WEEKLY HEALTHY LIVING CHECK-IN AUGUST 1ST, 2020

**Well...this past week has gone fast I guess... I'm feeling rather sad at the fact that July has ended already and we are now in August. I feel like these Summer months have kind of been a "blink and you missed it". I feel like the summer just started yesterday. And now we are in August already... It just seems like there wasn't really time to enjoy it like I would have liked to....I feel like by the time things were starting to transition back to things opening up, I was working on trying to get this outdoor class started. And I feel like lots of efforts have been placed into keeping the classes afloat, and my hubby working up to 12 hours each day, it just feels like we haven't really gotten to enjoy much of the summer.. This past week I spent time between teaching classes and planning for some things such as a few birthdays, and an anniversary. I've felt a little tired and teaching my classes this week physically caught up with me as well. I'm thinking that perhaps teaching outdoors could possibly be affecting my joints, but its just a theory. I've been taking a lot of Epsom salt baths this past week to help with inflammation and joint pain. And trying to work my knee out in the pool a little.

**The weather didn't seem as terribly hot or humid this past week as it had been..... I was able to teach my 2 outdoor classes without issue, and was finally able to get my dog out for a walk this week as well. Next week is both my Dogs 5th Birthday and also my Step-dads birthday... So.... Today (Saturday), since everyone will be off , and home, we are going to combine the birthdays and have a little party at my moms house for both of them lol.....

**Today I will have ALOT of running around to do with a bunch of errands trying to get ready for this little "party", and also trying to fit in some type of workout or activity before getting the day started. I've gone back to walking at our local neighborhood track. I used to walk there years ago but stopped as I found other places to walk and other activities to do. But recently since I haven't been walking with my mom due to her "back" issue, I started walking at the track again by myself. I realized and remember how peaceful it all actually was to pop in my IPOD and just walk by myself. I mean I love the accountability partner, but this has been rather nice again too. It gives me time to be on my own and think about things. Hopefully I can wake up early enough and get there as its now AFTER 12:00am here~

ENJOY THE WEEKEND~

I'm also feeling a bit sad that it's August. I'm never really ready for a new semester. I also haven't been exercising, I just kinda stare at my resistance bands and yoga mat. I haven't been on the treadmill in a while. So I think I'll start off the month by exercising in some way today. Not sure why I'm so comfortable being sedentary, have been all my life - even when I exercised sedentary was preferred - and I'm not liking that part of me. I've gone without caffeine for a while and I feel alright but I do miss it. I'm debating whether I want to have caffeine before working out or not. Other than that, my emotions are fairly flat. I'm looking into more ways to protect my belongings too. Whenever I post, someone upvotes it kinda fast and because we can't see who does it, I get a bit weirded out. I did leave my computer open on this page once, so I might have to change my username and style of writing which I've really been dreading.

@PoliteOcean This past week on Monday I had a psychological therapy appointment, and I'm trying to go into a lot of detail about my high school years. Then on Wednesday I spoke with my nephrologist about my blood test results. I have stage 3 kidney disease, but my doctor was very happy with the progress I've been making. My house manager Leslie doesn't have good nutritional habits - it's very frustrating. I'm supposed to be on a low-salt diet for my kidneys but she doesn't have time for that. She doesn't serve meals at a regular time, which makes my blood sugar go haywire. Friday I had an hour long telephone consultation with a homeopath. It went well, but I had to recount my medical history all over again, which is frustrating because I have to start all over with a new person again. It's too early for them to make a homeopath "prescription". Our next appointment isn't for another month, which is frustrating because I'm very anxious to get things going. I'm enjoying my course on the Vikings. It helps me take my mind off my problems. I'm also studying Samuel.

Hey Everyone~How have you been doing this week?!

Honestly, this week was boring. It was a normal quarantine day on Monday. My mom got her hair cut on Tuesday. Wednesday my brother went in for a braces appointment and we house sat for my mom's friend until Saturday. Saturday we went to my cousin's grad party which wasn't a ton of fun for me but eh.

**This is our "FIRST" Check-in for the Month of AUGUST!..How are you feeling as we get ready to enter a new month? What goals would you like to make for the new month ahead? What are some things you'd like to see happen for yourself this month? How could you achieve those things?

