WEEKLY HEALTHY LIVING CHECK-IN MAY 2, 2020

**This past week has been a little crazy and up and down for me. I kept up with my usual for the most part of staying on track with workouts, activity, tracking etc... Sleep was decent for the most part. I'm taking some new Vitamins, and I feel like they are helping with my overall energy. I don't feel as tired or worn out lately....... But once again, just like last week at the same timeframe..., I was contacted by my Fitness Studio that with everything going on at the moment, they won't be adding my classes back to the schedule for the time being and will be scaling back on things and instructors. So.... that pretty much leaves me in the same place I've been in, since I haven't been teaching anywhere, anyways~ There are some instructors doing things "Virtually" which is all the "rage" at this time, however I chose to not be one of them and decided to take that break that I needed at this time for my own Mental and Emotional Health, (as well as a few other instructors).... I am personally assuming that didn't set well with the Studio Owner. SOO.... with that being said, once I do return to teaching again, I won't be teaching at this studio any longer, or two of my regular classes during the week. This has been very disappointing to my People who have attended and followed me all these years, b/c its like their "Voice or Opinion" doesn't matter during this time. And I'm not the owner, (who obviously has whatever right she feels to do what she needs to do for her studio)....

**A New Dawn, A New Day~....... With Friday being the FIRST day of May, I have decided to continue to move forward~ Leave the events of the last day of April behind me... And work on my Nutritionist Cert. I will be getting ready to test for that soon to continue to prayerfully work with others in a more well-rounded way. (Workouts, Nutrition all of it).... And Will continue to teach Zumba 2 days a week at another facility I've been with for several years... once I'm able to return there. I am also hoping and mulling over the idea of starting my OWN Virtual ZOOM classes with All the people who've followed me at the studio that I will no longer be at... As they have requested this. So that could be a potential prospect soon?...

**The weather is trying to get warmer, and will be beautiful this weekend~ Looking forward to that. Intentions are to walk with my mom Saturday morning, and then head on out early in the day (DONNED IN MY MASK ) to take care of some things I need to get and do. Then hopefully continue to relax and enjoy the rest of the day and evening.~

ENJOY THE WEEKEND~ STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY

This week has been really tiring, it has been a bit of an emotional roller-coaster. I was quite depressed at the start of the week because I feel mentally exhausted of the whole situation: having nothing to do with work, not being on my own in my own place with all my things, my schedule, my habits and my privacy. The middle of the week got much better thanks to having news from work, we did a video meeting with everyone to talk about all the organization around going back to work and it was really good to hear everyone and see that things are moving forward, despite all the heavy organization that will be needed for the coming months. But now I

@PoliteOcean

**Hey Everyone~How have you been doing this past week? Pretty good :)

**This is our FIRST CHECKIN for the month of MAY! What things do you envision in this new month ahead? I hope to get more stuff done this month...hopefully

**What are your goals and plans for May? What things can you do to work on achieving them? I plan on cleaning my room. I can do a little section each day.

** With us being in different times right now, How are things currently going in the area you live? Are you starting to see any improvements or re-openings of things around you? If not, what time-frame has your area been given? How are you continuing to take care of Your "MENTAL HEALTH" from day to day? Things in Chicago are about the same as they were last month

**CINCO DE MAYO is on Tuesday May 5th~ How many of you celebrate this day or do something special? I don't really have plans this year

**What have been your "Highlights" Or "Struggles" over this past week? I went on a long walk with a friend and that was great. I can't think of many struggles tbh

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

I've been really lazy recently. I'm a little frustrated with how slowly I tend to be moving on things I want to do.

**This is our FIRST CHECKIN for the month of MAY! What things do you envision in this new month ahead? **What are your goals and plans for May? What things can you do to work on achieving them?

I NEED to be doing my online continuing education classes in goal-setting, various MS Office 2019 applications, and bookkeeping/accounting. I WANT to continue taking more members in chats and doing training modules so I can get to the Active Listening 2 certificate level by the end of May/June.

** With us being in different times right now, How are things currently going in the area you live? Are you starting to see any improvements or re-openings of things around you? If not, what time-frame has your area been given? How are you continuing to take care of Your "MENTAL HEALTH" from day to day?

So things aren't really reopening right now around me. In fact, current restrictions were set to expire May 4th, but the Governor said that they will be extended and didn't give any indication of when the next order will expire. I'm trying to take it in stride, but it was really wearing at first to be in the house most of the time. I've started meditating again and I'm working on bodyweight training with a friend online.

