WEEKLY HEALTHY LIVING CHECK-IN DECEMBER 16th~
WEEKLY HEALTHY LIVING CHECK-IN DECEMBER 16TH!~
HEY EVERYONE!
WELCOME TO OUR "WEEKLY" HEALTHY LIVING CHECK-IN!........We are already "Half Way" through the month of December and only "TWO" weeks away from a whole NEW YEAR!....
"How" has everyone been doing or feeling over this past week?
What things have been going "well" for you this week?
How has the Month Of December been for you? How is it making you feel?
What things are you doing this month to take care of yourself during a time of Holiday stress?
What things would YOU like to talk about or share with us?! WE want to hear from YOU!! 
@Vivelespatates@DancingAlong @PhoenixAsh @Erato @BlueberryFriend @BridgetAileen @AffyAvo @TakeAStandAgainstBullying @Moj @AliNurse @RoseRael @sail46 @JLantern @Zeraphim @Sadme70 @Gardenlady @mimameid @MellieTronx @lovingbanana5204 @DogLover1991 @fruityvision @Essdee @Windflowers @Alia2 @DragonFaerie @Cloudysummer @888Butterfly888 @Kevan @inventiveWheel @softFern50 @brightCherry8538 @intuitiveWest8187 @DavidMatt @bubbleChestnut3363 @mm13 @SwampWitch @strugglingmegan @Ravenclaw7 @Iris22 @philosophicalperson8202 @Consciousawakening @orangeOwl1462 @Keola @DrDonut @AlluraRae @HopefulSong17 @Rebekahwriter13
**Well this past week hasn't been too bad.. although its been rather "busy". Eating has been alright.. I'm adjusting to the "New" Weight Watchers point system. And its not too bad... And some foods that I really like and eat daily are now FREE!! So yay! No points for those! lol...
**Exercising hasn't been as on track as I'd like for it to be. I have found my energy levels a little lower the past week or rather the "Motivation".. But I still managed to teach my "Two" regular ZUMBA classes on Monday and Thursday morning.. and Co-lead a Thursday night class as well. On my days I wasn't teaching, I just couldn't manage to find the motivation that I needed to put in much more. I felt "emotionally" drained a little this past week.. But I'm hanging in and "this too shall pass"! ....... Today WAS supposed to be our "Bi-monthly" POUND FITNESS class, but it was postponed until NEXT THURSDAY to be a "Special" Christmas Event class!... So, I have to figure out how to do both that and co-teach the Zumba class on the "Same" night...... but, I'm still really excited about, I love the format, and still very excited to get licensed in this Format once that "money" comes together for it! lol
**Today is Rest Day.. But I feel like I've been doing a little too much of that this past week.. However, I will spend the day Getting ALL of my Christmas presents wrapped while my husband is out of town... and then my son is supposed to come and spend the night after work so that we can spend some time together....
** I hope that everyone else's week has gone well for you all! 
@PoliteOcean
I think it's so awesome you teach Zumba classes and even though you want to do more you are still doing a lot of physical activity each week, That's great!
Hope you have a merry Christmas!
@orangeOwl1462
Awwww... thanks so much Orange! Thank you for your kindness and always being so supportive!
Best wishes to you as well for a Very Merry Christmas :)
@PoliteOcean it's been an ok week I've gained 2kg and hopefully will gain more next week!
@DrDonut
Thats great for you Donut.. And Best wishes to you on meeting and accomplishing your goals! Thank you so much for checking in this week and letting us know how things are going for you!
in average here. trying to maintain healthy habits despite the cold temperatures and physical pain.
Used the walk for all my all my travels up to 4 KM (45 min walking)
@vivelespatates
Sorry to hear that you are in pain Viveles~ I do hope you start to feel better and that the pain starts to lessen for you.
On the other hand, its great that you are "braving" the Colder temps and are able to get outside in it and walk.. and for 45 minutes!?! That is pretty great!! We've had "Freezing" temps here over the past 2 weeks or so, and it can be unbearable at times to even step outside and get the mail most days here lol..... But its supposed to get a little warmer here in the next week.....
Thanks so much for checking in this week and for letting us know how you've been doing!
