Anal-yzer

So, why haven't I been exercising?  And why do I keep talking about my problems with it?  I'm not sure.  What I am sure of is that I can analyze this to death!  I shall continue.  Maybe I'll get it right.  So, my lack-of-exercise issues include habit, priorities and laziness.

My habits are now far away from scheduling and/or just making myself do it.  When I'm home, I feel like there is so much to do that I cannot get away to exercise.  I know that sounds lame.  I now for a fact, that no matter how up-to-date I may get on my stuff, there will always be SOMETHING to do.  So, let's just chuck that out the window now.  So, how do I get over this?  Habits of all types have to be formed.  I've heard that it takes anywhere from 21 to 30 days to solidify a habit.  But until that time, it will take considerable effort and tenacity to keep moving in the right direction.  So, it's time to be tenacious!

And what about priorities?  I can spout off all sorts of priorities.  Probably, I can even add some logic to make it seem right.  But what about my health?  Really, shouldn't that be one of the highest priorities?  I'm fond of saying to people who are stressed, "In the case of an emergency, apply your own oxygen mask before helping others."  It's an abbreviated version of the schpeal we hear on commercial flights prior to departure.  If my health is not peak, am I really able to take care of those around me successfully?  That's pretty much a rhetorical question...so please don't send me any answers, unless you really want to!

And there's the issue of laziness.  Maybe I'm not really that lazy, but see the above two paragraphs.  My energy is obviously going elsewhere.  By the time I can sit down, I'm usually done.  But there are the times when I don't feel like doing anything.  This can happen in the middle of a day when I know my energy is not done.  "They" always say that if you expend energy by exercising, you'll benefit by creating more energy for yourself. 

Hmmm...

Okay, analysis over...for now...

Enough

Well, I created this blog a while ago to try to get organized and help others, health wise.  However, I seem to be the epitome of disciplined health right now.

My time has been at a premium for most of the year.  I was out of the habit of exercise at the beginning of the year, and now it's worse!  I've started a little weight training, but need a little more discipline to keep it going only for two or three times per week!

And as for running/walking.  it's even worse!  I got out twice this week with the dog, but my fitness level is really in the dumps, so it's not as much fun as it used to be.  Well, it's not really that running was so fun...only in a sick sort of way, it was.  Maybe it was the idea that I was in good fitness and could do it.  So, now, it's a little more depressing to go out and remember what once was...

Okay, enough sulking!!  No more excuses, whining, crying, holding impromptu pity-parties!  Enough!

Talking About Nutty!

I've recently become so busy that I'm feeling my schedule is almost unhealthy.  Not so much for me, but more for my family.  I guess when we moved to this family set-up, I expected that my focus would be on our family.  So, why am I getting so busy?  Well, here are some things that I'm busy with.  Yes, they may be interesting, but I somehow need to pare down the list.


Family time takes up a lot.  It's not only being together with my family when they are home, it's preparing meals, cleaning, doing laundry, baking bread, supervising piano practice, Tae Kwon Do, dog training, not to mention the regular family things like meals and road trips.  To me, it doesn't feel good when I am away so much and things at home are chaotic.  I don't have a specific time that family takes up, but I am thinking it is my full-time job. 


After that, I have a couple of paying jobs.  Yes, it's good, but it may be too much.  Too much what?  It's just taking away from my family and other activities.  But they also do allow for some pocket change which allows just a little more financial comfort.  So, there is a need to continue doing these things.  And I have to say that my job as substitute teacher really fits in well with the girls' schedules.  It's easy to take that much for granted.  And the pay is not bad for a part-time gig.  The flexibility is great, also.  If I don't or can't go to work, I don't.


And my other paying job is setting up a garden for a local business.  I have never done this before, but it's exciting.  Hopefully, I can get paid some throughout the summer, since it is the financial dessert for us.  But this garden is really exciting, since I am working to make it mostly heirloom varieties.  I think they'll like it.  Now, if only it will quit raining so that we can actually put it in.


Of course, it needs to quit raining on my schedule!  Today is the first nice day in a few and I'm subbing.


And my calendar is filled up with other goodies, too.  SOS theatrical production, OCE music, first grade field trip, Spring Valley growers' market, bridge, Sunday school, garden club, and LWML are just a few of the things on May's calendar.  And there are things that I need to be doing that are not scheduled.  Practicing cello, running, pottery, generally gardening, etc.  These things are important and probably should be on the schedule.  But they tend to fall below jobs and household things in priority.  Yeah, I may just be nuts. 


But nuts or not, after May, I think my time will slow down a bit.  Hopefully.  At least there will be no school for the girls and no subbing for me.  But those are good and bad.  More of my time will be spent supervising the girls, but less at school.  More in my garden and the other garden, but almost no chance for the pottery studio. 

I'm guessing I simply need to smile and enjoy the nutty ride... 

