Come join me on my new website

I decided to jump in with both feet and actually purchased a website. All of my future posts will be found at:

DarcysFitnessJourney.com

Come and join me there :)

A Little Sad

I just found out that I wasn't selected to speak at the blogging conference. I'm sad. But, I'm not that shocked. I obviously have just started blogging, have no idea what I'm doing and need a little experience. The conference is made up of people who know what they are doing and have thousands of readers. I would have liked to go though. Now I just don't think I can make it happen.

Here's hoping that something else so big, so important and much better is heading my way! Maybe it's a sign that I shouldn't go to the conference because I have something else I need to be doing. Yep. I'm going to go with that for my answer, at least for now.

I will say that one really good thing came from applying to FitBloggin -- I started my blog. It's been something I've wanted to work on for ages, but didn't have a specific reason to get started. Now I do, and I'll keep learning and working on the blog as well as my health and fitness goals.

In the end, what really matters to me is that I'm healthy and happy. Everything else is fluff along the way.

Figuring It Out

January is always a struggle for me. I have great goals and aspirations, but real life seems to keep getting in the way. Especially here in New England!

Today I had great dreams for doing a Jillian, catching up on laundry, picking up the house and getting in about 20,000 steps for the day.

I also wanted to take a fitness test on Saturday that I postponed to today.

Um, no. My plans did not work out the way I thought.

Instead I got a snow storm. It wasn't supposed to be there. I didn't even see the weather until last night, and realized my plans were going to be unrealistic with a snow storm. Why? Again, it's the mother first thing. With snow here, my kids are home from school. They have demands of their own. Mostly to be fed. All the time.

So, I got my housework done and instead of my Jillian for strength training I did my fitness test -- I'll post all about that tomorrow.

And I also shoveled snow. I grew up in the Rocky Mountains where snow is light fluffy and easy to move around. That is not the case here in Connecticut! I wish I had taken my scale out to measure how heavy a shovel full of snow was, but my rough estimate is about 15 pounds. It's so full of water that it's incredibly hard to lift! My driveway is about 60 feet long, and that makes for a ton of shoveling! I really needed to clear the driveway before my husband got home and mushed it all down with his car. It's miserable to shovel after it's been smushed!

It took me about 90 minutes to shovel the whole thing, and was a very good workout. My muscles have that heavy achy feeling that tells me I did something good for them today.

While I was outside, my kids took a picture of me and then pictures of themselves. What little cuties! I had worried they would take all my time today, but they mainly spent time playing with one another and relaxing the day away.

It snowed the entire time I was outside, so my bank-robber cap was covered in droplets when I came in. I thought it looked pretty and tried to take a picture of it. My picture taking skills are currently being refined. I'll keep working on them!

All in all, I have to say that they day did not turn out as I had planned, but I did in the end make it work for me.  I got in a good workout that taxed my body. I got in my steps for calorie burn and cardio. And I got to spend time with my family on a beautiful snowy day.

All in all I would call it a success.

A Mom First

I had great goals for today. I was going to take my fitness test, time my mile and take body measurements.

First up on my family schedule was a church event for the children. I helped flip pancakes while they got to play with their friends and get to know their teachers better. It was a great morning and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

We stopped by the grocery store on the way home and everything was still running smoothly. I fed the kids and had a small snack. I needed to run to one more store, so I took care of that 20 minute errand.

When I got home, my plan was to get my exercise in before my husband got home from work around 6:00. I was behind on my steps by about 2,000 and I really wanted to get caught up and mostly finished before the evening craziness set in.

Little did I know.

My son has this crazy stomach thing that has happened once before. He is fine one minute and then in unbelievable pain the next. There is no warning, no reason that we can find and it's just plan awful. He screams and screams and weeps in pain. His chin quivers and his body shakes. It's so devastatingly sad.

He started having pain around 3:00. I held him in his bed for about 90 minutes and just couldn't take it any more. I called our wonderful pediatrician on a Saturday afternoon and they called me right back. We went through the symptoms, discussed options and decided that a bath was the first step. If a bath didn't cure him, then a trip to the ER was necessary.

I put him in the bath at roughly 4:50.

I should note that my wonderful daughter was mini-Mom. She was getting medicine, thermometers, blankets, comfort items and got the bath ready to go. She's my hero in so many ways!

I digress.

We got him into the tub and he just held completely still, curled up and rigid. He wouldn't move for fear that the pain would get worse. The bathtub water was so still that he noticed if he took a deep breath it caused ripples on the surface. My heart was just breaking for the poor little guy.

After about 20 minutes in the tub he started to relax a little. At about 40 minutes, he had stretched his body out was was starting to move around. By about 50 minutes in the warm water he was playing with bath toys and humming tunes.

Thank the heavens and the wonderful doctor who suggested a bath! No trip to the ER today!

He stayed in the bath and played for over two hours. He said he was comfortable, warm and that his tummy didn't hurt so he wasn't going to risk getting out until he was sure it was OK. Oh, and he discovered fart bubbles. Gross, but too funny not to share. He was very excited about the bubbles. Eventually he got out because the water was cold and he was hungry.

