Day 11: 30 days to fit

MY CHOCOLATE PROTEIN POWDER CAME IN TODAY!

I haven’t been this excited about receiving my chocolate protein powder in a long time! It’s been on back order for over a month and since I drink this daily – I run through my bag in 2 months! I’ve learned now to keep one in reserve always!

Today I really really really enjoyed my breakfast shake! Almond/Coconut unsweetened milk, chocolate protein powder, strawberries, blueberries, almond butter, celery, kale, green beans, and a handful of raw almonds for texture, ice and blend!! YUMMM heaven!

I ran around with my kids quite a bit today – forgot to eat lunch on time, so came home ravenous…why is it that moms remember to feed their kids like clockwork but forget themselves? I will remember to sunblock my kids, carry snacks and water for them – but never think about doing the same for myself…have to change that ASAP! As a result of that…I came back to ZERO will power – cheese pizza is what I found in my fridge to eat…UGH – dairy and gluten – two of my no nos! Not good to be that hungry! It prevents your ability to choose wisely. I realized around 4pm that the only liquids I had had was my protein shake and decaf coffee (yep, with my soy creamer and turbinado sugar). I quickly drank 2-3 glasses of water…again, not a good idea. This made me realize that I have to get better organized when I’m running around town with my kids! When I pack snacks/water for them – I must do the same for myself. It’s that airplane oxygen mask philosophy – put yours on first (care for yourself first) before you help your kids (so that you can be a better parent to your kids!).

I want to talk about recipes….not cooking recipes, but  my recipe for success…I have a list of things that I must do, to be my optimal best! To be a good mum, wife, daughter, sister, professional, etc.  I need to take care for myself a certain way. My recipe goes something like this:

• Meditate daily
• Run three times a week for a total of at least 10 miles
• Cook from scratch for my family at least 5 days a week
• Sleep 7 hours a night
• Sleep no later than 10 pm
• Wake no later than 5:30 am during the week (that gives me 1 hour to myself in the morning)
• Sleep in till 8 am one weekend day
• Read 10 pages of a good book every night

When I adhere to this – I feel completely invincible! Everything flows exactly the way it should and I have energy that would put the energizer bunny to shame! I am disciplined in a way that is empowering to me in all areas of my life. This is not to say that I am regimented…it just makes me feel in control!

However, when even one thing falls to the wayside – other things start to slip! When I haven’t had a full night sleep, which has been the case for me these past few weeks, except for an occasional here and there day when my toddler does deign to sleep all night long – I can’t get up at 5.30 am, which means, no meditation, no running. No running means too tired to cook and too tired to read at night…when the discipline of  my routine is disrupted, it disrupts my overall discipline in all other areas of my life. I have intentionally experimented with this and then it’s happened organically – and the results or lack of them are the same! I feel unfocused, disorganized and not at my best. I am going through motions – but not taking the reigns. I am letting life happen to me, instead of me making my life happen.

I know that sleep is the falling domino for me – everything else falls down. It’s really good to identify that one hot button thing for you – being aware of it, is a big part of knowing how to deal with it.

So – what is that hot button thing for you? What makes life fall down around your ears? (what does that even mean???) And…what can you do to fix it?

Will you share?