It's been a rough few days. Today, I finally get a chance to just relax and destress. I was up from 4am Thursday to about 3am Friday, as I navigated my way through airports to get to see my partner for the holidays. It was quite stressful. I lost my 30+ day streak on 7cups because I slept all day Friday. My partner and I were worried we were getting sick because we both developed sore throats but after some some !ore rest, we're both feeling better. I need to boil the water here, due to not being used to the bacteria in the water. It makes me grateful for the water I can just drink from the tap back home. Things are looking up.
@Zeraphim
Sorry to hear that its been rough for you the past few day... But its great that you are finally getting a chance to relax and destress a bit!... Glad to hear you are feeling better, I went through the same thing 2 weeks ago. And just glad that rest and Faith took care of the situation. Good to also hear that things are starting to look up for you! Thanks so much for checking in this week! I hope that you are enjoying your time with your partner and practicing some self care :)
@PoliteOcean I'm not sure what you mean by faith taking care of the situation. Perhaps auto-correct strikes again? My partner is feeling tired still. I suspect it's because he's worried abour his cat's health and this plumbing issue that's come up. Plus the financial concerns involved. I'm feeling okay though. Sores throats are gone, just worried about him at the moment. Otherwise, things are okay.
@Zeraphim
Having Faith that it would work out, and things would get better.
@PoliteOcean Oh, I think I understand the source of my confusion. I thought you were referring to my situation resolving through faith, but you were talking about the situation you experienced 2 weeks ago! Sorry for the confusion. I must not have read closely enough the first time. I'm glad you got through it and you're well again too. :)
@Zeraphim
hehehe.. no worries! 
..... And thank you!!
@Zeraphim
Sorry the journey was so rough but glad to hear you made it safely to your destination and now get to spend time with your partner.
Merry Christmas to you both!
@PoliteOcean
"How" has everyone been doing or feeling over this past week? pretty tired from work X_x
What things have been going "well" for you this week? getting my vitamins in and water
How has the Month Of December been for you? How is it making you feel? It has been crazy busy
What things are you doing this month to take care of yourself during a time of Holiday stress? Chill out in silence for a for a few moments in the day
@Mellietronx
You always have a "good balance" in your check-in's.. I'm glad that even though you have some moments of stress you always seem to do your best to find balance and try to make a way to relax and de-stress a bit. Sorry to hear things have been so crazy, I hope you things start to calm down for you soon. Thank you so much for checking in this week and letting us know how you've been doing!
Its an okay-ish week, kinda hard when treats are everywhere especially at work 🙈... i am sticking to my water intake, exercising is not on track, but the new year is just around the corner...i will get started again then. but til January 31st rolls around, i will try keep my temptations of inhaling treats and food of the holidays haha and continue to drink my water and stay active as best i can...walk walk walk (ok not that much walking but still staying as active as i can be ) :p Good Luck everyone
@Keola
While it seems you have some "temptations" in the way (as most of do, especially this time of year) its great to hear that you already have a plan in place and know how you want to proceed in your goals. Just having or making a "plan" puts you on the right track. I'm sure you know 'everything in moderation".. stick to that and you will do fine! And yes, get some "Walk, walk, walking in for sure!!"... those treats won't have 'Nothing" on you! lol....
Keep going, don't give up! You got this girl!...Thanks so much for checking in this week and letting us know how you are doing!
Cold weather and the holidays are a challenge to eat healthy and exercise. Trying to focus on keeping eating healthy and exercise. Enjoy your holidays.
@sail46
So true Sail! I totally agree with you.. They are definitely a challenge for sure!.. I hope you are able to find some ways around those challenges. We are here for you! We are in this "Journey of Health and Wellness" TOGETHER!!
Best wishes to you for the happiest of Holidays! Thank you for checking in this week!
This past week has been OK. I'm totally not keeping up with exercise at all; however, I will wait until the new year to worry about that. I'm not biting off too many goals at once. I want to be sure that some of the new ones "stick" before adding any others. ;) Besides, exercise has never been one of my favorite things to do...not as long as I can remember. So when my motivation is so very low like it has been lately, I tend to focus more on goals that I can at least dredge up a bit of motivation to pursue. LOL!
