Back to School Challenge

I'm ready to do this 5 habits challenge again.  Last time we had a great group and the winner got $45 in her choice of Posh products delivered to her.  It only costs $5 which all goes toward the prize pot.  Sign up today using PayPal (no fee- use the link on the sidebar).  As soon as I get your donation confirmation, I'll add you to the private Facebook group where you can print your tracker and get daily motivation!

Five Habits Challenge

Could you use some motivation and accountability when it comes to taking care of yourself?  I sure could!  There are 5 basic personal habits that I'm wanting to be more consistent with at this stage of my life.  Nothing crazy or too idealistic- just some basic things that make me feel better and more prepared to take on whatever comes each day...

Anyone is welcome to join me in this challenge.  The more the merrier!  I'll post the tracker and you can download it and print for free.  If you'd like to be part of the private facebook group I'll be creating for this challenge and be eligible to win the prize (your choice of Posh products worth the total sum of donations I receive minus tax and shipping) please donate $5 by clicking on the paypal link here:

 If you live near me and want to use cash or would like to mail a check that's fine too.  We can all support and encourage each other through the group!  I'm really looking forward to it!  Here are some of the details:

And here's the tracker for the first challenge starting May 19th.  Who's in??

Are You Drinking Enough Water?

Nobody needs to tell you that getting enough water is essential to your health. Or that it's vital to flushing out toxins and helping all your organs (including your skin!) work properly.  We've heard it over and over and we all know it's true.  Whenever I feel "off" the first things I've learned to ask myself are these questions:

1.  How much water have I been drinking lately?

2.  How healthy have I been eating?

3.  How much exercise have I done?

4.  How much rest have I been getting?

5.  How are my stress levels?

I seem to start with water because that's the easiest thing to fix!  Well, theoretically right?  We have easy access to clean drinking water all day long so what's holding us back from downing more of it??  In my case (and I suspect I'm not in the minority here) it's the R word.

 

Remembering.  

I can't hold myself up as an example of a perfect water drinker, but I am going to share a few things I sometimes do to make it easier on myself to remember.  It will still take effort, but like meal planning, it's always helpful to do the thinking before dinnertime (or bedtime- in the case of realizing you didn't drink enough water that day!)

One idea is putting all the water you want to drink for the day in the fridge.  That way you can visually see how much is left to drink and you don't have to look for a clean container and then fill it up each time.  I find myself drinking out of mason jars because I always have plenty around and I love that I can put lids on them.  I just drink right out of the jar and when it's empty I rinse it out and let it dry for the next day.  Fill them all up again at night or first thing in the morning and put them back in your spot in the fridge.  You'll have to train your family not to touch.  They can get their own water.  These ones are off limits ;)  I like to drink 12 cups a day (3 quarts) especially during the summer.  But if I only get through 2 of these (8 cups) I still feel good about that and count it as a success.

Another thing that I use when I'm REALLY having a tough time remembering is a water drinking app.  I have this one and really like it.  You can set how many reminders you want and at what times of the day... you can even take a picture of the different containers you drink out of and click on the one you want to log.  It's easy.  But you have to have your phone with you to get the reminders.  Logging each drink can be a bit of a pain (although it's only one click) but if you want to accurately keep track of how much you're drinking there's no better way!

So what do you do to make sure you get enough water?  Any other tips and tricks to share?

Wakey Wakey!

 I used the Wakey Wakey stick to help get my tired self out of bed and go on a run this morning.  I know if I don't get up and exercise first thing in the morning (and I mean FIRST thing- like roll out of bed, tie my shoes, and get out the door before anyone sees me) my chances of actually doing it that day drop dramatically. 

I liked this.  I'm a big fan of peppermint oil- the way it smells, the way it eases stress and tension headaches, and the bold clean scent.  The smell of this stick wasn't overwhelmingly strong (I wish it was stronger, personally) but I liked the way it made my skin feel, except for the fact that it's greasier than the Healer stick.  I rubbed it on my temples, behind each ear down to my neck, on my lips and around my nose so I could smell it more.  The slightly cool feeling lasted while I was outside the next hour, especially with the breeze blowing on me.  It was really refreshing in combination with the warming morning sun.  The black pepper oil in it is supposed to help dilate blood vessels and ease headaches.  I might need this for my kids (and myself some days!) during homework time.

Key ingredients are shea butter, peppermint oil, and black pepper oil.

(It's a beautiful day, by the way.  I'm so glad I got out there in the fresh air and took time to notice and inhale the scent from all the blooming citrus and acacia trees at their peak!)