WEEKLY HEALTHY LIVING CHECK-IN DECEMBER 23RD!~
WEEKLY HEALTHY LIVING CHECK-IN DECEMBER 23RD!~
HEY EVERYONE!
WELCOME TO OUR "WEEKLY" HEALTHY LIVING CHECK-IN!.......Well, we are one day away from Christmas Eve!
"How" has everyone been doing or feeling over this past week (Physically, mentally, emotionally)?
How have you been doing this past week with the Approaching Christmas Holiday?
How many of you will celebrating the Christmas Holiday? In what way will you be celebrating?!
What things have you accomplished this past week? How are you dealing with stressors?
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
**AND ANY AND ALL NEWBIES!!
** Well... I've been kind of 50/50.. Dealing with a little anxiety this past week. Just "personal" reasons. Not due to the holiday season or anything. Trying to push through the best I know how. Not always easy though. Trying to hang in there. I kept all app'ts that I had, which was good since I cancelled at least one this month due to how I was feeling mentally. But, got back on track with that stuff.
** Been "ok" with eating and exercises... about 50/50 on that as well.. I usually try to exercise 6 days a week.. But the month of December has just kind of got my head in a "different" place. Mentally, physically, emotionally ... and I'm trying to deal with all of that to get back on track for the New Year.... I did teach my Two usual Zumba classes this week, as well as "Co-taught" a Third. IN addition... co-teaching a "Holiday Zumba" session. So that was about 4 classes this week....... And they had a "Special" POUND Fitness Holiday Class as well that I went to!.. Honestly, I'm just glad to be done with everything from this past week, and ready to relax. I am not teaching ANY more classes or attending any until AFTER the New Year. I need to get my mind back in the right place before proceeding again......
** The plan was to celebrate Christmas Eve here at my home with everyone coming here, which is a "Tradition" that we've been doing for the past 10 years at least, however, my son actually for the first time Ever, has to work.. and won't get home in time to hold our usual Events....So.... I;m a little disappointed in that right now, however, He will be staying the night here with me and His father once he gets off work, and we still plan to do a few things and make our usual things, and continue to decorate cookies and watch some Christmas shows...Just the 3 of us... (and our pets lol)....It will still be great just having him here spending the night so we can all open our presents together as we've always done. On Christmas Day we will all get up and go to my Mom's house to finish celebrating.
** I'm just looking forward to enjoying this weekend and being with my Family. As well as my Husband being off and Home all next week! Thats what its all about.
I HOPE EVERYONE ELSE'S WEEK HAS GONE WELL~ 
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALL
Hey Ocean,
I had a pretty good week, in terms of cardio. I went for several walks outside, and engaged in step exercise.
I also signed up for a fitness pass in my city. At the gym, there is cardio and strength equipment, spinning classes, swimming, skating, fitness classes, and a walking track, as well as aquafitness, and Yoga.
I will start strength training one day a week in the New Year, and drink as much water as possible.
@StrengthFromWithin
Thats great Strength! Sounds like you already have a great start on your New Years Goals. Keep up the great work and thanks for checking in this week.
@PoliteOcean
Thanks, Ocean!
Yesterday I got through my first endoscopy and colonoscopy. They took 3 upper GI biopsies, plus a polyp from my stomach. My stomach lining is inflamed, which may be the cause of all my pain and stomach upset. I don't know yet why it is inflamed, though H. Pylori is one possibility. On the other end, I had a colon polyp and diverticulosis. I will get all the pathology reports on Jan 16.
I did not do a lot of exercise this week, and I did a lot of treat eating. Luckily the colonoscopy prep helped keep my weight in check! This coming week and both weekends are likely to be full of treats as well. My schedule will be completely off and I don't know how much exercise I will accomplish.
We are going to pick up my younger son from college today. His girlfriend is going to spend a few days with us this coming week. Our older son will spend Christmas Eve and Day here with us too. We usually play a lot of board games and watch some movies. I am going to try and make them watch Rudolph with me because I haven't seen it in years!
