The Sweet Taste of Success

I had planned to write about my final week of the 21 Day Sugar Detox (21DSD), but it has turned into so much more. . .

I "finished" the 21DSD this past Sunday.  Why did I put the word finished in quotes?  Because I decided I did not want it to end.

Yup.  I'm convinced.  This detox was fabulous.  The first week, as I previously mentioned, was the hardest.  After that?  Definitely it got much better.  Once I started seeing and feeling benefits, I knew that I wanted to continue with this plan - with some exceptions.  I am not a total glutton for punishment.  I really, really missed fruit.

I have been a fruit hog this week - stocking up on nectarines, pineapple, cantaloupe, strawberries, and blueberries.  I am glad to have fruit back in my daily diet.  Honey and maple syrup are allowed as well.

But it is almost Friday and I have not had any junk.  I don't even really want it (although no one has put a brownie in front of me yet. . .).

It was an amazing feeling though, as Sunday - Day 21 of the Detox - approached.  It really was like running a race.  The first part was a bit tedious, especially knowing how much was still ahead, the middle was boring (come on already, let's wrap this up), and as the end came into sight - pride.  A major sense of accomplishment for completing a goal.  I did it!

The sweetest taste of all?  Success.  And we had it all week.  No extra sugar needed.

Today was the usually-dreaded Parent-Teacher conferences at school.  Going into the conferences I was hesitantly optimistic.  Things have been going very, very well (knock wood) - at least at home.  Both boys, but particularly my usually challenging eldest son, have been doing very well - with everything.  I am almost afraid of jinxing it all by writing/talking/thinking about it.  It's amazing though.

So, going into the conferences, I was hopeful that the teachers were seeing what we are seeing at home.  Who knows?  Even though I work at the school, I really try not to bother or check-in with the teachers, when it's not a scheduled time, because, being a teacher, I know what that's like - not cool.  So, I bite my tongue, and hope that all is well, unless I hear otherwise.

The conferences were - fabulous.  Both boys are doing really well.  It is sort of expected with our youngest son, in the sense that there have not been any major school issues to contend with for him.  For my eldest though (see numerous previous posts), this has been quite a journey.  Almost every Parent Teacher conference since pre-school (yes, even in pre-school) there is talk of:  difficult issues, meltdowns, should he be retained, incomplete assignments, negative attitude, etc.  It was to the point that I dreaded going to the conferences.

Not this one.

We sat down - my son's two classroom teachers, his EC-Resource teacher, my husband and myself. . .and stared at one another.  Wow!  We all broke into the biggest grins, and all knew - It's Good.  My son is good.  He is doing well - academically, behaviorally, and even socially.  He is happier.  He is on grade-level, and doing the work.  He is participating in group activities.  He is not grumbling about every thing.  We are seeing the same behaviors at home.  We are seeing - success.  He is feeling success.

Nothing is as sweet as this.  Nothing.

21DSD Pre-Planning & Week 2

Earlier this week, I started posting about my 21DSD journey.
Wanting to keep my blog posts a reasonable length, I didn't go into a lot of detail, so I will use this opportunity to give you some pre-21DSD planning, just in case you are interested.

I had ordered the book over the holidays.  Being the practical, realistic (OCD) person that I am - I knew to pre-plan this kind of "diet".  With my birthday being in early January, I decided to not start the 21DSD until after my birthday (I knew I was having pie on my special day!).

Over the holidays, I read the book.  It recommends a lot of pre-planning prior to starting the program, so keep that in mind if you decide to give this a try.
I started phasing sweets out almost two weeks before officially starting.  Not all sweets, mind, you, but cutting back on the sweetener I added to my coffee, passing on sugary sweets, and opting for fruit - that kind of stuff.  I added a few items to our pantry that I didn't have before - like coconut oil, coconut flour, and made sure we had plenty of spices.  I bought a single serve blender, for easy use of making smoothies.

