Physical Check-In #2

I've been overeating and not exercising. Need to change that.

It's so easy to overeat during this time. I find it helps if I don't keep anything too addictive in the house. I ate all my Easter peeps over the weekend and now I am in lock down with no more Easter peeps...until Easter! I can't have them in the house and that's that.

I have to put my workout gear in the closet too because, like you, I have crammed a lot of stuff in this apartment.

I would love resistance bands. I should probably buy some -- great idea!

I lived in Beantown when I was in college. On Commonwealth Ave. -- four girls crammed into a two bedroom apartment. It was quite wild when all our boyfriends showed up. Compared to those days I live in a palace!

I had to explain what peeps are to my kids over the weekend. I picked some up when I went shopping. I'm not a fan, buy maybe they will like them. Cadbury eggs are my kryptonite. I cannot be within 50 feet of them or I will gain many many lbs instantly

I know some of us are feeling this way...

Yoga for vulnerability

I feel like I'm eating all of the time, but the scale actually shows 2 lbs down. I'll take it!

Hubby and I have been exercising more than usual. There are also a lot of nice parks with trails nearby. They've actually been more crowded than ever since many people are home because of the pandemic. Yesterday we took a trail that we knew would be muddy, so we wore galoshes. That was a good idea because it was super muddy.

I've been cooking and baking up a storm. I realize that sounds bad, in terms of eating, but I work up such a sweat doing these things that I call it mild exercise. For lunch, I made homemade French onion soup, with nice half sandwiches on the side. Then I made apple turnovers. Then for dinner, I made a pasta dish with hedgehog mushrooms. First time eating them. They didn't have much flavor.

Birds and other animals are so nice to watch. Today we harassed some grackles. We played grackle calls loudly on our cell phones. Almost an entire group flew into the bush nearest us, just staring. I wonder what was being said from the phone?

I don''t think many people like peeps and I will really be surprised if your kids do. I have no idea why this is the only Easter candy I like. My best method is to freeze them!

My father has always loved peeps, but only the yellow chick shaped (not bunny shaped) and only when they've been left out to get stale for at least a week. Maybe you recall that stale peeps are extra crispy. Usually my sister and I buy them for him, but he may not get any this Easter.

My favorite Easter candy is by far the Reese's peanut butter eggs. For some unknown reason, the egg shaped have always tasted better than actual Reese's peanut butter cups in the traditional shape. I don't like the other holiday shapes, as well either.

When I was a little kid, my paternal grandmother used to make homemade chocolate covered Easter candy, in the shape of eggs. There was always the coconut, nougat, peanut butter, and a candied fruit type filling. I think those recipes died with her. It's just as well. She eventually died of complications relating to diabetes type 2. She died on my 30th birthday She was always making cookies, cakes, pies, and all sorts of sweets. I'd better be careful I don't follow her footsteps. She was the sweet and lovable grandmother.

I weighed myself yesterday and was 2 lbs down. I weighed myself this morning, and was yet another 2 lbs down. I feel a bit ill. Bathroom runs (might be contributing to the weight loss). I've also been super cold. I don't have a fever. I'm only 98.0 F (36.7 C). I don't plan to do much today. Just some light chores, some meal prep, my therapy session, and perhaps some outside time.

Just a genuine question: how old are you? I ask this because when my mom went through menopause, she was getting both cold flashes and hot flashes, and had bathroom runs. She went through this at around age 55, give or take, and she's now 59 (as of last week).

I could be totally wrong here, but do you think that is a possibility? Not sure if you're still getting your monthly visits or if they're now infrequent/erratic.

Another possible thing... Are you eating old food or food? e.g., eating some cooked chicken that's been in the fridge for about a week. That could definitely give you the runs, for example.

My mother told me that the ''menopause'' was the best thing that had ever happened to her. Odd

It's possible, bluebicycle, but the cold chills and bathroom runs are only within the last 12 hours. I will say that I barely had a monthly this past month, but that was in complete contrast to my otherwise super normal ones for years before. I was wondering if the latter was maybe elevated prolactin level since my Seroquel XR dose went up higher than usual.

I do sometimes have flash sweating, but have since at least my early 30s. I think it's mostly anxiety-related, medication-related, or according to my psychiatrist, "being out of shape". LOL!

I'm not yet 50. I think my mother and grandmothers had late menopause. I guess that doesn't mean I will, too.

Ah ok. Probably not menopause then.

I hope that you can figure out the root cause of these symptoms. They sound very unpleasant and bothersome.

