WEEKLY HEALTHY LIVING CHECK-IN AUGUST 11TH~
WEEKLY HEALTHY LIVING CHECK-IN August 11th, 2018
HEY EVERYONE!
WELCOME To Our End of the week "WEEKLY" HEALTHY LIVING CHECK-IN!..
**How has everyone been doing this past week?!
**How has the Month of August been treating you so far?!
**What goals have you been accomplishing so far this month?
**How many of you have started back to school, college, or have children who have started back this past week? How did that go?
**What have been your "highlights" over this past week? What are your weekend plans?!
**What things would YOU like to talk about or share with us?! WE want to hear from YOU!! 
@Vivelespatates @PhoenixAsh @RainyLeaves @Elle22 @Terrytee @rebecca947 @YoursTrulyBen @BridgetAileen @AffyAvo @Sadme70 @Moj @sail46 @JLantern @Zeraphim @mimameid @MellieTronx @lovingbanana5204 @Essdee @DragonFaerie @Cloudysummer @888Butterfly888 @inventiveWheel @DavidMatt @bubbleChestnut3363 @mm13 @SwampWitch @strugglingmegan @Ravenclaw7 @philosophicalperson8202 @Consciousawakening @orangeOwl1462 @Keola @AlluraRae @Rebekahwriter13 @politeTangerine7243 @Dancersoul @MoreThanAConqueror18 @MelanieDaniels63 @MattRainbow @PurpleNina @DudeWheresMyZip @ruffneckred @ElizaJ @diplomaticconfucious @Indistinctaurora@reliablebutoftenforgotten @ShareASmile2014 @bubbleChestnut3363 @ReservedExcitement @oakhenge @estompe55 @SeaSlytherin @EnthusiasticBeach
**This past week has been EXTREMELY busy!...... I didn't have my regular Zumba Gold class on Monday, so I pretty much spent that day doing other things around the house, trying to get in my steps for the day, and getting ready to have my Step-dads birthday party that night!... We waited until Monday evening to have it, so that my Son could also join us since he was off of work that day (he works every weekend).... And he and My step-dad are very close.... SO.... the party went well for both Him and my Puppy who is Now turn "THREE!"....all in all it was a busy day... and I "Caved" and had "CHOCOLATE CAKE". 
Was it worth it?... Yes. It was worth a "Very SMALL" slice in "Moderation" with a Tablespoon or so of "Butter Pecan Icecream so that I could share in the fun with everyone else!... And I did a little workout later on that evening once I got home to help with the extra calories.... (These are the things that I have to do, as I just have the body type that is very easy to gain weight when I am not mindful)... But if I stay on top of those things, and be mindful of them, then I can enjoy things just like everyone else does, as long as I get BACK ON TRACK with the "Next" Meal or even the "Next" day!
<< Birthday Bone/Cupcake and Toy!! lol...
**I didn't have My regular Zumba class on that Monday, I cancelled for that day. But I taught my Tuesday POUND class, and had AN AWESOME turnout!! And it was the FIRST day back to school as well!? So go figure!! I was thinking that I would have some issues, because of school traffic, or parents not being able to come etc... but there weren't any issues.. Even people who I didn't think even enjoyed POUND showed up!! HAHAHA!... It was pretty cool~
**I stayed on track with Water this week! I have been taking a walk every morning for several miles with my Mom! Its been great we went like 3 times this past week, and I've been so thirsty the rest of the day with it being so hot etc.. .that I have been CHUGGING AND GULPING!!.. Like almost a Gallon each day!... And... I feel all of this, the walking, the water etc... that even despite the chocolate cake, showed an awesome change on my "Weigh-in" day this morning. And I was very happy!... Even my sleep has been on track!.. I need MORE Weeks like this!
