August W.I.S.H. Challenge - The Sunday of Summer

[Summer2018]

I'm a villainous princess? Or a princessy villain? I came out about even, so I guess I get to be both!

A deep cleanse re-organization is in process in the kitchen... and in everything I touch gets asked the magic questions: "Why do I own you?", "Why are you in the kitchen?", 'Why are you on the counter?". I have two feet of counter space to work with and it is always covered with stuff, so I've had to get brutal. A knife block that I won in a contest like 30 years ago, that I only use one knife out of, is going to GW. My dishes are cheap ironstone from Cost Plus that are chipping, and I only use the full sized plates if I'm hosting Thanksgiving, so they are going. All my mismatched glasses are going. It finally feels like I'm opening up space.

And having all of my two feet of prep space available to use should help me be more engaged in cooking. maybe I'll even try cooking something new next week!

That is such a great feeling. I did the same about a month ago in my kitchen.

 

[Summer2018]

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Smile, It’s Self-Care Sunday!
(I’m posting the night before because we’ll be driving in the morning)
What are you doing to refuel your body for this week?

I’m getting away for the week. So excited to get out of the house and to the beach! I will be able to see the ocean from the bed each morning when I wake! I can’t wait to just out there and read. Or go for a morning walk while everyone else is still sleeping. Spend some time as a family without thinking about kitchen renovations or school (hopefully)!

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I thought this was too cute and had to share! I’m thinking it might be a good morning checkin with students. Maybe even for myself.

So today I started the day feeling like a 2...thinking about scrubs and how to teach kdg during a pandemic and how to even set up my new classroom (normally an exciting process, but not this year). But ended the day more of an 8-9 because the car is packed except for the cooler which we’ll get in the morning. A week at the beach is just what I need. Then home to hopefully a finished new kitchen (except for the backsplash probably).

Congratulations on escaping to the beach!!! 🏖

I haven't felt great since we lost power because of difficulty sleeping and eating take-out. Honestly, we weren't really prepared for more than a day without power, because we have never gone without power for more than 24 hours. So, we quickly ran out of non-refrigerated food and clean water. It was hard to make healthy choices with take-out because many restaurants and grocery stores were without power too, limiting our choices. Yesterday, I felt like I had a New Year's Day level hangover, so I was about a 2 as well. It was lovely to have the A/C back and healthy food, but those days really took a toll on me.

This morning, I woke up feeling more like myself...a little salty because we had no internet for several hours, but it is back now, and I'm about to go in the pool and reset myself. So, right now, I'm about a 7.

 

[glss1/2fll]

love that chart! i sent a copy to our behavior specialist at school because she is always using Inside Out stuff with the kids.

i'm having a lazy morning. it's almost noon and i'm still in my jammies! after posting this i will get my act together! yesterday we bought cherries so need to can them later today. the twins are with their grandparents until mid afternoon and then i'm sure they will be at the neighbor girl's house because she's been gone and they've really missed her.

i need to meal plan and shop, but as you can tell i am not feeling inspired! DH is out running. DS is coming over for dinner so maybe we'll go for a long walk afterwards. i didn't make it to onderland last week, maybe this week! i did put a slice of ginger in my tea this morning so hoping that will keep my tummy happy for today.

DH and i started thinking about vacation next july. it'll need to be someplace we can drive to. that would include Disneyland, but don't think we're going there. DH definitley prefers WDW. we might head to Utah to look at some national parks. four years ago we saw Zion and Bryce. i love planning so epic road trip here we come!!

 

[sjrec]

Congratulations on escaping to the beach!!! 🏖

I haven't felt great since we lost power because of difficulty sleeping and eating take-out. Honestly, we weren't really prepared for more than a day without power, because we have never gone without power for more than 24 hours. So, we quickly ran out of non-refrigerated food and clean water. It was hard to make healthy choices with take-out because many restaurants and grocery stores were without power too, limiting our choices. Yesterday, I felt like I had a New Year's Day level hangover, so I was about a 2 as well. It was lovely to have the A/C back and healthy food, but those days really took a toll on me.

This morning, I woke up feeling more like myself...a little salty because we had no internet for several hours, but it is back now, and I'm about to go in the pool and reset myself. So, right now, I'm about a 7.

We lost power for 4 days after Hurricane Isabel and it takes a toll. We had water, but I remember meals being a pain and of course my husband was away on business. I had one lantern for evenings and worried it would run out of batteries and in my small town they were sold out. It’s stressful for sure and took me several day to feel back to normal.