I am and live with people with health difficulties, and am fortunate enough to have someone who picks up groceries for me and drops them off on the doorstep, and our state increased the food stamps everyone gets so that's been a blessing.

I am unfortunate in that I was unemployed before and will now be looking for work competing with the millions who were thrown out of work due to COVID19 once the restrictions are lifted. Plus being easily sickened and listening to my hosts wishes, grocery and medical are not good options for me right now.

**CINCO DE MAYO is on Tuesday May 5th~ How many of you celebrate this day or do something special?

We don't really celebrate many holidays here. If we do celebrate we'll probably have burritos or some kind of Mexican American food.

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

My highlight today was getting my Active Listening 1 certificate and realizing that I'm almost 2 episodes away from having completed watching another K-Drama. My struggles have been mostly internal. I've had trouble with motivation and fatigue. Today I tricked myself by telling myself that I would have a cup of coffee this morning after I was done with my shower, breakfast and meds. I meant to do it, even though its not good for my anemia, but when I went to get the coffee, there was only one pod left, and I didn't feel right about taking it, but it gave me a little pep anyway just to think I was going to do it. (I tend to drink a caffeinated drink about once a week). I know I can't promise something to myself and not follow through as a general rule and hope for things to go well because the body, heart, and mind will remember, but as it was unintentional this time I'm letting it slide and just enjoying the positive effects.

@PoliteOcean

**What are your goals and plans for May? What things can you do to work on achieving them?

I want to refocus my attention to eating healthier. I have made such big strides in overcoming my mental health challenges and now it's time to refocus on my physical health.

Easiest step is to not buy as many unhealthy snacks to temot myself with the next time I go to the store. Another step is to plan healthier meals. My family already tries to plan dinners for the full week before we head to the grocery store, its time that we replace some meals with healthier alternatives. And it's important to start thinking about my breakfast and lunch options in advanced.

** With us being in different times right now, How are things currently going in the area you live? Are you starting to see any improvements or re-openings of things around you? If not, what time-frame has your area been given? How are you continuing to take care of Your "MENTAL HEALTH" from day to day?

We were supposed to see more places reopen by the end of last month but it has been extended to the middle of this month. Although honestly, I think it should be extended longer just in case.

Taking care of myself means keeping busy. I have been completing my academic responsibilities online, I make time for "me activities" like painting my nails, and I have resources like 7 cups and social media to stay connected with others.

**CINCO DE MAYO is on Tuesday May 5th~ How many of you celebrate this day or do something special?

Desite my hispanic background, this isn't a holiday we celebrate.

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

My answer to both is midterms. Struggles was preparing for the exams and dealing with anxiety as I prepared for a presentation. My highlights are that I got a good grade on those exams and I did the presentation well despite my anxiety.

Hey everyone! I'm new to this forum. A lot will be changing for me this month. I start a new job tomorrow that I'm very excited but anxious about and it's the first in my career field. I expect this month to be really busy but I'm hoping I have some time to go visit family back home. I'm also moving in two weeks so a whole lot of change going on. Things are a little crazy where I live but I can tell people are starting to go out again and not take it as seriously, which worries me. For the month ahead I feel a little overwhelmed but also looking forward to it.

I'm alright.

Hm. I kinda don't want to envision this month. I want it to simply happen to me, rather than have a hope or vision for it. Usually that leads to disappointment for me.

Only solid plan I can say is finish this semester. Goals are to keep learning about non-attachment & listening to my body.

Things are not going well where I live. In pretty much every sense. Some states are re-opening, just to appease people it seems rather than protect people. The public is "losing their minds" so to speak and it's only been a month, while other countries have locked down longer and don't seem to be nearly as impatient and uncooperative as we are. This is really highlighting how fractured (and entitled) this country is, how people behave in times of not having control, uncertainty, and high stress. Thankfully my state isn't going to re-open just yet but there's a plan for whenever that time comes. Taking care of my mental health by remembering that those who scream the loudest on social media or in real life aren't representing everyone in the country. I also don't speak for the entire country. Trying to also have compassion for those who are frustrated, no matter how ironic I think their public protests are. Helps lower my own anger and think "wow, these people must really be suffering from something and it must be hard for them to cope and that's why they're behaving this way".

Personal highlights: took care of myself in some ways. Practicing patience and self-compassion, redirecting negative thoughts, etc.

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

I am doing fine. Getting groceries and fresh food became a bit more complicated but still posible. News around here are not positive but personally I keep on doing my best and stay as busy as posible.

