LuRong: A Day in the Life Sunday

Goals matter but what matters more than setting a goal is being willing to do what you've always done differently, or no longer doing it at all, to achieve your goal. When it comes to health, exercise and lifestyle changes, tips, tricks and carrots-on-a-stick fail me every time.

I've danced around diet changes nodding my head when my personal trainer made recommendations but never following through, logging most of my calories into My Fitness Pal, adding a greek yogurt here and there and rationalizing away 5-cheese ziti al forno and fresh from the oven crusty bread with sticks of butter.

I was able to get away with eating what I wanted when I wanted 30 years ago, but not any more.

Earlier this year, I made a commitment to change. I joined a cross fit gym to get my butt back into shape. For diet, I followed a 30 day cleanse and fat burning plan and moved towards eating clean. I saw significant changes in my body based and inspired by a friend, I've taken it up a notch.

I've gone Paleo. 

I signed up for the LuRong Living Paleo Challenge. For eight weeks, I am eating a no dairy products, cereal grains, legumes, refined sugars and processed food diet. It's crazy. I put more food back on the shelf at the grocery store than I buy and am now on the lookout for nitrate free bacon, grass fed beef, coconut flour, almond meal, coconut aminos and vanilla beans. 

Trader Joe is my friend, menu planning is not. I have a hard time deciding on Sunday what I am going to be hungry for on Thursday. Two weeks down, six to go and I am hoping this will get easier.

What drastic measures have you taken in the name of health? Do share.  

A Good Mother: Day in the Life Sunday

Friday was my daughter's last day with her day care provider. We first entrusted the wonderful team of providers with the care and safety of our 12 week old baby girl. 12 years later, we say good-bye. It's rather bittersweet. My little girl is growing up. 

Four-wheeling dress

I work. I have always worked and when I was pregnant, I thought about not working but chose to continue. It was absolutely, undeniably hard not being with my daughter during the day but through the worst of times, I always knew my daughter was in good hands when she wasn't with me. 

I remember one time in particular (there were many) coming painfully face to face with my decision to work when a very wise neighbor told me, "good mothers find good care for their daughters."  I was a good mother.

A good mother knows she can't be with her daughter all the time so she ensures she is surrounded by people who will care for her as she grows. My daughter is confident, strong, smart and an amazing human being. She is caring, patient and kind. The younger kids swarm to her like bees in a hive and she always has a lap, an arm or a story to share.

So, Dee Dee, Angie, Denise, Desiree, Steph, Beth, Sheila, Lee, Molly, Heather and the rest of the providers who taught her, made her laugh and kept her safe - thank you.

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What advice would my wise neighbor have for me for the next few years as we move into the new school year, middle school swim teams, friends, fashion and the teens?  What has guided you?