I occasionally do have "hot flashes," but not as extreme as someone would get if they were going through menopause. I just get a sudden wave of heat over me and have to take off my sweatshirt for like 10 mins. (I normally wear a sweatshirt for most of the day because I'm always cold.) Never happened before I started meds, and my weight is fine. Also not particularly anxious when I get them. Must be a med thing.

Thank you, bluebicycle

I could certainly see it as being meds. I am convinced that higher doses of Lamictal made me sweat a lot. Maybe my small dose contributes even now. I think Seroquel does to me, to a lesser degree. Are you on either of these meds?

My worst is the anxiety. When my anxiety spikes, it's like I'm a furnace. It's at its worst when I meet someone new (I guess a mild social anxiety). I talk a lot (maybe too much) but sweat starts to bead on my forehead and all over the place. People even notice, sometimes. That makes it even worse.

Hey @BirdDancer. Thinking of you and checking in to see how you're feeling. I hope you had a relaxing day

Thank you, fern

I feel a bit better today. I got much more sleep last night than the one before. The reason is because last night I remembered my evening medications. I also took it easy yesterday and watched my favorite film, "Pride and Prejudice". The one with Colin Firth. I woke up a few times last night but mostly because we had a heck of a thunderstorm. First this year! I love thunderstorms!

How have you been?

That's great to hear. A relaxing day and getting the chemicals evened out seems to have helped a lot.

I love thunderstorms too. My kids freak out, so I don't get a lot of time to just sit with the storm anymore with all of the 'let's go to the basement' panic. I can't blame them though. I remember several truly horrifying storms from my childhood.

I'm doing well. There is a lot of uncertainty afoot and I recognize it scares me, but I am focusing elsewhere and grounding in my deep sense of gratitude for the many blessings in my life. Today is my anniversary. Another wonderful year with mybhusband is at the top of my gratitude list

We always go out for fondue because we went for the first time the night after we got married. Of course, we cannot go tonight, but I'm making it at home. My kids think it is a great time dipping tiny foods with their skewers. Of course, they love the dessert the best. We do not have a lot of date nights, so I'm not too bummed for the extra dinner company of my children. They have promised me they will play together nicely today as a gift. I'm optimistic

Happy Anniversary, Fern! Anniversaries are lovely, especially when you know you've been with a 'good one" for so long. From what I recall, you have a good hubby, too

I love your story about the fondue. And it's so symbolic as it represents an extra special type of "togetherness" in sharing a meal. I can imagine your kiddies like fondue, too. I hope they know the story about that fondue meal the night after your marriage. I have a special memory of the night meal after my wedding, too. We had a lovely reception in the afternoon, but at night we drove to my sister-in-law's beautiful country home in the Bohemian woods (she stayed in her city apartment in Prague, Czech Republic) and there we roasted thick sausages over a bonfire on sticks. A little less gourmet-sounding than fondue, but similar in romance.

Do you get a lot of tornadoes with thunderstorms? We can in my state, but the tornadoes are usually nothing to worry about. The winds and lightening can still be pretty wild, though.

Thanks BirdDancer. Yes, he is amazing. A true match for me.

Yes, the kids love it and they know the story. They love it when we go because Grandpa usually comes over to stay with them and they pig out on pizza and go crazy. We got a fondue set for our anniversary the year my first son was born. We couldn't get a babysitter so we learned how to make our own that night. We have been using our set on Valentine's day each year with the kids because they love feeling like they get more than one dessert when we give them a plate full of fun things to dip. You're right about the togetherness. It is the best part

I love the story about the bonfire. Food prepared with love or in a fun and connected way is always the best!

I definitely got my exercise in today. I did circuit training this morning and walked a few miles this afternoon. Luckily I don't feel too exhausted. The weather is perfect. The sky is a beautiful blue and the sun is warm. There's a nice breeze and the humidity isn't too high. All in all it has been a lovely day.

How is everyone feeling? Sending everyone hugs who wants or needs them.

I am still exercising dospite this pandemic and at a stable 220 pounds . My mild hypertension still a problem even with 20 mg lysilpril dsilymneed to work on eating habits and stress disorder

I'm starting to do stretches every day, I'm very out of shape and it's gotten worse since I haven't been taking walks with everything going on. I need to get an exercise mat so I can do some physical activity without hurting myself on the hard floor of my apartment. Maybe in the meantime I could use a blanket on the floor, until I'm able to buy the mat next month

My friend Caleb and I say the same thing!

I've been doing pushups every day and walking every other days as weather permits.