This week I had a regular doctor's appointment for a blood draw to check thyroid, A1C, etc. This is the first check up since I've been pursuing plant-based eating, so we'll see how the results compare. I should hear back on Monday or Tuesday. He did prescribe me an extra medication for depression. Hopefully, that will help. From what the flyer from the pharmacy said, it should be quite helpful. My new insurance plan now includes certain basic long-term maintenance medications at no cost with 90-day prescriptions. So 4 of my 7 medications cost me $0 for a 90 day supply. I was so happy! Although my hours of sleep have still been out of whack, I am still sleeping better than I have in years! So as long as I'm sleeping well, now all I need to work on is the time frame.
So far December has been fair. Not great, not horrible. I had a couple of days where I was really, really, really depressed. Really. However, I am feeling a bit lighter and brighter with more energy and motivation. I'll take it while I can get it. 
I am now equipped with Traveler's Notebooks (which will serve for separate areas of goal setting, note taking, planning, tracking, journaling, etc.) and a new Happy Planner (which will serve as the detailed planner...the one where I coordinate it all). It's taken me about 6 weeks to scour YouTube, Pinterest, and facebook to gather ideas and then formulate the beginnings of a system I think will work to help me keep myself on track. I know that I'll be revising as I go; however, I'm excited to get started!
I've been taking plenty of time for self-care and making sure that I only say "yes" to things that I truly *want* to do. I make sure that the things I do schedule are spaced out so that I don't get overwhelmed...which is pretty easy to do these days. This introvert needs a lot more recuperation time than she used to when she was a young whippersnapper. But the three dogs say that they're more than fine with that since it means that I'm at home with them longer.
@BridgetAileen
You sound like me this week! lol... Exercise has seemed to be eluding me the past 2 weeks or so... Honestly If it wasn't for the ZUMBA classes that I am "committed" to teaching, I might not be doing much of anything lately! lol...But I know it can get like that from time to time. And thats ok too we can't be perfect all the time.... I'm trying not to think about it too much either and hoping to get back on track with MUCH more focus in the beginning of the New Year....And I'm sure you will as well once we get past the Holidays.
Like you, I also had my Thyroid levels checked this past week as well.... and I do hope you keep us up to date on how everything went for you with that. I'm anxious to see how your new eating lifestyle will contribute to your results! And how AWESOME for you that you dont' have to pay anything for your meds!.. That is always a great thing.. I have Two that I kind of "need" to take, and I have to pay for one but not other. FREE is always a nice thing when your talking about paying for that stuff lol....And its really great that you are still sleeping well... I was doing ok on that for a few days, now I'm back to "fighting" with it again, since I'm such a "night owl" lol..
But, please keep us informed on how your results go for you!
I'm sorry to hear that you were battleing with your Depression.....But I'm am glad to hear that you worked your way through it and are feeling better!...I have had my "days" as well, and just continue to try to fight through it.. And when I hear that the rest of you are doing it, I know that I'm not alone. And its great that you are taking PLENTY of "Self-care" time.. That is a really important thing to do. And I think I need to start taking notes from "you" about only saying "yes" to things that I truly want to do...Its challenging when you are the type of person that doesn't want to disappoint anyone....So you end up spreading yourself "thinner" than you want to which can cause a whole other set of stressors. I am an "introvert" as well, so I totally relate to everything you are saying here. (And we are only as Old as we feel) 
(Although that might go "either way" lololol)
And I'm glad to hear that you are still enjoying those doggies!! lol.....
Thanks so much for yet ANOTHER awesome check in!.. So glad to see you around more regularly! Thanks for letting us know how everything has been going for you!
Hi Everyone!
Been doing ok this past week eating is more or less on track and still managed to get some walking in despite the snow. Anxiety is still an issue but I'm coping as well as I can.
December isn't so bad so far considering December 9th was the one year anniversary of my Father's death and a few days later it was the one year anniversary of his cremation (and my birthday). I did some crying but I survived.
I am taking time off to deal with stress. I had off the last few days and don't go back until monday and i took off Christmas eve day and /christmas day so I can spend time with my family. I also have the day after christmas off but that is so I can take my Mom to the Dr so don't know how fun that will be.
Also making time for little Christmas things w/o overwhelming myself, like minimal decorating so I don't stress myself out doing everything. Most of my shopping is done and I just mailed my cards out.
I also am pre-planning as much as possible when it comes to meals so i can stay on track with healthy eating and avoid holiday eating pitfalls and just not stress out about food in general. This has been working well so far.
I also started back doing my neck exercises that the physical therapist gave me b/c my neck is hurting again and I was supposed to be doing them all along anyway (so my neck wouldn't start bothering me again). So that is another healthy thing I am doing.
