I am THAT mom

It's funny how when you're young and the kids are young how differently you see things. When your oldest kid is under 10, it's very easy to control the environment, what they are exposed to etc. Generally they go with the flow of what the family is doing. At this time, you can't see the future and when you try to imagine it, well it looks just like now you think. I remember when someone said to me many years ago, wow, you run a tight ship! It will be interesting when they are all teenagers! I honestly thought, uh, it will look the same! Obviously how wrong I was, but what is so interesting to me now is how focused on the wrong things we are sometimes. For example, you're in the store and see a child who you think is way too old throwing a fit. You think, glad it's not me, my kids know better, I'm raising them right. You hear stories of families where kids are lying, cheating, stealing, drinking, smoking and having sex and think, oh my kids will know better, I'm raising them right. How about the kids that don't do well in school? Don't go to college? I remember talking to a friend and she was like oh college isn't an option of course my kids will go! How about when the phone rings, it's the principal and to your utter surprise and disappointment your kid was the one in trouble! What happened to I'm raising them right? Well I'm here to tell you, I am THAT mom. You know the one, who's kids aren't doing the "right" thing. The one where it's her kids throwing the fit. The one where it's her kid that bullied yours. The one where her kid stole from you. The one where it's her kid having sex. The one where it's her kid not following the house rules. Here's what you don't know. I'm the one who looks strong, but is dying inside in the same shock and horror of what their kid just did. The one who also wonders, where did I go wrong? What does everyone else know that I don't? Why is this happening to me? The one who doesn't let her disappointment show, but is the rock her kids need. The one who cries in the shower so no one can hear. The one who doesn't know what to do sometimes. You know what THAT mom needs? Kindness, compassion, support, hearing they are a good mom, that she has great kids who made a mistake. Why do we waste so much time focused and in fear on partying? Missing curfew? What we think our kids need to be doing? Isn't being a teenager the time to make mistakes and learn from them? Isn't it better to mess up but be young enough to turn it around, with the love and support from your family? Isn't character more important? Are you honest? Responsible? Kind? Supportive? Loving? Empathetic? Do you put others above yourself? Yep my kids can be loud, obnoxious, inappropriate but let me tell you, they love each other and their family. When someone is in need, they pull together and help. Whether it's simple things like digging a garden, or supporting their sister who just had a baby. The times I'm just spent, and they all chip in, clean the house, cook dinner and let me rest. All I know is when I step back and look, I have some pretty amazing kids and I'm lucky to be THAT mom.

~OneTiredMama

The difference a year makes

November is always the month I start reflecting on my last year, what I'm thankful for and the direction I hope my next year goes. I'm always amazed how much change actually happens in a year!

Last year my kids were testing me and my major concern was the twins starting Kindergarten and finally having time for myself. As you know not only did they stop full day kindergarten, my 17 yr old got pregnant! So far the hardest thing for me has been letting go of the "whys"... Why now? Why can't I ever get a break? So it's been a very different year than I expected. What I've learned this year is that I've grown in ways I didn't even know I needed to. Am I still left with questions? Yep! The main one is, what am I supposed to be doing? I've been home with kids for 23 years. Just when I thought it was my time now, my daughter is having a baby! So I will still be home with a baby! Of course I'm watching the baby while she goes to school. She is on track to graduate in May, and then I will watch the baby so she can go to beauty school. What I'm learning is that being a mom is about balance. You don't always have to put your kids before yourself. It's not selfish to take care of yourself or go out without the kids! They don't have to always be a part of everything. When you take care of yourself, by doing what you want at least some of the time, you are happier which makes you a better wife, mother and person to be around. Honestly I wish I realized this years ago. I spent a lot of time and energy on things that weren't important. That's why now I've made it my mission to not only share my journey but I've made it a point to teach my girls the importance of not losing themselves. This is the first year in probably 20 that I have met my personal goals! I wanted to lose 20 pounds, I lost 22! I wanted to get healthy, I started clean eating and I'm loving it! I wanted to start working out. Not only have I lost a ton of inches, I have muscles and am in the best shape of my life at 43!! I wanted to find myself. I realized I'm right here, where I belong as the center of my family. I didn't lose my joy of mothering, I forgot to do for myself, do things I like, do things just for ME. I realized I am enough just being me even on a day I yelled too much, didn't shower or cook dinner. My self worth is not the success of my children, or how clean my house is. I have found I was given my life because I am strong enough to live it. My oldest moved back home, my son got in some serious trouble and my 17yr old daughter is pregnant, but you know what? I'm still a good mom, my kids love and respect me, and my marriage is stronger than ever! That is what I'm thankful for. 

Where will 2016 take me, I have no idea! What I do know is there is joy in the journey even when it feels like hell. I also know I can handle it, and that being a mom will always be the best part of me. 

