MicroblogMonday - My post did not resonate. I thought it was good!

Capturing vacation on my camera.

On this MicroblogMonday I am going to share a little twinge I felt last week. My blog post did not seem to resonate with people or generate much interest. Oh well. I thought it was good! No comments and just a few likes. We really do let our feelings hinge on online comments and likes. My April social media diet has curbed some of that in me but it still stung a little that it did not seem like many people noticed or read my recent post on Blogher. I posted it on all my social sites and it still did not get much traction. I was even worried that some of the content might offend. Nothing to worry about there. It would have to be read to offend.

The good thing is, I learned a lot from the research I did to write the post. That in itself is the reward. I am much more in tune to the pressures kids are facing these days and how social media plays in to those pressures. It's still scary but I am more educated.

Check the post in question out if you'd like to, here's the link -

sheknows.com//my-teen-said-i-was-on-social-media-too-much

Books I am reading

Playing Big by Tara Mohr.
Feel Free to Prosper by Marilyn Jennet
Big Girl Panties by Janet Evanovich
The Conversion Code by Chris Smith

#MicroblogMonday - What a difference a week makes

Schedules, diets and challenges. New week new challenges.

The snow is gone and although it's not super warm at least the sun is out and the snow is pretty much gone. Last week at this time it felt more like February than April. My daughters softball season starts at long last tomorrow and we are getting ready for a much needed vacation.  They say when you need something done ask a busy person. The same goes for the week or day before a vacation. Getting super organized and getting everything done is a must. Efficiency is at an all time high. Motivation for getting things done is at an all time high.

The schedule is planned, the meals are planned, a little shopping is still needed as is a lot of packing. How happy am I to be shopping for sunscreen? VERY HAPPY. How happy am I that my dog care is all lined up? VERY HAPPY. Vacation can't come soon enough.

My April Challenge is cruising along. This weeks challenge is no take out or eating out. Easy peasy. We'll be eating out more than usual while on vacation so eating at home and making lunches each day would probably have been my plan anyway for this week.

As far as my social media diet I have really noticed how much more concentration I have now that the apps for my social media accounts are off of my phone. A total break from social media is not possible since some of what I do is for work but limiting it to when I am on my computer or ipad has made a big difference in how I spend my time.

Signing off for now and hoping you all have a great week! Wendy

Fruits and Veggies Challenge

I love the fruits and veggies part of the April Challenge. It gets me out of my eating ruts. This week to get the points I need to have 2 different fruits and 2 different vegetables each day.

The first day is always easy. Today will require a trip to the store.

Monday -
Apple and grapes
Cucumber and cabbage

#MicroblogMonday - Late Snow Brings Challenges

Snow makes the April Challenge more challenging for 2nd year in a row.

The April Challenge is happening, I am off to a good start. I have the best chance at winning one of the weeks in the first week so I'm giving it my all. Each week has a bonus challenge that goes along with it and this weeks was to walk or run a 5k.

April 3rd 2016

Easy enough on a usual day but don't you know it snow has been falling yesterday and today.
Thankfully the YMCA has an indoor track.  I recall last year going to a walking trail near me to complete the 5k with a friend and our daughters brought bikes. They had to stop when the snow on the trail made it impossible to bike further. Gotta love New England!

I've got 3 different books I am listening to and spent the time on the track listening to one of them - The Heavy by Dara-Lynn Weiss. I started listening and then as I often do I googled the author to see a photo of her. My search turned up some articles from when the book came out and the controversy that surrounded the story it told. It details the author's attempts to address her 8 year old daughters obesity at the request of the pediatrician.
My thoughts go to the future and what this little girl will be like as a tween, teen and adult. Will she thank her mom? Will she be mortified by the book?

It is so hard to be the mom of a daughter and be the one who will be a big part of forming her relationship with food. The mom from the book was brave to put it out there.

Will I stick to the April Challenge? I'd like to make this my best one yet. Stay tuned!

All my best, Wendy

Day 1 - sit ups, lunges & push ups

Well if this graphic doesn't inspire swagger I don't know what would. Hello April Challege!