Category: Health



The Self-Care Solution: A Year of Becoming Happier, Healthier, and Fitter--One Month at a TimeThe Self-Care Solution: A Year of Becoming Happier, Healthier, and Fitter–One Month at a Time by Jennifer Ashton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Doctor Jen does her own narration and does a great job of it. She keeps the reader’s interest.

I love the idea she promoted here of attacking one habit a month. I always feel there are so many habits I’d like to form or eliminate, but how does one do that with the hope of success? Ms. Jennifer takes us with her on her own journey, so we see how it all works and occasionally doesn’t work for her.

Since this was a Libby audiobook, I felt I missed the stats and ways to connect with the ideas. So I have ordered the hardback to actually start my own Self-Care odyssey.

Are there some habits easier for a doctor than a person on Social Security to form or banish? Absolutely! But I think her methods could work with any that one would like to try. And the bonus is that by the end of the book, she had learned lessons along the way and kept many habits, and could keep track of those ideas she didn’t want anymore.

I highly recommend this book and these ideas for change.

View all my reviews

Thus Thursday


Though we got the indoor bike delivered late yesterday, we didn’t take it out of the box until today.

Outside of the moment it all went well. Then we couldn’t figure out why the seat had four holes for screws while the metal brace part had three holes. What? The four holes in the shape of a square did not line up with the three in the shape of a triangle.

I say ‘we,’ but Chris did the physical building, I just worried and supervised.

Then he saw the actual seat with the triangle holes and realized that other bit was the back rest. Whew!

All in all, it took a couple hours. Chris took his ride first. Then I did a couple miles in my living room. Since we didn’t take our walk today, I pictured our half mile turn around, so quickly arrived and repeated in my head. Imagine how far a mile would happen on a real bike!

When not in use it goes in my Dabbling Den. Yeah, another thing to block the piano. But on the right side the diamond painting area is not being used right now. The whole area needs a makeover.

Luckily, the wheels on the bike make it easy to move around.

I meant to mention that box of yarn tucked in under the keyboard of the piano.  Yay! Yarn!
From the driver’s seat, the front of the bike. Yes, that is Rosey’s food dish.

I’m happy to have the bike today. It was hot and humid. Then we had thunder storms. But that left a phenomenal sunset. Sorry it isn’t even close to what I saw.

Happy Thursday!

Last August, I was so excited that our Ancheer Treadmill was in my house. I got to it right away, using it nearly every day. Then suddenly it stopped! Just when I was finally doing a slow jog a few months ago. I was quite proud. I had labeled the speeds:

1 stuck behind the slow people at the mall

2 crowded mall but able to move at a normal speed

3 heading toward the car after shopping in the mall

4 slow running after the bus but not letting the cool kids see you run

5 Truly late for the bus, it is waiting for you.

I was moving toward a 6, and the motor stopped. I nearly fell off. The error message said the motor needed to be replaced. Ebay, and the company, Ancheer were not helping to find solutions. I wanted it fixed. I loved working on the treadmill. But if they couldn’t seem to help. If we could get our money back, it would mean I could get another somewhere.

Thank goodness I had purchased insurance with it. My husband was on the phone or emailing the companies, and finally, the insurance came through. We lost $2, but today we were able to purchase a Stationary Bike! It will be easier for my husband with his metal joints. Here’s a picture of what we ordered.

I think this will work out well. My son and I are trying to take a daily walk. So between these, maybe I can get back in shape, of some kind, less round, let’s say. I’ll let you know how it works out.

I couldn’t decide which emoji works better for this, so you get both, my close to realistic, or my inner rebel?

Whatever

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “antic.” Use it as a word or find a word that contains it. Bonus points if you do both. Enjoy!

Anticipating April and Camp NaNo, I set up an easy goal. 15k for the month. Editing the novel started in November helps me get reacquainted with all the characters and the plot. So I’m counting the contents of each scene I edit. That will give me word count at first. And today’s count impresses me: 3,440! Yay!

Other antics I’ve been up to: more socks!

These are for me!!! Toe-up Two At A Time Socks with Fleegle Heel on ChiaoGoo red-lace circulars US 8, 40″. I no longer need to watch the YouTube by Happee.
On the foot, nearly the toes. I’m so glad. These needles and thin yarn are hard for my hands. These will probably fit a child.
These have been knitted and tinked so many times! Though the needle and yarn are thin, the Two At A Time Toe-up Socks on ChiaoGoo red-lace circulars US 1 are easier than the HiyaHiya Fliers or double pointed needles. It’s a learning curve for the mind and fingers.

Meanwhile, I’m improving on my exercises. I graduated bands on one of the leg bits. I can finally do a jumping jack. Not as many as the trainer, but more than the arm lifts I did at first. Isn’t it fun to watch your own body and mind improve? Even at this age (73)! Marvelous! We are made out of the stuff of miracles!

We’re loving Piccard!!!

Don’t expect practice jokes from me. I hate them. But I love all you

Healthy Thursday


So the treadmill is still not fixed. The weather is still horrid for walking. So I looked up walking and resistance band training. For beginners or seniors like me (did you ever think those two words would go together? I’m a beginner senior!) Here’s what I found:

And believe it or not, this has given me sore muscles! And that is only doing the bare minimum! The other one is:

This one has me a bit winded, so I know in a few days, I will need to do the whole routine a few times. At least when I finally can walk or hop on a working treadmill, I will not have lost ground.


