Well, now that we are on vacation — so, no excuses — DH and I have been going on the 30 minute walks after dinner that we promised to do every day months ago. The dog likes it too! It just feels better than immediately parking ourselves on the sofa after dinner. Hoping we can continue after we’re home. No reason not to, other than sheer laziness! I also really like the feeling of coming home after the walk and washing my face, etc., and putting on my pj’s!

Otherwise, though, I have been very lazy except for one day when I walked 3.5 miles. The humidity has just made me feel kind of gross and lethargic. The good news is that we have no junk food or sweets in the house so it has been easy to eat right. We have a fantastic ice cream place nearby and I promised myself ONE cone this week and today may be the day!

Things have been pretty steady here for the most part. It's been exceptionally hot and stormy this week and I haven't yet gone out to walk with my new hiking sticks. We will be in the mid 90s all this week so I think I am going to have to carve out early morning time to walk. I prefer evening or lunchtime but that's just not going to happen in these temps.. at least not to start out. I NEED to get going so early mornings it will be!

I did pretty well with healthy eating this week ... until yesterday when I had a burger with spicy chipotle sauce from a wonderful local sandwich shop. I have decided that if i am going to splurge on calories, i am going to make darn well sure they are worth it. I did swap to a whole grain roll (which was amazing) so there's that lol.

I continue to work to be more positive about my appearance and where I am in my journey. It's up and down depending on the day. As I prepare for my trip, I wish I had lost another 50 lb this year.. or even 20. My progress is slow right now and I know the key is to increase my activity level. I also need to get back on my thyroid meds. I haven't mentioned it here-- in fact, I have kept hidden from everyone. My dr required a visit to the office before he'd renew my prescription a year ago-- and since I was in the middle of intensive dental work, I didn't go-- so didn't have my prescription. I need to remedy that... I know I will feel so much better generally with the meds and I will also likely see improved weight loss. So there-- that's my confession for the week.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week ... and that you are all being good to yourselves. Are you getting better at seeing your own beauty? Are you more easily accepting compliments from those around you?

@Sueb20 I saw your picture in the last thread - and your knee/thigh was absolutely the LAST thing I would have noticed! You look great - and happy, and joyful, and FUN - and even after I looked for the knee, all I noticed were some great calves and skinny ankles :)

We made it back from our trip - and DH and I both came back with Covid. This was the first time either of us had it, and it was kind of off our radar even when DH started feeling bad at first. But, both of us ended up testing positive. I feel really pretty good today, so luckily it seems to be mild thus far, hoping for no set backs.

After listening to the podcast recommended last week, I did decide to start tracking for awhile to see where I am. As usual - not enough protein. I'm going to make a big effort the next couple weeks to meet that goal and see how I feel. I don't really do protein powders or yogurt, so it's really a lot of meat. If I do a lot of beans or nuts, that puts me over on calories or carbs. I'm still tweaking it, but I'm going to give it a try.

No real exercise after Tuesday for me due to covid. I did walk a couple SLOW miles yesterday because I was going out of my mind lying around. I'll take it slow this week, but try to get in some résistance work at least. It's what I need to do the most, and the first thing I give up!

So sorry you caught covid, Legomom-- but glad it is a mild case! Hope you are feeling back to normal soon!

I have the same issues with protein-- and when I increase the meat, i just don't feel well. I feel like I have a brick in my stomach. I have been increasing the beans and eggs lately and I am going to add more fish. I think that's the compromise I can live with.

A short lecture to Funky. Get your labs done and get yourself to your endocrinologist.

Since Covid, all my endo appts have been video conferences after my blood is drawn at Walgreen’s (Lab Corp site).

Hello everybody!

I have been diligent about the morning walks and am feeling good about that. It feels like I am getting stronger and that I have more endurance. I'm able to go longer distances without becoming tired and my knees are feeling good too.

This week is going to be tricky; we are going on a five day road trip to see a couple of motorcycle races. I doubt that I'll get my walks in as we will be on the road each day starting early in the morning and I really don't like using the hotel gyms. I had a bad experience in one and haven't wanted to go in one since. I'm thinking I could do a youtube workout in the room as a substitute to walking.

Food wise, we will be eating out, but if I make wise choices, I can manage that. One does have to be careful though. I remember having lunch with a friend once and we were both going to order salads. Until we noticed the calorie counts printed on the menu. The salads ranged from 1200 to 1500 calories while a steak and roasted veggie dish was 400. Needless to say, we both opted for the steak. I said to her that here we thought we were doing a good thing for ourselves but those salads were more than my calorie allowance for the entire day!

Wishing everyone a good week full of little victories (big victories are good too!).

I am still paying off my burger from yesterday -- dinner was a fried egg and steamed broccoletti (which I think is the same thing as broccolini .. but not sure).