The 21DSD also has a supportive website.  I registered my email, with my start date of January 13th.  This means that every day of the program, I receive a wonderful, supportive email - it contains a positive message (sometimes even funny!), meal plan suggestions, and a recipe.

I went ahead and made a large batch of the pumpkin spice pancakes recipe that is in the book.  They are fine to freeze, and then cook as needed.

Since my family decided to NOT join me on this oh-so-fun plan (yes, that's sarcasm again), meal planning has been a bit more challenging.  So far, I have had success making one meal for everyone, and then modifying slightly for my needs.  For example, I will make a chicken and vegetable stir-fry, which everyone will eat, but serve rice to the family, but put mine over spinach.  Or, I'll make a chili that everyone can eat, but the family gets garlic bread, and. . .I get to watch them eat garlic bread.

You get the idea.

But I just don't have time to make separate meals.

Now, I am two weeks into this 21DSD - it has gotten a lot easier, and I am thinking that my cravings for sweets is not as powerful.  I'm definitely not as tired in the afternoon as I used to be - and that alone is a huge positive.
Plus, I am already planning on continuing with a reduced sugar lifestyle after the 21 days.  I am looking forward to adding more fruit back into my diet (I miss strawberries and cantaloupe!), and I will also be able to have honey and pure maple syrup, if needed.  As of right now, I am thinking it is really not needed!  This past week, I made no-sugar added Paleo blueberry muffins that are fabulous, and tonight I made almond Paleo pancakes with no added sugars.  They are fine on their own.  My taste buds have definitely adjusted!

One more week to go. . .

No Sugar? No Kidding! Week 1.

It's the New Year - Happy 2014!

I am not a fan of "dieting".  I believe in eating right (healthy) and exercising regularly.  That said, I, personally, have a sugar addiction.  For the most part I eat healthy, and we try not to keep junk in the house, so as not to tempt ourselves.  But I've found that given the option of having a treat, I go all in.  I don't want just one cookie.  I want four.  One brownie?  Are you kidding me!?  It's a challenge not to eat the whole tray.  

So, my New Year's Resolution to myself was to try and break my sugar habit.  I like food.  A lot.  This was going to be difficult.

On the recommendation of friends, I got the book:  21 Day Sugar Detox, or 21DSD.  It has been very helpful with information, resources, recipes and - a plan.  I need a plan.  Same thing with running and racing.  It helps to have guidelines to follow, and this book has a Yes/No list of foods.  How much easier could it be?

It's not easy at all.  As of publishing this post it has been one week of the 21 day commitment.  One week down!  Whooo-hoooo!  Two more to go. . .

Honestly, Day 1 was the hardest, so far.  I wanted to eat one of my children.  The cat looked good too. . .and when one of my students was eating cheetos (which I never eat normally), I almost grabbed and scarfed the whole bag.  

Use willpower, I will.

So, instead of eating these fabulous smelling donuts that someone left in the teachers' lounge, 

I went back to my desk and ate peppers.  Mmmmm.  

Instead of eating tortilla chips with my chili, I had sunflower seeds.  Mmmmmm.

Are you catching the sarcasm?  It's there.

Now, I normally eat the raw peppers, sunflower seeds, apple slices, etc.  I do snack healthy.  BUT I also would have taken half a donut.  I would have had those tortilla chips with my chili.  

Not for three weeks though. 

I found myself ridiculously hungry that first day.  When I ran the next day, I was afraid I was going to pass out, so I figured I needed to eat more.  

There is a section in the book that addresses people who exercise a lot and how to modify the 21DSD to accommodate extra activity.  I thought I was following it, but I don't want to pass out while working out.

So I added a "cheat" of Greek yogurt, which is not on the approved list, but contains a lot of protein.

I also make sure to pack a lot of healthy "approved" snacks to carry with me at all times.  If I am hungry, I eat.  

