Confession: I am a serial fad dieter/exerciser

I have a confession:  I think I am a serial fad dieter/exerciser.  I never wanted to be that person. All I want to do is form good habits for eating and exercising.  In theory, it should be easy because I am a master rule follower in life (just ask my friends), but for some reason I just can't follow two simple rules:  Eat well & Exercise.

Any time I have tried things, it only lasts for 30 - 60 days (Paleo & Crossfit or P90x).  I really have no excuse either - I see the results, I feel better, I know that lifestyle is better for me.  I know that I need this in my life.  The habits don't stick, though - and I go back to my lazy cooking & exercising (or should I say non-exercising) ways.

So what do I do know?

They always say the first step to making things better is by recognizing your faults, so: 

Step 1: Done :)

Step 2:  Find out my next steps.  Now, my biggest strength is my analytical thinking (it's my day job, too), so let's break down why these things have not worked:

1. I break off more than I can chew (try to do too much, all at once - never allowing a healthy habit to form)
2. Time Management - adding these big chunks to my schedule makes it OK for a short period of time, but isn't something I can sustain long-term
3. I lose momentum/get bore

So how do I get past that?  I think I need to take some baby steps, and not think too far into the future (I have planned out my month, introducing a baby step every 2 weeks).  I am already on Step5

Step 3: Be mindful.  Start meditation: 5-15 minutes of meditation daily.  No phone/TV afterwards.  I use the Mindfulness App to remind me to meditate at the same time every day.  I also bought a meditation stool because I found myself constantly thinking about how my feet were falling asleep/back hurt, etc, etc, etc.  I love this baby step.  After meditating for a week I had my first stress-free dream that I remember.  I feel rested, more complete..and ready for the next step (although I will continue to mediate)
Total time added:  Well, I guess 15 minutes..but it was 15 minutes of mindless web surfing..so net-net not a big loss..

Step 4:  Start moving.  Introduce daily exercise (no more than 30 min/day).  I have been doing Jillian Michaels 30 day shred at home or going for a 20-30 minute jog when I get a chance.  The workout is most mornings, while the kids are eating breakfast.  It is 25 minutes in total, and feels like a good workout.  An unforeseen bonus - my kids look forward to watching me workout and ask me to do it every morning - the two cutest motivational coaches ever! Repeat these two mantras:  (1) A body in motion stays in motion and (2) Any exercise is better than no exercise.
Total time added:  I would say about 20 minutes.  It requires a bit more time management here, but doesn't feel overwhelming..and it is def. sustainable.

I have been doing Step 3 & 4 for *almost* 3 weeks - and so far so good... Time will tell if these are sustainable healthy and happy habits...

Step 5: Eat healthy.  I don't have a great plan here, yet, but I am working on one.  I am thinking my goal will be to have 3 healthy, well-balanced dinners per week.   I just ordered 3 meals from Blue Apron this week and made my first meal last night.  This is meant to be easier because (1) The meals are healthy and (2) All the ingredients are organized and ready to prepare.  Last night I had Maple-Ginger Glazed Salmon.  It was delicious, but still took me 45 minutes to prepare.  The jury is still out on this option...If it still takes too much time, I may need to find another plan.

This is a long blog-post, but generally is what I am up to (besides working, being a parent, etc)..  I would love any ideas that you have, too!

OK, I need a plan...

As far as family and work time go, I give myself an A-.   Time for myself?  A BIG FAT F!

I want to be a good example to my daughter and future son.  I want them to have a Mommy that works hard, loves her kids and still finds time to do fun things and has a zeal for life.  My husband sails, is a die-hard Yankees fan (goes to games 2x a month), and has an endless list of the new things he wants to do (i.e. he is now learning how to kitesurf).  My list has one thing that has been on there FOREVER - rock climbing (not really a good thing to learn while 5 months pregnant).

I hate to admit it, but I think I have become *gasp* boring :(   I need to find things that make me tick.  I used to love trying new things:  traveling, skydiving, swimming with dolphins, sailing, knitting, crocheting, hiking, bike riding, sometimes just driving around to find new places that I have never seen.  I had endless "bucket lists" that I completed, and my top 3 have been there for a long time now (travel to Mauritius, swim in the Dead Sea, white water raft in the Grand Canyon)

My problem is, I can't seem to find the time to catch my breath - I go to work, come home, spend time with the family, watch some TV, repeat.  On weekends, we may go to the pool, beach or sometimes on the boat, but it isn't really ticking that "zeal for life" box.  I fear that I am going to be one of those helicopter Mom's if I keep going down this path.

This blog will hopefully help me get my groove back, find out what makes me tick...

Here is my plan:

1.  Actually blog about my daily life today without any changes to it yet, so I can figure out where my time is really going

2. Be realistic - I am about to have baby #2 in December - Alot of the things I like doing require either travel or extreme physical activity  - both of which will not be mesh well with my life for the next say 8-9 months), but I can come up with what I WILL do.

3. Actually come up with a plan on how to get myself to try new things - I really need to find something I love doing.

Let's see how this thing works out...