**Today is my usual REST/ERRAND/FREE/WHATEVER day!. lolol.... I've already went to the annual POUND class, (as I am posting this a little late today).. and Sweated my butt off,.... was invited on stage to do a few songs with the instructor as well... .and now I'm home, had my treat today already which was some M&M's, and now I'm going to go shower, and head out the house to enjoy these "dog days" of summer and go run some errands, and wherever else the day takes me~~
ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND EVERYONE~ 
@PoliteOcean
Heya, Ocean! Ooh, our of curiosity , what is the difference between Zumba Gold and normal Zumba classes? Yay for chocolate cake and ice cream! How was it? :)
Awwwwww, your dog is so cute in that picture! Seems like hes enjoying his toy haha
Yay for a good turnout for POUND! Lets hope it continues like that every week :) Ooh, a walk with your mum daily sounds so nice and relaxing! And yes, the heat can definitely help with water consumption xD and a gallon of water a day?! (Had to convert to Litres, and WOW thats a lot of water!!!) Keep it up! Woohoo for sleep being on track as well- wow! This week seems to have been an awesome one for you :D
Enjoy your day off with running errands! ❤️
@rebecca947
Hey Rebecca!..
Regular Zumba classes are more of a "Higher" intensity workout/dancing (including some jumps or twisting of knees etc) .... Zumba GOLD is for the general population who want a more "Lower" intensity workout (including NO jumping or twisting of the knees... and can include ANYONE from Beginners, to Active Aging Older adults/Senior Citizens, and also "Special" populations such as those who may be Handicap or in wheelchairs etc...).... So that is the difference between the two (The intensity of it)... and that it caters to special populations as well.
The Cake was AWESOME! lol.... Its chocolate afterall! 
lol... The icecream was fine.. I'm not a huge icecream eater, but sometimes I like a small scoop in the summer... My Stepdad and husband BOTH love Butter Pecan so thats what was there, and I had a little bit..... Although I'd prefer that to be chocolate too. lol
Yes my dog does in fact enjoy his toy! I was rather surprised, since it was just a little cheap toy. He has SOOOO many toys that My mom has bought him, that I really didn't want him to have anymore, but this one in particular said "Happy Birthday" on it! So I got it for him and surprisingly he really does like chewing on it. So it made me happy! lol
Yes the walking with my mom each day seems to be going well.... I walk with my husband in the evening 3 "Nights" a week when he gets home from work, but getting it done "First" thing in the morning seems to be going pretty well. I think I am going to continue it as much as we are able, even though I don't like getting up early!! Because My mom is an "Early bird" for sure! lol..
Hope that you are enjoying your weekend Rebecca! Thanks for your continued support! 
@PoliteOcean
Ahh, they both sound like so much fun! Id love the try out Zumba classes... chocolate I must agree with you is the best flavour 😋 Ive never had butter pecan ice cream before, but it sounds fancy and tasty haha and of course, toys that come from their mother holds a special place in their hearts ;)
Your mum is teaching you how to wake up early! Hehehe maybe soon youll get in the habit and enjoy it? Although I dont know how youre able to push your way out of your bed when you dont enjoy the early wake up calls... but good on you!
I hope you have a great week ahead too, and thank you! Thank you for being so dedicated to the community as well ❤️
It's been a crappy month so far. I got home a few days ago, after being in my hometown helping my husband and his family plan a funeral after the unexpected death of his mom at the end of July. The past long weekend did not feel like anything special at all, as the funeral was on Tuesday, the day after Heritage Day.
2 weeks of no exercise and it went by in a flash. I keep getting confused as to what day it actually is. I'm not sure what this upcoming week is going to look like. I do know he is going to be away more than usual and I might be making some trips down myself as well.
To top things off we've had very hot temperatures for here, the day I came back it was the hottest it's been in 3 years. The smoke from forest fires has been above 10 on the scale that is usually done out of 10. I don't remember the smoke ever being as bad as it was yesterday.
I have tried to take care of myself. I've been allowing rest when it fit in with the planning. I was doing lots of travel, as I typically slept at my parents house but spent lots of time with my in laws too, and they live at opposite ends of the city, but being separate from some of it was helpful for me, plus I was able to get support from my parents once they got home (they were out of town before I arrived). I made sure to get in some healthy foods. I altered my medication schedule to better support what I felt was needed.
