Rebooting

This is a good news/bad news post.

Good news - I did indeed make progress in the fall, so I felt good on our beach vacation last week.

Bad news - I spent a good chunk of the vacation eating, and none of it in a gym.

This is supposed to be a long-term lifestyle, not a sprint, so I need to kick my tuchus again and get back into a disciplined schedule.

Of course, the kids are perpetually sick. We had the lice marathon in December, then kid#2 was sick early last week, and kid#3 has the flu this week. I'm glad I have a laptop and can do some work from home, but this is seriously cutting into my ability to do things.

I've realized that these are my top tasks and priorities to get straightened out:

1. Make a master schedule for myself.

I'm putting EVERYTHING on it, because I clearly need it and don't function well without clear direction. Yes, it has a stupid amount of detail on it for now. As I follow the routines, my hope is that it will become automatic. That's what happened with other tasks like grocery shopping and getting ready for Shabbat (big Friday night meal plus enough food for lunch the next day). Once everything is on, I also hope that I can sit back and relax, secure in the knowledge that if I follow it and just focus on what I'm supposed to be doing at that particular time, I don't need to worry about everything else.

2. Put the menu on the schedule, make sure the menu is updated everything week and get started on the prep on Sunday.

Sundays seem to be key. I find that if I don't get Sunday right, the week quickly falls apart.

3. Use the PCLaw program and schedule to get through work tasks and billings.

Unfinished work tasks = stress. To put a more positive spin on it, doing everything on my To Do list will = a sense of calm and order, plus a sense of accomplishment (not to mention some financial security). If I can focus on that goal and picture my time at the computer resulting in accomplishment and order, then I'll be less tempted to deal with stress by wasting time.

4. Sticking to diet and exercise and sleep, in order to get back energy.

I've done this yoyo before, so I should know it by now. If I don't plan healthy meals and snacks, my blood sugar goes crazy and I get cravings, then have an energy crash. If I can avoid that cycle, I will have more than enough energy and focus to do everything that I need to do.

BONUS TASK:

Try to focus on keeping everyone healthy!