Year Picture

 Have you been on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and seen the pictures of people 10 years difference?  Well after seeing so many I decided to go ahead and post one of myself.  Well, of myself and my daughter.  We have lots of pictures together but the ones I chose were showing us in our worst shape and now in our best shape.  Looking at pictures of me even from a year ago I now know how badly I was out of shape and it is a miracle I did not have any medical conditions.  Now that I am in better shape I feel at least 20 to 25  years longer and I am pretty sure I act like it too!  I have so much more energy and I cannot believe how good I feel.  Anyway, the picture to the right of this post is one of Jenny and I in Hawaii (left) and Jenny and I at a Jacksonville Jaguars game.  Two great fun events, 10 years apart and yes we look older but we both feel so much better.  My 10 year picture.

Way Better

 Have you heard of the app Way Better?  It is an interesting app that helps you with several different areas.  I joined it for an exercise app but I have discovered that it offers so much more.  There are Fitness Challenges, Nutrition challenges & Mindfulness challenges. I just finished a reading challenge and I am currently in a fitness challenge "Winter walking to 5K".  I am in my first week of it.  I have three more challenges I begin on Monday.  There are some tough challenges but there is also some easier ones.  My next few challenges coming up I have two nutrition challenges and one mindfulness challenge.  It keeps me busy but it also holds me accountable and I need that.  I am not pushing the app for my own gain.  I am just a user of the app and I have been enjoying the different challenges they offer.  The good thing is it is not really that expensive.  Most challenges are only $10 to $15 dollars that you can bet and if you finish the challenge you get a portion of the pot.  It is not much but hey, I just earned a few dollars reading.

I had did have a very nice morning yesterday.  My good friend Debbie and I met half way between where we both live (90 miles apart) to have brunch.  We are long time friends and even though we do not live near each other we still talk or text several days a week and try to get together at least once a month if possible.  When I was traveling in my RV for 5 years around the country we were always in contact.  She is a true friend that I am very blessed to have.  We spent about three hours at a Bob Evans restaurant catching up and sharing stories and the goings on in our lives.  The restaurant was not busy and we tipped our server very well.  It was a really great way to start my four day weekend.

3,358,577

 What is 3,358,577?  It is the number of steps that I have walked in the last 10 months.  When I divide it by my average number of steps per mile it works out that I have walked 1, 460 miles in 2021.  That is an average of 146 miles a month or 33 miles a week or roughly 5 miles a day 6 days a week.  Now I know that there were some days where I actually walked over 10 miles and some days I only walked a couple of miles.  Either way, when I saw the number of steps I took I was very surprised since I have not really kept track.  So, I have a goal to beat for next year which is to take more than 3 million steps and I think I can do it.  I have 8 more pounds to lose to hit 100 pounds then I am going to go for another 20 pounds.  After that, I will maintain.  I will not hit 100 pounds by Jan 21st which is when I started my new lifestyle last year and I am okay with that because I never thought I would be able to do it in a year anyway.  I will celebrate when I do hit 100 pounds but it won't be with food or drink.  I have to think of something special because for me it will be.  I have gone through two pairs of shoes and am on my third which, so far, have been my favorite.  They are Brooks, which before I got them I had never heard of them, and they are the greatest shoes I have worn so far.  Comfortable, supportive, nice looking and the combination just keeps me going.  My feet have never hurt in these shoes no matter how long I have walked or worn them.  They are expensive, and were a birthday gift from my sister, but they are worth every penny.  3,358,377 steps.

Happy New Year!!!

 Happy New Year!  I hope this will be a good year for all!  As I look back on 2021 I have to say it has been probably one of my happiest years yet.  I started getting healthy in late January last year and after 11 months I have lost 92 pounds, walk 3 to 5 miles daily and I don’t feel nearly as old as I am.  My healthy lifestyle has taken at least 25 years off me.  I feel great, I am looking better and I am only 8 pounds to my first goal, 11 pounds from my second goal and 30 pounds to my third goal.  All achievable in time and time I have.  This past year I invested in myself and I am going to continue in 2022 to do the same! 

Along with my healthy lifestyle I am also going to get financial healthy too.  I need to start being a lot more responsible.  My third item for 2022 is to continue my role in helping to raise Rory and helping out where I can.  She truly is a huge joy in my life and we need to go back to Rory and Gamma adventures.

My hope for all is that this new year will be a good one for all.  Here’s to yall’s health, welfare, thriving and being a kinder group of people.  2022…good for me and you!