[Blue_Bird]

Here's a check in for your fitness, self care goals and achievements. I'm not sure if there's already a thread for this topic, if so I'm sorry.

I'm starting fresh tomorrow, I will exercise for 45 minutes, and try to eat healthy, I'm still going to have a treat now and then but I will be cutting way back.

Also, I'll be making sure I brush my teeth 2 times a day and showering everyday.

[archipelago]

This is a cool idea. There is a fitness/weight loss thread, but I can see how this would have a different emphasis. I need to learn and practice more self-care so it probably would be good to have a place that kept me going.

So I have already changed my diet to very healthy and lost weight. I now want to add an exercise routine, but have had trouble getting started. It always seems like something comes up. I'm not sure how to do it anyway, especially since it's not a habit yet.

I'm learning Tai Chi in a class. This is my second time. The teacher says it takes 3 times to learn the whole thing. Right now I know the moves and so am being lazy and not practicing everyday. So I need to change that. It is both physical and mental, mostly mental.

I need to find things that are fun and playful to do to balance everything. Stress and depression stopped me from enjoying things. I am going to have to work to play.

[hvert]

I think this morning that I will walk to the bagel shop for breakfast. I think it's about two miles away. It's sunny and cool outside, nice walking weather.

I might go for a hike later today, but I am not sure how my day will shape up. I am trying to decide if I want to go out of town this weekend.

[hvert]

Just checking in - I did walk today. Since I walked at least 5 miles this morning, I don't think I will hike this afternoon. How did everyone else do with their goals?

[Blue_Bird]

Great job hvert! I exercised this morning and have been eating healthier, still food I like but in moderation

[jacqulinej]

i was in the middle of reorganizing my apt and nearly done and got phone call my mom in hospital, very traumatic situation and since april i been in a funk and now house is a total mess and so much physical pain hard to get things done. but with no car no public transportation and no family and friends and at 64 i have home health but they dont do their jobs. but i did at sept 1 started this journaling on fb but that only lasted 1 day for it was A for awareness well awarness has not stopped and pc i mess up again for countless times. and being here i think that is part of self help. i have a lot of knowledge on how one can heal but it takes out of pocket money. i do not make friends easily anymore for most folks dont understand unless they have experienced it so hoping i can get more postive feedback instead of cold statements..

[Blue_Bird]

I feel exceptionally lazy today, usually the day after I start a fitness/self care routine I'm like this and I tell myself, "oh I'll have a break today and start over tomorrow" but I'm going to make myself stick to it this time. I'm not doing anything too particularly difficult, just starting out small with the exercises. I'm actually pretty sore from yesterday since I'm this out of shape. I forgot to brush my teeth last night because I was exhausted and fell asleep early but I at least brushed them once, and I did shower. Today will be a challenge that's for sure lol I can't wait until this stuff becomes more of a habit.

[archipelago]

Good work everyone. Just having the intention is important.

I ended up with the start of a chest cold, unusual for me to get sick but it has been a very unusually stressful time so I guess it took its toll on me. So now my self-care is quiet literal to taking care so that the cold doesn't get worse.

Can't really do any fitness stuff. I am journaling because some new goals have occurred to me and I want to sort them out. I'm also going to try meditating while lying down in bed.

[hamster-bamster]

I went swimming for 40 minutes and walked for more than 10K steps (fitbit counts the steps for me). Now if I could amass motivation to bike again... Somehow the prospect of getting all the gear, carrying the bike up and down the stairs... seems daunting.

[Blue_Bird]

Today has been a success, I exercised plus showered and brushed my teeth twice. Tomorrow I'm adding speed rope to my exercise routine, plus a new journal entry

[hvert]

Carrying my bike up out of the basement and down the porch steps -- that is more than enough to turn me off bike riding.

I climbed a small mountain yesterday, in half the time I expected. I usually take the time they have in the book and x2 to figure out how long it will take - this time I did book speed!

I am not sure what I will do for exercise today. My legs are sore and I did something to my foot.

[Blue_Bird]

I'm going to skip the exercising today, I woke up really sick

Dear Self:

I'm sorry I have not taken better care of you over the years.

I will try to do better, but ...

ps. Thank you for bringing me this far in spite of it!

[eleckra69]

I love kick boxing!

[Blue_Bird]

Today was a rest day since I woke up sick, starting to feel better though. Back to it tomorrow!

[hamster-bamster]

Guys and ladies,

I am making a spreadsheet for my soon-to-be-published FB page on mental health advocacy. The spreadsheet helps to very easily and quickly set up your "good things to do for yourself" items and track your progress towards treating yourself very nicely on a weekly basis.

I would very much appreciate if you help me!

Here are some of my good things to do:

- walk, fitbit counts steps, goal is 50K steps a week, this week I am over that already
- swim
- bike but I do not do that now because I am constantly dizzy and a little nauseated
- pedicure and manicure but right now I cannot afford it
- meditation but I do not have the discipline yet
- strength training
- foot massage (not too expensive here)
- foot soak (almost free - epson salt and lavender oil)
- pet and groom cats
- rest - my personal trainer says that one day of rest is paramount for muscle development

The spreadsheet will be online as a google sheet, for copying, with detailed instructions on customization.

The approach is week by week and in that it differs from Optimism Online. But other than that, there will be colors, graphs, and the whole thing.

Can you give me some examples of good things you do for yourself - read, sew, hike, draw, etc.? Thanks.

[Blue_Bird]

Hey hamster-bamster, I don't know if this helps or not but I like to read and journal. I think those are 2 good things I do for myself. If I think of more I'll let you know. Thanks for mentioning the rest thing, gonna take Sundays off as a resting day.

Feeling accomplished today! Walked, speed roped, did some exercises with weights, and did some sit ups

[hvert]

Bluebird, I hope you're feeling better!

I walked a few miles today and did a lot of work in the garden. Somehow don't feel like I've accomplished much, suddenly.

[Blue_Bird]

Thanks hvert! I'm feeling a lot better Good job, you're doing great

[hvert]

hamster-bamster, I'm trying to come up with some stuff, but I'm getting bummed thinking about all the stuff I don't do! You hit a bunch of mine on your first list:

- garden
- visit with a friend
- try a new recipe
- plan my day
- journal
- go somewhere I've never been before
- yoga
- maintain portion control

[Blue_Bird]

Today for self care (besides showering and brushing my teeth), I'm going to group which is always nice, and it gets me out of the house for a little while. Then exercising, following the same routine as yesterday, probably gonna keep at that for at least a month then add to it.

[Blue_Bird]

Well, I decided to eat a candy bar today. I've come to the conclusion that it's okay to have a treat once in awhile, that will keep me from one day crashing and eating every unhealthy thing I can find all at once. Things in moderation. I also made a good decision, I opted for the regular sized candy bar rather than the King sized I usually get

[Blue_Bird]

Did all my exercises today except speed roping because I have a really bad headache and don't want to jump around

[archipelago]

I was sick too. A chest cold that is still hanging around, but I think I'm going to try some things today, even some exercise. I'm about to go on a trip and wanted to be into a routine by now so I'm bummed that I'm not yet.

I'm going to try a walk first. And if that works out okay, I'll think about an exercise routine that includes weights.

I have also decided to do something symbolic. The Equinox is next week. I read about a guy who set aside the time from the Equinox to the Winter Solstice as a time of renewal, where he did something each day so that at the end he had 90 days to reflect on.