He had a waffle for dinner and came downstairs with me to watch me punch the bag for a while. At this point I had abandoned all my grand plans for the day, and was just hoping to get in about 10 minutes of punching and then reach 16,000 steps instead of the 20,000 I had planned.

Drama again.

John hurt his hand on the bag when taking turns punching. He got a couple of rug burns. After the earlier ordeal, he's just exhausted, so it sent him over the edge. He couldn't stop crying.

I took him upstairs to snuggle in the big rocking chair. We were finally to the laughing stage of recovery and I asked if I could feel his loose tooth.

"Sure!" he said.

I wiggled the tooth. He giggled.

I said, "Pretty soon you're going to be talking and that tooth is going to fly out and hit me in the glasses."

He said, "Like this?" and pushed his teeth against one another. It made his whole mouth fill with blood. The poor kid. He was so upset. His dad came over and within 2 minutes had the tooth out.

My son wouldn't let me go. He was clinging to me like a lifeline. The poor little boy had had it!

He was excited that the tooth was out, it didn't hurt and he's glad to have it gone. But I think all the turmoil of the day was simply just too much. He was toast. He asked me to go snuggle him in his bed. So, of course I did. We enjoyed our time together and it helped him calm down enough that he was able to go right to sleep.

What's my point of this rambling story? Well, it's this -- I'm a mother first. My kids are so much more important than one workout. Sure, I need to take care of myself and my family is really great about giving me time to do that. But, today my son needed me. He wanted a million hugs. I will never pass up the chance to get a hug from him. He is the most snugly, comforting and adorable boy I have ever met, and if he wants love I will drop everything to give it to him. That's what has happened today -- that boy got as much love as I was able to give.

I can workout on Monday.

My Thighs Are On Fire!

My thighs are on fire!

I'm not joking. Fire. I can barely sit down. When I try, I let out a little scream like Monica Sellas playing tennis. Want an example? Listen to this video:

What has caused my pain? My new favorite workout DVD Jillian Michaels Kickbox FastFix . I did the first workout for arms with some soreness, but not enough to incapacitate me.

Workout #2 for legs -- that did me in! I'm dying. It's been two days and it is worse today than yesterday. Maybe it's time to surf the web for tips to get rid of the soreness.

I remember in one of my favorite books of all time, The Deed of Paksenarrion , the fighting trainer recommends "more of what made you sore in the first place" to fix muscle pain from exercise. I'm thinking he's a liar, but I also can't get him out of my head.

Any tips out there?

Trying not to stress eat!

My husband is currently applying for a new job. It's stressing me out! Every night we apply, network and hunt for jobs. It's nerve wracking! The fact that we do it late at night and when I'm most tired and emotional does not make it easy to avoid snacking.

I'm doing my best not to run eat all the chocolate in the house!

I've been getting my steps in -- more than normal in fact -- but I'm working to make sure my eating stays in line with my goals. I've been trying to eat about 30% protein each day. It's OK most days, but when something stressful happens, I really want chocolate or salty, crunchy snacks.

I'm going to go walk so that I don't get into trouble! I'm at 24, 215 steps and I'd really like to get to 25,000 before going to bed. I just can't get that close without making it an even number.

An Extra Burn

Saturday was a cold, snowy day. During the mid-afternoon, my son and I went downstairs to burn off some energy.

We used my new Training Bag and gloves. They are great! I got them for Christmas, but the whole family loves getting in a few punches and kicks every day. It's an oddly bonding experience.

We take turns using the gloves because we only have the one pair, but it works even without them.

It's a fabulous way to burn off a few calories. Calorie calculators estimate that punching the bag burns between 100 to 150 calories in 15 minutes. I think that estimate may be high, especially for when we are messing around as a family, but it definitely burns something! My arms and shoulders feel it after!

P.S. This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive compensation.

Pushing through the fatigue

Today was exhausting.

In the morning I completed two of my favorite workouts -- kickboxing and yoga.

Then it was a mom-centered day. Run here, run there, plan a Girl Scout activity, get a birthday present and on and on. I left home at 2:30 and didn't get back until 8:30. That's my prime walking time, so I was far behind my desired schedule to get my 16,000 steps in daily.

Now, I find myself at 10:44 pm fighting for my last 2,000 steps. Fighting I tell you. I'm walking around my kitchen counter and typing at the same time on my iPad. I refuse to let my goal slip away today, but it's a challenge. But, venting has gotten me one thousand.

One thousand to go...

Jump Right In!

I can't believe what I have done.

In the last 24 hours, I have really stuck myself out there. I've left the comfort zone far behind and lept into the darkness. Hopefully I've not jumped right off a cliff!

Let's count my leaps:

First, I started this blog and actually told people about it. It's always fun to start blogs. But, actually committing to those around you that you have begun, want them to read it and then actually putting it out into the internet so that they can read it is a totally different thing. I know nothing about running a blog, writing a blog, or attempting to make money at a blog. But, here we are and I've started.

