Developing Teenager...

So as a single parent with an approaching teenager, I find it hard some days.  At the moment this isn't regular, but it is becoming monotonous - and she is only 12!!

So - my usual problem solving is to goggle and I find that there are many and varied resources to 'dealing with' teenage daughters - funny there never seems to be a 'cure'.

For Her

• show respect
• ask for things rather than rebelling
• remember your mother has lived a lot longer than you I do like this one
• compromise must let her know what this means
• do chores graciously that last word is the important one

For Me

• keep rules to a minimum
• tamp down your anger hmmmmm
• speak softly but firmly definitely needs work
• respect personal space
• don't deal with problems when tempers are raw again - hmmmmm
• be the grown up
• give praise
• be consistent

Funny how there are more points for me than for her!!

Exercise = Happiness

So there is always a huge amount of talk about exercising and the affect it has on happiness.  Biology and lab rat studies aside, I know that when I excercise I feel better and actually get more achieved during the day - particularly in the mornings.  My sleep is better (although I do tend to dream a bit).

I read an article recently about the actual brain effects from merely walking 20mins per day

It is seriously amazing the difference in brain usage from just that 20min walk!!  No wonder I feel fried after a 45min work out - seriously my hemispheres must be alight!!

It all makes for great reading though and just reinforces that what I am doing is the right path.  I have done this before I know that it works!!  Habit forming is the big thing, getting my gym clothes out the night before and putting them next to the bed so that they are right there when the alarm goes off.  Another interesting fact from the article was the addictivness of the endorphines released during exercise. This is never more powerful than at the very beginning of exercising.  More exercise is needed to achieve the same effect over time.  No wonder I have been thinking about having a run after work (although haven't quite got there yet!!)

So it begins...

I am beginning this blog to try and get myself together while being a full time mum and worker, part-time domestic goddess and sometime everything else.

The challenge is on! I have been going to the gym for three weeks now and now need to clean up my diet. I have just on two months to drop a size before going to Melbourne and just on 8 months before the US trip!

Game face on.