exercise

I Can’t Win!!!

by Penny

Well, I’m back! It’s been several months since I last posted. I have no excuse because I have most certainly had the time, but this damn Covid sucked the motivation right out of me. In my last blog post, I talked about my plan to hopefully lose some weight. I made NO promises to either myself or to anyone else for that matter; that way there would be no guilt. Most people would probably say I was setting myself up to fail, but at my age, I had been down this road many times, and I knew pressure to be accountable does not work for me.

I am pleased to say that to date, I have lost 30 pounds. Honestly, no one is more surprised than I am. It was a very gradual process, and all I really did was count my daily calorie intake. When I reached my limit each day, I stopped eating. Simple! Every morning, before I started my day, I stepped on those new scales that I purchased online during my Covid shopping spree. Apparently, that was the only motivation that I needed. As I watched the numbers come down, I had a lovely feeling of accomplishment.

So, I am sure you are wondering why the title of this post seems so negative. I can explain in one word…. WRINKLES!

When I went on my weight loss journey, I did not take this into consideration. Old skin has no elasticity. My body looks like a wrinkled jumpsuit that I have slept in and not ironed ever. I am not impressed! Yes, I am pleased that my clothes are fitting better, but at this rate, I may resort to wearing a long sleeved, floor-length sack.

My knees sag, my belly hangs, and my arms flap in the breeze like flags. And don’t even get me started on my face! I honestly think the only solution is a full body lift and a few gallons of Botox or perhaps I could bathe in anti-wrinkle cream.

I considered the idea of exercise as a viable solution to my problem, but let’s be real, I don’t have a snowflakes hope in hell of that happening.

Well, I am temporarily out of possible solutions, except perhaps ……..

Thanks for reading,

Penny xo

No Weigh!!!

by Penny

Before you begin to question my grammar skills, I have not spelled “weigh” incorrectly. As I mentioned in a previous post, one of my covid purchases was a new scale. I have not owned a set of scales for many, many years because their reality is depressing. I actually do not know a soul who likes to step on the scales. The last time that I had to do it was in my doctor’s office during a physical, and I couldn’t even bring myself to look. But like many others, staying home during quarantine made me think. Was I eating more? Had I gained much weight? I was definitely a little more sedentary during this time and some pants were feeling a bit snug. Snacks had become a way of life, a coping skill so to speak. I decided that I needed a reality check, hence, the new scales.

My purchase arrived within days. It was sleek and looked like frosted glass. Very fashionable! The idea of stepping on a glass tile made me nervous. What if I broke it? That would be embarrassing! I set it in the bathroom behind the door and decided that I would take my chances and step on it first thing in the morning before I had had anything to eat.

The next morning, I summoned all my courage and took that first step. My worst nightmare was confirmed… I was fat! Once the shock of the numbers wore off, I knew I now had to take action. I hate diets and complicated rules, so how to proceed? The concept of weight is actually very simple; it is a balance of calories in and calories out. I knew that I needed to keep things simple or I would quit. I recalled a health app on my phone and decided to have a look at it. I could record daily weight and track my daily calories easily. I discovered that by monitoring my calorie intake, I could eat what I wanted (within reason of course) as long as I stayed under 1200 calories per day. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the graph line recording my weight head in a downward path.

I am delighted to report that in about 2 months, I have lost 15 pounds. Since beginning my personal program, I have also started some simple daily exercises (only about 15 minutes) and walking more. I do not deprive myself. I love my wine, but include it in my calorie count. I feel like I am making healthier choices, but now that my city has opened up more regarding covid restrictions, my friends and I have started meeting on Wednesdays again for dinner at our new pub. I am pleased that I have not erased my progress because I allot my food intake accordingly and eat whatever I want.

Had it not been for this damn pandemic, I may not have been motivated to make changes in my habits. I mean, I have promised myself for 40 years that I would lose the pounds that I had gained during pregnancy with two ten-pound babies and that didn’t happen. I have no specific goal in mind, and perhaps that is what keeps me on track. I would like to say this has become my new life-style, but these kinds of commitments often get derailed. At the moment, I am enjoying this challenge, and it is most definitely having a positive result.

