WEEKLY HEALTHY LIVING CHECK-IN FEBRUARY 15th, 2020

**The past week went decent... A little rainy and colder throughout this week so managed to get some things done in the house that I've been putting off. Like cleaning my closet out and putting away some clothes the right way..... I stayed on complete track with everything (except sleep) this past week. And I'm finally back to where I was in my goals since my "splurge" during the holidays. So now I feel like I'm ready and back on track to keep moving forward as we get ready to enter Springtime in the next month ahead.

**I taught my usual classes, made sure to go to others classes, (as well as try a few new ones that I hadn't tried before!).... Yesterday for Valentines Day, I got up early and went to a morning workout at the Studio I teach at, as there was only "one" class yesterday. They were having a Valentines Dance party, and I was invited to "lead" and do the "warmup". So I managed to do that and get in a pretty good workout. I did NOT have any "Treats" etc.... I figured since I allow myself "one" treat day a week on "Saturdays" that I could hold myself together and wait just "one" more day to do so!...Although I did buy my husband a few small things and he got me some treats, Flowers, and a Card as well.

**Today, will be "our" Valentines Day...So we will go out to one of favorite eateries for dinner in the evening.~ ..... I got in an early morning workout today,& staying on track paid off this morning, .... moving ahead for the next week I am going to make a better plan for being able to do "Better" with my Bedtime routine so I can hopefully start laying down earlier.

ENJOY THE WEEKEND~

**How has this past week been going for you?!

It was challenging. I felt unmotivated to do a lot of work I needed to do and the holiday yesterday brought up a lot of unwanted emotions surrounding my recent breakup.

**What is something "New or Different" that happened to you this week?!

I went out for the first time in a long time to catch up with some old high school friends I haven't seen in a long time.

**In what ways have you been keeping on top of the goals you've set for yourself this month? What is the "main" goal that you'd like to see come together?

Main goal is to work through tough emotions that have been overwhelming the last few months. To work through those goals, I have been attending counseling, visiting 7 cups, using an app called Wysa.

**What did you do for VALENTINE'S DAY? Did you celebrate with friends, family, a significant other? How did this specific day make you feel? Were you able to stay on track and enjoy good treats in moderation?!

Not the best day. Mostly tried to push through the holiday. Just trying to survive the reminders of relationship and love.

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

Dealing with Valentine's day

**What are your weekend Plans?

Distract myself with things on to do list I haven't done in a long time: get a haircut, clean bedroom, clean bathroom, get on top of laundry and dishes, go grocery shopping, etc

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

Talk about motivation tips and tricks? I don't know if there are any but motivation has been at an all time low. So much to process emotionally that I haven't been taking care of myself physically. I feel so drained but I want to eat better and lose the weight I gained. I just can't bring myself to implement those changes with everything else dragging me down.

@PoliteOcean

Heya Ocean !

Things have gone rather well this week, Ive managed to do a presentation without stressing too much, Ive also done one successful experiment, and Ive finally been able to go to the lab next door to start on my project ! Ive also been working out more so thats good!

Ive also started seeing this guy, after a few dates we finally kissed so I guess it means were together now, seeing how we waited for several dates, but that makes me quite uncomfortable and stressed for now. And Im not quite sure whether its the plain uncomfortable kind of uncomfortable, or the ‘I havent done this in a long time and last time I did it went terribly bad kind of uncomfortable. Ill see where it takes us and either way, it has been good for now to be able to go out and spend some quality time.

On another note, Ive noticed that Ive been getting these weird periods where Im just really high on energy, doing lots of work/sport/cleaning/ordering/cooking and not being able to sleep much. And some others feeling really low on everything. Things are mostly normal but these periods of either feeling high/low are just pretty weird so I guess Ill pay attention to them. For now its a high period, so Ill try and force myself to get some sleep though!

Also, I hope you enjoy your Valentine s Day! Its great youre allowing yourself treats to make the most of this day, and I hope you can manage to get to bed earlier. I dont know if that can help you but Ive found that eating earlier helped me finish my stuff earlier and going to sleep earlier.

That was long, sorry! Have a good weekend!

@PoliteOcean

Hey Ocean and everybody! it's been going on and off considering my diet and healthy life but I've been enjoying it neverless.

Well something new or different is that I made stronger bond with some of my friends! which is always nice.

I have been managing my diet in a way that is acceptable for my desires and I. The main goal is to grow muscles!

I wrote 2 of my friends a valentine card and ate family dinner with my family. It made me feel happy and nice for once even though I don't have a significant other haha I didn't eat anychcolate

My struggles were keeping my diet on track I keep falling to sweets and stuff though I'm doing much better than other times

My weekend plans is to manage my calender and do homework

I was able to take out a lot of sweets and unhealthy food out of my life and I've been starting to do morning walks and weekend joggings which made me feel better. yesterday I ate at Mcdonalds for the first time in years and it made me feel bad and it made me remember that my diet makes me feel much better and good about myself and it made me realize I should stick to it better and harder

that's it for today friends

@PoliteOcean

**Hey Everybody! How has this past week been going for you?!

Well it's been tiring because me and nine other folks are taking a week off school to travel to Boston for a speech competition. It's super fun!

**What is something "New or Different" that happened to you this week?!

I am proud to announce that I have finally decided on a college to go to! I will be attending Vanderbilt University in Nashville for the fall fo 2020! Can't wait to start a new chapter of my life.