If anyone is STILL interested in protein, I listened to this very balanced podcast today on my walk. Zoe Protein and Aging

On a side note - listening to these podcasts at 1.2 speed is really working for me!

On another side note - my anxiety is really getting to me with this lack of exercise. I'm trying to not overdo it, because I heard you're supposed to take it easy receuperating from covid, but I'm going out of my skin. Walked 3.5 miles this morning, but pretty slowly. And I'm still on edge. I didn't really realize how accustomed I had gotten to working out pretty steadily.

Oh no, sorry, @legomom23! Hope you feel better soon, but do not exercise to soon especially too intensely too soon because that can affect risk of long covid. I have waited at least 7 days after symptoms subside which is sort of a general guideline. But it is still out there. Even though levels are pretty low right now, there is still a risk in anything we do.

@Funkyart, I agree you need to get back on your thyroid meds and do a blood test. Hypothyroid can have complications on the heart, etc., because thyroid hormones help make other organs function better.

I went to another Y for mat Pilates this morning. The instructor looked a lot like DH’s late grandma, and she was very good! Now I see why that class books up easily. Her format was both challenging but doable. I stayed and did about 30 minutes of weights and will do Zumba later.

Need to do some work to meet the submission deadline for next year’s conference in Boston.

I was actually down another pound this morning which was shocking given what we had for dinner last night. It was relatively healthy (grilled honey balsamic chicken breast, grilled okra and fresh corn on the cob and tomato slices). Then we went our for ice cream.

My Pilates instructor is gradually ramping up our Wednesday morning class though and we also have homework on an app called Trainerize. I’ve been trying to do the exercises at least 2-3 times between class.

I ran across this 31-day workout plan on the Today show the other day. It duplicates some of our upper body workouts and is quite good with the accompanying video. Legomom, maybe you can do some lightweight versions of some of these with bands when you feel better.

legomom, I hope your Covid recovery is speedy and that you are back to your normal activities soon!

I've been walking, with some running, 5 miles a day. Then I'll skip tomorrow, while I wait for the refrigerator repair man to arrive, I'll lift weights. I've been eating a Greek yogurt every day, 90 calories to feel fuller...keeps me from snacking...seems like a good source of protein. I often add 2 tsp's of sugar and 1 tsp of coco, to mimic ice cream. 💕 I keep thinking I want to get a dog. A dog will pace me ....and make me have-to-go walking twice a day. I know a guy that lost 40lbs when he got a chocolate lab and took up running. But....my cats won't like any additions to the house. For now....better not.

Enjoy the Summer weather everyone!

Funky I too am worried about you now with regards to your thyroid. So happy that you are going to take care of it. I am one of those who can procrastinate for absolutely ever. But I try not to with things that can hurt my body and heart. I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't do that anymore. I want to live as healthily as I can for as long as I can.

Lego I just wanted to say that I understand. Anticipation is what our body does when they get used to something. Any minute now you will be able to get back to your program. In the meantime try to think of your perceived anxiety as your body's natural gearing up in anticipation. Not as something to make you anxious.

Also I love hearing about the protein journey and kick my butt about how bad I am when I read that. Shrug.

Wishing everyone a great week. Vacationing in Oregon, getting in lots of walking. Not doing so well on eating healthy this week but will be back home late Sunday, no big events or trips for 6 weeks, so I will get some good recovery time.

@nicole___ I am also a big fan of greek yogurt too.

Nice, Jill .. have never been to Oregon but it's on short list of places I want to visit in the next few years. Enjoy!

Ive been doing pretty well with food this week .. though a little too quick to crack a fresca instead of a bottle of water. I went out to a greek restaurant a few days ago-- sat out all evening on their beautiful patio dining on hummus & pita and souvlaki. I have been so lazy and forgot how much better fresh, homemade hummus is .. .it's too easy to pick it up at the store. I really need to start making my own again!

Still haven't gotten out with my hiking poles-- not just because of the heat (it's 94 deg now at 7pm)... I have also had a busy work schedule and other commitments. Morning would be great, except that I have been staying up later and waking later. I have early meetings tomorrow but I am committed to getting out this weekend.

I am definitely still interested in hearing about protein-- especially creative ways to bring protein into my diet. Thanks for sharing, Legomom!

I feel like I am coasting right now -- I am not taking off more than a lb or 2 every few weeks. Still, that's better than backsliding.

One of my friends just went to Ireland and they both got the 'vid there. So, they had to cancel part of their trip and quarantine in a hotel room until they were able to fly back home.

Funky, like your poles, we haven't taken the bikes out and probably won't this weekend either due to the heat and humidity. This morning's virtual Zumba was very hot even with the fan going.

