We put an elliptical on our Christmas Wish list, the hubs and I. We had been looking at one that we would have had to order because it wasn't stocked locally in any store. It was going to be around 200 dollars with shipping, give or take. We looked on craigslist, too. Hubby found one for 50 bucks that he said worked. I didn't see that one, but I did see one for 50 bucks that said the readout screen was broken. I want the screen to work so I can see how well I've done, so I frowned upon this.
Meanwhile, I had made myself a little 'get-into-a-fitness-routine' plan and I actually put it on paper; which is more definitive than just thinking about it. It included a little 2 minute routine I saw online on the inspiring Daily Hiit website, and then a 5 minute routine, and finally, I am supposed to begin a 5 day challenge this next week because I am off work, also by Daily Hiit. (Go there to see what kinds of workouts they have right now.) It is nearly New Year's, so I figured I'd get a jump start.
I was going to begin the day after Christmas, kinda slip into this easily, since Christmas this year was on a Wednesday, I'd have two days to start doing some exercises and Saturday, when I was already scheduled to have a family celebration, I could rest a little.
But on Thursday, Boxing Day, hubby and I walked all over town returning/exchanging/shopping. Instead of doing a routine, I wore myself out walking all over. We decided to duck into Goodwill to see what caught our eye. He was looking for a computer part that they didn't have. You never know. Lo and behold, there was an elliptical. So I climb on it and heck to see if the display works. It does. It even gives you a general reading of your heart rate when you put your thumb on the sensor.
We got an elliptical.
For 25 bucks.
It was covered in dog hair and spiderwebs. We were tired from walking so we left in the car until Friday. He vacuumed it off in the garage, then we lugged it into the house where the boys and I went over it with Clorox wipes. It suddenly looked usable. In fact, the boys can't stay off of it!
The first day, Friday, I was only able to get 2 minutes in before I jumped off to let the boys have a turn. I did another 2 minutes later in the day. I spent most of it packing up the Christmas stuff and moving roll-top desks around. (Can I count that as a workout??)
Saturday I did go to my family's celebration and got in a 5 minute workout on the elliptical.
Baby steps.
I've also been conscious of my nutrition. We've been buying less pre-packaged and frozen foods and more fresh and whole grain and raw foods. I still buy Light soups for my lunches and have been enjoying pita chips and hummus as a snack. I am sad that I cannot find my favorite flavor of oatmeal, but if this means I have to finally learn to make my own or to try new things, then so be it.
More baby steps.
As I discover new things, or try more new things, or need to gloat over how proud I am of my new healthier me, I will post. :)
Another year smarter.
Things I have learned:
1. Texts are legal documentation.
They are anything BUT personal. Your private texts are actually public domain. After an incident where a text I sent to a parent was pointed out that without proper context, could be misconstrued; I decided to ban texting and facebook-ing from my professional career. Personal calls, personal chats, personal texts are all ways for people to feel way too familiar and open up beyond professional limits. I worked too darn hard to get here in the last few years and I'll not let a moment of personal texting be my downfall!
2. Do not underestimate a child because they have a communication disability.
One of my students has been reading this year, but had never before been given the tools to demonstrate that she could because she had difficulty both in saying and writing words. Now that she has the opportunity to show us, we can see her progress and rejoice in her triumphs. What other secrets could people with disabilities be hiding?? As I grow as a teacher, I will continue to find ways to let my students show what they know; to demonstrate all that they can do.
3. Ten-year-olds are all the same! :) I took my 10 year old to a group designed just for 10-11 year olds, and every other kid there was trying to use big words in hilarious ways, said embarrassing things that made their parents roll their eyes, and they rolled them right back at the adults! All the parents were exasperated in exactly the same way, and all the kids, even with their unique personalities and backgrounds, had something bubbling inside them that was decidedly 10 years old. This is also the year where the Christmas gifts get super expensive as they do not want as many toys but want every kind of electronic device. They have figured out the birds and bees for the most part, too. They know how the world works just enough to start asking the 'really big' questions.We decided to give the boy his own room. It is time.
4. I really miss creative writing.
With my college classes this year, 2 in the beginning, 1 in summer, and 1 this fall, my writing has all been academic. I have 2 friends who have asked me to edit/beta-read their super long manuscripts. It makes me want to write my own. I have had to shelve all my endeavors and theirs in lieu of classes, though. I wrote the occasional ficly, but had I not had many websites related to writing bookmarked, I'd have forgotten many of them by now.
5. Hummus is good.
Roasted Red Pepper hummus on pita chips is my new snack love! It is much healthier than say, a chocolate covered granola bar. It is low in calories and filling. I also have learned to enjoy soup more; the light kind. I have been learning how to eat healthier. I don't think you ever stop learning how to be healthier. There is always new information.
6. I'm a giver.
I think about giving all the time. I wrote a lot about being a giver here on this blog over the years. I feel really crummy when I can't give. I desire to give and give, be busy and active, and that often means giving to others, even if it is just my time. I need to be selfish sometimes, too. I had some really bad times from 2008 to 2010, and was in a really dark place when I was unemployed. There was loss, struggle, depression, anguish, days where I never knew where help would come from or how we would make it through. But we did. I learned about myself. I am a mother first, a writer, and lastly a teacher. Teaching is a way of giving, too. That place I dreamed of back in 2009, I am here, now. This is the happiest and most stressful I've ever been. With great power comes great responsibility, right? Well, with great happiness comes great stress. You have to overcome to appreciate what you just did. Now that I have it, I need to remember what I was going to do with it.
7. Editing is good. Editing blog posts is good. Editing your life, trimming the excess fat so to speak, is good. Taking a step back to re-evaluate your life and make sure that it is really what is best for you is good. Editing includes organizing. When life feels cluttered, you need to stop and take time to de-clutter. Whether it be your closets, your career, your garden, or your email inbox, pruning the excess will help you breathe easier.
On that note, I will stop here and bring you my year in pictures in a future post. :)
UPDATE:
I learned two new words! Hirsute, and comorbidity. Look them up!