This smoke is still wiping me out though and causing other problems. Things feel far from normal even without that being a factor. I got a massage, I don't know if my massage therapist took it easy or things just weren't feeling tender, as I really didn't feel any pain and usually there's some. It did help with my stiff muscles.
It's supposed to rain tomorrow, I'll have to watch the air quality carefully to plan this week out. I'll have to be watering the garden when my husband is away so I do have to go outside, I can't just get my husband to do it like I normally would on smoky days. Along with the rain is a big temperature drop - I am glad it will be cooler but that pressure change can be a trigger too, so going to have to be careful.
@AffyAvo
Hey there Affy ... sorry to hear about your husbands mom. My condolences to your family.
It does seem like when things like that happen that ALL of the days just seem to "blend" together and you don't know one day from the next... Because there is just so much going on and you can't keep things straight.... It takes awhile after things like that to get back on track and back to some type of "normalcy" and regular schedule.
I didn't realize that you all get such hot weather where you are at... I don't know much about the weather in Canada, but I always pictured it on the "cooler" side. I didn't imagine that you would ever be in danger of "Forest Fires" because of it...... How has that been affecting you and your health? (with all the smoke and such)? We had those here last fall, and I walked around in a mask for at least 2 weeks.. it took so long for the smoke to clear out from here and in nearby towns. I actually forgot that happened to us too until you mentioned yours!
Its good that you have been trying the best you can to deal with the effects of everything going on around you between your medications and pampering yourself with massages. Its been forever since I've had one of those. My anxiety has kept me from being able to go in and be touched by others, its been several years and I miss having those. I'm sure it felt so good to just feel all the stressors being "massaged" away~~
I'm sure that you will do the best that you can to continue to do things in the healthiest of ways for yourself... And even just as good that your weather will soon bring cooler temps and rain to hopefully help with everything going on there!
Thanks for dropping in and keeping us up-to-date on everything thats been happening there with you! That is quite alot!... Just continue to do what you are able to do and continue to take care of yourself and your health needs, .... and thanks again for checking in this week
@PoliteOcean Thanks
The smoke is a big trigger. With how much I was exposed to it when I was having an attack every month or so it would have guaranteed an attack. Since my attack frequency has lessened I can tolerate a little bit more but I'm not going to the 3 day point with my blood product when that's happening. (ie. no 2 days, 2 days, 3 days, as usual, I'll stick at the 2 days until the smoke goes down and sometimes I won't even wait the full 2 days). Most of the fires are in BC, not Alberta, but the wind brings the smoke over here.
I was actually surprised at how long the fires can burn though - the Fort McMurray fire in 2016 actually burned for more than a full year. That's quite far north and the temperatures do hit extreme colds for significant periods of time, I had no idea they would continue through the winter.
Our hot temperatures are not like the Southern US. Typically our hottest days are in the low 30s, so up to about 90F. The other day it was about 95F. Central AC isn't standard in homes. We at least have 2 window units, one we just got a few years ago as I saw a used one for a decent price. Many have no AC. It started raining while I was eating dinner, so happy to see that come early. The air seems to have cleared, but the smell of smoke is still clinging to everything outside, hopefully it will get washed away and the wind doesn't bring it back.
I've become friends with my massage therapist, so it was good to see her. When she open the door she greated me with a hug and I got to cry for a few minutes before I even got into the massage room.
My cat is getting less scared of my stability ball now that he see me using it every day lol.
@vivelespatates
lolol....thats good for your cat then.. I can only imagine what he must think when he sees that HUGE ball rolling towards him.
Week has gone well. Trying to keep exercising and eating healthy. Will enjoy the outdoors this weekend. Summer is going fast. Enjoy your weekend.
@sail46
Thats great Sail! Sounds like you are still trying to keep up all of your healthy habits and stay on track. Keep up the great work!
Yes Summer is just flying by way too fast.~ I will be sad to see it go, but trying to embrace the last few weeks of it I'm sure you are as well.. Have you still been getting your swimming in? Our pools here went to weekends only right now since the kids started back to school, and will be opened weekends only through Labor Day. I've been thinking of you and wondering how much pool time you've been getting in?!
