How I Enjoy My One Full Month of Summer

I have finally settled into the one full month of summer and I made a few promises to myself.

1. Do as little school-related as possible.  Sure, I am looking for great bargains on supplies, and I always have my classroom to-do list in the back of my mind, but overall, I am pushing those thoughts aside if possible. If the urge to research something or jot down a note comes, I am doing it, however I am limiting myself.

2. Make a point to play with my kids. I just made them a mini croquet field out of pool noodles. We used play golf clubs and little kick balls to navigate it. It was fun. We are going to the county fair later to ride rides. We just spent 2 days with family eating, playing, and talking. July is going to be about parenting and taking breaks/time for myself.

3. Do something creative. I was looking up art yesterday on pinterest for inspiration and I found the picture that is inspiring the color palette for my living room overhaul.

Autumn Fog — PALETTE KNIFE Oil Painting On Canvas By Leonid Afremov - Size: 20" x 36" 

Click on the link to see more of his work, as I LOVE it. Also, I want this painting if anyone is feeling exceptionally generous! :)

I am in the mood to paint something. I might also do some doodling and art journaling. I might have the boys paint with me. Whatever I do, or if I do them all, I will do them because I am free to do them.

July is also JulNoWriMo, and I am writing. That takes creative energy, too. So when I am not painting, I may be writing.

I may also be doing some cross stitch. I have a counted cross stitch I have been working on for oh, 12 years. :)

Here you can see my progress, and how large it is.

4. Do something active, or a workout, every day! I can't go back to work all flabby and tiring easily. I may have to wrestle with students whose muscles don't cooperate when dressing, lift students who can't sit up, help support a student in the middle of a seizure, or hold back students who want to run off. I may also be challenged to a relay race in the gym. :) Plus, it helps me feel good about myself. That's the whole point, really.

We have a park nearby, relatives with a nice pool, and there are plenty of videos on Daily Hiit to show me some new and fun exercises. The elliptical is always ready to go, not to mention the yoga mat.

Let's Do This, July!

Nutrition and Fitness Notes: Get Started DOING

I started a Pinterest board for things I find that are related to Nutrition and Fitness. Now that I am older, I realize that this is a pivotal time in my life where I can let myself go, wallow in self-pity and laziness, or I can work hard now and live a long and healthy life full of doing things.

I'd rather do things.

Taking care of my family, my dreams, all the things I care about, begins with taking care of me.

Now, I have to admit two things. One: I have been spending a lot of time sitting on my butt watching other people get healthy and fit, researching, and watching various videos. This is not the way to take care of myself.
Two: I was getting out this summer and biking, walking the dog, and trying small workouts at home. And I felt better, much better, than I do right now.

I have worked on my diet, trying some new healthy foods, being aware of ingredients, calories, fats, sugars, and monitoring my body and its reaction to the changes.

It is time to make a plan. It is time to set goals. The new year is coming. I have the tools. I am always learning. I can do this.