Manifesting Monday. I found a pup like I want:

If you haven’t seen this show, it is a heart warmer.

I fell in love with the above pup. Criteria: female, fixed, vaccines, calm but enjoys walks and outings with me. Easily trained, already house trained. Not a fussy eater, but not a kitty litter consumer. Loves being bathed, nails trimmed. Loves being a lap pup. But enjoys alone time. Playful, enjoys toys. Healthy mind, body. Can read the humans. Get along with cats or other dogs. Knows we love her and loves us back. Soft little ears. Cuddles. This or better for the greater good of all of us.

Meanwhile, I finished these:

The yarn was soft. I’m done with double pointed needles for a while. I’m glad I know how.
Look at the right sock! Finally the toe is happening. I still don’t know who will get these. They are smaller than most people I know. It may be they will go to the charity. Again, I think I’m done with shorter needles. I prefer long cables. These tiny things hurt after a while.
This is my favorite pair. I think they will be mine! I’m at the heel stage which means they’ll be done soon.

As the World Turns


Posted by Sark.

I’m doing my best to be my usual positive self despite the mully grubs of reality.

Snow. Lots. Just not all at once. It gets to this level, melts and reflakes.

We’ve got a couple more hours then it will be windy.

Meanwhile, my therapy of knitting keeps my hands moving while I process life, pets, and loved ones no longer with us.

My son and his girlfriend are traveling up. Snow or no snow. These socks are for them.

Nearly all the yarn for both pairs has been used up. I hope I’m done by tomorrow evening when they get here.

The reason for their scary mission is a memorial for my first dear sister in love. That’ll be Saturday in Portland. For my son it will be a 12 hour or more drive in much worse conditions than we have here. That’s how beloved Barb was/is for us.

I wanted to go. But my body is telling me that’s too long to be in a car. I used to handle long drives. But, especially being emotionally distraught from the losses of my furry friends, it seems far too much.

My older son is being picked up by the younger couple on the mission. I must admit to being very worried for all of them. As much as I would love to see my nieces and nephews, and sharing my condolences, I just can’t. I think I’ll write a letter or record my thoughts for them.

All of this plays on the huge housecleaning we need from our poor sickly Kali. We’ve done some but we are exhausted and can’t do as much as our younger selves could have accomplished.

One thing at a time. Doing what we can with what we’ve got. Sending and accepting love. Healthy mind and body.

Finishing Friday


This pair of slipper socks is as done as I can get them. I’m waiting for the yarn I’ll use for the heel and cuff. The four cakes of yarn I have, won’t be enough for the four socks I’m making. I looked for more and no one seems to have that color anywhere. These are Two At A Time Toe-up on ChiaoGoo red-lace circular needles.
The sock on the left is ready for the heel. The sock on the right has about 3″ before the heel. Luckily the new brown cotton should be here Tuesday. These are done on Flexee fine-gauge looms. I prefer the circular needles. And I’m getting good at trading off continental and traditional knitting.
The sock on the left hasn’t progressed. The one on the right needed to be tinked back about 15 rows. But I am finally back where I came from. This is thin yarn on skinny HiyaHiya Fliers so it is still painful to work with. That dark blue yarn, Denim makes my fingers blue. So these don’t call my hands to work much.
These are tiny yarn and thin ChiaoGoo red-lace circular needles so it is still hard for my hands. This yarn feels better than the light blueish yarn above.
I’ve tinked a few times as I am still learning how to make heels on Two At A Time Toe-up Socks. These are Knitters’Pride Royale Circular Needles. I miss this yarn. Not the curling cords on the needles. I can’t wait till I understand the heel, wrap and turn, decrease, and even more so the undoing the wrap and turns increases.
Just waiting to understand heels. See above. Not the same yarn. This is super washed wool. Same needles.
I found this chart for socks and am trying to save it everywhere.

Alas, my Ancheer treadmill from Ebay but the dust. I’m back to cold weather walking. By the way, we did buy insurance on the treadmill so hopefully it will be fixed or replaced. Today’s walk:

Not a lot but cold! I’ll try to get better.

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “heart.” Use it any way you like. Have fun!

Have you ever noticed the words in the word h-e-a-r-t. Grab a cup of tea. Lend an ear. Hear what you can with your heart. He might have heat for her. But involve the muse of art. Scramble a bit for the Earth. Possibly shed a tear.

How did that rate? Do you find more? Can you make it heart worthy?

THE AVOERIA ARCHIVE

The Depth Behind The Ordinary

Life of Chaz

Books, games, music, and life — filtered through the mind of a writer, drummer, and philosopher who thinks too deeply about all of it. If it moves something in your chest, I'm interested.

Pieces Of My Heart

"Words & Wonders - Where thoughts meet art

💫The Afterlove Voice💫

Justice, Channeling,Spiritual,Astrology,Truth- Seeker.

Amin Academy

Education, Information, Motivation

Luso Loonie — Devin Meireles

Exploring Portuguese Culture, Azorean Heritage, and Luso-Canadian Identity Through Writing

UNDER THE WILL... OVER THE DRAMA...

Inheritance. Narcissism. Turf. Welcome to the family.

Selma

Finding the extra in the ordinary

Sip, Snack, See

A Blog About Food and Travels

Golu lodhi

I upload photos & videos Golu lodhi village pairakhedi

Creative

Travel,Tourism, Life style "Now in hundreds of languages for you."

intricate cantrips

twisted yarns, unraveled

Introverted Growth

The Introvert's Roadmap to Self Discovery and Growth