Motivation Monday

So let's talk motivation today

I find how you start your Monday sets the tone for the week. Mondays are kind of a rush day for me since our school has a half day on Monday every week! So that means my kids are home by 1 o'clock. I work hard at scheduling the morning so I get some housework done and my workout before the kids come home. I pretty much work out the same time every day and that really helps me to stay motivated and on track since I'm a very scheduled and routine person. I noticed most people don't share about what motivates them but I think it's really important to figure out what motivates you what keeps you motivated and how you will stay motivated. For me when I first started of course the motivation was just to feel better,  to not wake up every day not feeling good, feeling tired, fat and frumpy. It was the hardest thing that I ever started. I was not in the mood I was already over 40 part of me didn't really care, I kind of saw it as just my last shot to get healthy and enjoy life before I get too old. I was fighting age, and my thyroid as well so it took me really long to start seeing results, but I stuck with it because I noticed right away how much better I felt getting off the couch doing a little work out trying to eat better. it gave me purpose,  gave me direction it was something and still is something that I can control.  I control myself what I do what I don't do what I eat what I don't eat. Then before you know it everything gets easier, making healthy choices, workouts clean eating... then suddenly it takes off and you start to really see the results of all your hard work. That's what keeps me motivated now the results, not only do I feel more healthy I look more healthy and I look younger which is probably the best benefit of them all, how my body looks how my body feels and the clothes that I can wear now . 

So take some time today to really think about it and please share with me what really motivates you and how you plan to stay motivated have a great Monday.

Email me at onetiredmom9@gmail

Lose a turkey

How would you like to lose a turkey?

I'm talking about 10-15 pounds by working out, drinking Shakeolgy and clean eating. 

Now is the time to lock good habits in place before the holiday craze of sweets and treats.

Starts October 26

Email me at onetiredmom9@gmail

Motivation Monday

Motivation Monday always gets me thinking. Of course our kids, family etc is our motivation for getting healthy, but I want you to think about how you are eating better and working out for YOU. What keeps me motivated when I'm tired, stressed, and having a bad day is how good I feel in my clothes, how strong my body is now from working out and how I am in control of what I do and don't do for myself. As women it's easy for us to make everyone else a priority over ourselves. When we are a priority in our own life, we feel better about ourselves which makes us happier. As a result the day to day tasks are easier to handle. The food we eat and working out directly affects our mood. Remember this is a lifestyle, it will take time. Is it hard sometimes? Yes! But it is always worth it!

What is your motivation for getting healthy?

Contact me at onetiredmom9@gmail.com

Goodbye excuses

As you can imagine when it comes to excuses I have plenty! What difference does it make if I lose weight or not? It won't change the kind of wife or mother I am. I'm in my forties, married with 7 children who cares. I'm so busy there is no way I have the time. 

But the real problem was I didn't feel good at all. I hated going out since I didn't like how my clothes fit. I was feeling really down about myself. My confidence was at a low. I started to think about how I spend my days. The crazy thing is I have at least 15 hour days. How could I not find time to workout? Putting myself first on my list of priorities was hard, I wasn't used to it and neither was my family. I started out slow, 30 min walking, then kettlebell and then I tried the gym. For me the gym didn't work since I had to wait until someone could watch the kids. When I got there I never could figure out a routine. Oh sure I could hire a trainer but I don't have that kind of money. It was slow going until my friend told me about Beachbody. The combination of working out, drinking shakeolgy and clean eating worked right away. I saw results in the first month and it kept me motivated. It didn't take long before I felt good physically and mentally. This is a lifestyle not a diet. After a few months my husband started doing it and now the whole family works out and eats clean. 

You can join me on this health and wellness journey! Email me at onetiredmom9@gmail and we can get you started 😀

Finding my way

I don't know why but as women and moms we often take a back seat when it comes to taking care of ourselves. I finally realized wanting to look good, working out, getting your hair done, nails done, drinking the occasional Starbucks, going to the bookstore whatever it is you do to feel good about yourself is NOT selfish or shallow. When we as moms, wives, women feel good about ourselves we are happier. Being happy makes you a better mom, wife and person to be around.
I have 7 kids and a grandbaby on the way. It's my 17yr old who is pregnant. My oldest moved back home so the only kid out is my second oldest and she's at college so she is still home for holidays etc. I have a full house to say the least! It was time for me to make myself a priority before I had a nervous breakdown. I decided to stop with the excuses and take control of my health, mental and physical. I still take on most of the house but between having everyone take care of their own stuff, like dishes, laundry etc and errands when possible I have a couple hours a day to do what I want.
I have a ridiculous schedule of running around town taking kids back and forth to school and activities. I was so excited that the girls were starting kindergarten but then I found out it was half day. Well not even, Mondays they go 11:30-1, Tuesday-Friday 12:30-3. With my daughter being pregnant and due soon between the doctor visits and the other kids, not to mention my husband I find myself overwhelmed often. I really don't like feeling that way. I am the type of person that likes a plan and routine. Well that's out the window now!
I finally decided to throw away all my excuses and get healthy. I started Beachbody in February and all I can say is it has been my lifesaver. It is a program that combines clean eating, drinking shakeology and working out. One of the things I love most is the community of women who support, encourage, share and motivate each other. This is not a quick fix, its a lifestyle. I have lost over 20 pounds and tons of inches. As much as that is so rewarding, fitting into clothes, being comfortable and loving my body for the first time in years, I have to say the best part is doing something just for MYSELF. Once you start working on yourself the rest truly does start to come together. Being physically fit has made me feel mentally fit to handle my day to day life. Do I always feel like being healthy and working out? No, but I press on anyway. I am never disappointed when I press play. When the workout gets easier, you are sweating and making progress it makes you feel so accomplished. You step back and you're like, I DID THAT! Its not always easy but always worth it. When I have a bad day, or I overate, had a drink of alcohol some chips or cake, whatever it is, its ok. A bad meal doesn't ruin or define your lifestyle. It doesn't mean oh well, you might as well give up. It means you enjoyed some treats and the next meal you get right back on track.
I have decided to blog more and let you know how I am finding my way through the crazy!

                                                February          April                 September