Thanks for reading,

Penny xo

Everything Aches!

by Penny

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I’m an early riser. It has become my habit when I first open my eyes in the morning to lie flat on my back and take stock of the aches and pains that emanate from various parts of my body. Anyone watching me would wonder what on earth I was doing. I lift and bend various limbs to see what is new or different. Sometimes, I am pleasantly surprised to discover that a previous problem seems to have resolved itself.

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It used to always be my right knee that gave me the most discomfort, but with continuous use of cannabis cream (I use it religiously.) , I no longer feel the throbs consistent with the arthritis in that joint. I am currently plagued by pain in my left shoulder. So, I am trying out various products from the arsenal in my medicine cabinet.

This week, after a tug of war with my 177 pound St. Bernard, I am treating lower back pain. I really should learn that if she doesn’t want to move, she won’t move. I am always the loser in this battle of wills.

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I am quite aware that the aches and pains that I am experiencing are just another reminder that I am getting older. Among my group of friends, there are knee replacements, and hip replacements aplenty. It started me wondering why these surgeries are so common place today, and the wait time for doctors doing these procedures is long. I think back to when I was much, much younger and these kinds of operations were virtually unheard of in medicine.

How did our parents and grandparents and those before them cope with these ailments? My mom, in her eighties, was still maintaining her large home and garden, roller skating twice a week, and occasionally going downhill skiing in the winter. Were they made of better stock? Or were they simply more active during their lifetime than people are today? Has technology robbed us of our physical health? 2a78e38dd433824c51357eb0c258e02e

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I have come to the conclusion that it is a combination of many things, but I guess the proof will be in the younger generations. It will be interesting to see the outcome because as you have heard many times before “use it, or lose it”. I think there may definitely be something in that old adage. So get off your sofa, and phone, and computer and at least go for a walk. You may meet some new friends and discover a whole world of fun just beyond your front door.

 

Thanks for reading,

Penny xo ♥

Olé, Olé, Zumba!!

by Penny

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I told you I was a Rockette once.

We all know how important it is to stay active at any age. Before retirement, it was never my priority to be physically active. My life was physical enough with work, kids, cleaning the house, maintaining the yard and walking the dog. I was a single mom and had to do it all. There were a few times when I did join a gym with the intention of getting in better shape, but as the membership ran out, so did my interest and often my budget.

After retirement, I coasted along thinking little about exercise. I was more focused on filling my days to avoid boredom. I still had to maintain the house inside and out, and of course the dog demanded her daily stroll, but there was a lot more time available for eating and drinking wine with friends, so it is not surprising that my clothes started to feel tight in all the wrong places. In addition to that, my knees were feeling the onset of arthritis, and I worried  that I may join the people I knew who had to have knee replacements. I was determined to make some changes.

Several of the girls who had retired before me, were taking classes at our local senior citizen centre. The programs are extensive with numerous choices from yoga to swimming and tai chi to pickle ball. And yes, they even offer chair fitness for those with physical limitations.

I decided to check out some programs for myself. A few of my friends were already taking Zumba classes, so I decided to give it a try. Now for those of you who don’t know what this is I can explain simply. It is low-impact movement done to mainly Latin music. Classes are generally an hour in length. You can rest or modify the arm or leg motions  according to your own needs. I love music and I love to dance so it seemed like a perfect choice. 

Little did I realize how popular these classes are. Registration day, there we were lined up at 7 o’clock in the morning to ensure a spot in the class. It was like registering my kids for swimming lessons all over again. 

Just to make it fun, wear something that makes you smile. Here is something I chose.

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There is so much to choose from and it doesn’t have to break the bank. Try Joe Fresh for some great pieces.

Well, I have to say I am really enjoying Zumba. Of course it doesn’t hurt that after class we head to a nearby pub for a lovely chilled glass of wine and perhaps something to nibble on as well. The other patrons look forward to our weekly visits too, I think.

And if physical activity is not quite your “cup of tea”, there are many other activities to choose. Just get out and do something!

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The girls are going to be so jealous!

Thanks for reading,

Penny xo