Thanks for checking in this week and letting us know how things are going with you!
@PoliteOcean
Heya! This week was OK, not too bad. Nothing special haha again, intense exercise is off the radar, but eating is back on track for the most part. The oval super close to our house has three sets of exercise equipment now (opened two weeks ago!) so I love to go there for fun and test/use the equipment for a bit. Ive gone to walk the dog a few times this week, so that was nice. And yesterdays weather felt like summer again- it was so nice and hot! Though the sun felt like it was going to burn my skin because it was directly beaming down on us, and after a long time with no strong sun, it feels abnormal haha
My sleep I finally feel is getting back on track! So I think this week Ill start to wake up at 6am daily, and start to follow my schedule again. I wake up not super exhausted, and thats the sign I told myself to look out for. Yay!
As for the ghost tutorial a few weeks back, we just discussed whether some pictures of ghosts looked like ghosts, or what other possibilities there couldve been. And we discussed why some people would believe theyre real, and if we believed them or not. It was pretty interesting! It was all about critical thinking haha
And for the book I bought, its called Mercy by Jodi Picoult (my favourite author!). Its about this policeman who had to arrest his cousin for the murder of his terminally ill wife. The policeman aids in the prosecution of his own cousin, but the policemans wife loves the idea that a man would do anything for the wife. Thats what I understood from the blurb anyway haha Im only in the first few pages of the book so far!
As for my study plan, its not unique at all haha just different to what Ive always done. Im trying to write notes every week, and my plan is once Ive managed to catch up for that week, start writing notes for the upcoming week. So my plan is eventually, Ill always be one week ahead of schedule, and just add sticky notes to my notes if I want to include more information that week. But I also have to include assignments and stuff into my plan, soooooo Im not sure how thatll actually turn out xD
Not sure what Ill be doing next week, Ive got no plans! I hope it turns out well :p take care, and have a good week ahead! xx
@rebecca947
Hey there Rebecca!..Glad to hear that your week hasn't been too bad for you...sounds great that your eating has gotten back on track, you have a place to go and have fun with the equipment! How awesome! and you have walked your dog a few times this week!.. LOOK AT YOU GO!! Sounds like you have been pretty darn active this week without really even trying too much! But simply by keeping busy and moving!!
How nice that your weather has been summer-like there!.... Are you still in the fall/winter months there??! What was your temperature there in Farenheit?
How awesome that you are getting on track with your sleep again! I think that is really bigger than I even knew... I keep reading more and more about how are sleep regulates SOO much!.. (Even though I already knew that, but when you continually see things and more research on it, you continue to learn and be reminded!)... I am going to try to keep up with mine as well... But I know I could never touch as well as you are doing to get up at 6 AM??!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahahah!!!.. No way!!... I only do that if I'm leaving early in the morning to go on vacation or to the beach! lolol... Otherwise nobody is getting me out of bed that time in the morning! HOW AWESOME FOR YOU THOUGH!!! Way too go! Whats that old saying that: "The early bird catches the worm"!....
The Ghost tutorial really sounds like alot of fun.. I would've loved to have been apart of that conversation!... So what do you think? What were your answers? Do you believe in ghosts and that they exist?!...
Wow your book sounds really interesting!.. Sounds like something my mom would read! (I'm not much of a reader, HOWEVER, that sounds like something that I would happily "Watch" on the Mystery channel! lolol....... I love to "WATCH" things like that... And my mom could "READ" books all day long! .... You'lll have to let me know how it all goes when you are finished with it. I will tell my mom about it too!
Sounds like your "Plan" to stay on top of things and stay "one step ahead" of yourself would be a great plan! Wish I could figure out how to incorporate that into my own life.. Seems like each time I figure it out, or "think" I have it figured out, it doesn't go that way! lol.... So I hope that it all goes great for you! And maybe I could learn something from you, or that you can teach me something into trying to find some balance in my own time as well!! 
