fitness and health

I haven't eaten a potato chip in 26 days. 

I'm really freaking proud of myself!

We noticed we had fallen into a pattern of unhealthy eating habits, and determined it was time to start making better choices. So, after our all-inclusive trip to Cancun, followed by a big party at the river, we climbed back on the wagon. Nothing extreme; we are simply consistently choosing healthier options when it comes to our diets. We are both motivated because my stomach can't handle all the junk and it would be nice to put a dent in FF's A1c. These need to be sustainable changes because nobody sticks to a restrictive diet long-term.

The upcoming nuptials are also partly motivating, because we want to look nice in the photos. I want to have toned arms and FF doesn't want a gut. Although I like my softer body, I am motivated to get a little bit more toned to make sure I fit into my wedding dress. When they measured, I was between sizes and they ordered the smaller size to make sure my boobs didn't fall out. But the other stuff has to fit too!

We also quit the gym.

I know that's contradictory of the previous paragraphs, but we signed up and never set foot in the place and kept paying for 2 years. Like I said, I don't like gyms and FF is not motivated. So I'm happy to not be wasting our money on that anymore. 

Not completely sure how we're going to add in consistent physical activity, but I would really like to explore lifting weights. After I got bored of push ups, I bought myself some 10 lb weights and started lifting them daily just to maintain. I am stronger that I used to be, but I would really like to be STRONG.

On to mental health.

I have identified a couple of key life factors that I know affect my mental health and overall mood: 

I need a clean house and I need downtime. 

I know I can't live in a dirty house and I can't be ON all the time.

I need to sit on the couch in my clean house and slowly drink my coffee while I read a magazine. And then I need to go craft or something. No socializing. No bra. No obligations. I need this at least once a fortnight. I know this about myself.

 

If I don't have those things, my stress levels rise and everything else snowballs. So I've been doing my best to fit those things in regularly. I schedule a day with no plans every couple of weeks, and although I really enjoy cleaning, sometimes I'm too tired and I'll delegate tasks to FF. 

Sometimes I can't fit my mental health buffers in. For example for the last few months, work has been chaos, our weekends have been busy, and I've been too tired to clean, even after delegating. I need a nap in the afternoons. I feel burnt out. 

So, we called the maid (at BOTH houses), and I took an extra day of PTO on the holiday weekend so that I get to chill. And I'll reset and begin the cycle again.

Feeling good about all this.

game changer

This is important.

I have found the easiest way to clean windows.

The river has several very large windows that get grimy quickly and it looks really obvious when they're dirty. I didn't pay a bunch of money to get new windows only to have obstructed views.

After exactly one time of struggling with windex streaks and rubbing until my arms were jelly, I ordered myself a few things that have changed my life.

1. Libman concentrated window cleaner

2. A microfiber scrubber and squeegee set

I had all the windows clean, inside and out, with no scrubbing, streak-free the first time, and didn't even break a sweat. I was so amazed. It worked so well. 

I raved about it for approximately 8 hours, until FF was tired of hearing about it. I don't care. It was awesome.

I had extra soap, so I tried it on the glass shower doors and while it didn't cut the hard water spots as well as the brillo pads, it did a very good job and would be a great in-between-scrubbings option. It took hardly any effort and the doors looked great.

I wonder what else I can clean with these?