Running Towards Wellness

Okay, I’m just going to start right off with the disappointments for the month and that is:

1. My measurements barely changed at all
2. My starting pictures and 1 month pictures show literally no change.
3. No change in how I feel. I still have the numbness, still feel like one big bruise, and still don’t have a ton of energy.

Okay, now onto the good stuff for the month!

1. I was just short of losing 9 lbs which is great considering I gained 5 lbs back on vacation and had to lose it again. I was I was 182.2 at the start, down to 172.2 when we left for vacation and was back down to 173.6 yesterday morning.
2. I worked on every aspect of wellness this month.
   • Physical wellness: eating better (no sweets other than some starbucks and my strawberry daiquiris on vacation), cut soda aside from a small airplane glass of coke on the flight home, upped my water intake drastically, and upped my movement big time. I’d say I probably worked out at least half the days, but probably closer to 2/3 of the month. 
   • Emotional wellness: I took time to breathe, to read, to watch a show or movie if I felt like it, I’m reading books to help me support this journey (more on books later), I got a pedicure (shout out to Logan at Metropolitan Sp in LaCrosse…highly recommend).
   • Financial wellness: I’ve been listening to books on Audible that Justin has recommended in the past and I was stubbornly just not going there. I definitely feel like I’ve had a mind shift and am starting to understand more about what he’s been talking about for a couple years. Sorry I didn’t get on board sooner, Honey! I definitely still having to resist spending especially on all things soft because I’m a sucker for super soft clothes, but I would say I did so much better this month. I also started Door Dashing. I haven’t done a ton yet, but being paid to drive around listening to Audible and delivering food is pretty nice.
   • Spiritual wellness: I’m doing the “Read the Bible in a year” plan with a group of ladies through the Bible app and I am on track and learning a lot about the Bible through these ladies. I personally have a hard time deciphering the Bible so the comments these ladies make on our readings each day really help me to process what I’m reading. Thank you Ladies!

I can’t remember if reading/listening to more books was on my original list of goals that I wrote about, but I’d like to make sure I’m getting 2-4 books in a month. I’ve been loving biographies lately. Here’s what I read or listened to this month:

1. Finished “Where There’s Hope” by Elizabeth Smart. I had read her 1st book about her abduction, heartbreaking to say the least, and also really enjoyed this one. She interviews several different people who’ve been through their own difficult experiences about how they kept hope while also adding her own experiences in there.
2. “The Women in Me” by Britney Spears. Eye opening. That’s all I have to say. Like her or not…that woman has been through so much and it really opened my eyes to what was actually happening behind all the tabloid stories.
3. “Oola for Christians: Find balance in an unbalanced world”. I read the original “Oola” book with my Sister during a Young Living convention many many years ago and really enjoyed it and it was a great reminder of the 7 F’s. The Oola blockers and accelerators and how God designs it all. Highly recommend! This was definitely one that went into the emotional wellness category.
4. “Rich Dad Poor Dad: 20th Anniversary Addition” by Robert T. Kiyosaki. This is one of those books that Justin’s been talking about for 2 years. Eye opening and I get what he got hooked on wanting to do things a different way after listening to it. 

I’m currently listening to “Killing Sacred Cows” by Garrett B. Gunderson. This is one of Justin’s favorites, but I’m personally having a harder time concentrating on it then I did “Rich Dad Poor Dad”. I feel like he jumps around more and is a faster talker.

I’m currently reading “The Feel Good Effect: Reclaim your wellness by finding small shifts that create big change” by Robyn Conley Downs. I bought this out East in May and read the 1st chapter on the way home and then got too caught up in life and never picked it up again. 

Goals for February:

Physical Wellness: 

1. Keep the workouts up. At least 5 out of 7 days but I’m hoping I’ll fit in some kind of movement every day. 
2. Keep striving for better nutrition, but not beating myself up for things like the Super Bowl or tomorrow when we’re going to be at the LaCrosse Center all day watching State Dance competition.
3. Starting the 40/40 Challenge. 40 miles in 40 days from Valentine’s Day until Easter going through the book of Luke each day. If you’d like to join me, feel free to comment here or on FB and I’d be happy to send you the info. 

Emotional wellness:

1. Keep reading books to help me in this area.
2. Implement those small shifts. Taking that time to breathe. Rewarding myself with self care which for me looks like a mani or pedi, a facial, getting my hair done, spa treatments, anything that’s not a delicious sweet.
3. Working really hard on staying calm in my kid’s hard moments. I tend to get triggered and then we’re all just yelling and it never helps and never works. M has been having a really hard time lately keeping small problems small and has been having a big reaction to all things that don’t go her way. Not taking it personally and keeping calm is something I am really focusing on this month.

Financial wellness: 

1. Continue reading/listening to books that help me further understand gaining assets and making the best out of them.
2. Finding my purpose and turning it into something people want or need in their lives. If you have any ideas of things you think I’d be good at, feel free to send them my way.
3. Keep my spending low this month. Not purchase any material things that I need to find a place for in this house.
4. Continue selling what we don’t need and door dashing.

Spiritual wellness:

1. Continue keeping up with my Bible reading.
2. Take the time to pray more.
3. 40/40 challenge.

Alright, well, Thank God for this blog because now that I listed out all that I did accomplish last month, those first few disappointments aren’t so disappointing anymore. 

I hope you are enjoying my blog and if there’s anything you’d like to see more of on here like certain topics: how we do things around here, working with kids with Autism, Foster Care, Adoption, Meals, Workouts, etc., feel free to comment and let me know!

Cheers,

Dawn