I'm really hoping I can push myself forward a little bit. I used to love learning sign language and because I know most signs I feel really bored with it. Sign language was kinda my happy place for a while but after I learned a basic conversation I kinda fell out of it and I kinda feel lost.

I know it's not going to last long but I'm excited for my new house because there will be this new feel and appreciation that I'm not living at my grandparents anymore. I'm really hoping that I can reinvent my routines and such to make me feel better but I have had plenty of chances in the past and I haven't taken them but I think therapy can also help that.

**What are some things you feel you could do to start this month off on the right foot for yourself? What could you do "Today" that could help keep you moving on the right track for this first week ahead?

I would love to say I would do something, because I often do say I plan to redo my life, but I don't do it. It's not even that my plans fall through but that I just pass up when I don't need to.You know like, when you can read a book inside or outside and you need the vitamin D but you just stay put and don't go outside just because, eh...

So I would say I dedicate 5 minutes a day to sign language everyday but I wouldn't do it.

**What plans do you have for this weekend ahead? What are some things you'd like to do this weekend that make you feel good over-all?

Well, as it is technically Sunday, I'm going to bed here shortly. When I wake up I'm going to get ready and go to my friend's house. This week will be exciting because on Monday I get to meet one of my mom's friends that she always talks about but have never met. On Tuesday, I hopefully get confirmation on my scoliosis surgery. I've been anticipating this Tuesday for 3 months now. On Thursday, I get my dry ends trimmed. I'm growing my hair out but it's bad. AND ON FRIDAY I'M MOVING!!!!

**What have been your "Highlights" Or "Struggles" over this past week?

This past Friday I had my first meeting with my therapist and I'm so so so excited for the future. I didn't even know I was that upset about things in my life! I'm really excited to learn and grow and feel more like myself.

**What would "YOU" like to talk about or share with us This Week?! WE want to hear from "YOU"~

I said on one of my updates but please please, please! If the only thing stopping you from therapy is you asking, seriously consider amping up the courage to ask for it. I talked to my therapist for 1/2 hour and figured out a huge part of me that was making me feel like the exact opposite of myself. It is amazing and if you are able to consider it, please do! You won't regret it!

The past week has been pretty good ! The last two weeks have been full of hiking in the mountain (@PoliteOcean Ill have to figure out how to share some pics!), we took things slow last week though as we were pretty sore and the temperature was getting high. I will be going back to my own place Monday, Im not sure yet when Ill go back to work. I should have been able to start again on Tuesday but I might still have the week ahead for myself, which would be nice to be honest!

This month Im planning on taking time to finish setting my place, Ive moved in almost a year ago but theres still barely any decoration except for plants, and I could use some more cooking things like a mixer. Im also hoping to get back to working out, I will have to see how though, as the temperature is currently too high to do much. Im thinking I could go on early runs as it would be better than in-home workouts. I would also like to discover my area a bit more, as well as the food and things, as I don't know it much.

Less fun stuff though: Ive made a list of all I have to do appointment- and paperwork-wise and theres a lot to do, between medical routine things that Ive postponed, car yearly stuff to do, ID card expiring soon, re-inscription… But well, I will have to get that done!

I am gonna resume waking up early from Tuesday :)