The main reason for doing this was to try and break the sugar cravings, but also to improve my diet overall.  I had not realized, before doing the 21DSD how much sugar is in everything.  I mean everything - dressings, marinades, ketchup, mustard, nut butters, yogurts, breads, chips, and pasta.   It's already in things naturally such as fruits, but add that with all the processed junk, it becomes a lot!  Not just sugar, but even sugar substitutes are to be avoided.  I had thought I was doing well adding Stevia to drinks instead of sugar or splenda, but apparently not.  Sugar substitutes are apparently just as evil as regular sugar.

By Day 3, I noticed that I felt less tired, and more alert.  Could it be that eliminating sugar could result in me losing my afternoon slump?  Amazing.  

Today is Day 7 and I am finally not having ridiculous cravings for sugar.  I have made it seven days and the world is still spinning, my house still needs cleaning, and life goes on.  I do actually feel better.  

Can I make it two more weeks?  

This Past Week.

This past week, I learned a lot.

1.)  Teachers AND kids look forward to winter break - equally.  Both my boys, and myself were ready for winter break by the time we got to our half day of school last Wednesday.  The boys looked forward to not being in school, and I looked forward to having full days to get a massive amount of stuff done prior to the Christmas holiday.

2.)  Super-Woman Exists.  She lives in the mountains.  She gardens and reads and cooks really yummy food.  She puts up with my Dad.  She is Super-Woman every day. . .but twice a year, she offers to take my children for a long weekend. 
This past weekend was one of those special No-Kids weekends.

3.)  Redefine Romance.

I'm sure you are thinking, "Hmmm, no kids for an entire weekend!"  What could my husband I possibly do?

 

 

 

 

Sure, something romantic would have been nice. 

But, no. . .We had a more practical agenda.

 

 

 

4.)  "I have boys."  - That statement is said, like I have a medical condition. 

The towel rack was ripped out of the bathroom wall?  "I have boys."

The kids flooded their bathroom, and the water leaked down and damaged the kitchen ceiling?  "I have boys."

Massive amount of dirt, handprints, footprints (?!) on our walls from four feet down to the floor.  "I have boys."

Unknown stains on furniture and carpets that seem to be growing in size?  "I have boys."

 

 

So, my (wonderful) husband and I spent our kid-free weekend doing non-romantic things that involved caulking, sanding, painting, purging of toys and clothes, vacuuming, scrubbing, and spraying a lot of Febreeze.

 

 

"I have boys."

 

5.)  The best time to visit the Doctor is the day before a major holiday.

I have put off going to the doctor for several weeks now.  I have had a persistent, aggressive, and quite annoying dry hacking cough for a month.  I have tried a variety of at-home treatments with no success.  Finally, this past Tuesday I woke up (after a not-so-restful-night of hacking up a lung), and called the Doctor.

 

Not only did I get an appointment for first thing Tuesday morning, we arrived at the office, I was seen, and was on my way to the pharmacy in 21 minutes.  I plan to arrange all future illnesses and Doctor visits to coincide with days prior to major holidays.

 

6.)  I am getting old(er).

I have a birthday in a couple weeks.  Not that I am counting.  Since turning 35, I have been digging in my nails and holding on tight to the 30s. . .so as I approach 4-0, I feel a desire to stick my head in the sand, in a land called DeNial.

This leads me to my final lesson the past week.

 

7.)  Little kids are a lot smarter than I.

My boys got way too much for Christmas.  The main thing they got was an Xbox 360 and several coveted games they desired.  The system we bought only came with one remote, so we had to purchase a second remote.  Once the system was set up, the included remote synced with the system right away, but the boys could not figure out how to sync the second remote.

Eldest son, who is truly the apple of this tree, was quickly heading for Nuclear Meltdown over this technological blip in his Day of Joy and Electronics. 

I have no technological knowledge, but my wonderful husband was busy cooking breakfast, so it was up to me to handle this situation.

 

 

Banging the remote and pushing all the buttons did not work.

My expertise was exhausted.  With eldest son on the floor, and Nuclear Meltdown not far behind (for me, not him), I tossed the remote on the sofa and stalked off. 

 

What to do?  What to do?