@SadMe70
Hey Sad!... I'm glad you got all of that out of the way and can just take a breath now and wait for your results... I think my stomach lining was a little irritated when they had checked mine too. My uncles was actually inflammed with an ulcer.... Keep me informed on that H.Pylori test. Its great that they found the Polyp and got that out of there. You said you have Diverticulitis?! That couuld be the reason your in so much pain!?.. My step Father had that 20 years ago, and he was in So much pain. He was in the hospital for a week or two with it.... So just a heads up on that.
I can imagine that you haven't gotten much done in the way of exercises. And thats ok. Its to be expected sometimes. You are dealing with alot of stressors. As long as you are taking care of yourself the best way you are able that is all that matters at this time. (Not a few treats here and there). I had to laugh to myself though when you said the "Colon Prep" kept your "weight in check"! lololol.. 
Its great that your sons will all be there to spend time together with you. Thats how it should be!...Sounds like you will have alot of fun together. And yes, YOU MUST make them watch good old fashion Christmas Movies with you. My 22 year old stayed the night with me last weekend, and we atched Rudolph together. Makes for great time and conversation. lol.....Then I proceeded to 'Re-watch" it with my Husband this past week.
I want to say from my house to yours, I hope you have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! Thanks so much for checking in this week!
I nice day with the relatives on Christmas. Not too many people which is good to keep stress levels in check. Have to watch the calories and stay focused. Enjoy your Christmas and holidays.
@sail46
Thank you Sail!
And I'm glad to hear your stress levels have been in check that is always a good thing! Good luck on watching those calories! I know it can be quite challenging this time of year!..
Thanks so muc for checking in this week and letting us know how you've been doing!
@PoliteOcean
This week I've felt good (sleepy, but good) physically, mentally, and emotionally. I'm ready for the holidays...not doing anything at the last minute except for making the appetizer I'm taking since I can't make it too far in advance. However, all of the ingredients have been purchased. So it's all ready to go. It feels great! My family meets at my youngest sister's house for Christmas. The older of my two nephews and his family can't come because his fiance is pregmant and her doctor doesn't want her to even be an hour away. But we'll see them after the baby is born (he should arrive on January 2!). However, there will be 10 of us at my sister's house. We'll help my sister fix the dinner, eat, open presents, and play games and/or watch movies. This week I finished Christmas shopping, bought everything I need for the appetizer I'm making, and finished wrapping all the gifts. Mom and I sent out holiday cards. I accomplished a *lot* of errands, started planning the month of January, done a little reading, and watched a few movies. I made some Artist Trading Cards for a swap, colored some Christmas pictures, run errands with a friend so she'd have some company, and finally picked up a copy of a book for a January book club meeting. I've accomplished so much more than usual. This used to represent a normal day and week for me, so it feels really good! I got the results of my blood test and my A1C has gone from 6.7 to 6.2!!! I was over the moon about that. And it's a result of my new eating habits that I'm working on. I didn't change anything else at all. I haven't felt much stress...all in the normal range according to my last emotional wellness test a couple of days ago. So I have been able to just say, "Wow. I'm feeling some stress. Sorry about that." Then I thank the stress for reminding me that I need to relax and breathe, accept that this time of year is stressful to many and to let it go. I've also been able to help others be aware of stress. So it's been a great week. *happy dance*
What things have you accomplished this past week? How are you dealing with stressors?
@BridgetAileen
Wow Bridget..you really have been "on the ball" with things! lol.... Sounds like you are really keeping busy (which I know we talked about before).. That is really great ..... (as long as stressors are low of course) and you enjoy what you are doing.
