Her points are in pink and I put my thoughts alongside hers, as someone a decade older :)
She began her transition into the post with a picture of her beautiful family and here is the most recent one I have of mine :). Her kids are probably a dozen years behind ours? I miss those days but also really, really like the season I am in now too.
Gosh, was Easter the last time we were all together to get a picture?? Wow. . .
For reference, you've got parents living years #50 & #51 and three kids in their 20's with the youngest being our only teenager left :(
As far as health, Tom has undetermined gut problems that have been ongoing for the last two decades. We were a gluten-free family before anyone knew what gluten was :/. He is convinced that his issues are dietary and we are constantly, constantly exploring/experimenting with new/different diets for him. We've done it all. I say "we" but mean "he". "We" support him ;)
I have to say, in all honesty, that my kids are way healthier than I am and work really hard to stay healthy. I love that about them, that they care so much about their diets and exercise.
Here is what Shay does and there is nothing that I don't disagree with:
#1: I don’t drink sodas.
Ummmm. . .not me, AT ALL. I love a Diet Coke or Diet Dr. Pepper from the fountain. Or a bottle. Not in cans though :). I'm trying, trying so hard to "cut back" but it's the fizz/carbonation I like. I'm trying to do more sparkling water but, well, they are in cans and I don't like to drink out of cans. I'm trying though. And maybe I'll get this mastered. It's not a priority.
We didn't have sodas in our house when the kids were growing up and they rarely drink them. I'm so glad they have embraced that healthy habit. They are super, super good about drinking water. Just plain ice water. So much better than their momma :/
#2: I go outside every day.
Amen! I love to be outside. I love the sunshine. I hate being cold (duh) but even on cold days, I try to get out. I do think it's one of the most important things and would always rather be outside. Seeing kids outside playing makes my heart sing.
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| Without question, the BEST way to spend time outside :) |
#3: I stopped watching the news.
YES!!! A thousand times YES. They day after our last national elections I just quit. Quit completely. I'm not much of a TV watcher anyway, so this wasn't hard, but I feel so much better living in my "own little world" concentrating on things I can control vs. things I can't. Now, I will investigate stories that people mention, research candidates/issues before elections, etc. but really, I can't control the weather, I can't control the evil I see in the world, I can't have influence on the newscasters reading/reporting the news so I stay away from it and am a much happier person.
#4: I make annual appointments for skin checks, mammograms, with my OBGYN and I go twice a year to the dentist
I'm terrible about this (except mammograms) but it is a healthy habit that I definitely agree with. I did a physical this year and made appointments for my daughters too but, for us personally, found little value in it. My sister, one of the biggest influencers in my life, who is a physician, would disagree with me whole-heartedly on this and that is o.k. I agree, it's a good habit but probably not one I am going to pick up (yet).
#5: I make dinner at home.
Yes. But I do it because we would almost always rather eat at home. It's 100% healthier, of course, sometimes it's cheaper, it's easier to control your portions, and it just tastes better (really). We like the convenience of eating out, of course, but the obesity epidemic in this nation, I believe, is directly related to the salt and fats in "fast food" and even prepared frozen food you buy at the grocery. Except for vegetables and ice cream, I'm not much of a frozen food fan either. Some people splurge on home decor, brand-name clothing, expensive vacations -- my kids grew up with me splurging at the grocery store, "shopping the perimeter" and baking rather then buying processed food. Don't worry - the kiddos got their weekly Chick-fil-A and occasional McD's growing up!!
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| Hello Fresh is my new go-to splurge. Although I love cooking, I don't much like deciding what to make or doing the grocery shopping. |
#6: I drink water before bed and right when I wake up.
I've never specifically thought about this one. Of course I've done the FitBit water tracking in my lifetime and know that water is good for me. . .the problem is, unlike my kids, I like my water flavored so I do drink at least 2-3 cups of water with lots of ice right away in the morning. . .with my energy flavor packet added :/. Yes, I drink a lot of chemicals. . .I know.
#7: I have a very specific bedtime routine.
Ha! This one makes me laugh!! I don't have one :/. BUT if I had trouble falling asleep or sleeping I would definitely try a routine. The kids always had a routine and were great sleepers. . .but I just fall asleep when I fall asleep. Again, if you are interested in having a really complicated, good-for-you routine, Shay has a great detailed post about it here.
#8: I unfollowed so many people on Instagram that I didn’t need to see every day in my feed.