 

[MickeyMom76]

@sjrec what did your daughter think of Disney during the pandemic? I moved my trip from Sept to June. My sister will have to cancel her September trip as well.

 

[sjrec]

@sjrec what did your daughter think of Disney during the pandemic? I moved my trip from Sept to June. My sister will have to cancel her September trip as well.

They have been there a week and will come home Thursday. From what they have told me, crowds last week were low. The were able to repeat rides in all the parks-even the most popular ones. They went to the pool in the morning a couple days because it was much less crowded. They are telling me people are good about distancing and wearing masks.
They have been eating at outdoor restaurants but did Kona tonight and she said they didn’t have people near them. She thought yesterday and today were busier than week days. They were at BCV for the first part of their trip and are at the Polynesian now. We were supposed to be traveling with them but we’re still glad we canceled. They can quarantine when they return because both their schools are doing virtual learning this fall.

 

[Summer2018]

How will you start this week as if it were on purpose...intentional...deliberate...by design?

 

[PollyannaMom]

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How will you start this week as if it were on purpose...intentional...deliberate...by design?

Well, I started early this morning. DS had to open at 6:00, so was up at 5:something making him a lunch. Then I threw some cookies in the oven for DH (previously mixed up and in the fridge), messed around on the computer a bit, and now I’m out with a cat as usual. I feel like I’m in that old commercial about “We do more by 9am...”

 

[MickeyMom76]

It may sound silly, but my intention this week is to relax. I’m forcing myself to stay in bed right now. Normally at the beach, I’m up making breakfast and packing lunches. But our house is right on the beach this time. So we can come in the house to make lunch. And kids are older, probably sleeping in, and can make their own breakfast. I am loosening up with my eating habits, but not going wild while on vacation. We packed all of our food to bring with us. So it’s really just house and beach. Here’s the view from our room:

 

[Summer2018]

It may sound silly, but my intention this week is to relax. I’m forcing myself to stay in bed right now. Normally at the beach, I’m up making breakfast and packing lunches. But our house is right on the beach this time. So we can come in the house to make lunch. And kids are older, probably sleeping in, and can make their own breakfast. I am loosening up with my eating habits, but not going wild while on vacation. We packed all of our food to bring with us. So it’s really just house and beach. Here’s the view from our room:
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BLISS

 

[Oneanne]

"By design..." I like that sentiment! I am designing this week to be a good food week, with high protein and low sugar intake. This week also has the continuation of household chores designed into it, tackling a little something every day. And it has less TV and more reading than previous weeks have had.

I'm calling the long weekend a rousing success. The living room didn't get painted, but the work done in the kitchen and bathroom more than make up for it. Next up, the dreaded closets... I'll get in to at least one of them this week. Consistent small steps. On the food front it wasn't as successful, yesterday in particular. I'm kind of getting bored with food in general, maybe it's time to just do protein drinks for a couple days and reset... that would get me my high protein/low sugar.

I want to take a week off in September, but don't want to spend it entirely sticking around the house. A couple days at the beach would be ideal, but it would need to be before I get a kitten... so maybe that means late August? Will need to start checking around.

 

[sjrec]

This week I will continue to work on losing weight. Wednesday is my “weigh in” so will evaluate how things are going. Still really hot but will walk later this afternoon.

 

[Summer2018]

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How will you start this week as if it were on purpose...intentional...deliberate...by design?

Now that I am back in control of the food I am consuming, I will intentionally eat healthy this week. We replaced all of the food we had to throw away from when we lost power with healthy food. I will deliberately have a smoothie made from the best ingredients for lunch every day this week using my Nutribullet. I will continue to avoid sugary treats and limit my added sugar to one teaspoon of raw sugar in my morning coffee. I will not have seconds at dinner.

 

[gardenrooms]

It may sound silly, but my intention this week is to relax. I’m forcing myself to stay in bed right now. Normally at the beach, I’m up making breakfast and packing lunches. But our house is right on the beach this time. So we can come in the house to make lunch. And kids are older, probably sleeping in, and can make their own breakfast. I am loosening up with my eating habits, but not going wild while on vacation. We packed all of our food to bring with us. So it’s really just house and beach. Here’s the view from our room:
View attachment 517087

Sooo beautiful. I would so love to be sitting on that deck sipping coffee and reading a good book while my family slept in. Enjoy!

