Another Busy Week, Again!

 It seems since 2022 has started that I have been busier than usual but I am okay with that because to me it means that life is getting back to normal...pre Covid.  I am busy at home, at work, at play and more.  This past week I was only home one night that I had absolutely nothing to do but that was because Rory's Soccer practice was cancelled.  I am in three musical groups at church that takes three nights to fulfill my commitment to them.  That, with a soccer practice thrown in (I only do one but there are three a week) and then trying to be social my life stays pretty busy.  Jenny and I went and saw "Rent" the traveling Broadway show, this past week and it was excellent.  Then there are the Olympics.  Right now if anyone asks me what am I watching on TV it is always the Olympics.  After reviewing what I have just written I realize how blessed I am to be so busy.  I have my work life, my home life, my family life, my church life and my social life.  That is something to be blessed with.  I am thankful!

Getting Over A Plateau

 I did not get a chance to get on last weekend because I was busy making Door Prizes for my sister's class she is hosting this weekend.  She lives in California so I have to ship everything to her.  I needed to get it out so she will receive it on time...she did!  Anyway, for the past 6 weeks I have been stuck in a rut with my weight loss.  I did not gain any weight but I also did not lose any.  Basically I had hit a plateau which happens with weight loss.   With that said I knew I needed to do something that would jumpstart my losing again.  I have joined a 75 Days Over Medium Challenge.  This is being held by a Facebook/Instagram friend and it is very similar to the 75 Day challenges that are out there except this one has some different rules.  We have about 10 items we have to complete daily until April 16.  All the items are obtainable as long as you put your mind to it.  I have and in just a few days I think it has made a difference.  I will keep you updated.  Also, I am only 6 pounds away of making 100 pounds loss.  I know I can do it!

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!

WOW! Christmas Is Over?!?!

 I don't know about you but I am having a hard time with Christmas already being over.  I don't know if it was how extra busy I was from Thanksgiving to Christmas or the fact that there were only 4 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Either way, it went quickly for me and I never did get to half of the things I was going to do.  I didn't get a chance to check out the Christmas lights this year or go down to St. Augustine for the Night of Lights festival. I didn't get to make half the crafts I was going to make or get a chance to finish my Christmas baking.  I did, however, manage to stay so busy and that is why I did not get all those things done.  What I did finish was my Christmas shopping early and had everything wrapped and under the tree with a week to spare before Christmas.  I have never done that in my entire life and I kind of missed the last minute rush of getting that last present in the last few minutes.  Oh well, there is always next year.  Anyway, we had a wonderful Christmas and I was spoiled by my sister and my kids once again.  I am a very lucky lady!  I also got to give some wonderful presents this year and I was more excited about what I was giving then what I was receiving.  I hope you all had a great Christmas and I hope you have a wonderful New Year!  Let's hope 2022 is better than 2021.  For me, 2021 was a year of  a lifestyle change and I could not be happier about it.  2022 will continue to be also.  Check back see how I did for 2021 and how I am doing in 2022!  Happy Holidays!