**In what ways have you been keeping on top of the goals you've set for yourself this month? What is the "main" goal that you'd like to see come together?

Much of my effort the past few months have been directed to apply to colleges and gathering financial aid information but now my goal is to just take a break and pace myself and hang out with friends.

**What did you do for VALENTINE'S DAY? Did you celebrate with friends, family, a significant other? How did this specific day make you feel? Were you able to stay on track and avoid any "treats"?!

We went to this place where all the burgers are named after celebrities. This was still during week of competition but it was nice to spend time with friends.

1. Swerved a downward spiral

2. I'm keeping on top of my goals by making sure I exercise, even if it's not as much. And, I'm prioritizing my mental health over physical health right now. I'm learning to trust myself and my body. I'd love for my body to trust me with food pretty soon. I'd also love to run a mile in 10 minutes & run long distance in general by the end of the year. I'm slowly getting closer to that goal each day. Short term I'd love to start active recovery days. Sedentary ones are depressing me.

3. Valentine's day was spent with myself, doing some things I like. So caught up on tv shows, broke a personal record with my jogging endurance (super excited about this one!), reduced how much I sprinted as a form of self care. I embraced the treats rather than avoiding them, don't think I have to explain. I personally don't eat much refined sugar even in recovery but I feel enjoying a small treat is healthier than avoiding altogether (if you can), which can lead to a binge, guilt and distorted views. I know you're a trainer but gotta politely challenge you on demonizing food there enjoy treats, people

4. Lots of struggles but to avoid being redundant each week, my successes have been trying to do more self care all the time and listen to what I really need. Haven't quite got it down yet but I'm making small bits of progress!

How has this past week been going for you?

Challenging but satisfying. Satisfying because I know I am doing everything I can each day. Challenging because I've been dealing with the fact that I will lose Medicaid coverage in March. I go to an all-included style counseling service currently to deal with my schizophrenia and those supports will be going away because with the cost of living adjustment to my social security I make 20 dollars too much to qualify for Medicaid and they aren't allowing me to do a "spenddown" (like a decuctible) that would bring my income down with medical expenses, so I'm just stuck.

What is something new or different that happened to you this week?

I went to a non-profit and did a brief interview for volunteering there starting this week. I also started setting aside time to meet with someone out of group that said they needed to meet with someone two hours in the morning, but I'm not sure that will work. They are spectacularly non-communicative about whether or not they are going to be there and our meeting place requires me to purchase something or else we're just loitering. (not that they've said anything about it) They only showed up once last week.

In what ways have you been keeping on top of the goals that you've set for yourself this month? What is the main goal that you'd like to see come together?

My exercise and diet goals that I set for this month on top of my sleep and meditation goals have taken a backseat to my medical dilemmas. I knew there wouldn't be much I could do in the way of working on medical things over the 4 day weekend so I set myself a goal of doing all the dishes in the office area at the house that I live in. Two people use it and I'm trying to get them done before they come back from a writer's convention they've gone to. I'm about halfway done.

What did you do for Valentine's Day?

Really I didn't celebrate it after the first couple of years with my ex, so it was just another day for me.

What have been your Highlights or Struggles over the past week?

I have struggled with keeping a clear head and all the details of what needs to be replace and new budget estimates for March... My highlight was going into Love Inc and finding that they needed an office volunteer.. like yesterday! and we seem to be a perfect match.

I've also struggled with having so much to do during the day that when it comes time for bed.. I'm not upset,but I'm so wound up that its like I can't shift gears. I guess its time to make meditation more a priority again.

It never rains it pours.. My sister wants her basement back, but I don't have to move immediately.

@PoliteOcean

**Last week was very difficult for me. I had a lot of bouts of crying from emotions bubbling up at inopportune times; it felt good to let myself feel my emotions but also left me feeling a little fragile; having my tears be so volatile.

**Something new or different; I cried at the end of yoga ( which is definitely not new or different) but after class this time I talked with the instructor and cried in front of them, letting myself be connected to them in that space of vulnerability. I had a major "vulnerability hangover" afterwards but now I see it as a big growth step.

**Well my real goal right now is just being open to riding this self exploration journey and that has been so much work lately. I have wanted to quit to be honest, to give up on family therapy and just say F*CK IT. But I am here and going to keep my heart and mind open.

**Valentine's day is the birthday of a loved one who died so it's always a weird day of duality for me. I tried to spend some time feeling love and gratitute for people in my life while also still feeling a lot of grief. It was a very emotionally heavy day.

**Highlights last week: making some progress in family therapy. having nice long chats with two long distance friends. Getting a few more hours of work. Struggles: working with a kiddo who is in a lot of emotional disress and not feeling capable of helping them on their journey. Feeling very exposed emotionally trying to mend relationships that have never had solid grounding. It's been so hard to say "this is what I need to feel safe in this relationship". Its a struggle to do it but also a highlight for standing up for myself and feeling some worth.

**Over the weekend I went to "beer yoga" for the first time which was so much fun. I haven't drank alcohol in months but I got a cider for the yoga. I felt pretty weird later but not so bad that it didn't feel worth it.

**I keep my emotions stored in my body and sometimes the only way I can feel them is through the mind/body connection via yoga. So something I've started doing this week is asking myself at the beginning of class "what are you unwilling to feel right now?" and then just letting the feelings come up through class. It has been really helpful for me to process things that I have dissociated from.