Sounds like you are going to have a great Christmas time with your family. And a NEW BABY for the NEW YEAR! How nice is that!.... I hope you enjoy your day, have a wonderful Holiday weekend with your family!.... Thank you so much for checking in this week, and for also taking the time to take part in our Holiday Event as well!...I'm really so proud of you in all that you are getting done and accomplishing.. Believe it or not, when I read all of your posts (yours and others) some of you inspire me as well to keep going and keep pushing through. Because I know that if you all can do it it gives me a sense that I can keep going as well (even when or if I'm tired or stressed or etc..etc..) lol....
Also great job on your Blood work! Keep up the great work!.. And keep us informed on how that all continues to go for you!.. Thanks so much for checking in and letting us know how you've been doing!
@PoliteOcean, you're so right about how coming here and reading the things that other people post can be so motivating and encouraging!
My doctor gave me an additonal medication for depression. He said that it would take three weeks to kick in; however, I think it's already begun to help a lot. I was sooooo tired of just feeling nothing...not bad, not good, just nothing. I just couldn't do it any more. It was OK for a while because at least I wasn't feeling badly, but after long enough feeling nothing feels just as bad or worse. 
No, my stress is at normal levels. A teeny bit, but not much. Well within normal.
@BridgetAileen
I've often wondered about that Bridget... People with true depression, Vs. those with true Anxiety....
I've had 'bouts" of "depressive periods", but nothing that continued or lasted long. But with Anxiety, it can just be so "crippling" for me at times and has been. And I used to think to my own self, how I wished I was more "depressed" and how lucky it would be to just "feel nothing" at all than to have to deal with feeling anxious all the time, all day long etc...etc....And to hear you talk about it in that way and how its been for you, still makes me wonder how that would be, or how I would or could deal with that?....Then the more I started to think about it, the more "Sad" I felt about it... lol.... ugh..... mental issues suck big time lol....
I don't know.... Sounds like we all get the short-end-of-the-stick when it comes to Mental illness issues.
Thank you again my dear friend for checking in again and just talking about how you are feeling. Always love to hear from you.
@PoliteOcean, oh my! I just had to LOL when I read what you wrote about sometimes wishing you were more depressed than anxious. Sometimes I've wished to be more anxious than depressed. Isn't that funny that the "grass is greener" thinking can even extend to mental illness? However, I do understand what you mean...only in reverse. I sometimes wonder if I could truly bear more anxiety in my life...it throws everything out of whack...eating, sleeping, getting things done, socializing. But it does so in a different way...but also in the same way...as depression. However, I'm opposite of you. I experience anxiety over a situation. When that's over or resolved, I'm fine again. But my depression will always loom over me. I may have days, weeks, or even months I may not feel depressed only to have it come crashing down on me at any time; however I know that it's usually days or weeks followed by *months* of depression. You're right that mental illness sucks. And I don't feel as if most sufferers get all the care they really need. It's treated as a short term thing when it's really a long term thing. *sigh*
@PoliteOcean
"How" has everyone been doing or feeling over this past week (Physically, mentally, emotionally)? Physically tired, but mentally and emotionally good :)
How have you been doing this past week with the Approaching Christmas Holiday? pretty busy
How many of you will celebrating the Christmas Holiday? In what way will you be celebrating?! I will be spending Christmas with friends
What things have you accomplished this past week? How are you dealing with stressors? I got a lot of work things done. I use breathing exercises when I am stressed out.
@Mellietronx
Sounds like another great check-in Mellie!.. Sorry to hear that you've been physically tired, but its good that everything else seems to in check for you!...
Hope you enjoy your Christmas with your friends! And its also great that you have a coping skill for those stressors!....Great job!.... Thanks so much for checking in this week and letting us know how you've been doing. Always glad to hear from you!
Was back to more regular workouts today. It felt good, especially considering I was managing well despite how bitterly, extremely cold it was today (outside, gym was a good temp).
Felt a bit slow, taking more breaks in between, but that's expected with going back to some things I haven't done for a while plus stiffness from travelling earlier in the week.