Rest Days

As we move about our daily lives taking care of family, friends and responsibilities - whatever they may be for each of us - let us not forget to rest.  Part of taking care of oneself is resting.  As I've mentioned, I am working toward eating less and a little better, exercising consistently, saving money and utilizing my time in constructive ways.  All of those things are great, but none of it matters without allowing time for rest, relaxation and spending quality time with loved ones. 

Today is my day of rest.  I enjoyed every minute of it.  I visited someone, made a couple phone calls to friends.  I took a nap with Lovely and Pup.  (Pup is very warm on these chilly days.  Curling up with her is quite soothing until she decides to use me as a launching pad for her mischief...Ok, I have to admit, I like that too...she is adorable.)  My final act of relaxation before I watch some TV or curl up with one of my two, currently half finished books, was to make muffins for my children and I.  The house smells sweet and feels warm...soothing and comforting.  :-) 

This is a really nice time of year.  Crisp.  Cool.  Refreshing.  Don't forget to enjoy the colors and rest to keep the body healthy as the winter cold and flu season is fast approaching.  Oh, and I took the day off from exercising too.  I really rested today - emotionally, physically and was fed spiritually at my local church...a great, enjoyable day.  I hope you had a great day too.

More on Starting.

Well, just like starting over and taking responsibility for finances, I've had to do that for my health and wellness too.  One of my children was injured recently.  The child will likely be fine with a little time and some work.  It made me take a look at my own life and health.

...so I started exercising again.  I have to admit that I have missed it.  I also have to admit that I'm ready to do it now.  I had to reach that point, but I don't like starting over.  I used to exercise about two hours a day.  Then, as life fell apart, I became pretty sedentary.  I didn't like that either, but some days, well, one is just satisfied breathing.

I've moved furniture and brought out my weights, yoga mat and other exercise toys.  I went through my dvd collection to see where I wanted to start, and more importantly, where I could realistically start.  I've started at the beginning.  I'm going low weights and sticking with basics.  I've given myself two weeks to stay at this level.  Then I'll add a bit more, go a little heavier and reevaluate again.  I'll progress from there until I am back to the level of strength I want.

I've also accepted that as much as I want to lose some weight, I'm not really ready to go the extra distance to change my eating habits right now.  So, I am willing to accept that I can improve my health through exercise and eating a little less for the moment.  It is a starting point.  It will propel me to the place where I will want to begin clean eating again.  For now, I'm thankful I have a starting point on this topic.

I am glad I found a starting point on the financial topic.  I am surprised at how much I've accomplished in about 2 months.  This sense of accomplishment and the one that will come from exercising will also spur me on to accomplish more.  Starting points are nice because they mean the journey has, in fact, begun.