December 5, 2012

1.       What does energy mean to you?  Is all energy created equal, or are their different types?  Which one/s are most important?  Please explain your answer.

Energy means getting through my day without feeling exhausted- and doing everything that I  need to do in a day.  This includes, but is not limited to: taking my daughter to school, getting to work on time, working all day nonstop, running out at lunchtime to do errands, like going grocery shopping, leaving work at a normal hour and going to the health club, getting home prior to 7.30 pm from working out, and making dinner, hanging out with my husband and daughter, getting ready for the next day, and reading in bed before I go to bed!  Sometimes it is exhausting to get through the day, and I don't know how I am going to make it through.  Othertimes, like today, I sail through the day, AND went to Costco AND Home Depot, and worked out!  (And went shopping for myself in between work and going to the gym---and worked all day!!!)  I am not even tired now, but I am sure I will be exhausted tomorrow.

2.       How much—or little—do you think about your own energy level throughout the day?  When do you think about it most, and why?  What, if anything, do you do to manage your energy level?  Please be specific.

If I am so, so, so tired during the day, then I think about my lack of energy.  Sometimes at breakfast, if I know I am tired, or have to do a lot to get through the day, I think about what I can do to bolster my energy level right at breakfast.  Then, I break out the green tea, and then I am set for the day!  :)

3.       How much—or little—do you think about your child/ren’s energy level throughout the day?  When do you think about it most, and why?  What, if anything, do you do to manage THEIR energy level?  Please be specific.

My six year old daughter generally has a lot of energy.  She loves, loves, loves her school, and her friends and teachers who are there with her.  She may wake up tired and saying, "I am so tired; I don't want to go to school today."  But once we get her in the swing of things she is all set for the day!  So no, I generally do not think about her energy level too much.  She eats really well, and her teachers know that she is not to have hardly any sugar (no dietary restrictions, just that we eat extremely healthy.)

4.       You’ve heard the phrase, “Food is fuel.” How does what you eat connect with your energy level?  Please provide some specific real-world examples.

I try to eat as many fruits and vegetables during the day.  I notice if I am dragging and have an apple, for example, a little while later, i feel better!  In contrast, eating jelly beans, as yummy as they are, do not have much of a lasting effect for me, and I end up feeling guilty and still unsatisfied.  Thus, I try to stick with lots of fruits and vegetables!

5.       What are the benefits of having a high-energy day?  Choose an image or two from the Internet that captures what a high-energy day looks/feels like.  Then give me some real-life examples of this for you/your child/ren.  What kinds of things are possible when you have high levels of energy?

I do pilates, and my daughter does yoga!  We both feel like we have more energy when we exercise, like doing pilates/yoga.  I wanted my daughter to learn about the importance of exercising early, so we signed her up for yoga at her school.  She loves it, and says it gives her extra energy!  The cute thing is last Saturday I took her to my health club to show her around.  She went over to the exercise mats, and started showing me her "moves."  People working out there were very impressed!  I want her to know how so many things are possible through out the day when you have high levels of energy.  You can maximize your energy levels both when you exercise (like through yoga or pilates), and when you eat well.

6.       What are the consequences of having a low-energy day?  Choose an image or two from the Internet that captures what a low-energy day looks/feels like.  Then give me some real-life examples of this for you/your child/ren.  What kinds of things does having low-energy affect?

  The consequences of having a low energy day is when you are exhausted, and it is literally painful to get through the day.  For example, we went to South Carolina over Thanksgiving to visit my parents.  We did many things there, and then flew back to Chicago the next day after Thanksgiving, that evening.  I had no time to relax over the weekend, and I had to go back to work the following Monday.  Last week, I was exhausted, crabby, and did not feel like I had much time off to just hang out and rejuvenate my self/my body.  I dragged all week, and by Friday, I knew there was no way I could go to work---I was just too exhausted.  I called in sick, slept, read in bed, rested, and just breathed without having to account to anyone for the day.  This past Monday I was back at work and felt great!  I have had a much better week so far.  All because I  recognized I had low energy, took some time to myself to rest and gain back some energy, so I could move forward with everything I am expected to do all day long!

7.       When is having energy most important to you?  Why?  When is having energy most important to your kids?  Why?

I need energy because I have a lot of committments.  I am the primary bread winner in the family, PLUS I handle all of the grocery shopping, and do 500+ things in addition every single day.  Plus, I have a famly I love being with, and if I am exhausted, then I cannot maximixe my time with them!

My child needs energy because she too has a lot of things she wants to do each day---in addition to going to school!  Plus, if she has low energy, then she is generally crabby and not the most fun to be around.  Then, we ask ,"What happened to good Chloe?  Where is fun Chloe?"  So, if she does not have high energy, then it is not pleasant for any of us.  :)