Hope that you have an amazing week ahead! Enjoy it! And thanks so much for checking in this week, and keeping us up to date on whats going on in your world!!
@PoliteOcean
Hahaha thank you! :) ❤️ hmm, Im Farenheit, a day I remember had tops of 57F and lowest was 39F. But the coldest day I remember had lows of 24F. Not super cold for most countries, but definitely cold for my fam and I xD yesterdays temperature I never checked though haha Id guess it would have been around 80F?? Not too sure.
Ooh, sleep is really important indeed! My only reason why I want to sleep is because I dont want to be tired the next morning xD it works out well though because if I get into a routine, then sleep will become normal again (finally!)
HAHAHA yep 6am! Though I realise now of the days I got to uni, I can wake up at 7am and have plenty of time to get ready and leave. Except for one day, where I have to wake up at 4:40am! That day is horrible. In this case, the early bird still misses the worm because their eyes are still closed xD I am a zombie at 4:40am. But the good thing is that I can become energetic and normal me again in around 10-20mins of me waking up. Woohoo! Its proven to be extremely useful sometimes when I wake up and realise Im late haha
For me, I HOPE they dont exist...!!! I had my answers somewhere in my notebook to discuss, but never got around to doing so. Some of them were that its understandable someone may believe in ghosts, due to them experiencing abnormal and unexplainable situations, or that itd be nice to think that someone you love who has passed away has returned to protect you. But to explain some things and deny those claims, one of them is the definition of a ghost and what it can do isnt always clear. Some ghosts can slam doors but others can walk through walls? Dont think its possible xD And if theyre souls of the deceased, why are they often depicted as being dressed in clothes like humans... what do you think- do you believe in them? :)
Yes, sure thing! Usually I read books super fast, but uni has come around again and I need to do work before I can read lol Im already slightly behind...
Aww no! Its hard to find a good plan that works for your lifestyle, especially if its not always structured... google might help? 😂 thank you though, I too really hope it works out well!!! Otherwise Ill be falling very far behind again like last semester... not a good turnout!
Thank you, I hope you have a great week ahead too! Wonder if your week will be as busy as it is this week? :o take care! ❤️
@rebecca947
Hi Rebecca! I hope that you are enjoying your week! I can't believe (here anyway) thats almost Thursday again already! lolol.... Its so crazy how the week goes by so fast... as it will be soon time to check in again! (only another 2 days away or so)....
So to answer your question above about "do I believe in Ghosts".... Well, Although I can truly say that I DON'T recall ever seeing a ghost, ... but.... yes, I have had some things happen to those around me.. Let me explain...
When my husbands grandmother died he was young... not quite a teenager yet, but when he was 13 years old, he awoke one morning to get ready for school, and saw his grandmother "hovering" above him.....just smiling at him.. but then she disappeared..... (Now we could simply explain that away, and I tried... That maybe he wasn't fully awake, maybe he was still tired, or just seeing things)... But I have repeatedly asked him about it over and over, and as my husband, his story remains unchanged. And not something that I would feel that he needed to "lie" about.....
But ok, so onto the next story, ... When my son was about four years old, his grandfather (his dads father) passed away...... I had this photograph of the two of them together of when my son was only about Two years old, ... After he passed, I had it Enlarged, and hung it on my sons wall in his bedroom. A few years later, when my son was about "Six or Seven" years old.. I was lying in bed, after working the nightshift, so it was broad daylight, .... and I could hear my son in his room talking to himself. I didn't think much of it, because 'well, kids will be kids"... well as I tried to take a nap, I heard him yelling and he came flying out of his room and jumped in to bed with me. And he woke me up and he says "Mommy, Mommy!... Grandpa just winked at me"!.... And I said "What"??!!... And he says I was just sitting in my room talking to Grandpa and he winked at me!!.... Well you know how Kids are VERY innocent, not quite aware of the Ghosts or the "Spirit" world... they only know their home and their family... So I really had no choice but to believe him! Why would he lie that it happened at 6 years old?!...