Why, YouTube, of course.  I quickly typed in a search for syncing a remote with Xbox 360.  In a thirty second clip, a 5 year old child showed me and easily explained how to sync a second remote.

Problem solved. 

 

 

8.)  Finally, but certainly not least, I was reminded how lucky I am. 

Super-Woman (and Super-Dad) took the kids for a long weekend.  I know that's not easy - in fact it's downright exhausting.  But, they make the effort, and it's more than appreciated.  Because honestly, the best gift we got this holiday season?  The gift of time.  So, Thank You Super-Woman and Super-Dad.

I thank my amazing, wonderful, and supportive husband.  It was NOT a romantic weekend, but it was so nice to have quiet time together.  We did accomplish some much needed repairs and cleaning, and made time to go out to dinner at a nice restaurant.  While the weekend was not all romance and flowers, it was perfect.  I am the luckiest wife.

I thank my kids.  For all their challenges, they are incredible (---incredibly destructive), but seriously amazing young boys.  One thing I always enjoy about school breaks is that I do get to spend all day with my kids, and I get so many glimpses during the day of the intelligent, creative, fun, and sweet people they are and are becoming as they grow.

 

And also, Thank you five year old YouTube genius boy.  You saved this Momma.

Let's Talk About Success Baby, Let's Talk About You and Me

"Let's talk about all the good things
And the bad things, that may be."  - Salt N' Pepa

Seriously, the song has nothing to do with this post, other than when I typed in my title, it went along with this tune. . .

As any of you regular blog readers know, my eldest son can be a bit of a challenge.  He is a good boy, with a sweet heart - but I think of him like an M&M candy. . .He has a sweet interior with a hard candy shell. 

This school year is a big deal for all of us.  Because of his many challenges, we decided that we cannot keep promoting him through the grades, if he can't function on grade level.  We believe that a lot of the issues that we, his parents, and his teachers deal with are more behavior than academic.   If we can get the behaviors under control, the academics will fall into place. 


We have been working with him on his issues with a variety of support from the school, and outside the school.  What we have discovered, is that the more consistent his days, and the structure of his days, the better he does.  He needs continuity from school to home, in order to be most successful.

Ten days (or so) ago, we had an huge meeting at the school about my eldest son.  My husband and I had noticed a bit of backsliding with his behavior and attitude recently, and we wanted to catch him before it got worse.  We organized a meeting with all his teachers and a school administrator.  How many people were at this meeting?  Eight.  8.  Ocho.  Eight staff members, my husband and myself came together to discuss our son, and come up with a plan to help him be more successful. 

                                                     My kids have more than one caring adult.  How lucky are they?

During this meeting, which took an hour, I felt awe, appreciation, gratitude, amazement, and love - yes love - for all these people involved in my son's education, and his life.  These wonderful women, who are ridiculously underpaid for their jobs, came together for one hour for a meeting that my husband and I asked for earlier in the week - and came up with a plan.  We agreed that ALL teachers and my husband and myself included would follow this plan - for consistency between school and home.  This plan had clear goals and consequences.  We would all use the same terminology, to help be clear.

This plan has now been in effect for a bit over a week, and we are seeing tremendous success.

The plan was a culmination of efforts and strategies attempted over the past several years.  The one big difference?  We raised the bar. . .Instead of trying to work with where my son was currently functioning, we all said, Let's Kick It Up A Notch.  We told him, "We know you can do this, so let's do it."

The best part?  My son feels the difference.  He is happier.  Success means so many different things throughout parenthood:  Yay!  My child is talking.  Yay!  My child can walk!  Yay!  My child is nice to other children  - or whatever our goals might be for our kids. 

My son will have struggles for the rest of his life.  Many things that come easily or naturally to others are just not easy for him.  But, he has the most amazing team and support helping him to learn strategies and use resources that can help him better navigate this world that often frustrates him so.

The difference in our son this past week is night and day.  He is happier, more comfortable, and more successful in almost all aspects of his life.  With the firm foundation between school and home, he is willing to stand up, and work hard - even with a smile on his face.  We are so grateful to all the teachers and administrators.  I cannot thank these amazing women enough.  I learn from my son's teachers every day too, and because of them, I believe I am a better mother. 

