during activities, and any time I look in a mirror.

Knowing me, any plan that is long term will have something to do with either France or Disney. This particular one is Disney based. My family and I have a trip we are in the middle of planning, and it's for us to head to "the World" next spring. I am using that as my catalyst to literally catapult myself towards better choices. Each step in my planning program will be based around my health choices. Every time I make the right choices for a full week in drinking the correct amount of water (and diet soda, as a treat, only on Sunday) and white tea, then I will deposit $5.00 in the Disney fund. Whenever I make the proper food choices for a full week (also taking away Sunday as it is a "cheat" day), and eat what has been prepared at home, I will add $10.00 to the Disney fund. Whenever I work out three times a week (working out is outside of the realm of walking, which I already do. So it is actually an aerobic activity lasting longer than 20 minutes) I will add $5.00 a week.

Another way to get myself moving is to not allow myself to actually book our family trip until I have lost 20 pounds. So, though I know Disney has not opened up next years booking, I know that they usually do mid-summer. Which means that I have 6+ weeks to lose 20 pounds, or else I have to keep my travel agent (whom I have already contacted) waiting until the scale reaches what I contracted with myself. The same will go for ADR's, I will not make them until I have hit 45 pounds lost. That means if day 180 hits, and I have not budged more than the initial 20, I will not be picking up the phone to make those ADR's.

Also, any time that I "slip-up" I will be detracting from my funds for that week. For example, if I break and have a Diet Coke on Monday, I will take away $0.25 from the $5.00 I would be putting into the fund at the end of the week. Hopefully this will keep falling away from my goals to a minimum.

I am very excited to give this a try, as I know I am at the end of where I should be health wise, and that I want to be the best I can be for my family, God, myself, and my community. So let the Disney get fit times begin!

Science Saturdays - Lemon Fizz

Several experiments were done today (such as Mentos and Diet Coke, and a vinegar with baking soda fizz), but the next door neighbors were feeling left out and insisted that we make yet another experiment. Instead of hightailing it to the store, I decided to do a simple Google search to find something that would be in my home already. After a few minutes, I found the Lemon Fizz Project (courtesy of www.chemistry.about.com).

In it were all things I have in my house, and only took about 2 minutes to combine and carry out.

You will need:

Baking soda (the more you use, the bigger the fizz)
Liquid dish soap
Food coloring (this is optional, we didn't use any)
Lemon juice

In a cup, put in a teaspoon or more of baking soda. Then put in a few squirts of the liquid dish soap. This is the point that the food coloring is added. We chose to go the easier route and just have a white colored experiment. If you do want to make it with color, add a food coloring jell or capsule, or simply use a Kool-Aid packet. Now it is time for the action. Begin pouring in the lemon juice, and watch the mixture immediately begin to fizz.

The first time we tried the experiment, I placed about 2 teaspoons of baking soda in the bottom of the cup, and it took a lot of the lemon juice to work. The second time, I filled the cup a quarter of the way full with baking soda, and it took only a few drops of the lemon juice to get the results seen in the picture. The experiment is easy to clean up after, and is not a danger if it comes in contact with skin.

The Great Resolution Debate

Before I get into this post, I would first and foremost like to say Happy New Years to you all! 2012 was a wonderful year full of learning, laughter, and it's own form of trials for each one of us. Hopefully this next year is as good, but maybe even better!

Photo credit to valmg.com

With the coming of New Years it has always given me (and, I'm sure, the rest of the world) the chance to think about past habits and how we would like to wipe the slate clean, so to speak, and change them. The endless list of resolutions seems expected and, the same amount of expectation seems to be given to breaking those resolutions within the first month or so of the new year. We all do it, we all spend time coming up with these long lists and set out January 1, 20?? determined to be that new, world changed person. And then 3 weeks later that list just doesn't seem that fun and exciting anymore. Going to the gym is a trial, trying new things costs too much money, being a better spouse is just too hard, and giving all faith to God and going to church isn't nearly as much fun as sleeping in or watching sports on TV.

This last year was a year of changes for me (and I can assure you, none of those changes was due to my 2012 resolutions list) and when midnight struck this morning, I sat and pondered if there was a point to me making that list. Is there a point to it at all? I do have many goals I would like to attempt and initiate, but the pressure of it being the beginning of the year, and the mental excuses of easily breaking that list scares me to even try it now. 

 After looking up the word "resolve" it means to account for, give reason, decision and determination. A resolution, in the dictionary sense, isn't a passing whim that so many of us make, but should be a very serious self promise and contract. And since there are many changes I do need to make (and would have ended up doing regardless of the calendar change), I have decided to list my resolutions for myself and my family.

1. Keep promises to myself. This can be by keeping resolutions, waking up at 6AM to study/workout, prepping for work as I should, etc.

2. Stop eating out and cook at home daily. I have one eat out cheat day per week, and maybe one a month with Ken.

3. Set up a weekly meal plan, and shop accordingly

4.  Do something with the kids every day that doesn't have to do with the daily routine of chores/eating/discipline.

5. Read all of God Quest and ask questions

6. Do some form of work out every day (could be as simple as a 20 minute walk, but need to actually get up and move).

7. Find a way to save for a Disney trip, and the household items we need

8. Study every single day, including Sunday. It may not be the required 2 hrs per day, but something needs to be accomplished.

9. Take vitamins and aspirin daily to help with heart health and immune system.

10. Read the Bible with the kids daily, and encourage them in finding their way.