So, after finally facing the scale after avoiding it for weeks (months?) I've written a few times now about this idea of goals for just three days. Instead of thinking 30-day, 60-day, 90-day, etc, I decided to try out writing some goals to do for just three days.
Three days!
That's enough time to feel like I accomplished something, but not extremely difficult to actually complete.
Someone commented on a recent post about making three goals for three days (with one day off per week--so it would be two "three goals for three days" sessions, then a day off, and repeat). I really like the idea of choosing three goals!
I think when choosing too many goals, it gets overwhelming. That's how I've felt the last few days, because I chose several goals to work on. I'd like to try this 3-3-1 approach, and see how I do.
I've learned that getting enough sleep is EVERYTHING when it comes to running in the mornings. I had planned on running in the mornings again for another three-day set, and I just couldn't drag myself out of bed with the energy to run.
The first time I made the three-day goals, I did great! The only difference is that I went to bed early the night before. So, I think that in order to get up and run in the mornings, I need to get in bed by a decent hour. Right now, I go to bed at around 2:00-3:00 (yikes!). And then I get up (without an alarm) at 7:00 or 8:00. So, clearly, I need more sleep.
I felt really good about myself during the first round of three-day goals. However, doing my hair and make-up just seemed pointless because I spent the rest of the day in the garage working on installing insulation. So, I'm going to narrow down my goals to three--hence the 3-3-1 approach.
Insulating the garage has been fun, but a challenge--moving everything around makes a huge mess and I'm constantly having to step over and dodge things while I move the ladder around. I'm almost done though.
Today, my older brother, Brian, came over to check it out and give me some pointers. He said I should drywall the ceiling before I do the walls, and I'm super bummed about that. The ceiling is going to be a huge challenge! It's too high to do it without ladders, and I'm going to need the whole family out there helping to hold up the drywall so I can screw it in.
After drywalling the ceiling, I have to insulate it (I'm going to use a spray insulation) and then I'll finally be able to drywall the walls of the garage. I knew this would be a big project, but I didn't realize just how big until Brian explained all that to me.
Anyways, I digress... three goals, three days, with one day off after two rounds.
I have a strong feeling that tomorrow is going to be extra hard to accomplish anything (I'm almost done insulating the garage, Jerry will has his first day off in over a week, and I have a lot of housework to catch up on). I want to do well on this round of goals, so I'm going to start them on Sunday.
That means I'll do a three-goal challenge on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday; and then reset for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; and I'll take Saturday off. Then repeat.
I realize I'm probably overthinking this entire thing! But right now, being cooped up at home for "quarantine", I overthink everything ;)
I'm going to write my first set of goals here now... three goals for three days:
1) Go to bed by 12:00 am. This is going to be SO HARD for me, because I am never tired that early! I don't really get tired until at least 2:00 am. To accomplish this, I'm going to turn off the TV at 11:30 and then read a book from 11:30 to 12:00. Reading makes me more tired than watching TV. I'm not going to set an alarm to get up (I always get up naturally between 6:30 and 8:00).
2) Run within 30 minutes of waking up on Monday. Since I'm following my training plan for the Detroit Half, this is important. I am scheduled to run 2.5 miles on Monday. I like getting it done in the morning. Since this is just for Monday, I am also going to set the goal of walking Joey two miles on each of the three days.
3) Cook dinner all three days. Lately, I've been asking Jerry to grab something on his way home (I've been really into Jimmy John's for some reason). We really don't need to be ordering food, because I am home and certainly capable of making a decent meal. But since I spend so much time working in the garage, I am exhausted when I come in and I don't feel like cooking.
We're supposed to get snow(!) this week, which really sucks. We got snow for the last couple of days--I don't know why I was surprised, because we always get snow in April--and it really put a damper on my mood. I was so excited for spring.
It has since melted, but I was not happy to see this!
