Wordless Wednesday - The String Queens - Violin Music

 

YouTube Video: The String Queens - A Tribute to Aretha Franklin

YouTube Video: The String Queens - Crazy/Rolling

Motivational Monday – The Weight Loss Journey – 3 Ideas for Surviving a Challenge

 

I’m working once again to lose my post-pregnancy weight…it’s been 25 years...since the baby. There have been peaks and valleys, fitness regimens and meal plans; Just when I thought I had things under control, menopause slapped me in the face. I hit a plate, a brick wall, a stand-off.

In school we learned the theory of man against man, man against nature and man against himself. We can now include woman against her waistline. There are many days that I wish my superpower was appetite control, but since it isn’t, I go with Plan B – live joyously anyway.

I’m not going down without a good fight, and if you’re facing a challenge, you don’t have to either. How do you encourage yourself through a challenge?

Here are 3 fun ideas for surviving a challenge:

1.      Play the song I will Survive by Gloria Gaynor – sing along with the song (really loudly), say the words like you believe them.

YouTube Video: I will Survive by Gloria Gaynor

2.      Play the Rocky theme song – do this one at home. Put on a pair a loose-fitting jogging outfit, leggings, or anything comfortable. Bounce around your room like you’re preparing for a boxing match. Let the song lead you. Here are some of the lyrics to put you in the moment – Trying hard now. It’s so hard now. Getting strong now.

YouTube Video: Rocky theme song - Gonna Gly Now

You can count this as part of your fitness for the day.

3.      Do something fun – go easy on yourself. Allow yourself to relax, do something fun, the regroup later to refocus on your situation.

You can apply these ideas to a weight loss journey or a different difficult situation you’re facing. I’ve found that it helps to sprinkle any situation with humor.

My sons are encouraging when I complain about my weight struggles. They say things like, “Ma, you look fine, you’re probably gaining muscle.”

I started to buy into his theory. An invisible thought bubble formed above my head, and my eyes shifted upward – maybe I am gaining muscle. I looked at my right arm, then my left, and lifted each one into a bicep curl.

“I see your muscles Ma,” my son gave my arm a firm squeeze.”

A toothy grin erupted on my face, it was a proud moment for my arms, but then…

I looked down at my stomach, it looked back at me as if to say, I’m not with them, don’t set your expectations high.

And that my friend, is how I use humor to make it through.

If you’re on a weight loss journey or another challenge, silence your inner critic and keep pushing forward. Transformation doesn’t happen overnight, consistency pays off.

Go through your day with laughter as your sidekick.

Wellness Wednesday – National Water Park Day – 5 reasons to celebrate

 

Rolling Hills Water Park - Ypsilanti, MI

Photo Credit:momexploresmichigan.blogspot.com

Splashing, spraying, and playing is the thing to do for National Water Park Day - celebrated July 28. Grab your bathing suit and head off to your local water park. Engage in the thrill of a Wave Pool, or glide along the Lazy River.

Here are 5 reasons to celebrate National Water Park Day.

1.      It’s refreshing

2.      It’s relaxing

3.      Create memories with your family

4.      It’s a splashing good time

5.      It can boost your mood

Red Oaks Water Park, Clawson, MI

Photo Credit: patch.com

Make a water park visit your destination. This does not need to be a one-day visit on National Water Park Day, repeat visits are encouraged.

Happy splashing!

Monday Musings – 3 Things I Learned About Betrayal and Aging During a Pandemic

 

What happened to my metabolism?

I have been betrayed. There has been a violation of trust. The acts of deception went unnoticed as I eased into my 50’s – 51, 52, 53…nothing. Then, during the pandemic everything slowed down…including my metabolism. The ultimate betrayal.

During the slower pace of the pandemic, I had more time to spend with my thoughts, my home, and my aging body. Here are 3 things I’ve learned about betrayal and aging:

1.      Your clothes will betray you – hopefully, it hasn’t happened to you, but my clothes have betrayed me. They refuse to button, snap, or zip. All because I packed on a few (plus a few more) pounds.

2.      Your eyesight will betray you – I’m blaming the pandemic for this one. I visited a new optometrist because I liked the style of glasses they offered. After checking my eyes, the Dr. said, “well your prescription has changed a little.”