Had a good small group reformer today (no photos unfortunately) and also felt super strong during my private lesson on Wednesday.

I saw this and it made me think of our group.

@legomom23 I'm so sorry you've caught covid and have been sick. I hope that it remains mild and that you feel back to normal soon. It sounds like you're being smart and listening to what your body is ready for in terms of activity.

@Funkyart I'm glad you've made it through your surgery and dental work. That is a lot. I completely understand that sometimes we only have capacity for managing one or a few challenging health things at a time. It sounds like you're making great progress and ready to work on the next item on the list (thyroid). I will say that as someone also on thyroid medication, it is life-changing for me and I feel immensely better and more able to do physical activity when my levels are correct. I also completely understand and sympathize with the frustration of maintaining / plateauing when you want to progress. From what you've described, it sounds like you've already had amazing progress and really are doing well from an improved health perspective. I am certain that you will continue moving forward in time, it just may be slower because you are so much closer to your goal.

@gsciencechick I love that!

Sorry I haven't been great about keeping up to date here. While I am mostly over that horrific cold I had, I am still struggling with some residual coughing (not bad, but sometimes at night or after/during exertion of exercise), runny nose, and low energy. This week and last week I have been back fully on track with my morning (summertime) cardio exercise of swimming and running. I am also back on track in terms of doing my 5:2 IF. I had to pause while I was sick because when I tried to do it while sick, it made me way more sick. (Lesson learned.)

I am now battling the 2 extra pounds from being sick on top of the few extra pounds I was already fighting. I think I'm down 1lb after 1-2 weeks of getting mostly back on track. I am trying to refocus on IF and even more so on reducing snacking and focusing on healthy meals.

I am not, however, back on track in terms of weight lifting. I am unbelievably busy at work. I've recently been talking with an HR consultant and she was shocked that I am doing significant individual contributor software engineering work on top of having 8 direct reports to manage. I love what I do, but some weeks it's just a LOT. Now I'm being added to more senior leadership meetings in addition to my already busy schedule and suddenly I don't even have 20-30min at lunch time to lift weights every day. I've gotten to it once this week, but I need to get back on track.

Sorry you are still regaining your health, Prickly-- respiratory illnesses can take so long to clear. I am sure you will be to 100% soon!

I appreciate your support and encouragement-- but I am not that close to my goal lol. I am *closer* for sure but I still have a lot to lose. I know I need to increase my activity and that will make all the difference. It always did ... I will get there. I just have to accept the pace.

GS.. ugh I have become so much more sensitive to the heat and especially the humidity. I really do need to get out but at 6:30 this morning, it was already oppressively thick out-- not terribly hot yet but the air was so muggy it was unpleasant. I really need to just push through and just do it.

I will be spending tomorrow afternoon by the pool.. a lazy way to spend the day but I am looking forward to a little downtime. Sometimes mental health is as important as physical health!

Funky, I am less tolerant of humidity too, I think it started when menopause started. I am just a sweaty pig when I’m out in the humid air. Which has made this summer especially difficult! I woke up this morning determined to hit the pavement for an early walk and already it is gross, so I’ll hit the Peloton instead. So far this has been a disappointing summer, weatherwise. Seems like it’s either raining, about to rain, and and/or oppressively humid.

I need a pool. Or a friend with a pool.

I am finally updating!!! I have done 9 pilates classes at our new Club Pilates. I absolutely LOVE i. Classs atmosphere, which I love, but the flexibility schedule when *I* want to go, so I do not have to go every Thursday at 9, or whatever. I have been invited to move up a level, so I will do that this week. I purchased an 8 class packege, but did not check a calendar...so I did 2 per week, and now I am out of credits for this next week....so I decided to try to get there 3 times per week, and changed my membership to unlimited!!

I also (finally!!) found a Standard Poodle, what has to be one of the strangest dog adoption stories, ever! I have been walking her about 3 days a week, a couple of miles at a time, as we work our way up to a 3 mile walk. I don't want her pads to be raw from the asphalt!

No real weight shift sisnce I started Pilatess and the dog walking, but I FEEL better!! I put on a pair of shorts yesterday and they fit very well. They are the smallest size in the drawer, so I will TAKE it!

Going back up to read some missed posts, and I hope everyone has a great weekend!!

The humidity is still bad. I am glad step class is at 8:15 on Saturday mornings. Then i went to the Pilates open house and did a mat class sampler and another barre sampler. I did well since I was the oldest one there and the others were in their 20’s with one 30’s. I am second on the right.

@Springroz, WTG! I’m sure it’s making as huge of a differnce for you as it for me. Congrats on the new furbaby! DH bought me additional sessions for our anniversary gift. Had a nice dinner of sea bass. I had a glass of wine so I didn’t sleep as well.