Finally, I just have to say how stinkin' cute Luke and Riley are. I LOVE seeing pictures of them, since I can't be around them right now. I got to see them in their car for a minute, and we could blow kisses to each other, but I couldn't hug them.
Anyway, here are a few pictures. I cannot believe how big they've gotten! Remember how excited I was to become an aunt? It feels like it was just yesterday.
What good is an Easter dress if you can't get down and dirty with it?
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She reminds me so much of Eli when Eli was her age! He loved "accessories"--I even have a folder on my computer called "Eli's accessories"--all photos of Eli wearing fun things like Riley in the photo above. So cute!
What if you had your kids take turns cooking dinner on days when you know you'll be busy (working on the garage, cleaning the house), or, conversely, they took on some of the housecleaning? Even though I'm a SAHM, and homeschool, we expect everyone in the family to pitch in according to their age and ability. For instance, everybody has a day assigned when they do their laundry (sheets included). The older kids take a turn making dinner. I really think that this quarantine time is a great opportunity for families to teach kids some basic life skills they'll need when they're out on their own.
ReplyDeleteRent a drywall lift! It's very inexpensive and totally worth it.
ReplyDeleteSomething that might make the drywall hanging easier would be to use a work platform. My husband owns an insulation company they are much easier to use than ladders for projects.
ReplyDeleteI guess I really don't get what the emergency is to finish insulating and dry walling the garage. You've lived there forever with it not done. Why don't you just work on it for 4-5 hours and then you'll have plenty of time to cook dinner. You can rent a drywall lift from Home Depot and other places so you don't need a bunch of people on rickety ladders trying to hold a sheet in place. Especially in this time, it's so easy to figure out what you're going to eat for the week and then just buy all the groceries once a week-done. No need to get unhealthy and expensive take out. Your kids are old enough to help you make dinner so it's not a big time suck.
ReplyDeleteYou got me to thinking about the "mini goals" and here's the twist I'm thinking of doing. Making a list of goals...drink 64 oz of water, 30 min of intentional exercise, eat 1 serving of fruit, eat 1 serving of vegetables, count calories, etc, etc. BUT, aim to check off 3 each day. Because accomplishing ALL of this is daunting, and as you know, one little slip up and we throw in the towel. This way if I don't exercise right when I wake up (because I KNOW I won't do it later), I have other options to check off. So it's similar, but maybe more flexible?
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched the weather all week because I've been busy and this morning I dressed for spring in a lightweight floral blouse and open shoes (I mean, it was in the 70's yesterday!). Little did I know that a cold front came in and it is freezing and drizzly. I'm still working at my job and had to leave the house at 6:30 am, so changing was not an option. Fail.
It's funny how these things work out. How tiny the world is.
ReplyDeleteI saw 190 on the scale in Jan 2017. Joined Weight Watchers and got into running and lost 45 lb. That's how I found you.
I was an avid reader for like 2 years. And then I got a new job that was just all consuming. I haven't checked in with you in about 9 months.
Back then you spoke to me as you got burned out on running, and saw some weight gain, and tried different diets and calorie counting but kept seeing your weight creep up. When I last read your words you were back at 160 and really disappointed. And I was in the same boat.
This week I saw 181 on the scale. Practically back to where I started. 9lb from my heaviest weight. Feeling so disappointed and defeated. Wishing I had some hope, or a plan.
That feeling reminded me of your blog. The searching for hope feeling. You always made what I was going through feel normal. And acceptable.
So I checked in with you today. And you're right here with me! But the difference is while I've been wallowing and feeling bad for myself and feeling like nothing I do matter so I might as well eat a bunch of cookies, you've been making a plan. And sticking to it. And talking about the downs you've been facing, and how you aren't letting them define you. You have had trouble sticking to a 30 day plan, so instead of saying you're a failure, you've come up with a plan you can stick to.
What I'm saying is thanks. Thanks for talking honestly and with vulnerability. Thanks for telling us about the times that didn't work out. And thanks for giving me an idea, and some hope, again.