 

[gardenrooms]

I have to convince myself to get up early enough to exercise and shop before meetings and pretty much continue that routine from now on. I have gotten in the bad habit of stalling on the exercising because I have had all day to do it, but no more. Meetings this week and students (virtually) next. So now is a critical time, because if I don't exercise before meetings/school I won't do it at all.

Plus I do love my beer or 2 during a ball game. Maybe I'll allow myself 1 beer a series. That'll save a lot of calories, and I need to get back on track with 2 pounds a week,

 

[Summer2018]

Topic Tuesday: Manifest Weight Loss

Think Yourself Thin! How To Manifest Weight Loss
We’ll now turn to consider some of the most effective practical exercises that help to explain how positive thinking might hold the secret to weight loss. Pursued in order, the following seven steps should assist you in setting concrete, achievable goal. Plus, this guide can show you how daily efforts to change your beliefs and emotions can lead to incredible shifts in physical fitness and self-esteem.
As we go through each step, we'll offer concrete examples that will help you see how you can quickly and effectively apply these techniques in your everyday life.
1. Find Out Why You Want To Lose Weight
If you look at Law Of Attraction weight loss success stories, one thing you’ll frequently notice is that the people in these stories have extremely clear aims in mind. So, spend some time identifying your reasons for losing weight, and then take an honest look at the beliefs and assumptions underneath.
If your reasons are negative, it will be much harder to achieve your goal. This is because you'll be focused on ideas about lack, resentment and, failure.

For example, if you want to lose weight because you're always comparing yourself to your ex's new partner, you're starting from a place of utter negativity.
To succeed in using the Law of Attraction for weight loss, you need to formulate positive goals that make you feel good. Here, think of things like wanting to have the stamina to climb a mountain, take up a new sport, or run after children in your family. Even if you don't have particular positive activities in mind, generally positive goals can also work (e.g. reducing your risk of developing chronic conditions).
In sum, you'll want to find one or more positive reasons for losing weight; reasons that come from a place of self-respect and a desire for growth, not from self-loathing.

2. Love Your Body
On a similar theme, manifesting weight loss is much easier if you're able to develop a positive, loving attitude to your current body (not just towards the body you imagine developing in the future). Positive thinking for weight loss begins by enhancing your self-esteem, and by being grateful for what you're able to do right now. Some of the best methods for developing this sort of self-love include the following:

• Treat your body kindly. Feed it nurturing food, allow it to have enough sleep, and pamper it (e.g. with a soothing hot bath, or a massage session).
• Make a list of the top ten amazing things your body can do, from the things you take for granted to the highly specific skills you've cultivated over your life so far.
• Make a pledge to stop comparing yourself to other people. Remember that the very things that you envy may be the things that they hate, and the things you dislike about your body may evoke envy in others.
• Dress the way you plan to when you lose weight, rather than waiting until the number on the scales drops.
• Your body is already a perfect body; Law of Attraction techniques are not required to make it so.

3. Change Your Relationship With Food
As you work to manifest weight loss, it’s not just your relationship with your body that matters. Your relationship with food is arguably just as crucial. Start paying attention to how you feel when you're eating, and on how you might be able to change that.

• For example, do you feel bad about yourself when you eat specific foods? And if you're prone to excessive snacking or to binge eating, ask yourself what feelings are driving these binges. For many people, anxiety, stress, and sadness are triggers for eating too much. When you identify specific things that tend to push you towards unhealthy choices that leave you feeling even worse than you did to begin with, try to develop other strategies for dealing with those emotions.

Perhaps you might start exercising when you're stressed, or begin creative projects when you're struggling to deal with a flood of difficult feelings. The goal here is to uncouple eating habits from negativity.
You can also change your relationship with food by putting more thought into how you prepare it. Contrast a microwaved meal eaten in front of the television with a fresh dinner that you cooked while listening to music; the latter reinforces a positive relationship with food that focuses on self-care.