While this plan is not "the answer" to all our hurdles with him, it is part of the positive behaviors that we are seeing from him, and most importantly that he is feeling - that's success.  Yay!

'Tis the Season: Huntersville Half

Today I ran my last race of 2013. 

On this rainy, cold, gray morning, I met my friends down in Huntersville to run the Huntersville Half Marathon.  The start time was 8:00am, and while there was some rain prior to the race, there was no rain at the start of the race, which was nice.

The joy in this race for me (is there really joy when running 13.1 miles?  Yes!), initially, was that I would get a great workout, while running with great friends.  We had no pace or time goal - just to run together, chat, and finish.

However, while I had a great time with my friends - the true highlights of the race for me, came from the support of others. . .

I have a 5th grade student that I work with occasionally.  His mother is a runner, triathlete, ironwoman - and he's an athlete as well.  He lives along the course I would be running today, and I jokingly asked him to be out there cheering, since he wasn't planning on running.

At Mile 4, I was thrilled, I mean genuinely ecstatic to see him at the corner.  I got a great smile and wave from him.  As I ran on my way, I felt so motivated by his effort to come out and cheer, to see a familiar friendly face.  That was really a wonderful gift, and he probably isn't even aware of how much it means to me that he was out there in that awful weather, to cheer on the runners.

About halfway through the race, we ran past the street where one of my running friends lives.  Her family was coming out to see us, but our scheduling was a bit off, so we all waved to one another.  Still, that was a treat to see her kids and husband coming out to support our run.

Finally, at the very end of the race, as I was rounding the turn to the finish, I heard someone yell out my name - in the groove, and not wanting to stop and scan the crowd, I plowed ahead to the finish.  Afterwards, I realized that my friends family (from the halfway point) had come to the finish.
Not only were they cheering, the kids had made signs with our names on them (and beautiful artwork on the back too). 

I was not kidding when I told my friend that my name sign/artwork meant more to me than the medal from the race.

These acts of kindness, thoughtfulness - are a reminder to me of how much a positive act and/or comment can make a difference in someone elses life. 

One of the many things that often aggravates me during this season is the Case of the Gimmies that my children seem to come down with starting in November.  "I want this" and "I want that" comes out of their mouths way too often.  We try so very hard to help teach and guide them to think of others year round, but especially during holiday times.  I think, given their young age, we are making progress.

My youngest son's teacher shared a story with me this week.  The kids at school have been a bit more - loud and energetic, than usual.  We, teachers, are chalking it up to the approaching holiday break.  The teacher shared with me that my son's class had been particularly chatty and wiggly the previous day, and all day long she had corrected them.  At the end of the day, she shared that my young son came up to her, gave her one of his big hugs, and said, "Mrs. W, I wouldn't like coming to school, if you weren't here.  You're the best teacher."

She said it really caused her to pause, because the only things she had said to him that day were, "Sit down,"  "Stop talking", and "Do your work."  Mrs. W told me that his hug and positive comment made her feel so good, and helped her to remember that positive comments make someone want to do better - be better, than when one is negative.  She took that into the next day, and really tried to encourage the kids through being positive. 

As I wrap up this running, biking, duathlon, triathlon, bootcamp, and spinning year. . .and reflect on my practices, races, and rides - I try to remember that the not only do I need to be more positive with myself.  If you recall, I achieved my Sub 2 last month with positive thinking.

I need to be more positive with others. 

It is, after all, an easy gift to give.

Testing. Testing. 1-2-3-4

What do running and EOGs (end-of-grade tests) have in common?

It turns out, quite a lot.

Today, we received the EOG test scores for our 9 year old son.  This is an huge high stakes test that is required in our great state, for all students in grades 3+. 

We are blessed enough to attend a school that does not put year-round emphasis on the test.  Instead, we follow the Common Core, but teach organically, and differentiate.  Learning, at our school, is honestly fun (according to the students, not just me!).  We do not teach to the test.