Moral of the story:  I am nuts and do not resolve anything by taking inventory of my business.  It just keeps on going!  Did I say I'm nuts?)

Ear Worm, Schmear Worm

I heard that when a song keeps playing in my head, it's called an "earworm."  But is there a name for when my thought process is blocked?  I'm talking about only for th esimple things - like trying to remember a very familiar person's name.  Would that be "brain constipation?"

This single though may be an argument why this blog should be called, "Spring Valley Nut," rather than its current name.

Headaches

Okay, so I went for a run/walk yesterday and I was on top of the world for most of the day.  Then it started.  Yes, I bragged a little earlier in the day about not having a headache in a week or two - at least not one of "those" headaches.  I felt is start as I was coming to mid-afternoon. 

As anyone close to me knows, I have had these headaches for quite a number of years.  I'm not complaining, they are a part of life as I know it.  The pain from the headache may or may not be intense, but it is usually accompanied by some nausea and sometimes a sensitivity to noise.  Most often, I am very tired with them.  Today's headache is not too bad, annoying, but not too bad. 

As for causes, I am at a loss.  I have tried to look at various factors, but only find some relief in regular chiropractic care.  This seems to reduce the frequency and possibly the severity.  I don't consider myself to be under a lot of stress.  I get enough sleep and stay fairly well hydrated.  I haven't found a link between any food and headaches.  The one exception is that I stopped eating tater tots, and any generic version or processed, pressed potato particles.  It seemed like while I was still eating them, they would trigger a headache.  Also, right or not, I got a severe headache after eating a delicious piece of coconut cream pie on e time - so I linked the coconut to the palm oil usually found in the tater-type products.

So, why a headache today?  That is the one-hundred-million-dollar question!  Yesterday consisted of running, toast breakfast, subbing and 4school soup (chicken dumpling) before the headache started.

I'm sure I'll continue to ponder this until my life is done!  Unless the headaches just stop.

Health or Not?

I guess there's always an element of health in whatever I do.  However, I was considering dropping the "health" part of this blog.  That would leave "nut."  As Chief Nut, I promise to pose questions that lead to more and possibly deeper thoughts.  Hopefully, the will be good thoughts to help you consider your position in life and allow you to make changes, as you like.

With this in mind, I have taken a few "runs" lately.  I've been an avid runner in the past, but allowed illness and then life to take priority.  And as my body ages, running is not necessarily a pain-free operation.  However, I have actually been enjoying it.  This is really odd, especially since I am almost starting over.  My body is adjusting to getting back to this type of activity.  My enjoyment level seems to be very high with it, though.  Our recent Minnesota weather has been extraordinary - highs predicted to be in the 60s and 70s for the duration of the ten-day forecast.  Many birds are obvious in the eastern outskirts of our metropolis, too.  It's just really pleasant to be outside now. 

Additionally, the intense physical activity is doing wonders for blowing the cobwebs out of my old brain.  I had forgotten about that benefit - or had taken it for granted!  As it gradually faded away, I did not realize what I was missing!

So, my suggestion for the day is be like Nike - just do it!  Get outside, enjoy the weather and fresh air.  And while  you're at it, get some exercise!

Welcome!

Thanks for looking at my blog!  As I go through life, I find that the things that interest me most relate to health, fitness and making the best out of life.  Some of the specific things I enjoy are good food, gardening, running, biking camping, and being with my family.  I also enjoy art - including playing cello, pottery and painting. 

My biggest irritation with my life is that I do not have enough time to work and play in all of these areas.  Another issue is how the "business end" of life sometimes takes the joy out of things.  For example, if we are having a low-cash incident in our family and have to count pennies, that can be annoying.  Of course, if I work too much, that takes time from these other aspects of life.

I'm sure everyone has these issues, too.

So, let's concentrate on the good things.  The healthier we are, the better we are able to enjoy life.  The healthier we are, the better we are able to provide for our families.  Being healthy involves all aspects of life. I have heard descriptions of our natures, but find the best inventory to include our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual natures.  These natures feed into our overall health.  If one or more are under- or over-developed, then we are not in balance.  If we are not in balance, then we may not enjoy life to it's fullest.

And we need to start now.  Start with what?  Start by making choices that are in line with our goals.  Do you want to be healthy?  Then get moving in that direction.  Sitting in front of the computer wishing for it, researching for it or reading someone else's blog will not make us fit.  It may aid in your understanding on how to do it.  But only if we are working at it on our own, too, will we reach the goal.  Do you want to grow a garden to provide more natural and local food for yourself, family and friends?  Then let's get started.

Now, to get started, it doesn't need to be a big, grandiose start.  Just steer your boat in the right direction, for starters.  Take small, planned step to start.  Once the boat is pointed in the right direction, then give it a little momentum. 

So, for whatever those smaller goals may be, I am aligning my actions, work and efforts to that end...but that will just be the beginning!