4. Exercise Your Mind
Another important aspect of your Law of Attraction weight loss strategy involves cultivating your brain power. As you enhance your cognitive skills, you improve your ability to reason. It can also enhance self-control and occupies your thoughts with positivity. Here are a few simple exercises to get you started:

• Switch a few tasks in your daily routine so that the order regularly changes. This is proven to exercise the brain and increase neural activity, whereas following routines decrease this activity.
• Try to go through your entire bathing routine with your eyes closed (once you've safely climbed into the shower, of course). This boosts your sensory awareness.
• Deliberately engage with more people during the day. For example, choose to check out at the grocery store's main counter rather than using a machine. Even small social interactions improve cognitive abilities.
• Brush your teeth with the opposite hand. This helps to expand parts of the cortex that process information.
• Read out loud, or ask someone else to read to you. The brain focuses on different aspects of a text when you're reciting it or hearing it, so this can be particularly useful if you're studying.
• Challenge yourself to come up with ten possible uses for an everyday object.

5. Increase Your Self-Awareness
In your quest to think yourself thin, it’s important to look below the surface and develop more self-awareness. One particularly powerful way to do this is to start seeing yourself as active. Fascinating new research on the types of habits that promote weight loss shows that if you believe you're doing more physical activity than the average person, you're more likely to lose weight. This applies even if you change absolutely nothing else about your daily routine! In the relevant study, maids were told that their daily jobs were physically arduous. They reliably lost more weight than the control group who were told that their exercise output was merely average. This same shift in perception was linked to a health-promoting reduction in blood pressure.
These results underline how developing a more positive view of yourself and your behaviors can help you reach your goals at a faster rate. So, think of yourself as a fit, energetic and active person who is continuously losing weight. As a result, you might just find that you do.
It's worth noting that this approach generalizes. Therefore, whenever you set a goal try to spend some time seeing yourself as the kind of person who can achieve that goal.
6. Meditation For Weight Loss
You might traditionally associate meditationwith stress reduction, but it can also be used to promote weight loss. In particular, it's helpful to visualize yourself as having already lost weight, emphasizing all of the positive thoughts you have about your goals. In other words, think skinny thoughts!
Simply set aside 10-15 minutes per day; spend a few minutes on deep, slow breathing while your eyes are closed.
Next, build up a detailed picture of yourself as you aim to be at the end of your manifestation journey. See your body as it will be. This could be wearing the clothes you like and feel free to do all the things you want to do. Engage all of your senses, and really immerse yourself in the self-confidence, empowerment, and joy you know you will feel.
If you find the meditation process difficult, start by spending a few minutes on breathing exercises. You'll soon find that your focus and concentration grows, allowing you to spend increasingly more time doing creative visualization.

7. Law Of Attraction Weight Loss Affirmations
Finally, affirmations can be extremely useful when you’re using the Law of Attraction for weight loss. These are simple, positive statements that reflect your goals and help you to internalize a more positive view of yourself. Examples include the following:

1. I am strong, confident and happy with my body.
2. I am improving my physical health every day, and I can see it in my body
3. Every day, I steadily lose more weight.
4. I release myself from guilt, negativity, and shame around food.
5. I take care of my body every day.
6. There is no need to overeat; I can manage my emotions in healthy ways.
7. I feel love and gratitude towards my body for all it can do.
8. It is easy for me to lose weight and improve my health.
9. I love, accept and care for myself no matter what I look like.
10. I can do anything I set my mind too; even now, I am getting fitter and healthier.
11. I am healing my body and healing my mind.
12. My body is losing weight right now.
13. I am growing and changing, becoming who I was always meant to be.
14. I deserve to feel good about myself and my body.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Great article! I think I'm pretty OK on 1-4, but #5 was especially intriguing to me. - It's definitely true in my case, because I compare myself to DH, who's kind of all-or-nothing about exercise. (He tends to avoid physical activity unless he's going to the gym, and then he works out really hard.) We're very different in that respect, as I like to integrate moderate exercise into my daily life, and I really think it does give me a boost in the weight loss department.

#6 would probably be my trouble spot. My brain tends to go off in 30 directions if I try to meditate.

 

[sjrec]

Loved this article!

Not comparing myself to others struck home with me. I have to let this go.

I would like to explore meditation. Maybe first thing on the deck before I start the day.

 

[Oneanne]

Great article!

"Love your body" really resonates with me and is something I've been thinking about a lot lately. Mostly because I'm not very loving towards my body and tend to focus on the negative... the lumps and bumps and saggy bits. But really it's been a great body and has served me well, now it is time for me to serve it by feeding it nutritious foods, resting when rest is needed, moving/exercising when that is needed.

 

[ShannyMcB]

Those are some great ideas! Stress eating has always been a problem for me so having healthier, single serving snacks is very much a necessity if I cannot immediately engage in another type of stress management.