Motivation or lack there of...

We have a problem...a very big problem.  It's called motivation.  To be honest it is the lack of motivation.  Right now, I am supposed to be typing up a summary of the activities and lessons we have accomplished during our 2011-2012 school year.  As you can see, I am typing this lovely post about motivation.  The more I type the more I think it should be entitled procrastination, but hey, it's my post, I will call it what I want.

I'm normally on the ball.  I have things completed on time or ahead but this year, I seem to be moving at a snail's pace.  By June, I usually have our portfolio completed and ready to submit.  We do a lot of traveling and hands-on things during the summer so I incorporate the things we have learned during the school year into our summer vacation.  Most of the portfolio is completed in June for submission August.  I add the few things from our summer break and then the 1st of August every year (except this one) I submit our school portfolio for review.  The first week in August, I also begin to familiarize myself with the curriculum (which I still haven't bought) and begin writing lesson plans. On top of that I am normally have my curriculum picked out and lesson plans already made...yeah, that hasn't happened either.  Note to self:  PURCHASE CURRICULUM!

I know I am not alone but there are times I feel there is no hope.  I was chatting with a friend (while I was supposed to be prepping for this school year) when we came up with some solutions.

Problem #1:  This morning I sat down to prep for our portfolio that is to be turned in August 23.  Normally I have already submitted this and have already planned for the next school year but this year I seem to have procrastinated more that usual.

"What are you having problems with that I can help with?"  Well, let's see the dishes need to be done, the floors need to be vacuumed, scrubbed, mopped, etc., dusting, the works!  Oh wait, you asked problems...well, motivation, procrastination, but all of the above would work too.  Actually at this point I do not want company because I do not want them to see how I really live.  Now since he lives 1600 miles away, that won't be a problem but that means that I have to do it.  I sat here thinking about it.  When I help others, I have the motivation to help myself.

Lesson #1:  Inspiration can come from finding a way to help others.

Problem #2:  After returning from our annual vacation, my 9-year-old daughter has been bored.  She does not have any friends in the neighborhood in which we live...mainly because there are no kids.  We live in a neighborhood that is primarily gay or lesbian and those that live here are older.  I feel so sorry for her considering she made so many new friends and was able to come and go as she pleased (within reason).  Since she is learning to read and I still have to make a list of books she has read this year I have encouraged her to read.  I promised her if she reads 25 books (they are short kids books) there would be a reward at the end of the week.  I have not told her what it is, but it will be going to Boomers.  Her eyes lit up.  Begin challenge!

Lesson #2:  Creating a challenge can be an inspiration.

Problem #3:  Procrastination.  Just like anyone else, I procrastinate.  I get distracted easily.  Remember in the movie UP! when Dug the dog is talking and all of a sudden says "Squirrel" and off he runs?  Yep, that is me.  Not completely but pretty close.  I need to wipe the slate and start from scratch.  Clear away all the other distractions, focus, and get started.

I have been going through the bookmarks on my computer attempting to find one link that has to do with our geography studies.  I have gone through what feels like a gazillion and decided I needed a break.  A sink full of dishes later and this post and I will get back to work...well, I probably should start fixing supper but you get the idea.

Lesson #3:  Clear away EVERYTHING and just let the creative juices flow.

Problem #4:  Mornings are the worst for me and I feel lazy.  I don't just feel it, I am lazy.  I am not a morning person.  Just ask my husband, my daughter, or some of my closest friends.  I have frequently said I want to exercise, but I just don't have the motivation.  I have the nice walking shoes, some fantastic walking shorts and exercise clothes, I just need to do it.  Isn't that the Nike slogan?  I need to lace up my shoes and get out the door.

Lesson #4:  Just do it.  Motivation will come.  The pounds will shed, and I will feel better overall.  (Now if the rain will just stop long enough for me to get my walks in!)

Problem #5:  When I feel lazy and don't want to do anything, I need to remind myself that I am only going to live once.  My Uncle Lawrence told me that my inbox will always be full, take some time for yourself.  However, I don't think he meant to be lazy.  Last month, the son of one of my dearest friends was in a horrible motorcycle accident.  We all expected the worst and although he has a lot of surgeries ahead of him he is healing.  He has been given a second lease on life and it is a complete miracle that he is even here!  I need to remind myself of the gift I've been given.  I have an amazing life and it's not perfect, but why spend what little time I have on pointless and laziness.  I have intentions to create, to help people, to do something fulfilling and joyous.

Lesson #5:  Be grateful for the miracle of my life, and ask how I want to spend it.  Then get to it, make it better!

Problem #6:  I read all these blogs of parents who are so organized and they have craft rooms to die for, their homeschool works like a well oiled machine and their life seems perfect.  I know it's not but they are inspiring.  They often spark ideas, making me want to do something really, really cool.  Then I start dreaming.  Usually my dreams are big, and they may never happen but that's not the important thing here.  I am surrounding myself with inspired people and I am more likely to be hit by inspiration and if I'm lucky their motivation will rub off on me.

Lesson #6:  A blog I read earlier today said, "Don't wait for inspiration to strike - you have to meet it halfway.  If you want to be hit by lightning, go out in a thunderstorm with a metal rod.  Scream at the thundering gods, daring them to strike you."

Well, I don't want to be struck by lightening but the inspiration would be nice.

This is a test...

So I have this new app on my phone that lets me update my bog from my phone... This is just a trial. If it works I might actually start using this blog again!!

Shape It Up

Since I last posted, my journal has been all over the place except on here.  I have used Post-It notes, backs of worksheets, my grocery list, etc.  As I prepare month long adventure to help take care of my family in Missouri, I have been stressing.  Now when I stress sometimes I eat, sometimes I don't.  Sometimes I sleep, sometimes I don't.  This all happens to fall within "that time of the month" so I am bloated and craving sweets and not exactly the happiest person in the world.  On the plus side the only sweets I have in the house are Frosted Flakes because I am too lazy to make a batch of brownies or cinnamon rolls.

On Friday the weather was beautiful and I decided to take Kira to Anne Kolb Nature Center. The park has a 68-ft tower that you could climb (or take the elevator). I chose to climb and that's when I realized how out of shape I am.  It has concrete steps and at one point I would have felt comfortable running up the stairs...no, not anymore.  I walked.  At about the 3rd level, I could definitely feel my heart racing.  My reward was a spectacular view of the mangrove estuary, West Lake, the Intercoastal Waterway, and the Atlantic Ocean.  We took a trail but in Florida most of your trails are flat and consist primarily of boardwalks.  In using the "Lose It!" program I was inside my calorie intake which felt really good.

On Saturday and Sunday my calorie intake was NOT where it should have been, but I wasn't over by much either.  I didn't do my workout plan on either day but did some major cleaning involving which involved a small workout.  Monday was the same.

Today the goal is to either go back and do the stairs at the park (multiple times) and find some of the trails along the water (they are usually dirt paths) or begin a new workout plan I found that is more intense.  Do you have specific exercises that you are doing?  Do you have a calorie intake that you are trying to stay within?    What motivates you?  What keeps you going?  To me losing this weight and being healthier is just not enough, I need something there to push me; to encourage me.

Shape It Up Assignment #1

My friend Crystal, signed me up (and I willingly joined) for an open group called "Shape It Up" on Facebook.  A number of friends from the Central Missouri area are on the group and we all want to lose weight but are lacking the motivation and some of us are just not sure where (or how) to start.  Since I am not a local-yocal any more, I am participating from my computer.  The group's official start date was January 15 (correct me if I am wrong ladies.)  Each week there are "assignments" or "challenges." and I will post them here and my accomplishments or lack there of.  I will be as honest as I can.