Overall, while I am struggling a bit with stress/anxiety.feeling sad about certain things I am still doing my best to take care of myself and hoping to have a happy holiday and just enjoy what is left of this year.
Merry Christmas everyone!
@orangeOwl1462
HEY OWL!
Its great to hear that you 've been doing ok this past week... Glad to hear that your eating is on track for the most part and that you are "STILL" managing to get walking in even though theres been snow! That is really Awesome since most others would tend to avoid it "due" to the snow!...
Sorry to hear about your anixety, and believe me I can totally relate to that. Its great that you are hanging in there and trying to cope. I do my best to do that as well when I struggle with it. So its great that you are doing your best to cope with it.
I really sorry to hear about your Father and the fact that this time of year brings about memories that can be challenging to deal with or think about. And I do hope that you are able have or find some peace or solace for yourself during this time. Please know that we are here for you to help and support you in anyway that we can!
Its good that you know what you need to do to deal with the stress by taking some time off for yourself.... And that you will be spending some time with your family for the holidays. I'm sure that will help. I'm glad that you are making some time for little Christmas things. And isn't it great to have MOST of the Christmas shopping done!.. I'm very glad about that myself!.. lol.. I was so glad to get it out of the way early on. That was "one" less stressor for me.
I think its awsome that not only do you have the time, but your also "taking" the time to "Pre-plan"! Thats really great! Pre-planning your meals is one of the first things in getting on track with healthy eating. And should certainly help you stay on track throughout this busy (and tempting!) holiday season!...I'm so glad this is working for you! Great job and keep up the great work!
I'm sorry to hear that your neck is bothering you but its great that you have a therapist to work with and that you are able to go to one to help you through. And its great that you are back to following "their" plan to help "you" feel better physically! Which in turn should help you "over-all"!
And I think its really wonderful, that even though you are struggling with certain things and have your moments, that you are doing your best to take care of yourself. That is a very important thing to try to do.. I'm glad you realize how important it is as well. Thank you so much for taking the time to check in this week and for letting us know how you've been doing. Please continue to keep up the great work that you are doing for yourself!
I wish you the best and happiest of Holidays this season and A Very, Merry Christmas!
I have had an ok week. My stomach is not too bad if I stay on the acid reducer medication schedule. I am getting in some exercise, and my meals are not bad, but I'm already eating too many holiday treats. Yesterday I had to start a low fiber diet in preparation for 2 procedures on Friday, so I can't eat much of the stuff I tend to eat (beans, lentils, raw veggies, etc.). I stocked up for my liquid diet and other prep on Thursday. Luckily I will be off work so I won't be hungry and grumpy with the little ones! I will not get much exercise this week or next week due to schedules, etc. Lots of family time coming up though, starting next Saturday, so that will be wonderful!
@SadMe70
Glad to hear that your week has been ok for you... thats promising.. and glad to hear that the meds seem to be helping you some. Its good that you have gotten in some exercise and have felt up to doing so! As far as "Holiday Treats" I know how you feel... I'm pretty good M-F, and then the weekends hit and its "treat" time. lol.... I figure, if I'm going to go a little overboard I guess "this" is the time of year to do so.. and just get it out of my system....We can't be perfect all of the time.. so might as well enjoy the season while its hear ;)
I wish you the best of luck for your upcoming procedures ahead..... please keep us informed on how everything works out. And I hope you enjoy and have the Merriest Christmas with all of your Family!
I'm having a hard time explaining how this month has been, but to sum it up, it hasn't been going so well. I'm on my christmas break from college and I'm just not able to handle the lack of routine.
@strugglingmegan
Sorry to hear that you are having a challenging time and seem to be struggling a bit... Perhaps you can make a list and write down some things to do each day so that you can have sometime type of "order" and "set routine" and it would maybe help you a bit until you return to school? Just a thought? I do hope that you figure something out that works for you and helps you to feel better. Thanks for checking in and for letting us know how you are doing.
@PoliteOcean Thank you for the suggestion but I've tried to form a list of things to do and I just become stressed out because of my perfectionism. It's like, I want to do it because I want to get better and I fear for my future, but I also don't have the motivation and concentration to actually start it and persist with it. Thank you though, I really appreciate this check in thread because venting helps to relieve my stress a little :)