Second, I signed up for the Hartford Color Me Rad race on April 26th. I haven't participated in a road race for over nine years. And I have a bum foot to boot! My goal is to walk it in 45 minutes. It's going to take work! But my daughter and several friends have joined in, so it should be a fun and entertaining event!

Third --  and this is where I not only stepped out on a limb but jumped right out of the tree -- I applied to give a talk at Fitbloggin -- a fitness blogging conference. I honestly do not think they will take me. I mean, I have just started this blog and have no idea what I'm doing. I'm trying, but learning. However, I do feel like I know my topic. Here was my application:

Leverage Technology for Better Health

So, you've got this super fancy tell-all health monitor that you wear faithfully day and night. You check your stats, evaluate your numbers, and those of your 200 closest friends. But how do you use that data to actually make you a healthier person?

Let me show you.

Without the expense of a gym, a year ago I used my personal health monitor to help me loose 40 pounds and keep it off. With a few simple ideas, you too can leverage your powerful technology for better health.

I'm sure they have a ton of applicants, and that those people actually have a grown-up blog, so I'm skeptical that I'll get a shot. But, I tried. I TRIED! And that was my jumping point. In order to get anything to change, you just have to keep trying. So, I am. I'm trying.

Let's see where it leads!

Thursday Conquered!

I absolutely conquered today! I have the highest step count in the history of my Fitbit tracking.

I'm not going to lie -- my feet are feeling tired! But, I'm moving, trying and did better today than I have in eleven months!

Yeah me!

As I walked today, I took time to really think about my goals and what I want.

I really want it all -- family, home, health and wealth. I may not be able to guarantee wealth, but if I have the others, I'll be happy. So, that's what I'm going to focus on -- family, home and health. This blog will work on the 'health' portion of my goals. Tomorrow I'll detail my plan of action.

I'll try to give all the gory details of my plans here, but please forgive me as I learn and grow in the blogging process -- it's all new to me!



P.S. This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive compensation.

What are my goals and dreams?

I've been thinking about this all morning.

My husband and I had a heart-to-heart last night. I was trying to explain to him that since I quit working about 11 years ago to be a mom, I feel like I have lost control. Do you feel this way?

Working is power. It generates money. It generates social contacts. It gives you a place to go and things to do. It gives you goals, a purpose, a plan.

For me, being a mom at home doesn't provide that same amount of daily control. I drift. One day I'm working on cleaning a closet. The next I'm playing games with my kids that are home all day because it's a snow day and they need to be entertained. Every day is an adventure, a journey and a joy, but it doesn't have a plan.

I like plans. I like spreadsheets. I like knowing what to do and when to do it. Ha! I haven't been able to stick to living by a spreadsheet since 2002 no matter how hard I try!

So, knowing that it's impossible to have exactly the same schedule day after day and I have no idea how each day will play out, how do I figure out what I want and how to get there? How do I make a plan?

I started with this list of things that I really want out of life:

• To be healthy and strong
• Have a happy, unified family
• Have a clean and organized home
• Eat nourishing food
• Find mental, social and spiritual fulfillment
• Travel
• Write a book
• Sell quilts/quilt designs
• Financial Stability

Now, how do I get these things? Today I have no clue. I just know what I want. That's a good starting point. I'm going to keep thinking. I'm going to figure out how to create a plan that will work for me!

Weekends just sap my strength!

No matter how much I tell myself during the week, "I'm going to be better this weekend. I'm not going to eat poorly, I'm going to get my exercise in, and I'm not going to let the laziness win!"

I really don't conquer. In fact, I relapse into old ways.

Now, I do try to relax a little more on Sundays. It's a special day for my family to go to church, rejuvenate and prepare for the coming week. I don't have a set step goal for Sundays, I do what feels good.

But, I shouldn't be eating the indulgent food such as the Terra Veggie Chips I ate for my afternoon snack. If it had been one ounce, no biggie. But, without thinking I ate at least half of the bag -- probably 450 calories or so.

That combined with little exercise isn't going to do my body good. I'm going to need to think through the Sunday plan and maybe come up with some new options.

I will say however, that despite today's deficiencies, I conquered my step goal this week.

125,000 steps this week!!!

That's my best week in a long time. I plan to keep it up as I work toward my goal this year -- details will be coming soon!

Pushing through the lazy feeling

Today was one of those 'struggle' days. I've had such a busy week, I really just wanted to curl up on the couch with a good book and lots of chocolate.

But, I recognize that it's exactly those days that caused me to get out of shape in the first place, so I have struggled through and fought the lazy beast inside! I used my favorite walk for 20 minutes, rest for 10 minute pattern to get in about 8,000 steps. Once I get to about 12,000 it seems really easy to make it to 16,000 after that. Who know why, maybe it's just a mental thing.

It's about 9:30 at night, and I have 16,300 steps. I've been shooting for 18,000 all this week as part of the #fitbit2014 goal series, and today is my last day to finish strong. So, I'm off to go get my last 1,700 steps.

The question is, will I do the dishes too? That may just take more determination than I have right now :)