Last school year, my 9 year old was in 3rd grade, so it was his first year with the EOG test.  I have to be honest here - I have been worried about my son taking this test for the past three years.  He is very smart, but behaviorally challenging. 

In an attempt to not ramble on too much - I will cut to the chase.

My son took the test this past Spring.  We received the results today.  It has been forewarned, in ever increasing email posts and newspaper articles that the scores have plummeted across the state - due to a new test, new standards, new guidelines for passing.

According to the results my son would have "failed". 

Is it ridiculous that I was so happy when I saw his results, I was almost giddy?  No, I do not want my child to "fail", or as the state so kindly put it at his level he only has, "partial command" of the material.

In struggling with my reaction to my son's results - I found myself thinking about my most recent Half Marathon from this past weekend (see previous post).  I managed to pull off a Sub-2 time for the 13.1 mile race.  This is an huge achievement, and has been a goal of mine, since I started running half marathons over a year ago.

OVER A YEAR AGO.

When I ran my first half marathon, in March of 2012 - my goal was to just finish the race.  Seriously.  I had never run a half marathon.  It was a new experience, and while I can read all about it, and do my practice run, I still wasn't sure what to expect, and I didn't want to be unrealistic.  It was the NC Half Marathon at the Motor Speedway (where Nascar races).  I completed the race in 2 hours and 18 minutes, and I was thrilled.  I did it! 

This was my goal for my 9 year old son.  Leading up to the EOGs, all I hoped was that he would even sit and complete the test.  As I've posted before, he has "issues" - mainly behavioral.  I truly wasn't sure that he would sit for the 2+ hours to complete one test.  When he gets upset or frustrated, it can often snowball into a meltdown.  What if he got one reading passage into the test, and got anxious or upset, or frustrated or discouraged, or even just bored?  What if he just dug in his heels about not wanting to take the test, and just would not read or solve problems?  What if he spelled out inappropriate words with the bubble dots?  - It was a possibility. 

So, heading into the EOGs, we decided that we really just wanted him to, 1)  read carefully, 2) complete the test, and 3) use at least 2-3 strategies taught by his teachers.  Really, those were our goals - and afterwards, I learned that he did all three.  We celebrated.

Now, six months later, we were notified the test results were in the mail.

As I mentioned earlier, my son did not pass the EOGs. 
Still, I am thrilled.

He achieved his goals.  He finished the race.

I've since run six more half marathons.  My second one was my worst time, 2 hours and 20 minutes.  But I've continued to work on my running, nutrition, gear, and most recently mental attitude.  It also takes a "team" to succeed.  I've got a great running support group, amazing running friends, a Fitness Guru, and a Bootcamp Instructor Extraordinaire. 

I've got a supportive and positive husband and understanding children.

During races, there are amazing volunteers, water stops, cheerleaders, event staff, and community support.

My Sub-2 was not achieved without all of the above.

My son will have to take this test again. . .and again. . .and again.  There will be ones where his score is worse than the previous one, and hopefully, more often than not, steady gains.  While my 2nd half marathon was my longest time, all the following times have decreased.  For my 3rd half marathon (Run the Green - 2 hours 15 minutes.  My 4th half marathon was Ramblin Rose at 2 hours 13 minutes.  The 5th half marathon was Rock N Roll DC at 2 hours 10 minutes.  And, this past June, my 6th half marathon was the Charity Chase at 2 hours 6 minutes. 

We are so lucky that our boys have an amazing "team" to help them.  The teachers, administrators, EC support, amazing classmates - parents, grandparents, brother. . .They are both surrounded by support to help them not just finish the race, but succeed in the race.

And like running, it might not be the first race (clearly), and it might not be the second race - but I know, with such a great team, and proper training, they will be fine.   Because none of us is defined by the numbers in our lives.  I am not a Sub-2, and my son is not a "failure". 

We have succeeded in completing the races, and as long as we strive to improve - we are successful.