a peek inside the fishbowl

19 Nov, 2010

Know More Do More: two minutes for me

Posted by andrea tomkins in: - Know More Do More|Misc. life

Two KMDM posts in one week! Welcome to Crazytown!

I made up my own tip this week. It’s just about me. Even though I know that the activities are supposed to be family-oriented I am giving the family a short break and focusing on where it really counts: on mom.

If I’m not happy, no one is happy. If I’m tired or sick stuff doesn’t get done and we all suffer for it. That’s why this KMDM update is about some tiny habits I’m trying to start for myself that will build me up; make me happier, stronger and healthier, and give me what I need to Be A Good Parent.

And it all happens in the morning. In two minutes. Want to try it with me?

Here’s my tip:

Take two minutes for yourself and Do Those Things You Know You Need To Do before you start your day.

Awhile ago I was talking to someone about vitamin D and how important it is. I know I need to take it every day, but I don’t. Why can’t I remember?

So I affixed a post-it note on the inside of the medicine cabinet to remind me. I never miss it, no matter how tired and bleary I’m feeling. That note provides the reminder I need, so I got to thinking, why not add a few other things I should be doing too? So now I:

  • Take my vitamin D (it’s good for me!) and wash it down with…
  • … a full glass of water (it’s good for me!)
  • apply sunscreen/moisturize (it’s good for my skin!)
  • take deeeeeep breaths (it’s good for me!)
  • stretch (half a sun-salutation a.k.a reaching high for the sky while breathing – it’s good for me too!)

This really only takes a minute or two at the very most. And it feels great. I am also trying to:

  • brush my teeth as soon as I wake up

I would like to clarify that I never forget to brush my teeth, but I’m trying to do it as soon as I get up now because I found it annoying to remember later and rush back up the stairs. So to summarize: I’m now also giving myself mini facial massages (smearing moisturizer on my forehead while I take deep breaths is so relaxing for some reason) and doing yoga moves in the bathroom.

I have been doing this for a few days and I’m really loving it. I am now adding:

  • a set of 12 squats

… because I’ve been to see Sarah Zahab and it’s part of a fitness regimen that I’m supposed to be doing and not actually doing very much of AT ALL. Gah. But if I’m taking my vitamins can’t I do 12 freakin’ squats? I MUST.

This post is part of the Know More Do More initiative which was spearheaded by the Champlain Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Network. KMDM is about empowering parents and inspiring them to take charge of their children’s health by taking easy steps to increase activity levels and improve eating habits. I’m one of two champion families who has been asked to take this challenge. You can join too. Check out the official website for more information. If you’re blogging about your participation, please let me know so we can cheer each other on! You can read all of my past weekly challenges here.


3 Responses to "Know More Do More: two minutes for me"

1 | Ginger

November 19th, 2010 at 12:46 pm

Avatar

What a great idea! I need to take my fish oil every day and I always forget. I should make a routine for first thing in the morning…

2 | Mark

November 19th, 2010 at 3:07 pm

Avatar

Huh. So that’s what you’re doing while I’m in the shower in the morning. I was wondering why you were standing around in the bathroom for so long.

3 | Binki

November 19th, 2010 at 6:03 pm

Avatar

I do the same when it comes to Vitamin D (part of my morning shower routine). I don’t do squats though. Are you doing those with or without barbells across your shoulders?

comment form:

Archives

Me and my pet projects

Ottawa Bucket list

Subscribe via email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.


  • Gretchen Humphrey: I had a beautiful bee& birdbath filled with a solar fountain and dozens of antique marbles that were suddenly disappearing. At first I thought my
  • Jinjer: I am sobbing reading this post. And you're right, companion is not enough. Little furry treasured gifts that they are. Thanks for sharing cutie-pi
  • Karen: Dear Andrea, Mark and your daughters I am so very sad for your family xxx Piper was/is my favourite Instagram post. You shared with us so intimately
  • Christina Banuelos: Thank you for sharing Pipers life with us. Your posts of Piper brought me joy. Every time I see your post and see what kind of mischief Piper was gett
  • Carla Slocum: I am sitting here yet again crying at your loss. We have known that loss with Asta the WFT our first pup but now have the enormous gift of Stryker the
  • Janelle Brown: Dear Andrea Thank you for sharing Piper’s story with her followers. I empathise with your grief and emptiness as I lost my 14 year old Westie last
  • Natasha McReynolds-Nicholl: My god reading this is heartbreaking. December 1st was the as you describe longest day of my life, we lost out beautiful WFT hazel. Pipers final momen

The Obligatory Blurb

My name is Andrea and I live in the Westboro area of Ottawa with my husband Mark and our dog Piper who is kind of a big deal on Instagram. We also have two human offspring: Emma (24) and Sarah (22). During the day I work as a writer at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. I am a longtime Ottawa blogger and I've occupied this little corner of the WWW since 1999. The Fishbowl is my whiteboard, water cooler, and journal, all rolled into one. I'm passionate about healthy living, arts and culture, travel, great gear, good food, and sharing the best of Ottawa. I also love vegetables, photography, gadgets, and great design.

If you'd like to contact me, please use this form. If you're so inclined, you can read more about me here. Thank you for visiting!

 


Connect with me at these places too!

Still calling it Twitter