You know that feeling when your underpants start curling under because the pounch on your belly is making them roll over and when you sit down, said pounch sits on your lap a little? Yeah. That's where I'm at at the beginning of this year.
2020. Looks like since 2013 I've been rambling on about cooking. Cooking more, cooking more healthily for myself and my family and generally trying to get my act together regarding Planning Meals. Although, I didn't label it as the very trendy term, Planning Meals, back then. Back then, with very small children, it was, Just Getting Something On The Table Meals! I think the pendulum has shifted to far and we learned too well what we love to eat. My husband is a very good cook and I recommend, very good recipes that are not portioned out correctly. We also like our dessert at the end of every meal. Which is a problem.
But, we live and we learn and the lovely thing about it is that we are changing, evolving human being and we can set new goals. I have accomplished much these past 7 years, when you boil down to it, we've learned how to cook (check), institute more veggies and fruits in our meals (check) and have branched out into being more active (kind-of check).
I'd also like to mention that in my head, I've always been around the 159 pound mark. And that's been okay. 155 would be ideal (see below #2 for more info). But isn't it funny, I've recently gotten up to 178-184 and even though that was my pre-pregnancy weight with Leopold (my 9-yr-old), and I was upset, because I said I'd never get up to 180 again without being pregnant...I wasn't overly upset. And I feel like I should be.
I think I am or was in a fog. These past couple of years have been tough. Putting parents in assisted living, having a couple of miscarriages, thinking I was going to have a heart attack because my blood pressure was so high and then being told that I just need a massage and a walk and possibly a day off!!...I just wanted to mention it, because I really want to fit in my jeans again and I don't want to buy a size 14 pants! And I want to be able to hike with 4th and 5th graders up a mountain and not be left behind (not that I was left behind...they waited for me the good kids that they are). I also don't want to get diabetes or high blood pressure or have a stroke or a brain aneurysm if I can at all help it. I'm not good at taking pills and I don't want that a part of my lifestyle. Maybe, dear reader, you've been here too and it resonates. I just wanted to put it out there~
So. What are my 2020 goals? Good god.
1. only shop at consignment stores. Buy used clothes because 3rd world countries don't want them anymore?... Only shop at Anthropologie or Boden when it's a treat and I can't find what I'm looking for.
I mean, really...just read this: https://getpocket.com/explore/item/no-one-wants-your-used-clothes-anymore?utm_source=pocket-newtab
2. Just in case you don't know, I turned 40 last year, and the metabolism slow down for women, is REAL! Have started Noom. Want to lose, good lord, 20 pounds! That would get me to my Normal Weight, according to many health charts from mayo clinic and etc.. I'm about 175 pounds, 5' 9" and I need to be about 155. Thank god for friends who offer to strength train me for free! I really must get up to 10,000 steps a day, maybe join a dance class with husband, join "classpass", go on walks and hikes more often (go to Red Rocks and climb those devilish stairs!), bike with the kids & husband, walk/ride bike to school, and so on and so forth!...
2. b. shop at vitamin cottage more...eat organic...be intentional (aren't I good at using buzz words!?) about where to shop, how to get there and what I am putting in my body.
2. c. I feel like I spoke a lot about exercise in #2, but, I also need to lose weight by, ugh...counting my calories. And Noom, even though it's only been a week, has really opened my eyes with what I've been eating. Pleasant surprise for those of you who like Grape Nuts cereal, which I love warmed up with a bit of milk and sugar...Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain Cereal Almond is very similar and I am very happy with it sprinkled on top of yogurt and a small drizzle of honey. Just in case any of you were wondering. I do feel a little hippy-ish now! I'm excited to learn more about what is on the shelves of grocery stores and what is "healthy" for our bodies.
2. c. sidenote: I made Hunan Chicken from the app last night, and when I say I made it, I mean Andreas, my husband made it. I found and Planned the recipe and got the ingredients...and I would not recommend it. Even though the 9-year-old boy did eat it...eh, it just wasn't my jam.
3. Use electric car more often. saving the environment, man this is an uphill battle. What did those parents in the 70's think?! We're right back where we started. Damn 80's, optimistic 90's and 2000's, but this 2020. What are our world leaders thinking right now? What are our citizens of the world doing, not voting when they can to influence our future and our children's future?
4. Is that enough? 3 resolutions?! Esp. such heavy ones? I shall add here, want to be involved in local government. I want to be involved in local school government. I want a small stake that might have a chance at making a different and beneficial future for our children.
5. Figure out aging parents syndrome! the Sandwich Generation. I don't like that term. It feels burdensome. And it is a heavy weight to carry, taking care of your aging parents, but isn't it also our responsibility? We don't want some dystopian society where the old folks, who are no longer useful, get sent off to an island, never to be heard from again. Time to embrace this new dynamic.
6. Money! How to best invest our money. This is a big one. This will be looked into more at a later date.
I think that's all for today. Must get on with it...organizing our kids' auction, helping with the book fair, figuring out what their dinner tonight is, cleaning the house, laundry, going to book club (!)...it's a long day. Thanks for listening.
Lisa~