**This is our FIRST CHECKIN for the month of MAY! What things do you envision in this new month ahead?

In the City I live in the worst is coming for the next two weeks, so I think is time to stay strong and do what is needed to help others and stay mentally and physically balanced.

**What are your goals and plans for May? What things can you do to work on achieving them?

I'll try to go faster with my courses and read a little more. I need to walk more and maybe I'll try to go out and run before sunrise at least once a week.

** With us being in different times right now, How are things currently going in the area you live? Are you starting to see any improvements or re-openings of things around you? If not, what time-frame has your area been given? How are you continuing to take care of Your "MENTAL HEALTH" from day to day?

People was skeptic at first when lockdown started four weeks ago, it took long for most to understand, now is the opposite, people is panicked and complying the strict measures (hopefully effective) we have here. Expectation is for the worst wave to happen in the coming days so lockdown will last at least until early June. Taking care of mental health implies mostly being busy, doing the very little work that can be done, a lot of volunteer work and filling the time with learning.

**CINCO DE MAYO is on Tuesday May 5th~ How many of you celebrate this day or do something special?

Funny thing is that I live in Mexico nowadays, 5 de Mayo is kind of a National Holiday, but far from being the most important one (That'll be Independence Day in September). Mostly the date is rememberd at schools and some parade takes place in Puebla, the City where Mexican army defetead in 1862 the French Invasion Forces (By then considered one of the most powerful armies in the world). Not many people outside Mexico knows that the French tried to build a stronghold in our continent while the US was in the middle of their Civil war, Mexico resisted the joint French, Austrian and Belgian forces and eventually expelled the invasion in 1867 (with little but very valuable help, given the times, from the US after the end of the civil war in 1866 sending guns and ammo).

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

Highlight, I got top grades in my Social Psychology course.

@PoliteOcean

What things do you envision in this new month ahead?

I'm looking forward to big changes. I will be recieving my MA in a few weeks and I think this will make the job hunt and also just the anxiety and depression easier to deal with. It will also give me more free time to just take a step back from academia (thankfully)

**What are your goals and plans for May? What things can you do to work on achieving them?

My biggest goal is to work up to running a comfortable 4 miles at a time. Right now I am at a comfortable 2 and I can do 5k with some suffering lol.

** With us being in different times right now, How are things currently going in the area you live? Are you starting to see any improvements or re-openings of things around you? If not, what time-frame has your area been given? How are you continuing to take care of Your "MENTAL HEALTH" from day to day?

Things are opening a bit where I am. I find this incredibly concering. Those who don't read history are doomed to repeat it. Things shouldn't open up without a vaccine. Poorer individuals should not have to risk their lives so the rich can get richer. I focus on excercise, art, and developing marketable skills. Right now I have invested time in becoming a helpful tutor for kids and in learning how to use adobe suite. I have also been venturing into the world of DnD to keep in touch with old friends and to make some new ones!

**CINCO DE MAYO is on Tuesday May 5th~ How many of you celebrate this day or do something special?

Having grown up in a region that once was Mexico I have always loved, respected and felt a closeness with Mexican culture and experiences. As a first generation American I find a lot of similar experiences in my own and Chicanx experiences. I also understand that this holiday, especially in the current political climate, is fraught with situations that are rather the opposit of respect towards Mexican culture and experiences. In an effort to not contribute, I think the best and most respectful way to celebrate is to become educated about the roots of this holiday and to support mexican and chicano voices and lives, not overshadow them.

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

My struggle is that this week, family - my achilles heel, has created situations where my flexibility was called for. But I'm currently working hard to not be so flexible. I'm struggling to find the right balance, but I think I'm really succeeding.

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

Honestly, I'm just happy that the weather is so lovely. And I wish folks would take each other's health more seriously and not behave flippantly about COVID because they are arrogant and lack self-discipline. It is exhausting to put great effort into caring for your community and its health when your community doesn't put in the same effort and respect mostly.

This month, my semester ends, I move out of my apartment, my house will sell. After that, I need some me time. There are hot springs in my area. I need to go visit them.

In my area, stores are beginning to reopen today, actually. I should be going back to work in my office on the 18th. My hours were reinstated from PT to FT this week. On the day to day, I've been meditating to take care of my mental health.

For Cinco de Mayo, we usually get together with friends. Not possible this year, but we had fun eating tacos.

Last week I broke up with my boyfriend. It's been a struggle. I realized it was a mistake to do that, and reached out to him yesterday. He did not return my call or text message. I'm working on letting him go.