Translation – my glasses were going to be thicker. It was probably all the screen time, Zoom meetings, and working from home during the pandemic that strained my eyes. I had a feeling my eyesight may have changed. When I entered the small exam room, the doctor turned her back and I got a peek at the eye chart on the wall. I tried to quickly memorize the letters on the last row. AECFG or was it AFOEC. Who was I kidding? My eyes were aging.

3.      Your metabolism will betray you – I’m not friends with my new metabolism, the one that moved in after I passed 50 years old. I give it fuel, but it acts like it’s trying to conserve energy and therefore, I pack on pounds. One of my favorite action movies is titled Hard to Kill (with Steven Segal). It’s the same title I use describe my appetite. I know my appetite alone is not the culprit for the roadblocks with my weight loss. It goes back to that sneaky metabolism. I know this because I exercise regularly, I don’t overeat (often).

If you feel like you’re being betrayed by your aging body, have no fear, there is hope. Don’t give up, fight back. Here are 3 ways to help you feel better about the aging process:

1.      Don’t be so hard on yourself – aim for being healthy, but don’t beat yourself up when setbacks happen.

2.      Love yourself – make a list of things you like or love about yourself. Keep the list easily accessible. When there’s a day you’re not feeling your best…refer to your love list.

3.      Keep a sense of humor – give yourself permission to laugh. Sometimes you have to lighten up and laugh at yourself.

Get past the betrayal, forgive your metabolism, and glow through each stage of the aging process.

What tips do you have for aging gracefully?

Wordless Wednesday - National Parks & Recreation Month

July is National Parks & Recreation Month, celebrate by visiting a local park, Staate park or a national park.

Nature Walk

Nature Walk

A concert in the park

Visit your local parks & recreation department to sign up for a class or event - rise up and become active.

Motivational Monday – Energy follows Focus

 

What is your focus?

A thought for the day – Energy follows focus. I saw this statement while reading a blog post (The Morning Nudge).The essence of that statement is that you should focus on the positive things in life rather than the negative.

We all have days where things don’t go as planned, or we’re feeling drained. Flop down in a comfy spot on your couch, or a favorite chair, and soak in the peacefulness of your environment. If you’re not in a quiet spot, find one.

Make time to invite positive energy into each day. If you haven’t already done so, start a gratitude journal. At the end of each day answer these questions:

1.      What made me happy?

2.      What brought me a sense of peace and comfort today?

3.      What can I celebrate that I did right?

These questions were taken from The Morning Nudge (7-1-22) by Suzanne Lieurance, Writing Coach. Follow her blog for more motivation.

What is it that needs your focus...fitness goals, financial goals, health and wellness?

Allow yourself to enjoy life. Set yourself up to experience positive energy. You’re worth it.

Feel Good Friday – How Do You Live Your Best Life – 3 Ways to Get Started

Living my best life - Open Mic performance at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle

Happy Friday! Today is the beginning of the July 4 Holiday celebrationin the United States. Thisis a good time to celebrate YOU. Today is a re-post about living your best life. Go out anad do it.

Stretched out on a couch, sipping flavored water, and snacking on a Honeycrisp apple with smooth peanut butter…my best life. This is only the beginning of my idea of living my best life. There are also adventures planned, art classes to try, and even weekend excursions.

What is your idea of living your best life? I have friends who have been zip lining, white water rafting, and parasailing. Those activities are not on my list, but I admire my friends for being intentional and chasing their adventures.

Living your best life means pursuing things that are meaningful to you, not things that someone else thinks you should be doing. On the list of friends pursuing their best life, are my sons. They too have been parasailing, and most recently skydiving. They are living their best life and they didn’t wait until they turned 50 or wait for the perfect circumstances.

Let’s do it…live our best life. Here are 3 Ways to do that:

1.      Take pleasure in the simple things – we sometimes forget to appreciate what we have smile, or made you sigh in appreciation.

2.      Live in the present – is there something you have been putting off, waiting for the right time? Do you want to try a new hobby, run a marathon, or simply walk a mile without breathing heavy? Just start where you are.

3.      Manage your inner critic – don’t let negative thoughts hijack your happiness. Shut it down. You deserve happiness, joy, and any other positivity you can think of.

What will be your first step toward living your best life? It doesn’t need to be a big step; any forward movement is good. Begin a new project, grab a book you’ve anted to read and head to a beach for relaxation. Any step you take toward something positive for yourself, is a step in the right direction.

Just do it