Daily Challenge 3/11

I'll write about today in another post (it's already halfway written anyway), but I wanted to share this quick. I've been on Daily Challenge for a couple months now and every once in a while I get one that really makes me think. Today's challenge (on the Everyday Well-Being Track) was List 5 traits, skills, or talents you're happy you have. I love MeYou Health because they give you extra information about your tasks too.

How to do it

Maybe you like your hair, eyes, or smile. Perhaps you have a mean green thumb, a showstopping jump shot, or the ability to make others laugh. Or maybe you're the type who can effortlessly navigate new cities, solve tough crosswords, and make a delicious meal. Whatever you like about yourself, write it down. Go for at least 5 on your list!

Why it matters

We often don't take the time to consider what's special about ourselves - and for many people, it's far too easy to focus on the negative. But when we acknowledge the things we do well and appreciate the wonderful qualities we have, it strengthens our self-worth and reminds us that we are unique and have a lot to offer.

Fun Fact

"I'm OK, You're OK," the classic self-help book that promoted a deeper understanding of the self as a way to improve personal relationships, was the United States' number-one bestseller in 1969.

I thought about this one as I was sitting on the beach after my race, and a little more once I got home and camped out on a blanket in the back yard to enjoy the gorgeous weather. Here's what I came up with ...

1) My eyes. They're green, but the shade changes, like a mood ring. They've been this way my whole life and several of my friends have gotten really good at reading them.

2) Determination, though my dad would call it being stubborn. If there's something I want, I work hard to get it. If I believe one thing, it takes some pretty strong evidence to make me believe otherwise.

3) My creativity, especially when it comes to my writing. I have a hard time writing technical reports and papers (a problem in my field), but a single thought or picture or experience can leave me writing for hours. Page after page.

4) My ability to be an authoritarian (is that even a word?) without losing the respect of those around me. I really cultivated this skill back when I worked at the girl scout summer camp. I was always known as a fun counselor (as far as I know. I STILL get the occasional email from some of my girls), but just raising my voice a little let the girls know that the time for goofing around was over and they had better fall in line NOW.

5) My scars, physical and emotional. Each one tells a story of an experience or a life lesson learned (probably the hard way). I don't regret any of them.


- - -
If you had to complete this challenge, what would you choose? Why?

Fitness Goals For The Rest of 2011

It's time I get back to LIFE. Seriously. I need to work out again for sanity's sake. Plus, Annie's wedding is 2 1/2 weeks away now. That gorgeous bridesmaids dress is hanging from my closet door right now, mocking me for my lack of exercise the past couple weeks. I've run a couple times, but mostly just rambling down the trials over at OO.

So, to re-commit myself, I'm writing out my fitness (mental and physical) goals for the rest of this year.

1. Blog at least 2x a week, even if it isn't about running. I try to keep as much of the personal ranting off here as possible (that's why I still have my Xanga, right?), but sometimes there is something that just needs to be said.

2. Run at least 3x a week. Simple enough.

3. Weights/ cross-train 2x a week. I'll be focusing on my arms and upper body until after Annie's wedding, and the pool is officially closed (*sob*), but I'm setting up little brother's playstation (that he didn't take to his apt) in the basement so I have a way to play my workout dvds where I actually have ROOM to PARTICIPATE. Maybe I should move my Wii down there too ... now to buy a balance board.

4. Complete at least 5 challenges every week on DailyChallenge. I'm on the "Active Life" track right now. Most of the challenges are extremely simple things like stretching or today's was doing 12 wall push-ups, but it's a nice reminder to get up and do something.

5. Be more conscious of what I eat. Eat to enjoy food and fuel my body properly. This takes effort because I'm a bored and nervous eater and I don't always make the best choices. I guess mom is going to work on dad (he promised to go on a diet after he realized he at 4 hot dogs for dinner before the football game the other night), but we'll see. I appreciate my mom cooking from scratch as often as she does (which is more related to HER health issues than to my diet), but portion control is a SERIOUS issue in our family.

There. I think those goals are reasonable. And 5 is a nice simple number. Not too many, but I'm not slacking off either. This will be a good thing. Any one else want to weigh in?

I should probably get in a decent late-morning snack/ early lunch NOW so I can run when I leave the lab this afternoon. *Looks around.* Yes! I still have instant oatmeal in my lab stash. *happy dance* :)

Daily Challenge 9/3

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE BROTHER! He's 20 today (good grief I feel old). We went to Red Robin last night for dinner and mom MADE SURE the waitress knew he was the birthday boy so they'd sing to him. He glared at mom the entire time. It was hilarious! lol.

How to do it

Find the oldest, most outdated, clunkiest pair of shoes in your closet. You know, the ones with an inch of dust on them. Put them on. Walk around the house in them. If you're still unsure whether you should get rid of them, snap a photo of your feet and send it to a friend. Have her give you three reasons to get rid of them. Then put them in your donation bag (or toss if damaged).

Why it matters

Closet real estate is king, and way too valuable to have it taken up by shoes that we no longer wear. By ridding your closet of old, unused shoes, you will have the room to be better organized. This will facilitate wearing what you have, taking better care of it and getting dressed faster, thus eliminating the mad dash for the door every morning. And you will never again be frustrated by not being able to find a pair of shoes that you just KNOW are in there.

My Answer

I always "rotate" my tennis shoes ... When my running shoes get worn out, they become my every-day shoes and then become my grass-cutting, creek-stomping shoes. They don't get thrown away until they are COMPLETELY trashed. That being said ... I have a pair of old nasty creek-stomping shoes still in my car after last weekend. They're headed to the trash can now.

Daily Challenge 9/1

How to do it

Write down one problem or issue that you are concerned about. Spend a few moments thinking of two solutions, and then write the solutions next to the problem. If there is one solution that seems stronger, circle it and think about how to implement it.

Why it matters

When we're really worried about an issue, it's easy to spend time over-thinking it. With too much thinking and too little action, people become stressed about a problem. Taking the action to brainstorm solutions and select one to potentially put into action lessens some of the stress created by the problem.

My Answer:

Well, my biggest issue right now is financial. I can't find a job while I'm working on my Masters, but I'm not on a graduate stipend any more. I had a nice savings built up when my TA/GA ended, but I've been living off it since the beginning of this year. My savings has lasted me much longer than I had expected, but as my wallet shrinks, I seem to have bigger and bigger expenses. One of my solutions, and the most practical, is to hurry up and finish this stupid Masters so I can find a job. In the short term, I'm cutting back my spending as much as I can (no fast food, no unnecessary expenses [hard when you're a bridesmaid], only driving to campus a couple days a week), and finding smaller ways to make a couple dollars. I babysit when I can and I'm collecting aluminum cans to take to the recycling place. IF ANYONE IN THE TOLEDO AREA HAS CANS THEY WANT TAKEN CARE OF, LET ME KNOW. I CAN PICK UP.