Hi, I am a newbie. I am a stay at home mom for the most part and have a small part-time gig that I haven't been doing because of closures. I really want to get back to working. I have not been challenging myself like I would like to. It's like my brain is on vacation, so summer is kind of just flying by. I am just kind of checked out. I have been having trouble getting motivated to make changes like walking more, eating more fruits and vegetables and fiber, drinking more water,, practicing nonviolent communication with my partner, and more. It's not like I'm not trying at all, it's just hard to stay consistent. I have put off most of my medical appointments except for therapy, med provider, and primary care doctor. So I need to get back on track. I just have been staying at home with my kids and spending time in the backyard while they play. I've been watching TV reading the news and doing online shopping. I fill my time somehow, but I could be a lot more productive. It's not like I recall things day today and week to week. Stuff happens and it pretty much slips Away into the past quietly. I stay focused on trying to keep up with my family, and taking care of basics like food shopping And figuring out what is important for the upcoming school year. I want to stay focused on good self-care and emotional health. even if it just means making small changes and making a little bit of progress. I want to try to enjoy the rest of the summer, meaning try to enjoy my family. I spend a lot of time being self-critical instead of just enjoying the Pure silliness of my kids. I want to put down my iPad all day until about 5 o'clock, check in on the news headlines, then spend some more time with my kids reading bedtime stories. I want to resist urges to go shopping, to get my nails done, to get my eyebrows waxed, to go to the mall to buy make up and clothes, to go to the bookstore or the toy store, to eat at restaurants, to go to the casino, etc. I want it to be easier to resist taking risks. I believe I can do all of this, I believe it's realistic. But I've been told that you should just focus on one goal, I believe life is way too complex to just focus on one goal. Number one on my agenda on Monday, is to schedule two appointments for my kid who has two health concerns that needed to be addressed a while ago except for the pandemic.

**Hey Everyone~How have you been doing this week?!

Good. I was dreading today because its the beginning of the month and there's always a rush of people at the store, but it went fairly well.

**This is our "FIRST" Check-in for the Month of AUGUST!..How are you feeling as we get ready to enter a new month? What goals would you like to make for the new month ahead? What are some things you'd like to see happen for yourself this month? How could you achieve those things?

I am so not ready for August. I feel like I'm not getting anything done but going to work right now and then recovering on my time off. I really want to change that but I'm not sure how right now. I'd like to do all the exercises in 'The Art of Showing Up' and finish taking notes on a couple of other books so I can move them out of my library and give them away.

**What are some things you feel you could do to start this month off on the right foot for yourself? What could you do "Today" that could help keep you moving on the right track for this first week ahead?

Make sure I get enough sleep time. I'm doing a cardio DVD routine from SparkPeople right now and then the exercise bike for 15-25mins in the morning. I start doing intervals with the bike tomorrow morning.

**What plans do you have for the this weekend ahead? What are some things you'd like to do this weekend that make you feel good over-all?

Over the August 1st and 2nd weekend I painted my nails and slept extra long. This next weekend I'm going to concentrate on reading, hang out with my video game friends, and eat good food.

**What have been your "Highlights" Or "Struggles" over this past week?

My highlights are getting paid and my struggles are largely to do with working.

**What would "YOU" like to talk about or share with us This Week?! WE want to hear from "YOU"~

I'm thinking of trying to reduce my carbs and eat more protein and vegetables.

Newbie here!

For me, August has already seen the signs of positive change. I'm trying to eat more from home as opposed to fast food or restuarants. This was because I finally did a monthly budget where I tracked our spending habits and bascially drinks, smokes and fast food are our biggest mone drains. My fiancee and I decided that instead of buying drinks (like bottled energy drinks) we'd keep cases of bottled water in our car for when we're thirsty, and try to eat from home more often. Unfortunately, neither of us are ready to give up smoking :( Though in the future we want to switch to vaping to eventually cut down to nothing.

Health wise, I'm at the largest size I've ever been and I'd like to drop some weight, but my medication makes it really hard to feel satiated. So I've been intentionally skipping breakfast and eating at noon. So from, 12-1am till noon I'm not eating anything. It's not really intermittent fasting but so far I've lost 4 pounds in like 3 weeks, so that's good. Ok I think that's all I got for here. Thanks for reading!

**Hey Everyone~How have you been doing this week?! - I've been a bit off. Part of the reason I haven't been on much. I kinda just been keeping to myself.

**This is our "FIRST" Check-in for the Month of AUGUST!..How are you feeling as we get ready to enter a new month? What goals would you like to make for the new month ahead? What are some things you'd like to see happen for yourself this month? How could you achieve those things? - My goal is to find a job that can work around my health. I'm going to work on my resume this week and hope for the best.

**What are some things you feel you could do to start this month off on the right foot for yourself? What could you do "Today" that could help keep you moving on the right track for this first week ahead? - I really don't know. I just don't really care anymore.

**What plans do you have for the this weekend ahead? What are some things you'd like to do this weekend that make you feel good over-all? - I'm supposed to have a girls night on the 5th. But I really don't feel like going.