The problem with this Challenge was that I was BORED out of my mind.
B O R E D!!
It wasn't that I wasn't working on it, but I was not super enthusiastic about it. And between my boredom and my exhaustion, I wasn't really into writing about it. If you remember, I decided to Challenge myself in June with completing projects I had started or wanted to start and not gotten to. What I can say about that looking back is that most of the items on that list is that they were there because I really didn't care that much about them, they weren't important enough for me to prioritize and/or they are a part of something bigger that I am struggling with. Let's review:
THE LIST
- Read the 3 books that I've started in the past 6 months and not finished:
- DONE and I read an extra 3 books.
- A+
- Set up my sewing table.
- Well, I tried twice to set up my sewing area and both times I ran into table issues. But then The Mister bought me one for my birthday. It isn't set up, however. That is having to wait an extra couple of days until this weekend.
- C+
- Finish the sewing project pile I started when I decided to become a "sewing machinist."
- Given the above, this hasn't happened at all. Bonus is that the pile is larger now. Maybe July will be my lucky sewing month. They have those, right?
- F+ (because I wanted to, I swear)
- Kick start my weight-loss goals by losing 10 pounds.
- I went after this one, but I will admit I wasn't fully successful. I lost 5 pounds, which is good and better than some people can do in a month, but I know I can do better. More on that "doing better" later.
- B-
- Organize the garage.
- This didn't happen. This falls into the category of just not that high on my priority list. In the big picture, I want the garage to be organized and cleaned. However ... I don't spend a lot of time in my garage so if it doesn't happen, it's not killing me. I have made some progress tho. I've tossed out a large amount of garbage and recycling items that were sitting in there and got 2 new shelves for it. Maybe one of these days I will actually get around to the organization effort.
- D
- Buy and install wall shelves for the kids' rooms.
- Nope. Didn't happen. Didn't even really try. Thought I wanted to get this done, but when it came down to it, dozens of other things going on in my life matter much more.
- F
- Frame the photos I printed.
- Done. Phew. Thank goodness there was a second one that I got to say I did. I was beginning to worry.
- A+
- Hang the photos I framed (above and the other 12 sitting in my room for the last 6 months).
- I hung a few in one area but none in the other. Honestly, all I've really done is create a larger pile of framed pictures that I still haven't put up.
- C+
- Create a gym calendar and then do what it says.
- Half done. Half not. This is one that falls into the category of things that are part of a bigger failing I'm struggling with. More on my way to deal with this later.
- C
- Move the extra items out of the kids' rooms.
- We did a big chunk of this, took a break and then never got back to it. That was a matter of weeks ago. So annoyed with myself.
- B
- Set up the arts & crafts table and area for the kids.
- Well, since I didn't get around to organizing the garage, you can probably guess that this fell the way of that also. You're correct if you made that guess. Not that it matters much - the 108 degree temps around here this week would make working in the garage stupid. Let's make that the reason, ok??
- F
Wow. That sucks. I knew I didn't ace this one, but C-?? Ewww.
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . . I'm suddenly feeling a little off track with all of this. I've had a few months in a row of failing or under performing these Challenges. I don't expect to be pulling straight A's, but I'm not loving the fact that I seem to be slipping off the path of working on myself, working on things that I struggle with to start with, working on little changes one at a time.
I think I need to refocus on the things that really Challenge me mentally, physically, and spiritually. Honestly, I'd rather fail but have stretched myself for 30 days, than to pass it because it's too easy or succeed with ease but be bored by it.
So ... on that note ...
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JULY IS HERE.
For July I've decided it's best to give myself two Challenges. This reaction isn't that surprising from me - I never did as well in college when I have a light load as I did when I took extra credits. I never get projects done before the last minute if I have too much freetime, but give me a packed schedule and it's all done, on time ahead of time, and high quality. I'm just better with too much to do than too little. And I've learned to embrace that reality.
So this month, two Challenges: One - a true Challenge of my mind, my body and my heart. The second - to give myself some motivation and focus towards doing better at something I regret being bad about.
July Challenge A: 30 STRAIGHT DAYS OF P90X
One of the things I've done over the last week was to get working on my health. I recognize that I'm carrying around more weight than I want to, more weight than I feel good about, more weight than looks good, and more weight than is healthy.
Part of what I want to focus on is my eating. I know the food rules and I more than know what is good for me and what isn't. What I consistently struggle with is eating for the wrong reasons or under eating. My body is either having to process food it isn't used to or isn't good for it, or it is trying to figure out if I'm sending it into starvation mode. Sometimes I feel like if I look at a warm chocolate chip cookie, I gain 5 pounds. :)
I decided on P90X for 2 reasons - 1) it comes with 2 nutrition plans that are manageable and user-friendly; and 2) the workout routine is constantly changing and I get bored SO EASILY!!!
So I've collected all of the things I need to, read all about what to expect/what to do/what not to do. And I'm off and running. I've already started the meal replacement once a day with Shakeology. (Hint: Chocolate - NO, Green - YES, looking forward to trying the Vegan fruit one next.) I've stocked my fridge with the foods I need to make the meals. I've purchased the kitchen scale so that I know what 3 oz is - and I've been surprised to see how wrong I was about what 3 oz is. JEEZ.
I've heard that most people don't finish it - and I've been told that under the guise of "So don't feel bad if you too don't complete it." Uh, fuck you. All I need is to be told I can't or won't. Haters. So I decided my best way towards finishing 90 days is to get the first 30 under my belt.
Basically, the riles to this are simple:
- Follow the exercise routine (using the DVDs, using the post-workout tips, using the routines given even on the off/down days)
- Follow the portion controls (this could mean that I'm making the exact meals listed or just the right portions)
I've considered whether to blog my P90X experience here or start a separate blog to focus on that. So far, I'll be doing it as part of this. We'll see how this goes.
AND WHILE I'M AT IT ...
July Challenge B: WRITE A LETTER A DAY TO SOMEONE
I am way WAY WAY out of touch with my friends and family. I fell too busy to find time for talking on the phone, or texting even, most days. Finding the time to correspond is really outside my schedule.
But the people I don't talk to has nothing to do with my value of them or my love for the people in my life.
I've brought this Challenge up in the past and some great ideas for who to write letters to have come forward so somewhere in the month of July are letters to:
- Each of my children
- My father
- My grandmother
- My grandpa
- Childhood friends
The rules for writing are: they must be written letters/cards/postcards/notes. They can NOT be emails, texts, FB messages. That means that when I have a letter for someone, I have to get their address and mail it. GASP!!
If you want on the list, just let me know :)
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So, this will be a busy, Challenging month that will probably test me and make me grow BIG TIME.
Love it, Bring it, Let's go!!!
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