Do you sometimes fall off the bandwagon of life? I think we all do at times.

I find that I continually fall off the bandwagon. Maybe it's not visible to any one else, but it's glaringly obvious to me. I'm not talking about just the "workout-wagon" either. I'm talking about the life-wagon...in my case, this means: eating right, taking care of my body, making sure the rest of my family is fed well, keeping the house in some sort of order, working hard at anything I do (job, yard work, housework, whatever it is that is important...) maintaining normal adult responsibilities...(i.e. NOT buying a latte that costs 4 bucks and instead putting that money toward our vaca-fund). Sometimes I really have it all together. I feel like I'm doing a great job of getting it all done, but then for some reason I just fall off the wagon. Sometimes it lasts a day, sometimes it lasts a week. Most people on the outside probably don't see it, but I feel it. For example, not wanting to do the laundry. Any of it. Because it is just soooo annoying and I could totally just put it off. Or, it's way too much work to create a delicious dinner of healthy food so why not pull out the cheese and crackers instead? I DO always keep on working out, even if the workout is purely junk...but at least I get it done. But lately, I've been off kilter. Being tired doesn't help because I become cranky and angry at the drop of a pin. :::sigh:::

Any one else feel this way sometimes? It's a constant battle that I believe most people fight, and I have been working on ways to come to terms with, well, my life. Because, HELLO, I have a great life and so does every one else I know! Life has these detours that are actually quite short in the grand scheme of things. Like these child-rearing years. I find myself griping and moaning and groaning about gaining weight, losing weight, wanting to compete, wanting to run fast(er), wanting to lose 5lbs...blah blah you know how it is. In reality, what does it actually MATTER? No one else really gives a damn. And the question we should all ask ourselves during times like these is: "Will all of this really matter in 5 years?" If not, we should get over it and enjoy the moment.

So, today, I have five little things to think about when we think we just can't do it anymore. Some if these ideas come from the book God Never Blinks, by Regina Brett. Now, it is not a religious type book, and I am not what you would call a church-goer...but they are good tips that agnostics and spiritual people alike can relate to.

1 - Life is bumpy (ferociously turbulent, actually) so have fun bouncing along. Bounce off those bumps and enjoy them because, as all things do, they will flatten out eventually.

2 - Stop saving things for a "special occasion". Today is special enough. So drink the expensive wine, wear the nice lingerie, and burn the pricey candles.

3 - Don't compare your insides to every one else's outsides. You have no clue what their journey has been like, and don't think their life is better than yours. The world needs you to be you.

4 - If you are having a doom and gloom day, still get up, get dressed and show up for life. Make no major decisions about career, relationships etc. because you are probably just having an awful day. To which we are entitled, but try not to get stuck in the mud.

5 - Your children (if you have any) only get one childhood so make it memorable. Now is not the time to be selfish. Put the t.v. remote down and go play outside with them.

I plan on reading that book by Regina Brett and jotting her "lessons" down on paper to keep in a spot I can go to when I'm having a rough time. Because honestly, how tough is it really? Sometimes a few words on a notebook page staring back at you is all you need to brighten your day.

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I'm trying to ease my knee pain, or not make it any worse I guess, so today I was on the eliptical for 45 minutes and got some good lifting in for my legs and back. No abs today...don't want to do too many of those. I'm sticking to pilates 3-4 days/week. Below are some pics from during our walk this afternoon (just me and Loges).