Next, when I was 3 years old, I had a great-uncle that passed away.. He was my grandmothers brother.... He was her "Favorite" brother. Well, I didn't remember a whole lot about him.. .I was only 3.. .But I remember that he had a "beard" annd whenever he wore the beard I was afraid of him, ,and when he shaved it off.. I wasn't so afraid of him. I remember him being really nice though... But anyway, not long after he passes away, (I lived with my grandmother and a few of my aunts when I was a small child).. My aunts would say that they could hear me in the bedroom, talking to someone.. and when they would ask me, who was I talking to .. I would say "I'm talking to Uncle John"... "Look, he's right outside the window" don't you see him!?......
And last, .... When I was about 16 years old, I used to baby-sit for my little cousin, who was only "One" year old at the time... I was over their house one day, it was just the two of us alone.. I had him sitting in his little "Play-Pen" and I was sitting next to him on the floor.. He was a few feet away from me, and I was sitting there playing a video game, waiting for his parents to return...... The next thing I know, he started to giggle.... I didn't think much of it, because well, babies "coo and giggle"... but then, he wouldn't stop!... I looked over at him, and watched him, and he was looking "up-wards" towards the wall, staring at the same spot, and kept laughing... (as if someone were doing something to get him to laugh)... The next thing I know he raised his arms up, as if he were reaching for whatever was up there, to "pick him up" while continuing to laugh and giggle... It scared the crap out of me!!!!... I just went over and snatched him up out of the play-pen and went outside with him.. and waited outside until his parents got home.. When I told them what happened, thats when they told me that the old guy who used to own their house, passed away there.~~...
So .. yeah, I do believe in the spirit world. lol... (Also, when my husband said he saw his grandmother.. she wasn't in "regular clothes"... he stated he could only see "half" of her... just that he could see her face and it was really clear down to her shoulders, and then below her shoulders, it was just kind of a "white haze"... and became blurry to look at after that.. Like she wasn't in whole body form, only the upper half of her.
@PoliteOcean
Oh my gosh your stories creeped me out 🙈 *shivers* doesnt help that the weather isnt as bright as it usually is...!!! Makes a lot of sense why you believe in the spirit world, and Im now questioning everything 🤣
@rebecca947
hahaha...yeah they creep me out as I remember them and telling you about them.....
I can't say that I would ever want to see one personally .. but for those who have or do, I think its pretty cool... I'm just glad I didn't tell you all of those when my husband was out of town and I was alone in the house lololol....
@PoliteOcean
**How has everyone been doing this past week?! Pretty okay :)
**How has the Month of August been treating you so far?! It wasn't the best, but I hope to learn from it
**What goals have you been accomplishing so far this month? going to the gym at least 2-3 times a week
**How many of you have started back to school, college, or have children who have started back this past week? How did that go? Nope :P
**What have been your "highlights" over this past week? What are your weekend plans?! I got a haircut! I worked today and plan on going to church tomorrow
@Mellietronx
Hey Mellie!.. Nice to hear from you this week.. sounds like things have been going decently for you!... Its great that you are getting to the gym frequently.. 2-3x/Week is really great!... Are you doing classes, working on Machines or a mixtue of both?!
I also think its great that you are getting to Church tomorrow! Thats awesome. I really need to start going back myself more frequently than I have been. Good for you!. Thanks so much for checking in this week and letting us know how you've been doing.
@PoliteOcean I've been using a machine at the gym. I hurt my back so I am not sure when I can go back :(
@Mellietronx
Awww... I'm sorry to hear that Melli! I wish you a speedy recovery to get back on track with things!. Prayers to you!
@Mellietronx
Awww... I'm sorry to hear that Melli! I wish you a speedy recovery to get back on track with things!. Prayers to you!
Last week, I went biking in my community. I also took walks to the park, in my neighbourhood.
As well, I used my Wii Fit board, to get some exercise.
@Canadian7
Wow,... sounds like you have been really active!.. That is great work! Continue to keep it up! Awesome job! What activities do you like to do on the Wii board?! I like it as well.
Thanks so much for checking in this week and letting us know how things are going with you!