Spinning 2,020 miles in 2020!

I've never been a big New Years Resolution setting person, but in the past few years I've been better about setting goals for myself. Some are pretty simple and as I've done them consistently they've become habits that are pretty much just a normal part of my life.

Exercise though has always been a struggle - finding the time to do it, finding an exercise program that I actually liked, staying consistent, etc. Through a few different issues last fall, I came to the realization that it was something that I had to do and I had to do it now - it was a non-negotiable. So I made myself prioritize going to the gym five days a week. I gave myself two off days, but five days a week I would do a 45-minute workout. I started going back to spin classes and fell back in love with the chance to zone out for 45 minutes, sweat a whole bunch, and listen to some great music. Our local YMCA has spin or spin and strength classes six days a week, so it was perfect for my five day a week goal.

By the end of 2019 I was feeling much better physically (I had dropped just under 20 lbs) and mentally. As 2020 arrived I knew that I needed to set some goals to continue pushing myself and prioritizing working out. And thus the goal of 2,020 miles in 2020 was decided. It averages to about 170 miles a month which is do-able. So, this month I pushed myself and made it to 150 miles today!

I found a FitBit watch that I wanted earlier this month and decided that I'd get it when I reached 150 miles - got it today - whoop whoop!

Some days I do a full spin class and some days I do spin and strength where we spin for a few songs and then do a weight routine for a song, so I end up spinning a few less miles in those classes but the weight routine has really helped me tone up my arms and core.

Some of the days with a 0 were 0 miles spinning, but I still worked out. When I can't get to the gym I've been doing a 45-minute weight routine at home. 

I still have a ways to go to meet my weight goal, but I've lost 30 pounds and most importantly I feel better, not perfect all day everyday, but better. I've cleaned up my eating as well (for the most part...some days you just need a milkshake, right?) and I think that along with the exercise has helped me realize that I have to put my health (physical and mental) high on the priority list.

This year is going to be a great one and pushing myself to spin over 2,000 miles is going to be a big part of that. It won't be easy. And some days I won't want to go, but the pros compmletely outweigh the cons.

So cheers to 2020 - a year of spinning my way towards a big goal and accomplishing lots of smaller goals along the way!

In all things find joy...

Today wasn't great, but this not great day opened my eyes to something I needed to experience.

The rough...the frustrating...the aggravating...and the overwhelming moments wove themselves together into a tapestry of realization...and it was just what I needed when I needed it. So, here's how it happened...

Since today was a teacher work day, the boys were with me all day. And while that usually makes teacher work days a little harder, they loaded down my car with Legos and other toys this morning so that they would be good and entertained as I worked.

All was well...until we got home this afternoon.

I took one load of stuff (toys, bags, mail, etc.) into the house and decided to go ahead and put the boys dinner in the oven. As I grabbed a pan I heard Ellis yell, "NO! DAISY COME BACK HERE!"

Yep...Daisy had slipped past one of the boys as they were coming in with their stuff...

I dropped the pan and ran out the door chasing that dang dog into the neighbors yard. She finally decided to slow down and I was able to grab her while RF came running with her leash.

Crisis averted...Daisy is now back in the house. As the boys continue to unload the car, I go back to getting dinner in the oven. And then I hear, "NO! GUS AND DAISY COME BACK HERE NOW!"

Yep...BOTH beagles are running through the back yard. Upon hearing my tone (let's just say I made it very clear that I was mad as a wet hen), both beagles tucked their little tails between their legs and ran back into the house. Crisis averted again.

With all doors securely shut (and locked) I finally got dinner in the oven and went to change clothes. Coming out of my bathroom I heard RF crying. As I walked into his room to check on him, he was under his bed sobbing. I coaxed him out and asked what was wrong. He said, "I keep messing up! I can't do anything right!" He blamed himself for letting the puppies get out and upon coming back into the house he dropped his Lego box with one of his Lego constructions in it and it broke. He was overwhelmed and heartbroken. I decided to take a moment and just sit with him. Sometimes we just need a hug, right? After he calmed down I reassured him that the dogs getting out and him dropping his Legos were both accidents and that he is allowed to make mistakes. I'm not perfect and I would never expect him to be. I then reminded him of all of the things that he did right today - saying yes ma'am and no ma'am, playing kindly with his brother, helping me in my classroom, offering to hold the door open for me while I walked into my classroom when my hands were full, etc. He smiled and said, "I love you, mommy." #cuethetearsfrommommy

I had to walk outside to get it together. I needed a minute. The last 15 minutes of my day had been chaotic, to say the least. As I wandered the back yard for a bit and then sat down next to one of my flower beds where the narcissus are blooming I closed my eyes and thought about my word for this year...joyful. And I thought about the sign on my mantle...in all things find joy.

In all things find joy...you have to actively search for it. You have to want it in order to see it sometimes. If you don't want it, you won't search for it and if you don't search for it you won't find it.

So the majority of my day that was pretty normal had lots of obvious joy in it, but could I find joy in the last 15 minutes?

And after sitting and thinking and listening it came to me...the joy in the last 15 minutes is that I forced myself to stop and reflect and actively search for the joy.

The joy wasn't obvious, but it was powerful. It wasn't bright, smiling faces. It wasn't standing in front of me shouting "Here I am...look at how much joy is in your life!"

It was tear stained cheeks (RF's and mine). It was running through the backyard chasing after the dogs. It was a conversation about not needing to be perfect. It was remembering that every day isn't great, but that there are great things in every day.

I chose to find the joy in the rough...in the frustrating...in the aggravating...and in the overwhelming moments.

Cheers to a joyful 2020, my friends! May you find joy in your daily life...:-)

Happy New Year --- Welcome 2020!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Oh my goodness...it's 2020! I cannot believe that we are starting a new decade! It's going to be a great year, for sure!

In my last blog post of 2019 I noted my New Year Goals which included...

• Embrace my 2020 word - JOYFUL - everyday.
• Read more for pleasure. 
• Smile more. 
• Consistently meal plan and prep each week. 
• Continue consistent workouts. 

This year's blog posts will focus on these five goals. My game plan is to document both our monthly goings-on as well as my work towards achieving my 2020 goals. 

So, in starting off the year, here's my visual reminder about joy. 

And my first book of the year...

Happy New Year, friends! I hope your 2020 is full of love, laughter, and JOY!