Well, for me, that would be Facebook but I don't really do that. I know many have to (like I can't watch the news) but it really is easy for me to skip over things that are probably going to raise my blood pressure. I like to keep an eye on "the other side" and genuinely try to see another perspective, thought, idea and where it came from. I can disagree with you on a topic and still love you fiercely. I am a person that thrives on connections so checking in a couple times a day (and keeping myself accountable with Picture and/or Project of the Day on Facebook) with social media isn't killing me. I do think people do need to recognize when their entire identity is wrapped up in it, though. In my experience, most people are much happier when they stay away from it so I might change this habit to I only allow myself two 15-minute time allotments on SM each day.
#9: I watch and read things that bring me joy.
This seems "duh" but how often do you find yourself mindlessly "taking it in" (kind of like food?) and it's just not good for you, your soul, or your mindset? For years and years I thought I had to finish every book I started -- now I've learned that if it is distressing to me, making me anxious, or I'm not enjoying it that it is o.k. to STOP. Again, a lot of self-awareness in this habit, but so important for a healthy emotional life I think.
#10: I limit how much time I spend on my phone.
I don't think there is a person in this world that would disagree with this. I'm a "timer" person -- I try to set timers if I'm going to do something mindless like scroll SM or play a game. . .phones are great for communication, looking things up quickly, etc. but they can also become distractions that hurt your real relationships. PUT THE PHONE AWAY. Why do we all feel like we need to respond to everything right away?? Just me?? I'm trying to get better (unless it's one of the kids - they always have priority).
#11: Protein is my go-to.
This must be the message I'm supposed to get this week. I read this post from Amy this week and protein was my take-away in that one too. My boys are always telling my husband that he is not getting enough protein. I'm putting this at the top of my list of priorities.
#12: I walk my dogs.
It is good to have a dog to keep you accountable. She needs to get out every day and, if we don't go to the dog park (our community has so many good ones!!) we try to at least take her out in the neighborhood. I really do wish I had a group of people that liked to consistently walk -- I would do it every day. I know I can anyway, it's just I'm more likely to do something if it's with other people :)
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| Local park with Tom, Stephen & Chelsea this spring |
#13: I aim for 7 hours of sleep.
This is a good one! Again, when raising our children, this was an absolute. . .some people care about how much "x" their child eats or what they wear or how many hours they watch TV (well, I cared about that one too) but our biggest "thing" was a great sleep routine. I honestly believe it's the #1 thing you can do for your child as a parent -- make sure that they get good, consistent sleep growing up with great bedtime routines and a comfortable place to sleep. Me? I go to bed when I'm tired and wake up when I wake up. Generally 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. but that can vary. . .I'm not very specific with myself anymore.
#14: I enjoy time with my girlfriends!
For me, this would be, I get out on the tennis court as much as possible. The important thing here is to find what fills you up, what gives you energy, what gives you something to look forward to and invest in that.
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| A recent State tournament win |
#15: I lift weights.
I wish. I know. Our oldest even wrote up a strength plan for us. OK, this goes at "the top" with the "eat more protein". No matter your adult age, this is important. My almost-80-year-old-MIL has me beat on this!
#16: I have hobbies.
I have projects. I used to have "hobbies" but they have fallen by the wayside. Again, it's a social thing for me and I haven't found that posse here in East Tennessee that wants to craft/create/grow together. But I do love a good project, and they keep me going. If I'm feeling down, aimless, or bored Tom knows that it's time to find another project :)
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| My latest project -- painting all the doors in our house |
I listen to worship music every day. As I've been using Shay's list to reflect upon, but this is one that is essential for me and my mood/emotional well-being. I need the Truth spoken into me daily and although I try hard to keep up with The Bible Recap and church on Sundays and small group during the season, Christian music needs to be a part of my day. Tom wakes up to it each morning and I try not to put on any other stations and/or listen to any podcasts or books until I've first filled myself with Christian music. I even have a playlist set aside that I've told my family to please play for me on repeat if there is ever a time I can't make my own decisions for whatever reason.
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| I took this picture yesterday to show my niece that I am preparing for the concert we are attending together next month! |
I take vitamins/supplements every day. I know I don't eat as well as I should and believe that some of our good health is due to getting daily supplements. When I travel I rarely take them and, if gone for more than 5 days, find that my body doesn't feel as well without them. I'm thankful to not be on daily medication except during allergy season.
I take a nap every day :). I do. I am a mess without it and always have done this -- even in HS and college. It's only 20 minutes -- I don't even need to set a timer. When I was a teacher it was immediately after school before I started on all the stuff for the rest of the day and then my jobs since then have mostly been part-time so I can find time either on my lunch hour or right after I get off work. I can sleep anywhere - in a parking lot in the driver's seat, on a bench at a ball game or tennis match, or just stretched out on the couch with "life" going on around me.
~ Jenni
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